It's Just Gonna Sting A Little
So, here's the thing:
I got a rejection from a magazine tonight and it hit me unusually hard, though I don't understand why. The "we'll pass" came from a journal that I particularly like (but then, all of the publications to which I submit feature work that I enjoy). The editor (I've published there before) is a generous, sensitive person who knows her craft and offers valuable feedback on the pieces that come before her. It was a nice rejection, as nice as any rejection can possibly be.
But for some reason, I'm a bit flattened by this, which surprises me because I've actually, during the past year, developed quite a healthy attitude towards the submission process (not right for one allows it to be snatched up by the magazine where it belongs; someone, somewhere is waiting for my words; Saul Bellow was rejected AFTER he won the Pulitzer). I buy myself gifts, for God's sake, contingent on the number of rejections that I actually receive. Tonight, however, the stars must not be in alignment, my hormones must be surging, or my skin must be made of tissue paper.
Tonight, I'm not feeling the "cup half full" love.
So, I'm typing this because I'm hoping that my experience, somehow, might comfort another who feels the same way. Someone who has recently felt the sting or someone who is still smarting from a sting that happened a long time ago. I'm writing about this because writing is what I do, when I'm up and when I'm down, and the more words I pound against this page, the better I feel(oops, a key just flew off the keyboard). I'm writing because although this may sting, it is "only one harvest in a man's life" (thank you, Michael Landon). I can be busy feeling sorry for myself now, because tomorrow, I will be submitting again.
I'm gonna go watch American Idol and Project Runway. Talk about rejection. At least mine wasn't televised.
Maybe I'm feeling the "cup half full" love, after all.
I got a rejection from a magazine tonight and it hit me unusually hard, though I don't understand why. The "we'll pass" came from a journal that I particularly like (but then, all of the publications to which I submit feature work that I enjoy). The editor (I've published there before) is a generous, sensitive person who knows her craft and offers valuable feedback on the pieces that come before her. It was a nice rejection, as nice as any rejection can possibly be.
But for some reason, I'm a bit flattened by this, which surprises me because I've actually, during the past year, developed quite a healthy attitude towards the submission process (not right for one allows it to be snatched up by the magazine where it belongs; someone, somewhere is waiting for my words; Saul Bellow was rejected AFTER he won the Pulitzer). I buy myself gifts, for God's sake, contingent on the number of rejections that I actually receive. Tonight, however, the stars must not be in alignment, my hormones must be surging, or my skin must be made of tissue paper.
Tonight, I'm not feeling the "cup half full" love.
So, I'm typing this because I'm hoping that my experience, somehow, might comfort another who feels the same way. Someone who has recently felt the sting or someone who is still smarting from a sting that happened a long time ago. I'm writing about this because writing is what I do, when I'm up and when I'm down, and the more words I pound against this page, the better I feel(oops, a key just flew off the keyboard). I'm writing because although this may sting, it is "only one harvest in a man's life" (thank you, Michael Landon). I can be busy feeling sorry for myself now, because tomorrow, I will be submitting again.
I'm gonna go watch American Idol and Project Runway. Talk about rejection. At least mine wasn't televised.
Maybe I'm feeling the "cup half full" love, after all.
posted by Cate at 9:41 PM
20 Comments:
Yes, definitely a hug to you.
Sometimes for whatever reason, rejections hurt more than necessary. :(
HUGS on the rejection, Cate.
Tanya
Steinbeck had a stack of rejections as tall as he is. Keep it up. Keep being persistent. There are plenty of people who want to publish your work...
...like me. (hint, hint)
Ok cubicle reverends face cracks me up every time I log on here!
Cate I echo all the previous comments. You are a wonderful, captivating writer and have very many "followers" here. Keep doing what your doing and your'll be rewarded accordingly very soon. It was also very nice of you to publish your rejection. I am sure you helped someone a great deal.
((Hugs)),
a.
Sad thing is, put some hair on me that's what I look like. I don't get it, why did people hate the picture of me, but love the picture of Ingus the Nerd Monkey?
