tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post6766040476597827792..comments2024-03-29T04:41:13.129-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Let's Talk About RejectionElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-74598823106691009302012-02-12T22:43:49.746-07:002012-02-12T22:43:49.746-07:00I chant the word - subjective about 100 times and ...I chant the word - subjective about 100 times and then I go for the chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-32942703785161881372012-02-11T23:43:31.186-07:002012-02-11T23:43:31.186-07:00Yeah. I don't know how to deal with rejection,...Yeah. I don't know how to deal with rejection, honestly. Each time, it's like a hit to my writer ego...which doesn't exist anyway. I decided to look at contests now, I'm not sure I could ever land an agent. It feels like my writing just isn't what anyone is looking for.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00503400522084515874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49592293856893944172012-02-11T17:04:05.474-07:002012-02-11T17:04:05.474-07:00By not querying and not taking risks... Sad, but ...By not querying and not taking risks... Sad, but sometimes true. I've only queried a few times. I was beyond lucky to get some agents to give me great advice. I'm using it on a new ms & hoping to hit those query trenches later in the year ... if I ever get that dang computer back!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-16717655018119043822012-02-09T16:04:26.969-07:002012-02-09T16:04:26.969-07:00I love your uplifting posts. How do I put up with...I love your uplifting posts. How do I put up with rejection? Scar tissue.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-41195552683021019052012-02-09T11:00:25.043-07:002012-02-09T11:00:25.043-07:00I really like this advice. Rejection is inevitable...I really like this advice. Rejection is inevitable but if you stay grounded and surround yourself with supportive people, I can see how it's easier to face.Ghenet Myrthilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621168379560585094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-11994083733627017262012-02-09T10:42:18.638-07:002012-02-09T10:42:18.638-07:00I eat too much chocolate ... and pizza ... maybe I...I eat too much chocolate ... and pizza ... maybe I should try something besides eating?! hahaMargo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474612650116392270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-22551600721764784222012-02-09T06:25:30.601-07:002012-02-09T06:25:30.601-07:00This such a fantastic post, Elana! I'm totally...This such a fantastic post, Elana! I'm totally with you on having a husband that knows my worth is still the same no matter what happens in the publishing arena. It's so nice to have that uncondtional love from someone or something.<br /><br />My golden retriever is pretty good for that as well!Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-1114968770907505232012-02-08T22:11:16.649-07:002012-02-08T22:11:16.649-07:00Speak it, sistah! Looking forward to all kinds of ...Speak it, sistah! Looking forward to all kinds of lovely rejection in my future!Jo Schafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-73556191338197850702012-02-08T17:41:41.058-07:002012-02-08T17:41:41.058-07:00You have hit the proverbial nail on the head. You ...You have hit the proverbial nail on the head. You are more than your book deal. Getting a book published and having many people like it, is just another goal to strive for, like any other. We shouldn't elevate it above other professional goals. <br /><br />When we make it so big, it makes it harder to tolerate when it doesn't go our way.<br /><br />If I get a book published, I hope I'm strong enough not to look at reviews--but it'll be hard to resist...lol...<br /><br />Once again, Elana, You've written a compelling and heartfelt post.<br /><br />Love ya for it!June Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570382577796763370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18092409996025704812012-02-08T17:14:59.038-07:002012-02-08T17:14:59.038-07:00My husband and my children are my #1-3 fans, and t...My husband and my children are my #1-3 fans, and they support me through every rejection and failure.<br /><br />I also have some great friends, always ready with a gourmet dinner and some fancy martinis to feed my ego and drown my sorrows.<br /><br />And writing is my comfort. If I've had something rejected, I turn to something new.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-22261459589952549402012-02-08T14:07:45.826-07:002012-02-08T14:07:45.826-07:00Having someone outside our writing to ground us is...Having someone outside our writing to ground us is an awesome idea, Elana :) It's things like that which make the difference, isn't it!<br /><br />Hugs,<br /><br />RachRachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-39065539179014750062012-02-08T13:48:22.314-07:002012-02-08T13:48:22.314-07:00Totally agree. I also think we have to have an inc...Totally agree. I also think we have to have an incredible amount of faith in our work. We KNOW it's going to make it some day. Because we KNOW it's really, really good. <br /><br />I haven't spoken to you in forever! I hope things are well. Maybe I'll see you at LTUE . . .amberargylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058327741777322247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-28549936112703770802012-02-08T13:22:29.283-07:002012-02-08T13:22:29.283-07:00Great advice - having something else in your life....Great advice - having something else in your life. I think mine would be the same - my husband. He keeps me grounded and sane. :)Stacy Henriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383087338174942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-724195183946093602012-02-08T13:08:56.928-07:002012-02-08T13:08:56.928-07:00You know what? This is great advice.
