Rejection Isn't Failure

Saturday, October 15, 2011 - Posted by Shelley Sly at Saturday, October 15, 2011

Yup, I'm still here. Completely horrible at maintaining a regular blog schedule, but I'm here. (Actually, I planned to blog during the week, but Blogger was giving me a "malware alert" screen whenever I visited the website, so I didn't dare to post.)

Anyone watch the TV crime drama/comedy Castle? I highly recommend it to anyone, writers and non-writers, because it's an excellent show. But the main character, Richard Castle, is a best-selling novelist, so we writers might get a little more out of it.

Castle can relate nearly everything to the writing process. Usually he draws comparisons when helping detectives solve a murder mystery, but in a recent episode, he helps his daughter deal with getting rejected from her first choice college by comparing it to publisher/agent rejections.

"Rejection isn't failure," he says. See for yourself in the video below (it's really short, don't worry.)

For all writers, (no matter what stage of the process we're in), this is pretty darn good advice.

How do you view rejection? Does it drive you the way it does Castle? Have you watched Castle before? Did anyone else get those malware warnings when visiting Blogger?

Labels: querying, rejection, TV shows

24 stories from friends:

I do love this show! I mainly started watching because I'm a rabid Firefly fan. I missed this scene though. thanks. I haven't had malware concerns, but i've been having trouble commenting on some blogs.

TerryLynnJohnson on October 15, 2011 8:36 AM

I LOVE Castle! Especially as he is a writer.

Nope, no malware for me but I can't comment on some bloggers either.

If you get the chance, stop by my blog on Monday, I'm unveiling my new author website and I think you might enjoy it. I know you're busy, so if you can't, no worries.

Anne Gallagher on October 15, 2011 9:06 AM

If Rejection equalled failure, Abraham Lincoln would've never been president, JK Rowling would have never given us Harry Potter,...yeah - SO many wonderful things would've FAILED to happen.

Rejection strengthens me. I don't like it, but it does assist in the growth process.

And I've never watched Castle, but I think I might have to now. :)

Have a great weekend!

Alison Miller on October 15, 2011 10:24 AM

Ah, what a great scene! And such good advice! :) I'm beginning to think you are the queen of tv show recommendations. :)

Also, if it makes you feel any better, my blogging schedule is nonexistent. I keep thinking that 'this week will be better,' and then it all collapses by Tuesday or Wednesday. Ha.

Melody on October 15, 2011 11:44 AM

Rejection doesn't stop me either. It becomes more of a challenge, to grow, change, get around that "no" and accomplish what I'm striving to do.

Joanne on October 15, 2011 1:15 PM

A Castle clip?! I think I'll follow you. :)

Carrie Butler on October 15, 2011 1:36 PM

I love Castle, but I can't get my husband to watch it with me, so sadly it goes unwatched often. Rejection doesn't drive me, but overcoming rejection certainly does! :)

Great post!

Susan Kaye Quinn on October 15, 2011 4:11 PM

I love Castle as well! And that scene is terrific - perfect attitude! :)

My blog got the same warning last month - a link to one of my blog buddy's sites was infected. It was a HUGE pain to fix. I ended up having to delete my blog roll to get the warning to disappear. Here's a link to the site I used to help fix it/figure out what the problem was ...
http://www.netchunks.com/how-to-check-for-malware-in-your-website-or-blog/
The Anubis & Unmask Parasites ones were the ones that helped ... as far as I remember. Hope it helps!

Jemi Fraser on October 15, 2011 5:34 PM

I don't worry over much about rejection. I query slowly though, waiting for each one before sending out another query. I figure the odds are against me, so why rush the process :) But it also gives me time to research another agent - so I can focus on only one at a time.

Blogger kept wanting me to "create my own blog" when I tried commenting over the last couple weeks. Especially on my own blog! Weird.

.......dhole

Donna Hole on October 15, 2011 11:07 PM

I've never watched Castle - I don't think it's on here yet. Ah rejection. I've come to accept it's all part of the game.

Talli Roland on October 16, 2011 8:18 AM

I've never seen that show. Looks awesome!

Wow, good advice. Can I invite that guy to follow me around and cheer me up? :)

Amanda Borenstadt on October 16, 2011 3:43 PM

I tried watching an episode during season 1, but it didn't hook me. I've seen adverts for it since, and the stories interest me. I may have to give it another go. Particularly as I really liked that clips. I'll have to remember that about rejection.

Thankfully, I haven't seen any malware warnings on Blogger.

C D Meetens on October 16, 2011 3:49 PM

Haven't seen Castle yet... I watch House and Boardwalk Empire and Project Runway. Rejection sucks but it makes you more determined. I've had successes and setbacks and you have to be obsessed and in love with writing to stick to it. It's worth it.

Catherine Stine on October 16, 2011 5:39 PM

Thank you for sharing this video. He's so right when he says, "give it time." I've been rejected before and it has only made me stronger. My first rejection, however, was painful because I saw it as a personal rejection. One of my mentors told me, "Use all that angry energy to fix your rejected story, use it to your advantage. Fix the story and send it somewhere else." So yes, rejection isn't failure, it's a vehicle that takes you to a different destination.

Claudia Del Balso on October 16, 2011 5:40 PM

Rejection does slow me down sometimes, but I've learned to pick myself up.

:)

Aubrie on October 16, 2011 6:21 PM

Excellent post. No malware warnings and it fits in with my current post so I've given you a shout out.
I hate rejections I must admit. (sheepish grin inserted here)

Madeleine on October 17, 2011 8:27 AM

Are we supposed to maintain a blog schedule?...

I'll keep repeating, "Rejection isn't failure." Thank you.

Theresa Milstein on October 17, 2011 10:27 AM

I love Castle. It's one of the only shows I watch. ;)

I don't do rejection well. It involves a whole bunch of chocolate and sad mumblings. ;)

Carolyn V on October 17, 2011 10:42 AM

Something must be wrong with my laptop because I'm not getting any sound when I play video clips. I'm disappointed - I really wanted to watch that clip. I haven't heard of Castle before, but I'm sure I'd love a crime show about a writer!

Susan Fields on October 18, 2011 10:09 AM

Oh yeah, I've had a series pass to it on my Tivo since day one...mostly because I'm a Nathan Fillion fan, natch. But the writerly aspect is fun, too. :)

I hope this finds you well, Shelley! :)

Love,
Lola

Lola Sharp on October 18, 2011 2:15 PM

I don't watch much TV but this show seems pretty decent! Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks too for visiting my blog and introducing yourself. :)

Crystal Pistol on October 19, 2011 1:39 AM

I watch Castle regularly and it was an eyeopener for me when he said that in the last episode. He's usually such a wise cracking guy :)

Myne Whitman on October 19, 2011 11:25 AM

No malware warning for me either.

I've never watched Castle. Maybe I should give it a go. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Michelle Teacress on October 20, 2011 1:26 PM

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments! I'm glad that some found the advice inspirational (and happy to find other Castle fans too!) I'll be around to all of your blogs once I start feeling better (see latest post... I have the flu. Sad times.)

Shelley Sly on October 26, 2011 2:03 PM