Rejections Tell a Story and Build Faith

Rejection. How a writer handles rejection can make or break a career. Rejection can also test your faith in your abilities. Most every writer has felt the sting of rejection. I have a huge file folder filled with rejection letters. Every once in a while I pull the file out and read them. Not because I'm depressed, but because those letters tell a story, my story of how I kept working on my craft.

Do you want to take a peek in my rejection folder? I don't show it to just anybody, but for you, I'll make an exception. Give me a minute. (Using a crane to pull it out. Yah, it's heavy.)

As I open the file, you can see my first few rejections and that they are the standard form letters. Some have pretty letterhead. These are antiques. Most rejections are sent through email today. Anyway, I kept these standard form rejections and continued to work and send out my manuscripts.

Now look at the next batch. See how the standard form letters have handwritten notes of encouragement from the editors and agents. Cool, huh? Well, I knuckled down after receiving those and worked harder.

Ah...look! These rejection letters are gold. They identified problems in my manuscripts with recommendations on how to fix the problems. And see, there at the end? The editor said that if I made the revisions he'd like to see the book again. Totally awesome! Of course, I made the corrections. (Closing file and holding on my lap.)

My rejections tell the story of where I've been and how much I've grown as a writer. They certainly tested my faith in my ability, but they also made my faith stronger.

You might ask, do I still receive rejections? Yes, however most are through email. I have an online file for those. Over the years, I have learned there are many reasons for rejections: the publisher just bought a novel similar to mine, the publisher isn't the right one for my work, the publisher has reached their limit on accepting novels for a while, and on and on. Serious writers can't afford to let rejections stop them from trying.

Rejection letters/emails can be depressing. But that's okay. Just file them away (online or print them up and put them in a draw) and have faith in your ability to learn and grow as a writer. Rejections are the stripes you've earned in your battle to publication. Keep them and every year or so look at them. They will tell your story of where you've been, how you've grown, and give you hope. Really, they will.

You might want to set yourself a goal of receiving so many rejections a year. I did that. I reached that goal for a couple of years and then one day I actually sold a book. I firmly believe my rejections helped me build faith in myself so that my dream could true. They can do the same thing for you. :)

How do you feel about your rejections?  Are they your friends? Or your enemies?

Where Faith and Life Meet

Isn't that an interesting road sign? Imagine seeing that along the highway. It would certainly make you wonder what was ahead, wouldn't it? But life is one big adventure, and you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next.

I remember one Saturday morning a long, long time ago waking up and learning that the Teton Dam had burst. At the time, my husband and I lived in Idaho Falls. The dam was many miles away, but we knew our lives would never be the same. A huge wall of water devastated  Sugar City and Rexburg, and the water was heading for Idaho Falls. Before this disaster was over it wiped out the homes of many of our friends and family members, and it took the life of my husband's father. They say adversity can make you stronger. We learned how true that was for we witnessed our community come together to help one another, and we experienced miracles. Many people had their faith strengthen.

Disasters tend to strengthen your faith not only in your fellowman, but in God. I don't know why some people died and others didn't, but I do know miracles took place during that time. Some within my own family. We hold those moments close to our hearts for they are very tender and sacred.

A good friend of mine sent me the video below, which reminded me of that time in my life. I was tempted not to watch it because it's eight minutes long, but believe me if you watch this your heart will be touched and your faith will be strengthen.





Have you had an experience where faith merged with your life?

Your Writing Shield of Faith and Three Basic Questions.

As a writer you need to be armed with a shield of faith to help you fight against the pitfalls of self doubt. I'm speaking as a person who has gone to battle against self doubt. And I must be truthful, there have been times when doubt overshadowed my belief that I could really see my end goal of having a book published. But I learned something very important . . . those who succeed are not always the most talented, or the most knowledgeable. Those who succeed are those who have armed themselves with the belief that they can.

Sounds to simple, doesn't it?

Well it is and it isn't.

Ask yourself three basic questions:

Do you want to write because you have something to say?

Do you want to write because you love telling stories?

Do you want to write because you can't imagine life without writing?

If you answered yes to these questions, you can succeed because your shield is built with the basics that will see you through self doubt.There's more to your desire to write than money or fame. It's part of who you are.

You might not be the most talented writer in your group or the most knowledgeable, but remember talent is in the eyes of the beholder and knowledge can be gained.

Study your craft from all angles. Do you like to write in third person or first person? Do you like middle grade or young adult genres? Or is romance your thing? Whatever style or genre appeals to you most make certain to do your homework, read all the books you can (both about writing and fiction in your genre) and then . . . write, write, write.

Every time you write you're building your writing shield of faith because you're building your knowledge and learning. And that my friend will help keep you from self doubt.

How do you build your shield of faith for your writing? Do you write everyday? What are some of the best writing books you've found that have helped you? Was there an author who inspired you to write?