One of the things needed to have a career in writing fiction is persistence. Rejections are just part of the job. Even RITA winners get rejected. I went to the PRO Retreat last year at RWA's National Conference and heard HelenKay Dimon talk about how when she had won a RITA, she wrote a new kind of book that her agent didn't really go for, and she ended up trying to find a new agent, which should've been easy for someone like her, but it really wasn't. And she received a lot of rejections before finding someone. That takes a lot of perseverance.
I try to remind myself of this topic every few weeks, especially being in the middle of the submission process. Sometimes, it's challenging to hang in there. Another example on this that springs to mind is J.K. Rowling. She received a ton of rejections before finally getting an agent, more rejections with publishing houses, and look at how well she's done. Wow! Just because an agent or editor passes on your work, doesn't mean there's necessarily anything wrong with it. It might just be a matter of taste, or they might think they couldn't sell it.
Surprisingly, at DigiCon over at SavvyAuthors.com this week, I received several full requests! I'm super excited about those. The paranormal romance novella I received requests from is something I've been trying to get published for a few years. It was exciting to get the requests on it. I'm still not contracted yet, but just having that reminder of not giving up really means something. I hadn't expected to pitch my paranormal romance novella. I'd been about to hang that one up and call it done. Pitching it was a spur of the moment decision, and one I'm happy I've made.
How about you guys? Have you ever felt like giving in? Did you, or did you keep going?
Hunky WOLF SEALs by Terry Spear
23 minutes ago
I had some really nasty contest comments that left me staggering...but to really think of giving up? Not since I decided to actually try. When I was floundering in the no-man's land of 'what do I do with all this stuff I'm writing? Is is just for me? Can I justify spending so much time just for me stuff?' I considered stopping. I was convinced I'd curl up and die if I submitted and was rejected.
ReplyDeleteThen I almost died and after that...well...rejections was no biggie. I mean, I'd almost died, serendipity herself was all that kept me from dying... Soooo! What's the big deal about rejection?
But I don't recommend almost dying to reach this point!
Just put it in perspective and move on!
I've often taken breaks from writing. But something keeps bringing me back. Can't seem to help myself. Sometimes I feel like a comedian who becomes a success and people are shocked to learn they've been doing stand-up for decades. Think that'll be me. Surprise! One day I'll be a success.
ReplyDeleteMaureen---you almost died! Curious minds need more information.
Darcy - I suffered sudden cardiac death in April of 2007. My husband was there when I simply stopped breathing, next to him in bed and gave me CPR, called 911... It's an electrical malfuntion and I know have an interior cardiac defibrillator that will keep me alive should my heart act up again. That's the short version! The longer is my first post on my Believing in Second Chances blog.
ReplyDeleteI've had a couples times where I thought about giving up on writing. It was my husband's support that kept me going. Also, I've dreamed of being a professional author for a long time. So to not be pursuing that felt weird to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, Maureen and Darcy! Yeah, with almost dying, I don't think much could really bother you! It's great that you have such a positive attitude. =)
Darcy, yeah, I think I'd be that way too. I've been writing for a long time. I also have taken breaks from writing toward the beginning of my journey. These days, I'm a little more obstinate about getting to my destination. lol!