I received a rejection on a submission the other day. I half-expected one from this person, given what I’ve read about her preferences, etc., but it was a request and definitely worth a shot, right? Right. But…ouch. I still hate getting those letters.
Yes, they are the way of the publishing world. I know that, and I’m much better about receiving them than I used to be. To tell the truth, I think I’m about as good at it as I’ll ever be at accepting the rejection that is part and parcel of this business. And in the interest of efficiency, I’ve whittled the five stages of grief down to three:
1) Righteous indignation
2) Wallowing
3) Self-indulgence
So yeah, I zipped right through number one this time. Like I said, I was somewhat prepared for a no answer. The Wallow took place in the bathtub, where I gave myself the usual “You can do this. It’s just one person’s opinion. Other fish in the sea. somebody other there will love this book,” pep talk. Then Fodder and I hit the road. first stop, delightfully greasy hamburgers and fresh-cut fries. Then, we wandered around until something pretty caught my eye.
I’ve never had an orchid before, so it may prove to be as successful as this submission, but hey, it’s pretty and now it’s in my office. Keep your fingers crossed for this poor helpless plant, and my other submissions, will you?
How about you? Do you have a little risk/reward system going? What do you to to cheer yourself up when things don’t go your way?
You CAN do this. Somebody out there WILL love this book. I know it with every fibre of my being. I’ve gotten better with the whole dealing with rejection thing too, but it’s still hard. Sometimes I find reading helps, taking my mind completely out of my own work and escaping into another world. I love your idea about buying something pretty, though. Next time I’m totes incorporating that into the plan. Happy Monday, my friend! 🙂
Reading does help, Evelyn. So does ditching the writing for the day and hanging out with my real-life hero. He always makes me feel better. 🙂
Who didn’t like your book? Give me a name, an address. I’ll go have a little talk with them. I mean, are they insane? Geez.
I’m with Evelyn, I like to curl up somewhere in fantasyland and lose myself and my hurts in make-believe. A little (OK, a lot) of chocolate never hurts, either.
All the best to your orchid from my slowing-dying Star of Bethlehem plant. I just hope that the weather warms up enough that I can get it outside in the dirt before it completely expires. I don’t feel nearly as responsible when they die outside.
Right, Carol, because then it’s Mother Nature’s fault. Thanks for offering to be my muscle. I love it when you go thug. As my daddy used to say, “Onwards and upwards!”