I never thought I’d reach post 100, but here I am. Since my last post was about those rejection blues, today we’ll talk about something more uplifting.When you begin submitting your work, you may feel like the seeker in a swimming pool game of “Marco Polo.” You send in your best work (Marco!) and your drippy little sister yells “Polo!” but paddles out of reach before you can tag her. If you keep shouting “Marco!,” at some point you’ll feel a spray of water as she tries to steer clear of you, the blindfolded hunter. You’re hot on the trail.
It’s a lot like a rejection slip when an agent or editor takes time to scribble a personal comment on the form. That comment gives you a direction to shoot for, following it like the echoes of your sister’s “Polo!” True, a rejection is still a “no, thanks,” but when agent/editor pauses to give you the writer any specific feedback or encouragement, take heart. It means you’re getting closer, hot on the trail of being published.
Writing Tip for Today: A personal note scrawled on your rejection slip by an agent or editor is cause for celebration. True, no means no, but if you receive any kind of feedback (“I can’t use this, but send me more,” “I love the idea,” or “Try us again”) take it to heart. Most writers go through a lot of rejection, so when the slips contain added personal notes to you the writer, be encouraged. And get busy submitting some more.