Hello Everyone,
It is IWSG Time, and we have moved out into a new decade and a new year. So, Happy New Year!
IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
The Importance of Relentlessness after a Rejection
Last Sunday shook parts of the United States. I know it shocked me. As I sat before my television and looked at the video clips about Kobe Bryant’s relentlessness and his pursuit of becoming the best basketballer he could be, it had me thinking about my relentlessness in writing.
It doesn’t matter how good you think you are; the question is always how good you are willing to become. Being relentless is not the guarantee for becoming a great writer, but it is the key to maximizing your talents. Relentlessness puts you out there to learn what you don’t know and to put your writing out for others to see and criticize.
I received a genuinely nice rejection letter again as I looked at a tribute to Kobe Bryant and his eighty-one-point game. It took Kobe some time to get on a level where he could shoot eighty-one points. It took relentlessness to keep shooting, working out even when he was tired, frustrated, and depressed. I’m quite sure that sometimes the level he wanted to reach seemed too far away, yet he kept moving, kept working, always giving his best in whatever he did, and he made it.
I looked at my rejection letter once again. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was enough in that letter to encourage me to keep on writing, and to keep on submitting stories. One day I’ll walk through that door.
Wishing all of you a lovely month of February.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I sure do love you, Pat! Your determination and passion inspires so many, myself included. You are a success story waiting to be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteEvery time you get knocked down, it's all about getting back up and trying harder.
ReplyDeleteRejection is hard no matter who you are or where you are in life! I hope you have a wonderful month with good news on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteYes, being persistent is the key to keeping writing. Glad you could look at the rejection letter in a good light.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! We look at people who make it to Kobe's success and we only see the amazingness of his skill- we don't see the hours and hours of practice and training. It was that dedication that cost him his life. He was taking his daughter, the next amazing Bryant player, to practice on a Sunday.
ReplyDeleteWe see people who accomplish things and we chalk it up to luck, when really it's that relentlessness you speak of.
Rejection, such a harsh word, but an even deeper cut to the soul. But I know you, Pat! I know a woman who's more than relentless, always has been and always will be. Your success might not have been written on a billboard, but you touch people, deeply, on an almost daily basis with your writing. And I mean the writing you have already done! Each and every entry into the WEP challenges speak to who you are. And in my book you outshine a Kobe, a Brady, or a Shaq!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAn encouraging rejection letter is darned good, Pat. You're staying the course and that's what it takes for any success. Keep it up and one day we're going hear about your encouraging acceptance letter.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this - "It doesn’t matter how good you think you are; the question is always how good you are willing to become. "
ReplyDeleteYes, Pat. You will walk through that door. Of this I have no doubt. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Someone said to me once that rejections are a writer's staircase. One rejection equals one step up. And unless you climb that grueling staircase, you can never reach the top. But I think you're nearing to the top now. Just keep climbing, one step at a time, and you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteThose rejections always sting, but the only way to succeed is to keep going.
ReplyDeleteFor a writer, rejection just means the piece wasn't right for the editor on that day. There are more editors and more days. Persistence is, indeed, the key. Peace to you.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that one day you WILL walk through that door :)
ReplyDeleteYou know Pat..The best way to be relentless is to announce that you have faced rejection. I often see people hide failure and cover it up. I think making the announcement helps you to hang on. There were quite a few lessons from the tragedy of Kobe Bryant. He was great!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post in spite of the fact that it came from such a terrible tragedy. No doubt you will walk through that door.
ReplyDeleteYes my dear Pat, it is that steeper slope that we are climbing that makes us dig in our heels and keep putting that next foot forward.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely have the stamina and talent and heart. There may be hands to help you, but you are the one who digs into that internal well to find that source of the waters that push you onward. ;) Hugs!
Your tenacity is inspiring. You'll make it. I know it!
ReplyDeleteRejections can hit us when we're down and drive us down even farther. Or they can inspire us to do better. To pick ourselves up and work harder. I'm glad that rejection didn't push you down. Kobe Bryant's life is an inspiration. He showed you what you need to do. Good luck!
ReplyDeletePat, our writing improves over time, but it's often not that there's a fault in our writing why we get rejections - it's often that for some reason they don't want it at the time. My latest was: 'Love your story but we don't know where to market it.' Well, I guess I will find my own market!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you for Cafe Terrace, Pat.
Denise
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you, as always, for sharing your story and words of encouragement.
Keep writing and keep moving forward. You will walk through that door.
Gosh! Rejections are so difficult. I desperately try not to let them get me down. I try to move on. I wish I could say I learn from them, but with publishers/editors just saying "it's not right for our magazine" tells me nothing. I simply need to try again with another newborn story. All best to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I'm late. I had some weird glitch and couldn't open your blog. I finally went through various channels and it worked! Weird. As for rejections, I avoided them for years, but now I'm back at it. And I'm okay. I have 4 published works, and I know my stuff isn't for everyone. Thanks for your inspiring post, Pat. Namaste.
ReplyDeleteRejections are such a big part of writing life. I am glad that you are taking the positives out of the experience and continuing to do what you love to do.
ReplyDeleteI admire your spunk and determination. You're post is an inspiration to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for being late to post.
I was traveling from Mexico to USA for surgery on my Carotid artery. Then dealing with pre & post surgery appointments.
It was important to me to visit your site and comment. Hugs.
I appreciate how Kobe Bryant’s commitment to the highest level of sport inspires you — and so many others. He was an incredibly gifted athlete, and many sorrow at his passing. The lesson you take, that of pursuing your passion as a writer, is reinforced by your respect for yourself and all those who try to pursue their dreams.
ReplyDelete