Get Back in that Saddle

Today I’ve had two honorable mentions in short story comps and was shortlisted in October’s micro fiction comp with Globe Soup.

But also today; I didn’t make shortlist for a poetry comp.

This year, I’ve developed a new relationship with rejections. I used to think it meant I wasn’t very good, but actually, it just means, ‘not this time, sunshine!’

Of course it gets to me on one level, i’m only human and love to play my tiny violin every now and again, but it doesn’t make me want to give up anymore; it actually makes me more determined.

It’s taken me a while to get there, but I believe in myself as a writer. The fact that ‘I didn’t make it this time’ could be down to so many factors, it’s not even worth trying to second guess them. Maybe my peice isn’t quite ready yet and needs another edit, or maybe it just wasn’t the right place or judge for those words at that time.

If you give up after the first rejection, or the second or the third, fourth or fifth, you’ll never know.

I always tell my stained glass students that mistakes are good. They’re part of the learning process and help you to improve. Writing is just the same.

When you do eventually get a shout out, even if it takes years, it’s such an honour, it’s worth the agonising wait.

So, if you don’t get on that shortlist, do read the ones that did. Then dust yourself off, cowboy, pack that tiny violin back in your panniers and get right back in that saddle.