1, 2, 3, therapy.

Now, I don't usually blog about rejections ('cuz everybody gets them, and of course it's a bummer, but an unavoidable part of being a writer, I suppose...) but I thought it might be helpful to talk about how to cope with all that anxiety...

Thus: this is not a whiny post, but rather (I hope) a productive one!

First: when I get a rejection, I try to send out two more submissions the same day, if possible. Makes me feel a bit more active. (They don't call it a submission for nothing, folks!)

Second: I cook. Man, do I cook. Batches of cupcakes, homemade pot pies, vats of mashed potatoes...if it's comforting and time consuming, I'm making it...So you'll often find me up to my elbows in pastry dough, especially after a series of form letters have crowded my email (or snail mail) box. I also like to browse around here for new recipes!

Yesterday, I made homemade chicken pot pie with biscuit crust. I should have taken a picture for blogging purposes. (I have leftovers, but they just aren't as pretty.)

Third: Don't forget the wine! After a couple of glasses of good red wine, I usually forget why I was feeling bummed in the first place...

This is my new fave red wine.

(If it wasn't so bloody cold outside, I'd also suggest taking a nice long walk. Commune with nature. Bring your dog. Pick up his poop. Remember how very insignificant all this stuff is, anyway.)