What do you do when you get a rejection? Any type of rejection, really, though I’m thinking about those related to writing. And in the writing profession there are all kinds of situations where we are made to think we should just pack it in, call it a day, and move on to some other type of business.
For the past two weeks, ever since Friday the 13th, I’ve had a series of unfortunate events that have gotten me down. The date for the release of my first novel was pushed back, I received the news I did not advance to finals in two writing contests and got a bag of mixed scores, and my latest round of queries for an historical romance continues to garner no responses (not even rejections). I got my hair cut really short so I couldn’t pull it out.
And what I have found myself doing in the face of all this bad juju, is listening to a series of songs, either on satellite radio or via YouTube, that actually help a lot to dispel the feeling of unworthiness I’ve been experiencing (and that I’m sure we all feel after receiving a rejection). So I’ve developed a sort of playlist for rejection–a series of songs that really lifts my spirits. Some are there because of the lyrics, some because of the wonderful upbeat of the song, some have both.
Firework by Katy Perry is the first one and the lyrics to this song have a wonderful, 
uplifting message. “You don’t have to feel/Like a waste of space/You’re original cannot b replaced/If you only knew what the future holds/After a hurricane comes a rainbow/Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed/So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road.”
What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. I love this song! It reminds me of a CPs novel, but the up beat and some of the lyrics always make me smile and sing along in the car. “You’re insecure/Don’t know what for/You’re turning heads when you walk through the door/Don’t need make-up to cover-up/Being the way that you are is enough.” And “If only you saw what I can see/You’ll understand why I want you so desperately/I’m looking at you and I can’t believe/You don’t know oh-oh/You don’t know you’re beautiful.”
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson. Great new song to chase away the blues. The old adage is certainly true, and this new version, with the fantastic upbeat, makes you feel stronger just hearing it. “You think you’ve got the best of me/Think you got the last laugh/Bet you think that everything good is gone/Think you left me broken down/Think that I’ll come running back/Baby you don’t know me, cause you’re dead wrong/What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger/Stand a little taller/doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone/What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger/Just me, myself and I.”
Loser Like Me by Glee. The number one song that makes me feel like there is hope at the 
end of the tunnel. The video just exudes confidence, gives you the idea that these “losers” won’t be losers for long, because they have the drive to make it. “Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth/So everyone can hear/Hit me with the worst you got and knock me down/Baby, I don’t care/Keep it up and soon enough you’ll figure out/ You wanna be/ lose like me.”
Well, I’m psyched! Ready to go out and face those agents and editors (I’m pitching at a conference this evening!) So, tell me, how do you deal with rejection?
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
A tweet quote I still remember: “If you aren’t rejected at least once a day, you aren’t trying hard enough.”
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Now that puts it in a different perspective! Love it!
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Thanks Jenna. Needed this. Not getting rejected but haven’t had time to write between young baby and demanding day job. My hair is plenty long to pull out, lol.
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I like the idea of having a ‘rejection’ playlist as a pick me up! I may use a few of your songs!
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Great, Yazmin! They really do help. Of course, I hope you may never need to use them. 🙂
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I just mope or rant with my CP’s, depending on my mood, then after a few hours, I dive in with more determination than ever, that they, the clueless (agents) will not get me down. And I have a very supportive family- they say all the things I want to hear 🙂
So hang in there, Jenna.
Yeah and I listen to Jason Marz, ‘I won’t give up’
and Epic Score, ‘I have a story.’ It’s instrumental, but picks me up every time 🙂
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So sorry, Jenna! But, as you know, HANG IN THERE! Great choices in music, btw.
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Things will get better, Jenna! Keep on hanging in there. Good things will come very soon, I’m sure! Great idea with the music. Personally, I can’t think of a moment when I’m not listening to music.. at work, home, in the car, in the bath, even when I am going to sleep.
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What great songs! It can really be damaging to get rejections but it is part of being a writer. Don’t get me wrong its tough and sometimes you just have to crawl away and lick your wounds. I I think this is a great way to kick the rejection blues! Loved it!
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The first rejection I ever got, I cried. The rest I’ve shrugged off. Sometime I spout off to my crit partners. Maybe a playlist is a good idea for a time like that.
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Rejection always sucks and kills…We have to take it as a bump in the road and get up, dust off the dirt and keep going…You are a strong person..You shall kick ass.
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LOL That I shall, Samantha! 🙂
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I wanted to thank you all for your fantastic support! You guys are the best cheerleaders around and I appreciate you hugely. I know this too shall pass–hopefully sooner rather than later. And I did want to share my uplifting music with everyone. It just makes me smile everytime I hear it. 🙂 My day’s getting better–all dolled up and off to the conference. Wish me luck!
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The thing about luck and fortune is that it’s fickle. Up one week, down the next, and–happily–vice versa. The god of fortune will smile on you again. Just keep listening to the inspiration in your head and from friends, family, and media, and you’ll get through.
Keep writing. That’s the best revenge.
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Rejection sucks! Lol, I know–been there, done that. Eat some comfort food and do something fun. After the sting wears off, you’ll be in rarin’ fine form to tackle writing again!
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Hun, it will get better. Just hang in there.
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Jenna – Avant says, “The difference between success and failure is the direction of your will.” Sulk, brood, cry, scream. Eat your chocolate and drink a stiff martini. Then sleep it off. Get up and try again. It’s not your writing. You are great! This industry has so much to do with timing. All in HIs time. Hugs.
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Aw Jenna – I’m sorry you are going through such a down period. My hair is short but one can still pull out the strands we have. Pretty woman used to work for me or I will succeed (think that’s the title) Just think of good old J.K. Rowling – an even dozen rejections then look what happened.
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Sorry to hear about the run of bad luck, Jenna, but it won’t last forever, and better things are coming! You’re writing is awesome! Usually I just stick my rejection letters in a folder, ponder them, get angry, down, then move on. Oh, and can’t forget the chocolate! That always helps, lol!
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One Direction reminds me of you!
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It makes me think of you and TML!
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Jenna, I’m sorry to hear about your run of bad luck. But the good thing is that you do have a book coming out and query letter problem can be fixed.
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I guess I’m the odd one out because I don’t really turn to music when I get rejectons. Cheer up, things will get better. Hugs.
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Well, Jenna, I think your writing is awesome! Love all those songs by the way. Hugs on the R’s.
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Aw, Jenna, so sorry to hear about your run of crappy luck, but I know things will change for you soon and you will be on top once again! I know it!
I use music to help boost my spirits too. I like a wide assortment of music, ranging heavy metal, to country.
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You’re right, rejection isn’t fatal but it sure can hurt for awhile. Usually when rejections get me down I take a break from writing and do other things. I know I’ll always come back to my writing and eventually I do. Sometimes it only takes a few days. Some of the worst rejections took a few weeks to bounce back from.
As for songs that lift me up, Smash Mouth’s All Star. “And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold”
I believe I can be that shooting star.
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Great post, Jenna. Sorry to hear about your bad luck. It’ll turn around. Like you, I listen to music to boost my spirits. I like Switchfoot’s Dare You To Move when I need the courage to submit, and I shame-facedly admit I like Miley Cyrus’s The Climb. Cage The Elephant’s Shake Me Down reminds me to keep my head up because the sun is still shining. I like Shinedown’s version of Simple Man and Kansas’s Carry On My Wayward Son.
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