How to write

The only way to arrive in the land of success is to traverse a mine field of rejections. One wrong step and your ego is blown to smithereens. The field is littered with the casualties from scathing reviews and “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” memos. In truth, no one arrives at success unscathed.  Everyone has battle scars and no matter how many times they’ve been shot down, rejection still hurts.

It’s no wonder few writers are brave enough to show their beloved manuscripts to critical eyes.  Naïve writers who believe they will receive praise and parades when they “arrive” will feel the sting of rejection early on.  Successful writers persevere despite the pain.

Instead of dreading the inevitable, let’s look on the bright side - 

1. If you’re getting rejection letters, you’ve at least submitted a query or manuscript to agents, editors or publishers.
2. Rejection letters make good kindling for a cozy fire.
3. The more rejections you receive, the closer you are to acceptance.
4. Rejection letters can be torn into strips and used for papier-mache projects.
5. Some rejections will come with valuable feedback or advice. Take it if you agree with it and your work will be even better than before.  If you don’t agree with it, see number 4.
6. Once you receive enough rejection letters, you can compile them into an ebook for writers.
7. Once you become wildly successful, you can mock those who rejected your genius.  
8. Early rejections give you a chance to toughen up.  When your book is published and you reach a wider audience, everyone will have an opinion. The more people who read your work, the more fans you’ll have. Of course, you’ll also have more critics. Don’t take it personally. We all have different likes and dislikes.
9. One Aimless Writer suggests stapling rejection letters to your shirt for a cheap Halloween costume - The Frustrated Writer.  
10.  Last but not least, recycled rejection letters are good for the environment.  Max Reger summed it up perfectly “I am sitting in the smallest room of my house. I have your review before me. In a moment it will be behind me.”

Rejoice!