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?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:47 pm | Viewed 3214 times
Susie Says:
At the time I met my husband, I had a black cloud over my head. Within a six-week time period (all during Lent, oddly enough), my apartment was burglarized, I had food poisoning, I was delayed for hours one day on a train stopped by mud slides, & car on loan to me by a friend was stolen, etc. etc.
The black cloud did have a silver lining - my husband & I got married about 2 1/2 years after that stretch of bad luck.
P.S. I graduated from Notre Dame too.
Stacy Says:
Yep. I remember distinctly sitting alone in my pathetic apartment frustrated with the dating life and finally admitting that, instead of putting on the I’m-a-woman-who-can-take-care-of-herself attitude, that I was just plain lonely. The realization must have opened up the universe and three days later my husband asked me on a date and I knew by the second date that he was the one.
Kelly Says:
I was laid off of my job of 15 years that I loved. The people were like a second family to me. I thought it was the end of the world. But then I found another good job for the same money but waaaaaaay less work and gave me the opportunity to rearrange my priorities, putting writing first. So in the end, what looked like the end of the world, ended up being a great opportunity. That’s what usually happens to me. I get lemons. I make lemonade.
Kelly Says:
Now if I could just get my love life to follow a similar pattern…
Robyn Says:
Hugs on the rejections. You’re bound to hook up with the right agent soon! I enjoy your blog so much; I know your fiction can’t be much different.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
(((Michelle))) but I agree that something fabulous is bound to happen . . . soon
Rene Says:
Well…I was pretty devastated when I found out I was pregnant with my third kid. But because of her, we felt the need to buy a new house. We bought it just before the market exploded and I love my house and the neighborhood.
The agent roller coaster is a killer. I’ve gotten rejections and requests on the same day.
Teresa Says:
So sorry about the rejections. But yay on the last day of school. As for the downs and ups. Oh I’m with you on this. It doesn’t always happen overnight. But I believe all the negative is just pushing toward the really big positive!
mary beth Says:
Definitely time for something to happen! Congrats on the last day of school.
April Says:
My mom used to say the same thing. And I always found it was true. Time after time.
Hugs on the agent D’s. But remember that agents are harder nuts to crack than editors usually. And they can be finicky too. So it doesn’t always mean it’s a reflection of the work itself… Sadly
Melissa Says:
Darn rejections. But you’re got the right attitude about it - you’re going to make it in this publishing game, Michelle!!!:hello2:
Michelle Says:
Susie–another Domer!
All right. 
Thanks everyone for your good thoughts. I’m thankful to even GET agent requests. It’s a process.
But boy, oh boy, I can’t wait for the day when I get The Call.
Fiona Lowe Says:
I was shortlisted for the dream job…two interviews. Didn’t get it. Three days later I found out I was pregnant aftet 8 years of infertility. I really didn’t need that job, there was something better ahead:headspin:
Peggy Says:
I notice that when I’m feeling my lowest, something positive usually happens to lighten my emotions. Sometimes that something will have me jumping up and down with excitement. But then again, I’m easily pleased.
Crystal* Says:
I’m ALL about something better coming my way. It’s that positive thinking thing. Some days are better than others.
*fingers crossed*
Grins*
Paula G Says:
You’ve probably heard this story before, Michelle, but last year, on August 2nd, I received a rejection of a revised full that I’d had high hopes for. The next day, August 3rd, I got The Call and sold FORBIDDEN TERRITORY to Harlequin Intrigue.
Karen Says:
Your attitude is awesome. I envy that! And probably a lot of other people do too, because for so many, what has happened to you would put them in a rut and you seem to only come out stronger and with both hands raised in fists, lol!
Sorry about the agent Rs. Maybe this next one is “The One.”