Twenty-Six Days to the Finish Line –
Handling Rejection
By Katherine Lowry Logan
Panic—we’ve all been there. We
all know the rush of adrenalin surging through our bodies. Fear, insecurity, or
lack of confidence over something we have to accomplish—a meeting at work, a
new project to complete, a presentation to make, a race to run, a final draft
emailed to an editor, a job interview, or how about a blind date. Wow. Sixty
and dating? (That’s a subject for another post.)
When confronted with one of these
scenarios a voice plays in our heads (remember that voice that sounds like our
own?) Anyway, that voice tells us we have good reason to be afraid. The last
interview we had we failed to get the job. The last manuscript we sent was
rejected. The recent presentation we made fell flat. So how do we control the
panic?
We prepare. We visualize. We
follow a script. We pray a lot. We do our best because anything less is
unacceptable. And if we do our best and we still don’t land the job or sell the
manuscript, we suck up the disappointment and look for other opportunities. Of
course it hurts. But how you handle that hurt, determines success the next time
around, and the next.
Analyze the rejection or “the
pass” as they say in the publishing world. What did the potential employer or
the editor see in me or in my writing that I haven’t noticed before? What can I
do to improve? It’s much easier to blame
the interviewer or the editor and say they didn’t “get” me, or they didn’t see
the value of my contribution, or my work. It’s their loss. If you view the
rejection in that light, it’s easy to stay stuck in the moment and feel
resentful, which takes a lot of energy that could be used to learn something
new.
Last September I received passes
from two big publishers within days of each other. My immediate reaction was to
blow it off and blame them for not taking my work seriously. Then after the
initial hurt passed, I went to work analyzing their comments to determine what
I could do to address their concerns, not for resubmission but for future
submissions. What’s the point of falling short of a goal if you don’t learn
something about yourself? It’s not easy, but it’s necessary if you want to
reach the next goal you set.
My ankle is still swollen from my
fall the other day, and I won’t be able to log the miles I need. Panic could
easily set in, but I choose not to let it, at least for today, and I can’t
worry about tomorrow until it gets here. Then I’ll have another choice to make.
I hope it's not to worry about tomorrow.
Happy writing and running, Kathy
Katherine is a long distance
runner and an avid reader who turned her love of reading into a passion for
writing contemporary and historical romances. A graduate of Rowan University in
New Jersey, she earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Following graduation, Katherine attended the Philadelphia Institute for
Paralegal Training earning a General Practice Certification. She returned to
Central Kentucky and worked for twenty years as a paralegal and law firm office
manager. With an educational focus on psychology and the law, Katherine’s plots
typically include a mystery for the hero and heroine to solve while on an
emotional journey seeking love and forgiveness. Her book, a sweeping
time-travel romance, The Ruby Brooch was released in 2012. She is currently
working on two additional time-travels and a contemporary romance. You can connect
with her through her website http://www.katherinellogan.com/
Good advice, Katherine. Push through and persevere!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Taryn.
DeleteWhen I first started submitting my writing for publication my instructor told me, "Read the letter, glean the criticism, nod at the encouragement, file it and get on with the next project."
ReplyDeleteGreat article on facing and persevering.
Sounds like great advice from your instructor! I'm glad you dropped by and enjoyed Katherine's post.
Delete