For those of you who are still aspiring, I want to share something with you–Don’t get discouraged.
When you go to your mailbox and find another SASE, or open your inbox and find an e-rejection, don’t get discouraged.
When you read the words, “I just didn’t love it enough” or get a form rejection that tells you nothing other than “we’re not going to take this on”, don’t get discouraged.
It may not be YOU. It may not be YOUR WRITING. It may just be a case of “bad fit”.
Yeah, yeah. Hear that all the time. I guess I’m a bad fit everywhere, because I can’t get representation/published.
Don’t get discouraged.
By all outward appearances it may seem that I sell books with infuriating ease. But it hasn’t been all wine and roses. Yes, there are editors who would love to work with me if I had the time. But there are also editors who aren’t impressed with me at all.
“I was really impressed with the world and myth behind the Guardians in the story, but unfortunately I didn’t fall in love with the storytelling here, so I will not be pursuing this work.”
(translation: story is great, writer sucks ass)
“Thanks for checking in about Sylvia-I agree that she’s a writer to watch. But I never really clicked with her writing style, so I don’t think I’m a good reader for this one.”
(translation: readers are going to dig her, but I don’t)
I remember well how hard I cried the day I got three SASE on the same day for the same work. I thought to myself, “I’m never going to get anywhere. I’m the only one who thinks I can write.” If I had received either one of the above rejections all by itself, without the bolstering praise of other editors, I’d probably think I should hang up my hat. My storytelling sucks ass, and editors don’t like my style.
Thing is, those two editors just aren’t the editors for me. It has nothing to do with me or my writing. Well, it does have to do with my writing, but not that it’s not salable, it’s just not that particular editor’s cuppa.
So anyway, I just wanted to share these with those of you who are aspiring and receiving the occasional rejection. Don’t get discouraged. You’ll be someone else’s cuppa tea, and they’ll drink up your talent and ask for more.
Great points, Sylvia! So true. We all have those rejections in our drawers.
on March 3rd, 2006 at 6:56 am
Thanks, Sylvia. I think I’ve been needing this. There are some days where I’m ready to toss my laptop out the window and declare myself a non-writer. But I’m already tainted, it’s in my blood!
on March 2nd, 2006 at 11:27 pm
The one that made me beat my head against my desk was always, “love the voice, love the writing, but we can’t buy this. Please send me something else!”
If you just keep at it, it does pay off.
on March 2nd, 2006 at 7:16 am
Thanks Sylvia! You hear that ‘don’t give up’ thing all of the time but usually from friends and family - non published people. Its nice to hear from someone who is and who has also recieved rejections. Thanks for sharing!
Cole
on March 2nd, 2006 at 5:52 am
Very good points Sylvia. Rejection is hard no matter in what form it’s used, but there is a constructive way to do it, and not every editor is going to like the same writing style. If they did, rejection letters wouldn’t exist, or at least not to the extent they do. (Sidenote: did you read Larissa Ione’s post at RTB about never giving up - now she had some horrendous challenges but kept at it).
Btw, I love your writing, and I am currently reading BBA - Sylvia you have a way of really painting a picture and making me feel like I’m right there on that ship with Sebastian and Olivia - whew! It’s only in the 30’s here but your stories would melt the snowcaps! That harmless, pretty bookcover is misleading - there should be a heat advisory on that thing - LOL.
on March 2nd, 2006 at 4:06 am