The Fear of Rejection

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Erik Daniel Shein and Dennis Lowery: Serpentauria: Ark of Extinction
Irene Trowell-Harris with Dennis Lowery: Sky High ~ No Goal Is Out of Your Reach
Dennis Lowery: Business Plans Explained: The Things You Need to Know About Business Plans--that most people don't!
Dennis Lowery: How to Find Money for Your Business
Laila Al Bellucci, Dennis Lowery (Contributor): Mirabella and the Pearl of Chulothe
Demetrius Carolina with Dennis Lowery (Contributor): Let There Be Light | Creating a Life Worth Living
Curtis Odom with Dennis Lowery (Contributor): Stuck in the Middle | A Generation X View of Talent Management
Nangy Ghafarshad with Dennis Lowery (Contributor): To Lift a Mirror... for What You've Lost
Barbara Benke with Dennis Lowery (Contributor): A Soldier's Service Book | My Father's Life During WWII
Dennis Lowery: On Writing About Your Life... Your Story | How to start, plan and organize your memoir or story
This is not a guide to teach you how to become a writer. There are countless books, courses, articles and websites that can help you with that. They can teach you proper grammar, structure and even how to format your manuscript for publication. Those are all things that come with having a rough draft to polish and make pretty. This IS a guide to help you make actual progress and do what needs to come first—the most important step you must take if you want to write your story. Creating a first draft (the rough draft you can then begin to make pretty and polished).

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I write in a handful of genres--and sometimes my stories spread across them. I also post eclectic musings about my worldview on life, tips on writing, and publishing. I occasionally use coarse language but not to offend by gratuitous use but rather for emphasis. Included among my posts and writings will be occasional plugs for my business, my books and my client's books. I reserve that right--hey it's my blog!

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By Dennis Lowery

I often have writers and those who want to become writers contact me to ask questions. A recurring one is, "What if I fail... what if I'm rejected?"

That basic human fear transcends writing and applies to virtually everything we do in life. Most people experience it to a larger or lesser degree. A fragile psyche asks that question over and over again and beating that ball around in your head has to suck.

So if you have that bouncing around in your head--stop it. That is if you want to make progress in many aspects of your life (it could be your writing or relationships, etc. anything under the sun--and moon--that opens you up to someone else's perception or judgment of you).

I think the way to overcome the fear of rejection is to stand up to it. Put yourself out there and be willing to be rejected or to fail… and then learn from experience. Rejection (and failure) is permanent only if you let it become so.

You can’t hit the ball if you don’t swing the bat… and swing it as best you can. Do not make a half-assed attempt (those type efforts always ultimately leads to rebuff or disappointment)—giving it your best evens the odds.

No one on this earth (past, present and future) is perfect. Be willing to discover that about yourself--and to discover it in others. Even when you try your best sometimes you will bomb. It's OK to be concerned about the outcome... just don't let that stop you from trying.

A friend of mine, author Donna McAleer, often quotes this (and it is an absolute truth):

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

So...

-- TAKE YOUR SHOT(S)! --

Isn't what you want to accomplish for yourself (or your family if applicable) worth it?

Posted by Dennis Lowery on 12 May 2011 in Poptimism (About Life), Writing & Publishing | Permalink

Technorati Tags: Dennis Lowery, faith, goals, life, objectives, publishing, rejection, writer, writing

Comments

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I think it was Wayne Gretsky who said "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

Of couse... Wayne was already a master when he was quoted as saying that.

Did you know how many foul shots Wilt C. missed? Fans came to see him anyway. Jack Kent Cook loved it too.

Posted by: Vicky Klopp | 14 May 2011 at 03:03 PM

My fear right now is that I'll appear to be a Chelsa Handler. Yeah, its her truth, but way more information than we really need to know.

Yet another day of angst.

Posted by: Vicky Klopp | 28 May 2011 at 11:19 AM

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