You may have started querying, and you might have faced rejection. The whole process can be extremely discouraging. Today's interview discusses the opportunities that arise from rejection, but it doesn't censor the struggles and disappointments that are a necessary part of growth.

Please welcome AdrielleReina, a great friend of mine who has been querying for a long time, and continues to pursue her writing aspirations. She is an inspiration.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about your writing journey and the books you've written so far?

My writing journey started very early. Like most writers (I'm assuming), it started with reading. I wanted to also create worlds to escape to because those worlds helped me feel less alone when I was younger. Reading and writing are inherently forms of escapism. My first story was about two girls who get stranded on an island and have to survive. I was eight lol. So, when I was ten, my dad made me read Lord of the Flies. From there, I wrote other things.

I was 12 when A Realm of Magic and Mayhem found its first draft. I won Young Authors at my middle school with that story. Since then, it has evolved a lot. But I guess I consider it my first real project. It's never left me. Other than that, I've worked on dystopian and sci-fi books, even historical!

Q: Rejection is a common part of a writer's life. Can you share some of your experiences with querying and the challenges you've faced in getting your work published?

Oh yeah. So, first, I would recommend QueryTracker to find agents. It's the best platform I've found for it unless you want to spend countless hours googling agencies. You want to make this as easy as possible because the rest is going to be a lot of work. I've queried Realm before I got my mentorship on Wattpad. I think I have over 30 rejections overall. Some rejections were pleasant (well, as pleasant as they could be). There were a few agents who told me they liked my book, but were interested in other types of fantasy right now. What that trend specifically is, I'm not sure.

Others were not so nice. It depends on the agent and how much information they want to give you. But you should expect nothing. If they give you a reason, it's out of the kindness of their hearts. Remember, agents have to go to bat for you and their success is dependent on yours. It's risky for them. To be honest, I think the query letter template I used probably didn't help me. There are just so many things that have to go right in this process.

Q: Many writers struggle with rejection, and it can be discouraging. How do you personally manage rejection, and what keeps you motivated to continue writing despite it?

I remember how many authors I admire were rejected before someone said, "Yes!" But I'm also realistic. I want to be published, but I know that the odds are stacked against me. It's so important to be realistic. Put your all into it, but be sure to not give your hopes up. You will have to work hard for no's. And sometimes that can be discouraging. (Okay, all the time. It's always discouraging, if I'm being honest.) At the end of the day, my motivation comes from my passion. If I don't try, then I'll never know. I hope for that one "yes."

Q: Writing multiple books is a significant achievement in itself. Can you share how your writing has evolved over the course of your journey, and what lessons you've learned along the way?

Your first book is going to suck. Even if you're a seasoned, good writer—most of the time your first draft is also going to suck. But you have to get through the sucky parts in order to get to the good parts. My grammar used to be atrocious, which is kind of embarrassing to admit, because I thought of myself as a pretty good writer lol. There were also plot holes I'd miss. Horrible dialogue. General issues, I suppose, when you first start out. But I guess my best advice is to be cognizant of what you need to improve on and keep writing. Writing is a craft that requires practice to obtain skill.

Q: Rejection often comes with valuable feedback. How do you approach and use the feedback you receive to improve your writing?

When I do get feedback, I always consider what's being said. Sometimes feedback is good and useful. Other times, it could detract from the story. Always take anything with a grain of salt and think things over. If there's plot holes, bad grammar, and things like that—improve it. If people don't like that your character dyes her hair red, is that such a big deal?

Q: Some writers find solace in support from writing communities. Have you found a supportive network of fellow writers or mentors who have helped you navigate the challenges of rejection?

I have! You're one, by the way, lol. I enjoyed the book club we ran and I'm still close to most of the members. Having friends who just... get it has been a source of great support. I also really appreciate the Kerning community too. I'm very grateful for so many of the other writers I've had the fortune to meet.

Q: What would you say to writers who may be feeling disheartened after facing rejection? Do you have any advice or words of encouragement to offer them?

