Any form of rejection is tough for us human beings. It’s especially difficult when we pour our hearts and souls into work and it’s not deemed worthy. While the chances of winning are much better than the lottery, submitting your script or screen idea for consideration can ride on a lot of hope before it’s quashed.
Having our work passed over can be a gut punch but it does help to know that it’s a necessary process that every writer must face at one time or another. It’s not the end of the story and as many of the greatest screenwriters will attest, you need to have a thick skin to make it to the top. Even the most quotable screenplay of all-time, Casablanca, faced numerous rejections on its journey.
As difficult as it may be to swallow, there are some excellent ways to turn rejection into opportunity. Here are a few ideas on how to wring out the best in these trying times when the road to Hollywood seems littered with obstacles.
Not A Reflection
A rejection is not a reflection of your value as a writer. Remember, your script might not be the right fit, may be too similar to another project or the timing might be off.
Soak Up the Feedback
Sometimes you’ll receive notes as part of the rejection email or letter. This feedback can be invaluable but be sure to take it with a pinch of salt and reach out to a trusted group or mentor if you need confirmation.
Rocket Fuel
Sometimes a rejection can confirm a hunch that you were meant to be doing something else. This can be just the tonic you need to propel you into a new projector with renewed focus and vigour. Use the energy to compel you into writing that outline or taking that screenwriting class to hone your skills.
Spin-off
Getting your work into the right spaces can open doors. While your script may not have caught fire right away, it may get a second look or your reader may have some better ideas or leads for you. So, be courteous and polite in your dealings… you never know what lies just yonder.
Rejection should be seen as refocus. Let it energise rather than demoralise you so that you keep your passion alive. If you let it smother you, you’ll stop gearing up to submit work. The trick is to keep writing, learning and storytelling until your big break happens! Good luck.