The Challenge

It's almost Friday!! The weekend is about to begin. After a week of getting back on schedule, I'm ready to relax. I did get some writing time in and it felt good. I have two manuscripts the best that I can get them so they are ready for the next step. I did start to query one of them. Yes, only one. I'm  not insane. But I can't help feeling that this round of querying will only wind up like my last. I've entered a few contests and the results are what I expected . . . nothing. There are days I wonder if I'm invisible. I'm not flashy enough. Are my stories that boring?

Of course, I've only just begun this path with this novel so I decided I'm going to try a different approach with the rejection. I know, you're already saying, here we go again, but I'm not going to write a post about my problems. I know rejection happens to everyone and I'm sure some of you have worse stories to tell. No, I'm not going to crawl into that hole I have next to the swing set and rock back and forth. I'm going to challenge myself.

You see, lately, after I get over the frownie face part of the big R, I've worked even harder. It's that whole prove myself thing. I can't let my dream go, so I thought, why not take that to the next level. Besides eating an elephant size bag of chocolate (which I'm not sure I could physically do), I'll do something writing related to push me through.

Okay, I will take a couple of pieces of chocolate to soothe my soul. I can't ignore my chocolate addiction. The other part will be one of three things.

1. Double my word count for the day.
2. Write a short story.
3. Do exercises to brush up on writing skills.

The more I write, the stronger I'll become. Well, that's what they say.

I will also not check my email every five seconds. Let's face it, it's filled with advertisements and possibly more big R's. Not fun.

Do you challenge yourself when you face the big, bad rejection?

Have a great weekend!!

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Yep, it's that time. Another month has past. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for his super hosting skills. Also, when you are ready, go check out the other fine folks who participate.

Rejection stinks. We all know this. It's funny because last year after sending out numerous queries that were followed by rejections I thought I knew how to deal. I prepared myself with the thought that I would get rejected, but had a glimmer of hope for at least a partial request. None of it happened and after a beta suggested to keep my novel to one POV, I decided to stop. The novel needed more work, I had to face that. That's the thing. It takes signs to show us what we need to see. Rejection meant it wasn't ready. No matter how much I changed my query or my beginning, it simply wasn't ready. Did I cry? Yes. Did I get angry? You betcha. Did I tune out for a while? Uh huh.

In fact, I distanced myself from many things even those who support me, because I felt embarrassed and even a failure. The thing is--I wasn't. I'm a writer, and guess what, this comes with the territory. It doesn't matter how you cut it. You will get rejected, people will disagree with you, hey, they might not like your stuff or you, but you have move on and push through.

My method of dealing was probably ridiculous and down right dumb, but it's the way I had to deal, and now, I know better. I needed to find my focus and move forward and I did. Do I still want an agent? Darn tootin'. But I also want to be a better writer. A friend of mine, K.M. Walton, (who always has the best advice) reminds me--"You must do your time."She's right. You have to put your time in, do the best that you can, focus, and you will get there. She also says, "Don't let the goal overshadow where you are right now." Seriously, so true.

Dealing with all of it is hard, and yes, it's okay to have it out with your feelings (chocolate is a good friend of mine), you just have to figure out where and how to release the energy.

That's my pep talk. Now, put on your superwriter suit and get typing. :)

What are you dealing with lately?

Have a great day!!