Read time: 4 minutes • A quiet moment for you

Hi Reader,

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, designed to help you Rise on Purpose.

Last week, I wrote about Less Is Not Zero. If you missed it, you can read that, and all previous articles, here.

And because a few good words can change the direction of your whole day, I wrote a FREE PDF guide: 7 Things to Tell Yourself Every Day. If you'd like to receive it, hit reply and I'll send it straight to your inbox.

The Summer of No

Back in April, I shared with great jubilance that I'm writing a book.

It was after spending a few days in rural Ibiza and finding clarity on what I wanted to share and how my story could help others.

I got to work and ploughed through my old journals, shut myself in my office and wrote and wrote and wrote until I had a draft manuscript of over 55,000 words.

Old memories and new lessons surfaced as I confronted passages of my life that often feel like fiction.

Next, I researched how to get a literary agent. They're the gateway to the publishers and I knew I'd need one if I wanted any chance of a top-tier publisher being interested.

Once my book proposal was in pretty good shape, I contacted everyone I knew who had written a book to ask one question: do you have an agent?

I compiled a list of agents who had been recommended and others I'd found online. Then, at the start of the summer, I hit send.

So far, all of the responses I have received have been: No.

One rejection was a straight pass, with no feedback.

Another came with the offer of a call, which I took, and the agent was extremely helpful and encouraging.

The latest rejection was tied with a bow of kindness and support, but ultimately it wasn't for them either.

Granted, this is not the outcome (or the summer) I had hoped for. But how much of my life has actually gone to plan?!

Why The Wait Might Help

Over the years, I have trained myself to see every no as feedback, not failure.

Every time an agent gets back to me (or doesn't, which is also common), I know I'm getting closer to finding the one who is the right fit for me.

It's just going to take much longer than I thought it would... which could actually work in my favour.

The book proposal I sent is the worst it's ever going to be. It was my first attempt. I've never written a book before and I've not attended a course or had any professional training. So every month this takes is another month to sharpen my writing and make it better and better.

The main thing is, I got started. I now have my first draft manuscript.

I brought all my lessons into one place and I can actually see something in the pages that I didn't see before: there are so many ways I can share my lessons beyond the pages of a book alone.

It's one reason why I love writing this weekly newsletter and seeing which story or tool helps you best.

Or standing on stage and seeing people nod along, laugh and often tear up on hearing how I overcame adversity, and how they can too.

Maybe my story could even be turned into a screenplay (have I told you that my sister was instrumental in my rescue after Hurricane Irma? More on that another time).

So, there's no tool this week. Just this note to say that if you are also in the trenches: I see you, keep going. And also, expect the unexpected.

Every no is just part of the journey, and it's going to be a beautiful one at that.

Keep rising,
Lauren

P.S. What's one "no" that turned out to be useful feedback in disguise for you?

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