Chapter 1: The Harsh Reality of Rejection

"Go find yourself a real job; writing isn't a career!"

Photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash

How many times have you encountered such discouraging remarks, especially as an aspiring author? It’s challenging—extremely challenging.

My Journey:

I dedicated two years to crafting my debut novel after earning my engineering degree. Despite my academic background, I never considered myself a writer; I felt like a failure in engineering. I did collaborate with two of my professors to launch a research journal on Machine Learning. Nevertheless, the desire to be a writer was strong. Since my school days, people praised my writing, and for me, it flowed naturally without much effort.

Returning to my narrative, I was on the verge of publishing my first book. Thanks to one of my professors, I had the opportunity to meet a publisher. I contacted him, and he arranged for me to come in at 10:00 AM the following day.

The publisher’s office was nearly 20 km away, so I rushed there first thing in the morning without even eating breakfast. When I arrived at 10:00 AM, he kept me waiting for an hour before finally showing up. He initially didn’t say a word to me.

After a lengthy 30 minutes, he finally spoke. I mentioned that my professor had referred me, which he acknowledged. However, his behavior was perplexing. He began pacing around the office, and I found myself following him. I still can’t comprehend why I did that.

His actions were a classic psychological tactic known as Mirroring and Leading, designed to disorient and manipulate the other person into a more compliant state. After that interaction, I struggled to answer any of his questions confidently. That’s not typically my nature.

This routine continued over two to three meetings, and yes, I often traveled to his office for these encounters! But on the fifth occasion, after waiting from 10 AM until 3 PM and receiving barely two minutes of his time, I decided enough was enough. I finally had breakfast at 3:30 PM that day.

That experience taught me a crucial lesson: I meant nothing to him. To him, my time was insignificant. This realization hit hard, especially since I had dedicated my entire day to this meeting.

The world often overlooks individuals unless they possess something noteworthy. That’s why I respond to every message in my inbox. I make an effort to offer help when I can, and I don’t leave anyone hanging or provide false hope.

On platforms like Medium, while I might hesitate to ask others for feedback on my stories (perhaps contributing to my low follower count), I always engage with those who reach out to me. I give them appreciation, whether through claps or thoughtful comments.

This is because I recognize the hope, time, and energy that goes into seeking feedback from someone, especially a stranger online who might read and appreciate your work.

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Takeaway:

Each setback offers valuable lessons—not just about the external world, but about ourselves as well. The publisher's indifference was a stark reminder that our time and efforts may not always be recognized. However, it also highlighted the importance of treating others with the respect and attention they deserve.

So, to every writer, creator, or dreamer out there—keep showing up, strive to do your best, and always remember to value both your time and that of others.

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Chapter 2: Learning from Setbacks

This video titled "Has This Ever Happened To You?" explores the common struggles writers face and how they can grow from these experiences.

In this video, we dive into the emotional journey of writers and how overcoming rejection can lead to personal growth and resilience.