5 - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. I didn't hit my goal for 100 rejections. I still have lots of work (3 essays, 3 short stories, 2 flash pieces) looking for a home. 2025 is ending, but my commitment to writing is just beginning.
4 - MOURN THE LOSSES. I've been turned down 73 times this year. And while I'm getting better at accepting rejections, it doesn't mean I'm immune to disappointment. Some of those 73 hurt more than others. All of them stung. But I'm still here. Still writing. Still submitting.
3 - GET FEEDBACK, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS. I'm still working on this one. But my best work this year came from regular feedback from my writing partner. Our monthly swaps held me accountable and forced me to look at my work through the reader's eyes. @smokelong.bsky.social Summer also thickened my skin!
2 - YOU HAVE THE TIME. Like most people, I have a lot of excuses available. I have young kids, a job, a demanding lifestyle. But when I started treating writing like I treat exercise (something I prioritize as an investment in myself) consistent pockets of time opened up.
1 - CONSISTENCY IS KEY. I used to think I needed inspiration to write. Now I sit down to write with or without a great idea in mind. So many of my published pieces started in a writing session where I went in without a plan.
2025 was the first year I aimed for 100 writing rejections. Here are 5 things I learned along the way:
"Reconciliation Brunch" from Olivia Brochu in The Citron Review. Excerpt from Fall 2025 issue: We taste everything but feel nothing. Image of a wine glass and oysters.
Our penultimate flash from Fall 2025's fresh issue.
citronreview.com/2025/10/05/r...
Rise and shine with this "Reconciliation Brunch" from @oliviabrochuwrites.bsky.social!
#litmag
Thrilled to have this piece up with @literarymama.bsky.social
They were my first rejection of 2025, and now my latest publication ☺️
Thank you !!
Thank you for sharing!!
"and I’d have to walk into church, our church, with the stained glass windows that make it look like the sun is peeking through the forest"
Love how this piece by @oliviabrochuwrites.bsky.social creates contrast between its opening long sentence & the two short ones to end. So much impact to that.
A dark love story from my overactive imagination 🖤🖤
Just getting slammed by rejections this week. Anyone getting any good writing news??
He must need more material for a new show
Blown away by this beauty from @wendyfontaine.bsky.social
“Having a child means dying a little every day.”
Heartbreak takes so many forms 💔
www.short-reads.org/crushed/?ref...
