Rejection is a harsh word. Like a big stamp pounded onto the paper with red ink. But every word I’ve sent out in hopes of publishing has come back, unfortunately. That word floats down from the sender in hopes of landing softly, but even a delicate landing is felt. Earlier this year, my friend and I both received “unfortunatelies.” “Yay us!!!!!” She says, “We did a big thing!!!!!!!” I feel the delicate landing a little less because we did it together. And the thing we did is completely on-brand— I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m doing it. I did it. I sent it. It was received. They sent it back. It is more communication than if I’d never sent it at all.
I started 2023 declaring, “More words written down, and more words passed around.”
From where I sit at the end of 2023, I can say: I did the thing.
This year, rejections included:
an art fellowship
a short story contest (two different times, same story)
a pitch to an agent
Two essays
A poem (sort of)
But in the year of more words I:
attended a writer’s workshop
rejoined a creative writing community online
met some of that community in person
had three poems featured on social media
finished the rough draft of a potential book
led a writer’s workshop
lead a library writing group
attended a writer’s retreat
met the author who created the online space (see picture)
sent that short story out again
entered a different short story contest with a different short story
started writing here
Clearly, I am a sucker for words for the year. The ones emerging for me this year are anticipate and restore. In my writings here, I alluded to a time when I thought my pursuit of writing was a mistake. (see Lessons from Robins) I believe the last few years have been a restoration of sorts on this writing journey, and I anticipate what is to come. What will happen? There is only one way to find out.
Thanks for being on this journey with me. If you haven’t subscribed and want to receive more words in 2024 here is your chance. Happy New Year!
You've accomplished so much this year. Keep writing! I love getting the email that says you've uploaded something new. Your community will continue to grow in 2024!!!
Wow, your poem was spot on. Thank you for your vulnerability. Look at that amazing list of things you did this year!!!! This made me look at my own “unfortunatelies” of the year a little differently.
Can’t wait to read more from you in 2024.