Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartRejection
by Tamara Destefano
Georgia Romance Writers (a sub-chapter of RWA) and the powers that be came up with a brilliant idea. Every year we have a drawing in December. This drawing is called Finish the Book. Members pay five dollars. The money goes in a pot and at the end of the year the people that actually finished a WIP all hope to win the nice chunk of change that accumulated.
I always enter, never win. (The part about never winning has to do with procrastination on my part.) But those that win seem very happy to earn some extra cash right before Christmas.
This year, the GRW powers that be decided to kick things up a notch. I’m not sure the newest drawing has a name, but I’m referring to it as “Dang, I’ve earned a crap load of rejections this year and I’m lovin’ it!”
“Lovin’ it?” you might ask.
Why would anyone love rejections?
I’ll tell you why.
Because even though rejections are tough, demoralizing, heart breaking, and sometimes, yes, the reason sales of chocolate ice cream and Krispy Creme are so high, a rejection means that you’re putting your work out there.
It’s a brave writer who pours their heart and soul into a novel and then mails it out to an editor or agent.
And bravery should be rewarded!
Whether the rejection is a form letter, a cutting criticism or a helpful page long no thank you, you should be proud that you have one…or one hundred for that matter.
So ladies of GRW put in your money! Enter the drawing and collect those rejections. Those of you who don’t happen to be a member of the best darn chapter in the nation (and host to the GREAT M&M conference) never fear, you can be rewarded for your efforts too.
One day those many rejections and the insight that comes with them just might lead to a sale. And then you can say you’re “Lovin’ rejections too!
Keep writing!!
Have a wonderful day,
Tamara
Tags: GRW, rejection, Tamara deStefano, writing
About the author
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Tamara DeStefano | I'm a writer, reader, movie junkie and Oreo eater. All though I should invert the order of this list. Oreo double stuff cookies and milk...THE BOMB BABY!
My favorite genre is paranormal, love those vamps. I write paranormal, historical and contemporary. I've even tried my hand at YA. Writing makes me happy.
Hope what you do makes you happy too!!
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August 16th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Tamara,
I agree 100%. Rejections are are friends. I have several so far this year…and the Pro Rejection Collection has my $5.00.
Good luck everyone!
Sandy
August 16th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Ah, a new idea for the drawing. I love when a negative is turned into a positive.
Good luck.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:27 am
I only wish that we had done this years ago because I would’ve won. Some years I got 30-50 rejections. I’ve not gotten one this year, but I have been sending stuff out. Rejections is part of the process.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I put money into both and finished one MS, but I’m not counting it, because I only had about 5 chapters to write at the 1st of the year. I’m still editing the darn thing. I also put money in the rejection one, but I haven’t finished the edit to start the queries. ARGH! I blame all the great information at RWA for making me rethink the plot/characters. Otherwise, I’d have LOTS of rejections! *grin*
August 16th, 2010 at 9:30 am
You guys are great! I’m wishing all of you luck in this new drawing. It’s good either way, so this one is a no brainer. Submit and get an acception or submit and get a rejection AND an entry into the rejection contest. Great idea.
Tami
August 16th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I’m also in the pot for the rejection collection, although I need to get a move on to submit more and get more rejections. I already have some, but not enough!
Although I wouldn’t mind an acceptance!
I did win the finish the book contest one year and it’s also a great thing to enter. Both will benefit your writing.
Marilyn
Marilyn
August 16th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Tamara,
Great post, as always! Yes, rejections can be helpful, but basically it hurts like hell for a little while. I’m proud of anyone that submits a finished manuscript. It says so much about a person and it says so much to those that say, “Gee, I’ve always wanted to write a book.” Well, a rejection letter means the person DID write one. Did finish it. Did bleed ink and did have the guts to send it in. And I think that makes them every bit A Professional Writer!
August 16th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Well, I’ve done some submitting this year. We’ll see what happens. As much as we put a positive slant on rejections, I’d much rather have a sale. Go figure.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Nothing for the rejection pile yet. Can’t say that I’m looking forward to qualifying for the contest, but I do have some stuff out there this year, so we’ll see. I’m with Carol -keeping my fingers crossed on sales.
August 16th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
So it looks like I completely forgot that I’m blogging today.
Woops!!!
Glad there was a back up, and thanks Carol…I’m sure it was you who had my back.
Sandy,
I’ve got a few this year too. I need to find them though…maybe I’ll win that pot!
T
August 16th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Dianna,
Don’t you just love drawings? And like you said, turning a negative into a positive is just icing on the cake!
Have a great afternoon,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Susan,
I totally agree. We should have been doing this for years. I could have won…I’m sure I had more than you. You’re such a fab writer!!
Have a great afternoon,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Noelle,
Thanks so much for the comment!
And I totally think you should count that one manuscript! Five chapters can be just as difficult, draining, and grrr worthy as twenty chapters!
Writing is tough…so count that bad boy!
And I agree…RWA is just chock full of great info.
Have a wonderful evening,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Tami,
I think it’s a great idea too…but, we have such great people in GRW (you’re no exception) that great things are just a given.
And you’re right: either you submit and get accepted, or submit and get rejected, either way means we’re working!
Have a fabulous evening!
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Marilyn,
I’ve never won the finish the book pot. I suppose it’s because I’m a deplorable procrastinator and usually don’t get the book finished. But the two years I did finish, I knew exactly what I’d buy if I won. This year, if I win, I plan on buying this cute little sequined clutch from Coach!
Fingers crossed!!
Thanks for the comment.
Have a lovely evening,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Maxine,
I totally agree that rejections hurt. Even when I just know a novel will be rejected (I know, I know, that’s incredibly pessimistic) and I’ve hardened my heart and promised my self I won’t get all weepy over it…I still get weepy.
Oh it hurts to be rejected…that’s for darn sure.
Thanks so much for commenting.
Keep writing and have a wonderful evening!
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Carol,
First of all…thanks so much for posting this for me (I’m thinking it was you)
I’m such a ditz.
And also, yep, a sale feels soooooo much better than a rejection.
But I suppose I should learn to live gracefully with both, because I’m sure the rejections will out weigh the acceptances by tons!
Thank you for the comment.
Oooh…I just thought about the strike zone I’m in.
Have a fabulous evening,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Darcy,
I’m with Carol too! I think we should all keep our fingers crossed.
And, no news is good news…don’t ya think?
Good luck with those submissions!
Have a great evening,
Tamara
August 16th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Tamara, check your voice mail and call me.
August 16th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
The worst thing about rejections–even when you get that super skinny envelope that contains the 1/4 slip of no-thanks, you still hope it is a yes. How goofy is that? Sigh, I’ve entered that contest and have nothing to show for it…yet. That’s just wimpy.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Love this post, Tamara. I also love the Rejection Collection contest because it can replace some of those rejection “owies” with a happier feeling.
I have a whopping total of 1 rejection this year so far, but I aim to get more.
I guess this is another way we writers develop our thick skins. Kind of like self-flagellation. Eventually the blood stops and scabs start to form. LOL.
August 17th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I love contests like this–they tap into my competitive spirit. I thought it was important to make sending your work out into something with milestones. Of course, I’m WAY behind in the rejection collection, but I have 2 rejections and have sent out to several others as well as finishing a novel and a half. Oh, and Noelle, you need to submit that novel with the 5 chapters remaining. : )
And, Steffl, you need to finish your novel, young lady!