I am nearing the end of the dreaded edits on “The Novel” (not really dreaded. I’ve kinda enjoyed the process). But finishing up means it’s time to start the next step—querying.
This is the part that is most scary for me. This is the part that has all the questions running through my head. You know the ones. “Will they like it?” “Is it really any good?” “Did I spell everything right?” It’s almost enough to make me toss it in a drawer never to see the light of day.
But rejections aren’t really a bad thing. It’s not something to be afraid of. I have to remind myself that not everyone is going to like my story or my voice (proven point—I entered my first 5 pages in a contest, one judge hated it, one judge was semi-indifferent, and the last judge gave me an almost perfect score).
My “50 rejections challenge” came about while listening to the podcast Elise Gets Crafty (haven’t listen yet? you probably should. Just do it.) I’m kicking myself because I can’t remember who or what episode, but one of Elise’s guests mentioned a freelancer that plans on asking 100 people/bloggers/etc for X (collaborations, guest posts, etc). The thought was, to be proactive. Do actually be doing something and not get bogged down with the “no’s”.
Why couldn’t this be applied to the query process? “No’s” can be discouraging, so why not make a game—a goal of it? So my first goal is 50 rejections. Maybe I’ll make it to 50 and come up with a new goal, maybe I won’t (oooh it would be nice not to reach this goal . . .) The point is not to get so discouraged that I quit. To keep going. Keep my eyes on the big prize and keep striving for it. Reaching for it.
What are some of your ways to deal with rejections?
HI! I’ve finished my novel and I am currently sending queries. I have received maybe 10 rejections. Honestly all rejections said “I don’t feel this is the right project for me.” Okay let me start by saying I appreciate every response, even polite ones, at least they have answered to my email. At the same time I wish they could give me some sort of feedback, from that phrase (I don’t feel this is the right project for me) I only understand that even if it’s a YA fantasy novel (and they do represent YA Fantasy Novels) mine is not the type of novel they or enjoy reading.
Anyway how do I deal with rejections? Well, I try not to take it personally, because it’s not an attack to me. I keep sending queries, maybe after I gave a new look to the query letter. Mainly, I always try to remember that so many famous writers before me (for example JK Rowling, Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks and many others) have been rejected, but they never gave up.
And that’s what I do!
P.S. Chocolate helps A LOT!
I wish you all the best! 🙂