“…so shall I taste
At first the very worst of fortune’s might,
And other strains of woe…” (Sonnet 90, Shakespeare)
What beautiful words! But, to an unpublished author, they are no consolation when the lash of fortune’s might is another rejection letter (or e-mail) from a publisher.
I’ve been writing since 1997. That’s fourteen years and seven completed novels. That’s a lot of rejections I’ve had to learn to live with. Rejection becomes easier when a new writer finally realises that rejection letters are all part of the process of becoming a professional story teller. Rejection letters can be worn like a badge of honour, but they can also bring the curse of self-doubt. And self-doubt can become your greatest enemy, for it freezes your creativity and weighs your writing down with your most secret fears.
What can a fledgling author do to overcome the rejection blues? Go to Misha Gericke's blog to read about the five stepping stones that can help you find your way from rejection to publication. If you comment on Misha's blog before 1pm South African time on Wednesday 29th June, you stand a chance of winning a US15 gift voucher.
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