On the other Foot


Usually, I am the one facing rejection when it comes to my writing and other new things I try, but this week the shoe was on the other foot.

We had auditions for our spring show this year, and I had to choose between my little darlings. Their bright little faces were so enthusiastic about auditioning for the show, and when I told them it was a funny murder mystery about an old family curse in a castle in Scotland, their little eyes got big and I could tell they wanted in the show SO BADLY.

Alas, there were only 11 parts, and at least 20 kids showed up to try out. It is very hard to be the rejector. I posted the list this morning, and tried not to look out my window and see their little faces droop.

When I was in high school, I had directors who would refuse to even come to school on the days where casting or honor choirs were announced. Thankfully, most of my kids are mature enough not to throw a fit or anything like that, but I think many of them went home with a heavy heart today.

Ah, well, the show must go on, and next time might be right for the little ones who just weren't loud or sparkly enough to make the show. For the moment, I know what it must feel like to be an editor who has to reject people on a daily basis. Neither shoe is a very comfortable one.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I can see how that could be very painful, especially since you know how it feels...but I am glad you do, because it gives you compassion, something that doesn't always last for people put in that spot continually. At least if they are rejected, its by someone who they know cares about them and respects them, something we never really got.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    These would probably be best suited to a ballet dancer that was used to walking on points ... ouch! they look unbelievably painful. Bring on soft and comfortable fashion shoes - it would be so nice if someone would make them!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Proudly Rejected by Calyx Journal.

Image
Two rejections in one week? Sigh. CALYX (A journal of Art and Literature by Women) sent me a very polite form letter today rejecting four of my poems. They wrote, "We appreciate the opportunity to review your submission and consider it for publication. At least two editors have read your work and found that we are unable to use your submission in the Journal. We apologize for replying with a form letter, but the volume of submissions no longer allows us the luxury of a personal reponse." I thought it was worded particularly well, and the editor actually wrote my first name on the top in real pen and signed the bottom. That's unique. I've never recieved a rejection letter where they signed it with real pen. So, Calyx Journal- I rate you FOUR STARS for class. Here is one of the poems they rejected. Maybe it's not subtle enough. I'm not very good at subtlety yet. Chrysalis A butterfly can’t return to her chrysalis No matter how fast the outside winds blow, No ma...
Read more

"Back to School" Proudly published by the Kern Valley Sun

Image
This week I had four different students tell me that they thought I was a "cool," "popular" teacher. Obviously, I have never shown them the above picture of myself. As you can see, I am one classy lady. I am a complete geek. Unfortunately, it's not in that, "I'm a geek, and I started my own multi-million dollar computer company" way that's really popular right now. I also wasn't a geek in the "I have poor hygiene, and other students throw their lunches at me" sort of way, thank goodness. I was the kind of geek who didn't watch R-Rated movies, looked a lot like Velma from Scooby Doo (I still do, in fact), really liked hanging out with their parents, was shocked by cussing, read 19th century novels for fun, spoke like a walking dictionary, and who teachers always really liked. Ergo, I became an English teacher. When I got to college, I learned that all of the above traits were actually strengths, which was a relief. Do the kids ...
Read more

Sure I'm trailer-trash- Do you have a problem with that?

Image
One of the hardest questions that has plagued my writing has simply been, "What do I write about?" I have often heard the advice, "Write about what you know." Well, when I started writing and really putting my mind to it, I was only twenty-one. Basically, all I knew was high school, college, and a few European countries I'd visited during college. I didn't have very much to say for myself. I made myself write anyway with some good results, but nothing really stellar. Starting this blog last year gave me an excellent lab to bounce my ideas off of readers. By far my most popular peices have been about the wacky situations I manage to get myself into. I'm not a stupid person, but sometimes....I do some very silly things. Anyway, I'm twenty-seven now and the past six years have helped me come up with some new ideas that I think will be very successful. My husband and I have been building our own home and living in a 30 foot trailer in my in-law's fr...
Read more