Monday, February 7, 2011

ONE

So, friends, this weekend, a few things happened which is why I'm going to make this brief (see letter d).
a) I realized I am *not* cough* 22, while going out with friends to see a band, leaving early + sober.
b) I also realized I am okay with that.
c) My a-hole cat threw up a lot.
d) I caught THE-EFFING-FLU

And most importantly...
e) Even after gaining an agent who believes in me, I actually received two random query rejections.

You would think it wouldn't sting, that I'd get over it and move on. But I'm telling you rejection will always hurt a little, at least for me. Even if you have thick skin and stuff magically rolls off, you can't tell me it won't bother you to see a big, fat NO STINKING WAY. YOU SUCK. BUT GOOD LUCK PLACING YOUR WORK ELSEWHERE.

It always hurts, because rejection is someone telling you you're not good enough, in one way or another. But you swallow that lump in your throat, brush it off, and send another query. Because that's what writers do.

Now, I want to make this point crystal clear in case you haven't been beaten over the head with it before: IT ONLY TAKES ONE.

It doesn't matter if 199 people hate what you've written. Number 200 could be your ONE.

Have you been the recipient of a recent rejection? Don't worry, you'll ALWAYS be accepted here.
Happy Monday.
Candylandsicksicksick. OUT.

28 comments:

Kelly Breakey said...

Hey, the flu won't keep you down for long. How do I know? The rejection letters didn't, now did they. What's a little flu compared to that?

Feel better soon.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Thanks, hun. Yeah...just in the muck. Hope you're feeling better.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Oh que Yes. Thursday was a hard day to get through for me. I felt like my dog died. But its amazing how easy it is to be lifted up. The blogging community helps alot. New request for pages really seals the wounds too! :)

Unknown said...

*Sending soup* Poor Paula! We all know you're awesome and that ONE agent that matters see's what we see. I can see the rejection stinging but at least you know that the ONE had already found you. The wound isn't as deep as it used to be.

Time heals all. Or maybe it doesn't, maybe it's just the mind that does the healing. Regardless good things come to those who wait.

Shit, it's like a walking quote box today...

Unknown said...

I needed to hear this. Seriously. I just need my one and then I can pretend that there weren't 8 million others.

Linda G. said...

Aww. Sorry about the flu and the stupid rejections. :(

Feel better soon!

Kelly Polark said...

Yes, rejections must still hurt. But I bet it hurts a little less when you do have an agent. Can't wait til your agent sells your book so those who said no think, "Man! I should have snagged that amazing girl!"
Feel better!!!

vic caswell said...

aww sweetie! i hope you feel better soon! and grr rejection sucks! but it at least means that you're brave enough to put yourself out there!!!! now, take a nap!

Magan said...

When I queried my last novel (which is tucked away safetly) I decided to have one last hurrah and enter it in a contest. I remember how much it hurt when they were attacking my characters and writing calling them "vapid." Instead of getting upset I actually turned it around and made fun of myself and now my RWA critique group tells me I'm a "vapid teenage girl." Which...*cough* I'm a little far from being a teenage girl and I had to look up what vapid was.

Carolyn V said...

That is just what I needed to hear today. Thanks. =)

I hope you feel better soon Candace! I hate the flu.

Arlee Bird said...

You and I seem to be on the same topic wavelength today. You can keep your flu though.

Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

Nicole Zoltack said...

I'm reworking my stories so no recent rejections for me. I'm hoping that by by May, I'll be querying again.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Yes, I have been the recipient of multiple recent rejections. And that is exactly why I heart this post! :-)

Shannon said...

Sorry you're not feeling well. Hopefully you'll feel better soon.

As far as rejection goes...this is going to sound twisted, but I think it's a necessary component to success.

Dawn Ius said...

Get better soon - the world needs more of your awesomeness.

DL Hammons said...

Feel better soon! It seems like the entire blogosphere got sick last week!

"Who's not been washing their hand?!"

Lindsay said...

I've not had a rejection for a while, but the memory still stings. lol.

Get better soon.

Elena Solodow said...

As long as I never get a rejection from fellow bloggers, I'll be all right.

Heather said...

Sounds like a rough week! *hugs* Rejections are always hard but hey, you're agented and they missed a great opportunity! You're right, it can't be said enough, it only takes one...

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss candace! i just real sorry you got that yucky flu bug. ack! i hope you could feel better real soon. nope i couldnt never feel rejected here! :) sorry you got more rejects. ack!
...muchos grandes abrazos de tu aficianado numero uno lenito

Misha Gerrick said...

My sympathies on the flu.

I caught it and a fever in the middle of summer.

Not fun. Ever.

Hope you feel better soon.

:-)

Chris Phillips said...

don't die.

LTM said...

yeah, I've found I actually like waking up *without* a headache now that I'm an old lady... I've been coughing my lungs out, though. That evil bug is traveling.
Stupid rejections. You'll show them~ :D

Colene Murphy said...

Excellent point! Just the one. Feel better gal!

Anonymous said...

Aw, feel better soon!

Bryan Russell said...

Life is weird, ain't it?

Julie Musil said...

I'm so sorry you're sick! Hopefully it won't make its rounds through the family. Get better soon.

As for rejections, I'm finalizing my query now, and will soon begin the rejection pile up. You're so right though, it only takes one. It sounds like your agent is perfect for you, which is all that matters.

ali cross said...

Dude, sorry you're sick. I can imagine the sting of rejection even when it doesn't matter. And nope, no recent rejections for me--I haven't been querying. Tho it stung to know that the someone we both know DID get her act together to contact you, but not me, even though I have it in writing that she wanted to "hang" with me. Sad for me. I shouldn't be upset about not hearing from her but ... weirdly, I am. But that's the only one in a while. ;)

get better soon!