The Year of Rejection
That is what I’m going to call this year. That’s a good thing. Rejection is bound to happen when you go out on a limb and try something. You can’t expect success without some bumps along the way. Every good salesman knows that getting to a “yes” is a numbers game with a lot of “no’s” along the way. This is the year of putting myself out there and finding that “yes”. I’m finally ready for all the rejection that comes with the territory.
But first, a look back at my resolutions for 2009 –
- Get down to 185 pounds before the wedding.
Didn’t happen, but I did go from 217 to 200. I made it halfway there, and I’m hoping to finish the other half this year.
- Give up all soda
This went great for the first half of the year. I would allow myself only one soda a month as a treat. Over the Fall, things fell apart. I’m at a point where if I have more than one a week, it feels like a lot though. I definitely made progress and I’m going to continue to drink less of it this year.
- Get Monsoon into production
Monsoon has been quite the roller coaster ride. It looked like things could happen by years end, then it didn’t, then it did again. On the bright side, I learned a lot from the setbacks and will give it a serious go this year.
- Read more books
Success! I’m reading scripts on a regular basis, and short stories as well. I even got in a few fiction and non-fiction novels this year. Looking forward to even more reading in 2010.
I think I did all right as far as resolution successes go.
Back to my rejections for this year. No writer, or filmmaker for that matter, can sit around and wait to be “discovered” without putting out samples, and continuing to develop his skills. I’m not going to find an agent, get a fellowship, get published, or fund a film without going out and trying to get those things. So here is my plan for the year:
- I will submit to as many publications as possible to get a short story published.
- I will apply to at least 5 different writing fellowships or workshops
- I will apply to screenwriting contests
- I will apply to filmmaking fellowships and contests
- I will send out query letters to at least 50 agents and managers
- I will join a writers group
- I will scratch, claw, and fight my way to getting Monsoon funded using as many creative funding techniques as possible (and good old fashioned, “asking everyone I know to pitch in” methods as well)
This year, I’m going to get more rejections related to my work and creativity than I’ve ever had before. And it’s going to be fantastic.