Rejections

Earlier today, I spoke on-line with a couple of writers in the London Writers' Salon's 'Wednesday mingle'. One of the topics discussed was rejections and how devastating they can be for our creative-self. Before being published, I remember how it would take me at least three days to recover from a two line rejection letter. I would read it over and over again, teasing out any signs of hope that I should continue to write or simply give up!

I still have some of those rejection letters. I often say I could wallpaper a room if I'd kept every rejection I received. Some were standard and generic simply 'no thanks', one or two expressed a reason for the rejection and rarely, one might include a compliment about my style or voice. 

Each one stings. They eroded my confidence until I read that 'they're simply proof that you tried' - that was it for me. My rejections became little medals proving that I had tried, and kept trying until I was published! And remember, some people never try.
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I repeat it often, because it is true. My debut novel was published in August 2017.