With apologies to Tenacious D, this is the greatest and best thread in the world. Theresa, your insight into the world of editing and slush is invaluable, and I, as a new writer, appreciate it. And the comments of everyone else, as well, disemvoweled or not.
Some things I have found useful in my (now successful) quest to become a published author:
From my esteemed father, in regards to editorial comments:
“You can deny the solution, but you can’t deny the problem.”
Which is to say, a reader, and a professional one at that, had a problem with some or all of your story. You may not agree with their take on it, or their suggestions to fix it, but you should at least review it with a critical eye. Why didn’t they “get” it? Is the story/section/sentence really bad or did I not get my point across? You may decide the editor is just an idiot, but you need to reexamine your work.
Now, my mother is a well-known (and extremely talented, skillfull, ground-breaking, er...um...ok, yes she reads this blog. Hi Mom!) author. I grew up around and among writers, editors, illustrators, agents. But contrary to popular belief, nepotism does not get you published. It does, however, get you the occasional handwritten rejection letter. I was determined not to waste this birthright, and when my first rejection letter arrived with notes scrawled in the corner, I paid attention. The editor said she thought the story was too long and not that original. Hard words for a novice writer to hear, for sure. But with my father’s statement in mind, I chopped aggressively the sections of the story that dragged. As it was a retelling of a folk tale, I could not make the story fully original, but I punched up those parts that were.
The story sold to the very next market I submitted to.
I even wrote the editor who had rejected it a thank you note for her comments with my next submission to her magazine.
She rejected that story, too. Them’s the breaks.
The other thing that helps me get over the sting of rejection was something written by Jerry Oltion on the SFWA website. One of his “50 strategies to make yourself work”: keep 5 (or 10) manuscripts in the mail at all times. Choose a number that'll make you stretch a little, but one you can realistically maintain.
I went with 5. It keeps me working, keeps me submitting. Sure, the rejections come fast and furious every once in a while. But I always have a new market in mind and a new project in the works. Hope really does spring eternal, and you’d be surprised how little the rejection stings when you have the story out the door the next day.
Random comments:
To the idea that publishing is a BUSINESS: Made me think immediately of the story of the publisher’s son who wanted to buy Lord of the Rings. His father asked him how he thought the book would do. Son told father, “I think it’s pure genius. And we’ll lose a thousand pounds.” His father told him to buy the book.
Jennie’s post on the editor’s muse was brilliant. It put me in mind of a conversation overheard in an elevator. One woman was relating how her mother was a professional golfer, back before there was any money in the women’s tour. Her friend asked, “Why would she do that, if there was no money in it?” As a musician/writer who on more than one occasion has spent a week or two eating off the Amoco credit card, the answer was obvious: it’s what she did. She was a golfer. It’s not just artists who have a “calling.” I would venture to say that everyone in life has one, and whether there’s money in it or not, you’d best follow your muse. If you don’t, you will spend a lifetime dissatisfied and never really know the reason why.
Ok, I’ve taken up enough of everyone’s time. Back to lurking.
---Adam
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
Total: 2 comments. View all these comments on a single page.
The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Adam S.:
Show all comments by Adam S..