
As an
aside: You know you’re a writer when there’s such a thing as a “good” rejection
letter. These usually include some personalized message about how much they
liked the piece and it was a tough call and yadda yadda, but… it’s still a no. A
softer letdown than some.
So, how
am I doing, you ask? Spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, etc-ally? Surprisingly
okay. In fact – call me naïve, call me crazy – but I’m actually excited about the rejection letters. They
feel a bit like battle scars; I fought for these rejections. As I told my
roommate recently: “At least it means we’re trying!” She was not convinced. The
truth of the matter is that rejection is a basic element of this vocation. If
we’re going to be strapped together on this long journey, rejection and I, then
why not befriend the beast?
I
recently came across this quote from the prolific and well-respected poet William
Stafford:
"Now
and then a sequence appeals to me for long enough to be teased
into something like a poem, and when I feel sufficient
conviction, I detach it from the accumulated leaves – my compost heap – and
halfheartedly send it around to editors. I never feel sure that I have anything
worthy, though I often feel affection for these products; and of all my writing
only a very small portion goes forth into the world, and of that portion a
large part never gets an editor's approval. I suppose at least nine out of
ten pieces which I surmise to be poems find themselves coming home
permanently to roost." Taken from Writing
the Australian Crawl.
His words
are a good reminder that every writer, no matter how great, experiences
rejection. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter manuscript was rejected "loads" of times
before a publisher took on the project. (I bet those rejecters regret that terribly
now.) The sooner I can come to terms with that, the sooner I can move on and do
my work. Because that’s all I can do.
I’m
trying to use each rejection as a reminder that writing is revision. But more
on that next time. Til then, keep chasing those literary dreams!
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Rumi on the prowl! |