Welp…News Break Rejected Me
By: Gerald Washington
Tags: Failure, Failure Stories, Rejection Letter, Rejection, Newsbreak

Photo by Stefano Pollio on Unsplash

I’m not even mad about it either. Yeah, I feel disappointed that I couldn’t be a part of the News Break writing community. And yes, I’m a little salty, that I didn’t have a shot at getting $3,000 overall for three months, however, that won’t stop me from continuing to write and connecting with other writers/readers through my words. Plus, I’m still working on my first novel. I can’t wait till it’s finished!

Have I finally conquered rejection? It sure feels that way at least Professionally. It’s the social/romantic rejection that I’ve yet to master. I doubt that I ever will unless burying your emotions deep down into your stomach counts as mastering those kinds of rejection.

Maybe a few years ago, I would have the same reaction to professional rejection, now, it’s just another missed basketball shot that didn’t go inside the hole.

My discovery of News Break

Before my step-brother Kenny got me this phone called the LG K40, I had no idea that this site existed. It was a shocker that he (and my oldest sister Loutrecia) would do get me this amazing phone when I visited them back in February. ‘’Thanks, guys once again!’’

Once I could use the phone, I noticed these articles would pop up on it. They were from the News Break site. Some of the articles were really good and entertaining, but what really won me over on News Break were the comments. Seeing people express their frustration, positivity, and rage through their comments were priceless for me.

Some of them can go too far on certain articles, but the commentators that give their opinion on the Stimulus checks articles, I completely understand their frustration with those stories. People want results, not maybes. Especially those that are struggling with paying bills in this Covid world. Yep, I like News Break overall, it’s a good place to read other people’s opinions.

The Shot

So one day on Medium. I was going through my followers (thank you all who follow me by the way) and learning a bit about them. One of my followers had a page that led to them sending emails on advice that they have for writers.

One day, I check my Gmail and click on their email. It talks about this News Break Creator Program, how you can earn $1,000 a month for three months, and how you can put your Medium articles on that site. So I’m thinking ‘’wow, why not apply and see what happens.’’ It’s said that some people can be accepted in the program in a few days, some it may take 10 to 14 days to be accepted.

So I wait expected to be accepted at first. I even check my spam mail like the follower mentioned in their Gmail because some writers could get that mail in the spam section. A few days passed, no word from them. ‘’Okay Gerald, don’t panic and stay cool’’. A few days more passed by, this is when I slowly start to believe that they won’t accept me.

So I send a Gmail to my follower telling them I haven’t heard from News Break. They reply back giving me encouragement to keep waiting for their response.

The Decision

The response finally came the next day. I wake up at 9 am and one of the first things I do is check my email. I see the title of the mail called Regarding Your News Break Creator Program Application. The next words I see begin with ‘’Hi Gerald, We appreciate your patience’’. I start thinking ‘’oh boy, here comes the pain’’.

And sure enough, the pain came, only it didn’t hurt that much. ‘’We thank you for your interest in our Creator Program. We regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your application at this time. Please don’t apply ever again’’.

Okay, that last part I made up. They actually wrote ‘’That said, we look forward to potentially collaborating with you in the future. Thank you for considering News Break’’. You’re welcome News Break.

So I was rejected (again), but I’m glad I took the chance. In the meantime, I’ll just keep writing and taking chances (when they come) to see where they may lead me.