Writer's Trials: Navigating the Path of Rejection

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Monique Hall, a small town contemporary romance author, has been on a remarkable writing journey. After participating in a Twitter pitch contest and attending the RWA Conference in August, she submitted her manuscript to three publishers.

The first publisher offered constructive criticism, rejecting the manuscript with specific reasons: point of view, exposition, and character development. Monique took this feedback on board, understanding that it was a stepping stone towards improvement. She is grateful for the advice from professional editors, learning to be objective about her work and to take their advice seriously.

Monique didn't let the rejection discourage her. Instead, she used it as motivation to hone her craft. She has since written a novella (A Healing Hand) and two short stories, demonstrating her commitment to her writing.

The second publisher praised Monique's style but unfortunately, their rural romance list was saturated. Undeterred, Monique continues to be proactive. She takes courses, networks with other authors, asks questions, and learns to be a better writer.

The author's writing is improving, and she plans to revisit and ruthlessly rework her manuscript. The third publisher's response is still pending, and the manuscript is not yet available for readers.

Monique's journey is a testament to the fact that becoming a brilliant writer takes time. She remains patient, understanding that hard work will pay off in the end. She enjoys feel-good movies and soppy romance novels with "happily-ever-afters," and her writing reflects this love for heartwarming stories.

As Monique continues on her writing journey, she encourages other aspiring authors to be proactive. Take courses, network with other authors, ask questions, and learn to be a better writer. The hard work will be worth it in the end.