Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Rejection

I've submitted several poetry manuscripts to various publishers for editorial consideration. I've received my first response--a rejection.

I've been afraid of rejection, not like most other people in the world, for an uncomfortable portion of my life. It's what's mostly kept me from being able to pursue non-anonymous creative endeavors. A recent spark in my creative output has prompted me with the confidence to actually try and get my work out there, but I still haven't told any of my friends or relatives. It's the fear of embarrassment that would come when I have to tell them "No one has accepted my work." But here on the wonderful anonymous internet, nobody knows who I am, and nobody gives a flying fuck whether I'm successful or not. It is a great feeling.

Bruce Lee once said "Do not fear failure. Not failure, but low aim is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail." I try to keep that quote in mind any time I undertake something that I fear may result in humiliation. Despite realizing that rejection should be acceptable, I cannot help but find that inner block every time I think of making an attempt at creative output, physical exertion, academic construction or even social engagement. I think once I'm able to stop fearing rejection and failure, my life will be much more significant, and my efforts will be far more fruitful.

But that level of maturity is a long way away.

...a Post on the importance and function of anonymity is sure to follow.
Thanks for reading!

7 comments:

  1. Kind of like my fear of speaking in front of large groups.
    If I were you, I would find a good friend and tell him you gave publishing your work a shot. When you get accepted, he'll congratulate you. When you fail, he'll comfort you, tell you your work is still great, that kind of stuff. Sounds kind of cliché, I know, but I think it'll help. Overcoming fears is mostly done by being confronted with them, and experiencing similar situations often.

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  2. Just remember that even a kick in the ass is still a step forward. ;)

    Following and supporting!

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  3. What if you write about shiny vampires. God, I have seen so many books about vampires in my local library.
    You have to keep trying, bro.

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  4. Keep working at it sooner or later you will get a break if you really want it.

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  5. Like they say, there's always a silver lining in every cloud. Dont take the rejection hard, I'm sure it will work out.

    Following bro

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  6. It's quite clear that you are an intelligent and well spoken person, and I'm sure your writings are definitely up there. Just keep putting out, I guess. I'm sure you eventually become desensitized to it when they just churn out the same old generic rejection letters, because you're awesome and they can't tell quality when they see it.

    But with not telling your friends/relatives, the more I talk about something that I could potentially fail at, the more I would like to save myself from the embarrassment of actually failing.. so it sort of works as a motivator of sorts, if that makes sense.

    Anyway, I wish you luck in your endeavors and I'm looking forward to your next post.

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  7. I think you meant "not unlike most people".

    I have the same fear, which has kept me from making music and writing as much as I would like. I just don't know how people will like it.

    Every time I hear about Bruce Lee, he just gets more awesome. I have to learn more about him!

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