Don't Let Rejection Derail You
By Andrea Merrell
Rejection stings.
That’s a fact. But the truth is we have a choice when it comes: give up and
quit trying or let it motivate us to press on.
Sometimes the
rejection is a simple no without explanation. At other times it comes
with constructive criticism that can help us improve our project—if we let it.
The key is not to personalize the rejection. One writer warns against allowing
the opinion of ourselves to be colored by the opinion of those who fail to see
our potential.
In the writing
world, rejection is inevitable. That’s another fact. But to be successful, we
have to maintain a positive attitude and overcome it. Here are a couple of
examples from author Bob Gass:
In
1902 an aspiring young writer received a rejection letter from the poetry
editor of The Atlantic Monthly. Enclosed with a sheaf of poems the
twenty-eight-year-old poet had sent them was this curt note: “Our magazine has
no room for your vigorous verse.” Yet he became one of the most beloved and popular
American poets of all time. Who was he? Robert Frost.
In
1907 the University of Bern turned down a PhD dissertation from a young physics
student. Yet that student went on to change the scientific world forever. Who was
he? Albert Einstein.
When
a sixteen-year-old student got his report card from his rhetoric teacher in
school, there was a note attached that read: “A conspicuous lack of success.”
But he refused to accept it. Who was he? Winston Churchill.
I’ve heard dozens
of stories—from both newbies and seasoned writers—about the piles of rejections
they have received. Even Frank Peretti was turned down by fourteen publishers
before This Present Darkness was accepted by Crossway Books. Thank
goodness he refused to stop trying.
I could add my own
stories to the mix, and I’m sure you could as well. But I learned early on that
when my manuscript gets that dreaded no, it’s either not ready or it’s
not the right time or place. The truth is when we write for the Lord and He
gives us words to share with others, He will open the right door at the right
time, and the right person will be on the other side of that door. You never
know when that will happen. That’s why it’s so important to never give up or
lay aside your God-given calling.
Words are
powerful. God spoke the world into existence. He tells us that words
contain the power of both life and death. Sticks and stones may surely break
our bones, but words go deep into our innermost being. They have the power to
wound the heart or set the captive free. One single word from God can change
the entire course of someone’s life. What if God has entrusted that word to
you? There just might be someone out there waiting to hear your story. Read
your blog post. Savor your devotion. Learn through your magazine article. Be
set free by your testimony. Or be impacted forever by your powerful novel.
Take your
rejections and turn them into resources. Remain teachable. Learn from the
advice and suggestions of others. Keep writing and never allow rejections to
derail you.
Your time will
come.
How do you handle
rejections? Do you have some advice you would like to share? We would love to
hear from you.
(Photos courtesy
of Blogpiks.com and Stuart Miles.)
TWEETABLE
Rejections can hurt. I love your statement ""Take your rejections and turn them into resources. Remain teachable." I have learned from rejections and my writing is much better now.
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome, Melissa. Thanks for sharing. Blessings! :)
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