Snoopy Is A Wise Dog

Writers ride a roller coaster throughout their career--whether it be a professional or hobbyist. Acceptances are those times when you have climbed the steep hill and reach the top. From there, the world around you looks mighty nice. The sky is blue with fluffy clouds, flowers are blooming, and people smile.

Ride that roller coaster car down into the deep valleys of rejection and the scene around you changes in a hurry. Gray storm clouds gather, the flowers suddenly look like pesky weeds and people you see are frowning. Our perception changes with those ups and downs in our writing world.

We don't need tips on how to handle the successes in our writing life too often. Although there are times when success presents its own set of problems. That's for another post on another day.

We need to learn what to do when that roller coaster car roars into the downward decline, sreeching all the way to the bottom. No wait--that was you doing the screeching. Snoopy, in the poster above, has some good advice when you hit bottom.

Neither one costs a dime, nor do you need to leave your home to do what this wise little dog suggests. It's up to you, however, where to find that good laugh. Pick up a joke book, watch a silly youtube video, or tune in to your favorite sitcom. Call your favorite funny friend.

The second part is easy. Schedule an early bedtime and clear your mind completely when you climb into bed. Don't dwell on that nasty rejection you received. In the morning, it's highly possible that you'll be able to look at the situation in a different light. Maybe even a long afternoon nap will help.

Remind yourself that it is not you that was rejected. It was the piece you wrote and submitted. There are numerous reasons that the editor did not scoop it up. Look at it as objectively as you can, do some revisions if you see places that can use it and send that baby out to another editor. Don't ever give up with one try.