The month of January, I am joining a group of writers talking about risking rejection. Thank you to Amy Sullivan for encouraging us to move out of our comfort zones. You can read her risk and all the links to others here.
Last week, I sought to take a risk and say no (not an easy feat for me). I can’t say I was totally successful. I said no to one thing, while finding myself in another spot, as a substitute. I tried, does that count?
The next two weeks I will talk about risks that are intertwined with writing. Let’s be honest, I am a worrier and a doubter. Every day I hit publish on here or somewhere else I feel so vulnerable, I can barely breath. Also, I very much love writing.
There has been a lot of risk involved and an unbelievable amount of rejection.
My risk this week is trying again.
Last winter, Kids Can Press, Citizen Kids donated an entire set of books to About Proximity. They were unbelievably generous and believed in our message.
I worked to put together a series of play groups involving the books. They were super fun; games, interactive activities, a big dose of families making a difference. I gathered up my proposal and met with someone at the public library. They have a wonderful auditorium space. I thought it might be a worthwhile addition to their summer offerings.
A week later I received a no. Saying no is hard for me. Receiving no is hard. I tend to think the worst of myself and my ideas. (This did not fit their themes.)
I packed up the books and slid them in their box under my desk. The great moral of how I did not give up never happened, because I did just that. I felt very sad and did not keep trying.
My risk rejection this week is to gather those books and the plans up again. I will commit them to God. If I don’t find a home for them, we will line my street and fill up my house. I can’t wait to write about them this summer.
His understanding when we are rejected is so great.
His ability to not grow weary of us and our hearts is so great. They are everything to him.
About Proximity 
Wow, that is so generous of Kids Can Press! I’m sure you’ll find a suitable home for them. Keep trying!
No. Seriously? The library said no. Hmmmm. That’s dumb.
What about your church? What about a smaller grass roots thingy of you just inviting a goup of 3 or 4 friends? What about reaching out to MOPS and while moms do their chit chat thingy, you do the book group?
Trying again is harder than trying in the first place. Keep going.
PS Your link wasn’t working, but I fixed it.
Aww….Lisa, what a bummer! I am with Amy. I think trying again is just as hard if not harder than trying in the first place. I think there’s hope yet for those books :), but I am glad you are putting yourself out there in this space to be honest about where you are.
Not fun, and I’m sorry – but library people can be weird.
A lot of them seem to be driven by theoretical models of what people should like, rather than what they DO like.
And they’re really influenced by their perception of ‘correctness’.
I think what you did is wonderful, and that you will find the right outlet.
That’s funny. Library people do have a certain way of doing things sometimes…
Boo for disappointing rejections, but YAY that God is pleased with your continued obedience. Keep at sister… He’s got bit stuff up His Holy Sleeves!
You know it!
Trying counts… big time. You were incredibly brave and put yourself out there. And the fact that you’re trying again means that you’re not giving up…. which makes you my hero. 😉 I personally would love to see your ideas for the books. Maybe you could post one set here for Valentine’s day? (Loving others theme?) *hug hug hug* I love you and your big heart.
I love you and your big heart.
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