Rejection, the pain and the fear of writing.

Rejection

Ever heard, it’s not you it’s me? well with writing it’s all me. The pain of writing something, putting hours and stress into it and then it is just not good enough.  That pain of rejection, that need to hide under the duvet and convince yourself that your work will never be good enough.

Being rejected is all part of the course of being a writer. As writers the advice is to continue writing. This may sound easy, but it really isn’t. That need to not be disheartened but just carry on submitting, in the hope that the next submission might be accepted.

I read an article last night that said we should aim to be rejected one hundred times a year. This is on the premise that if you submit to one hundred places then you might get accepted somewhere.  Also to celebrate a rejection and not feel hurt by it, “Yes another rejection!”  Writing something and then not submitting for fear of rejection is maybe a little pointless, what you have written maybe a brilliant piece of writing.  We are all our own worst critics which is why we need others to read and comment on our work.

Support

Whether it be an online forum or a writing group.  Writers need the support of other writers, it can be a lonely job and having someone else to support, encourage, point out problems and cheer us on, is what we all need.

For now, developing a  daily writing habit has been hard, but I’m hoping with the stories I create, hopefully my writing is improving, and someday someone might like my work enough to print it in a book. I’m sat here now surrounded by the breakfast dishes, a pile of paperwork and my daughter has put toys over the front room and her room is awful again.

Writing and being a mum to two young children is never going to be easy. My daughter is worse then my son, he will try and keep things tidy, my daughter refuses. I’m telling myself things will get done when they get done.  I can allow myself to complete my blog post first.

My eight- year -old, has had a poem accepted by ‘Young Writers’ to be printed in a book after Christmas. I am very proud of him but at the same time feeling a little jealous. I keep telling myself to just keep going, a day at a time and not give up.

Show don’t tell

Yes, those magical words, and yes, I’m struggling with them. This is why I was rejected, I have a book and I need to read it. In fact, I have quite a few books that I need to read. However, I also want to read my fiction book and get my writing done. Maybe it sounds like sense to take a break from writing, catch up on my reading and then actually do some learning.

Sounds good, but with my current short story I’m working to a deadline. I think with writing I’m playing a long game. I feel it will take me longer then doing a university degree to master writing, and mine took me six years as it was an evening class.

With writing as with life, as with a lot of careers, I think I will always be learning and developing, and right now I am at the very beginning. I haven’t taken a course in creative writing, maybe that would help. I’m just trying to write and create, hoping that people along the way enjoy what they read.

Frost

So, the weather today in the UK was minus one this morning. My daughter loved slipping and sliding on the frost when we got to school. Running around the climbing frame with her friends, slipping up on her bottom and then carrying on. I had to brush frost of her jumper, but she was happy.

I made the decision last night that I need new Ugg Cardy boots, these are maybe ten years old. I’m still wearing them, but I don’t think they are doing my posture much good. They also illustrate that I walk a bit funny. It is sad because the top of them is still in immaculate condition, it is just the heels. After contemplating ordering a new pair I am hoping that they are reduced in a sale nearer Christmas.

Facebook live

Here are my Facebook lives for the last week,

New blog post – 12th November 2019

New blog post today, Write the story – 15th November 2019

Today

My quiet time is nearly over.  I am now going to do the washing up and  tidy the front room.  Soon will be time to get some food and then collect the children.  Back to the stress of family life and children’s demands, my peace shattered.

This evening I hope to do more work on my short story.  If once submitted it is rejected, it is just one more step forward towards one hundred.  However, I might be surprised and be accepted.  Writing is not easy and I don’t think it ever will be.  There are always critics and as writers all we can do is our very best. We have to keep on writing and not let rejection or the fear of it beat us down.

For more see, Dedication, time and work of writing