Plenty of writers receive rejection letters. Rejection is a normal part of the craft. It is a hard reminder that someone, somewhere, is not interested in your work despite your best effort to make it shine. And that is fine. We have to carry on. Like the motto repeated on "Ghost Hunters: "Onto the next."
Rejection may be an unwanted part of the job, but it is not unexpected. It comes with the territory. How you cope with rejection is the mettle of your character. I looked into how other writers coped with rejection and found that some wept. Others went on unprecedented junk-food binges. One even remarked about how she could redecorate one of her rooms by using the bottomless stack of rejection letters she had as some kind of acerbic wallpaper.
I looked into how other writers coped with rejection and found that some wept. Others went on unprecedented junk-food binges. One even remarked about how she could redecorate one of her rooms by using the bottomless stack of rejection letters she had as some kind of acerbic wallpaper.
That's not me. No way. I use it as a poker to stoke the fire because I won't give up. Plus, let's be honest. It's only my first rejection. There are undoubtedly many more to come, but I'm celebrating this one because someone took the time to read my material—at least enough to say no thanks.
I once read that you don't really become a writer until you receive your first rejection letter. Whether that's true or not, I kind of dig the thought that there is an actual, tangible measure of authenticity. Heck, I may not be a great writer, but I am a writer nevertheless. It is sort of like being called up by the Major Leagues. You ride the pine for a while until the manager calls your name to finally play ball. Instead of parking the ball in the bleachers, a lot of first-timers strike out. That's just the nature of the beast, and that's how I'm looking at this. I struck out, sure, but I did so wearing the uniform. Yesiree, I'm celebrating my first rejection with a cocktail in hand! I haven't won the World Series, but for me, in the now, it kind of feels like it.
