Rejection: My story sucks the big one.
Chirpy Reflection: Now come on! (And darling, don’t revert to teen speak when you are in your thirties, it isn’t becoming.) There could be many reasons why your story wasn’t right this time, and it isn’t necessarily that your story… ahem… that your story isn’t the best it can be. But use this time – do you have doubts about your story? If so work on them! If you are satisfied that this story is the best ever then send it out again.
Rejection: My life is a big fat pile of poo.
Chirpy Reflection: No it isn’t!
Rejection: Yes it is.
Chirpy Reflection: No it… actually let’s not go there. A rejection isn’t the end of the world. The sky is still blue, the birds still sing. Understand it is not personal. I know you are eager to get on and sometimes it feels like life is on hold (while the years tick on, how does that work eh?) but everyone who is anyone goes through this stage. Look at JK Rowling…
Rejection: Please, please don’t tell me Harry Potter was rejected umpteen times before it was taken on. I know that story. I’ve injected that story to my veins. Please, no more. Leave me to wallow.
Chirpy Reflection: No can do I’m afraid. The lovely JK isn’t the only author to be rejected a few times before being published. Look darling, it happens. It means you are on your way. It doesn’t make everything in life a turd during the process, trust me.
Rejection: Why don’t they like me?
Chirpy Reflection: Honey, what did I say up there? It’s not personal, sweetheart, they don’t know you. If they met you they’d think you were the bee's knees. As it is, revise your query. Read it over again – anything you’d change? Now is your chance – take it with both hands! If you believe in it as it is, jump back on the merry-go-round. Besides, the right place for your story is out there. Make sure everything is ready for when that day arrives.
Rejection: I hate waiting, I hate it!
Chirpy Reflection (solemnly): The best things in life are worth waiting for. And don’t throw your pen at me.
65 comments:
Haha, this is great! Thanks :)
Will you come and live with me?
A very wise post Jayne- if at first you don't triumph, keep trying. Mary Poppins would be very proud.
Bahahahaha!! I think I need a Chirpy reflection... PRONTO!
This was so super funny, I'm still chuckling!
THE BEST PART:
Darling, don’t revert to teen speak when you are in your thirties, it isn’t becoming.
LOL, What a riot!! Thanks for the pick me up :)
LOL! Way too cute.
I needed your chirpy reflection a couple weeks ago when I got another rejection for a short. It stings, right? But, listen to your reflection -- she's got the right attitude!!!
Thinking of you :)
Great post :-) Have you actually sent your query out yet? Or is this fear and anticipation talking?
Heh...I know the feeling :D I want to be published NOW! Thanks for the calming reminders to stick with it.
XD
If your book is anything like your blog, I predict you will soon be published. I love reading your posts, and this was especially nice, since I got a rejection this week!
Funny, funny but also very, very wise. You rock, girl!
LOL! thanks for the chuckle.
Great post! very witty. I agree with your reflection keep going girl. This is just your waiting time.
Madeleine x
I'm older and use teen speak!
Keep going, one rejection, more to come. This is what it's about and one day (in the near future) you'll be published. Chin up. :)
LOL, awesome! While reading this I had a British accent in my head. Seriously!
Oh I do so hope Rejection got Chirpy Reflection. And I hope Rejection didn't end with just the pen either.
:-)
But once Chirpy Reflection gets the tcp out and bandages her wounds, Rejection will realise that CR was making a lot of sense too - just that CR shouldn't be so chirpy about them is all!
Take care
x
How absolutely delightful! Reading this, I'm certain you WILL be published one day. As Chirpy would said: Patience (is a virtue). Okay, okay. Enough!
So glad I stopped by. This made my day.
Ann
LOL, very cute!
I loved the "Chirpy Reflection" aspect. Keep your chin, we are all cheering for you. :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I would've thrown the pen!
Indeed. A rejection should always be met with a stern, scientific rejection of the rejection, signed by the entire board of management and including grounds for rejection, e.g insufficiently trenchant rejection, poor quality of writing paper on which rejection was printed, wrong day of week for receipt of rejections.
Very very funny and cool. I need a Chirpy Reflection with me at all times-I'd get more done. Unless I 'accidentally' broke the reflection...could she curse me?
Chin up! She's right, you know. Fingers crossed for you!
Oh we are all in this together and many if not most of us who read your blog are also getting those rejections and yes they stink. But don't let the form rejections or the it's just not for me rejections bother you. They are a dime a dozen and we all need to be hardened to them as soon as we send out that first query.
