Ah the sweet smell of rejection..
Blog date- October 14, 2008
Know thyself is an old but extremely accurate proverb. As a writer it’s critical to know the length and breadth of your talent and skill. Because the world is going to knock them every chance they get.
I learned, the hard way, to have a realistic evaluation of my own talent. It doesn’t mean I think I’m headed for the New York Times book review any time soon but I know my own worth. So when a horror ezine, remaining nameless of course, rejected me for a staff position, I shrugged it off.
I was amazed at the ease with which I did it. I have my opinions as to why they didn’t want me but the bottom line is, I didn’t take it as a reflection of my talent or lack thereof. I know how well I can write, even if I am still building my credentials and honing my writing skills. I know where I am at on the ladder of ability and that lent me the peace of mind to not let the rejection knock me down a rung. I had written to this ezine on a whim asking if I could have a chance to write for them. They weren’t advertising for writers but I figured it was worth a shot. That was another lesson to be learned, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
What it also gave me was a certain degree of bravado. It made me reaffirm to myself that I can write and write well. So in a way their rejection helped me to feel more confident. Crazy I know but that’s exactly what it did.
The kicker is, two months later another horror ezine decided they liked my writing enough to have me write for them. How did I get the gig?
I wrote and asked them.
Nothing like a lil rejection to whet one’s appetite for success.
Know thyself is an old but extremely accurate proverb. As a writer it’s critical to know the length and breadth of your talent and skill. Because the world is going to knock them every chance they get.
I learned, the hard way, to have a realistic evaluation of my own talent. It doesn’t mean I think I’m headed for the New York Times book review any time soon but I know my own worth. So when a horror ezine, remaining nameless of course, rejected me for a staff position, I shrugged it off.
I was amazed at the ease with which I did it. I have my opinions as to why they didn’t want me but the bottom line is, I didn’t take it as a reflection of my talent or lack thereof. I know how well I can write, even if I am still building my credentials and honing my writing skills. I know where I am at on the ladder of ability and that lent me the peace of mind to not let the rejection knock me down a rung. I had written to this ezine on a whim asking if I could have a chance to write for them. They weren’t advertising for writers but I figured it was worth a shot. That was another lesson to be learned, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
What it also gave me was a certain degree of bravado. It made me reaffirm to myself that I can write and write well. So in a way their rejection helped me to feel more confident. Crazy I know but that’s exactly what it did.
The kicker is, two months later another horror ezine decided they liked my writing enough to have me write for them. How did I get the gig?
I wrote and asked them.
Nothing like a lil rejection to whet one’s appetite for success.
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Comment
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Comment by J. F. Juzwik on March 5, 2009 at 7:56am
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How fantastic for you. Thanks for sharing this. What you did was to continue to believe in yourself and keep trying, and no, that is not crazy by any means. We all receive rejections, but we can't allow ourselves to just pack it up and quit. Look what giving it another shot got for you?
Many congratulations, and wishing you great success with the ezine. Joyce
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