so happy for you, Lisa! this is such a huge step :') and it all gets easier from here (plus, you can recycle those first bios and cover letters!) thanks for giving the Rejections Challenge a shout-out!
My heart raced with joy while I read this piece. Much of my mindset has been similar to yours so it was nice to read your honest and thoughtful examination of your own motives, fears, and process. I’m in a similar head space you found yourself in and found the actions you shared heartening. I need to find a solid writing group that I had reciprocity and is reliable. I also need to face my fears head on as you have done. Thank you for sharing and writing.
Thank you! And sorry I'm just seeing your comment now. I've actually been rereading Stephen King's On Writing and I'm printing out the rejections to save. Not sure for what yet! I don't think I'll do the nail on the wall like King did.
Thank you so much for the shoutout! I think everybody finds the first bio/cover letter hard, but it does get easier (and we help each other with that stuff in Submissions Jumpstart!).
Submitting work is scary, especially the first time, but I look forward to getting more comfortable with the process. I'm sure Submissions Jumpstart will be a huge help!
Great job on getting the ball rolling. I submitted to a journal today too, and plan to do that weekly. Why not???? Plus, I had those same jeans in high school, I lived to pair them with two polo shirts with the collar flipped up. That was prior to my goth days. 🫠
Thank you! Good for you, too! I definitely saw a lot of the polos in high school but I dressed more like a stoner, concert tees and one of my dad's flannels. I love that you went from polos to goth--what a journey!
Oh, Lisa…It is eye-opening, how much work goes into writing, editing, and submitting for publication. That is on top of being brave, vulnerable, and honest in sharing your story. I’m so excited for you! I’m looking forward to reading your work.
Jordache jeans play an oversized role in my adolescent memories. One of the three things I coveted the most, along with sneaker skates and the Barbie Dream House. I got the sneaker skates, at least. Congratulations on submitting! (And honestly, the bios are the WORST). I'm looking forward to following your journey!
Oh, the Barbie Dream House envy was real! And I figured all my writer friends would feel the part about the bio in their bones too. Thanks for reading!
Congratulations! Something went in! Hoping you hear back the best news, but how exciting that you just DID IT! I’m so excited to read it, what’s the big secret!? I want to know! I can relate to not wanting to publish anything until you retired, but I’m curious the reason for your why! I know you said you just didn’t want students and parents reading it, but why! What!? 👀 Me personally, if I wrote something one day, I’d be scared to hurt people’s feelings.. even my own haha! Love you so much! So exciting! See you Monday!
Thanks so much, Vicky! I appreciate your support, and I'll give you some details on Monday and share how I've thought about it over the years. It'll make sense. And you really did nail it about writing--there's a lot of thinking about other people's feelings, and the BEST writing is when it helps you see yourself more clearly. A lot of times you have to hurt your own feelings to see what the real story is, but I promise, it's good for you!
This is always a dilemma, isn’t it? I have a spreadsheet with 82 pieces on it—just short stories, mostly memoir, with a column indicating which of these I don’t want to release publicly because they’re potentially hurtful to a relationship with a family member or an ex. I am excluding at least a dozen—some of my most powerful work—from anything but an occasional private sharing with a writing group or whomever might benefit from the perspective or insight. I know a basic human desire is to know, and to be known, but not everything has to be known about us or those in our lives.
I avoided publishing even on Substack until my ex and I no longer owned our yoga teacher training institute. I have waited a lot longer than you have. I wish you every success, and I will be watching.
Go you! Hard for me to believe this is your first go-round at submitting. I’ll be waiting for news!
The scary thing I’m stepping into at the moment is grief coaching. It feels like the next right thing for me, but that doesn’t make it any less scary. Wish me luck 🍀 (and the rewards I’m visualizing of connecting on a deeper level with folks who feel the lack of genuine support in our surface culture).
Casey, I’m sending you all my best wishes, but I know you won’t need them. This absolutely makes sense for you and I know you’ll bring comfort and connection to so many more people through this experience. ❤️
I’m hoping to submit to environmental publications this year! Can relate so bad.
Take a look at the link (above) for the 1000 Rejections Challenge to get motivated. Make it happen!!
What’s the real thing that’s holding you back?
so happy for you, Lisa! this is such a huge step :') and it all gets easier from here (plus, you can recycle those first bios and cover letters!) thanks for giving the Rejections Challenge a shout-out!
Thanks so much, Ashley! I'm not done shouting you out yet, either. 😊
Now get back to writing!!
