The manuscript came back today. The "looks good" from the publisher (which I received back in August) changed to "well, maybe we can rework it and use it" (that word came in October) and then today "sorry, we have decided to pass on this."
I'm not sure how many manuscript rejections I have received over the years. I think two or three hundred would be a safe bet.
But God has used the writing. While I had book writing in mind, God had newspaper commentary in mind.
Okay, God. That's okay. All for the greater glory of God.
We pick ourselves up. Learn as we go along.
Relationships are like that too. They are hard work. Sometimes, we're tempted to quit trying. To write someone off. Gosh, it's just too painful, this trying and failing and trying again.
But that is the story of Thanksgiving. God blesses our efforts. Sometimes, it's our two-hundredth manuscript submission that gets blessed. That three-hundredth time we pick up the phone and try to reach out and reconcile with someone dear to us - that's when there is a break through and the sweet, sweet wind of reconciliation begins to blow through us.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family. But there is one person - one relationship - that God has restored to me. Details aren't important. It is enough to say that God does bless our efforts toward reconciliation.
Peace of Christ be yours, now and forever.
Denise
It sounds like you are having a happy Thanksgiving indeed. Your attitude toward manuscript rejection is commendable. Rejection of a manuscript does not necessarily reflect on the quality of writing. It is often a matter of niche, timing, changing markets, current books lined up for publication (both quantity and topic), and many other factors. Good luck with writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Elizabeth. What a wonderful comment. I am so glad you took the time to send me a note. Blessings to you as well!
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