I’ve always said that in writing, rejection is part of the process.

If your stories don’t get rejected, chances are you won’t get better, it’s as simple as that.

The first products your imagination comes up with tend to be derivative. Something your subconscious remembers. The brain, like anyone, doesn’t work harder than it has to.

So when you get rejected, it forces your brain to dig deeper, unearth the truths and concepts you’ve been wrestling with and forge them into something new and interesting.

Pain does indeed beget growth.

In my life I’ve had moments of key rejection. There was the guy I had a terrible crush on who rejected me when I proposed to him…instead I got my husband who turned out to be way better! Alhamdu lillah!

There was that writing teacher who kicked me out of his writing class who intimated that I was hopeless…I went on to get my first five books published.

There was one of my best writing friends who broke off our friendship…I went on to write some of my best books.

And now years later there’s another best friend with whom I’ve become strained…and again I’ve gone on to write some incredible material.

I’m coming to the conclusion that God knows best.

It’s never been me to reject people. At least I don’t think so. Never is a strong word. I might be wrong.

I’ve heard that when someone rejects you, they’re doing you a favor.

And I believe that.

But it hurts.

It hurts bad.

And through pain comes art.

I will survive this, Insha Allah.

And the funny thing is the people who are closest to me: my parents, my family, who’ve known me all their lives, tend to be the ones who love me the most.

And that means something.

You should always be most gentle to your family and the ones closest to you.

Stand by your convictions, what you know is right and avoid the wrong.

And always always be true to yourself.

I’ve been fortunate in that.

And four people rejecting me in 57 years of being alive, maybe that’s not actually that bad.

Allahu Alim.

Onward ho!