You say you got a rejection from an editor, agent, or some other unenlightened knuckle-dragger? Congratulations!
No, seriously. I mean it. Congratulations. Because, though rejection feels crummy, being rejected means something. Something good. “What?” you might ask. Let me list the ways.
Rejection means you wrote something. Good for you!
Rejection means you demonstrated faith in yourself and your writing. Yowza!
Rejection means you put something out there, rather than hiding it under a bushel. Well done, you!
Rejection means you’re behaving like an actual writer. What a marvel you are!
Rejection means you conquered—at least for a moment—the fear of rejection. Congratulations!
Rejection means you received feedback of some kind. Maybe about the quality of your writing or your piece, sure, but perhaps more so about the timing of your submission. Or the state of the marketplace. Or the agent, editor, or house to which you submitted. You are rocking it!
Rejection means you have more information than before, perhaps to help you revise or restrategize, which may lead to an acceptance! Give yourself a hand!
Rejection means you haven’t given up. Way to go!
Rejection means you’ve shown God (and perhaps your family or writers group) how serious you are about this writing thing. Outstanding!
Rejection means you belong! You’re part of the club. You’re one of us (because we’ve all been rejected). Nicely done!
Rejection means you’re being trained in righteousness. In patience. In reflection. Faith. Perseverance. And more. How do you do it?
And, finally (though readers of this blog will surely offer more):
Rejection means you survived being rejected. Look at you go!
What a lovely post 🙂 Certainly provides hope and a good way to look at things, for when we are rejected. I especially love this part: “Rejection means you’ve shown God (and perhaps your family or writers group) how serious you are about this writing thing. Outstanding!” Thank you for the insight.
Every day seems like rejection,
and every chance seems gone.
I can live in pale dejection,
or I can carry on
tilting at my windmill,
a rusty, creaky knight,
mine against fell cancer’s will,
a doomed and foolish fight
that nonetheless befits the fool
who never learned quite how to quit,
who never learned the wise man’s rule
that betimes one must submit,
and here and now, this bleeding morn
sees strength and hope again reborn.
I enjoyed this. I’ve had rejections. And some publishing successes because I kept putting my stuff out there. Thank you!
You made my day! I am trying to manage my feelings about the rejections (21 so far), and I’m feeling feel fine about them right now- thank you for this!
What I have taped over my desk:
“Anyone can write. Only a writer can rewrite.”
Your blog continues to enlighten, edify, cheer me up and keep me going as I glean from the advice within rejections, and return to task.
Ha! I’ve been waiting for a rejection from someone at the Steve Laube Agency, and, for an instant, I thought this was it.
I have a manuscript for what I call a family devotional storybook. It’s the story of my heart. I don’t even feel like I wrote it myself, but more like I took dictation. I love the characters and their struggles. I still cry when I read the ending.
If I could UNpublish everything I’ve had published to have this book published, I’d do it. I’d do it without hesitation, blinking my eyes, taking a breath, or downing a cup of coffee.
I’ve been trying to get it picked up for over 20 years. And in those 20 years, I’ve come CLOSE twice. I’ve revised, rewritten, and added discussion questions and scripture.
I know with everything in me that it will get picked up, so I take every chance I get to show it to someone. And I have peace that if that’s all God means for the story He gave me, it’s done what He planned for it to do.
But it’s hard, ya know? Still, the rejections I get that tell me it’s well written, an engaging story, and a terrific proposal keep me going. It won third place in the Foundation Awards at the Blue Ridge conference last May! So while it’s not published YET, it’s still reaching people. Glory to God!
Thanks Bob, you talked me off the bridge.
The only time rejection backfired is when I would give up! Let years or months pass without any other or additional action. Even so, soon as I got back to it, the project was back in gear, maybe even in a whole new car.
Thank you – very encouraging.
Thank you for this timely piece of confirmation! Just what I needed to hear! God bless you! 🙂
Wow–thank you for the positive swing on that subject!!!
Jeannie
Thanks for your positive spin on rejection, Bob. Very encouraging.
Well said, Bob.
When I run across folders–hard copy or digital desktop–with my hundreds of rejection letters, I smile. I’ve never been sure why.
Now I know.
Here’s an overarching way to think of it. Every rejection takes you one step closer to publication. That’s a good feeling.
(42 acceptance letters also help!)
/jay
I am keeping this email safe somewhere in my computer for when I receive my first rejection letters.
Thank you, Bob! This was very helpful to future (and present) me!
I’m waiting for responses to two short stories I submitted to magazines recently. I saw this in my inbox, and thought, “Wow, this is the most positive rejection I’ve ever gotten.” LOL!
This list encompasses the attitude I try to keep about rejections. Sometimes they sting, but I’d rather be sad for a minute than avoid tough emotions by never trying at all. I’ve known people who went the avoidance route in life in general, and all it got them is frustration and the same feelings of failure they wanted to avoid in the first place. God gave me my passion for writing and He knows where my work will fit best to reach the audience who needs it. It’s my job to be faithful in continuing to write it and put it out there. If that means enduring rejections, well, Jesus endured much more painful rejection for me, so surely I can endure some for the sake of following His leading in my life.
What a positive way to start the day! Guess I’ll go up to my office and get to work. Thank you, Bob. 😊
The only thing is my rejection came from your group. My dream is to become a client of yours. Although it was a sweet and polite rejection. It was still a rejection. Maybe some day…
Pamela, may I step in?
A long time ago I married, and then divorced, a wonderful woman, because I was a self-absorbed fool. I was my own rejection.
But I did work through the debris, and did humble myself to what was needed. I rewrote the characters and plot. Not perfectly, but well enough, and great is the eternal enemy of good.
Barb took the chance, and 21 years later… we’re here.
Feedback about the house to which I submitted, for sure!
Seriously. I was accepted. I met the PR guy. We discussed my artist. I waited. Then came the rejection.
All that was sort of expected because they say to expect rejection. However, I was not expecting rejection after they loved my work, I met the PR guy, etc. And, at that point there also was no apology or anything about leading me on. I was floored, but learned more about something–not sure what, but I did survive.
Oh, but… A year later…one full year later…I received another envelope from my chosen house! In it I found an exact duplicate of the first rejection. Just in case I needed a reminder, I suppose?
No one, ever, cautioned me to expect two rejections from the folks who loved my work and had me engaged.
What I learned: This house is totally disorganized and not for me. Hmm.
Yes, rejection is a reality! As I read this I realize I am still processing it! The reality was that I never expected rejection! I think that has helped me see reality the most! What the Lord has given me, maybe just initially for me… that I process it, internalize it, truly reflect the TRUTH I was hoping to share with others by handing them something to read. Yes, the Lord was telling me, let it live in your heart first, Pray and Worship before ME alone, first, and then include others!
For that realization, the rejection was vital!
I was actually rejected just a few days ago. This was good timing, I needed to hear it! Thank you so much! 🙂
Since you rejected a piece I submitted, I accept all your congratulations and encouragements! Lol!
Seriously though, when I received my first rejection, I actually felt like I was making headway as I’d joined the “real writers” club!🤗
All good points!
Thank you.