I happened upon this 2010 post from the blog of Shawn L. Bird, which I have been following for several months. I love how time has made her able to accept rejection letters with such equanimity.
I chose not to send my music compositions to publishers as a young adult because I felt I would be too discouraged by rejection to keep on trying. Now, in my fifties, changing to writing essays and poetry instead of music, I am able to send things out and get rejection letters without letting it stop me from writing and submitting again.
I admit, though, it would nice to get an acceptance every once in a while.
Maybe next time…
In the May 20th blog entry, “Why I Love My Job” I told you that in grade 5 I switched my career goal from writing to teaching. I didn’t tell you why.
In grade 3 and 4, I was a writing star. I shared stories with my grade 3 class during show and tell, and I know I kept them on the edge of their seats with my brilliant prose. In grade 4 I won a Mother’s Day contest with a poem I’d written. My star was on fire. I had nothing but confidence in my skills as a writer.
In grade 5, I shared a poem I’d written with my school librarian, Mrs. Alex Harbottle , and she suggested I send it in to a magazine. She recommended a children’s poetry journal called Jabberwocky. I sent off my poem. In due course, I received a letter back…
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