By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
A writer writes.
A writer edits.
A writer submits for publication.
A writer is rejected.
A writer ?
How do you handle rejection? Do you crawl under your desk and quit? Or do you view the news as an opportunity to rework the writing project and submit again with the understanding the goal is publication?
When I first began writing, I learned rejection meant redirection. Sounds good in theory until we’re hit with punch to the heart when our best isn’t quite good enough. Using the letters of power, here is an acronym to help process a rejection and put it where it belongs—a lesson learned.
P is for purpose.
The manuscript may not fit an editor’s need now, but it has purpose. If a writer is fortunate and receives a critique from an editor, then she has direction. If the writer isn’t sure why the piece didn’t work, seek out professional advice, consult your critique group, and weigh the comments and suggestions.
O is for optimization.
A professional writer makes the best or most effective use of a rejection. We writers don’t want shoddy work with our name on it. The rejection did us a favor!
W is for wisdom.
Not every suggestion is appropriate for our work. View edits from various criteria. Who made the suggested change or addition? Is the person a professional in the industry? Does the person normally give sound advice? Does it make the writing project a winner? Does the piece need to be completely rewritten? Pray through the comments for wisdom.
E is for energy.
Writers, it takes energy to give your writing project energy. My personal guidelines is, does the piece sing and dance and play the piano? When I can say yes, then I know my hard work has paid off.
R is for redirection.
The writer has examined the piece, determined the weak areas, and made needed changes. She is excited about her work and is ready to submit again.
Rejections make us better writers. The challenge of finding weaknesses and repairing them with strong edits is a lesson learned and applied to every new writing project.
How do you use rejection to strengthen your writing?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA 
and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
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