CH 5 WRITING THROUGH REJECTION
The Path to Resilience and Success - DRAFT
The Path to Resilience and Success
Perseverance does pay off in real-life. Here are a few inspiring real-life examples of perseverance paying off from which you could draw inspiration.
How Stephen King Overcame Rejection to Become a Literary Icon
Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, was rejected by over 30 publishers. Discouraged, he even threw the manuscript in the trash. His wife, Tabitha, retrieved it and encouraged him to keep going. Eventually, Carrie was published and became a massive success, launching King's legendary career.
J.K. Rowling – From Struggling Single Mom to Global Sensation
Before publishing Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling faced 12 rejections from publishers. She was a single mother living on welfare, writing in cafes during her daughter’s naps. Finally, a small publisher, Bloomsbury, gave her a chance, and the rest is history.
Jerry Seinfeld – Bombing on Stage Before Comedy Greatness
On his first night as a comedian, Jerry Seinfeld froze on stage and was booed off. Instead of giving up, he returned the next night with a stronger set and kept refining his craft until he became one of the most successful comedians of all time.
Kathryn Stockett – Persistence Behind The Help
Kathryn Stockett’s manuscript for The Help was rejected 60 times before it was accepted. She kept rewriting and submitting because she believed in her story. When it finally got published, the book became a bestseller and inspired an award-winning movie.
Thomas Edison – A Lesson in Resilience
Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." His persistence paid off when he finally invented the light bulb, changing the world forever.
Celebrate the Journey
Celebrate your small victories such as finishing a draft or submitting your first piece.
Create a “rejection goal.” Aim for 50 or 100 rejections to normalize it (It’s harder on a writer than you think, especially in the beginning.)
Ask your audience to share any of their own rejection stories as badges of honor.
It took me a good while to learn to end on a positive note. “The only way to guarantee success is to keep trying.”
Last words
I must admit, I have been writing for years, and each story or book I complete makes me jazzed and excited about my next one. I sometimes feel that they are not very good and probably won’t get read.
But then I am so happy about the next one, both the subject, and the accomplishment of writing it, that even sometimes if a discouraging word might lessen my motivation a bit, I stop and see people’s successes and know in my heart that one will be headed my way soon, if it’s not already.
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