Another rejection letter from a publisher, another disappointment, another talk to self about not giving up. It’s a typical day in the life of a writer. Still, each time bruises and causes a little soreness for a while.
I know the manuscript is good and I believe in it passionately. My pep talk to myself reminds me that it just wasn’t right for this particular publisher. I tell myself it’s an opportunity for improvement. I remind myself that many well read books out there have a history of rejection. Chicken Soup for the Soul was rejected 140 times. Stephen King’s Carrie was rejected 30 times and he actually threw it in the trash but his wife rescued it. Gone With The Wind was rejected 38 times. It’s a tough industry.
When you are a writer, you can’t not write. There’s always a story, a poem, a novel clawing to get out. Although publication may be the writer’s dream, I don’t believe it is the writer’s soul deep goal. The true, passionate longing of the writer is the pouring out of words, ideas, creative thoughts.
As a Christian, I would equate writing with prayer. The prayer warrior pours out her soul to God. We know the prayer is good, we’ve put our best effort into it and we submit it to God, hoping to get the answer we want. But that doesn’t always happen. Often times it’s not the right fit with God’s plan just like a manuscript might not be the right fit for the publisher’s list at that time.
I honestly believe that while getting a prayer answered in the way we desire is our dream, conversation with God is our ultimate, soul deep goal. We pray because we need to pour out our hearts to God. We know He’s in charge. We know He knows what’s going on. And we know He has the right answer. Our humanness makes us want to suggest a solution to our need. Our spiritual side realizes we are being presumptuous.
Our job as a writer is to keep the words flowing, to believe passionately in what we write, to trust the agent or the publisher to evaluate our manuscript fairly and to accept the answer and move on. Our job as Christians is to keep the communication lines open, to trust in God’s timing and God’s wisdom, and to accept His answers and move forward.
There is one great difference between writing and prayer of course. I’ve never ever received a rejection letter from God!
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:20
Keep believing in yourself. You are a great writer and one day the letter you receive will be an acceptance letter.
Thank you, dear friend. What a gift of encouragement you have.
You have such a gift for putting what you believe into words. We are all blessed by it. Your words may not be in a book but they still touch the peoples lives who are previleged to hear you speak, read your blog, listen to you at Bible study or get a card from you.
There is nothing better than encouraging words spoken by a true friend. Love you!
I tripped over your blog today. Jesus was the divine ‘logos’ (word). He was rejected too. That puts you (and I) in good company. Peace.
Ament to that, Jesse. I couldn’t be in better company could I?