I try not to let it get me down, but sometimes it does. Even though I've been pretending ever since I sent out my query letters that it doesn't matter so much. I can always write another novel (yeah, in another four years). Here are some thoughts about how to ease the sting of a rejection:
1. Do something creative with the rejection letters, like give them to your new puppy and see what he thinks about it.
2. Read blogs about rejection written by other writers. It helps to know there are others out there feeling the same way.
3. Twizzlers. Chocolate. Whatever. Treat yourself to something delicious.
4. Send out more queries. One letter is just one person's opinion.
Actually, the thing that works best for me is to immerse myself in a new and even better writing project. I'll go back and fix up the rejected one someday, but the more writing I do, the more my writing will improve (especially with my awesome critique buddies to give me feedback). The next book I write could be The One.
What's your best tip for dealing with rejections?
-- Andrea
Hmm.. Let's see. That would be cookie dough, sometimes a good cry but almost always getting right back on that query horse. For me, sending out another query quickly really helps me. I guess it's because doing so lets me feel "in control" of the situation again.
ReplyDeleteI think I might try that giving it to my new puppy idea, though. :-)
I tend to immerse myself in something new, but I wonder if I wouldn't be better off sending out more queries. I'm always afraid to do that. I think I'll figure out how to fix what got me rejected and then I'll want people to query who have never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't psyche yourself out by thinking of how long it takes to write another novel! We just write because we're writers. For everything there is a season. We'll send the next one out when it is meant to be.
I do all of the above! Almost exactly but I don't have a puppy. I'm thinking of getting a cat though!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest motivation though is to look back at my old novels and see how much of a better writer I am today. Every project gets a little better and that is an accomplishment that is visible and worth getting excited over.
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ReplyDeleteI mope for a few days and then send it out to somebody who might have better taste. I try to remember that there are umpteen reasons why a submission might be rejected and that most of them probably don't much to do with my writing.
ReplyDelete