My essay, for The Rejectionist’s Anniversary Uncontest:
I’ve had the pleasure of receiving many form rejections in my writing career to date, and I look forward to the pleasure of receiving more someday. Yes, really.
Form rejections make my writing world go round. Yes, really.
A form rejection means I’ve written something and put it out there. It means I’ve worked hard. It means I’m taking a shot at getting my work published, which requires courage… and a little insanity.
A form rejection that falls into my inbox – always with a wonderful ‘ping’ to announce its arrival – means that somebody out there has read my query. Because I was brave enough to send it. And so it doesn’t matter that this person:
Didn’t connect with the story
Didn’t feel passionately about it
Felt it wasn’t right for them
Wasn’t sure they could market it properly
Was taking on very few new clients at this time
It doesn’t mean they hated it. Or me. And it doesn’t mean I suck. I don’t. Form rejections, unlike personal rejections, do not need analysis. They don’t require me to tear my work to shreds and start all over. They’re wonderfully polite, impossibly diplomatic one or two-sentence letters that tell me exactly what the agent’s bottom line is:
No thanks.
And that’s just fine with me. I’m not damaged. I’m not going to drive myself crazy wondering WHAT DOES IT MEAN? like the Double Rainbows dude. All a form rejection means is that I’m going to query again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Until someone says yes.
(And someone did.)
You are so inspiring, Jennifer! I've had my fair share of rejection, but every one is just a stepping stone on my path to a 'yes'. I'm so happy for you – every word of this post is true 😀
This was really nice!! What a wonderful way to look at querying I'll have to remind myself of this for any rejections I might receive!!
Great post!
You're right. A form rejection should be viewed as a badge of honor.
(help! my badges are smothering me!)
Love your attitude. I felt the same way about all but one. That one stung…and stung…and stung. lol Go you!
Your healthy attitude's an inspiration and a balm. Happy weekend!
I couldn't have said it better, Jennifer. What a great way to look at things!
This is such a great take on the topic. Your positive energy is contagious! I'll have to visit again sometime soon.
Nicely done. Another Seattleite? Good on ya!
Just what I needed to hear right now. Looking forward to my yes someday. ;o)
YES YES EXACTLY see, people from the Northwest are SO WELL-ADJUSTED.
You have such a fantastic outlook! All the Canuk's are rooting for you and so proud! Love, D
Thanks everyone!
Love this post and your outlook! Very inspiring!
Being there, still doing that.
Every rejection is a step closer to the Yes!
Or so I keep telling myself.
Thanks for your post.
For how long, is the million dollar question. I am in the query process for my both novels simultaneously and must have sent about more than 50 queries to various agents and agencies. But the success is nil. No one says anything. Yes some have rejected with their copy paste style but a majority have chosen to keep mum. I am really confused and the two novels are moving towards dust gathering recks.
The only plus point of those rejections is that i am now writing a third one. Now more than fifty percent finished and still going on. It is not easy to take rejections as normal as one or two years of hard going down the drain is really painful. But true.
thanks
AH YES, QUERYING. it makes me feel like a gawky band geek trying to score with the quarterback. FAIL.
great post — INSPIRING post!
Whoa! Complete, double rainbow. What does it mean?
Great words, Jennifer. The rejections are trickling in, and it is insanity that puts a smile on my face every time I read one.