I mentioned I have this plan laid out to hopefully get my name and work out to the public this summer. I’ve tweaked it a bit, but I’m still hoping to self-publish a short story collection and get some stories published in magazines. I’ve got my FB site up and I’m working on revamping my website. So things are good…

Mostly.

I’m trying really hard at this. Yet, I keep seeing all the other people who are doing it, too, and it’s really disheartening that “Yeah, you’re special alright, just like all the other people who are JUST. LIKE. YOU.” I’m trying very hard to make myself stand apart from all the other wannabe authors out there. I’m trying to get magazines and journals to publish my work, but I keep getting rejection letters…

It just gets very discouraging.

Today I came across this advice blog. It’s quite old (from 2010), but the content remains relevant.

The first bullet got me: “Don’t let yourself be intimidated by big dreams.” I really like that. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with how big my goals are that I think I’ll never “get there.” I have to remember that I can only get there by taking one step at a time. I have to set attainable goals first. I just think that phrase helps to refocus things.

I also came across this column about what to do when faced with so much rejection.

I send SO MUCH stuff to magazines and journals and, well, as you can see by my published work page, I rarely receive any acceptances! It really drags me down once in a while. I felt the above author, Holly McDowell, presented some good points, particularly the one about giving yourself permission to write.

A lot of times I feel like giving up after I receive a rejection letter. I think “What’s the point? I’m terrible.” I have to remember that that was one rejection letter. It’s okay that someone said “no” and that it doesn’t mean everything I write is terrible. It’s not a reflection on the rest of my writing, and it doesn’t mean I should stop.

Well, I figured I’d pass these along just in case anyone else needed some motivation as well. 🙂

Remember, you might feel down sometimes, and that’s okay, but don’t ever give up! Believe in yourself!