Monday, February 6, 2012

ON BEING SUBMISSIVE

First thing this morning…
I’d like to thank my new followers...and old too.
Second, I’d like to thank…
The last agent that rejected me…
Because it was a nice rejection.
“You seem to be a very capable writer with a strong voice,
but I don’t often handle novels like this so really worry I’m
not the right choice for you – sorry.”
Capable writer? Strong voice?
Uh, yeah! I’ll take that rejection as a positive…
And use it to make me feel more confident…
When I query again and know that my manuscript….
Will eventually match up with the right agent.
Third, and last…
My thoughts on rejection…
Although the process of querying feels brutal…
It’s nothing (at least for me) compared to the rejections…
I used to submit myself weekly—from auditions...
When I was a full-time on-camera talent.
First came the call…
I'd dress the part...
And drive to the Detroit area 50 - 80 miles away, depending.
After being handed a script…
I’d rehearse my little heart out for a few minutes.
When my name was called…
I’d stand in front of directors and producers…
And then perform my little heart out.
My odds of winning the gig?
I lost eight out of ten auditions.
My agent would later fill me in:
“You were the wrong type…
Too old, too young…
You reminded the director of his ex-wife…
Yada, yada, yada."
And sometimes I never knew the yada, yada...
But I knew the odds going in. 
And while I didn’t like being rejected, I understood the process.
At least now…
With querying literary agents and publishers…
I can sit in my comfy chair, in my comfy clothes…
Sans make-up and done-up do…
And submit at my leisure.
Yeah, getting rejections still suck…
But I know the odds. And it’s all subjective.
And why you ask did I need to preach?
Because for the month of February…
My blog is going “dark”…
And I’ll be submitting my little heart…
And when the rejections start coming in…
Let’s hope I can keep the subjectivity.
And if I can't? Feel free to verbally smack me.
So?
What about you?
Have you made peace with rejections?
Or?
Ever have a job that was worse than getting rejections?
What was it?

Always, Em-Musing
P.S. While I won’t be posting, I will be commenting
on other’s as often as I can.
And....Pardon. Bloggie just went nuts with my format 

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Knowing the odds helps to keep it all in perspective. Good luck!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Well, I must say, that was a GREAT rejection!
Good luck submitting!!

Anne Gallagher said...

I made peace with rejections from agents the day I decided to self-publish. Now I only have to wait for the bad reviews and objections from my crit partners. It all washes out in the end.

Anonymous said...

hola! talk about being let down easy. there's something to be said for taking the good with the bad.

there's something for you on my blog. Hope you like it.

Talli Roland said...

Congrats on the stellar rejection! Yes, I have made my peace with it - after a long process!

Lydia Kang said...

That was a fantastic rejection. The agent simply couldn't sell it--their problem, not yours!

Anonymous said...

I could wallpaper my house with rejection letters. Good thing I don't like wallpaper. But self publishing is an excellent alternative with lots of ways to market and sell books for little to no cost.

Linda Gray said...

What a great rejection! I like that agent. :-)
One thing I know about making peace with rejection is it's a whole lot easier when the agent takes the time to give you real info you can use and/or take to heart. No, wait. . . it's all easy! If they don't give you info., then it's like they were a throwaway for you, and you can move on without a second thought. (But I like the info ones better.) Wishing you an excellent submission month!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Ooh, boy, do I know about auditioning and feeling the mountains move as you audition! Then you don't make the cut. ARG! That stings just as much as a rejected query letter. Rejections are rejections--they still hurt, but it makes us hope that there's something better over the horizon...

Best wishes to you! *hugs*

@AprilA2Z

#AtoZChallenge 2012 Co-host