What a great article. You touched on sentiments that are very real and many people feel bad about and don't understand why they get rejected or unnoticed, even when they put their heart into writing. Resilience is a great thing and it's brilliant you soon bounced back after rejected. I am a new writer trying to build confidence. It's tough trying to get accepted by publications and in this line of activity (writing) it's very competitive business. Having said that we also probably have a lot in common and we are all writers. I have found people so encouraging and helpful here, including what they write about. I do find trying to get publish in publications very trying and can understand it can get very disillulioning and one feels they will never be good enough to be accepted but that's not always true. I love how you unveiled the humans behind publications, as being just like people in real life. People can be incredibly petty, jealous etc and in some ways if writing didn't expose that, it probably would be good. As you said, every rejection made you realise you had choices! Which publications are easier to get accepted for as a newbie trying to build up more writing skills and indeed write more? It feels so intimidating applying to publications, which is why you article is great, as its very down to earth and no fluff, and deals with raw emotions like feeling rejection and how to not just get over it but really succeed. I have applied to some publications just day ago and not received any response, so it's a bit early but I will brace myself for rejection, as it may happen but know I am not alone.