Dealing With Rejection

I am a poet, novelist, short story writer, photographer, and artist. These are my passion; these are what gives my creative soul the outlet to express my deepest feelings. I have occasionally been published in a few online literary magazines, such as Southern New Hampshire University’s the penmen review.  I have self-published my poetry book Life at the End of the Rainbow which is available on Amazon/Kindle.

My poetry and short stories have also been rejected on occasion. I think it is vital to remind myself that it is not me that is being rejected, but rather the editor or publisher has a different vision of what he or she wants to publish.

I will not let someone else’s opinion diminish my creative passion. Life is too short to let others define who I am and who I know myself to be. Sure, I would like to be selected for the Poet Laureate of the Known World or the best novelist since Miguel Cervantes put pen to paper and wrote Don Quixote. I write because I love the beauty of words, of ideas, of rhythm, of juxtaposition, of ambiguity, of capturing life and its complexity in my own interpretation.

Truth is, I write as much for myself as I do for others. I am currently writing a collection of short stories and poetry. I plan to have it completed by the end of this month. I will self-publish it, as well. I am also compiling my own art book. I plan to include my photography in my art book. I realize I am not Claude Monet nor could I ever aspire to that level of greatness, but I enjoy what I do. A completed drawing with vibrant colors that I have created makes me smile; my art makes me happy. It gives me joy. A sunset I have captured with my camera gives me joy when I think that I have managed to freeze that moment in time.

Creativity gives me joy; another person’s rejection will never take my joy away.

Life is far too short. Life is fragile and precious. I am thankful for the passion that I feel and can freely express through my poetry, short stories, art and photography.