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Crazy Rejection Reactions
Posted on January 22nd, 2010 9 commentsAs a writer, sometimes rejections make us do crazy things. I have personally reacted all over the spectrum when it has come to the rejection of my pages, from the indifferent shrug to the all out breakdown/tantrum.
Now, I just want to take a moment to say that all my agent rejections have been exceedingly kind and complimentary–it is NOT the agent. In the reasons for my rejection, there is always that little something missing in my stories that will make it jump out in the tough market I am seem to be drawn to writing for.
Once the sting of rejection passes, what does a writer do? While I briefly consider the idea of giving up, I always return to the worn out keyboard more determined than ever. (Well, maybe not more than ever, per se, but pretty darn determined.) However, today I took an ‘extreme’ approach. I decided to go ahead and enter WEbook‘s PageToFame contest (entry fee $4.95 per entry). I didn’t just enter once, I entered twice. Yes, you heard me. I even entered things nobody else has read before. Scary. I know. Not yet tried, tested or edited.
Why did I do this? Because I want to know how a blind reader sees my work (okay, they only actually get to read the first 250 words). Yes, there are big prizes involved if you do well, but I’m not in it for the prizes. I need to know whether my pages (okay, okay, first 250 words, 200 shy of when the caca hits the spinning blades in my story, propelling everything in chaos) have the potential to stand out. And I am learning that they do not.
Story 1: 2 rankings
Story 2: 6 rankingsReading through some of the PageToFame submissions, I can say that I feel as though I am at least average (even though my marks above say I’m below reader expectations). However, I should add that I can be a little delusional about my own talent, varying from ‘this is brilliant’ to ‘this blows multi-coloured chunks.’ As well, if someone you know has entered PageToFame and you want to judge their entry, you have to sift through quite a bit of slush until you land upon it. While readers may be tempted to say they don’t like the work just to move through to the next submission which may be the one they are looking for, there is also the very real realization that they are clicking low numbers because they aren’t grabbed by the story (or they are trying to take out their competition–women can be sneaky that way. I say women because I entered in the women’s fiction category, which is mostly written by women). Then again, I may just be making up excuses and need to get a life.
Have you been rejected? What is the craziest thing you’ve done to combat the sting and self-doubt?
contest contests, feedback, literary agent rejections, page to fame, PageToFame, reader feedback, rejections, WEbook, women's fiction, writing contests9 responses to “Crazy Rejection Reactions”
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I’ve read about this contest on AQ, but haven’t even looked at the website yet. Your writing certainly does NOT blow chunks of any colour!
I’ll try to find time this weekend to check it out.
I’ve only sent out a few queries. Still waiting on feedback from the last agent on a partial. The other feedback I got was great, but I’d like to hear more before making changes and querying again. I’m not the bravest person in the world, so it’s slooooow going for me.
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Jemi, the contest is kind of fun, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into the responses, if you do enter. I’ve read some really strong pieces on AQ which have been entered, but because of the short entry nature of this contest, some of the pieces aren’t getting a fair shake. (In my humble opinion.) In some cases, it is easy to judge the quality of writing, and in others, I would like more pages to see. It is a fun experiment though. I feel for agents–it kind of gives you a taste of their slush piles.
P.S. My rankings are doing slightly better now, but my first 250 words are not going to launch my writing career via this contest by any long shot of anyone’s imagination.
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First, best of luck in the contest, and good for you for getting your work out there.
Rejections are definitely not fun. The best ones are those that come with advice. As for how I handle the sting of rejection, I sally forth.
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Glad to hear you sally forth, Suzette.
While rejections can be a downer, you are right, the ones that come with advice always ratchet me a notch or two up that learning curve. And for that reason, I do super-appreciate those personalized rejections.
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Contest update: While I am not going to make super-star writer status with this contest, I am pleased to announce that I am doing a little bit better! I now have 18% wanting to see my work go on to the next level–that’s about 1 in 5, so that ain’t bad.
And even better news is that I think I already have a stronger, more interesting opening scene now (I’ve been tweaking and editing) due to my recent rejection advice as well as seeing how the first few lines of my opening wasn’t speaking to readers in this contest. This is inspiring and motivating. I’m actually kind of excited! Now, if only I could swap the new opening into the WEbook contest–doh!
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Best of luck on the contest, and rest assured, you’re a great writer. I think tweaking things is part of the writing process.
As for rejections, the best ones do offer advice and a kind word, but it can still be hard when the rejections keep coming. Still, I try to keep in mind, that even if it’s not this story, maybe it’ll be the next, or the one after that. I’ll still be writing, so I can only hope I’ll find one that strikes all the right cords. Though soon would be nice. ; )
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Aw, thanks, Calista.
I have to remind myself that it is all a process and one day I will, as you say, strike the right cord. And bing. I’ll be ready. I keep thinking I am, and then realize I am not quite there. Soon though. Soon would be nice.
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Yay for you. It would be interesting to see how your writing ranks. As well as get a glimpse of the slush piles.
Best wishes on this and enjoy the process.
Now is not a good time to enter, but I may consider it in the future.
As to my rejections: I think they always bring on a quick swell of hatred, then fear that I’m not good enough, followed by a healthy dose of “alright, let’s see what I really have.”
I have never given up yet and until someone rejects me with a verbatim “You suck!” I will continue to persevere!
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Cate,
What is really strange is that both of my pieces are rated almost identically. Yet they are very different stories. Different voice, different format, different characters, different stories, different everything! It kind of makes me wonder…
Every day we get better, keep truckin’.
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Jemi Fraser January 22nd, 2010 at 17:08