Monday, July 8, 2013

You've Got Mail...Or Maybe Not...





For the past three weeks I have been having a really hard time getting my mail,  No, this isn't my real mailbox.  I can't even SHOW you my mailbox because THAT is the reason why I'm not getting any mail.  It's gone. Stolen.  What the what???  Who would want an old, beat up mailbox anyway?  It wasn't exactly a collector's item.  

But it was mine.  My little connection with the outside world.  A place where everything from bills to rejection letters to wonderfully autographed children's books could make a stop at my house.  I know some people don't like things like rejection letters.  I get it.  I work so hard on my own stories...chipping away at the excess junk until all that is left is a lean, mean sparkling collection of words to tell the story I want to share. 

There are even times when I welcome those little rejection letters.  Especially when they give me insight into how to improve my writing.  I've been sending queries out like crazy this past month and the responses are coming in.  While all of them have been in the negative, ALL have been either outright encouraging or in come cases, loaded with specific suggestions on what I need to do to increase my chances of future publication.

How can I not love those rejection letters?  Now if I can just get my mailbox back...I've got some more queries to send out...



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14 comments:

  1. Romelle BroasJuly 8, 2013 at 1:18 AM

    Seriously? Why would someone steal a mailbox? There's a good story waiting to be written here! Well, acceptance or rejections, I like receiving mail too. Hope you find the culprit or get a bigger, better, shinier new mailbox, Donna.

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 8:57 AM

      Hi Romelle! Unfortunately my mailbox has been stolen before so it's nothing new. My shiny new mailbox is securely in place and I actually began receiving mail again yesterday...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  2. CynthiaJuly 8, 2013 at 3:43 AM

    That's really unfortunate and sad that someone would steal a mailbox. Have you reported this?

    Sometimes if I've been waiting for a response for a long time, I actually welcome the rejection when it comes because I can exhale now, even if I didn't get the response I was hoping for.

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      Hi Cynthia! Yes, I have reported it to the post office but their answer was simply, "sorry to hear it". The police certainly doesn't have time for such a petty crime and all they would be able to do is take a report which would do no good since there are no suspects. Only option is to buy a new mailbox and hope the fool who took the last one is done with me...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Maybe you should get a new one and paint it with "For Rejection Letters ONLY", and see what happens...

    I bet no one would ever steal your mailbox again!

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 9:04 AM

      Hi Lorraine! Your comment made me laugh...maybe I should do that...it would certainly entertain my neighbors...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 8, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Missing mailbox! What a rare mystery!

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 9:05 AM

      Hi Genevieve! Unfortunately it's not so rare at my house. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I've had to replace the thing...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  5. Sue HeavenrichJuly 8, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    My son took someone's mailbox once... using my car. He really bashed up the front end though - and was nice enough to tell the owner and pay for a new mail box. Around here snowplows are known culprits of mailbox demise...

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 9:07 AM

      Hi Sue! Sorry about the bashed up mailbox but nice to know your son took responsibility for his actions...too many younger people don't even bother to do the right thing any more.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  6. nutschellJuly 9, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    a missing mailbox? Gosh. I hope you find it soon!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 9, 2013 at 10:41 PM

      Hi Nutschell! I don't think it grew legs of it's own and ran away...it probably had a little help...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  7. Hilary Melton-ButcherJuly 14, 2013 at 4:17 AM

    Hi Donna .. what an extraordinary thing to have happen ... I'm glad you've got a new one - and I hope it's more securely pinned in place and won't take a walk about again ..

    Interesting about your approach to rejection letters - all grist to the mill - cheers Hilary

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    1. Donna L MartinJuly 14, 2013 at 2:07 PM

      Hi Hilary! I don't take rejection letters personally and most of them I've ever received have always had a positive twist to a negative response and how can I NOT like that? ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete

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