Rejection is a sharp blade through the heart, digging and stinging. It hurts. I droop. I drag. I look like this:
After a deep breath, I yank the blade out and fling it away. I pick up my bottom lip. After all, it’s not the first time I’ve been rejected, and it won’t be the last. My latest short story “Together Forever” was rejected by an online magazine, so I sent it elsewhere. As writers, as humans, does anyone ever get used to rejection?
And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The number one worst email of 2000 is (dundundundudndundundundudndudndudnd *that’s a drum roll*):
Situation: A systems analyst created more problems when he wrote this e-mail to explain a problem.
E-mail:Will the unti cost in momsat that has change now since you have fix it—will it update THE AIM ICS STD COST TO-NIGHT Because I will need to send mass ICS act again because some Std(wrong) went to Vista—
Sandy also says that last yr he did not key ing sytle no that they were their with the cost and he just changed the cost What on lstovr
(taken from Worst e-mail contest winners. (2000, January 25). TechRepublic.)
Here’s my analysis: someone known as ‘The Aim’ has an STD that will cost them something serious to-night!!! Better get that checked out, ‘The Aim’.
Ah, sorry Lindsey! *big hug* Keep at it! You’re good enough! 😀
Thanks!
I think I will have my wife open the responses once I start to submit. That should get rid of the anticipation of holding the envelope. My plan is that I walk in the door at night from work, and she says, “oh, by the way, Harper-Collins said no.”
That will be much easier than having the envelope in my hands, tearing it open, dropping it, picking it all back up, finding the page, and then getting the bad news.
I hope, anyway.
You’re already published once, so you’re a step ahead of a lot of us. Don’t forget us little people when you hit the big times!
–j–
Rejection is awful, but at least it means you’re out there submitting. So good for you!
Still sorry though, because I know it hurts.
Thank you, Joe and Regina. Joe, excellent idea! I’ll ask the BF if he’ll open my rejections for me…
Girl, one rejection means that you are serious about your goals!! Celebrate that! A lot of us sit on these little stories and never have the guts or willpower to polish them up for submitting.
I haven’t heard anything about Eggcellent Proposal yet from the first place I subbed, so I sent it to a local contest.
With Buyer’s Remorse, I won an honorable mention in a contest, but it was rejected by a magazine. Sometimes it’s just not the right place at the right time. But you’re well your way! And you’ve got us writer buddies to share your journey with too 🙂
Thank you for the positive words, Mysti. I appreciate it. Being a writer has such highs and lows.