And then the universe bites you on the butt…

I’m definitely a “glass is half-full” type of girl. When I was a kid, my parents had a unique motto. Every time life came around and bit me on the butt, they told me it was because something better was coming my way. Disappointments were there to help me build character, but they were also paving the way for something AMAZING.

Now that I look back, it’s so true. I lost at the science fair (okay, humor me, I was twelve. It was traumatic for a geek like me, people!), and after I dried my tears, I was accepted into the Wonder School of Geekdom.

Years later, I was rejected at every single graduate program for creative writing that I applied to. :loser: I had thought grad school would teach me what I needed to know to write a novel. Instead, I found my own mojo and wrote four children’s books and four adult-length titles. Because I was mad at their rejection. I would show them!
Would I have written so much if I’d been accepted? Hard to say.

Then there’s my favorite. I had the Date From Hell. I believe bread mold had more personality than the guy I went to a college dance with. He was nice, but he didn’t dance, didn’t talk, and I kept wondering if he was actually breathing. I went home that night, thoroughly frustrated with my love life. I was tanking, people! And the next day I met my husband.

Yep, the glass is definitely half full.

This week alone I’ve gotten two rejections from agents on the same book. The second one came today. But, I still have one more agent request waiting for me, and I’m giving this book the hairy eyeball. I keep wondering, is this a matter of personal taste or is there a flaw that I can fix? Hard to say. Maybe this agent will be The One. Maybe we’ll click. Maybe not.

Still, rejections help you grow a stronger skin. I’ll need it one day when book reviewers read my books. So, I’ll chalk this one up: Universe: 2. Michelle: 0.

I’m ready for my something wonderful to happen now. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

And tomorrow is the last day of school! No, I’m not excited. Not a bit. I will be happily waving as the buses drive off.

So, have you ever had a major disappointment, followed by a fabulous success?