Failure is an opportunity!

This may only interest anyone who actually has followed my blog long enough to know about my book manuscript I wrote and sent to my 'Top' publisher . . . It was a long wait, and It was nerve racking. I received a letter regarding my submission a couple months ago. It has taken me some time to bring myself to post about my disappointment. My personality takes rejection as failure. It dampens my high optimism pretty quickly. Bryan actually opened the letter and read it first. I wanted to be tough about it. . . deep down there is the ability to cope. But I was lying to myself. It took some good crying, but I understand why. I was naive thinking that a HUGE publishing company would pick it up first try. That is my undying optimism and lack of fear to "try". I am glad I have the ability to force myself to at least try, but it also sets me up for the chance of failure, disappointment. . . . . and ultimately rejection. However, I may have gotten discouraged for a bit and yes, I wanted to believe that the rejection of publication somehow defined me as a person, but I know better. I have decided this is just an opportunity to review my book, make changes that will improve it and make it more enticing for the next publishing company I submit it to. It means A TON more work as well. I have re-written an outline and a new approach to telling the story, which I believe will be better. I think it is good that we are given the chance to review and improve on what we do. I can only benefit from this . . . and so will anyone who reads it, right?? I also learned that the publishing company I submitted to only publishes books they believe will sell over 100,00 copies. (That made me feel a little better).

It's a hard lesson to learn and accept, but failure is a chance for us to take on the challenge to pick ourselves back up off the ground, brush ourselves off (bandage some wounds), and try it again. Taking what we learned and build off that. Use it as a new jumping off point. I intend to re-write my book and submit it to other publishing companies. I guess if it comes down to it, I will publish it myself and sell it online. :) I can't accept failure. . . never give up, never surrender. If I didn't have that attitude I would have died over 2 years ago.

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