Thursday, December 27, 2007
So... I picked up my mail from the mailbox on Christmas Day. Not that mail was delivered, but I don't get down to the mailbox unless I'm driving off the land.
What should be in the mail but my very first rejection letter! Actually, it wasn't a true rejection letter, but one telling me that my story wasn't chosen to win a certain award. So that's more like saying someone else was better(totally possible and okay)....or we were in a mood to choose another story with a different tone...or you forgot to set your font to courier on your manuscript so we didn't read it.
And, ironically, the rejection comes from the same place that I got both of my degrees from. So this can only be a good sign.
I found myself sort of elated. Really, it was quite exciting. It's the first time someone has said "no" to my writing. I've been playing it safe for a long time since I wasn't sure if I could deal with all the rejection until recently. I'm glad I did this, since now that I'm actually ready...it doesn't sting nearly as much as I thought it would.
And I know...The Dark Hole is a really great story. I'm certain it will eventually get the validation it deserves. If I'd started submitting things earlier, I don't think I would have had the self confidence to feel as good as I do about being rejected.
It's sort of like a rite of passage for me. It will no doubt loose its charm after the fiftieth such letter, but for now, it's rather like a validation for me. I'm a real writer out there getting real rejection letters.
Whoo-Hoo! The training wheels are off!
And another thought: you've now experienced the worst that can possibly happen when you send your work out into the world. This was the worst, someone saying "No, thank you." I need to send some things out, so I can get some rejection letters, too.
Happy New Year Rosie. You’re a fine writer. WTF do they know.
Most professional writers have a huge stack of rejection letters...make it a collection. See how many different wordings you can get, until.........
the day comes when it AIN'T a rejection letter, but a CHECK that comes through the mail.
I have this bizarre theory that I need to accumulate some undefined number of rejection letters before I can get an acceptance - like 25, or 50 or something. It's a magical thing. Trouble is, I still haven't submitted anything, so I haven't started my collection yet. sigh.
Just keep sending because you know your stuff is well worthy of publication!