A big part of dealing with the whole rejection issue is accepting the subjectivity of the business. Not everyone will love your writing — some will even dislike your writing. It's not about you personally, it's about the personal likes and dislikes of your critic. It could be about the market, or another book they just purchased that is similar to the one you submitted. It could be that the publisher is overstocked and isn't buying any new work.

It is also wise to remember that the lesson of subjectivity in writing doesn't end after you sell a book. Published writers are constantly being told by readers which of their books are good, which book they disliked and even hated. Every book you write will be someone's favorite … and someone else's least favorite.

There are all sorts of books, for all sorts of readers, for all sorts of publishers and editors. Don't believe it? Have you fallen madly in love with every book you've ever read?

Probably not.

Have you read some that you couldn't fathom how they made it to the bookstore?

Probably, yes.

And in spite of how wise you are about what is and isn't great fiction, there was a writer, an editor, and an entire publishing team who thought the book you disliked was good enough to make it.

Books are like ice-cream. Some readers and editors love only vanilla; others want double chocolate fudge. Accepting that it's not always you, that it could just be the editor's tastes, can help you persevere.

Getting mad or allowing the rejection to eat at you isn't healthy, and it can possibly stifle your creativity. Instead, turn the whole rejection issue into a challenge. Some writers have even found ways to let rejection motivate them.

Christie Craig, one of the authors of this book, is the proud owner of more than 10,000 rejection letters resulting from both her freelance and novel career. While she started selling her work after receiving only forty rejections, the no's continued to come in. Instead of viewing rejection as something standing in her way, she viewed it as something nudging her forward. She became determined to prove to each and every editor who rejected her that they were wrong.

Some critique groups, and even RWA chapters, actually reward each other for rejections. And why not? A rejection is a sign that you are working toward publication. The Internal Revenue Service will generally ask for one of two things to prove you are a writer: proof of income, or a rejection letter. If you never submit, never chance getting a rejection, you'll also never be accepted. Rejection is not only a stepping stone toward accomplishing your dream; it is evidence that you are a real writer.