Struggles of Fiction Writers, Part 3: Processing Rejection

Rejection happens, even to the very best writers. I am convinced that the quicker you learn to embrace it and process it appropriately, the quicker you're able to become a professional. Not just a professional writer. A professional anything you want to be! But learning how to accept and interpret rejection without giving up is essential to becoming the writer you're meant to be.

• Rejection is a part of the writing process. No matter how good you are, you will eventually receive rejections. It is important to accept this and not let it discourage you.

• Rejection does not mean that you are not a good writer, nor that you will never be a good writer. There are many reasons why a piece of writing might be rejected, and it is often not a reflection on the quality of the writing.

• Rejection can be a learning experience. Each time you are rejected, take some time to think about what went wrong. Was your story not well-written? Was it not the right genre for the publication? Once you have a better understanding of why your work was rejected, you can make changes to improve your chances of getting accepted in the future.

• Rejection prepares you for publication. Let's be real: people on the internet (and elsewhere!) can be unkind. You can write a story that 97/100 people like, but the reviews that stick with you the most will be three ridiciculously negative ones! Sometimes, the hardest reviews and criticisms come from people who don't hate your work but simply don't love it. It's been my experience that rejection thickened my skin so that when I get a comment that might hurt, I don't internalize it as much. I can weigh it rationally: does it have merit? Is my work just not the reader's cup of tea? Did they focus on one small issue that no one else had a problem with? Did they focus on an issue that might actually be problematic?

• Rejection can be a motivator. Some writers find that rejection motivates them to work harder and improve their writing skills. If you are feeling discouraged by rejection, try to use it as a motivator to make your work even better.

• Rejection can be a sign that you are on the right track. If you are receiving rejections, it means that you are submitting your work. It might just not be to the right places or at the right time for them to be able to market it properly. Keep submitting your work and eventually you will find success.

Rejection is a part of the writing process, but it does not have to be a negative experience. If you learn to accept rejection and use it as a learning experience, you can become a stronger writer.