I'm kind of with Rab on the "arrived" thing. Outside of writing, I have it pretty good, except for my health, which is starting to take a lot of time and effort to maintain. But it sure beats the alternative.
My teaching is very fulfilling. Just last night, I got an email from a former student thanking me for the tools I'd taught her, as they were helping her immensely in summer classes. That email is worth more than any rejection or negative opinion of my writing.
As far as writing goes, right now I'm back to my lemonade and rose-colored glasses after an extremely painful month. I've been unable to work on any of my projects, except the column I write, but I've decided I deserve better and so does my writing.
When I broke it down to numbers, I realized that only 2-3 agents actually read the whole book (or so they claimed). So, I'm not going to judged my work by them. Especially since they only sent form rejections.
Of the four publishers I sent to, so far only one has read it and rejected. I was pushing my luck sending to them because they tend to be more romance and mine has elements, but is firmly UF. Two publishers who had partials requested the full very quickly and the fourth has about a three month turn-around. That's pretty good, as far as I'm concerned. 50% liked the sample enough to ask for more. I'll take that as some validation of my work.
No, these aren't Big Six Publishers, but I honestly don't care. I'd much rather be published with ePub/small press during my lifetime than some unspecified future I might not be around to see. My goal is to get published and hopefully have some people who like my work.
Of the ten people (outside of agents and publishers) who've read it, only one did not like it. The other nine loved it and have repeatedly nagged me for Book 2. These are all folks I picked who would give me honest opinions. That means 90% of people in favor. Again, I'll take it. I don't expect everyone to like my work, but hopefully more will than won't. If I can keep a majority, then that's ok, too. I figure anything over 50% is a win.
I write to entertain - myself and hopefully others. If someone likes my work enough to publish, then I'll be happy. If not, then I'll SP and I'll still be happy.
Everyone in Purgatory is worthy of being published. Everyone here works hard, agonizes over their work and strives to make it the best they can. Everyone here has a story to tell that will mean something to someone else. Everyone here deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of what point they are at in their writing journeys.
Arrived? Pfft. I've already arrived. I wrote a book. And finished it. Rewrote it ad nauseum until my betas pronounced it ready to send out into the world. And so far a few people like it. If I'm lucky, a few more will read it once it's published and also like it. Life's too short to worry or hope for anything else.
ETA: I have lemonade, several lemon recipe foods and rose-colored glasses over here in this corner for anyone who'd like to join me.