Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Regret vs Rejection by Kim Ward

In the realm of the writing world there is nothing harder to swallow then a well written rejection letter.  The words, “Thank you for your submission…..BUT…..at this time we are not interested.” Stings worse than a wasp attack on a spring day.


But, let’s face it we have all been there. In fact, I have been there over forty times. No matter how much talent you have, no matter how alive your characters are, and no matter how gripping your story is you will get rejected at least once.

Rejection goes with authors like peanut butter goes with jelly. You almost never have one without the other. The good news is this letter is not the end all. In fact a rejection letter can often be the beginning. Once you get your first rejection letter you can consider yourself a real author. From that point you are ready to move to the next level, try harder, and dig deeper. There are thousands of publishing houses, so don’t let a few “no thank you’s” stand in your way of a properly bound best-seller.

The way I look at it is this. I would rather get turned down a million times and at least know I tried; rather than look back at my life with regret for never having the guts to take a few punches and keep fighting forward.

Writing is a tough job. That is a fact.  It is also a fact that regret stings harder than rejection. So tweak your proposal and march on, tomorrow the mailman might deliver you something more valuable than sting ointment. He just might deliver you an acceptance letter!

Kim Ward




7 comments:

  1. Thanks for those words of wisdom. Happy writing to everyone.

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    1. That was well thought,wonderful advice,thank you.

      Udo

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  2. Thanks for those words of wisdom. Happy writing to everyone.

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  3. I remember receiving a rejection (via email) and being devastated. My husband pointed out to me that if I couldn't deal with the rejection, I might as well give up. True words. I didn't give up. I'm not saying rejection is easy, but I dust myself off and vow to be better next time!
    www.laurabesley.blogspot.com
    @laurabesley

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  4. a few rejections if taken to heart would have cost a hell to english literature:

    1. for THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK:
    "The girl doesn't, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling which would lift that book above the 'curiosity' level."

    2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

    ‘... overwhelmingly nauseating, even to an enlightened Freudian … the whole thing is an unsure cross between hideous reality and improbable fantasy. It often becomes a wild neurotic daydream … I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.’

    3. for Emily Dickinson:
    "[Your poems] are quite as remarkable for defects as for beauties and are generally devoid of true poetical qualities."

    (from various websites on the web)

    a good read Kim ... honest .. would be looking forward to reading more of your posts.

    Susmita

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  5. a few sample rejections which if taken to heart would have cost a hell to english literature:

    1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov received a response which said:

    ‘... overwhelmingly nauseating, even to an enlightened Freudian … the whole thing is an unsure cross between hideous reality and improbable fantasy. It often becomes a wild neurotic daydream … I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.’

    2. George Orwell’s Animal Farm was rejected with the comment, “It’s impossible to sell animal stories in the USA.”

    3. A rejection early in Emily Dickinson's career said, "(Your poems) are quite as remarkable for defects as for beauties and are generally devoid of true poetical qualities."

    A good read Kim, will be looking forward to reading more of your writing :)

    Susmita

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  6. Thank you so much for your words of inspiration, and wisdom.:))

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