Rejection is one of the most painful experiences a writer can face. Whether it’s a form letter from a literary agent or silence from a publisher, it feels personal, like all your passion and effort have been dismissed. But here’s the truth: every writer, no matter how successful, has faced rejection. Even the authors you admire most have been told “no” countless times before their big break. Today at What We Writing, we’re exploring how to handle writing rejection and stay motivated when the world seems to be saying “not good enough”. From reframing rejection as a learning opportunity to practical tips on how to keep writing, we’ll help you build the emotional resilience needed to keep going. Remember, rejection isn’t the end of your writing journey – it’s just a stepping stone. So, if you’ve ever felt defeated by a rejection letter, keep reading. You’re not alone, and your writing future is still brimming with possibilities.
Why Writing Rejection Hurts
Rejection can feel like a punch to the gut for any writer. It’s more than just a simple “no” – we can’t help but let it feel like a personal attack on our abilities, creativity and even our worth as writers. The sting of writer rejection is unique because it taps into our deepest fears: the fear of failure, the fear that our hard work isn’t good enough, and the fear that our dreams may never come true.
Psychologically, being rejected can trigger feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and frustration. It can lead us to question our talents or whether we even have what it takes to make it in a competitive space. It’s natural to take rejection personally, particularly when something like writing is so deeply tied to our sense of identity. When you pour your soul into a piece of work, only for it to be met with a rejection letter, it can often feel like a rejection of you as a person, too.
But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t a reflection of your worth. Even the most successful writers have faced rejection countless times. Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie, was rejected thirty times before it was published. J.K. Rowling was turned down by twelve publishers before Harry Potter found a home. Rejection is simply part of the process, and even the best writers didn’t find success overnight.
Whilst the pain of rejection may never go away, understanding that it is a universal experience for writers can help soften the blow. Writing rejection isn’t about you as a person or the quality of your work; it’s about timing, fit, and circumstances that often have very little to do with your skill.
How To Deal With Rejection As A Writer
Dealing with writing rejection isn’t easy, but it’s a crucial skill for any writer to possess. How you manage the emotional aftermath can make all the difference between staying stuck in disappointment or moving on with renewed determination. Here are some actionable steps to help you recover emotionally and build resilience as a writer.
Reframe Rejection as Feedback
One of the most powerful ways to cope with writing rejection is to reframe it as feedback, not failure. Rather than seeing rejection as a judgment of your abilities, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Rejections often come with helpful comments or suggestions from editors, agents, or publishers. Even if they don’t provide detailed feedback, consider what the rejection can teach you about the market, your writing style, or the specific submission process. By adopting a mindset that views rejection as constructive feedback, you can transform a negative experience into an opportunity for growth.
Detach Your Worth from Your Work
Writers often tie their self-worth to the success of their writing. When a piece of work is rejected, it can feel like a personal rejection. To protect your emotional health, it’s important to separate your sense of self from your work. Your worth as a writer doesn’t diminish with each rejection; it’s simply a part of the journey. Remind yourself that rejection is a natural part of the writing process, and it doesn’t define who you are. You are much more than your manuscript, and rejection doesn’t negate your potential for future success.
Allow Yourself to Feel (Then Move On)
It’s okay to feel disappointment, frustration, or even anger after being rejected. The key is to allow yourself to experience those emotions without allowing them to control you. Accepting your feelings as a part of the process can help you move through them more quickly. Give yourself a short time to process the rejection – whether it’s just a few hours or a day – then gently push yourself to refocus on your next project. Emotional recovery after rejection is all about balance: acknowledging your feelings without letting them hold you back. Once you’ve processed the setback, move forward with confidence, knowing that the next opportunity is just around the corner.
How To Stay Motivated And Keep Writing
Once the sting of rejection begins to fade, the next step is to figure out how to move forward. Staying motivated after rejection can be tough, but it is also when true resilience is built. Here are a few practical strategies to help you keep going as a writer, no matter how many “no’s” you hear.
Set New Writing Goals
After a rejection, one of the best things you can do is refocus your energy on what’s next. Setting new writing goals – big or small – helps you shift your mindset from loss to progress. Maybe it’s finishing a short story you’ve put aside, outlining a new novel, or submitting to a different publication. The key is to choose something achievable that reignites your creative momentum. Writing after rejection becomes easier when you have something fresh to aim for.
Create a Rejection Ritual
It may sound silly, but developing a personal rejection ritual can help you immensely with processing disappointment in a healthy, empowering way. Some writers log each rejection in a spreadsheet to track submissions (and remind themselves how many times they’ve tried, which is a win in itself). Others reward themselves with a treat – a coffee, a walk, a favourite snack – every time they receive a “no”. It transforms rejection into a moment of acknowledgement and even a cause for celebration. Over time, this builds resilience and makes rejection feel like just another step in the process.
Join Writing Communities for Support
Writing can be a lonely pursuit. However, you don’t need to face rejection alone. Joining writing communities – online or in-person – can be incredibly grounding. Whether it’s a local writing group, a subreddit, a Discord server, or a critique circle, being surrounded by people who know the highs and lows of the writing life so intimately makes a world of difference. You’ll find encouragement, feedback and, most importantly, reminders that rejection happens to everyone. When you share your journey with others, it’s easier to stay motivated after rejection and keep going as a writer.
What To Do With Rejected Work
So, your piece was rejected – now what? The good news is that “no” doesn’t mean the end of the road for your writing. In fact, it may turn out to be the beginning of a new path. Whether it needs a little refining or simply a different home, there are plenty of different ways to breathe new life into rejected work. Here’s what to do when your writing is rejected.
Revise and Resubmit
Rejection can sometimes point to an opportunity for improvement. If you received feedback, take time to reflect on it objectively – does it highlight something you can strengthen or clarify? Even without feedback, a fresh round of editing can reveal areas to tighten pacing, sharpen dialogue, or adjust tone. After revising, consider resubmitting your piece – either to the same place (if they allow it) or to someplace different. Resubmitting after rejection shows persistence, and editors respect writers willing to grow.
Consider Other Markets or Publishers
Just because one editor or agent didn’t get connected with your work doesn’t mean that others won’t. Publications, agents, and publishers all have different tastes, submission needs, and editorial visions. Research other outlets that publish work in your genre and style – there’s often a better fit waiting to be found. Sometimes, a piece rejected ten times finds its perfect home on the eleventh try. Don’t underestimate the power of persistence.
Explore Self-Publishing
In today’s publishing world, self-publishing isn’t a consolation prize – it’s a legitimate and empowering path for many writers. If your work has been rejected multiple times but you still believe in it, consider taking the reins yourself. Self-publishing gives you creative control, quicker turnaround times, and direct access to your readers. Many successful writers started off this way or used it as a stepping stone. If traditional doors don’t open, build your own.
Wrap Up
Rejection hurts – there’s no sugarcoating that. But it doesn’t have to stop you. Whether you’re dealing with your first rejection or your fiftieth, remember: every great writer has stood exactly where you are now.
We’ve covered why writing rejection stings, how to build emotional resilience, how to remain motivated, and what to do with rejected work. Through it all, the most important thing to take away is this: rejection is not the end of your writing journey. It’s a part of it.
Each “no” means you’re showing up. You’re submitting. You’re doing the work, and that’s something to be proud of.
So, take a deep breath, shake it off, and keep going. Your next “yes” could be just around the corner.
Feeling brave? Share your most memorable rejection moment – and how you bounced back – in the comments below. Hopefully, this post has helped you out. If it has, consider sharing it with another writer who might be in need of a boost today!