I applied to nine grad schools. Here is my progression the past few weeks. Bear in mind that I'm being partially sarcastic and purposefully dramatic as it makes me feel better. There is no need to worry about my sanity (we writers have so little anyway, right?).
1st rejection: Bummed. That school was my second choice. I'll admit it, I cried.
2nd rejection: Bummed still, but the school wasn't high on my list. Oh well...seven more!
3rd rejection: Oh man! That's 1/3 of my applications! I'm reluctant to give up hope yet.
4th rejection: I'm worried there is a pattern emerging. Maybe my writing is too plain?
5th rejection: Maybe I should have spent even more time on my applications. Like months instead of weeks?
6th rejection: Maybe my writing sucks. Maybe I suck.
7th rejection: Why don't they like me? Do I even like me? I'm almost completely convinced I'm not going to grad school, but darn that little bit of hope that's still alive.
8th rejection: Wallowing in self-pity and doubt. That bottle of rum is looking mighty good right now.
9th rejection: Well, there goes my savings, my self-esteem, and my will to live. It sucks to do something you love and no one else thinks you're good at it.
The schools that you applied to and the professors that choose their applicants make up .000001% of the world's population. If they rejected you it, it's not because you're not good at it. You're awesome. You may be even better than the candidates they picked. Their opinion of you shouldn't effect how you view yourself as a writer. If anything, those schools are at a lost, not you.
ReplyDeleteYou're still young, talented, you have much to learn yet. Rejection is simply a different step in the right direction. Pretend you're traveling somewhere. The highway is the quickest route, but sometimes you have to take back roads when it's jammed up. And sometimes back roads show us beauties of life we never would have known had we stayed on the highway.
I'm in the same boat. We can ride it out together! :-)
Thanks, Natalie. I know that 9 schools saying "no" doesn't equal failure, but it was fun to write this post. Made me feel better...and that's what counts, right?
ReplyDeleteAll people, especially writers, need to write to express themselves. As long as you feel better and plan to continue writing, that's all that matters :-) because I would hate not to be able to read anymore Zev!
ReplyDeleteThroughout history, great talent has often been misunderstood ... just think about that >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven