October 5, 2007
Tough Enough?
When I first started participating in online writers’ support groups, one of the first things I ever heard was
YOU MUST HAVE A THICK SKIN FOR THIS BUSINESS.
And once I started submitting, I quickly learned this was true. 
Have I developed an invulnerable hide? No. But I don’t take the slings and arrows of the business QUITE as much to heart as I used to. And I’m afraid that for me, at least, having my defensive force-field constantly at the ready sometimes take a little away from the joy of anticipation.
But that’s another blog…
On the following scale, how tough are you as far as rejections, criticism of your work, or life in general?
1) SOAP Bubble
2) Eggshell
3) Acrylic fingernails
4) Child-proof medicine cap
5) Titanium motorcycle helmet and steel-toed shitkickers
6) Biohazard suit
7) Bulletproof vest
8) Rhinoceros
9) Armored Hummer with ballistic glass and run flat tires
10) M1 Abrams tank with missle countermeasure device and anti-personnel rounds
probably # 6 - depending.
Oh gosh–depends on the day
. On a good day, 7 but I have had 1 & 2 days 
and I had a 10 day once when a non-pubbed writer gave me advice on selling when I had already pubbed two books 
(and yes, they knew this)
I’m any number of those depending on the day and circumstances. Sometimes I can be an Impenetrable fortress,
then other days the slightest poke 
will set me off. 
It just depends.
This is interesting…
It doesn’t seem to depend on how long we’ve been writing, or how successful we’ve been—but mostly on what kind of mood or day we’re having?
I like the idea of motorcycle helment and shitkicker boots
But i’d say five is about right…I got one last week and it barely registered.
Now if I had gotten it this (PMS) week it might have registered a little higher on the scale but a bad day made worse is just icky…….LOL
Yeah, Raine, you summed it up nicely.
Cece, that PMS thingie is a big factor too.
I’d say #4, but…. that’s the level and frequency of Rs I’ve gotten. Haven’t been submiting much lately….::coughcough::
If I’d been subbing the book of my heart to my dream publisher/agent and getting backslapped, whey-hel, that would need a higher number.
Cece, Tanya, a rejection+PMS=depression WAY beyond the capabilities of mere chocolate.
Ranks right up there with getting a big one on your birthday (not that such a thing has ever happened to me, no, no, of course not…).
Vanessa, yup. A direct correlation to how important the book is to you. (Get your stuff out there, girl–you don’t wanna miss the fun!).
I don’t know, I’m still waiting for my first rejection (the length of time I’ve been waiting is practically a rejection in itself).
Ann, not necessarily.
It’s usually a slow-moving business in any case–and sometimes longer means better. It might mean it’s being considered, rather than rejected out of hand.
Hang in there.
I’m tougher than I look. I’m usually about an 8. You can get to me, but it takes effort. And then you should definitely try to get out of my way.
I have, on occasion, been a 4. That was my fault, really. I’d started to believe my own press, got cocky, and got hammered for it. Ouch. Lesson learned.
Also, I have to use this smiley now because I got slobbered on this morning.
(Signing Sela up for Chica’s softball team…)
I think I read your scale wrong……and in life I’m probalby much lower on the rejection scale…but I still like the idea of shitkicker boots