      Wednesday, February 29, 2012  Dealing with Rejection  I'm
not afraid of much, but I've feared rejection my whole life.
Logically, I realize that rejection is a part of being a writer;
it's something we must all endure on the path to success. But
knowing that doesn't lessen the sting any. No matter how many
times people tell you that a rejection isn't personal, it's hard
not to take it as such when it's happening to you.  It doesn't
help that two of the definitions for "reject" in the dictionary
are:   • to discard as useless or unsatisfactory   • to cast out
or eject; vomit Seriously. "Vomit." I realize that particular
definition pertains more to a bodily function than a "no thank
you", but it's still a harsh thing to think about.  Maybe it
would be easier for me to deal with rejection if I were to view
it as simply a difference of opinion: I like my work, but the
agent (or reader) doesn't. I realize this is the concept that
people try to share when they say "don't take it personally,"
but that phrase