Once they start biting - if the rejections come then on the partials and the fulls - then - just say what can I tweak? What did I wish could have been better?
I think that is where the real revision starts and the place the is most vulnerable.
Hang in there. And if these are pre-query jitters - well -you got that dialogue down pat.
Hey, Jayne, listen to your Chirpy Reflection, because most authors don't get their stories accepted right away.
I got my first rejection letter some time ago and I'm still reworking my writing skills.
So, just try again and again, don't quit and you'll eventually get published!
Write on!
Isn't it odd how the chirpy response has a time delay. It knows it has to say it but really it just wants to wallow too ;)
LOL. "Don't throw your pen at me." That's so great! I feel the same way about writing. It's such a love hate relationship!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! This is hilarious (not the rejection part, the Mary Poppins part)! You nailed the voice. Well, the writing. My head nailed the voice. What a great idea to roll her out when you're feeling down. Just a spoon full of her helps the rejection go down. Okay, I'll stop now.
You guys are my Chirpy Reflection! You just make sure your CR keeps on keeping you going.
LOL I needed this!! Today! THis morning!! I am laughing out loud!! Especially since I woke and decided I suck at writing, the editor hates my work and I am giving it up!!
BTW, it is so nice to meet you too and thank you for coming by my blog!!
I don't know which I like better, your chirpy reflection or the fact that you used a photo from Mary Poppins. Wonderful!
Wow! I've had all those feelings. Just when I feel like giving up and tell myself I can't write, something nice happens. Like a personal note from an agent or editor with a bit of helpful and encouraging advice. It's enough to push me through the next down slump.
You know what? I saw a humming bird in my garden this morning. It's the first I've ever seen. I had convinced myself that humming birds weren't in my area, no matter what those birding books says. But this morning I finally saw one. A humming bird in my garden, I'm taking it as a good omen!
Great Post, Jayne. Can I borrow the mirror? Have a nice weekend!
LOVE this! Perfect. Thank you.
It's so funny how many of those I have heard before.
LMAO! What a great post. I especially enjoyed the "My story is a big fat pile of poo" line. I've felt that way a time or two myself.
I found your blog on KarenG's bbq blog party. I'd love it if you stopped by and said hello. Enjoy your weekend!
Hi, Jayne! I popped over from Karen's blog BBQ to say hello. I'm sorry I haven't been to visit in a while. Hope you're doing well. :-)
I love Chirpy! Joining in from the BBQ and great to meet you!
LOL, I've said most of these things. Mostly to myself but nevertheless, I needed the pep talk. :D
.
Haha! I love this. I'm going to talk to my chirpy reflection shortly! Very sound advice!! ;)
I have a special something on my blog for you - please do bring your chirpy reflection over to collect it!
Talei ;) x
If only we could snap our fingers to change our query into exactly what an agent or editor wanted.
Love your post and blog.
I can't get "Just A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down" out of my head.
I definitely need that mirror!
Thanks for popping by - super to *meet* you!
Wonderful post, I love all the Chirpy Reflection comebacks.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog posts.
I've met Chirpy Reflection. She's too damn happy for her own good :P
I think that's why I've never had the cojones to be a writer. Rejection is too hard on me lol. That's why I prefer blogging...
Hi Jayne, Great post and blog! Over from the BBQ and Angie's. Nice to meet you!
I love Chirpy Reflection, she's very sensible. Mine is as pessimistic as I am ...
I love Chirpy Reflection, she sounds very sensible. I wish mine was that optimistic ...
Bugger, I thought the first one hadn't posted!
I like listening to the chirpy voice. I can be too easily convinced to curl into the fetal position and go to sleep, which is not at all productive. Get thee away from me rejection!
Lee
Tossing It Out
Glad to meet you, BBQ buddy!
thanks for stopping by my blog and oh my stars and garters how many more mirrors do you have left to give out? am intrigued
Hey Jayne,
Great blog. Can't wait to read more. And, your bio rocks!! Glad the other was just a passing Cat Fancy.
Patti
This was great, Jayne! It's so true that those rejections can take us dark places. If you figure out a way to put Chirpy Reflection in pill form, you would make a bundle.
Oh boy, I've got so many chirpy reflections and the ones I think I know for sure are true are the ones that aren't true in other's eyes. Of course these are the rejections that no one even gets a chance to reject, they are under the bed.
I needed a little bit of chirp today--I'm ill with the yuckies. Great post! :D
Hiya, I heard you metion fizz at the BBQ? Nice to meet you!
