I got a rejection letter the other day. It was my first. I’ve never actually just sent in a manuscript to a magazine before – I’ve entered contests, but never just submitted a story – and also, the contests were online. This was a honest-to-goodness rejection letter, in my very own self-addressed stamped envelope. So it was a landmark for me, in a way.

Of course I’m sorry I didn’t get published on my first try, but at the same time it makes me feel good that I’m trying. Every rejection letter I get is a reminder that I’m pursuing my dream. Every rejection letter I get will be another step towards publication. Every rejection letter reminds me to keep writing. After all, I can’t dream that each day’s post will bring the golden ticket if I don’t have manuscripts out….