In my second year of college, I was denied entry into a creative writing class based on a few submitted writing samples.

I didn’t admit it then, but the rejection hurt. I was angry that the professor didn’t see my obvious talent (it was neither obvious nor talent). I was confused and frustrated that a door to my desired future had been slammed in my face.

A few good friends were accepted. I was jealous. I didn’t ask them about it or what they were writing. (I should have). I was arrogant, prideful, a literary genius unappreciated in his time.

So I quit on myself for years.

I continued to write but didn’t share my work. I started far more stories and articles than I completed. I didn’t seek out the community or feedback of a writer’s group. And I certainly didn’t submit my work to any place substantial.

I still felt pulled to write, but rejection ruled me. I hadn’t learned the first lesson of professional writing: You’re going to fail—and that’s OK.

The sooner you make friends with failure and rejection as a writer, the faster you’ll achieve your goals.

Steven Pressfield says it better: “The professional cannot take rejection personally because to do so reinforces Resistance. Editors are not the enemy; critics are not the enemy. Resistance is the enemy. The battle is inside our own heads. We cannot let external criticism, even if it's true, fortify our internal foe. That foe is strong enough already.”

In 1928, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Away on business, he sent a telegram to his worried brother Roy with four simple words: “DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK.” On his train ride back to LA, he created Mickey Mouse.

Failure isn’t failure if you don’t give up.

Keep reading

• ​The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
• "Energy of Delusion," Harper's Magazine, Andrea Barrett
• "17 Renowned Writers On Overcoming Rejection," Writing Routines

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