Why be miserable when you can turn adversity into a win! Just tell me why you should be the winner of my rejection T-shirt this month and you can wear it with pride. (I know it's only a virtual T-shirt but who cares - you can put it pride of place on your blog or show it off on Facebook!)
***
Okay - so I am going to have to ask Tracy for the Rejection T-shirt back again (not that she needs it as she's a very successful lady) after the lovely postman delivered two rejections from FF onto my doorstep on consecutive days, proving that it's 'that time of the month again' if you'll excuse the expression. The big clear out.
Now I'm always happy to share my successes with you on my blog but it's important for new writers to see that even those whose names appear often in magazines and competition wins, or even have a book to their name, have to suffer their fair share of rejection.
I take comfort in the fact that I know that I'm not the only one: magazine buddies Patsy, Viv and even the formidable Jo Styles have had their share this week - so if you are one of the unlucky ones, you are in good company.
It's hard to pick yourself up and carry on when you see the rejections piling up (whether its on your doorstep or that dreaded email from Maureen) especially if you are a new writer and of course I'm not just talking about magazine rejections - what about those competition entries that come to nothing.
Julie Philips has written a good article about what to do if you've had a lot of rejection recently so have a look at it, but not... I say not... before you have entered my competition.
Let's make rejection fun - tell me your sob story now... then we can all feel better about our own!
I didn't get my share of rejects this week, or at least not only my share! Odd how it doesn't seem like we've sent a lot out until they come back, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThat's funny - getting back more than we sent out, Patsy!
DeleteIt's a roller coaster, isn't it. And much much worse when it's a novel. Trust me. I've got that tee shirt, too!
ReplyDeleteI expect one day I shall be borrowing it, Frances!
DeleteTwo "not good enoughs" ( even if they phrase the rejection better than that) versus one acceptance this week. If only I could keep that ratio. Except they normally weigh in at 10:0 fail v win :(
ReplyDelete2:1 good ratio, Babs.
DeleteThanks for the mention about my article, Wendy - very kind. I can't qualify for your virtual T-shirt this time as I haven't sent any stories out to be rejected at the moment - only the five that TWN have - so will keep you posted on those. But give it a couple of months and I might well need that T'shirt to mop up my tears when those I'm going to send out this month come back. I know, I know ... think positive ...
ReplyDeleteGot to be in it to win (I mean lose) it, Julie!
DeleteWell, it wasn't this week, but recently I had a PF rejection where the 'reasons for rejection' list was nearly as long as the story itself! Still, it's good to get feedback... :)
ReplyDeleteI like this - you are a good contender, Emma.
DeleteNot managed to crack FF – not yet anyway (she said, optimistically).
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't managed to crack it yet, then you must a few rejections that could make you a winner, maybe, Kate.
DeleteIt is very courageous of you all to fess up to the rejections. It gives the rest of us some hope. Many thanks. I've been rejected by WW this week...
ReplyDeleteI think it's important that we share the lows as well as the highs (I hope I do both). Sorry about your WW rejection, Alyson, I have a few with them and have my fingers crossed - but not holding my breath.
DeleteYep - I've just had a rejection from FF too! Was mentioning you to Shirley Blair at the SAW conference this weekend - just to say you're a blogging friend and how well you're doing at PF. She knew your name at once, of course, and completely agreed!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so exciting, Rosemary - thank you for mentioning me. Hearing that, has made last week's rejections sting less.
DeleteSorry to hear about your rejections, Wendy, but a genuine thanks for sharing. It's had the result you mention with this relatively new writer! I've got two stories awaiting the big R (or dare I hope otherwise?) with PF, two more with TAB and a long awaited one (since November) with WW. If any of those are accepted, I promise I'll let you know - that really means 'shout it from the rooftops!' ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's not a rejection until the fat lady sing (or something like that). Glad the post has helped, Jan. We are all in a continuous state of waiting, aren't we? Look forward to hearing your shouting - I have my earplugs ready.
DeleteStrangely Wendy I wish I could have that tee-shirt. I've written quite a few stories, poetry, readers letter, articles (pretty much you name it I've tried to write it) however I don't have the guts to send anything out! I am trying this year but still can't hit the dreaded send button. So all take hope at least you get rejections!
ReplyDeleteOh no, Claire! To have written all these things and not sent them out is a travesty - all those words nobody will ever read. If I had a 'send' button I'd do it for you. Be brave and send something - anything- and then let me know.
DeleteHmm, I left you a huge, long comment yesterday, Wendy, which Blogger just seemed to dislike. But here's the T-shirt back - all washed and ironed too - for you to proudly where. In the last week of so it's been a bit quiet so nothing to shout about on the acceptance of rejection front... not sure if this is a good or bad thing... Now back to those teacake goals...
ReplyDeleteI'm now pining for the huge, long comment I never got to read, Tracy. Thank you for looking after the T-shirt (luckily it's one size fits all so anyone can wear it) I haven't decided yet who will be the next.lucky recipient of it. Don't forget it's teacakes next Wednesday.
DeleteI want that T-shirt!! It may be the only positive thing I ever get/win.
ReplyDeleteSo PF tell me my story ending was too predictable - so positive me re-wrote it and sent it elsewhere.
I was chuffed for about a day when I emailed TaB to see what they have done with my story as they had had it since November. Well, they emailed me back saying it is still under consideration and they would like to keep hold of it a bit longer. Low and behold I got it back with a standard rejection letter 3 days later. Gutted and dashed and ready to drive off the top of the multi storey car park in my suped up Golf. But no, think positive Nicola, I told myself. I re-read the second reject story and still really believed in it. It's a good story. Made a few adjustments and sent it off elsewhere. In the meantime, I thought the story would really lend itself well to WW but NO!!! WW don't want me. They don't want anyone new. Sad face returns and right foot revving on that peddle.
Don't even mention competitions! Entered 10 in the last 6 months and nothing - nada - stories sent into oblivion.
I need that T-shirt for some luck!!
Best wishes to you all. Happy Writing!
Oh my - what can I say!!!
DeleteFeeling much better after my over zealous pitch. I put all that energy into my novel today and managed to write 5000 words. Yay!
DeleteSee, Nicky, just writing your rant made you a winner!
DeleteSnap Wendy - 2 on consecutive days from FF :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - at least we can all wallow together (for a short time - as onwards and upwards obviously!)
If we can't have a little fun with the rejections, what can we do with them, Samantha!
DeleteNice post, Wendy, and much needed by us all! No matter how much the editor loves your work in one email, chances are the next story will be rejected, no matter how many you've had published. The thing for anyone creative is that we essentially go to work to be rejected! If you have a normal job, you don't expect 50% of what you do in your day to be handed back at 5.30 by your boss, with the words, 'Well, we liked this report on car parking needs/set of accounts/plans for next month's recruitment drive, but it's not quite right for us ...' Yet that is what we live with as writers. My only solution, honed to perfection over way too many years, is to start another as soon as I send one off. That way, by the time the rejection comes back, you can toss it airily to one side, saying with renewed optimism, 'Ah, but THIS one is brilliant. They'll love THIS one ...' and you set off on the rollercoaster again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your detailed comment, Kate. I'm sure a lot of people reading it will be nodding in agreement.
DeleteMany thanks for the post Wendy, I now feel like I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteI can keep the ball rolling on a TAB clear out - received two standard rejections from them today. Shame, one of them I particularly had high hopes for. Still, it gives me an opportunity to send it elsewhere (she says, trying to look on the bright side!)
I thought mine were spot on too - in the same vein as others I'd written but sadly not to be, Linda.
Delete