Tag: writersonwriting

For many writers, rejection is a painful word. It’s the moment when your carefully crafted story, poem, or article is turned down by someone who didn’t see its potential—or worse, didn’t even bother to respond. But what if rejection didn’t mean failure? What if it actually meant progress?

The 100 Rejections Mindset

The idea is simple: Instead of focusing on success—acceptances, accolades, and bylines—shift your focus to failure. Aim to collect 100 rejections in a calendar year. This goal reframes rejection as proof of effort, not failure. Rejections become proof that you’re putting yourself out there and working toward your dreams.

The magic of this mindset lies in its paradox: By chasing rejection, you often end up with more acceptances than you expected.

Why 100 Rejections?

1. It Builds Resilience
   Rejection is part of being a writer, but the more you face it, the less it hurts. When you set a goal of 100 rejections, you stop fearing the word “no.”
2. It Normalizes the Process
   Submitting work becomes routine. Submitting your work feels less scary when you do it often. You stop overthinking and start seeing rejection as a normal part of the process.
3. It Forces You to Write More
   To hit 100 rejections, you have to write and submit consistently. This sheer volume of effort improves your craft and increases your chances of success.
4. It Turns Rejection into a Metric of Success
   Each rejection becomes a badge of honor. It’s not a reflection of your worth, but of your determination.

How to Get Started

1. Make a Plan
   Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or app to track where and when you submit your work. Keep it organized so you can follow up if needed.
2. Research Markets
   Find magazines, websites, anthologies, or publishers that align with your work. Having options makes it easier to submit regularly which in turn makes it easier it is to hit your goal.
3. Celebrate Rejections
   Instead of feeling bad, celebrate each rejection as a step forward. Whether with a small treat, a happy dance, or by simply updating your tracker, take note of your hard work!
4. Revise and Resubmit
   Not all rejections are final. Many editors give feedback. Use it to revise and submit elsewhere.

Unexpected Benefits

Here’s the secret: the more you submit, the more likely you are to get accepted. The sheer number of submissions increases your odds. And over time, you’ll notice patterns—certain markets might respond positively to your work, or you might discover that a piece rejected by one publication is a perfect fit for another.

It’s Worth It

The fear of rejection often holds writers back. But when you embrace it—when you actively pursue it—it loses its power. Aiming for 100 rejections a year might sound scary at first, but it’s one of the best ways to grow as a writer.

So, what are you waiting for? Start chasing those rejections. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve when you stop letting rejection scare you.