Keep writing, Mary. It only means, "not yet." I enjoyed your post. Thank you.

That's sooooo sweet!!!!
Keep writing. I agree with the above. It just means not yet. We all know you can write, we've seen ya do it!
Kate

Thanks Kathleen and Kate! Your words are an encouragement!

I went shopping for a new pair of shoes (I'm told I should not wear tennis shoes in France). The shoes looked very nice and were in my price range. I have big feet and so many stores have few shoes that are really my size. I tried these walking shoes on, walked around the store, stood on my toes really trying to get the feel of them. I knew I'd be wearing them for hours on end. Well, I didn't buy them! They just didn't feel right - they were the right size, color and style but they were not what I was looking for for this trip. Maybe I can go barefoot and just bare my sole. I know this little story is silly but I wanted to let you know that I to love you more than tortilla soup.

And to think I believed myself to be the only rejectee in this biz... Mary, I must say, this is not good! My awareness that I am not alone (moreover, in profoundly talented company) eradicates all reasoning for brazen self-pity and irrational Twinkie binges.

I once decided to paper my entire office in rejection letters. A year later and with one wall almost completely concealed, my hubby finally put an end to my madness. He said he was concerned that the wall irrefutably proved my insanity and that our insurance coverage denied recompense toward such extravagances as straight jackets and shock therapy.

But for the grace of God…

Mary,
I love how you write and how open and honest you are. I know you will keep writing. You have to. It's part of who God made you to be, a writer! I also know you keep submitting your book proposals even in the face of rejection. And I will be praying and cheering you on! Becky G

Mary, I've been reading your blog for a couple weeks and have really enjoyed your writing. This post especially made me smile.

I, too, received a rejection slip this past week, and it IS hard to separate the rejection of my writing from a rejction of who I am. But I know God has a plan for both of our writing in His time. I'm glad you shared your story. Julia sounds like a precious little girl. :)

Hi Mary! I got a rejection yesterday. :o)

I just have to tell you my story. I attended an emotional healing conference with a friend of mine because she was a speaker and didn't know the group who put on the conference and just wanted a buddy. I'd gone through some deep emotional healing myself, so I invited a friend who "needed" the conference and tagged happily along.

Of course I should have know God had something in store for me. He ended up taking my own healing to a new level--and He made me laugh so hard . ..

I went to a class for those overcoming that horrible people pleasing syndrome and the teacher said, "If you've been in the situation I've just described," (and I had) "then you need to take risks, to fail, to face rejection and learn that it's okay."

And I thought God called to write because He wanted to say something through me. I mean how many professions get to face as much gut-wrenching rejection as a writer? God never does anything half way or for just one person. I do hope He has something to say through my writing, but I know that He is also using this journey for my emotional healing.

The teacher was right. This rejection stuff has been good for me. I'm learning that it really doesn't matter. I am whole without the sale.

John, I love that you're shopping for shoes. I can't wait to see your feet in France!

Deirdre, I bet your wallpaper of shame is lovely! Does it match your decor?

Becky, thanks for being my cheerleader!

Hannah, hang in there.

Paula, I feel like I'm on a similar journey. Being a people pleaser and a writer is a funny thing.