Rushing Towards Rejection

“Rejection should be rushed towards. Rejection has to be faced.” Dan Savage

There’s no art in giving what you have. The art is giving what you haven’t got. The gift of empty hands.   Anna Kamienska, Industrious AmazementOkay, so this advice from Dan Savage was about relationships, not writing, but there's still validity here.

 

Rush towards rejection in your writing. Face the hard subjects, the demons, the projects that are going to make you uncomfortable, and make those who love you uncomfortable. (And, by the way, get over yourself--they probably won't be as uncomfortable as you think they will be; your writing is not the center of their life just because it's the center of yours.)

 

Rush towards rejection in submitting. Dare. The worst that can happen is that you are told No. That's it.

 

Rush towards rejection in other opportunities you are offered. This where I am weak. I write boldly, submit fearlessly (submitting is a relatively private matter after all), but other opportunities that come my way I am timid about accepting. Because I'm afraid I will let down those who ask me. Or embarrass myself in front of a readership or listenership. This is definitely the area that I need to learn a sense of abandon, a sense of rushing towards rejection.

 

Rush towards rejection. It might not happen, but even if it does, you'll probably (in the long run) be glad you dared instead of endlessly wondering if you should have.

What's Neat on the Net VII

Today, from the internet:

1. LibraryJournal has compiled a list of five interesting things libraries are doing with old books. In Austin they're making them into crafts, and in England they're making them into art (and if you wonder about the difference between arts and crafts, have a look--it'll be immediately apparent, though both are great ideas.) In the Netherlands, they've made a library desk from recycled books, and in Virginia they are cutting the books up into prompts for personal history projects. Gainesville, Florida libraries (my old stomping ground) is restoring patron's old and personally-important books for them.

Have a look at this article and it's accompanying pictures with links. Such good ideas.

2. The Ploughshares blog has an article about rejection entitled, "From the Slush Pile, Have You Got What it Takes?" It's another reminder that rejection can be more about the sensibilities of the editor than about the quality of your work (with compelling examples provided), so if you believe in your work, keep sending it out. And if you're not sure, revise revise revise, and then keep sending it out. The article cites gender differences in this attitude as well (men send out more) so read the whole thing if you could use some encouragement.