| Author | Message | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 34011 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dearest All -- there probably isn't a writer alive (or dead) who hasn't heard the word "no." Rejection happens. And while most of us know that, and know what to do when it happens, a little review from time to time can't hurt. Here's a link to an blog entry I found very informative (and there are good recommendations at the bottom for books that discuss the topic in more depth): Tools and Strategies for Weathering No Love, M | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11103 Registered: 07-2002 |
That's a wonderful article, M. Thank you for posting it. I especially like the examples of positive and negative self talk. xo ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog "Chop Wood, Carry Water" | ||
| Judy Thompson
Advanced Member Username: judyt54 Post Number: 1518 Registered: 11-2007 |
one thing that works for me, and for a lot of poets I know, is to keep more than one submission out there. Too many people will send out one submission and then hover over the mailbox until it comes back. Not good. Send out half a dozen submissions, even more if you have the work, and when one comes back, send them a new batch, and send this 'rejected' bunch on to another place. That way you never really focus on one place, and while it stings, it stings less. The problem as poets is, I think we rarely get feedback from an editor, and it can be hard to know why a piece was rejected. when someone prints "it almost made it" on a poem, well,damn, tell me why it didn't. Or dont tell me at all *g* And the important part; it isnt about you. It's about the poem. It's not a personal attack on you, or even an attack on the poem. It's not personal. Really. Afraid of the Dark | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 6015 Registered: 05-2006 |
I just call Gino and Marcello, the infamous poetry goons. I give them the name and address of the editor who rejected me. I promise them a copy of some new book by Addonizio, Simic or Oliver. They take care of the rest. Fred YOUR FOOTNOTE ADVERTISEMENT HERE. Call 1-555-555-5555 and ask for Fred. 10% discount if you mention Wild Poetry Forum. | ||
| Catherine Edmunds
New member Username: delph_ambi Post Number: 25 Registered: 04-2009 |
Judy is absolutely right. I have 86 submissions 'out there' at the moment waiting for replies. Statistically, they can't possibly all be accepted. Therefore, when I get a 'no', it proves that the world is not out of kilter, and all is well. Any 'yes' that comes in is a pleasant surprise. |
