Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Inspired by Rejection!

Recently I received a wonderful rejection from an editor.

Non-writers always look at me strange when I say those two words together. "Wonderful" and "rejection". How can a rejection be wonderful? they wonder.

But writers know. Rejections can be wonderful. And this one was...

It was so wonderful because the editor gave me wonderful suggestions for my manuscript. Suggestions that really made sense to me.

So I got to revising. And revising. And revising!

Have you ever noticed how you can't just make one simple change in a manuscript. Every change sparked other changes.

And in the end it was a pretty different manuscript. But still the same, if that makes any sense.

All the best parts were there. But it felt fresh and new.

A true re-vision. Thanks to a wonderful rejection!

So, what wonderful rejections have you had?

4 comments:

  1. I agree, Brianna. Any rejection that makes a lightbulb go off in your head is a good rejection.

    I got a rejection recently that made me rethink a pivotal point of a manuscript. And darn it if it wasn't a small sticking point that I had ignored. I haven't solved the problem yet, but the rejection did underscore exactly where the problem was.

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  2. An editor who takes the time to comment on your manuscript is giving you a signal of seeing value in the manuscript. It is worthwhile to follow up or resubmit to that editor.

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  3. I've had some "good rejection" letters and yes, once I got through cussing and took time to settle down before going back to them, sometimes the editorial comments made a ton of sense.

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  4. Thanks, guys!

    J.A.-- Yes, any rejection that makes me rethink the manuscript is a good rejection! Good luck solving your problem!

    Julie-- I agree-- It is so wonderful that this editor sees value in my manuscript! Yay!

    Gale-- Isn't it awesome when the comments make sense? Then we can make our manuscripts better for the next editor who sees them. :o)

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