Pushing Forward
Rejection. If you've ever put yourself out there, you've dealt with it. No one gets a free pass in this industry. Whether it's just a critique or the actual query process rejection is hard.
Most agents these days simply don't respond to your query if they're not interested. While that stings, it doesn't hurt as much as getting a request then getting rejected.
The other day I had a rejection that really upset me. I like to pretend that I'm strong all of the time, but really it's hard even though I know that the industry is subjective and it's not a personal attack on me.
Sometimes you just want something so bad and it's hard to see past that when the rejection comes. While I was moping, I heard this song on the radio -
The lyrics spoke to me in a way they hadn't before, and I found a new sense of strength. I once watched a special on Katy Perry that told of how she had two recording contracts that both fell through before she hit it big. I can't help but think that some of that emotion was put into this song.
We all have times when we fall after a high, but that doesn't mean we don't pick ourselves up and keep going.
Sometimes we need a wake up call to become better. While rejection hurts, the best and only solution is to keep working and keep reaching for the stars. Even if you fall a few times along the way.
Most agents these days simply don't respond to your query if they're not interested. While that stings, it doesn't hurt as much as getting a request then getting rejected.
The other day I had a rejection that really upset me. I like to pretend that I'm strong all of the time, but really it's hard even though I know that the industry is subjective and it's not a personal attack on me.
Sometimes you just want something so bad and it's hard to see past that when the rejection comes. While I was moping, I heard this song on the radio -
The lyrics spoke to me in a way they hadn't before, and I found a new sense of strength. I once watched a special on Katy Perry that told of how she had two recording contracts that both fell through before she hit it big. I can't help but think that some of that emotion was put into this song.
We all have times when we fall after a high, but that doesn't mean we don't pick ourselves up and keep going.
Sometimes we need a wake up call to become better. While rejection hurts, the best and only solution is to keep working and keep reaching for the stars. Even if you fall a few times along the way.
Comments
Today I was disappointed not to be featured on the short list of a major competition, but then I realised I hadn't entered this year!
Good luck with your next submission :-)
Good luck! YOu can rock it.
No. Rejections are not fun. But for what it is worth, I am glad you are dealing with your feelings and choosing to keep moving forward :-)
Snuggle the baby, do something fun, and when your heart has healed a little, jump back in. You can do it!
And yeah, every time I think Katie Perry is just another pop star, she whips out a song that makes me want to cry.
And rejection on a submission hurts SO much more than just a query. It does. But the fact that you're getting requests is HUGE, which means you're right on the cusp. But being on the cusp is more agonizing than not being in the game. (In my opinion) I love hearing stories like Katie Perry's---I hadn't heard two big contracts fell through.
The song totally made me teary-eyed. And you've got it, J. You *know* you'll get there. You can feel it--and you'll keep pushing. I can totally feel that strength from you!
Thanks!!!
You'll pick yourself up and send out more queries until you make it big :)
Hope everything goes well with your next submission.
writing has a lot of lows, but the highs & encouragement feed our fires!
and btw, i awarded you, sweetie!
I'm so sorry about this rejection. It is hard, probably the hardest thing we'll face as writers. I hope the agent at least made comments. It's so hard to get so many rejections and not have a clue why they're rejecting, but you're so right. We just have to pick ourselves back up and keep going.
As you know, I'm going through the same thing, and have come to this same conclusion.
You are incredibly resilient, my friend. Which is something vital in this business. It's so gratifying for me to see how talented you are, and how that talent is growing. Keep going. You are good. You will get there. Keep going.
Also, I love that song.
Even Tolkien dealt with rejection and he's the father of Epic Fantasy. J.K. Rowling was rejected too. I bet they hated it too.
You are a very good writer, Jen. I'll see one of your books in a store someday and say "Hey, I know her". :)