Rejections: How Writers Can Stay Motivated 

I parked my car by the fresh snow at the bottom of the hill, waiting for my kids to arrive. It’s normal for the school bus to come in a few minutes late.   So, I flicked my phone open. 

 

There it is—an ayyō. (Ayyō means “Oh no!” in the Telugu language)

 

An email from my agent said, sadly, the editor has passed on my manuscript.  The cold, crisp air outside mirrored the chill of my disappointment. After two years of submissions, ayyōs have become more common and a bit more frustrating.

 

I remember when I signed with my agents, I asked, “What if we get multiple offers? Would there be an auction?”  Now that seems so silly .  I shake my head when that thought crosses my mind.

 

I have heard that J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie were rejected numerous times before they found a home.  But that doesn’t help me much anymore.

 

So I need a plan.  

A plan to handle rejections. 

A plan to keep going.

 

I take a deep breath and glance at the sparkling snow. These ayyōs sting for sure. But they don’t define me. They don’t define my work.

 

I thought about why I started writing in the first place.  No, not book deals. Certainly not auctions.  It was the stories—the ones kids love to hear.  The ones that lull kids at bedtime. The ones that spark their imagination and open windows to new worlds.

So, here is my plan:

Create new stories

All my current manuscripts have been polished many times. Now, it’s time to work on new stories. I will let my frustration fuel my imagination. With the new plan and the acknowledgment that rejections are just a part of the process, I will dive into building new worlds.

Celebrate small wins

Every time I start writing a new story, it’s a win.  Every time I submit my manuscript to my critique group, it’s a win.  And every time I wait for the yellow bus and my children run towards me, giggling, it’s a win!

Life is so much more than getting published or becoming an author.  

Never give up

I am going to show unwavering determination. I have heard countless stories about people giving up before they succeed. Jack Canfield underscores the importance of perseverance in his book, The Success Principles. He discusses the concept of “Reject Rejection,” encouraging readers to not take rejection personally and to continue pursuing their goals despite setbacks.  Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book, Grit, also backs the combination of passion and perseverance.

Moreover, I don’t want to be the one who gives up right before success arrives.  You never know what might be waiting on my doorstep (No, not just the snow ).

So, what is your plan for rejections?  

Please share your thoughts below, I’d love to hear them.