Dealing with Rejection - From an aspiring writer’s perspective

***** I wrote this a long time ago as a mantra to remind myself and have a system in place for when I started submitting pieces. What this article does not mention is that print media is dying, all "writing" jobs require years of experience or pay you jack and you will eventually live a life in debt, alcoholism and working jobs that don't really afford you a career. *****

Not everyone is going to love your writing style; in fact there will be some people that will hate it. These are the cold hard facts of dipping your hand into writing. You may work hard and long on a piece only to have to thrown back at you with numerous red marks. You may get flustered that a piece didn’t come out the way you wanted it to, but then get compliments on a job well-done.

There is never an easy or clear way to know if what you did was exceptional. The key in writing is to learn from your mistakes. There are very simple measures to be taken before you can deem yourself worthy of a writer’s title.

1. READ. You have to read to understand writing. Read everything, from magazine articles to novels to memoirs. Read articles on how to write, read articles on how to read. Read articles from magazines, newspapers especially journals you are even considering writing for.

There have been so many cases where a writer submits one of their favorite pieces to a magazine or journal only to have it thrown back at them, because it doesn’t fit the magazines persona. Unless you have your own magazine or journal you have to work your writing into the style and flavor of the proposed literary medium.

2. STUDY. This does not mean to analyze your own writing, but instead to work with someone else more experienced than you to help you understand why that paragraph doesn’t work or why that sentence doesn’t make sense. Never let your eyes be the only eyes to read your piece before it is submitted.

Don’t just work with someone and make the corrections they suggest. Ask questions; understand why you need to change something why that opening lead doesn’t work, why your piece comes across as stiff and boring. Learn so you won’t do it again in the future.

3. PROOFREAD. By the time you’re ready to submit a piece you should almost be able to recite it. You’ve got to read it over and over again until you’re so disgusted with the piece you’d almost rather set it on fire than submit it.

With proofreading it still helps to have numerous eyes reviewing your piece. Pass it around let professionals and friends read it. If it’s going to be published there will be a lot of different people from different backgrounds perusing it. So make sure everyone can understand the flow.

After you go through your own personal hell to submit a piece, don’t get offended if it gets returned to you and is deemed unfit for publication. Most big publications get so many submissions it’s very rare for anyone to get in depth comments about why their piece does not match the magazine or journal.

However, some people are out for blood and they will rip your piece to shreds. Once again don’t take it too personal, pull the constructive criticism from the nastiness.

In short, writing is a lot about growth, change and adaptation. Try not to take everything personal and develop your craft. It’s a hard, dirty, frustrating job, but somebody’s got to love to do it.

Fail is a Four-Letter Word

“It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique … No specific job or career goal defines me and it should not define you… Whether you fear it or not disappointment will come. The beauty is that with true disappointment you can gain clarity and with clarity comes true conviction and true originality.” - Conan O'Brien

As a child I wanted to be a writer. I was encouraged in this endeavor. Winning some essay contests, some publications in college, interning at a daily newspaper in college, working freelance for said newspaper, landing a part-time paid job at a bigger local daily newspaper, and eventually (after a divorce, move and re-evaluation of life) landing a full-time reporter job at a weekly newspaper.

When I was fired after only 3 months from my “dream” job of making a living in journalism, I felt robbed. I felt like perhaps my lifelong goals weren’t sufficient. I felt defective. Never mind that journalism was going the way of the buffalo and the printed word was becoming the typed word which will eventually become the telekinesis word, just wait, I have faith.  I was devastated and doubted myself, my abilities and swore off writing saying “I wasn’t good enough.” I worked jobs that were in no way related to my dreams, but they paid the bills which is more than writing ever did for me.

This is going to be my writing outlet. I’m sure there are writers who will snub my accomplishments perhaps I chose love over career. I didn’t fight to write. I didn’t put writing at the forefront in my life and that’s fine. Writers always seem to have an elitist air about them. I’ve watched my short stories get battered down by “veteran,” published writers and I’ve watched editors correct my pieces down to a nub full of errors. Maybe I don’t deserve to be a writer. Writing is glorious and I love it and I can’t see my life without it. I will continue to write and put my musings, thoughts, short stories, ideas, advice and survival on this blog. Hope you can see past my shortcomings.

With failure grows the ability to endure, I’m planting my seeds and trying to weather life’s storms.