How to Rebound after Rejection

February 1, 2022

Note From Rochelle

Dear Writers,

Happy Lunar New Year!

As you celebrate the year of the Tiger, look back at the last month. If you’re feeling like you haven’t stuck with your New Year’s writing goals, consider joining my Writing Accountability Group.

The group will focus on helping you overcome distraction and procrastination, sustain focus, and finish work. This is ideal for writers who want to complete projects, but it can be helpful for anyone who struggles with distraction or focus: https://writenowcoach.com/writing-accountability-group/

Today’s tip will help you deal with rejection.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

How to Rebound after Rejection

By Rochelle Melander

“Only one attitude enabled me to move ahead. That attitude said, ‘Rejection can simply mean redirection.'” —Maya Angelou

Writer Jim Morrison says that the most important skill for writers is accepting rejection and moving on. No kidding. Here are some famous rejection stories:

After multiple rejections, author and illustrator Beatrix Potter self-published The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It sold so well that a publisher eventually picked it up. Nearly 100 years later, Peter Rabbit is still selling well!

Madeleine L’Engle’s Newberry Award winning book A Wrinkle in Time was rejected more than 30 times before it was accepted by FSG.

The authors pitching Chicken Soup for the Soul got 144 rejections before they landed a contract.

So how do you get over rejection and move on?

Take the wisdom of 92-year-old producer Norman Lear: “There are two small words that are important and mostly overlooked: over and next. When something is over, it is over. Everything is about what comes next.” (TV Guide, October 27-Nov. 9, p. 7)