Rejection (or in other words): Why Every Writer Needs a Cat

This is not the face of compassion

I have a cat. Her name is Sansa.

She is not always the kindest animal in the world.

Now, dear readers, I probably don't have to tell you that the world out there is not a nice one. Agents, editors, readers, heck, even fellow writers can and probably will crush your dreams a couple of times on the road to publication and beyond. . . basically, you're going to have to deal with rejection.

Cats know all about rejection. Cats are little purring machines of malicious spite. They thrive on it. In fact, the word for "cat" in Farsi means "cruel unfeeling beast."

Okay, I made up that last bit.

But anyway, rejection. As a writer, you'll get it. As a cat owner, you'll get it. See where I'm going with this?

To illustrate, I give you:

CONVERSATIONS WITH MY CAT
An essay in picture form

It's important to learn to deal with rejection.

BUT

Sometimes I think maybe I need a dog.