Rejection is a part of life. It happens to everybody at one point or another. And it most especially happens on the writing journey.
Recently, I got a rejection letter from an agent. About six weeks ago, this agent asked to see a partial of Through the Storm after reading a query I sent her. On Thursday, I got home from work and found a message in my In Box. It was from her. I didn’t click on the message right away. I took a deep breath and just sort of stared at it. For a second, I allowed myself to dream. I opened her email and discovered my dreams would have to wait. She said my first sentence was passive and that my writing wasn’t better than her current clients so she would have to pass. Despite her respectful tone, it still stung. The air just sort of swooshed right out of my lungs. I felt deflated. Rejection is part of the industry. But it’s not a fun part.
Question: Does anybody know anything about either architecture or organ donation? I need to know a lot about them both for the purposes of my WIP.
oh yea – another huge rejection story is JK Rowling. She got thirteen rejections before Harry Potter got picked up by an editor!!! Cray, right?
Your comment made me smile, Ryan. Especially the “but, hey, even Katie Ganshert got a rejection..” I definitely smiled. We shall see where God leads. I pray that’s it never more than I can handle. That it’s always for His glory, never for mine. I’m glad I can be an encouragment to you!
I am sorry to hear about the letter, but in a weird way that is kind of cool. The reason I say that is because it shows you are definitely in the grind…you are taking the steps necessary to advance your writing career and you are going through what every author goes through. I know Stephen King is not the only author out there to go through those kinds of experiences. I think that it is really cool that you got some feedback from the agent, even though it was a rejection letter they still commented on things.
I am extremely encouraged by your commitment and your hard work in your writing and also very encouraged to see you are going through the actions of getting your writing out there. Keep cranking! I can already picture some aspiring writer in the future saying something like, “I got my first rejection letter, but hey, even Katie Ganshert got rejection letters early in her career.” 🙂
I am also encouraged by your surrender and trust in God!
I work in a transplant center I will send you an invite on Facebook and we can discuss if you like.
Like I said, you’re over that hurdle. I still have that to look forward to. (but of course, that’s not very positive thinking…) you didn’t tell me she asked for a partial…that’s awesome!