THOUGHTS ON THE BIG R
This week I've come across several blog posts on rejection, and a few nakedly honest messages on the ACFW e-loop. Rejection is something that's on my brain a lot recently too, so I wanted to add my thoughts.
Lately our family has been inundated with "stuff." I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that our lives became a vortex of yuck. During that particular week, I was certain the rejection I'd been waiting for would come, and by the timing of it I'd know beyond any reasonable doubt that my season for writing was finished. Daily I watched the in-box. Waited. Prayed.
And it didn't come.
Needless to say, I'm glad it didn't come in the midst of all the other things going on in our lives, but odds are it will at some point. When those rejections on my manuscripts hit, it's like a TKO to the head. And the heart. For days I might not pray, and when I do I explain to God that He just doesn't get it.
Then last week He spoke a truth to me I'll never forget. He DOES understand. He is perfect, loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, awesome in every conceivable way.
And still He is rejected daily. He is rejected by those He has loved with a perfect love, those He created, those He willing gave up His life for.
Jesus did not have an easy go of it, and neither will we. Doesn't make rejection hurt any less, but in my hurt (our hurt) we have someplace to go, to One who fully identifies with where we are. I pray that we can all persevere through the disappointments because they will come. Hopefully I can handle it better than in the past, and still have the desire to press on rather than deciding to take up pottery or some such thing.
My question to you: if you knew you'd never be published--or for you pubbed writers, that you'd never be published again--would you still commit the same time, dedication, and intense passion to your writing? Would it change what you do?
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The Sunday Salon March 4, 2012
52 minutes ago
15 comments:
That's a tough question. Honestly I don't think I could ever stay away from words, but I might take the writing in different directions, or use it in a different capacity, in the sense that if one door closes (publishing), another opens.
Oh wow! I agree with Joanne, that's a great question! I think I'd probably continue to enjoy and put my passion into my writing, but I wouldn't feel the need to put work into the platform-building aspect of writing. Does that make sense? In other words, my love of writing is really what motivates me to write. Publication is a wonderful byproduct. But I'd do it anyway!
Rejection stinks. But, it's made me a better writer. It's given me empathy. It's kept me humble. I don't ever consider a rejection God's way of telling me to quit. Instead, it's his way of saying, "You still have something to learn before I grant you this."
Have a wonderful weekend!
I think anyone involved in a creative occupation has these thoughts. And rejection is so subjective. What one person doesn't like, another loves. I was once told by a high level instructor I should take up knitting. Want some ice for that burn, Ceej? So "Use the talents you possess for the world would be very silent if no birds sang except the best." I don't know the attribute of the quote. And another source of inspiration: the late Harry Chapin's "Mr Tanner"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fkir9alzA
Beautiful post and insight. I would definitely still write, but maybe not push myself so hard or study the craft as much as I do, or worry about putting myself out there so when I do get published people will recognize me. I think there'd be a whole lot less stress and pressure on me!!
That's such a hard question. I'm not sure what my answer would be. I do love writing. I love the writers I've met online and in real life. It's something I'm passionate about.
But if I couldn't share it with others -- well, it would be really hard to keep spending so much time on it.
Georgiana, faced this a couple of years ago, during a run, when God slammed me with this question:
"Could you not do it for Me, dear one? Would it not be enough?"
Thus my moniker of writing for the Audience of One.
Sometimes easy to say but hard to implement.
GREAT GREAT post.
Thank you for the reminder!!
I would still spin stories, but like Gina, I don't think I would push as hard...and yet, if I didn't push hard, would the highs be as high or the lows as low?
Great insight by everyone. I'm a little of all of it, I think. It's certainly daunting, but I love what Erica said about the highs and low. Sometimes in life, our greatest pain brings the deepest joy in Christ.
To give an odd example, when I was pregnant, I had bad cramps in my first trimester. For weeks they'd come and go, and everyone told me it was implantation cramping, nothing to worry about it. But it HURT, many times bringing me to my knees in the living room floor in the middle of the night. Hubby would be asleep, and I'd curl up on the living room floor in the dark and just ask Jesus to sit with me. I had one of the most poignant, tangible feelings of peace in that moment than I'd ever had in my entire life. I cry now, just remembering and typing this. It made the pain worth it. And while rejection isn't physical pain, it's heart pain, and that's just as sharp. But if we allow Jesus the chance to comfort us, it's worth it.
I'm way too commmitted at this point to give up writing. If I didn't get contracts again for several years I'd question, sure, and cry, sure and maybe redirect a little, but I don't think I would ever truly give up completely. I'm too convinced this is what God wants me to do.
That is a tough question. The right answer would be 'yes' I would. I'm thankful that I'm not all knowing- God can handle that much better than me.
This is a lovely post.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your thoughtful comments. I've read them several times as I consider my own answer. Truly, not knowing is probably better, and maybe it's the spark of hope that I'll one day get to share that keeps me going. Yes, I'd probably still write, but scaled back on the time factor.
I think I would still write. Maybe not everyday, but most everyday. I have this passion burning. Writing quenches the burning. It's where I want to be. Creating characters, making up worlds. I love it. =)
Thank you for the visit and follow. I look forward to getting to know you. Happy writing and have a wonderful weekend.
If I knew I'd never be published...
Would I write? YEP!
Would I write as much? NOPE!
I agree with Patti totally about our audience of One. Jesus is who I write for. But... I also ask him to give me words to write too,s o he kinda already knows the story so I'm not writing a story to him, ha!
I'm writing because I want to use my talent for him, to impact lives with what I write, and I think to do that, you need to be published.
So I would still write, because it's in me, but my purpose, my goals, the amount of time I spend on it, would shift. It'd become a hobby vs a calling. It'd become something a tad more selfish, therapy for ME.
At the moment though, I DON'T know if I'll be published. But I DO know that GOd has called me to write in this season, and write I shall!
More great answers! Thanks, ladies :D I really am chewing on these as I look to the future. Spent a bit of time at the keyboard today, and it is quite refreshing.
I love it when the Lord reminds me of Himself. Recently I got a similar confirmation "Jess, I see"!
Wow, how could I forget?
On writing, Gina (writer interrupted)and I were just talking about this. If I strip everything ME away from my writing, what's at the core of my passion is always a conversation with my Jesus! If I could just stay that way all the time, now THAT would be something! :)
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