#writing rejection

[ctaylorwrites]

Rejection Central

I know form letters are a necessary evil in the publishing world and I truly do not begrudge any agent or publication for using them, but getting a rejection that starts out “Dear Author,” feels really demeaning. 

[wildlifecathy]

Dog Days

Josie, the Killer, sun bathing post-swim I’m listening to Zach Bryan’s new album, The Great American Bar Scene. His opening poem, Lucky Enough, sets the tone… “If I”m lucky enough, I’ll tell the truth every chance I get…’Cause smiles faked to appease another is worth ten regrets.” Prophetic and poetic. I’m pulled back to my computer wanting to write my truths – the good, the bad and the ugly.…

[harrison-abbott]

Just had a story rejected from this mag which has published a lot of my material in the past. Feeling pretty blue about it … It’s doubly hurtful because I thought it was a good lil tale as well.

 Hard to take rejection sometimes, is it not? Will just have to keep trying. No other option.

 There was actually this one story I wrote way back, in early 2020, just because the pandemic happened. When there was a fable I wrote which I just thought was the best piece of work ever: thought it would be snapped up by everyone. And the opposite happened: was turned down everywhere I sent it.

 And it depressed me for months, because I was then put on furlough and had to stay at home etc during the lockdown. That was definitely the lowest I’ve ever felt as an artist: not just because of that single story, but it was the trigger for that depressive period.

 So, it was much worse then. And since then I just continued writing. That’s what I’ll do now.

[bythealone-forthealone]

I know everyone will be against me about the fanfiction thing, but it's the truth. So nobody can deny that.

In other news, to those who might have responded directly, know that my whiny stage and my break ended a long time ago. Otherwise, I would still be posting chapter after chapter of "invisibility." But you didn't even bother on checking my other posts that have nothing to do with fanfiction and has more to do with encouraging myself and others to KEEP WRITING ANYWAY. No, you sit there, on the whiners side, mocking those who quit trying to get one single reader.

Yes I am bitter and I am writing. The difference is that I no longer need approval from strangers, or notes, or nice asks. I keep it to myself and don't bother anyone. I do that and you keep posting your great fanfics, and we stay out of each other's way.

Perhaps you should do what you preach you do, and make art for the sake of art, no?

[bythealone-forthealone]

Allowing Rejection

It’s easier to write for myself and enjoy both reading and writing. What’s not easy it’s the longing for rejection. I want to be rejected. That way not only I’ll know people read me, but they also cared enough to tell me they hate it.

At first I wanted acceptance. I had a little, yet I wanted more. It kind of felt people was used to give “like” to everything, though never a constructive critique, an honest thought. That’s not quite being accepted, is more like being tolerated.

If you don’t like what I have to say, I allow you to reject me with all your power. I’ll thank your honesty and take your comment to help me keep going. I will learn. I will evolve. And I will regenerate.

But you have to say it, otherwise it won’t work. Don’t just ignore me ‘cause I’m new, ‘cause it’s long, ‘cause you guess what is about. Reject me by knowing who I am, not by my unknown name and little experience.

Perhaps, who knows... you might end up surprised.

[notthatnancy]

James Patterson (the Treasure Hunters, and House of Robots series; Little, Brown Books for Young readers) grew up poor in upstate New York, and his first novel was rejected more than 30 times.  30 times.

http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3677644Biz25329929