Southern Fried Chicas

Since Mik brought up the subject (and I’ve got nothing better to blog about… ), let’s talk about REJECTION.

If you’re a wannabee author, or just getting started, and you’re involved with writing chat rooms, message boards, and author support groups, I’ve got news for you.  (And please remember, this is just my opinion).

Despite what your writing buddies say, There Is No Such Thing As A “Good” Rejection.

If anybody tells you differently, they’re trying to make you feel better.  Nothing wrong with that, of course.  But it’s a little like having them come to visit you in the hospital after a car crash and saying, “Well, good thing you only lost one leg in the accident!” 

Rejections are hard.  They’re part of the process, unless you’re one of the “chosen ones”, but they still hurt.  They punch a hole in your heart and shred your confidence, that belief in yourself you need to get there in the first place.

Sure, some are easier to take than others.  Like learning to walk—you WILL fall, hurt the butt, scrape the knees, stub the toes, bang into sharp edges.

The worst rejections are the ones that never garner a response at all, as if they fell off the face of the earth.  This is followed closely by the dreaded form letter.  No comments, no feedback, no clue.  I hear a lot of newbie writers despair about this.  “If only they’d tell me something!”

Well, as one who’s still a dues-paying member of the Wannabees, I’m here to tell ya—it ain’t necessarily so.  I, and I’m sure some of you, have gotten feedback from submissions that made me just as frustrated as none at all.

Examples?

“Good plot, interesting characters, and you’ve obviously got talent.  But you take much too long to get to the sex, dear.”  ~~(response from agent to first–yes, FIRST–15 pages of a SWEET romance).

“You have a lyrical voice, intriguing plot, and I absolutely adore your characters.  I read this manuscript over several times and loved each reading—but I’m afraid it’s not for us.” ~~(editor at small press who made me go “HUH??” and develop a taste for Southern Comfort).

“In response to your question as to whether any of the five manuscripts you’ve submitted per my requests could be revised and re-submitted, I’m afraid my answer would have to be no.  Although I love your writing and the novels were very impressive, it’s simply easier for me to evaluate new work.  I look forward to your next submission.” ~~(editor at large press after 2 years’ worth of submissions—so glad it was easier for HER). 

I’ve heard rejections that were so glowing, the writer was SURE they were on the verge of success.  But those ‘glowing rejections’ went on for years and years.  Very wearing on the psyche.  Rejection is hard, even if you teeter on the edge a bit before you fall in.  You fall, either way.

Just watch those sharp edges.