Another day, another rejection letter….. all signs of good things to come.

Perhaps this sounds vaguely familiar: You mailed off your manuscript with great confidence, hope and much anticipation. It's by far your best work yet and bound to be published. You're thinking, "This is going to be the one!" You can picture it now. Soon you will receive that call from the publisher, a huge advance and a movie deal. You can just feel it! This is your time! You've worked so hard and soon you will reap all the rewards.

That "soon" did come and It came in the form of a rejection letter. Another rejection letter and it was dated only 2 days after the publisher received it. That was really fast for a publishing house right? How could they have made a decision that quickly? Has there been a mistake?

As those hot tears start to roll down your face, remember this: this is part of the process. Part of being a writer is being rejected. Part of the refining process. Just as the refining process filters out the imperfections in metal, rejection is something the majority of writers go through. In fact, most writers aren't accepted on the first attempt. Not even J.K. Rowling was immune to rejection.

Every writer had to start somewhere. We were all infant writers at one time. I'm sure if you talk to any of your favorite authors, they will admit their first drafts were terrible! The Great Wall of China wasn't built in a day. Neither was the Great American Novel. Take this opportunity to work on your craft, find your writing voice, refine your writing style and get rid of imperfections. Chet Cunningham was devastated when his first article was rejected. He picked himself up and said he was just going to keep on writing novels until he learned how. He has now written and published over 300 books. He is such a great example of endurance and tenacity!

So when you get that rejection letter, don't despair! You are one rejection letter closer to getting published! Let yourself feel down, rejected, a big fat loser… for a little bit. Then pick yourself up with renewed hope and vigor, learn from your mistakes, hone your skills, come back stronger and with more determination. Prove them wrong! Show them you are a GREAT writer. Someday it will be your time!