Handling Rejection #Writing#Matthew5#Marketing#Encouragement

“Parable for Writers”

Adaptation of keynote address at Warner Pacific College Christian Writers Conference, 3-26-85, revised 1-10-18

Behold, the kingdom of writing is as a Great Author who called his servants and delivered unto them his messages to be shared with a waiting world. To one,
he gave five talents: writing novels, articles, short stories, essays, and poetry. To another he gave two talents: narration and dialogue. To yet another, inspiration.

The writers who received two talents and five talents diligently pursued their trade. They recognized that while the Great Author had given the talents, they were responsible for presenting the material in the best way possible.  After many days, weeks, months, and rejections, the original talents had doubled.

The writer with one talent believed inspiration was enough. She hastily wrote down her thoughts and sent them to a leading Christian publisher, stating, "This came from the Great Author. Not one jot or tittle is to be changed. The editor (who had heard this far too often) refrained from saying, "You may have been led to write it, but the Great Author didn't tell me to publish it." The author felt both she and the Great Author had been slapped in the face. She buried the manuscript in her bottom desk drawer and wrote no more.

* * *

The Great Author returned at last. He who had received five talents and she who had been given two, came with the results of their labors. The Great Author said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servants. Thou hast been faithful over the little things; I will make you author of many. “

Then the writer with one talent came forth.“I knew You would be as angry as I was with the editor who rejected the manuscript you gave me. I was also afraid of what You might do to other publishers who were equally unperceptive. I hid my manuscript so they would not suffer."

There was a great silence before the Great Author spoke. "Oh ye of little understanding! You are a wicked and slothful servant. Did you suppose I would dictate my message to you as I would into a heartless machine? Did you think only you were given inspiration? Even as I give writers talent for expression, I give editors talent for refining. Gold in its raw state is dug from the ground nugget by nugget. Before it can reach full potential for beauty, it must be purified and refined.

“It is the same with writing. If you knew I was vengeful, why did you not share that message with someone willing to put it into the finest form possible to reach others?" He turned to his servants. "Take this talent of inspiration and give it to the writer with the five talents.”

* * *

Handling Rejection: The acid test

 

 Some say each rejection gets easier. Doubtful.

·         
      Others believe the solution is dilution—the more manuscripts a writer has submitted, the more chance of sales, and less painful from rejections because the very next day may bring an acceptance. When I was getting started, I kept dozens of short stories/articles out there (many magazines use one-time rights).  

·        
          Still others feel everyone must collect an undetermined number of rejections before the first acceptance.

Finally, there are those who believe if we are selling a high percentage of our work on the first try, we may be aiming too low.  

I personally believe there is only one way to handle rejections. Write, believe in your work, strive to improve, and submit as long as you can find an editor to read your work. (It took 15 years and many tries to sell two of my best books: Belated Follower, my only Biblical novel; Writing Smarter, not Harder, the Workbook Way, which became the text for my college writing classes.)

If traditional book publishers don't buy, you may wish to try online publishing.

Reasons for Rejection ( I prefer to call them returns😊.)

If Jesus had submitted His life story to the Capernaum Press or the Galilee Publishing Company perhaps He would have received one of these responses.

• ·        Too controversial. We don't promote rabble-rousing.
• ·        Not for us: turn-the-other-cheek theme will never sell.
• ·        Not politically correct. We are partially supported by Pharisees, Inc.
• ·        Our readers don't need another title about a fanatic with a lost cause.
• ·        We might reconsider if you omit practicing medicine without a license.

“Opportunity,” AKA, “The Broken Sword” (Edward R. Sill, 1841-1887)

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:—-

There spread a cloud of dust along a: plain;

And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged

A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords

Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner

Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.

A craven hung along the battle's edge,

And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel-—

That blue blade that the king's son bears--but this

Blunt thing! "—he snapped and flung it from his hand

And lowering, crept away and left the field.

Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead [sicl 

And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,

Hilt—buried in the dry and trodden sand,

And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout

Lifted afresh, he hewed the enemy down,

And saved a great cause that heroic day.

* * *

The king’s son never considered giving up. Neither should we.