Wednesday is for Writers...

Rejection.

One of the worse feelings for a writer. Thinking that your work isn't good enough. Wondering what you could have done better.

Everyone who has ever been a writer has been rejected from one place or another. This is one of those times when one thinks to ones self - I wouldn't belong to any club that would have me as a member. However, as it turns out, this particular group also happens to have the best and the brightest of writers, living or dead.

I have writer friends who become fatalistically discouraged after receiving their latest (and of course, most devastating) rejection notice. There are no words that can console and no opinions that matter at the moment other than that one editor or publisher who didn't find their work a good fit. Their writing careers are over, its time to hang it up and go back to work in the lucrative world of the service folk.

They have been weighed and measured and have absolutely been found wanting. 

At least at the moment, and at least in their own mind.

I don't know why as both readers and writers we can't seem to fathom that people (even publishers, editors, fans, and agents) have different tastes. I, for one, don't care for Science Fiction or Romances. I don't know why exactly, even the most well written story is simply not my cup of tea. Start talking about aliens or space ships or bodice ripping men and I look elsewhere for my entertainment.

I like horror, and detective and legal dramas. I like Agatha Christie and Shirley Jackson. Stephen King and Michael Connelly. John Grisham and Scott Turow. Dean Koontz and the late and great Terry Pratchett.

Why would we believe that anyone else would NOT have a preference? So you don't like my story, yes I am a little hurt and slightly disappointed. But there has never been a writer that could please everyone. Not in this life and not in the next. Nor it is ever going to happen either.

We all have different tastes.  That is why there is chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches. Almond Joys and Mounds. Dark and Milk chocolate. There is no One-size-fits-all when it comes to what we enjoy. Not in our desserts, and certainly not in our libraries.

So fellow writers, take your rejections for what they are worth and learn from them what you may.

Tomorrow is another day after all.