Tayari's Blog: Take Some Advice from Soul II Soul
Posted by TayariJones on May 28, 2008 07:48 AM
Filed under
The Writing Life
Remember that song? Keep on moving/Don't stop/like the hands of time. It's track 1 on my rejection recovery CD. I am posting a version of it today in honor of all the folks who have emailed to say that Bread Loaf has sent out its rejection letters. At least six friends didn't get in this year. I am giving the same message to everyone. IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.
Rejections happen. Rejections hurt. And I am not saying that it wouldn't have been fabulous for you to have been accepted with a scholarship. It would have been a great experience, but not being admitted does not mean that your writing is not good, that your book is not important. (Just think about the way you evaluate other people's work. Would you say Gee, I thought this book was really good until I found out the author didn't get into Bread Loaf!)
I was rejected from Bread Loaf three times before I was admitted with a juicy fellowship. Just think about that. Three times, I wasn't good enough to get in, but then, *bam*, a fellowship? You have to know there is a certain randomness there. Another example: Three times I wasn't even chosen as a runner-up for the Hurston/Wright Award. I looked at their yearly rejection as the antidote to my New Year's optimism. Then, in 2000, *bam*, first prize. The year before when I sent excerpts from the same novel, *goose egg*.
So, to all of you that got the thin envelope from Bread Loaf yesterday, have yourself some ice cream. You can email me and I'll send you a cyber hug. Then, get back to your desk. You have important work to do.
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There are 5 comments on "Take Some Advice from Soul II Soul". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by jamey ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
oh dear. i'm out of town. i will NOT call my neighbor and ask him to check. i will. NOT...
May 28, 2008 09:26 AM
Comment #2, by jamey
oh dear. i'm out of town. i will NOT call my neighbor and ask him to check. i will. NOT...
May 28, 2008 09:27 AM
Comment #3, by Judy
I don't know how others feel, but it does me so much good to hear you admit to your rejections. A wonderful writer like you getting turned down three times for the Hurston/Wright award. I remember when you first told us that. I somehow thought the first time you submitted -- wham!
Silly me, but I was so dejected when they turned me down, even though I know that rejection is just a fact of a writer's life. Somehow though, it feels so much better to hear from you about it.
Thanks for being so honest with us. It really means a lot! I'd keep trying even without your blog, but it feels so good having you around to soften the blows!
May 28, 2008 11:30 AM
Comment #4, by Michael Fischer
Here's one of my favorite discussions on rejection; I try to read this as often as possible:
May 28, 2008 02:43 PM
Comment #5, by Judy
Excellent, Michael! Thanks for sharing.
May 28, 2008 08:32 PM