REJECTED!
How to Get Past That Feeling of Rejection
Ouch.
As an artist and a writer, I know about rejection. I had to sit in class once, while 20 art students and a professor critiqued my art. They were brutal, too. Some took it personally and remembered how I had critiqued their work, so now they had a chance for vengeance! And they relished in it.
But my professor, a most excellent painter, knew how to stop the personal attacks and redirect people to elements of art, principles of design, etc. when critiquing each other's art.
I made it through those humiliating experiences. As a result, I developed a thick skin. I learned how NOT to take it so personally. Still, rejection does hurt.
Yesterday I received my 1 millionth rejection. Okay, so it's not exactly 1 million, but it feels like it sometimes. This rejection really hurt. I had submitted a story to Hallmark, a story many had told me would be a perfect fit for them. A story I prayed over. A very personal story of love and faith. But they said no.
God said no.
Rejection is hard, even after ten years of writing and submitting my work to agents, publishers, contests, etc. You'd think I would have a thick skin by now.
I can take critiques of my art, so why not my writing? What's the difference?
I know I can paint and draw. I know I am talented in those areas. I have complete confidence in my art.
Writing? Nope. I remain unconvinced that I can write even after having eight books out, some with 5 star reviews. and an award on my wall.
I guess having a literary agent or a well-known publisher tell me my writing is good will mean more to me than anything.
Is it wrong to put so much importance on the opinions of agents or publishers? Shouldn't the opinions and reviews of readers mean more to me?
One would think.
What about you? Have you ever experienced the rejection of your writing projects? How do you deal with the rejection?
I tend to eat a bunch of donuts and chocolate, and then go for a run later on.
The rejection won't stay with me. The hurt won't stay with me. "It's good to be humbled," I tell myself. "It's not God's plan for you, right now. He has something else in mind for that project..." I also tell myself. It helps take the sting out of rejection.
Rejection comes with life. It's what makes us stronger. Like a tree withstanding the wind, the bad experiences give us that thick skin. I lack confidence in my writing. So, I need to work at it more and more, learn the craft and just keep writing!
That's my wish for you, as well. Take the good with the bad, learn from it, and then grow from it.
Happy writing!
Ouch.
As an artist and a writer, I know about rejection. I had to sit in class once, while 20 art students and a professor critiqued my art. They were brutal, too. Some took it personally and remembered how I had critiqued their work, so now they had a chance for vengeance! And they relished in it.
But my professor, a most excellent painter, knew how to stop the personal attacks and redirect people to elements of art, principles of design, etc. when critiquing each other's art.
I made it through those humiliating experiences. As a result, I developed a thick skin. I learned how NOT to take it so personally. Still, rejection does hurt.
Yesterday I received my 1 millionth rejection. Okay, so it's not exactly 1 million, but it feels like it sometimes. This rejection really hurt. I had submitted a story to Hallmark, a story many had told me would be a perfect fit for them. A story I prayed over. A very personal story of love and faith. But they said no.
God said no.
Rejection is hard, even after ten years of writing and submitting my work to agents, publishers, contests, etc. You'd think I would have a thick skin by now.
I can take critiques of my art, so why not my writing? What's the difference?
I know I can paint and draw. I know I am talented in those areas. I have complete confidence in my art.
Writing? Nope. I remain unconvinced that I can write even after having eight books out, some with 5 star reviews. and an award on my wall.
I guess having a literary agent or a well-known publisher tell me my writing is good will mean more to me than anything.
Is it wrong to put so much importance on the opinions of agents or publishers? Shouldn't the opinions and reviews of readers mean more to me?
One would think.
What about you? Have you ever experienced the rejection of your writing projects? How do you deal with the rejection?
I tend to eat a bunch of donuts and chocolate, and then go for a run later on.
The rejection won't stay with me. The hurt won't stay with me. "It's good to be humbled," I tell myself. "It's not God's plan for you, right now. He has something else in mind for that project..." I also tell myself. It helps take the sting out of rejection.
Rejection comes with life. It's what makes us stronger. Like a tree withstanding the wind, the bad experiences give us that thick skin. I lack confidence in my writing. So, I need to work at it more and more, learn the craft and just keep writing!
That's my wish for you, as well. Take the good with the bad, learn from it, and then grow from it.
Happy writing!
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