Writing Tip: The need to develop a thick skin

The trick to making that big step from writing as a hobby, albeit a full-time hobby, to that first acceptance letter is hard work, lots of learning and a whole bunch of writing. It also requires patience and the development of a very thick skin. These two traits just might be the most important points any beginning writer can learn and develop.

Any writer who is trying to break into the big time is going to get a lot of rejection letters. Some rejection letters will be kind and explain why they are rejecting your submission. If you do get one of those letters, read and take in what they wrote. Some will be less helpful. Those will just inform you that you did not make the cut. Others, and I have gotten these, will be a cold, gut wrenching rejection where you learn that you have wasted their time. Even worse, I have actually gotten business cards from the publisher with a large NO! written on it. There was no reference to what submission had been rejected, just a NO! Those hurt to the bone.

So, among all of the traits a writer who is serious about making the step from weekend writer to a serious writer, maybe the most important is to develop a very thick skin. Work hard, do your homework, develop a habit of writing every day, but – have a thick skin. Those rejection letters do not mean you are rejected.

Keep at it.