Seldom is Heard an Encouraging Word
by Helen Colella, Loveland Colorado

Rejection in any form is not easy to accept. But to writers who struggle with those unwanted rejection slips that find a way into their mailboxes, it can be disheartening and discouraging.

Somebody (editor?) sends a reproduced form letter, without a hint of the manuscript having been read; without a clue as to why it's being returned; or without an encouraging word to the writer. In turn, it leads many to think of editors as undiscerning individuals without a heart.

Right or wrong, it's reality. It's a dilemma that has plagued writers for a long time. Take a look at the rejection experiences of three classic writers:

Hans Christian Andersen's critics insisted that his stories were unsuitable for children and harmful for the young mind.

Rudyard Kipling worked as a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. When he was fired (yes, fired!), the editor told him he didn't know how to use the English language and that SFE wasn't for amateur writers.

Herman Melville actually gave up writing and became a clerk in the N.Y. Customs house after Moby Dick had trouble getting recognition.

So how many rejections can a writer handle?
a) None!
b) Not one more!
c) As many as it takes to get your book published!

Deep down in your heart you know the answer is "c" and that anyone with the desire to write usually doesn't give up. They simply review, revise, rewrite and re-submit. Remember, seldom is heard an encouraging word, but history tends to repeat itself. Who knows what could happen?

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