So, I think I'm really back this time. I ended up with strep on top of an already unpleasant recovery, but thats actually a good thing because that means there's an answer to why I was feeling so crappy and then they gave me a shot (that was fun, let me tell you) and now I feel much better. Hopefully the upswing will keep upswinging this time.
Anyway, it's been another heavy rejection week, and I have been telling myself for years now that I'm good at rejection and that I've learned to take it like water off a ducks back, and I think relatively I probably do handle it okay, but my rejection/acceptance ratio is really starting to make me feel like a hack. I think everyone goes through that though, and the thing is to just keep submitting and writing, which I will do of course.
But the thing is, how do you really know you aren't just lousy? I'm serious when I ask that question. Sure your family and roommates will say its good, but how do you know editors aren't laughing at your short story and using it to line their garbage cans? Again, serious question. Whats the check? Is it the number of rejections? I'm good until like, forty or more. The thing is, the rejections I've gotten this week are from Poetry, Hunger Mountain and Boulevard, which are all pretty lofty and prestigious magazines. Maybe I'm just not good enough for those ones. But I still want to submit to the top notch ones, because its all subjective and you never know.
This isn't an unusual feeling for writers, is it? I'm pretty sure I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and that it will happen eventually. Meanwhile I'm working on more short stories and still thinking about changing my big WIP, though like always I'm having issues going from characters and scenario to plot, which I want to discuss in a near future post.
And also, belated congratulations to Colin Firth for his win at the Academy Awards. He is absolutely amazing, talented, and incredibly, incredibly sexy. Still.
Sarah Allen
7 comments:
Don't be discouraged - keep putting out those submissions. Do you belong to a critique group? Mine is a great help to me. You can do it!
Yes, I was so pleased to see that Colin Firth won! Definitely keep submitting even to those more prestigious magazines, because all it takes is the right person looking through the submissions at the right time, and anything can happen!
This might not be possible if you live alone, but is there any way that you could get someone else in your house to open the letters and throw them away if they are rejections? That way, instead of sifting through rejection after rejection, you can just keep sending off submissions without having to face the rejection. Then, when you do get accepted, the person sorting through the letters can let you know.
Hi, Sarah. Rejection always sucks. They say you have to develop a thick skin, but I think that's a myth. The best I've been able to manage is to behave as graciously as I can manage before I slink home and dig into the Häagen-Dazs.
How do you really know you aren't just lousy? My perspective may be a little skewed, but here it is, for what it's worth: I think that as long as a writer is measuring herself by those around her—including editors—she will never be able to find herself or her true voice. Because it's amazingly short journey to writing competence, and beyond that, "good" is just what you want it to be. So excellence in writing ultimately comes from within, measuring your own writing against what you love to read. Excellence can't come from without, measuring yourself against what you think some editor—who probably doesn't even know you exist—might think of your stories.
Keep writing!
-TimK
Yeah,
I know rejection sucks. I wrote my short story the other day (first one) and edited it thrice till date for the fear of being rejected even before submission.
Hey Sarah,
can you tell me some reliable sites / houses where I can submit my short story?? I am newbie and looking for lot of help. Please do help me.
with warm regards
http://becomingprince.blogspot.com
Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and advice :)
@Sheila, no, I don't belong to a critique group, because I'm planning on moving in the next couple months, and then I'm for sure going to look into it. Thanks for the thought though.
@Amy: That's a very interesting idea :) To be honest, I've done all my submitting electronically, so I get rejection emails as opposed to letters. But like I said, I'm moving in the next while and probably then I'll set up a postal submission system for myself.
@Tim: wow, thank you! I agree with what you, even though it still hurts emotionally. But keeping what you've said in mind will help, because you're right: you have to gauge your writing from the inside. Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement.
@AllMyPosts: Best of luck with your writing! There are some great resources for good magazines. My two favorite are Duotrope.com and NewPages.com. Hope those help.
Thanks everyone!
Sarah
Just keep trying...self doubt is just part of the process.
I love Colin Firth (the twice Mr. Darcy) I would so marry him. :)
demitrialunetta.blogspot.com
Rejection always is hard to take. I think the worst part of being a writer is the dreaded form letter. At least when you reject me, tell me why! Hand written notes don't make me feel as bad as typed run- of- the- mill rejection.
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