Rejection Reaction Poll

[j_cheney]

Several friends of mine have been having the blows coming in hard and heavy recently, so rejection hs been on my mind. We often can't predict how we'll feel when it hits. And needless to say, some people are better psychologically suited to handle rejection than others (which can be said about telemarketing, as well) and they deal with it more easily, letting it just slide off their backs (duck/water analogy there for anyone who missed it.)

So,
[Poll #1255972]

Any brilliant panaceas out there for wounded spirits?

Comments

[maryrobinette.livejournal.com]

I also save the rejections to papier mache into whatever project I'm working on. Why waste paper?

[reudaly.livejournal.com]

I rant for a short period of time, eat some ice cream, then send it back out. Occasionally I rewrite, but rarely and after SEVERAL rejects.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I love it!! Now we know what the dog's head is covered in ;o)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

My path is similar, only strewn with fig newtons.

[maryrobinette.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah! I think that one has an F&SF in it.

[lisamantchev.livejournal.com]

I needed an option like this: feel smooshed with disappointment, indulge in something chocolatey, and send the story out to the next market.

A few years back, there would have been tears, too. And ranting. But not so much anymore.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Let me see if I can adjust the poll....BRB

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Darn, can't change it! ::shakes ffist at LJ::

I don't think I've cried in a while, but I have been there.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Snork!!

Nice white paper... ;o)

[lisamantchev.livejournal.com]

I had such TENDER FEELINGS in the beginning. Now I think my writerly skin is more like elephant hide!

[janni.livejournal.com]

More like a few days than one hour (and it can be longer if there's not a clear market), but the basic principle remains. I get a day or so to mope, then back out it goes.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

You are most wise (and self-controlled)!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I'm still working on mine ;o)

[lisamantchev.livejournal.com]

Constant process!

[stonetable.livejournal.com]

Too bad this wasn't multiple choice!

I generally:
* Report to RA & Duotrope
* Print out the rejection and stick it to my bulletin board
* Resubmit the story within a day or two

I've been lucky to get some pretty specific feedback on a few stories. In those cases, if I strongly agree with the comments, I'll hold on to it for a little bit and make some revisions. Otherwise, back into the wild it goes.

[tatterdamelion.livejournal.com]

My last rejection gave me no option but to blink with incredulity. I believe it was the disparaging comment about it being "relentlessly depressing."

Um, it was kind of about the end of the world. It can't all be hugs and puppies. That particular rejection letter has been added to the file of "special" rejections.

[pabba.livejournal.com]

I sigh a lot, both internally and outwardly.

[aliettedb.livejournal.com]

I generally do several things, but it does depend on story/market. A really snarky rejection will have me complaining to whomever happens to be handy (usually the BF :) ), and consume some kind of comfort food (dry fruit/crisps/anything I can get my hands on).

I also take a sadistic pleasure in crumpling the rejection into the wastepaper basket (where it will be recycled into, er, something useful :) )

I'm a great believer in the "the more stories I have out, the fewer rejections I'll actually notice," so I do try to keep my stories out (this, alas, doesn't work for novels...)

[reudaly.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fig fan.

Though there have been Oreos.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I have one that I got this week-end, but after some comments, I need to tweak a bit and do market research...so maybe Wednesday for that one. ;o)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

"relentlessly depressing" huh? Ow...

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Yes, and the novels eat into the short story time, too...

I wish I could add the 'crumpling rejection' option to the poll. I like it!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I recently got an editorial suggestion not to use the word 'sigh' in a certain spot becasue it was 'too emotional'...

I kind of think of it as an all-purpose reaction myself.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Ick! (Not an orea fan, believe it or not)

[reudaly.livejournal.com]

It takes all kinds to keep Nabisco and Keebler in business.

As long as the cookies aren't gone, there won't be any rioting.