by: Mervyn Love

Don't you hate rejection slips? If they make you despondent,

then here's a way to deal with them: sock ‘em in the eye!

But first, you need to realise that the editor or publisher

who had the gall to send you this offensive missive is not

a vindictive, short-sighted, ignorant meanie, she's most

likely a hard working, underpaid and possibly over

stretched individual who might just have a reason for

sending your baby back.

So, if rejection slips bring on an attack of the grumps,

also realise that this is just a state of mind, a perfectly

natural one, but one which you personally can quickly and

easily turn back into a success story. How? Sock those

rejections in the eye.

"How do I do that, Merv.?" I hear you say above the sound

of wringing of hands.

Simple. What you have to do is show your inner man or woman

that you are not beaten, you are a writer and you will

continue to write. Rejection means not a sausage to you

and you are going to prove it.

Sit down there and then, before the postman has even vacated

the front path, take out your notebook and write 100 words

on why goldfish have short memories, or why mountains are

high, or any other inconsequential subject. Don't spend any

time thinking up a subject, just write anything. And 100

words will do, OK? We don't want to serialise it.

What you are doing is telling your inner person that if it

wants to make you miserable you're gonna sock it to him

and write something anyway. So there!

You'll feel all the better for it afterwards, and it won't

be long before you can take rejection slips with a pinch

of salt. I.e. philosophically. Which is the best way.