Talking about rejection

In this business, you have to be prepared for it. Because there are thousands (probably more like millions) of writers trying to fill not enough spots. I’ve also read somewhere that we’re in a flooded market. It seems everybody is pickier these days. So far, my agent has a book that she and I both love, but has gotten turned down five (six?) times now. The first rejection was from Harlequin, and she had a point. So I revised and my agent sent it back out.

This latest one leaves me stumped. And depressed. Because it wasn’t really a rejection. It was a revise and resubmit. Good yes. Except the editor said the story didn't have enough conflict. Which just leaves me doubting my ability to put a good story together, because I thought it had conflict.

So far, every single reason has been different. They all tell me that my craft is excellent, but…. When what it really amounts to is that they just didn’t love my book.

It doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself it isn’t personal, it still takes a chink out of the old armor. It still leaves me sitting here wondering if I really have what it takes. Am I doing it wrong? Or are these editors visions just different than my own? Is it more finding the right place for my writing? Or do I really need to go back to the drawing board?

And the muse has taken a vacation. Because I’m positive I suck so why bother? (said very tongue in cheek).

So, what am I going do about it? What I always do. Sit and wallow in my misery for a while (because if I don’t then I bottle it up and it stews inside me and becomes this huge growling mass of ugliness) then get back on the bike. Because if I really think about it, I couldn’t stop writing if I wanted to. I did that for a while. Took a six year hiatus from writing. Had some personal healing to do that kind of had the muse taking an extended vacation. It was like trying to live without my arm (you can do it, it won’t kill you, but it still feels wrong).

I also have this innate need to share my work with the world. I don’t even know why. Is this a writer thing? I suppose we must all have this. Now, I don’t want to be Nora (I cannot fathom how she gets all that writing done. The woman makes my head spin). I just want to share my love of these people in my head with someone else. And you know, for me, if one reader out there eventually “gets” it, I’m good. So far, I haven’t gotten there yet. I’m still new.

So, now I’m going to lick my wounds and coax my muse into helping me finish my latest WIP by plying her with goodies. I have the kindle app on my iPad loaded with books—finishing North of Need by Laura Kaye, also currently reading A Hero Rising by Aubrey Dionne. I also have Twice in a Lifetime by Jennifer Jakes’ and several others I can’t recall at the moment.

Also going to need some good (dark) chocolate
and a glass of wine.

Course, I always wonder...does anybody else stop and lick their wounds? How do you all deal with rejection?