Thank you, E...You know what? This is great advice. <br />Thank you, Elana! <br /><br />Yeah, you're right. I think as an author, rejection will always be there--whether it be from readers or just the media. I think almost all professions have to deal with some sort of rejection.<br /><br />Which sucks. And it sucks that people can be so callous but it only makes us stronger. That's all. <br /><br />Two of my fave quotes on this subject: <br /><br />"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."<br />-Eleanor Roosevelt<br /><br />"Rejections are often gifts of direction."<br />-- Paul YoungMart Ramirezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492840883926331053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-79062570079636765242012-02-08T12:56:03.905-07:002012-02-08T12:56:03.905-07:00I like a little denial sprinkled in with my reject...I like a little denial sprinkled in with my rejection personally! :) Vacation spots dont hurt either...Jessie Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096043821002254348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-70110814160490754902012-02-08T11:56:36.717-07:002012-02-08T11:56:36.717-07:00I like to pretend those people are just insanely j...I like to pretend those people are just insanely jealous of me.<br /><br />I also have a pretty good husband and a bunch of kids so they can be distracting so that helps.Marsha Sigmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095210839900479297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-63469147231155853702012-02-08T11:44:27.356-07:002012-02-08T11:44:27.356-07:00Wise words. It's definitely important to have ...Wise words. It's definitely important to have a support system that is wholly not dependent on the writing aspect of your life. Also, hobbies help. Had some sad times? Time for a TV marathon or day trip! :)Krispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492607213249874138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18944503333959403552012-02-08T11:07:02.799-07:002012-02-08T11:07:02.799-07:00Man, the R-word is everywhere this week! How did y...Man, the R-word is everywhere this week! How did you know that I'm feeling like the suckiest writer on the planet right now?<br />Thank you for your uplifting words. I guess all I have to say is that rejection makes us stronger, so long as we don't let the doubt destroy our self esteem and stop us from writing.Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-78459106581845174442012-02-08T11:01:20.805-07:002012-02-08T11:01:20.805-07:00I have a support group of a few certain friends an...I have a support group of a few certain friends and family members who keep me buoyed when I'm going under. I agree with you that rejection stings whether you're published or not. Published authors are not given a magic wand to wall-out rejection. Great post! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-81835530945927419942012-02-08T10:39:03.024-07:002012-02-08T10:39:03.024-07:00Oh rejection sucks. It really does. I don't th...Oh rejection sucks. It really does. I don't think I would be where I am without my blog though. The blogging community is 'it' for me- the driving force that keeps me going. They're support and the fact that so many of them can identify with what I'm going through helps so much.Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-35425443550975472042012-02-08T10:34:26.026-07:002012-02-08T10:34:26.026-07:00When it comes to rejection, I must admit that I...When it comes to rejection, I must admit that I'm a little bit of an evil git. I don't like it, and when it happens, I engage in a mad quest to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Sure, that means re-evaluating the quality of my own efforts, but it also means trying to scheme a way to either demolish or circumvent (read: connive, steal, cajole, etc.) the person or thing doing the rejecting. It's either this sort of manic obsession or sinking into a protracted depression. (Not tremendously healthy either way.)<br /><br />But even this compulsion for wanton revenge burns away, and at the other end, I'm clear-headed enough to make another go at it.REINHARDT!https://www.blogger.com/profile/01809613551100700183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-59223927605116557902012-02-08T10:10:22.803-07:002012-02-08T10:10:22.803-07:00Does denile count as dealing? (or as my dad would ...Does denile count as dealing? (or as my dad would say "living in Egypt" Sorry. Bad puns run in the family)<br /><br />Honestly though, lately I've been avoiding rejection all together, just hanging out with my little manuscript becuase --well it can't reject me can it? I made it? (Don't answer that question please. It will hurt too much ;P) <br />But I think it's time for me to grow a tougher skin and get out there to get rejected.<br /><br />Yeah. Definately time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11271149538259398956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-26670986583696886672012-02-08T10:08:48.629-07:002012-02-08T10:08:48.629-07:00Writers have good imaginations. I imagine that wr...Writers have good imaginations. I imagine that writing isn't my whole life. I imagine that I can write something even better. I even imagine that one of these days I will have to figure out how to handle a tiny drop of success. But my imagination isn't so good that I don't feel the sting, the pressure and the weight of rejections. You're right, it's a good thing I have an amazing husband and lots of kids.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16390956322434938751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-8217068963894856092012-02-08T09:59:23.143-07:002012-02-08T09:59:23.143-07:00Expect the worst and hope for the best. That way w...Expect the worst and hope for the best. That way when the rejection comes I'm already expecting it. Doesn't always work and sometimes I wallow, but then I go play soccer and it makes everything better.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-88821587548134094302012-02-08T09:43:53.217-07:002012-02-08T09:43:53.217-07:00One of the best ways to withstand the years of con...One of the best ways to withstand the years of constant rejection and disappointment and bad reviews and all the rest of it is simply this: Love the WRITING. Bask in that. Take joy in the act of creation, in the universe, in the spiritually uplifting moments of your story and your characters. In the gift God gave you. (Even though it can sometimes feel like we're being tortured! LOL.)Kimberley Griffiths Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269829969442171522noreply@blogger.com