Tony Tips Tuesdays: Rejection Is Redirection
- Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Welcome back to Tony Tips Tuesdays, and happy 15th day of International Black Women's History Month. Today’s message is one that every writer—especially those walking in faith, purpose, and creative fire—needs tattooed on their heart: Rejection is not the end. It’s divine redirection.
Whether you're submitting to a publisher, querying an agent, applying for a fellowship, or sharing your stories with the world for the first time, rejection can sting. But rejection is not personal. It’s not always about your talent. Sometimes, it’s timing. Sometimes, it’s fit. And often, it's preparation for something greater.
Let’s break this down.
The Purpose Behind the "No"
1. Refinement Through Resistance
Just as fire purifies gold, resistance polishes your gift. When someone tells you no, it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and refine. Rejection forces you to tighten your plot, deepen your characters, or rethink your delivery.
2. Building a Resilient Mindset
Rejection builds calluses—spiritual and emotional. It conditions your heart not to break, but to bend and bounce back stronger. The greats weren’t immune to rejection. Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler—all faced "no." What made them icons was their ability to keep going.
3. Understanding Divine Delay
Rejection doesn’t always mean denial. Sometimes it’s God’s way of saying, "Not here. Not yet. I’m preparing something better." That “no” may be protecting you from a partnership or platform that could diminish your voice.
Historical Context: Black Women Redefining Rejection
In honor of International Black Women’s History Month, let’s remember those who transformed rejection into redirection:
Zora Neale Hurston
Despite her brilliance, Zora died in relative obscurity. But her work was rediscovered and celebrated posthumously by writers like Alice Walker. What seemed like rejection in her time became redirection for future generations.
Misty Copeland
She was told her body didn’t fit the ballet standard. Too muscular. Too late to start. Too different.
Today, she’s the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
Viola Davis
Rejection in Hollywood led her to carve her own path, create her own roles, and become the first Black actor and youngest person to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) in 2017.
These women didn’t just survive rejection—they transformed it into rocket fuel.
Practical Tips for Turning Rejection into Fuel
1. Keep a Rejection Journal
Document each rejection, but next to it, write what you learned, how you grew, and what you’ll do next. Let it be a roadmap, not a graveyard.
2. Revisit and Revise
Go back to that story, chapter, or pitch with fresh eyes. Ask yourself:
Can I sharpen the hook?
Is my pacing solid?
Does my voice shine through?
3. Find Your Tribe
Community matters. Find people who can cheer you on, offer critique, and remind you who you are when rejection makes you forget.
4. Create, Don’t Wait
While you’re waiting for yeses, keep creating. Start your next book. Publish your own blog. Launch that YouTube channel. Keep moving.
Rejection in the World of S.O.L.A.D.
In S.O.L.A.D. ™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness ™, every hero—from Angeline to Angel Boy—faces rejection from within and without. Angeline’s power doesn’t just come from angelic strength—it comes from her decision to rise after every denial.
Kevin, Juanita, and the other warriors of light are not immune to being overlooked, misunderstood, or cast aside. But it is precisely those moments of rejection that mold them into champions.
When Constance was dismissed and disrespected, it didn’t derail her purpose. It redirected her focus. She became sharper, more strategic, more anchored in her destiny.
That’s the lesson for all of us: rejection refines the mission.
Writing Prompt: Your "No" Moment
Write a short scene, journal entry, or flash fiction piece centered around a character being told "no." Explore their thoughts. Show their reaction. Then, redirect the moment—how do they pivot, grow, or come back stronger?
This could be:
A young girl told her art will never sell, who starts her own gallery.
A poet rejected by a contest who self-publishes and goes viral.
A warrior turned away from battle who becomes the one to save the village.
Your "no" has narrative power.
Final Word: Rejection Is a Mirror
It reflects where you are—but it doesn’t define where you’re going.
Rejection is redirection. It’s your cue to lean into your growth. To improve. To fuel the fire of your storytelling. To believe in the vision that was planted in your spirit—even when others can’t see it yet.
So the next time a "no" lands in your inbox, whisper to yourself:
"This is not the end. This is redirection. This is fuel."
Keep writing. Keep rising. Keep believing.
Commentaires