The Aftermath of Success

I hope you’ve had a good start of August. This is my favourite month because I get to spend it in Switzerland with my family. Today, we’ll have a look at some personal updates, and I’ll share my best tips for dealing with rejection. 

Finally: I’m a Published Author! 

Years ago, I was at the hair salon, waiting for my grandmother, who was getting a perm. I picked up a magazine and started to read one of the stories. The plot was so interesting that I quickly became engrossed, and I was devastated when my grandmother told me she was done and we had to leave. I’ve never forgotten that unfinished story. 

Today, I walked into a supermarket and picked up a similar magazine. Inside was my very own four-page piece, beautifully laid out and enhanced with photos. Finally, I’m a published author. 

Seeing my words on a glossy magazine page was one of the most exciting moments in my life. And who knows? Somewhere, out there, a little girl might be reading my story while waiting for her own grandparent at a hair salon. 

(If you live in the UK and would like to read my story, you can find Woman’s Weekly in almost every shop - except at my local Sainsbury’s, where I bought all the copies early this morning.)

The Long Slog 

Today, I’m savouring my success, but tomorrow, it’s back to work. The time after a major achievement is particularly challenging because you come to expect further victories. But unfortunately, that’s often not how it works. 

Since I’ve sold stories to Woman’s Weekly and Garden Prints Magazine, I’ve received only rejections. While this is discouraging, it’s part of the normal process. 

So, how does one deal with the negative emotions of rejection? Here are some of the techniques I use. 

Keep Going 

Every time I receive a rejection, I send the story somewhere else, or I send a new story to a publisher. I might feel sad for a few hours, but I try to turn my disappointment around by acting and setting myself up for future success. 

Think of the Long Term 

Many people don’t become successful authors until they are in their 40s, 50s, or beyond. The novelists I enjoy reading are all at least 35, and they have a lot of life experience. When I get discouraged about rejections, I think about the fact that I still have several decades to go. There’s no reason why I need to succeed immediately. 

Read About Others’ Experiences 

Everyone who pursues something worthwhile has experienced setbacks. I love reading about successful authors who have been rejected. They didn’t let the discouraging comments get them down, but instead, they redoubled their efforts and kept going until they reached their goals.

How do you deal with rejection? And how do you celebrate your creative success? Let me know in the comments!