It can be a gut punch when you pour your heart and soul into a screenplay, only to have it rejected. The email or notification that your script didn’t make it to the next round, or the silence after a submission, can feel like a personal failure. But if you want to have a long and successful career as a screenwriter, you must learn how to cope with disappointment and keep writing.
Acknowledge the Disappointment
First, give yourself permission to feel bad. The rejection of a creative project can sting, and it’s okay to be disappointed, angry or sad. Don’t try to immediately brush off your feelings or pretend you’re fine. Suppressing these emotions can lead to burnout or creative block in the long run. Take a day to mope, watch a movie or vent to a trusted friend who understands your passion.
However, it’s also important to set a time limit on this grief. Don’t let a single rejection derail your entire creative process for weeks or months. Acknowledge the feeling, process it, and then commit to moving forward.
Separate Your Self-Worth from Your Screenplay’s Success
This is one of the most crucial lessons for any creative person. Your value as a writer and as a person is not determined by whether your script wins a competition or gets optioned. A single screenplay rejection does not mean you are a bad writer. It simply means that particular script didn’t connect with the reader or a specific contest’s criteria at that moment in time.
Remember that rejection is subjective and often has more to do with market trends, genre preferences or a reader’s personal taste than it does with your script’s quality. Countless now-classic films were rejected multiple times before they were made, including Back to the Future and Pulp Fiction.
Get Objective Feedback
Once the initial sting of rejection has faded, it’s time to get back to work. If you received any feedback, no matter how brief, take a deep breath and read it with an open mind. If you didn’t receive any notes, consider seeking objective feedback from a professional script reader, a trusted writers’ group, a screenwriting mentor or Reviewmyscript.
This isn’t about looking for validation; it’s about identifying potential areas for improvement. Were there common themes in the feedback? Did multiple people point out issues with your pacing, character development or dialogue? Use this information to inform your next draft, but remember that not all feedback is created equal. Learn to discern constructive criticism from personal opinion.
Re-evaluate and Revise
A rejection can be a powerful motivator to make your screenplay even better. Look at your script with fresh eyes. Is the logline as strong as it could be? Does the inciting incident happen early enough? Are the stakes clear and high? This is your chance to re-write your screenplay and elevate it to the next level.
You may even decide that a complete overhaul is necessary, or you might realize that a different project is calling to you. Don’t be afraid to put the script aside for a while and come back to it with a new perspective.
Shift Your Focus to the Next Project
One of the best ways to cope with a setback is to get back on the horse. While you’re in the process of rewriting your script, it can be incredibly helpful to start thinking about or even outlining your next one. This shifts your creative energy from the past to the future. It reminds you that your journey as a writer is not defined by one script but by a continuous stream of ideas and stories.
Build Your Resilience
Finally, remember that screenwriting success is a marathon, not a sprint. The most successful writers are those who are resilient and persistent. They don’t give up after one rejection – or even a hundred. They understand that every “no” is a step closer to a “yes.” Build your resilience by celebrating small wins, networking with other writers, and staying committed to your craft.
Each rejection is not a closed door but a lesson learned. It’s a testament to the fact that you are actively pursuing your dreams. So, allow yourself to feel the disappointment, and then use it as fuel to keep writing, keep revising, and keep submitting. Your persistence is your most valuable asset.