#0005 On Redefining Rejection
4 ways to Embrace Rejection (cue singing cowboy muppets, lemmings, and the Stray Cats)
Still have your Medals of Courage, you beautiful Lions and Lionesses? I hope so!
Don’t know what I’m talking about? Read, or reread — past the Oz archetypes, past the GGSC creativity research — to the end of #0004 How Do You Embrace Rejection?! Discover (some of) what you need from The Wizard of Oz.
Courage is the magical key that unlocks that metaphorical door labeled Give It a Try. When we feel courageous, we’re able to pursue all sorts of endeavors.
We can submit to/for:
literary and arts journals
workshop scholarships
residencies and retreats
grants and other funding sources
literary agents or gallery managers
Most of the time, you are not going to be the sole submitter that receives an automatic yes. Which leads, inevitably, to rejection. True, rejection is not ideal. But if you don’t try, you will certainly never succeed. So try, try again. Here’s the first way of redefining rejection.
(1) Embrace Rejection because rejection shows you’re trying.
So often, a rejection just isn’t about you. To borrow from Cati Porter’s Press Enterprise column (sorry for the paywalled link) rejection often has to do with fit, timing, or budget.
A literary journal may not publish sci-fi, therefore it issues a form rejection of your “2619: Binary Skull” short story. Perhaps a gallery manager just signed a watercolorist and cannot take on a second one — you — for at least two years. Or a nonprofit gave the final “You’re a Genius” grant of its fiscal year, so your application is declined because of the organization’s lack of funds.
Rejection is not about you or your work, no matter how personal the creative self-expression. Along comes the second way to redefine rejection.
(2) Embrace Rejection because rejection is not a referendum on your work.
When the “no thank you” arrives in your inbox, consider it a challenge. Rather than feel stuck, lean into your growth mindset. Look at the rejected submission with a fresh set of eyes and revise. Hone your skills with a craft class. Ask advice from your creative peers on how to pivot your perspective. Now for the penultimate way of redefining rejection.
(3) Embrace Rejection because rejection simply means redirection.
Sometimes your submission may meet resistance or opposition, highlighting your nonconformity. If you feign left as everyone else goes right (off the cliff), then get comfortable. The insightfulness of difference via rejection can be motivating. Different isn’t bad, it just might mean your path to submission acceptance is longer.
What a great time to flaunt your creative attitude! Pop that collar and shine those shoes because you and Rejection should go out dancing together (since you may be paired up for some time). Which leads to the fourth way to redefine rejection.
(4) Embrace Rejection because rejection is your best friend.
You now have these tools to hug tight, kinda like a Safety Blanket Security Blanket Teddy Bear. Ready or not...
Next time: sharing your rejections.