Yesterday, as I came back from a nice long run in the damp chilly air, I got not one, not two, but THREE rejection letters from publishers. I laughed out loud.
Then I realized something: This whole book project has my panties in a bunch for two reasons, both of them not soulful reasons. One, my advisor hooked me up with this project and thought I did such a great job it should be published. I've already been paid (a little) for my translation and I'm actually trying to follow through on somone else's idea. Two, a book would look good on my CV and might help me get a professor gig. I love the original book's author and would love to help him. But if this doesn't work out, it's not the death of a dream, you know?
This year appears to be the year of hitting my head against the wall. With no work for next academic year, an endless struggle to dissertate, the treatment slog in my future, either the wall's going to break, or my head. Any bets which goes first?
I am pretty hard headed, you know.
14 comments:
Yuck. Sorry about the rejections. Even if you know that your work is solid, it can still get you down when some stranger says, "Thanks, but no."
And I hear you on the beating your head thing. Progress is just never easy.
As for me, though, I'm betting that your head will prevail...
My money's on the wall cracking first.
ack. sorry about the rejection letters. I have a feeling the wall will break down before your head breaks. I have to think there's a niche for you somewhere with all that OCOW expertise.
I'm sorry to hear that. Beating your head against the wall hurts. I know from experience.
Three in one day, what are the chances? Geeezzz.
Hug
My money's on the wall (to break, that is).
I'll place my chips on the wall.
I love that you laughed out loud instead of taking a baseball bat to a station wagon (or did that happen next). This actually may be a good sign...bad things comes in threes, followed by a couple of good things. So acceptance letter, pregnancy and professorship next!
I'm sorry for all the rejection letters; I hope that you manage to find a publisher soon.
I know how hard it is to write up a dissertation and pursue treatment at the same time. As you say, it really does feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall.
Hang on in there!
I'm voting for the wall. You seem like a pretty tough cookie.
Sorry about the rejections. Bastards.
I am thinking the wall, since you are such a strong girl, with a strong head! Sorry about all the rejections (ahh hate that word, such a downer word) sorry about all the mean letters (hee hee).
I'm sorry about the rejection letters, too....
On another note, thanks for your comment about the Frankl book. There is another quote from the book that I didn't include but that reminds me of you, so I wanted to send it to you. It's actually from the foreward- Harold Kushner writes, "Frankl saw three possible sources for meaning (in life): in work (doing something significant), in love (caring for another person), and in courage during difficult times. Suffering in and of itself is meaningless; we give our suffering meaning by the way in which we respond to it."
From reading your blog, I think you are scoring 3 out of 3. Rejection letters be damned!!
-Dot
When I was in law school, my roommate and I papered the walls of our rooms with the rejection letters we got from law firms. Not quite the same thing, I know ... hope the wall crumbles soon!
Oh sweetie, I'm sorry for these rejections, especially at this time when all things frustrating seem to be converging. It's so insightful that you can realize your reasons are not "soulful" ( I love that phrase, BTW). I am thinking the wall is in big trouble. You will prevail in all things, I know you will.
How about I send you an acceptance letter and you send me one...just so we can see what it feels like!
Damn. I thought BFNs were hard, but those rejection letters come in a close second.
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