Why my critique group rocks

I wrote a while ago about being bummed that an agent had rejected my book query in just under an hour. That’s like going home in the middle of a first date.

She didn’t even make me wait three months before throwing me under the bus, the train and the semi.

So I’m all bummed thinking, “I’m no good. I can’t write. I’m a failure.” I wasn’t even sure I should belong to a critique group, I felt o pitiful and inadequate.

But I trudged forward as always.

So, at last night’s meeting, my pages were well received. No, I take that back. They liked them a lot. Now that’s a pendulum swing.

At the end of the session, we have a short discussion about my sad email rejection. A fellow (published and dedicated) writer asks how many rejections I’ve received.

“Six,” I reply, “Four of which were personalized.” I’m thinking that’s a lot.

She looks at me like I’m insane, which I am, but not because of agent rejections.

“I had forty,” she said.

So, last night I found out that I’m not some delusional guy churning out gibberish and that I have many more rejections to endure before calling myself truly rejected.

Finally, I rejoice that I have fellow writers who are talented and support each other in our quest to become better at our craft.

My critique group rocks!