Finding Joy in Rejection

As I wrote earlier, this past holiday season has been a tough time for my writing. Not enough getting done, and what does come out feels rough and cruddy. Needless to say, I kick myself for writing such drivel, and contemplate the reasons that I actually write–how can I say I enjoy this, when I’m merely tormenting myself with how miserable I am. Yes, that nasty Critic has come home to roost. Sigh.

And then, in an effort to boost my mood, I trolled Duotrope and the listings, then headed over to Shimmer Magazine and their “new” blog. There I found their summation of 2011, and yes, my mood was lifted! (Can you hear my joy?)

The stats read as this: @2400 submissions. Six percent, or 136, pulled from the slush went the editors, and from there eight got printed. Eight of 2400! So why am I not more depressed, you ask? Because, dear blog-reader, I am doing the happy dance instead. Two of those 136 pulled from the slush for further consideration were mine. Two! One of them came back with a wonderful note from the Senior Editor. Which means, I was this close to being one of those Magical Eight.

To my mind, if I’m that close in such great competition, I can’t be as bad as my own personal Critic keeps telling me I am. So I’m telling my Critic to shove off, and cracking my knuckles for a long session of typing, daydreaming on the page and creating stories. My soul is filling again with the joy and wonder of writing.

Who knew rejection could feel so good?

And let me say, you should remember this when your Critic goes in overdrive. If I can get there, so can you. Keep your chin up, and keep writing.