The Bittersweet “Personal” Rejection

by Jeannie Ruesch

In the last eight months, I’ve received two rejections on a short story that I sent out.Β  Obviously, as every writer knows, any rejection is a drowning-in-a-chocolate-sundae worthy moment.Β  Did that. Been there.Β  With a cherry on top.Β  But after the sundae, I also had to look at the fact that my short story didn’t just garner a rejection (twice) — it garnered two personal rejections.Β  Now this is where I love writers — because you are truly the only ones who get how any sort of rejection could be a positive.Β  Both rejections I received talked about the same issues with the storyline– so with strongly echoing words,Β  I took their comments to heart and learned something.Β  As a writer, I consider that a win even if it wasn’t a sale.

And both rejections (signed and written from the editors) said they really liked my voice and looked forward to my next submission.Β  I definitely consider that a win.Β  In fact, they also both said that they liked my voice enough to take the time to send back suggestions on the storyline — which apparently isn’t something they often do with short stories (according to others I’ve talked to).Β  So — did they buy the story? No.Β  But did I get some positive feedback?Β  Absolutely.

And since I’m gearing back into the writing again, I’m looking at starting the submission process in a few months.Β  Honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about it.Β  πŸ™‚

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7 comments

Mallory Snow April 25, 2011 - 11:02 pm

I love it when a writer can turn a negative into a positive. You can let rejections wear you down or you can learn from them to become a better writer.

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Laurie Ryan April 26, 2011 - 7:16 am

I agree it’s a good kick-off to your new season of writing. Best of luck!:)

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Eliza Knight April 26, 2011 - 10:01 am

Jeannie, I think personal rejections are the best! You really do learn from them, plus you hope the editors will remember you since they took the extra time to write to you personally. I’m so glad you
re writing again and I wish you the best of luck with starting the submission process again!

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Lavada Dee April 26, 2011 - 10:15 am

Welcome back. Turning a rejection around is the sign of a professional.

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Jeannie Ruesch April 26, 2011 - 10:31 pm

@Mallory — Thanks! I’m a perpetual silver-liner finder, so I have to find a way to learn from things. To me, that’s part of making mistakes, learning along the way and growing. But it’s tough, definitely — you can let them wear you down. But then I look at the writers who’ve had sixty, seventy, a hundred rejections and went on to a very successful career. It’s not about the stops, it’s about jumping right over them.

@Laurie – thanks! The last one came in the last few weeks, so it was newer, but I chose to focus on the good in it instead. Much better to think of the good things she said rather than the bad. LOL

@Eliza – Yes, I hope they remember me. Although I don’t know about writing another short story. Damn, woman, those are hard!! I’m longwinded, so writing that length was really, really hard for me (and it right into their comments about my storyline.) But yes, I’m not back to full speed writing, but getting there. Wrote a great rewrite of a chapter two nights ago — very happy with the changes.

@Lavada – Thanks!

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Debora Dale April 30, 2011 - 4:40 am

Jeannie,

What wonderful validation to have received personal rejections from two – not one, but two – editors. That kind of rejection is like a free critique! πŸ™‚

Though the rejection part of it sucks, the personal part at least provides a new perspective… and clearly opened some doors for you since they’re open to your next submission. Those are actually great rejections!

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Stacey Joy Netzel May 5, 2011 - 9:20 pm

Jeannie, best of luck with your revisions on that story and get that puppy resubmitted. Or something else that they’ll love and BUY. πŸ™‚

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