I want to talk a bit about rejection. I know, not the the most positive way to start the new year, but a realistic one. And here’s more reality for you. Rejection sucks, and there’s no getting away from it. Even worse, it comes in many forms.
Last October I applied for a job as Writer In Residence for my local library. I was surfing their website and came across the page announcing they were looking for a 2011 WIR, and I was thrilled. I didn’t even know Edmonton had one!
I read what I needed to do for an application and set about doing it. I had one week to draw up a proposal for what I would do, get three letters of reference from people in the writing community, and chose a sample of my writing to send in with the application.
For me, the hardest part was writing the proposal because while I’ve taught a lot of online workshops, and workshop sessions at conferences, this was geared toward a whole year. The deal with the job is that you get paid for a full time position and 40 % of your time is spent teaching and doing outreach with the local writing community, and 60% of the time is dedicated to your own writing projects. How awesome would that be?
My proposal consisted of two levels. One for new writers, and one for experienced writers. I figured I could arrange chats with other authors, editors and probably even a few agents.(Plus all the regular stuff like plotting, pacing, character development) I’m a consistent blogger (both here and on my own website) plus I’m on twitter and facebook. I know plenty of other professional writers and was sure they would guest chat or do interviews for me. Most everyone is generous with their time and knowledge if you give them a chance to be.
My letters of reference were all glowing. Seriously glowing. They blew me away. (Thank you, Candace.:smile: ) and I sent in a wonderful short story as my sample. In the end before I sent it in, I had a friend who works for the city look it all over and help me present the best package.
In the back of my mind a little voice kept telling me I’d never get the job because I write erotic fiction. I have reason to think my local community of writers is snobbish on this aspect because I’ve had two dealings with them in the past, and both times I was looked down upon and received many snarky and passive aggressive comments about writing commercial fiction or erotic- all implying that whatI did was somehow easier or less than the literary fiction they did. And to be clear, both of those events were ones I was invited to by the organizers, not ones I sought out. (I would’ve sought them out if I’d know n they existed, but I didn’t. LOL Apparently Edmonton has a very large writing community, but it’s not online at all, which is why I’ve never found it. I never went to school here, and it appears their community has grown from those in the college writing courses).
The other reason that voice was in the back of my head saying I’d never get the job is because our local library wasn’t stocking my books. Despite the fact that I’d donated many many copies. I’d emailed several times to ask why and never gotten a response. They carry Maya Banks, Lora Leigh, Shaya Black…but not me.
So, when a month later I got a form letter stating I didn’t get the job, I wasn’t surprised. I was still very disappointed though. There is no RWA here, or Thriller writer, or Sci-Fi writers or anything like that. I still haven’t even been able to find an actual local organization, only the occasional workshops the library offers. At least I know about those now. And the gentleman they did offer the job to seems very talented and deserving, yet I can’t help but feel disappointed. Mostly because not only did I not get the job, I didn’t even make it to the interview stage!
Now, moving past all that, I now know that there is a Writers Corner session once a month that I can attend to get some in-person time with other writers, and the library has now ordered some of my books. So, I might not have gotten the job, but I do believe what I’ve learned from the experience will help me move forward in a positive way. and I think finding the positive in a rejection is essential to staying sane as a writer. It might be hard to do, and it’s almost impossible to do when it happens, but I believe the key to dealing with rejection of any kind is in trying to look for that silver lining when the initial sting has passed.
After all, that rejection just left you open for the next golden opportunity that arises, and it might be an ever better fit for you.
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**hugs**
The great thing about this business, and the rejection that goes along with it, is there’s always another opportunity down the road.
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Thanks..and very true. I’m still thinking 2011 is gonna be a great year!
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Oh, Sasha, I’m sorry. Been there myself, so hang in there and keep turning out pages!
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Thanks Suzan, and turning out the pages is the plan. I’m also going to think about doing some workshops on here. I like the energy that sharing knowledge and experience and giving back that way gives me.
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I’m sorry, Sasha. I know, I’ve had quite a few rejections myself. I do believe that as much as we hate them, rejections do make us stronger and teach us to be better at our craft…
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I don’t think this particular rejection will help me get better at my craft, but yes, I do believe the general theory of that is true. This time it might help me get more involved locally though. We’ll see how it goes…I hope it goes well…and will share details as things go.
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Pity you didn’t get it, Sasha. But if this is a yearly position, is there a chance you might be able to apply in the future? Keep on chipping away on them.
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I can definitely apply again next year, I’m just not sure I want to. LOL I’ll check out a couple of the Sunday sessions with this years WIR and see how it goes and whats it’s like. I know how I’d do it, but maybe my idea of things isn’t what they want.
Thats what bugs me most about not even getting an interview. I figure if I’d at least gotten an interview I’d have a better idea of what they’re looking for. But an immediate rejection without even an interview makes me think the rejection has more to do with what I write than any skill or craft level I have.
I could totally be wrong, thats just how I feel.
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Rejection is a good thing because it means you tried. If you don’t try, you will never succeed.
Apparently they do this every year, eh? Maybe when you have built more ties in the community you will have a shot at that interview.
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They do it every year, yes. The only thing is if I do get more involved in the community and find it’s the same as it was the last 2 times I was invited to take part in local events then I’m gonna be more than disappointed…I’ll be pissed. LOL
One of the reasons I was so excited to be part of the library like that was because it deals with younger writers, and I, maybe mistakenly, think they would be less snotty about literary versus commercial fiction.
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Sorry it didn’t work out but thanks for sharing your story. I know it’s tough because it sounds like a dream job for any writer.
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I would extend the apologies, but I don’t think you need anymore. Just know that you have taken me out from the shadows of not reading erotica to reading some. (now only if the gf would share the ereader). Congrats on the past year, and hope this year is even better.
P.S. Just to let you know, I brag about your books to anyone that wants to talk about good books.
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It’s unfortunate but there is a lot of discrimination when it comes to genre writing and popular fiction. A lot of these residence programs are geared towards literature, not those making a living writing for the masses. So it’s a great way for a poet who would never otherwise make enough money writing to be self-supporting at it to spend a year being a Writer and getting paid for it, not necessarily an open door for even a bestselling genre writer. I do like what you’re making with those lemons, though!