” Failure is a great teacher” – Jay -Z

Rejection is never an easy thing to deal with, and I’ve been fortunate enough that throughout my literary journey I haven’t really had to face rejection. I make it a point to send out my poetry to several different literary journals and magazines and up until now there has generally been a warm reception. That is until last week.

Last week I received my first email rejection. It wasn’t rude or snide, but rather simple, a mere two lines and yet the impact was huge.

Here’s what the email said:

“Sorry to say, we will not be using this submitted work, and do wish you the best of luck with it elsewhere. ”

See? Told you it was simple and to the point. They meant no ill will it was merely not what they were looking for and they wished me the best of luck with it elsewhere. Yet for some odd reason it bothered the living daylights out of me. I  felt like as a poet and writer my words are my creative gift to the world. So who is this literary journal to deny me an avenue to share my gift? Although in the literary world it’s often unheard of for literary journals to give explanations for not wanting to use the authors work I found myself curious as to what it was that they didn’t like. Was it the choice of words?

The style? The diction? The verse? WHAT WAS IT?!?

Then it dawned on me that Mr.Sean Carter was right- Failure is a great teacher. After all if we were successful all the time then what lessons would we really be learning? Although I would like to be bitter about the fact that one magazine doesn’t want my poetry, there are many out there that may find  my work is the right fit for their magazine.

The bottom line is I know that I gave my all and my best in those poems, so while some may not understand the concept or feel moved by it I can be confident that I put my best foot forward. So now instead of being upset about the letter, I’m thankful because it gives me motivation to discover new avenue’s to share my talent with the world.

Happy Writing!

xoxo

Elle