Jul 16 2008
Creative Ways To Deal With Rejection Letters
One thing that all writers have to deal with at one point or another is the dreaded rejection letter. This isn’t just something that happens to those who write for print publications, either. I recently applied for a writing position for an online venue, and was rejected. Now that really sucks.
Some people can toss a rejection letter to the side and not think twice about it. However, many writers find that little letter to be a major roadblock. So, here are a few things you can do as a creative writer to get over the rejection hurdle.
1.) Write a thank you letter to the editor. Now, this doesn’t have to be something you’d ever send, just a little something for your own amusement. Thank the editor for things such as sending you the nicest letter you’ve ever received, or thank them for killing that wonderful day you were having. After all, you’d had way too many good things happen to you.
2.) Use those rejection letters as decor. Yes, wallpaper your room with those little letters, or tear them into four equal parts and make yourself a nice coaster set. Go get some really fancy frames and hang them up where they can be seen by all. Make them a conversation piece when company comes over.
3.) Create works of art from them. Get yourself a book on the art of paper folding and see how many little origami creations you can make. Or, cut them up into odd shapes and make a puzzle out of them. This is great fun for the whole family.
4.) Finally, you might just file these little letters away for a rainy day. After all, you never know when the next rejection letter will be in your inbox or mail box. This way, you can always look back and reflect on days when they came in by the score.
Like most writers, I feel the sting of rejection letters too. But, if we can come up with ways to deal with them in a positive and humorous approach, they stop hurting so much. We are, after all, creative writers. So, get creative with your rejection letters so you can get back to what you do best; writing.
Another way of looking at rejection letters is as a testament to achievement. If you are getting rejection letters, then you are active in the writing profession, you’re writing and you have the courage to submit your work for publication - and that’s a positive thing. Don’t be put off by the rejection, just take on board anything constructive that the letters say, and keep on submitting.
Katie-Anne
AKA PollyAnna!
I loved this approach to rejection letters. Thanks for the grins and giggles.