by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall
Nobody likes failure. Nobody.
I remember when I received a book rejection. It was awful. Here, I had all these friends and family that were my cheerleaders, prayed for me and helped in a dozen different ways. They watched my kids. My sister-in-law handled some of my job duties. My husband kept my kids occupied so I could write for a few hours on Saturday mornings.
Then came that rejection. On Valentine’s weekend no less. So, sorry hubs!
For every failure, there is a lesson learned, if you look.
After I got through with the abject disappointment. The feeling of not being enough. Then came the tears. On top of that, all those people that loved and supported you? You get to tell them about it. Ugh!~
The World Keeps Going And You Can Too. Once I took the time to cry and be disappointed. (Y’all —this should not go on for months.) I started to realize the world didn’t end. Yes, working through the rejection was painful, but given a little time, I was able to gain some perspective and move on, which leads me to the next thing.
Run. Don’t run away! Run back. Re-plot that book. Fix what you can or start another one. Keep writing!
Run back to Daddy-God and remember His promises.
“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” Philippians 1:6
Compassion
Does that one surprise you? It shouldn’t. When you feel pain, the next time you see someone else going through the same thing, you have a little more compassion, more empathy. I know that’s something that has happened to me continually. You can help your writing friends cope when it’s there turn. Trust me, you will be able to help someone else through.
Perspective
Hopefully, as you look back on various rejections, you can get a better perspective. My plot at the time was good, but my writing needed to be stronger. Hence, the rejection. That rejection made me determined to learn more and be a better writer. As a result, I’ve attended more writing conferences and attended more online classes.
How about you, what fruits are evident in your life as you look back with a different perspective?
Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.