No one likes to hear the word no. No sucks. I don't like saying it, so I don't that often. For me, getting rejected is the worst part about this path I have chosen. I hate it, and I know I'm not alone. Part of what kept me from sharing my writing for so long was the rejection thing. I never wanted to hear that I'm not good enough, or that my writing wasn't. Which, in my mind, is often the same thing.
But, in order to play the game, you have to face it. Face the rejection and move on. Sometimes, I am able to put it behind me and move on quickly. But, other times, I have to sit in it for a while. Stew about it. Which isn't very smart.
However, sometimes getting stuff rejected ends up okay. After recently having two stories turned away, they have now found new homes and will be coming out very shortly. I'll keep you posted. I know not every no has a silver lining, but they don't all have to be the end.
2 comments:
I know where you're coming from, but you shouldn't take the rejections personally.
So often, a rejection is a subjective call on a the fit of the story to the call. No matter how much information the editor gives us, we still can't crawl in their heads.
But the exchanging of stories with editor is a learning experience. A process of gathering intelligence, building a relationship. In some cases what we learn is which editors we'd rather not deal with.
Writing is such an emotional thing, it can be hard not to take rejections personally, but try not to. It's just part of the process.
Hi Heidi,
I wish I could say I haven't had my share of..."great story, BUT we're going pass on this one..." comments. There's no doubt, it's effin' heart wrenching sometimes. I know.
I have to agree with my new friend, Craig on his comments.
It usually has more to do with the scope of the project the editor is working on, than are our feelings.
I know you know all this, but sometimes it's nice hearing it from other's that write in the same genre that have also faced the same perils.
Keep on writing, girl.
p.s. Cool that you found homes for stories. That's wonderful and congratulations!
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