Rise Above Rejection


I suppose it is one of the essential parts of being a writer – rejection, that is. Even Dictionary.com corroborates this notion with its third definition  and examples of the word: “to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author’s latest novel.” If one is rejected, does that render one a reject? It seems so harsh!

Why am I talking rejection?  Well, today a few people in the Facebook group, MFA Draft ‘12, were emailed to schedule interviews with Bard College.  Although I applied, I was not one of the lucky recipients of this opportunity.  Without an interview, rejection seems certain and imminent.  I had hoped that in this go ‘round of the MFA application process, my first piece of news would be positive.  And certainly, a lack of contact from a school does not necessarily assume rejection, but anyone who knows me knows I almost always assume rejection.

The real challenge here is for me to do the work of maintaining a sunny disposition during this grueling waiting period.  Whether I make it into a program this year or not, I have to count my literary blessings.  I have come a long way in the past year – I created this site, I write daily, I’ve produced new work, revised old work, secured some freelance writing work, and I’ve begun the important job of networking with fellow writers.  Denial from an MFA program cannot undo all of the strides that I have made to become a bona fide writer.  Thus, an acceptance can only sweeten the pot.

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