Turning No into Yes: How Rejection Can Actually Make Us Better Writers
How to use rejection for your benefit
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional, you are probably familiar with the pain of rejection. It comes in many forms — rejected manuscripts or the silence of unanswered submissions, or critical feedback from other writers, teachers, or coaches. Sadly, after repeated rejections, many writers lose faith or give up on their dreams. Rather than being a roadblock, I’d like you to think of rejection differently. It can be a powerful motivator that drives you to refine your craft, develop resilience, and ultimately succeed.
The Sting of Rejection
We’ve all been there, but still, the initial sting of rejection is piercing. When you pour your heart and soul into a story and enthusiastically send it to an agent or publisher, only to have it dismissed, the pain can stay with you long after you’ve set aside the letter.
But when this happens to you, and it will if you submit manuscripts for traditional publication, remember that the disappointment is part of the growing pains of becoming an author. Within this discomfort lies a crucial turning point (much like what happens to our characters in novels): the decision to give up or push forward.
