Very excited to show up here with another interview about rejection with writer and actor Alex Dobrenko. He’s an up-and-coming actor here in LA and also writes the very funny Both Are True right here on Substack. If you’re just discovering Collected Rejections, welcome! In this world, writing is still fun, rejection is not bad word, and we’re all here to grow as writers. If you’re into that, subscribe to this newsletter here:
I love this interview especially "just bite the bread normally." I feel like that wisdom can be applied to just about anything in life. And the acting world sounds a lot like the writing world: rife with rejection. I don't think people in other fields can begin to understand what this feels like! Yet, eventually, it becomes a normal part of the flow of our lives! Hah. Looking forward to seeing you in your upcoming roles and, of course, reading more Both Are True!
Luckily I don’t get judged by how I bite into a piece of bread or I’d lose my mind. My nephews an actor too, Juilliard and the rejection he deals with; but he’s so upbeat. I could never deal with that amount of rejection.
When I showed my art a lot I saved my rejection letters and five years later I created an installation called, Let it Rain. I hung them from filament and netting from the ceiling. I discovered I didn't have enough letters and wrote some more. Ha! In a way you used the negative of the rejection the same way, turned it into a positive, a piece of art (your writing). Maybe that's as good as it's going to get. I used to tell myself I was lucky to be able to do my art and that many people didn't have the opportunity to even pursue something they loved. I'm pretty impressed that you write and act, wow!
I'll read anything Alex writes, and (bonus!) he led me to your awesome Substack, Valorie! Very excited to read more rejections!
I love this interview especially "just bite the bread normally." I feel like that wisdom can be applied to just about anything in life. And the acting world sounds a lot like the writing world: rife with rejection. I don't think people in other fields can begin to understand what this feels like! Yet, eventually, it becomes a normal part of the flow of our lives! Hah. Looking forward to seeing you in your upcoming roles and, of course, reading more Both Are True!
this is great!
big alex fan.
some things i love from this:
-- acceptance is the exception
-- Don't listen to anything they say and just bite the bread normally
-- the rest of it
even though it was framed as a rejection story, i was really hoping it would end with getting the part. i'm glad alex got the part of alex.
thanks all!
Luckily I don’t get judged by how I bite into a piece of bread or I’d lose my mind. My nephews an actor too, Juilliard and the rejection he deals with; but he’s so upbeat. I could never deal with that amount of rejection.
When I showed my art a lot I saved my rejection letters and five years later I created an installation called, Let it Rain. I hung them from filament and netting from the ceiling. I discovered I didn't have enough letters and wrote some more. Ha! In a way you used the negative of the rejection the same way, turned it into a positive, a piece of art (your writing). Maybe that's as good as it's going to get. I used to tell myself I was lucky to be able to do my art and that many people didn't have the opportunity to even pursue something they loved. I'm pretty impressed that you write and act, wow!
Ahhhh thank you this is awesome!!
Love this post!