I received a rejection letter on Monday. Even though it was a standard letter, the Fiction Editor had taken the time to not only sign her name but write mine - much friendlier than the "Dear Writer" other magazines have been sending my way. I even liked the letterhead on the rejection letter - shiny silver and purple - and, although it is plain professionalism that sees every one of the magazine's letters go out with this expensive-looking letterhead, I couldn't help but think they could save money in this global financial crisis by sending out the hundreds of rejection letters they mail each week with less gloss. Or maybe that's just me?
I'm not sure if it was the handwriting of the editor, or the shiny letterhead, or the fact that I've just become used to them, but this rejection didn't leave me with the hollow realisation that I'll never ever be a 'real' writer.
Then again, I had posted Chapter Three of Retribution, my Ever After Fan Fiction story, the night before and it's hard to tell yourself your writing is a mess when reviewers are telling you that you write well and are asking to read more. It gives me random thoughts, like: maybe I could write movie novelisations, or perhaps I should concentrate on historical novels! Yes! Mind you, jumping on the Internet whenever I can to see if there's a new review is probably not doing much for my productivity!
