IWSG post: HOW TO MAKE PEACE WITH THE SHARK OF REJECTION

YOU CHOSE TO SWIM IN 

SHARK-INFESTED WATERS

We all did when we became writers.

You don't step into the ring 

unless you can take a punch

But you will be knocked down 

more than you will win.

That's just the nature of the business.

The key is to find the strength and grit

to get back up.

In 1923, Babe Ruth held the record for ...

HOME RUNS in a season

HIGHEST BATTING RECORD

and

He STRUCK OUT more times 

than any other

Major League player 

that season.

He said:

"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."

"Every strike brings me closer 

to the next home run."

"Never let the fear of striking out 

keep you from the game."

Ray Bradbury started out young as a writer --

at 12,

writing on the only paper available:

Butcher's Paper

since it was the Great Depression.

He kept on getting rejected. 

 He promised himself that he would quit if he could not sell a story by the 500th rejection.

You guessed it: 

he sold a story on his 500th attempt.

"You have to learn to take rejection, not as an indication of personal failing, but as a wrong address."

Ray Bradbury said:

"Man has always been half-monster, 

half-dreamer.

Once you understand that,

then you can write a full story."

Writing is not a sprint.

It is a marathon.

And you win a marathon by 

always moving forward.

And enjoying the race doesn't hurt either.

Listen to the wisdom

of Ray Bradbury

and

grow as a writer: