Rejections Piling Up?

We are told over and over again, “Rejections are guaranteed,” on this writing journey.

Doesn’t mean we have to like them.

However, our attitude towards the “no thanks” responses will determine our success as a writer. Are you stubborn? Turn that sometimes negative trait into a positive. Determine to send out twice as many submissions every time you receive another rejection.

How do you deal with rejection?

I’m starting to super celebrate every success. No matter how small, I’m making it bigger. Why not? It will help to balance out the other um…non success.

What was your funniest refusal? Your best rejection?

Let’s put it all back in perspective.  😉

There are times in all of our lives when we are faced with difficult situations. Facing hurts, betrayal, confusion and unjust accusations. As Christians we are admonished to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, take the higher road. As writers, we are encouraged to write from these painful places and craft our words to help others along the way.

How do you take the higher road in your writing?

Is it hard for you to write about personal pain?

I read an article this week online that ministered to my heart. Read it once – cried. Read it again – cried some more. Sent an email to the author thanking her for her words and received a gracious response and an offer of prayer. Beautiful. Her words, written from her own experience, touched my life. My words in response encouraged her.

I’d love to hear your comments – has someone ministered to you through their writing? Have you touched someone’s life with your written words? If you’d like, include a link to a story or article you have written from a rough place in your life. Or share a favorite author who always speaks to your heart through their writing.

It’s not easy… but if you take the higher road, you’ll draw closer to Jesus.

What is your “word” for 2012?

Is there a word or phrase that keeps rolling over in your heart and mind as we enter this new year? Mine is “wisdom.” Scripture instructs us, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

The world around us is filled with confusion. We need to carefully consider our choices as we move from day to day, month to month and year to year. There are those who continually make poor choices in relationships, finances, job situations and then wonder why their lives are so mixed up and filled with turmoil. 

I’m praying this year that God directs all my choices. In my family, my job, my church life, my writing. But I need His wisdom to make those right choices. And He promised to give us wisdom, liberally – all we have to do is ask!

I bet your “word” is totally different from mine. Is it focus? Discipline? Transition? Priorities? Or maybe something like peace, joy, thankfulness…

One word is easier than a long list of resolutions.

So, what’s your word?

“For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain,and to the great rain of his strength.” Job 37:6

Of course the word “snow” would be found in the book of Job, a book of troubles and woe. From a disgruntled New Yorker who dreads winter, I was not happy with the snowfall that came yesterday, in OCTOBER. Way too soon. It is still supposed to be golden leaves and pumpkins, we haven’t even reached Halloween yet, not to mention Thanksgiving. 

I think perhaps a newly trained angel pressed the wrong button.

But it’s pretty, you say. I tried to focus on the beauty of it this morning. As I attempted to wheel the trashcans to the road for pickup, I realized they needed snow tires. And I did admire the pine trees coated with clumps of heavy flakes as they drooped way, way low, hopefully not cutting off my phone line. I noticed the long stretch of suffering hedges, weighted down with mounds of snow, coating all the leaves bravely trying to flaunt their color, now just a blur of stark whiteness. Do you sense I’m having a bit of a problem with this?

So on Word Trail today, I need your help with the word “snow.” Please share with me your positive thoughts on this word. Any good memories? What do you do in winter when it snows? For days on end? Till you lose power? Positive thoughts, please! Hot chocolate, anyone?

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul…”

I never fully realized the power of words till I had an article published. I remember my husband had taken the magazine to work so he could make a few copies for me to use as clips for my file. He forgot and left it in the copier. One woman read it. Another woman passed it on. It traveled from office to office and he received comments all day on my article.

It was a simple nostalgic story about my sister and I and our different personalities. This article resonated with these woman and each one had their own sister story to share. Dwayne called me twice that day laughing, because he kept being stopped in the hallway by someone else who had read my story. Great feedback, nice ego boost. But it also made me take a serious look at my writing. My words had influenced others. And yes, I felt the responsibility resting on my shoulders. Remember –

Our words are powerful.

They do make a difference.

What words have you written or spoken that you know made a difference to someone? Have you shared “pleasant words?”