Hello, W&A. Today I got an interesting question for you. In my opinion, there are lots of ways to deal with a rejection, and even more ways to interpret them. So, if you be rejected, how would you interpret it? Would you throw your project away? Would you laugh and say "They don't know what they're loosing..."? (Just examples) What would you do?
Don't be downhearted! I learned very early on that both agents and publishers are motivated solely by money. Having learned this, I recalled that many 'artists' were rejected, The Beatles among them!
I keep records of stories, poems etc that I have submitted to editors or entered for competitions. When I know they aren't accepted or aren't winners I keep them for future reference and altering. Sometimes the changes are minor sometimes, what started off as a short story ends up as a play. As a last resort for stories that I think are worthwhile, (even if I am alone in this) I put them on my blog.
When I got my first rejection letter, I felt as if I had my legs swept out from underneath me. I knew to expect rejection, but some part of my whispered 'what if?'. I guess when I opened the email that part of me just toook over. It came at a really bad time as well, as I had just had a really rough couple of weeks and I suddenly realised, the someone didn't like my book! My baby that I had nursed and nutured for almost a year.
I was quite cut up about it that night but the next day I got up and went to school and prepared for another submission.
Needless to say another rejection, however a positve one (if that makes any sense at all).
I think after a number of rejections it is incredibly difficult to keep a positive mindset. I am very lucky to have a very supportive family and circle of friends who are all really encouraging.
I love my characters and I'm one of those people who thinks it is a disonour to give up on them, I think it is important to interpret a rejection with a thick skin and a confident outlook on the future (Easier said than done I know)