Rejections are like Falling Off your Motorbike by Maggie Mundy
I wasn’t one of those people who thought they would always write a novel, and equally I wasn’t someone who thought about being a bikie chick either. My daughter had mentioned wanting to learn to ride and I said I would too. I didn’t think it would actually happen, after all you know what eighteen year olds are like. So when she said she was going to get her learners and you’re coming too mum, I didn’t have a leg to stand on. All I had ever done in the past was ride a moped back in the UK and been pillion on my husband’s bike so this was a huge step for me.
So I turn up at the learner’s course and don’t do too bad until the test where I freeze. Maybe the thought of having a licence that says I can go on the road was freaking me out. Second attempt and I thought I was doing okay until the test day when I had an instructor who was a male chauvinist pig to say the least. So I was not surprised when he didn’t pass me. Third time same guy failed me again. I was in tears and decided I would never do it again, and why was I putting myself through this.
Unbeknownst to me my husband and friend phoned up and complained about the instructor (they were not the first complaint about him) and I was given another chance. I passed with flying colours without Mr Grumpy around.
Over the next two years I practiced and decided to go for my full test. In the meantime the test centre had moved to the other side of town and I had to ride through a thunderstorm in during peak hour traffic and unfortunately didn’t pass.
I had another month before I could retake my test and there was a motorbike club get together in Mildura so I decided to ride the 400km. My husband and friends were saying are you sure you can do it, but I had to prove to myself that I was serious about wanting this. Now I’m not usually fearless and on the freeway I would get freaked out by the big trucks passing and the wind gusts blowing me around. My solution was to sing Akuna Mutate very loudly. It worked even if I probably looked demented.
Eventually did my test and past. That was last year and now I look back and have to say the experience taught me something about myself. When you fall off or get a rejection you should get back up and keep writing or get back on the bike no matter how bruised you are.
Be determined and persevere until you get there. I’m still not super brave but when I ride through a busy city now I break it up into small pieces so that I don’t get overwhelmed by what I am doing, and I can do the same with writing. Before I know it I’ve got there.
Years ago I did a fortune telling game and asked the question of whether I would get published. The answer that came back from the cards was to enjoy the journey. Now I do with the wind blowing in my hair.
I have been writing for ten years and have had more rejections than you could poke a stick at, but like with my bike I got up brushed myself off and tried again.
As for my publication journey, I am published with Phoenix Press and Soul Mate Publishing. I have two novellas out in my Seeker Chronicles, Blood Scent and Blood Oath. In my Earthbound Series, World Change the first book is out now. Hidden Mortality is now out with Soul Mate Publishing. In my Midworlder Series, Unknown Protector the first book is also available now.
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About Maggie:
Maggie Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English and Creative Writing at Flinders University. She had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. She has two books out with Rogue Phoenix Press. An erotic novella called Blood Scent and a paranormal romance called World Change. She also has a supernatural thriller out with Soul Mate Publishing called Hidden Mortality.
She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.
She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.
Where you can find Maggie
That's so true about learning to enjoy the journey Maggie! A beautiful and fun analogy. Keep the wind blowing in your hair and enjoy writing the next novel :)
ReplyDeleteI love this blog, so true, Maggie. Like most of life's most amazing experiences, writing is scary and not for the faint-hearted. Rejections are horrible but they are par for the course and you have to suck them up and get on with the job. If you choose to walk away, that's fine, but if you want to get published, there's no other way but to get used to the bruising and the storm clouds and press on regardless. Good on you for getting there, in both facets of your life. I'll just bet there are more where you've succeeded too. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteI totally relate to this story, although I think falling off your bike is a tad more painful. 'Persistence is the key to success' is the theme of my speech at the Festival Fleurieu in April, and it's courageous women like you that inspire me!
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