Many people deal with rejection in the workplace, especially when their job includes creativity. Writers can be particularly sensitive about rejection because when you write, it can make you feel vulnerable. However, all writers are likely to experience rejection at some point during their careers, and many will go through it more than once. Rejection can make you want to give up writing, but there are ways to deal with rejection that can prevent you from giving up on what you love.
Rejection helps you learn from your mistakes
Being rejected can hurt your ego, but it also provides an opportunity for you to learn and grow as a writer. As a writer, you’re going to encounter people who just don’t like your work or who can give you a list of things you should change before they consider it good enough. Don’t take it personally because usually it’s not personal. When possible, ask your client what you could have done to make the work better, and if you still feel confused you can show the rejected work to a trusted colleague to get their advice.
What to do when your work is rejected
Rejection may come in the form of a request for heavy edits to your work or an all-out refusal to use the content you provided. When this happens, it’s important to carefully consider if the rejection is warranted. On occasion, you may get criticized unfairly, but it’s usually best to take criticism and use it to advance your writing skills. Tips from others on how you can be a better writer are helpful, but not all advice is good advice, and you should always focus on constructive criticism. Take lightly those who criticize your work maliciously. In the end, it’s always a good idea to consult other writers you trust to see if the criticism is valid or if it’s just mean-spirited and made to bring you down.
Having your hard work rejected can make you feel like quitting. Writers can be particularly vulnerable to rejection because the creative process of writing means you’re putting a lot of yourself into your work. But rejection happens in every profession, and it can help you learn to be a better writer. Use constructive criticism to help you improve your skills and become better at your craft.
