Don't get mad, get better!

What happens when you learn one of your stories didn’t make the cut? Sulk? Whine? Quit writing? Well, for your sake, I hope you did none of these. Stressing over why your story was not picked it’s not going to change the outcome of things. Your attitude, on the other hand, will help you get your story published. Even if your story was well-written, chances are your theme was not appealing to the judges. This however, does not mean that your story won’t be liked elsewhere. Do your homework and inquire about magazines that are more compatible with your genre or writing style. Instead of giving up on your story altogether, I advise you to put it away for a while and come back to it when you are feeling less despondent. One of my mentors gave me great advice when he told me to use this anger and frustration, and turn it into positive energy to fix my story. The "rejected" entry should serve as the spring board for the next writing dive. Keep an open mind. Have someone else look at it. Ask your colleagues and friends to give you feedback. In the end is up to us, the writers, to keep our stories alive. We just have to make them better. So, next time one of your stories is not published, tell yourself “It’s their loss!” Revise it and make it a winner!