Dianne Riley
The writer's greatest hurdle, REJECTION.
How to get over it.
It's personal, so it isn't easy.
It's also our polished and re-polished gem - who wouldn't love it?
But it comes and it's crushing.
After waiting all those months (just like the publisher's website advised) no invitation, no letter, no email. No congratulations for presenting a great piece of work!
Recently it struck me. We are in good company.
People rejected Jesus, in His day, as they still do today.
I'm not saying anything I have written compares remotely with Jesus message and sacrifice. My level of comparison is about Jesus attitude.
The verse, from Matthew's gospel, I think of, is where Jesus advises the disciples to shake the dust from their sandals and to keep going.
In early Christian days it was a sign of disdain towards those who weren't accepting of the message to do this.
AND I'm not saying to have disdain for a publishing company who doesn't accept your work.
I want to connect with any readers, reading this post, who are feeling rejected. Maybe someone out there is feeling they don't have anything to say because of being rejected.
I know what it feels like!
But if you are like me, and believe God has given you a gift, a written word to share....Shake the dust of discouragement from your keyboard and give it another go. And another go.....
In the end, for me, we did a self publish. An amazing and expensive experience! Yet one God generously blessed.
So dear readers, follow Jesus example of handling rejection.
Follow your dream of writing for your reading audience!
with a huge splash of love from me to you!
Dianne Riley
www.dianneriley.com.au
Author of 'The Significant You and Me'
An ordinary girl with a big hope in an extraordinary faithful Creator.
Thanks for your post Dianna. Rejection can be hard - though it helps to remember that even famous authors like C S Lewis, L M Montgomery or J K Rowling experienced multiple rejections. Thanks for the reminder of how Jesus responded (and responds) to rejection. Our worth is grounded in God's love - not on how many books we get published. Great to hear that your book has been a blessing to others.
ReplyDeleteAh yes finding our worth in God's love....the most important thing for us all!
DeleteSuch down-to-earth advice, Di. Yes, rejection is horrible but as you say, keep persisting and learning as you go. Never giving up is the key. You went ahead with your own book and it sounds like the Lord has used it to help others. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteRita it has been amazing how God has touched people's hearts through the simple little book He grew in my heart! So glad I didn't give up!
Deletethanks, Dianne--lovely, honest post. I remember hearing some writers say a few years ago that, whenever a manuscript is rejected, you are one step closer to someone else accepting it--or perhaps one step closer to making that decision to self-publish that may well be the best way forward for you in the end. It's all about trusting God and moving forward, for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jo-Anne I remember meeting you and Carol Preston at the Christian Writers Downunder conference - being so delighted to meet 2 'real' authors. Both of you gorgeous women of the faith! So glad I haven't given up and am still on the journey of life with many wonderfully inspirational writers!
DeleteRejection is definitely the worst part of this game, first from agents and publishers, then from bookstores, then from readers ... It never ends!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't Lynne....but always something to learn along the way!
DeleteThank you for your lovely post Dianne - and especially for that huge splash of love which I gladly received. It's been a lot of rejections for me - not just in my writing journey - but in my life's journey the past year. I've been trying hard to get a job for years - and di - only to lose it very quickly! Still reeling from the unexpectedness of it all. But now... I can laugh about it! :) God is still on the throne. And one thing rejection does is get us on our knees seeking God - a very good place to be.
ReplyDeleteBut yes - that's part of the package and we are in good company are we not? Thanks for the reminder to keep on keeping on. I intend to do that. Bless you.
Anusha you are always such a sweet encourager! I read Luci Swindoll's book "I Married Adventure" - wonderful book by the way, Luci says..Nothing is ever wasted in God's economy! I constantly remind myself of this - particularly in the face of rejection!
DeleteExtra splash of love on the way to you!
Thanks for that Di. I think it's impossible to be a writer and not get those rejection slips, but you;re so right that attitude is so important. As Jenny said, many famous authors had their best-selling manuscripts rejected first time round (and second and third and ...), but they didn't give up. We can all improve in our craft, but sometimes it just comes down to a bad fit between the manuscript and the publisher. Thanks for an encouraging post :)
ReplyDelete