I’ve been sitting on two plays for a few years now, one that has been through several edits and rounds of feedback where I decided there were no changes I wished to make. At a playwriting workshop offered by Mark Ravenhill a couple of years ago, he asked me what I was waiting for, urging me to look for places to submit it, if for no other reason than to get the first one over with.
It took me a couple of years to work up to it, but today I did. I organised all the little things I needed to submit, and off it went. Now I wait.
I’m terrible at waiting.
At present I have three short stories and one short play out for consideration. The time between rejections makes me a little restless. Having that much work out is nothing to turn my nose at, something I need to remember, but it leaves me not actively doing anything. Just… waiting. And waiting. And waiting. It’s just the way the game goes. You write, edit, submit, get rejected, and submit again. With any luck, you get to a point where the rejections actually motivate you, and with great luck, something will get picked up.
In the meantime, I have lots to work on. Drafts in all stages of completion. Deadlines ahead. But still, the waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
Do you track your rejections? I do. I keep a log of them. A way to be able to look back and see that I’m actually doing something. I’ve been told countless times that rejections show you’re working, and I try to look at them in this positive light. I am curious how others track and/or use their rejections.
The podcast should be returning soon. Occupational hazard of being a SAHM, sometimes you are at the whims of tiny humans, and they’re not always understanding of your recording needs. At least it gives me time to wrestle my show notes back from Justice.
In the event that I win this battle of wills, you may see them if you become a supporter of our Patreon. They’re super nerdy, if that persuades you. We’ll also be tackling other people’s advice, because we’re nosy like that.
I’m taking the rest of the week to work on gifts for Januarymas. Watch this space for updates! Also, I’d love to hear what you’re working on!