This is a hard post to write for me. It not something I have to write or that people would expect me to share but when I started this blog almost 3 years ago (eek) I wrote that it would be about life and love and when the worst is happening to write about it. So here I am. I thought July was going to be my month, work would have calmed down (which it did to a tedious level – but I’m not complaining there at all), I would start hearing back from the womags – not necessarily expecting them to beat my door down to buy stories but some feedback from real live editors would really spur me on. Life would just be better – or so I thought. This week I received not one, not two but three short story rejections – one of which was a silent rejection from That’s life Australia so not all bad but still a rejection nonetheless. I also received one two weeks ago today from The Weekly News. Quite possibly the nicest rejection ever but at quite possibly the worst time. That day my boyfriend and I broke up. I am of course sad to lose someone I’ve shared my life with for 6 years but also so much happier that the pressure of trying to make things work (from both sides) has disappeared and we can just get on being great friends. So now comes the stress of moving again in a month (we are still co habiting – which actually makes things easier as I don’t have the heartache of not seeing him so suddenly). So there you have it. Things got really crap for a while there but I have to look forward – it's time for a fresh start and to get more work out there. I only have one story out there with Yours and I can feel the rejection writing itself (sorry for the pessimism – I’ll try and rein it in a little). I also have great plans for next year – which I shall reveal should I get good news. I did get some fab news this week – that my brother and his girlfriend are going to have a little girl in December (hurrah I shall be an aunty finally!!). I couldn’t be more over the moon, a little baby in the family that I get to give back when she starts crying! So there you have it – sorry for not commenting/blogging for so long but I just had to feel sorry for myself for a bit and take time for myself. I am still writing of course – thanks to W2W, the only thing right now keeping me writing.
I also went to a How to Get Published Seminar which was brilliant and shall blog about this weekend.
Thanks for listening!
Lily
x
I'm so sorry to hear about the story rejections and they split from your boyfriend. Welcome to the land of the single girl! Seriously, there must be something in the air at the moment. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. :) It's great you've managed to stay friends with your ex, not only did I push my ex away when we were together - I've managed to push him away when we are separated too.
ReplyDeleteThink positive and you'll be positive! It's hard but we'll all get through it! :o)
Hugs for all the not-so-nice things. Everything always seems to happen at once, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteBut CONGRATULATIONS for the great news that you're going to be aunty to a little niece.
XX
(((HUGS))) from me too, Lily. Here's to the future and the great joy of being an aunt! Caroline x
ReplyDeleteHi Lily, thought you were a bit quiet alright. Hope dealing with everything goes as well as can be and congrats on the impending Auntyness - I'm joining that club in December too! so it'll be fun. Ignore the rejections, just means those stories are free to fly to another home (maybe with a tweak or two) and it's fab that you're still writing away, that's so great and impressive... you keep on goin girl!
ReplyDeleteRebecca - Thanks for your kind words. I think its great to be able to talk about it on here. It's easier somehow and I love the fact I have such great blogging buddies
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Thanks. Thankfully I got some good news in amongst all the bad xx.
Caroline - Thank you :) I've loads to look forward to so I can't dwell on what might have been x.
Niamh - Thank you, I am so excited and I definitely needed some good news. Congrats on your impending auntyness too :)
I will ignore them but boy do they sting at the time.
Cyber hugs coming your way. Thas bin through mill a bit love - as they say in my native land. So sorry to hear about you're break up but excellent news about a new baby. try to stay positive.
ReplyDeletex
Big HUGS, Lily - rejections are so horrid. :-(( But you will get there! And I'm glad you and your boyfriend can be friends.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your baby news. Sending positive vibes your way. XX
Lily,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about both your boyfriend and the recent rejections. I know it must feel like everything is turning into a sh**heap right now but sometimes lots of change is what's needed to make the right changes. You are so right, think of it as a fresh start.
Hugs to you xx
Oh, crumbs, it does sound as if it's all being flung your way at the moment. Being able to stay friends and break up gradually is a very kind, gentle way to get used to it.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you've also had some positivity for something to look forward to.
Colette - thank you :) Am keeping positive and refusing to let it get me down - I even just submitted a story!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - Thanks! I know, I think that's why its making it so easy, we are good friends and thats what I would have missed the most.
Kerry - Thank you, It felt like that for a bit but I guess this is all for the best in the end.
Spiral - I know, I've had much much shorter relationships end when I was younger and I thought it was the end of the world. I guess I'm just more mature and more accepting of things.
Thanks everyone for such lovely messages - they've really made me smile :)
Awww honey I'm so sorry that your going through such a crappy time *sends big hugs your way*. Try and remember that hurts heal (plan some lovely things with your girl friends...always helps) and the rejections just mean that your story has not found it's right home yet.
ReplyDeleteC x
Thanks Carol - have got girls night in planned this sat and girls night out for next sat so looking forward to that. Hopefully i wont get hideously drunk and start blubbing!
ReplyDeleteI just keep on getting them out there. I just need one hit - It's like I'm a short story junkie!
Sorry to hear you've been having a rotten time lately. Am sending cyber hugs to you and also congratulations about your neice. I also found out that my brother and his girlfriend are having a little girl in December.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Saturday night with the girls. That's always a perfect tonic to anything. x
Thanks Debs - thats so nice and means alot. Congratulations to you too! Its all so exciting.
ReplyDeleteSaturday was lovely just what I needed.
Unpleasant things always seem to come in a clump don't they? Sounds like you're dealing with it all really well, and I'm sure it won't be long before you're selling stories and generally feeling good about everything again.
ReplyDeleteLovely news about the baby - they always bring out the best in everyone :o) (Except when they're screaming, but like you said you can hand her back when that happens!)
Lily, I'm sorry to have missed this and really sorry to see you've been having a crap time. Big hugs to you and hope things look up soon. JJx
ReplyDeleteKaren - I think when that happens you appreciate the smaller things. I think there is a silver lining to all the bad stuff somewhere but I'm not there to see it yet. lol yes I shall look forward to that part. I'm not too good with wailing babies.
ReplyDeleteJJ - that's OK, I know you've had worse problems than me which is why I appreciate your visit and comment all the more. Thank you x