That classic line from Animal House sure reminds me of how one might feel after submitting and submitting and submitting fiction to different markets.

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, then all of us writers who submit our work to professional markets are definitely feeling like they’re losing it. Despite that, one has to understand that rejections WILL happen. That’s the way it is. It’s just part of the business. And it isn’t personal.

The mark of a professional writer, however, is to grow a thick skin, and just to keep going, learning what one can from the rejections and implementing changes where appropriate, but not giving up. Giving up will never result in being published.

In other words, have a glass of wine (or Coke, if you’re under 21), a bit of chocolate, and find a way to laugh.