Just keep writing. (I know that probably sounds so cliché.) When you decide to become a writer and want to be published, you're also choosing to get rejected. I know it sucks, but this is real talk, okay? You're going to get rejected. Some people will love your books. Others will hate it. You can talk your crap to trusted individuals (it helps lol). But once you're done talking your crap, pull your bootstraps back up and get back to writing and querying.

Q: Your perseverance is inspiring. Can you share a success story or a moment of triumph that stands out in your writing journey, even in the face of rejection?

Thank you! You inspire me.

After my final query rejection from my last process (I plan on starting again in November), I was chosen by StephRose as her Wattys Bootcamp Mentee. That gave me a lot of hope that my book had potential after the constant rejections I faced. So, I'm very grateful for that. I didn't anticipate getting picked.

I also had two books place (one won) in the Pretty in Punk Awards. So, little things like that give me motivation that people out there do like my books and I should keep trying.

Q: How do you stay motivated and enthusiastic about writing? Are there specific rituals or techniques you use to keep your creative spirit alive?

I'm not sure. For me, it's just part of me and my personality lol. I am a writer and I'll keep writing. I do like coffee while I write though, if that counts? I kind of touched on this already, but writing is my passion. It's what I want to do. So, that's where my motivation comes from. I'm sure motivation is different for everyone. Perhaps similar too. These ideas get inside my head and I have to write.

Q: Can you tell us about any current writing projects you're working on and your goals for the future? How do you envision your writing career progressing?

I'm working on a lot. But I've learned to do things a step at a time and not to work on multiple projects at once because that burns me out. So, while I have some that have already been written to some degree, I've halted those while I finish A Ballad of Inferno and Ruin. At first, this was plagiarized and I was pretty upset about it. But I kept going and made some changes. It's my most personal book born from nightmares I had while in the military. It will be exclusively on Kerning unless I decide to try to get it published traditionally, but we'll see. A Realm of Magic and Mayhem is going under revisions once more so that I can try to get it traditionally published. So, it will be taken off of Wattpad soon. It's a portal fantasy about two friends who find themselves in the realm of Atlantiva. It features a lot of mythology that I took some liberty with, elves, and well, mayhem. Lol. Poseidon's Revenge is a historical low fantasy book about a girl who becomes a pirate to avenge the death of her father. The Crowe Inheritance follows a family of witches who live in a haunted hotel with their ancestors while trying to break a curse. I have more, but these are the main ones I'll be working on (it's a lot, like I said).

Q: Writers often have different ways of dealing with rejection, from taking breaks to revising their work. What strategies have you found most effective in bouncing back and staying motivated to write?

I'm going to sound like I'm beating a dead horse but keep writing. Also, you should be revising regardless (in my opinion). Taking breaks is also a good strategy. I do that and it helps me to take a break from what I'm working on so that I can approach it with "new eyes." We are always going to be tied to and so close to our work. But we also need to be able to step back and make sure our books can reach their highest potential.

Q: Writing is a deeply personal and creative endeavor. How do you balance your passion for writing with the realities of the publishing world and the potential for rejection?

I do it for me first and foremost. I believe in my ability and my work. Maybe that sounds cocky, I don't know. I know my work isn't for everyone, but I do know there's an audience for it. Rejection is part of the process. Again, being realistic about that is what will keep you sane. You can't take rejections personally. An agent only makes money if you succeed. It's their livelihood. Putting that into perspective makes it easier for me to come to terms with it. My book may not be worth the risk for them, but it may be for someone else. So, keep writing, revising, and making your book the best version it can be.

Q: Finally, what is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers who may be facing rejection or struggling to find motivation in their writing journey?

Remember who you're writing for. If it isn't for you first, then why are you writing? Keep honing your craft. Remember rejection is part of the publishing process. Don't give up.

Thank you, Adrielle, for taking the time to answer these questions. I hope that writers reading this book can be motivated by your story and understand that while difficult, the industry can be extremely fulfilling in many other ways.

Of course, I wish you luck as you continue querying and braving the trenches - that takes a thick skin and a lot of courage!