Rejection is a natural part of the writing/publishing process.

Unfortunately, three of my stories have been rejected in the past two days. I've tried to be upbeat, but frankly, it's made me pretty depressed.

Since I've returned from the Peace Corps, I have been actively submitting my work. In the past three months I've submitted over 15 pieces, and have had 7 rejected, and am still waiting to hear on 8. The worst is when I have a story that I feel strongly about - have edited it and critiqued it - a story where there are lines that make me gleam, because they're so beautiful and en pointe. It's the worst because those editors can't see what's so special about that work. Of course, rather than getting down, I've got to believe that if it is a great piece then it's worth getting published. Maybe not by the first guy, or even the second, but eventually someone else will see what I've put into it.

This makes me think of when I was an editorial intern at a small publishing house. The majority of my work-day was spent reading manuscripts. Then I got to write opines on them to share with the editor (thus saving him from actually having to read the manuscript himself). Most of what I read was mediocre. A few pieces stood out as exceptional and unique, and I found myself falling into them, loving the characters, anticipating the twists and turns of the plot, rather than focusing on cutting them down. And then there were a few more pieces that were dreadful! The other interns and I would take turns reading aloud particularly bad sentences or metaphors.

"How can they possibly think they'll ever get published?" we'd say. Or, "What do they do for a living? Oh, they sell insurance. Huh, maybe they should stick with that!"

Pretty much all of the interns were aspiring writers or editors, and there seems to be an edge of jealousy or bitterness that seeps into our critiques. Not intentionally, but sub-consciously we envy that these people have actually completed a book and are ambitious enough to send it to a publisher. And, hell, it takes a lot to put yourself out there for criticism.

So that's the next thing that comes to mind when I receive a rejection letter. More likely than not, some intern or lowly editorial assistant is reading my story, jeering at it, rolling their eyes and sighing in exasperation. "Honestly," they say, "what is this girl thinking? Maybe she should go back to teaching in Africa."

Thinking like that doesn't do much for my self-esteem, so I tell myself that there are lots of good writers out there and we can't all get published. And I try to think of rejections as fuel for my creative process. They make me want to work harder.

And, once in a great while, along with the rejection I just might get a personal note of encouragement from the editor (which is an excellent sign!) For example, I have tried to get published with The First Line.com They publish quarterly and for each quarter there is a first line that you have to use for your story. I have tried four times, and have been rejected every time. BUT, this last time, the editor was thoughtful enough to include a personal note. He wrote: Hey, Courtney, it was nice to read you again. Your writing, as usual, is strong, and the story was good, just not great for this sentence. (You know, as I was reading this, I saw it as a ten minute play.) Keep sending them in, and, if you have some stories about your job in the PC (especially novella length), check out one of our other publications: www.workerswritejournal.com/overtime.

So, I'll keep sending them in.