4 Things Not to Do When You’re Rejected

Within a span of four weeks, I received rejection emails from three publications and two publishers. How did I react? I hid under my cozy blanket, warming myself with self-pity. I demanded attention from my husband, who spoiled me with countless cups of tea and hours of pep talks to make me feel better. I extracted cuddles and kisses from my son. I also poured out my heart to my pup, Kyle, who listened without offering advice. I tried to escape my reality by watching NCIS on Netflix.

And then, as I crashed and burned, I ran to God and asked Him to fix things for me.

I’m new to writing and publishing. I’m still figuring out how to get through a season of rejections but here are my thoughts on what not to do post-rejection.

Don’t Not Write

My confidence in my writing abilities took a back seat when rejections piled on. It was hard to go back to my laptop and craft mind-blowing sentences when I believed I was not good enough to be published. After spending a few days doing anything but writing—organizing my jewelry, sanitizing counter tops in my house, and trying to teach my dog to lip-read—I missed writing. I sat down and wrote an article on my own blog. Where I make the rules. Family and friends responded with gracious comments and feedback, and I started to think I was not a bad writer after all.

Write on your own blog to overcome a temporary setback in your confidence. And shamelessly promote the blog.

Don’t Not Tell Anyone

When an article of mine is accepted and published, I can’t stop sharing the news with everyone I know. But I’m silent about my rejections, not just on social media but even with close friends. I don’t want them to get the impression that I’m failing as a writer.

Except for my husband and son and my prayer partner, I rarely disclose to anyone when I get a polite email saying, “No, thanks.”

Last week, one such email hit my inbox just as I was entering the dentist’s office. When she asked me how my writing was going, I told her I got rejected for an article I had spent hours writing. I’m not sure what she thought of me, but I was relieved. Maybe she thought I was a bad writer, or maybe she thought I was going through a bad phase. I don’t know. But the thought occurred to me that she might have pity on me and drop the $$$ she’s charging to extract my wisdom tooth!

Tell a friend or even an acquaintance about your rejection. Announce it on social media. Who knows how a friend’s comment might give you a fresh perspective on the situation and lift your spirits!

Don’t Not Expect Rejections

Rejections are to writers what fuel is to cars or rockets. They launch us forward and help us become better writers. As long as we want to keep writing and publishing, rejections will keep coming, whether from editors, publishers, or readers.

When I worked as a Quality Manager for a hotel many suns ago, I learned that a complaint from a hotel guest is a gift. It’s an opportunity to look for flaws in processes and products and improve them to better serve our guests. The same perspective can be applied to writing. At the end of the day, rejections force us to work hard until our writing sings so that we can better serve our readers.

Accept rejections as growing pains. Expect to get better and stronger.

Don’t Not Pray

It is tempting to try everything else before I take my problems to God. I try to fight this urge to wander. But when I go to God first with my insecurities and fears, He reminds me of my identity in Christ and equips me to face rejection with the right mindset. Spending time with God allows me to go back to the basics of my calling as a writer. Why do I write? To be published and pursue fame, or to serve my readers and glorify God? Prayer helps me align my heart with God’s will. It helps me reinforce my belief in His sovereignty. He knows what’s best for me and He’s working in me to refine my faith.

Soak your writing and rejections in prayer. In God’s presence, you will regain perspective and find guidance for next steps and fresh ideas for writing.

I must admit that I take rejections personally, especially when they all come at once. Though I’m learning how not to deal with rejections, I know deep down that God blessed me with the ability to write. And I want to be faithful to my calling. So, two days ago, I submitted an almost 2000-word essay to a magazine and put myself out there again. Because that’s what writers do.


How do you deal with rejection? Is there something in particular that helps you?

About Mabel Ninan 1 Article
An immigrant from India, Mabel navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. She writes to inspire her readers to embrace their immigrant journey on earth and fix their eyes on Jesus. Her writings explore the intersection between faith, culture, and identity. Mabel’s articles have been published in CBN.com and (in)courage.me. She is a contributor to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures 2022: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers. Mabel is currently pursuing M.A. in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A lover of books and tea, Mabel lives in Northern California with her husband, her eight-year-old son, and a Maltese.

9 Comments

  1. What a great piece of writing Mabel, you’re honesty is refreshing and its clear by the way you string sentences together that you are a solid writer and very passionate.
    My recent lesson is to identify the own desires of my heart and separate it from God’s will & voice. Also to always inquire of Him for strategy first. When a rejection comes, it’s ok to be disappointed but not devastated. I like how you gave the example with constructive criticism/complaint as a gift.
    Keep writing and inspiring!

    • Mysti, thank you for your encouraging words. I can identify with your goal – to discern God’s will and keep our desires out of the way.

  2. Hi Mabel,

    It is hard to believe that you are new to writing. You are a natural! You express yourself well and connect with the challenges of other writers.

    You’ve inspired me.

    Write On!

    Sharon

  3. You are right on target. I am a retired mental health counselor and your words are for everyone. Accept the rejection of a project – not you, share with others who can encourage, rejection is just a part of life and it is how we are strengthened and God gives us the peace and hope for our today’s and our tomorrows. Keep writing.

  4. Mabel, I’m glad God is showing you how to NOT respond when you get rejections because those days are going to be few and far between. Your writing (based on this blog and articles I’ve read in our critique group) is stellar. And you have a teachable heart when it comes to learning the craft.

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