So cute! And I'm going to be chirpy and say, it's going to happen. Don't despair. Keep writing. You are awesome. I'm glad you're my friend. Here have some cookies. Or in your native tongue biscuits. With chocolate chips.
Yep, we could all do with a chirpy reflection...but perhaps in small doses or there'll be too many pens thrown!
thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
Melody – glad you liked!
Piedmont Writer – can I bring my two cats?
Kim – I think she’d tell me to pull my socks up!
Jen – Thanks for telling me your best part! So glad you liked it.
Maria – Thank you!
Nicole – Rejections always sting, no matter for what. But chirpy attitude is undefeated! Thanks – thinking of you too!
Eliza – Have sent my query, although fear and anticipation each have a perch on my shoulders.
Giles – The waiting kills me. But I am told it is a necessary part of world domination.
Elizabeth – Aw thank you. That is so kind of you. I am glad this post gave you a smile this week.
Kittie – You rock, too!
Ann – Glad it made you chuckle.
Madeleine – Wise advice, thank you. Waiting time sounds so much better already.
A Certain book – Aw thank you. You are so right. I’ll keep my chin up!
Laura – Glad you heard this with a British accent!
Old Kitty – Hee! I try to get Rejection (or rather Down in the Dumps) to be pally with Chirpy Reflection these days, as much as she can bear anyway! Chirpy makes a lot of sense. So much nicer to see the world as her!
Ann – Aw, that is so nice of you. I really hope so. And yes Chirpy does say patience is a virtue, in-between ducking pens.
Donna – Glad you liked!
Jules – Aw, that’s great! Thank you SO much for cheering for me.
Alex – I often throw the pen. But Chirpy remains undaunted.
Mise – Love it! I have sent your comment to my board of management, and they will affix frowns so as to look severely into the matter. Thank you for bringing this option to my consideration.
The Words Crafter – No, she’d just pop up elsewhere. Chirpy is always undefeated. She has a chirp for all occasions, bless her.
Ariel – Thank you, sound advice. I’ll stay hanging!
Vatche – Aw thank you – will do!
Elaine – There is a small self-pity bug that likes to wallow, but Chirpy doesn’t let it have centre stage for too long.
Carolyn – It is a love/hate thing… a compelling vocation. Like a moth to a flame sometimes.
Jennie – Hee! So glad I got the voice right for you. Mary Poppins is a wonderful role model – imaginative, up-beat and never defeated!
Angela – Aw! Chirpy does her best.
Terri – This sounds like it was a timely post for you! So glad it gave you a giggle.
Melanie – As soon as I thought of this post I had Mary Poppins in mind.
Shellie – A humming bird in your garden is definitely a good omen! Thank you for popping by.
Rachna – Of course you can borrow the mirror!
Summer – Glad you liked!
Krista – Glad you liked too!
David – Just shows we are all in the same boat.
Lisa – I am so glad you liked it. I think everyone feels like this sometimes.
Shannon – No worries!
Laura – Glad you liked it!
Hannah – I often give myself stern pep-talks and then console myself with chocolate.
Talei – Ooo a present? Love award presents – I am so there already!
Suzie – Oh that would be perfect! Snap the job is done. Oh if only!
Rachel – You can borrow it anytime.
Claire – She has a comeback for all occasions, that one.
Kyna – Rejection is the pits! But hope springs eternal.
Marguerite – Nice to meet you too!
Karen – Hee! No worries, blogger plays up with me too. Give Chirpy a try – unleash your inner Chirp!
Arlee bird – Love that line!
Samantha – Glad to meet you too!
Joanna – A Chirpy Reflection mirror is all yours.
Patti – Aw thank you!
Hart – If only I could think of a way to bottle Chirpy! But she is as free as a bird.
Linda – I too have Stuff That Lurks Under the Bed. I try not to let it escape too often.
Brenda – Wish you better!
Mimi – A fellow fizz lover! Nice to meet you too.
KarenG – Your BBQ is a blast. Thanks for the chirpy thoughts, and I am glad you are my friend too. And biscuits with chocolate chips? Friend for life.
SF – I know what you mean. No wonder I keep stepping on pens!
haha-- this is so funny!! and ain't it the truth, jayne -- don't we all feel this way sometimes.....
I found you at the BBQ. I brought a yummy Blueberry-Lime Tiramisu. You can find the recipe on my blog.
www.christydorrity.com
Hee hee, what a great post! And isn't Karen's BBQ Blog Party fun? :-)
Chirpy Reflection is very becoming of any aspiring writer. I love that you tuned into Mary Poppins in a most precocious way. This post has been supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus!
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