All a writer can do is to put themselves out there. Throw whatever they got at the wall and hope something sticks.

Sometimes it slides down the wall and leaves behind a sloppy mess. What does one do in those instances?

Well, the writer curses and swears at the mess, because they know that they have to clean it up, but because of their love of spaghetti art and their desire to bring their version of spaghetti art to the world, they boil up another pot and keep throwing stuff at the wall.

I really committed to that spaghetti thing, but I am sure you get my point.

There is something both deflating and exhilarating about rejection. There is, of course, the hurt and the self-doubt, the second-guessing and all that fun stuff.

But there is also something else – for me anyway. There is this renewed drive, this spark that ignites in my gut that makes me want to keep pushing forward; to find the right piece for the right publication – the correct combination of spaghetti and wall if you will.

In the meantime, I will keep my nose to the grindstone and continue to submit. I will keep learning about this world. The joys and pain and the infinite amount of patience one seems to have to possess. This is not a business for those who seek immediate gratification.

Today’s lesson: Rejection is a testament to your commitment to your success. No one can notice the terrific work you are doing if you don’t take the chance on yourself and show that work to someone else.

Keep tossing that spaghetti! Something will stick.