For those of you who have never received a rejection letter before, this is what they look like.
*sigh*
I got this in the mail last week and as soon as I saw the return address on the envelope and saw how sadly anorexic it was, I knew the news wasn't going to be good.
I called my mom to let her know, and I could tell that she was desperate to offer some kind of comfort. I had to reassure her and let her know that I wasn't devastated- I mean, certainly there was a part of me that had really hoped this would be it, that Deseret Book would welcome me into the fold with open arms, an editor would contact me just gushing about how brilliant my work is (creative people have REALLY creative imaginations, you know) and that life would be lollipops and buttercups ever after.
Clearly, not so much. Fortunately, I had another, more rational part of me that was pretty sure I wasn't going sink a hole in one, and prepared me to not only accept the sting of rejection but to think of that sting as the feeling of my badge of "Real Writer" honor being pinned to me. It hurts, but scars make for good stories, right?
And so, I am on to Plan B (because if Plan A doesn't work out, there are still 25 more letters in the alphabet).
Why, hello there brick wall. Hang on just a minute and let me go grab my climbing gear.
"Sometimes God doesn't give you what you want, not because you don't deserve it, but because you deserve so much more."
Have you been rejected before? Have you climbed your brick wall or are you still clawing your way up? Anybody want to offer some encouragement? I could use all the climbing gear I can get...
Well, guess my rejection stories aren't very interesting to you anymore, but . . . Anyway, after hitting, climbing, falling on my behind numerous times, and then finally scaling that seemingly insurmountable brick wall, I finally got published several times. And I don't think my stuff was as good as yours.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mom
:-) Thanks Mom.
DeleteRejections are definitely badges of honor. Wear it with pride.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for brick walls...here's one of my favorite quotes, it's from Randy Pausch. "Brick walls are there to see how bad you really want it...not to stop you."
Definitely don't let this brick wall even slow you down.
Yep, Randy Pausch was where I got the metaphor! Love that guy! Thanks, Lisa! :-)
DeleteI've been rejected at least 500 times. I have also peen published,with many true-life stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul and other anthologies, and lately, I even had a book accepted, after working on it for over four years. Climb that brick wall! There's amazing stuff behind it.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Thanks for the motivation! :-)
DeleteI always enjoy my rejection letters from Deseret. They are probably the nicest ones. I mean they actually take time to write the name of your manuscript and tell you why they can't take it. I even have one that is signed by a real person!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I finished reading My Fair Godmother this morning and a quote is standing out to me right now in reflection of this post.
"Did you think wishes were like kittens, that all they were going to do was purr and cuddle with you?” She shook her head benevolently. “Those type of wishes have no power. The only wishes that will ever change you are the kind that may, at any moment, eat you whole."
rejection letters, like good wishes, build character.
Don't worry about the brick wall, Kasey. They all fall down eventually. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI *SIGH* with you. It must be such a horrible feeling after all your work. As you said there are a lot more alphabet letters to go through yet. I'm sending my best wishes, a hug & a sledgehammer for the wall.
ReplyDelete