Rejection is unavoidable:
6 meaningful ways to deal and move on
In the end, it will help you become a better writer. But it feels like someone hit you in the gut and left you gasping for oxygen right now. Rejection is unavoidable as a writer, but it doesn't make it less terrible. So, what are your strategies for dealing with rejection? Let's talk about it.
Believe me when I say that I understand. It seems incredibly personal when you've spent months, if not years, creating a novel. You've isolated yourself from family and friends, sat in front of a computer screen for hours, and chronicled a whole universe that exists only in your vivid imagination. You've worked hard to build characters who you either love or despise. To you, everything is factual—every single detail. It's all there.
In the end, it will help you become a better writer. But it feels like someone hit you in the gut and left you gasping for oxygen right now. Rejection is unavoidable as a writer, but it doesn't make it less terrible. So, what are your strategies for dealing with rejection? Let's talk about it.
I. LISTEN TO THE CRITICISM
Although not everyone will tell you why they rejected your work, the fortunate ones who do will be doing you a favor. It's helpful to know how others see your work, whether from agents, publishers, editors, or readers. These remarks are sometimes valid and will help you improve as a writer. I was once chastised for employing too many "-ly" terms in my writing (i.e., suddenly, hopelessly, recklessly). At first, I reacted angrily at the criticism, but then I realized I was relying on "-ly" adjectives as a crutch. The complaint pushed me to improve my writing skills. As a result, not all rejection or criticism is hostile. Some of it can assist you in honing your skills. (Disclaimer: I still use "-ly" terms in casual conversations like this one, but I avoid them in my work.)
However, there are specific complaints that you should just disregard. You should ignore criticisms that attack your abilities as a writer (e.g., "You write like a kid.") or that make a blanket declaration against your work (e.g., "This narrative doesn't have an audience."). How can you use this feedback to enhance your craft? They are unable to do so. That should serve as a litmus test for whether or not to accept the criticism. "Does this critique help me better as a writer?" you might wonder.
II. REMIND YOURSELF WHY YOU LOVE WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS IN YOUR FIELD
Sit down and compose your own letter when you're at your lowest point after you've gotten your hundredth rejection letter. This is a letter sent just to you. Explain why you enjoy writing to yourself. Writing is my favorite pastime because it's the one thing I've ever excelled at. I appreciate how writing allows me to find out what am I actually thinking and feeling at any given time? You've decided to give it a go. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What author influenced your decision to write, and why? When you register, how do you feel? In your dedication to writing, let it all out. It will, without a doubt, help you feel better. Why? It will remind you that writing is your identity, whether or not others embrace it. It will redirect your attention away from the sting of temporary rejection and the lifelong joy of sharing your writing with others.
III. EMPOWER YOURSELF THROUGH SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-WORTH EXERCISES
Tired of getting rejection letter after rejection letter? Let your haters become your motivators. High self-esteem matters because it helps you develop coping skills, handle adversity, and put the negative into perspective. Your overall view of yourself — how you feel about your strengths and limits — is self-esteem. When you have a healthy sense of self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and believe that you are worthy of others' regard. When you have poor self-esteem, you don't appreciate your own thoughts and opinions. You may be concerned that you aren't good enough all of the time.
IV. STOP WRITING
Not permanently. Just take a temporary break from writing. When you’re recovering from rejection, it’s hard to motivate yourself to write anyway. A hike in the woods will do. A vacation to a place you’ve never visited before will also help. The point is to get a change of scenery. Doing something completely different can help you come back with a renewed sense of your writer’s self.
V. CONNECT WITH OTHER WRITERS
You need to be friends with other science writers. If you don’t know any personally, I recommend that you join online academic writing communities. Here, you can connect with fellow writers and commiserate over the common bond of rejection. Join a writing group, or start your own!
It’s not just a gripe fest, though. These communities are a great source of support and encouragement. Senior Academics and Editors who’ve been there and done that can help you work through your feelings of rejection. Plus, you’ll likely be able to find an experienced writer who can mentor you through the publishing process.
VI. SEE THE BENEFIT OF THE REJECTION
I’ve learned to use rejection as a way of toughening my thin skin. One of my favorite writers of all time, Ray Bradbury, said this about rejection: “You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” He knew a bit of rejection. Bradbury was rejected over 800 times. Like most writers, I've lost track of how many rejection letters I've gotten. Rejections for written articles ("This does not meet our needs at this time."), job interviews ("You're extremely brilliant and appear like you'd be a valuable asset, but we've chosen to employ someone else."), and even personal rejections ("You're a wonderful man, J.S., and I like you a lot, but..."). There have been rejections for this, that, and the other. If there's one thing I'm pretty familiar with, it's rejection. I'm also familiar with the slow-burning rage, frustration, and despair that comes with it. If you've ever been rejected and felt like throwing a full-fledged three-year-old tantrum, set up a timer, or just sit in a corner and cry until your body shrivels up into a mummy, then you know exactly how I felt, and you know that I know just how you feel.
1. Being rejected inspires us to do better.
"The paper isn’t of high importance at this time," says the Editor. "Right now, this isn't what we're searching for," says the Chair. "You have good writing ideas, but..." Ouch! We've all been there and done that at some time, and it's undoubtedly aggravating. When faced with rejection, it may indicate that you need to do something you aren't doing or quit doing something you are doing. If you can figure out what it is, you'll be on your way to improving your performance and facing less rejection in the future.
2. Rejection serves as a reminder that we are all human.
Rejection is advantageous because everyone may benefit from being knocked down a notch or two. Refusal encourages us to become excellent Academic because it reminds us that we are all simply human, no matter how amazing we may imagine we are.
3. Rejection makes us reconsider our goals.
As an Academic species, we have a tendency to overlook warning flags that are meant to help us, such as the student who struggles through an MD/Ph.D. or MPH/Ph.D. school because they've been told it's the way to money and power their entire life, but what they actually want to do is play violin in an orchestra. The person is then called in for a job interview and informed that they are hopelessly underqualified. At the same time, the local orchestra is seeking a violinist to fill the third place. Your passions will always show through, and rejection is sometimes a method for the world to drive us to contemplate that unrealistic dream we've always wanted to pursue instead of the "safe objective" that would make us unhappy in the long run.
My takeaway from this post is that acceptance doesn’t validate you as an Academic, despite the knell of “publish or perish.” If you have a story to be told, tell it-- whether or not it’s accepted by the gatekeepers or the mainstream. Someone will find value in your Research Agenda. You’ve just got to tell it.
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment