tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post7081816260293462602..comments2024-03-29T00:35:40.557-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: The Pain of Rejection Never Gets EasierJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88832335224128239932010-08-05T14:49:09.583-04:002010-08-05T14:49:09.583-04:00"If we can’t take rejection, then we probably..."If we can’t take rejection, then we probably need to go back to writing stories for personal pleasure rather than publication."<br /><br />I always write for personal pleasure. If I don't like my own work why should I think anyone else does?<br /><br />Marc Vun Kannon<br />http://authorguy.wordpress.comAuthor Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18316825723835547403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10992566840029036292010-08-05T13:35:57.055-04:002010-08-05T13:35:57.055-04:00It never gets easier, does it? You're right--i...It never gets easier, does it? You're right--it isn't for the faint of heart. <br /><br />I've been worrying lately that my morning hours are not enough--that every other author is spending much more time on this. So thank you for reminding me it's okay to enjoy life--my personal life--right now.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59619761604166520452010-08-05T13:05:49.793-04:002010-08-05T13:05:49.793-04:00I was rejected yesterday and while I've gotten...I was rejected yesterday and while I've gotten to a place where it merely stings like a bee (as opposed to be stabbed through the heart with a rusty dagger), all I could think was "I can't believe you didn't even want to see pages. Really?" <br /><br />Thanks for this. Right thing at the right time.Sierra Godfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552916038080341870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27893418061858849972010-08-05T08:56:43.554-04:002010-08-05T08:56:43.554-04:00Very well said. Yes, I've been rejected, and I...Very well said. Yes, I've been rejected, and I much prefer the acceptances:) Some rejections sting a bit longer than others, but I am grateful for the things that I learn through them. My goal is to become a better writer and to fulfill my calling.<br />Blessings for your weekend,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41802732329854404332010-08-05T08:23:53.445-04:002010-08-05T08:23:53.445-04:00Oh, Jody. I'm sending you cyber hugs and a cyb...Oh, Jody. I'm sending you cyber hugs and a cyber basket of baked goodies and fresh coffee.<br /><br />I so appreciate your blog. I think it's a blog that every writer should read regularly. It's a blog that teaches about the publishing industry more than any other blog I read. Your experiences are there for all writers to learn from. Writers have many ups and downs. Thank you for sharing yours. It is such an encouragement to see someone push through the tough times and come out better on the other side. I know you will persevere!!Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40361780832497083092010-08-05T06:28:37.455-04:002010-08-05T06:28:37.455-04:00Terri asked: When they are your characters & y...Terri asked: When they are your characters & your heart is in there how do reconcile the changes requested?<br /><br />My Answer: I'm hoping I can tackle that question in tomorrow's post, Terri. It's definitely hard when we pour our hearts and souls into a book, to then have to cut the book apart with edits. But I think before we make major changes in our books, there are some questions we can ask ourselves and I'll share those in tomorrow's post! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43265013641515281252010-08-05T03:13:06.664-04:002010-08-05T03:13:06.664-04:00Rejection comes with the territory (to use a clich...Rejection comes with the territory (to use a cliche) but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. AND, you have to wait so long just to hear a "no".Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67300484002023599602010-08-04T20:36:20.266-04:002010-08-04T20:36:20.266-04:00As I work on queries, I am bracing for rejection. ...As I work on queries, I am bracing for rejection. I'll be referring back to this great post.lisahgoldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158660223296807317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32228765182300425412010-08-04T20:25:54.692-04:002010-08-04T20:25:54.692-04:00I am right there with you! It's so hard. My ...I am right there with you! It's so hard. My first book has been out there for 2 months, and I've gotten my share of critics. But the writing journey is so worth it! Wouldn't trade it for anything.Susan DiMickelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13376687779868147687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52253349473353387722010-08-04T20:04:51.774-04:002010-08-04T20:04:51.774-04:00I received a rejection this morning :( I try to n...I received a rejection this morning :( I try to not let it get me down, and move on to the next query, the next few thousand words on my wip.<br /><br />I agree that it's important to put all this in perspective. I appreciate your thoughtful post. It's nice to have blogger/writer folks out there who "get it."<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. I appreciate it!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53169623275346264112010-08-04T19:38:41.188-04:002010-08-04T19:38:41.188-04:00Enjoyed your honest post. I too had thought after ...Enjoyed your honest post. I too had thought after the book deal it would be smooth sailing. I'm interested to hear your perspective on balancing the writing for yourself & pleasing others. I can imagine that would be difficult for me as well to be so pleased with the story and be told it needed significant changes. When they are your characters & your heart is in there how do reconcile the changes requested?Terri Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02725449450869870709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30605568693571238102010-08-04T18:55:38.190-04:002010-08-04T18:55:38.190-04:00Thanks so much. I'll check out your Books tab ...Thanks so much. I'll check out your Books tab and pre-order. Can't wait to read it.<br />M.J.M. J. Maciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227988613543731433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14434060052670187462010-08-04T18:16:27.498-04:002010-08-04T18:16:27.498-04:00M.J. Macie asked: When will "The Preacher'...M.J. Macie asked: When will "The Preacher's Bride" become available to purchase and will I be able to order it online?<br /><br />My Answer: Thank you for asking!! :-) It will definitely be on bookstore shelves by Oct. 1. But it's already available for pre-order! If you check out my Books tab at the top of my blog, you'll see where it's availabe.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42353600367318087632010-08-04T17:55:59.922-04:002010-08-04T17:55:59.922-04:00Jody, I'm sorry your second book hasn't go...Jody, I'm sorry your second book hasn't gone perfectly. <br /><br />I like to think I'm pretty tough when it comes to rejection and criticism. But 5 minutes ago, someone just defriended me on Facebook because we have a difference of opinion on a political issue and I'm taking it way harder than I should.<br /><br />Maybe I'm not so good at rejection...Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6208462803739608882010-08-04T17:37:54.986-04:002010-08-04T17:37:54.986-04:00I wish I had all the answers to your questions, be...I wish I had all the answers to your questions, because it would make my life so much better. But I don't. I'm having my own struggles, as I make the transition to freelance writing. <br /><br />My personal angst falls along the lines of artistic integrity, control, vision, and collaboration. Where are the boundaries? Can I draw a line? Where do I draw it? Being edited is extremely challenging. I don't always fully agree with the choices being made. <br /><br />I'm married to an editor who gives me regular feedback and perspective. But I still struggle. Like you, sometimes I want to just pull in my sails, tie the boat to the harbor, and mourn the loss of my ideas and the words I carefully crafted. This afternoon I had one of these moments. <br /><br />I'm not sure anything softens the agony. I'm not sure experience makes us any better at taking critiques and giving up control. The more we write, the more opinionated we become about our own work. <br /><br />One thing that has helped me is this: writers are unable to accurately judge their own work. Why this is, I'm not sure. But I see it in my own life and hear about it from others. The perspective that editing provides can give us insights we will never have on our own. <br /><br />In this, we can see our pain has a purpose.Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65277331640543140972010-08-04T16:59:56.390-04:002010-08-04T16:59:56.390-04:00Jody,
I love this blog! I especially appreciate yo...Jody,<br />I love this blog! I especially appreciate your being so open with us about your feelings. You've made it and still suffer the same fears and insecurities we all suffer. God bless your humility. It's very refreshing.<br /><br />On another subject, when will "The Preacher's Bride" become available to purchase and will I be able to order it online?M. J. Maciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227988613543731433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32167480305255040352010-08-04T14:56:00.513-04:002010-08-04T14:56:00.513-04:00Now I can't wait for Friday's post! :-) Th...Now I can't wait for Friday's post! :-) The hardest part for me is putting myself out there because I KNOW rejection is inevitable. But I'll never grow otherwise.Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-5826015578798816192010-08-04T14:53:37.924-04:002010-08-04T14:53:37.924-04:00Hi Jody! I'm so sorry about your latest "...Hi Jody! I'm so sorry about your latest "rejection" (which, by the way, wasn't really a rejection). I face rejection ALL the time at work... I work for a website where things are fast paced and have to make an impact immediately. I can't tell you how many times my managing editor has thrown out articles/slideshows that I spent HOURS on. Not even given them edits, but just said "this isn't worthy of ANYTHING.Erin MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11665098986271579372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-48040942993484572432010-08-04T14:16:47.653-04:002010-08-04T14:16:47.653-04:00Umm. Yeah. One door closes. Another opens.
"...Umm. Yeah. One door closes. Another opens. <br /><br />"The writing's not good" does not mean "I'm not good."<br /><br />"I don't like it" does not mean "I don't like you." <br /><br />So I remind myself that the One who was rejected was/is in control.<br /><br />After I have a good cry. And a bowl of M&M's.Sandra Heska Kinghttp://sandraheskaking.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67585105554806717962010-08-04T13:40:16.093-04:002010-08-04T13:40:16.093-04:00Hi Jody..rejection hurts like hell. As writers aft...Hi Jody..rejection hurts like hell. As writers after a couple of our books are published, rejection or feedback like "this won't work for us hurt more." We tend to get complacent. Perhaps thats why the rejection happens, to urge us to work harder.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6426468758757417302010-08-04T13:35:01.646-04:002010-08-04T13:35:01.646-04:00I got hammered on edits of my third ms, so I know ...I got hammered on edits of my third ms, so I know what a shock it can be. <br /><br />A couple of things help to mitigate the sting for me.<br /><br />1. Consider the motives of the editor. If you trust that they only want to make you book the best it can be, then it's easier to be objective.<br /><br />2. Give it some time. A year away from that first really deep crit, I'm philosophical about it. A harsh critique (not that the editor was harsh, but that it felt harsh to think my ms wasn't as perfect as I thought it was) turned out to be a great thing for me. I write better as a result, and I know more what is possible when I start edits.<br /><br />I'm sure you'll be able to turn your ms into the story your editor wants, and it won't be as difficult as you might imagine. And you'll be a better writer for the process!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63627402372241417142010-08-04T12:59:29.406-04:002010-08-04T12:59:29.406-04:00I'm actually finding it easier to received rej...I'm actually finding it easier to received rejections to my queries as the time goes on. It's not really rejection of my work, because they haven't even seen my work. Now, the kind of rejection you are dealing with? That would sting. A lot! I always tell myself not to take it personally, but it's hard. Our work IS so personal. Good luck with the revisions. Hopefully, you can develop a story both you and the publisher are happy with!Elizabeth Flora Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729450308659877966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71437084235589346772010-08-04T12:54:12.085-04:002010-08-04T12:54:12.085-04:00I have just received my first two rejections and I...I have just received my first two rejections and I am fine. I think I would feel the same as you though if I had the book2 issue. <br /><br />Keep smiling and happy scribbling. :)Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65258675568972793902010-08-04T12:52:06.081-04:002010-08-04T12:52:06.081-04:00Jody,
Thanks for sharing your very real experien...Jody, <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your very real experience with the publishing process. It is sometimes easy for people to assume that once that first contract is signed the hard work is over. Your post reminds us that we must continue to work hard and that there are no guarantees.<br /><br />I have had three manuscripts rejected by my current publisher and am currently preparing number four to be sent out. Though your rejection was painful, the sharing helped me to realize I am not the only one. <br /><br />Keep going and I am really looking forward to reading The Preachers Bride, if it is written with as much caring and compassion you express in your blog it should truly be a winner.<br /><br />Suzanne SantillanSuzanne Santillanhttp://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77516847267030608652010-08-04T12:16:02.979-04:002010-08-04T12:16:02.979-04:00Jodi,
*Big hug* Publishing does seems like a roug...Jodi,<br /><br />*Big hug* Publishing does seems like a rough business! The only thing I can think to say is to focus on the success and learn from the negative. As with life, when you focus on the negative, it will put you at a standstill. Thanks for sharing your insight here, I really appreciate it as an aspiring writer myself.<br /><br />I pray the sting will not be so strong as you work through book 2.<br /><br />As for me, I'm going into this expecting nothing but rejection so if something positive comes out of it, I will be surprised and pleased. Sounds a bit pessimistic, but it's how I roll. ;o)<br /><br />Can't wait to read your 1st book! I emailed my info so I could be an influencer. That would be fun & I would love to help you out!<br /><br />~arenof4Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00688996489439429452noreply@blogger.com