🫡
My heart raced with joy while I read this piece. Much of my mindset has been similar to yours so it was nice to read your honest and thoughtful examination of your own motives, fears, and process. I’m in a similar head space you found yourself in and found the actions you shared heartening. I need to find a solid writing group that I had reciprocity and is reliable. I also need to face my fears head on as you have done. Thank you for sharing and writing.
Thanks, Shanyn! Finding a writing group is key. I hope you’re able to find one soon and get your writing out into the world!
The agony of “in Progress.”
Still better than “Received,” or “Declined.” There’s hope!
The more we leap, the more it inspires others do the same! Thank you
That’s for sure!
Congratulations on getting this far. Remember Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were rejected several times before they landed on their feet.
Thank you! And sorry I'm just seeing your comment now. I've actually been rereading Stephen King's On Writing and I'm printing out the rejections to save. Not sure for what yet! I don't think I'll do the nail on the wall like King did.
Thank you so much for the shoutout! I think everybody finds the first bio/cover letter hard, but it does get easier (and we help each other with that stuff in Submissions Jumpstart!).
Submitting work is scary, especially the first time, but I look forward to getting more comfortable with the process. I'm sure Submissions Jumpstart will be a huge help!
https://www.meganalpert.com/submissions-jumpstart/p/submissions-jumpstart-march-w2a5g
Great job on getting the ball rolling. I submitted to a journal today too, and plan to do that weekly. Why not???? Plus, I had those same jeans in high school, I lived to pair them with two polo shirts with the collar flipped up. That was prior to my goth days. 🫠
Thank you! Good for you, too! I definitely saw a lot of the polos in high school but I dressed more like a stoner, concert tees and one of my dad's flannels. I love that you went from polos to goth--what a journey!
You go! I’m so glad you’re putting your words out into the world. I’m cheering you on.
Thanks, Jenna! I'm grateful to have you in my corner! You make me a better writer. ❤️😊
Oh, Lisa…It is eye-opening, how much work goes into writing, editing, and submitting for publication. That is on top of being brave, vulnerable, and honest in sharing your story. I’m so excited for you! I’m looking forward to reading your work.
PAWS
Pursue And Win Success
This comment is making my day! 😁 Thanks so much, Sue. ❤️😘
Jordache jeans play an oversized role in my adolescent memories. One of the three things I coveted the most, along with sneaker skates and the Barbie Dream House. I got the sneaker skates, at least. Congratulations on submitting! (And honestly, the bios are the WORST). I'm looking forward to following your journey!
Oh, the Barbie Dream House envy was real! And I figured all my writer friends would feel the part about the bio in their bones too. Thanks for reading!
Congratulations! Something went in! Hoping you hear back the best news, but how exciting that you just DID IT! I’m so excited to read it, what’s the big secret!? I want to know! I can relate to not wanting to publish anything until you retired, but I’m curious the reason for your why! I know you said you just didn’t want students and parents reading it, but why! What!? 👀 Me personally, if I wrote something one day, I’d be scared to hurt people’s feelings.. even my own haha! Love you so much! So exciting! See you Monday!
Thanks so much, Vicky! I appreciate your support, and I'll give you some details on Monday and share how I've thought about it over the years. It'll make sense. And you really did nail it about writing--there's a lot of thinking about other people's feelings, and the BEST writing is when it helps you see yourself more clearly. A lot of times you have to hurt your own feelings to see what the real story is, but I promise, it's good for you!
This is always a dilemma, isn’t it? I have a spreadsheet with 82 pieces on it—just short stories, mostly memoir, with a column indicating which of these I don’t want to release publicly because they’re potentially hurtful to a relationship with a family member or an ex. I am excluding at least a dozen—some of my most powerful work—from anything but an occasional private sharing with a writing group or whomever might benefit from the perspective or insight. I know a basic human desire is to know, and to be known, but not everything has to be known about us or those in our lives.
I avoided publishing even on Substack until my ex and I no longer owned our yoga teacher training institute. I have waited a lot longer than you have. I wish you every success, and I will be watching.
The biggest issue in writing memoir, for sure!
I'm impressed by how organized you are, for one. I also wish for you to get to tell all the stories that you decide you want to share. Following!
Go you! Hard for me to believe this is your first go-round at submitting. I’ll be waiting for news!
The scary thing I’m stepping into at the moment is grief coaching. It feels like the next right thing for me, but that doesn’t make it any less scary. Wish me luck 🍀 (and the rewards I’m visualizing of connecting on a deeper level with folks who feel the lack of genuine support in our surface culture).
Sending you the same!
Casey, I’m sending you all my best wishes, but I know you won’t need them. This absolutely makes sense for you and I know you’ll bring comfort and connection to so many more people through this experience. ❤️
🩷