I often compare being a writer to dating. There is plenty of rejection and even playing hard to get is tricky. Since my breakup with my former writing relationship, I am on the prowl. Trying to makeover my writing to be attractive to other opportunities. I am kind of playing the field this time around since being in a long term relationship can be a bit smothering.
The problem resides in the fact that I don’t call the shots, so playing hard to get is difficult. It isn’t like I can say, “You want me to write? So, sorry. I have other plans.” No, instead I wait with greedy expectation. Do I wait for them to contact me? No, I send multiple emails making sure I am not forgotten. I do spread them out, so I don’t appear desperate. Then when I get an email saying, “We don’t need you this month, but next month for sure.” I respond with a cheerful, “That sounds great!” In my head, it really doesn’t sound great. In fact, it sucks, but the reality is a writer has no clout.
Because I am a writer, I create scenes in my head. One scene has me as a New York Times bestselling author. Those that have rejected me are now eager to have me write for them. I smile and say, “Oh, I am so busy. I will have my people call you.” Oh, the delight! But then, I am jolted back to reality, gather my writing tools, and plug away at my book projects. Because my mind resembles squirrels at a rave, I have two book concepts going at the same time. It might sound confusing, but somehow my brain has been able to accommodate both ideas beautifully.
Writers are a dime a dozen. So, if I pass on a project, it isn’t like they are going to go into mourning over it. Nope, they will just find someone else. Considering I didn’t set out to be a writer, things have worked out pretty well. Patience is key in this industry and all of this experience gives me the opportunity to practice being still. In the meantime, whenever I am rejected, I will simply make them a character in my book and kill them off. My book might have a lot of dead people in it.
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