Celebrating in Failure

An odd concept I grant you – but hear me out…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today is a holiday historically celebrated through a number of traditions. You might be preparing food like corned beef and cabbage, getting together with family and friends for a céilí – sure to be a hoot with fiddle music and dancing, or decorating with symbols like shamrocks (a clover with three leaves) and leprechauns.

Traditional Irish music dates back to the ancient days of the Celts. It’s always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs.

After being conquered by the English in the 16th century the Irish were forbidden to speak their own language. So, they turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history. They still found plenty to celebrate.

Today, I woke to the news that the picture book I’d pinned my hopes on, did not make the coveted short list in Write Mentor’s highly regarded competition. Cue disappointment and self doubt.

But once my morning cup of tea had kicked in I shook myself right. After all, my precious story did make the long list. In a competition that saw 490 picture book entries, my little story was one of 32 picked. ‘That’s pretty good,’ I tell myself.

I celebrated on Twitter today with all the lucky shortlistees’ and fellow, ‘I missed out,’ brigade-ers. I took the positives from it and connected with more publishing folks. That’s a small win.

Then I got right back on the horse. I spent a few short hours doing a new illustration for SCBWI’s Draw This prompt – and got it posted for entry. More positive exposure and it was fun. YAY!

Then I turned my attention to editing my first actual contracted author commission. It’s an educational non-fiction book that’s still in development. More on that to follow. And hey, I even got paid for said book today. Let me tell you – it might not have been much but it felt pretty darn good. WIN!

I went to the gym this evening and had a great workout with my daughter. Okay, honestly – this one’s a stretch. As a menopausal woman the gym is not my happy place. Feels more like volunteering for prescribed torture. But I burnt a few calories (might have a sneaky Snickers bar, finding the balance people) and got those endorphins pumping. Look at me taking rejection like a pro! All in all, not a bad day. I’m thankful for it.

There’s a saying, ‘What’s meant for you won’t go by you.’ So, while I wait for that golden ticket or that lottery win, I’m going to keep working towards that dream publishing deal. And make a point to remember all the small wins along the way. So far…

Those short stories published in a small press.

That night I stood with my family and saw my work in Spectra Light Festival.

Those are worth celebrating.