Chapter 1: The Cycle of Writing

The journey of writing follows a distinct rhythm.

An idea sparks in your mind. From there, you translate that thought into words on a page. After taking a short break, you return to read what you’ve crafted. You may find yourself crossing out lines, deleting phrases, and replacing them with more fitting words. The process continues as you refine and polish your work until you deem it ready for the world.

Then, it’s time to share your creation.

You’ll wait—whether it’s minutes, hours, days, months, or even years. As you anticipate a response, your heart may race and your stomach may churn. Finally, you receive the verdict, whether positive or negative. Take a moment to process it, allowing yourself to celebrate or grieve for a short while.

And then, you start again.

That’s the essence of the writing life. Sharing your work is crucial. If you aspire to write for anyone other than yourself, you must put your creations out there. This might involve traditional publishing, self-publishing, or simply clicking the “Publish” button on your website. All of it counts as sharing your work, which is essential for visibility.

Rejection is an unavoidable part of this process.

While acceptance is also possible, being prepared for rejection is vital, as it’s likely to happen frequently.

Rejection is not the end of the world. In fact, there are times when you should feel relieved by it. It’s a tough pill to swallow, as we often believe that everything we create is exceptional. Crafting something valuable requires effort, and it can be hard to accept that not every effort will be rewarded.

Chapter 2: Learning from Rejection

Reflecting on my early attempts to get plays produced, I realize that many were rejected for good reason. With the benefit of hindsight, I see that those pieces simply weren’t strong enough. I devoted countless hours to them, yet none saw the stage. However, the lessons I learned throughout the writing process and from the rejections themselves were invaluable. Rejection serves as an excellent teacher.

Conversely, acceptance doesn’t always yield positive outcomes.

Around twelve years ago, I was given a prime slot in a small festival for a piece that was still in development. Despite knowing it wasn’t ready, my ego led me to accept. The result? One of the poorest performances I’ve ever produced, leaving me with lasting embarrassment. That piece truly deserved to be rejected.

What doesn’t help in the face of rejection is complaining with indignation.

Constructing narratives about the chosen writers that feed your fragile ego achieves nothing. You know the ones—stories suggesting your heartfelt work was overlooked in favor of lesser creations. Social media rants about how "nice writers finish last" or accusations of "filling quotas" are pointless. These narratives don’t teach you anything and serve only to soothe your bruised pride.

If you find yourself needing to indulge in that negativity, it might be time to reconsider your path.

Creating art isn’t for those who are overly sensitive.

So, what should you do when rejection strikes?

Because it will...

Immediately set aside that rejection and continue focusing on your current projects. Spend no more than a few minutes mourning the setback before diving back into your work.

Write more. Create more.

Keep progressing.

When enough time has passed, revisit the rejected piece. Analyze any feedback you received and extract lessons from the experience. Use those insights to improve your future work. Whether you choose to revise or abandon it is entirely up to you.

But stop the complaining.

That energy is wasted and doesn’t contribute to your growth or refinement of your craft. In fact, it won’t even make you feel better. Remember, someday you might be the one receiving acceptance, and you wouldn’t want to hear people disparaging your work.

So, you faced rejection?

My heart goes out to you.

Now, let’s move on.

There’s still work waiting for you that could be your finest yet. Don’t let your past efforts hinder your potential. Let’s not deprive ourselves of the incredible stories you have to tell.

Take the leap.

We’re all eagerly anticipating your next creation.

Description: In this live performance, artists Noel Robinson and Philippa Hanna bring their heartfelt song "Fighting For My Heart" to life, showcasing the power of resilience and hope.

Description: Bishop T.D. Jakes shares profound insights in "Heart Full of Grief and a Horn Full of Oil," addressing the complexities of life’s challenges and the strength found in overcoming them.