Rejection!

It's not so much a rejection....I tell myself. I understand completely, that it is more about the theme of the publication, what else they already have in mind, what they have room for, what techniques and colors they have already used, etc, and not the quality of my work. Matter-of-fact I have proof! There have been instances in my crochet design career where an item has been rejected several times only to be purchased later! Still, when I get a box returned, it's time to turn to my old pal, chocolate. Luckily, I happened to have some Dark Chocolate M&M's on hand. What I didn't take a photo of, was the four re-packaged submissions, ready to give it another try! It is because of rejection, that it is so SWEET when a pattern is sold.

Here's my theory: Crochet Designing is like Gambling. In behavioral counseling terms, it is "intermittent reinforcement" Which means that you sell an item every so often (unexpectedly) and it carries you through the next several tries, because the high of selling (winning) is so fun, that it makes you want to try and try again! Even when you don't sell an item, it's the knowledge that "it's possible" to sell an item, that can carry you through many more attempts.

It's just like gambling without the crazy patterned carpet and noise. And the truth is, it's all about timing. If you persevere, you will succeed.