I am completely and utterly behind on my blog reading. I will catch up, eventually. You've probably wondered what I've been up to. Well I'm up to about five foot four inches but I still have hope that I will get taller.
It's good to have a dream, right?
Anyway, today's post is about rejection. No, not a romantic rejection but one on your writing. In my workshop group today, they announced the winners of one of writing contest. Alas, I did not win. This was probably due to the fact that I did not enter. I meant to enter but I got busy and didn't.
Someone was wondering at the fairness of the contest, the fairness of the judges etc... And I have no problem with them questioning the system. Questions are how you get answers even if those answers taste like moldy cheese.
But the truth is, as a writer, you will get rejected. Repeatedly. Last year alone, I had 48, yes 48, separate rejections of my poetry and short stories. There are days when I wonder if I'm wasting my time. There are days when I think I'm the suckiest writer on the Earth.
Yet on some level, I know that's not true. I'm not the best writer in the world. I've read that person's book and I cannot write they way they do. That's okay. I write like me and not them. Which is good because I'd look silly wearing their underwear and living their life.
Each day I work at my writing, I become a better writer. I don't stink like sweaty feet in the jungle but I won't win the Nobel Prize in Literature either. I'm learning to be accept that.
I'm okay with being rejected because it means I put myself out there. I didn't give up even when I really, really wanted to.
Writing is one of those professions where being rejected is part of the job. You will get rejected, shredded, criticized, and edited. But you'll also inspire, titillate, interest, educate, and entertain a hundred others. Writing is not a win or lose proposition but rather a win AND lose proposition.
No one writes perfectly when evaluated by a critic. And every writer, my dear, has critics. A critic is your worst enemy and best friend. A critic will tell you when you have run-on sentences, don't have a good story arc, or if your rhymes are purile. A good critic will also tell you when your imagery is inspired, your words touching, and your meter is lyrical.
A good critic sees you writing in all it's glorious excellence and flaws.
Rejection is how you learn as a writer.
If you can't stand to lose then don't be a writer or a professional sports player, you'll just end up miserable.
And who likes that? Not me.
Sadly, after all the talk, I kind of feel bad I've won. However, I, like you, haven't entered all the contests and have dealt with a great deal of rejection. I would have liked to have read your entry if you had written one.
ReplyDeleteann
Before I started writing for publication I was a performer - talk about painful rejection. Yes, you are right, if you aren't into rejection, don't become any kind of artist. There is always a critic lurking in the shadows, but you have to make your own light and bask in it for the glory of doing something you love and have a passion for, or else, don't do it,
ReplyDeleteAine
An insightful post, what a terrific view on the world you have.
ReplyDeleteI guess what makes a good writer is that after all the rejections this person does not give up but works harder to improve themselves. takes time and effort. Not everyone is willing to do this. Hence not everyone can be called a good one.
ReplyDeleterejection should be celebrated...it only makes a person better in the long run.... btw... i'm sorry Tirz... i keep forgetting to go to your writer's site.... it's even in my favs folder but alas my memory sucks once again
ReplyDeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about it Mindy. It's pretty static at the moment. You aren't missing anything.
I don't know you, and you don't know me (funny how that works) but I think you are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about feeling bad about other people's success. It could be worse, you could be relishing in other people's demise. :)
I think your writing is great,you have a wonderful writing voice, totally made me laugh. I just finished a novel, have yet to submit anything and I am already freaked about rejection. I think I am going to save this post in my favorites for when I am feeling downtrodden. I know it will happen.
So, thanks and cheers!
Mary
I don't know you, and you don't know me (funny how that works) but I think you are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about feeling bad about other people's success. It could be worse, you could be relishing in other people's demise. :)
I think your writing is great,you have a wonderful writing voice, totally made me laugh. I just finished a novel, have yet to submit anything and I am already freaked about rejection. I think I am going to save this post in my favorites for when I am feeling downtrodden. I know it will happen.
So, thanks and cheers!
Mary