One of the hardest things writers have to do is to share what they’ve written. Once you do, you are opening up yourself to criticism—not always easy to take. Usually, when you are ready to share your writing, whether with a friend, a critique group, or an editor, it’s because you feel the work is ready. You’ve done your best. Your mind says: Hey, this is pretty good! Sometimes people agree, but other times they see room for improvement.
It's so important to take that risk, though! It is your chance to get advice and, just maybe, make your writing even better.
Other times, someone will read your work and make no comment at all. This is especially true when you begin to submit your work to editors and agents. You will get some version of this: “Not right for my list.” This is called a form rejection. What does that mean exactly? It can mean lots of things. The editor does not care to work on non-fiction, or middle grade, or young adult, or historical fiction. The person you submitted to is already working with someone else on an insect book, or a book about middle school triplets, or a teen romance. Taking on your book would compete with what they already have. Or, they don’t like your writing. It’s too plain, too flowery, scientific, not scientific enough, etc. etc.
If you intend to become a published writer, you have to get used to being rejected. Finding just the right person to work with is hard!
This week, for example, I submitted one of my works-in-progress to some agents. Within 24 hours I got the “Not right for my list” reply from one agency. These days, the rejections can come pretty fast. Everything is done on-line. No waiting at the mailbox for replies. Busy agents and editors base their decisions on reading just 5 to 10 pages of your work. Unfair? Not at all! Readers pick books the same way, by scanning blurbs and reading a few pages. Agents and editors need to make up their minds just as quickly. But, like all readers, they are not the be -all and end -all. Readers, critics, friends, recommend books all the time. I’m sure you’ve started reading something and decided: nope, not for me. Doesn’t make the work bad. Maybe just not your taste.
It is said that crocodiles have the thickest skin in the world, able to withstand all kinds of injury. I’d argue that anyone who works in the arts might be a close second. If you intend to keep writing, painting, acting, composing, it is beneficial to develop a tough hide.
Keep at it. Write there!
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