Yes, This Will Be On the Test

Writing, Reading, Laughing

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

How Do You Spell Rejection?

Let's face it. No matter how thick-skinned or glass half full we have become in the face of rejection as writers, a "no" still tugs at our heart and casts a shadow over our optimism. Querying, whether it be to agents or editors, renders the creative persona fragile.


So how do we persevere and keep on the query road when a mist of negativity nips at our heels?


Here's one exercise that has worked for me. I remember it through the acronym FREE, because it frees me from the elephant of rejection that likes to perch on my chest.


F - FILE those rejections that have either constructive or complementary points in a folder.


R - REMEMBER a "no" is one step closer to a "yes."


E - EXTRACT the specific positive statements from your saved "no thank you" responses


E - EXPRESS those statements visually by:


1. Creating a document that mimics the reviews that flash on TV for a movie.

"A well-crafted love story. Confident writing."
Agent/Editor Name Here


2. Go play on Wordle and create a graphic of your kudos.





Never give up. You deserve the dream.


What do you do to hang in there?


photo credit

27 comments:

  1. I love this idea, especially since I'm querying right now.

    I used to save ALL my rejections, even the form ones. Now I delete most of them. It's not like I need to reread the typical "not for us" responses. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. What do I do to hang in there? Um, I mope so much that hubby takes pity of me and he takes me to a fancy restaurant! LOL.

    But seriously, I loved your post. :)

    Also, sorry I've been a bit MIA lately--had pneumonia. But I'm finally better.

    And thanks for stopping by my blog the other day and sending good vibes! <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the idea of a kudos Wordle! :)

    So important to remember positive feedback.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is SERIOUSLY awesome! I love that way to use Wordle!! So cool.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So great! I appreciate the acronym FREE because it's easy to remember. Thanks, Leslie!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a great post. I have one wonderful rejection from an editor that I pull up and read when I need an "I'm okay" moment. But I'd never thought of making a Wordle! Thanks, Leslie!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOVE this! I'll have to remember your FREE trick. How do I cope? Um, through AWESOME, AMAZING friends like YOU <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's a great idea! Rejection is never easy. I def. got better at it over the years. I give myself a couple days and then I move on.

    ReplyDelete
  9. How awesome! I haven't experienced this yet. I have to write something worthy of submitting somewhere before I can face this step, but this is such a great way to make a positive out of a negative! I saw some authors on twitter feeling insecure. Ones that I'd consider well on there way if not already there, doubting themselves. Another author said, when you make your living through creativity you never stop doubting yourself. Maybe your post would help them!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is a lovely graphic. What a brilliant idea. There's always something we can remind ourselves of that's good, when the bad comes.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hate to admit that I'd never heard of Wordle, but definitely heard of rejection. So thanks, Leslie, for showing me a creative way to cope.

    Another think I like to do is send another manuscript out as soon as a pass comes in. Keep the ball rolling!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this! I'm going to start querying sometime this year so I'll keep this in mind for when I receive inevitable rejections.

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Free" a great acronym for this process! Am saving this for later when I need it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. For me, I don't focus on the yes or no. I make my expectation 'feedback'. So, when I get an R, I don't see it as an R...I see it as a potential opportunity to get feedback on my work so I can make it stronger. Most often I do get feedback, so it leaves me feeling satisfied in some sense. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey everyone,
    Your comments are surrounding me in a cloud of awesomeness. I love this community.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love that acronym.

    I threw out or deleted form rejections, but I saved rejection letters that provided feedback and encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I do think we grow more and more as writers when we take something from those rejections. They help us to turn a critical eye on our work and really polish out any wrinkles.

    ReplyDelete
  18. HEY MRS.ROSE!!!
    there's a star wars episode 1 movie thang. It's rather Jan 21 or Feb 21 I saw it at the movies on one of the commericals. It's usally for the phanm thang but just wanted to tell you. Also congrats I see so many new people commenting on your blog. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the heads up Rylee! You know I can't miss Star Wars in any way shape or form. Hope you're having a good vacation. See you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a cool thing to do! Thanks for the burst of positive thinking :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. On the inside cover of my moleskine I wrote “Every No Gets You Closer To Yes” and that is what I plan on clinging to when I begin the query process very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is such needed advice as I begin this crazy query journey. Thanks Leslie!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love that acronym and I plan on putting in on my office wall. Thanks and happy Rejection-Free week to you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hey Everyone - another great acronym from Lee McKenzie - STOP - when your writing life is getting insane.

    http://writegame.blogspot.com/2012/01/insecure-writer-me.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh I love the idea of creating a movie review for our writing! That is seriously awesome. Then print it out and hang it in your writing space, or make it your screensaver.

    Querying does make us fragile. Thank you for restoring my humor!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What excellent advice! I always try to digest what was said and determine if I can use it to improve my work. When feedback isn't specific that can be hard to do. Sometimes it hurts to be rejected- but in the end I learn so much from it and try to make my writing better. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete