Any new author who sticks with it must come to terms with rejection. Without question, sending your work out there in the slim chance someone will deem it "worthy" for publication is one of the biggest psychological challenges we face.
I had mentioned in a previous post how some have suggested that it takes 100 rejections before a story can be published. In that post, I talked about putting the numbers on your side by readying yourself for rejection. My recent experiences have brought to mind something else I remember reading about rejection. Two recent rejections I received included a few encouraging words from the editors of the publication. It struck me how amazing it is for a few words from a complete stranger can invigorate one.
While all this has been occurring, I am readying my next story to enter the numbers game. A few weeks ago, I was where I thought I needed to be in terms of sending it out. My mentor, on the other hand, felt it needed a bit more tweaking before I did. Although my initial response was frustration, I have learned to let her feedback sink in before I make a decision and has been the case most times, she was right.
Receiving the rejections with the comments made me realize that the editors reading my submission to notice when one takes the time to get their submissions in the best possible form. I am becoming better, as most new writers must, at managing my impulse to send out a story and move on to the next, before making sure it is as close to done as I can bring it. As I move through this process, it is becoming increasingly clear that revision, revision, revision is key.
Thanks to all those editors out there whom do take the time to make comments on a manuscript they are rejecting. It turns one of the more difficult tasks a writer faces, having their work rejected for publication, into a better experience. Back in high school, I never thought I would get to the point where I could experience a good rejection. The fact that I have now makes me believe that I am still moving forward....
