A Writer's Perspective
by Tiffany Stuart

Monday, February 12, 2007
Rejections Are Worth Something

Rejection letters hurt. Within the past two weeks, I received two of them. Regardless of how complimentary the editor’s rejection letter is, I feel my spirit sink every time. I try to figure out what I did wrong. I wonder if I had taken a different approach on the subject would it have been accepted. I wonder if I overlooked an obvious typo. I wonder if what I wrote was trite. And of course, I wonder if I should get a “real job.”

So what’s a writer to do with all the rejections? Recently a writing friend told me she had enough rejection letters to wallpaper her bathroom. Now there’s a good use for them. Creative thought; don’t think I’ll try it. Rejections are a part of a writer’s life. And for some reason I keep every “Thanks, but no thanks” letter and email too. Not sure why.

If you’re like me, after a rejection you try to pick yourself back up with positive self-talk. Rejection letters are normal. Maybe I just knocked on the wrong door. Try another door. This experience can teach me to persevere. I am a “real” writer, right? I’ve been published before—more than once.

And then, an echoing voice of a friend pushes me forward: Tiffany, remember why you write.

Do I write to be famous? No. Rich? Not.

I write to encourage.

I write because I enjoy being creative with words.

I write out of my own struggle to help others not feel so alone.

If rejection letters point me back to the heart of why I write, then they’re worth it to me. Because it’s so easy to get caught up in the business side of things. And for me to write with passion, I must write from my heart.

Why do you write?

<<back to list