The Writer and Rejection by Peculiar Medinus

 

Years ago, on Singles' Appreciation Day, I received a white envelope. Inside was a book titled 'The Root of Rejection' by Joyce Meyer. I was sincerely grateful to the singles fellowship, but I wasn't thrilled with the gift, so I tucked it away on the bottom shelf. However, on the trajectory of life, I crawled to the bottom shelf for the same book. It became an invaluable tool to navigate my own circumstances and inspired me to write about the topic of rejection. It led me down a path where I could reflect on the very essence of rejection—a theme all too familiar but seldom addressed in a writer’s world.

Although Joyce Meyer's book doesn’t directly address the writer’s plague of rejection, it provides insights into the personal impact of rejection. Understanding how rejection shapes our perceptions and drives us to build walls of unrealistic expectations became a valuable asset in my own writing journey.

For a writer, rejection can come in numerous forms. A query letter met with silence, a publisher declining a manuscript, or a completed work failing to resonate with its intended audience can all take the form of rejection. Regardless of its form, rejection can provoke a myriad of emotions, from frustration and self-doubt to a disheartening sense of failure.

Understanding the various shapes that rejection takes can help in the preparation and contextualization of these experiences without allowing them to eclipse the creative process. Acknowledging and accepting these feelings is the first step towards coping effectively with rejection.

Rejection is not just a possibility; it's an inevitability that paints the journey with distinct shades of despair and disappointment. However, behind each rejection is an opportunity to grow, learn, and evolve.

So, how do we make rejection a guidepost on the path to growth?

Perception Shift: To begin navigating through rejections, it's essential to shift how these occurrences are perceived. Rejection is not a closed door but a barrier through which we must find a way to pass. It is an opportunity to re-evaluate and refine our craft. So, let’s embrace rejection as a learning opportunity. Rejection serves as a teachable moment for us, offering feedback that, if heeded, can lead to significant improvements in our work. By viewing the feedback constructively, as writers, we can identify and address our weaknesses.

Learn from stories of rejected successful writers. Karen Kingsbury, the best-selling Christian novelist, received 30 rejection letters before a publisher accepted her. She is one of numerous rejected but successful writers.

Resilience and Persistence: Resilience is not an innate quality but a skill that can be honed. By recognizing and celebrating small victories, we build the emotional stamina necessary to persist in the face of rejection. Persistence in the face of rejection is the hallmark of a dedicated writer. It is perseverance and the refusal to be defeated that eventually lead to success.

Using each setback as a stepping stone, we can chart a course that leads not just to creativity but also to personal fulfillment. Let us embrace the process, grow from the setbacks, and celebrate every milestone along the way. In the end, it is not the number of rejections we endure that defines our journey, but the fortitude and learning that we gather through the experience. Let’s journey together, using the lessons of rejection as lanterns to light our way to stronger, more fearless writing—and living.

Keep writing, keep submitting!

Author's website: www.peculiarpages.co.uk