The Abyss of Rejection

My first manuscript was sent out on November 16 to six publishers. Six TOP publishers. When I found out which six wanted to see it, I danced around the living room with my two boys. They had no idea why we were dancing, but they joyfully joined in.

About a week ago, I got my first rejection. It's not important who they were--what's important was my reaction.

Was I expecting rejections? Yes.
Did I know most first time authors get many (even hundreds of) rejections before they are accepted? Yes.
Did I do the research and realize this publisher wasn't likely to want my book anyway? Yes.
Were they polite and give constructive criticism? Yes.

Does any of this make me feel better? No.

Well, I should say not at first. After the rejection sank in and I pulled myself out of the dark abyss of "I'm a terrible writer and I'll never try THAT again"--yes, the facts made me feel better.

I have read about many experienced and successful authors' rejection-agony. Their only advice? Keep writing.

So, after I learned that even Jane Austen and Shakespeare had harsh (and mistaken) critics, I pulled out my next manuscript and got back to work. I'm still aching and I'm utterly terrified to find out what the other five publishers think of my novel, but I'm still writing.

I only hope that the next five rejection letters are gentle and helpful, though I recognize that they're all going to send me back into that depressing abyss. I'll get out of it again and again, because I love what I do.

My first novel may not be very good yet. But, the more I write the better I'll get.

So, onward and upward!