After a month of poetry during NaPoWriMo it’s back to business. This year I enrolled or rather clubbed three challenges- the A to Z Challenge, Blogchatter’s A2Z and NaPoWriMo. It was a bad idea. I did not have the time and energy to read blogs from all three challenges and I was mostly looking for poetry/fiction/personal stories. Though I made sure to visit back, I mostly read those who were on the NaPoWriMo list. So, this is one lesson I will carry with me into next year. Maybe not plunge into so many challenges. On the whole, it was a wonderful learning period. I am glad that I participated in it.
And now for this month’s IWSG question. It’s the best of times; it’s the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?
When I read the question, I didn’t have to think hard about my writer lows. Rejections, what else? In the month of April I received one acceptance (from Tell Me Your Story) which features my story ‘The Myth of the Shrew’ in their issue ‘Disobedient Girls’. Another story, ‘Escaping Maya’ made it to the SIFFC-16 Longlist. I was elated. But more than these acceptances, what weighed heavy on my heart was the rejection of three of my poems sent for ‘The Yearbook of Indian Poetry’. It was very disheartening because I had been looking forward to this one acceptance as a huge validation of my writing, considering their impressive jury. And while I’m determined to try again next year, this is one low I haven’t been able to overcome even after one month. The two acceptances, for some reason, faded away and this one rejection seems to be standing tall. So yes, my writer lows are certainly the rejection days.
For the writer highs, it took me a while to think. Even though getting published, getting a yes always feels good or even a kind word from a fellow reader/writer is great, I am most satisfied after I finish writing a piece and have pressed the submit button. It’s like swimming back to the shore. When you dive into a story/poem, you don’t know how long it will take, you’re not sure if it’ll turn out fine, you don’t even know if you’ll be able to take it to the end. So, once you reach there, it feels sort of surreal. I think, for me as a writer, that’s the best moment.
Gratitude to IWSG for helping me analyze my writing journey every month with their questions. Gives me a perspective, helps me understand my relation with writing. If you wish to join, please visit here.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon! Do visit them and show some love.
Thank you for stopping by. Happy Writing!
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For me rejections can both be a high or a low. A standard, obvious template rejection is a low. But a rejection that delves a bit more on why it was rejected with some constructive criticism and a bonus looking forward to future submissions is a definite high.
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First of all congratulations, dear Sonia for all the wonderful ‘acceptances’. It’s heartening to hear.
I know we have not been conditioned well enough to deal with rejections; and most of us take it personally. But I can’t really say much about this, as I haven’t been there all that much. (still to submit my work to different places). But I try and draw inspiration from authors like Liz Gilbert, JK Rowling who were rejected a thousand times before they made it big.
You write like a dream and I wish you many accolades.
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Thanks so much Natasha. This means a lot.
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You said, ”When you dive into a story/poem, you don’t know how long it will take, you’re not sure if it’ll turn out fine, you don’t even know if you’ll be able to take it to the end. So, once you reach there, it feels sort of surreal. I think, for me as a writer, that’s the best moment.”
I say: so well figured out.
Oh my, Sonia, did you say three challenges? I couldn’t… that takes determination. You have that. And I know by your words during NaPo. I read at least half of your lovely posts. Mesmerized.
You’re already doing so much. Remember that when the rejections taunt you. Chase those away with a satisfied smile and tell them Selma loves you. All the best my sweet. Stay the course. Here’s wishing you miracles. xoxo
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Selma this is so much ❤️ thank you so much!
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Rejection always hits hard! Especially when we become so used to everyone telling us what wonderful writers we are. I remember how hard hit I was by my first rejection…kept moping for days. But then I sat down and had a hard look at what motivates me to write. I write foremost for myself. When I share here, it is heartening to know if it resonates. But I take praise with a pinch of salt. And since being published was never a motive to write, I have stopped sending out poems. I know that is chickening out 😊 but I am okay with that.
Writing for three challenges is not difficult but catching up with other bloggers leaves one with a feeling of guilt.
I so enjoyed reading your posts, Sonia, and I am grateful you gound time to read mine. ❤️
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No it isn’t chickening out at all! Maybe I’ll do that too after a while. It’s just like I reach a crescendo and then I’m like, now what? But until I reach there, I think I’ll keep pestering myself.
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I totally get that! That “now what” keeps nagging. Do keep sending out. You write beautifully and your words should reach a wider audience. ❤️
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You did so well with so many challenges 🙂
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Three challenges and two acceptances. That’s pretty impressive girl. I understand that one rejection looming large..keep trying ..you will make it next time.
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Thanks Ruchi💐
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Hi Sonia, So much of what you said resonated with me. First, congratulations on completing three challenges. I’m not sure how many posts you did not read but I’m so grateful that you managed to read all my poems. Thank you for that.
As humans, we want so much that we tend to focus on our failures than rejoice in our successes. It’s natural. But, over the last four years, since I started sending my work out, I have learnt the art of not moving on- it’s called survival :). There’s only so much the poor heart can take. So, enjoy the two acceptances 🙂
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I get that. Thank you so much Smitha💐
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Sonia, you certainly bit off a lot in April. I’m amazed that you had time to enter WEP’s challenge. Thank you.
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True Denise. I surprised myself😀😀
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Man, I scarcely have time to blog once a month. I don’t know how you handled taking on three challenges. My hat’s off to you.
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Haha. Thank you. They were all clubbed.
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Three challenges was certainly a lot but you did a great job. And I loved what you said about the IWSG – that their questions help us to examine our writing journey. Thanks for visiting my blog during the A to Z Challenge,Sonia.
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Thanks to you Kalpana💐
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Three challenges – wow! That’s a lot of energy. Congrats on your acceptances! It’s really tough to not let the not-yet-accepted pieces weigh one down. I don’t really struggle with that, as I don’t pursue traditional publishing.
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I liked that not-yet-accepted . Sounds so much better. Thank you.
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Interesting that submitting is the moment for you. But it does signify a big success – a finished and polished story!
Two acceptances is still really cool.
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Thanks Alex!
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I think some rejections hit harder than others. The best way to come out of one of those tailspins is to write something else.
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Yes Liz. Just working on another submission now. Thank you.
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For some reason, our failures always weigh heavier on our minds than our successes. We’re always more ready to believe a statement like “I’m a loser” than we’re to believe “I’m a winner.” I think we should change that attitude. We’re winners, all of us, writers. Just because we can write, not because some dude somewhere decided that we are good enough to publish in his magazine.
You write – therefore you’re a winner. Don’t you ever forget that.
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Olga thank you so much for writing all of this. It’s so so encouraging.
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Yes. It’s a thrill to finish the first draft.
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Thank you Anna.
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It’s been so long since I’ve tried to submit anything for publication that I don’t really think that much about it. The few times I did I got rejections, but it didn’t send me into any sort of low. I don’t think I invested enough emotionally into my writing then or now. I could probably use more passion about the writing.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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Maybe that’s the best approach Arlee. Thank you.
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I only did A-Z once and it was great – but impossible to keep up with the blogs I wanted to visit. I can’t even imagine attempting 3 like you did!! Impressive.
Rejection always hits harder than success. I think we must be wired that way. We need to update our wiring systems to celebrate those good times!
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So well put Jemi. I agree. We need to rewire ourselves
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Congrats on your successes. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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Thank you
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Being involved in three challenges seems like a lot. It’s good you realized it’s too much so you don’t do it again. Congrats on your submissions being accepted. Don’t let the rejections overshadow your wonderful news.
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Agree. Thank you for being here
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