Saturday, October 23, 2010

Another week, another rejection

When I was thirteen, I was sitting on the steps of a local pizzeria, reading a book in the sunshine.  A cute, lanky dark-eyed boy  and his friend rode their bikes up to the pizzeria and dropped them on the sidewalk. After ordering, they came back out and stood nearby, throwing the occasional glance in my direction. Finally, the cute boy introduced himself and asked my name. I put my book down and we started chatting.

The two of us had a lively conversation and, when they called my name, I went in and got the pizza. He said, "I'd like to talk to you some more."

"Yeah, I'd like that," I said, balancing the hot pizza box on my hip so I could carry it with my book on top. "You can call me."

"I will," he promised. We exchanged numbers.  Then, right before I could walk away grinning like a fool, his eyes caught the book I'd laid aside to talk with him. "What are you reading?" he asked.

I don't remember what the book was, although I do remember that it was a weighty adult tome. I told him the title, and he asked, "For school?"

"No, just for something to read," I said.

"Oh." He gave me another cute grin and a little wave and walked back to his friend.

When I walked away, I overheard him say to his friend, "Nah. Too smart for me."  I knew he wasn't going to call.

For some reason, getting yet another rejection letter for a short story today reminded me of being a skinny, freckled, red-headed thirteen year old girl carrying a stupid pizza home on a hot summer day. :p

18 comments:

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Rejection letters suck, and so do boys who think a girl who reads is too brainy to be any fun. Sad all around, and a very good comparison.

Hearty commiserations on both counts. Believe me, I know how you feel.

Kathryn Rose said...

Oh, cute boy! How could you?? :(

Hang in there. Rejection sucks, but I like to look at it like it happened for a reason, because there was a better option out there still waiting for you!

Tracy said...

I'm sorry. :o(

This just proves that agents and boys have something in common. It takes them both a while to get things right.

Kittie Howard said...

I so agree with Tracy!! Putting yourself in the same boat with that boy is like putting a trout (you) in a pail with a minnow (boy).

Hang in there!

Old Kitty said...

Oh Guinevere!! That boy just hasn't a clue what he missed!!!

I'm so sorry about the rejection!!! :-( Big big hugs!!

Hang on in there! Your story will find a home, just you wait!!

Take care
x

dolorah said...

Awh, so sorry on both counts.

I'm still waiting to hear when my short story will be on the Bewildering Stories schedule. then I'll start sending queries again so I have that publishing credit on my query.

I'm hoping that helps me.

Keep at it. You've got a nice couple stories. They are sure to sell.

........dhole

Guinevere said...

Aw, thanks for all the kind comments, guys! It all worked out in the end boy-wise and I'm sure eventually it will all work out writing-wise, but I definitely needed the encouragement today. :)

Unknown said...

That's so sad! Though I think it's so cute how you relate the two, the same feeling of rejection, no bigger no worse, they all suck.

Hang in there.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sometimes the cute boys can be pretty dumb! His loss.

Abby Minard said...

So sorry to hear that! That boy was just another dumb boy and as far as the short story, at least you are trying and putting it out there! Good luck and keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

Rejection letters suck. Don't give up thought. You'll find the perfect home for your story.

Christina Lee said...

AWWW what a great comparison story! I am so disappointed in that cute boy!

Andrea Coulter said...

dude, that guy was obviously super-lame!

getting writing-rejections means you're brave. Lots of people don't try, or give up, because they're scared of rejection. So keep on keepin' on, and it'll make your success that much sweeter when it comes :)

notesfromnadir said...

Hey, too bad that he liked 'em non-reading!

Really love that story, aside from making me want a pizza, & it's a great analogy.

Rejections are just another way of closing a door that wasn't the right 1 for you but later the right door will open for you. :)

Shelley Sly said...

Awwww Guinevere... hang in there, it will work out! I have faith in you! :) But I understand how rejection sucks (both the literary and boy variety.)

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Anonymous said...

I'm sorry... rejection letters are a let-down...

But just like all those years back- there are times it is more their loss than yours.

So please don't lose heart.

Anonymous said...

Rejection sometimes makes me insecure. But don't get let down. Get back on that saddle. :)