Isn't it strange how it can hit you like that, with no warning? For me it's exhibit rejections rather than writing, but I'm the same way - most of the time I shrug and say "ok, whatever" and add them to the stack, but now and then, out of the blue, one that's on the surface no worse than the others will make me cry. Maybe it's a cumulative thing? I dunno. Anyway, here's hoping you're back to glass-half-full today.
Thanks for the comments. I can't even tell you how good they made me feel. Hugs back at every single one of you.
Oh, and I reread my post and I feel like I come off like I'm trying to be some sort of "good citizen." Time to 'fess up: I was wallowing, plain and simple. If someone was dealing with rejection, read the post, and could relate, that would be great, but really, if I'm honest, that post is all about making myself feel better.
(For some reason, this prompts me to feel like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality--the part where she's in the pageant and throws in the bit about wanting "world peace" because it sounds good!)
And I agree about Cubicle Reverend's picture. It just makes me happy to look at it (but you were just as cute before, CR, and you know it!).
Thanks again. I'm so grateful for you guys!
I"m really glad you are going right back out there and sending again! I know what the disappointment feels like. Last summer I came really close to having a manuscript accepted by one of my favorite publishers, and when they decided to pass, I was devastated. I really was. Now I've sent it out again, and just that act lifts me again. It tells me I'm not giving up! And remember what SARK said Cate!
"If you're not being rejected, you're not reaching far enough!"
You are human! You can't always take rejection like a champ! And you put the entire thing into perspection brililantly. (while touching others, as you always do. What a reward in itself.)
xoxo
awww shucks
Heehee, I didnt realize it was a monkey till I enlarged the picture...I thought it was some cute little troll. Sorry reverend.
a.
Hugs, Cate, I hope today is a better "cup half full of love" day. Nobody likes rejection, and even when you're prepared, it still hurts. You just earned another purple heart!!
Hey, sorry to hear about that. Really, but chin up, or in my case, chin's up...he he.
You made me laugh though, when I'm reading along, then Oops, a key just fell off the keyboard). Now I think that really happened, but as I sit here and type, was it because you were "pounding the pages"? See I am so slow on the jokes, if that's the case. God I am dumb sometimes, but you made me giggle for a bit.
Maybe buy a new keyboard, for this rejection, but that's it, cause it was only one rejection and there's going to be more acceptances!
Sorry to hear about the rejection, but glad to hear you are rolling with it.
Anyway, what did you think about Idol and Runway?
I can't believe those twins were in so much trouble with the law. Fraud! Identity Theft! DAAAAANNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!
I'm still trying to figure out how they pick these top 24 people for the show. Some seem on looks alone, and others... well, i just don't know why.
OH MY GOD! What about Runway? I, unfortunately, agree that Kara should have gone home because she is not shining her best, but Santino just needs to go. He so should have gone instead of Nick. I was realy pulling for him. I think I pull for Daniel for the remainder of the show.
Well, enough post-hogging. And BTW, I did not proofread my post so forgive me for any mistakes. I usually try to put my best side out for you. ;)
Read ya' later!
Hi Cate - it's great to read about someone so involved in the submission process. And no matter how many times we receive rejection with equanimity, there will be those times when it hits us just wrong and gets us down. That's okay - I think we need to feel all those things. Sometimes a good wallow (not to say you are having a wallow!) is satisfying in a way nothing else is; so just go with it. Don't feel like you have to be impervious to it. You have such a good attitude -- don't get down on yourself for getting down. Best wishes with your next submission!
Whoa - I just read human z's post and I missed Idol last night -- WHAT is that all about ? the loudmouth twins? Oh my, I must go google this! Gossip, gossip!
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing this! Sometimes it is so scary to read people's blogs. You think that people have it together or that everyone else is being published 'except me', so it's so comforting to know that people's who's writing you admire are still working really hard. Thank you so much, and I hope it finds its home at the next place you send it to!
Looks like I'm causing some controversy again. First it was because people didn't like the picture of me, now people are confused by my monkey. I don't mind controversy, but couldn't it be more for writing something profound?
Get back on the horse, Cate.
{{{Hugs}}}
Tanya
One of the most empowering things about a blog is that you get to publish yourself. You get to find your own audience. You get to "let the people decide." You are a wonderful writer, Cate, and you are building your readership. The rest will come.
Post a Comment
<< Home