"What's up?" I tried to say in a cheery voice.
"I've finally decided I can't do this any more. I think I need an agent." He blurted out.
"Another rejection?"
He laughed. "Yes. What I want to know is how do you do it?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean?"
"You always seem to be up beat. Don't you ever get rejections?"
I smiled and looked at the stacks on the corner of my desk.
He said, "you're kidding, right?"
No, darlin, I don't think so. I wish!
Rejection is not the same, in my humble opinion, as rejected. Rejection just says to me, we aren't looking for what you're "selling" right now.
I continued, "don't take it personally. They are not rejecting you the person. And maybe they aren't rejecting what you've written. They just don't have a "fit" for it at the moment.
I remember when I was sixteen. I asked Dad to borrow the car. He said no. Do you think that was the last time I asked? I don't think so.
It's the same thing with an agent, or a publisher. Just keep trying. Do the research, look at their web site. See what, or who they are looking for. And most importantly, never give up.
If you get rejected today, work on your manuscript. Don't dwell on the "rejection". Keep working on your craft. Polish your skills.
What keeps you motivated?
4 comments:
I love the analogy about your dad. Been there. Haha, and I sure didn't stop asking. Happy Easter, Katt. Stay safe.
Your distinction between rejection and rejected is a good thing for us to remember. I haven't submitted to many agents... just the ones I had met with at a couple conferences. But I recently approached one that I have followed for years and been so impressed with, only to get a "Sorry, not right for me at this time." That was particularly disappointing, but I didn't feel "rejected". I just can't get enthusiastic about focusing on more submitting. I keep returning to my writing instead. Maybe it's the winter blahs and I'll get more ambitious when the weather improves. We had another snowfall this morning. :(
Thanks Joy. Blessings to you and your family this Easter.
Hugs
Katt
Carol,
I read an account one time about J.K. Rowling which said she was suicidal one time because of the rejections, and the fact that she was so poor, writing in a coffee shop with her little girl because they had no heat in the flat where they lived. Of course I don't know if any of those facts are true, but we never hear about how many times someone failed, only the times they succeed.
Your day is just around the corner my friend---I can feel it in my bones!
Love ya
Katt
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