| Rejection hurts. Many artists think about | | | | into the game. Get used to it and be willing |
| rejection so much that they are afraid to | | | | to take it in stride. If you are getting |
| even put create. This is a crime - a theft of | | | | rejections, take it as an excellent sign. It |
| art before it is even born. How do we deal | | | | means that you are moving your art from the |
| with the suffering that comes with hearing | | | | privacy of your home and into the world. It |
| no, no, no, time and again? Over the years I | | | | means that you are trying, and that you are |
| have had my share of rejection and coached | | | | taking your work to the next level. It means |
| artists through this painful part of the | | | | you are taking yourself seriously enough to |
| artist's journey. Use this anti-rejection | | | | risk a no. You should feel good about this |
| checklist to ensure that rejections are few | | | | and acknowledge your efforts to bring your |
| and far between, and when they strike, that | | | | work to a wider audience. Okay, so you have |
| you have a plan to move on. 1. Separate the | | | | done everything on the anti-rejection |
| creating and the promoting process. I suggest | | | | checklist (and more!) to ensure the best |
| creating first, and thinking about selling | | | | possible result. And you've been rejected |
| later, when your art is complete. Do whatever | | | | nonetheless. Now follow the post-rejection |
| you can to produce the best art you are | | | | checklist to deal with it and keep moving. |
| capable of. 2. When submitting your work, set | | | | You can only do so much to avoid rejection. |
| aside the quirky artist you and assume the | | | | How you deal with it will determine how |
| professional stance. Submit your impeccable | | | | successful you will be. Here are ten |
| slides or queries - absolutely free of | | | | rejection rituals to overcome the sting of |
| errors, typos and smudges. Show up in a | | | | 'No.' 1. Write an encouraging letter to |
| professional way and expect to be treated | | | | yourself. Remind yourself why you do art and |
| professionally. 3. Do your research. Seek a | | | | why it is worth some suffering. 2. Write |
| true match for your art. Be clear about the | | | | another letter that expresses your emotions |
| submission process for each gallery or | | | | to the rejector (then throw it away). Make |
| contest that you submit to. Make sure to | | | | this fun and really go for it, because you |
| follow the guidelines. Again, this is not the | | | | are not going to send it. 3. Revisit a former |
| place to express your abundant creativity, | | | | success such as a contest won or a prior |
| unless it's in the vein of how you can get in | | | | showing. Gloat over your previous victories |
| front of your target audience. 4. Set up a | | | | and know that they are just the beginning of |
| system to track your submissions. Know where | | | | your success. 4. Spend some time free writing |
| you have submitted your work so that when you | | | | on your experience with rejection. Start with |
| get a rejection, you are ready to resubmit to | | | | the prompt, 'When I was rejected....' 5. |
| another likely candidate. Make it easy to | | | | Throw a tantrum. Grab a big pillow and pummel |
| keep submitting - you don't want to be so | | | | it with all the force of your disappointment |
| overwhelmed emotionally that you can't keep | | | | and anger. Rant and rave about the unfairness |
| going. 5. Speaking of emotions, its | | | | of it all. 6. Exercise. Go for a walk or a |
| inevitable that you will be awash in a | | | | run or a bike ride, or whatever you do to get |
| whirlpool of emotions. The work of making and | | | | into your body. Offer up your sweat to the |
| selling art is a deep and powerful expression | | | | rejection. 7. Some people save their |
| of the human existence. No wonder we get | | | | rejection letters. You may want to add it to |
| emotional! Anger, resentment, frustration, | | | | a file or... 8. Burn the rejection letter, |
| and sadness may all threaten to overtake your | | | | and with it, all the disappointment. 9. Call |
| resolve to make and show art. This is normal, | | | | a supportive friend and tell them about the |
| yet you don't want to dwell in the storm. | | | | rejection. You may ask them to recount your |
| Experience the emotions and then move on. | | | | strengths as an artist and a person. Make |
| Give yourself a suitable period of time for | | | | sure this friend is able to offer |
| you - an hour, an afternoon, a full day, and | | | | unconditional reassurance as part of your |
| then keep going. 6. Be very clear about what | | | | rejection ritual. 10. Do any of the above |
| is being rejected - this particular query or | | | | rituals and then get back to whatever you |
| this particular piece of writing. You are not | | | | were creating. You must keep going! |
| being rejected. Your entire creative life and | | | | |
| artwork are not being rejected. We can get | | | | Cynthia Morris of Original Impulse helps |
| depressed beyond repair if we globalize the | | | | writers and visionaries make their brilliant |
| rejection and take it to mean that we are no | | | | ideas a reality. Author of Create Your |
| good or our art is no good. 7. Know that | | | | Writer's Life: A Guide to Writing with Joy |
| rejection is as much a part of creating as is | | | | and Ease, and Go For It! |
| the thrill of inspiration. Rejection is built | | | | |