I recently wrote a post for the Author Mentor Match newsletter (something you should really consider subscribing to, if you haven't already; you can do so by clicking here) about not self-rejecting, and thought I'd go ahead and put my thoughts down on my blog, as well. Because for us writers, I think this is a genuinely serious topic, in terms of writing, and any creative endeavor, really. As the title states: Do Not Self-Reject.
I know, I know--it sounds simple. But let me tell you, from a guy who's broken out in cold sweats during writing workshops, and literally trembled as he read a query in front of a college creative writing class, it's all too easy to proclaim your work insubstantial or unworthy, and pack it up before even giving it a chance. No matter what you think of your writing, you have to give yourself that chance and start putting it out there, at some point. Of course, that "some point" is up to you. After the first draft? Awesome. After the second? Just as well. After the fiftieth, when you've fine-toothed every word and line and feel there's nothing more you can do? Fantastic. Just make sure you get it out there. I've been writing since about second grade, I'd venture, though of course I never got serious about publication until around high school. And though it's scary, I keep putting myself out there. Look, I get it; in this age of technology, with so many contests and opportunities flying at you, it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's easy to drown in the success stories and feelings that getting anything--a "like" on a tweet during a contest, a query response that's not a rejection, admission into a writing program, and so on--is impossible. So why even try, right? But it isn't impossible. In fact, it's very possible. If you try, that is. If you take a breath, click send, and do not self-reject. Friends, don't let imposter syndrome tell you your writing sucks. Stand above it and yell in its face and do the thing. Because here's the thing: I'm not there yet, either. But I'm trying. And I won't stop trying. For all of us who aren't there yet, I ask that you do not self-reject. Your words and experiences mean more than you know. Give yourself that chance, and hit send.
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Miles McGuinnessYA writer traversing the path to publication. Archives
May 2021
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Photo used under Creative Commons from CarlH_