Why I Survive as A Writer

It takes me about five minutes to get over a rejection. Here's the process.

0 minute: Okay that's it! That's I'm never sending you people another manuscript to reject! You hate me! It's not just my books, but you've rejected [3-10] of my stories, you hate ME! What have I ever done to you that you should hate me so?

1 minute: I wonder if I have anything else I could send them? No! No! Never again.

2 minutes: But that other story is pretty good, maybe it'll work? No? No. >sigh< three, four, five, six rejections? Can't you get the message, Rothwell?

Give it a rest.

3 minutes: Maybe a chocolate muffin would make me feel better.

3.5 minutes: But you had birthday cake yesterday. No chocolate for you, Kate. Damn you, publisher! It's your fault I want chocolate!

4 minutes: I can get some more coffee though. That'll work.

4.5 minutes: and maybe I should get to work on that other manuscript. Hey, maybe THAT one will work for the publisher---?
NO! No. Didn't you hear me? Give it a rest.

5 minutes: Okay, back to work.

5.5 minutes: Although, maybe. . . . . . there's this other place that might work for the manuscript. They've only rejected me two, three four times.