Writer's moments

Rejection Can Be Motivating…

Got a note from my agent today telling me that a pub she submitted my second novel to passed on it. Hmmmmm…talk about disheartening. I know that lots of authors, probably most authors, were rejected before they finally got “the call.” But selfishly, I want every editor who reads my novels to be bowled over with the genius of my words. I want them to rejoice that they’ve finally gotten a manuscript that makes them shiver with excitement. Yeah, it’s nice in Nan’s world–they know me here and they love me…

I spent about half an hour perseverating over why she said she rejected it. I shed a few tears, but not as many as I thought I would. I whined to my crit partner (Thank, Sandy!) and on FaceBook. I know I can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m not sure I agree with the editor who passed on my work. The good news is I don’t have to agree with her. My friend, Lani (http://lanidianerich.com/) would say to me, “Just tell yourself that you are a great writer. Believe it–you are a great writer.”

So I said it aloud, “I am a great writer,” and to prove it, I took a deep breath and got busy on my current work-in-progress, even though what I really wanted to do was curl up on the couch with my Kindle, a glass of wine, and the cookie I bought at Panera today. I sent a couple of chapters to my crit partner and I’m moving on. My agent is sending the book out to other pubs and one day, it will be published. My job is to keep writing because…I am a great writer…

2 Comments

  • Sandy James

    Any time. That’s what critique partners do. 🙂 And it WILL be published. Be patient and focus all that angst on those great new books you’re writing!