BECAUSE THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023™ WAS HELD IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT: HOW WRITING IS LIKE AN ELITE SPORT

I grew up watching my uncle and brothers play soccer so I played soccer. I married a man who played soccer and now I have two kids who play - you guessed it - soccer. But it wasn’t until my kids got serious about soccer that I realised my writing rejections were teaching me some important lessons.

Because rejections are universal. 

No matter where, how or why they come, when rejections hit, they land like a punch, and the only way to condition yourself for them is to learn how to take some punches. 

Ding! 

Entering the ring is a writer who’s been submitting her work - heart-and-soul-on-the-page pieces - for over a decade. 

And I’ve received countless rejections! 

There have been times when rejections have got me down, there have been times when rejections have encouraged me, and there have been times when rejections have frustrated me, but I've never let them stop me from believing in myself and loving what I do. 

So here are my top tips for overcoming adversity in life. Whether you’re a writer, athlete or anything in-between - rejections can hurt, but don’t let them harm you: 

Love the journey

A few years ago, when I was drowning in rejection, I asked myself why I was writing. If I never got anything published, would I still write? And the answer was yes! That resounding yes liberated me because I realised that I don’t write for the glory; I write because I love it. 

Sometimes it’s a numbers game

It’s not always about your ability or what you create. Sometimes there’s just no spots. Don’t give up, you got this far and soon your number will be called! Don’t take any rejections as a not ever, think of them as a not now. 

There’s more luck involved than you think, and opinions vary

What one person loves about you, another won't. But it’s important to remember that, in the same way, art is subjective; we all have individual opinions on everything we consume, observe, and critique. So be grateful when someone believes in you and don’t be deterred when someone doesn’t. It’s just one opinion. Focus on the positives. 

Rejections make you stronger

Rejection is like a test. The worst one I ever got made me sad, mad and then it motivated me to reach out and hire an editor: WOW!'s very own Margo Dill from Editor 911. And Margo answered my call, helping me to take action and improve. That rejection made me realise just how strongly I felt about my manuscript and that I was ready to invest in making it better! 

Keep dreaming

Sometimes you get so close and you know you deserve that yes, but you still get a no. This is the hardest type of rejection to take, but it is not the time to stop dreaming. When you face that last hurdle and you can't clear it, don't stop running. Your race continues if you have the determination to try again. Put your head down and keep working.

So let rejections test you, they sort the weak from the determined. 

Swallow those unkind rejections, they’ll help you identify what you need to improve. 

Let rejections encourage you to work. 

Allow rejections to make you so hungry you become unstoppable. 

And even though everyone isn’t going to love you, believe in yourself. 

Hard work pays off! 

In "The Importance of Consistency" chapter of What Makes a Matilda, there's a great quote: "Talent and luck can play a big part in becoming a professional footballer, but something every Matilda knows is that a huge part of any athlete's success is training and consistency."