tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post7487578935442560419..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: The Back Door To PublicationSandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-91185247788958873042007-08-25T09:22:00.000-04:002007-08-25T09:22:00.000-04:00I've sent out a lot of short stories over the year...I've sent out a lot of short stories over the years and even though I didn't receive a lot of feedback, the rejection letters themselves provided feedback. I kept sending out the same stories over and over and over, each time revising, polishing and rejigging, while also writing new stories. Eventually I realised what wasn't working because it didn't go anywhere and how to fix it because I kept writing and getting better at it. <BR/><BR/>People who think that rejection letters are a waste of time are wasting their time. Maybe their writing is perfect and their stories amazing, but if editors aren't picking them up there is a reason, even if the worst case scenario is that the world isn't ready for their story at that time. <BR/><BR/>The whole thing about writing is you have to keep trying new things, adapting, and learning from the past. You can't keep pushing ahead with the view that you're right and the whole world is wrong. You won't get anywhere like that.<BR/><BR/>Writing is about getting to the truth about things. You can't do that if you won't look at the truth of your writing journey.<BR/><BR/>Great post and great food for thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-13630773303250472272007-08-24T11:13:00.000-04:002007-08-24T11:13:00.000-04:00I signed up at the site out of curiosity and they ...I signed up at the site out of curiosity and they don't even have any material to look at right now. <BR/><BR/>They will send me an email notification when the full site is up and running.<BR/><BR/>Moreso then participation I just wanted to see the quality of the writing. But hey there is no writing.Brian Lindenmuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519203797661128049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-81454090128337418482007-08-24T11:11:00.000-04:002007-08-24T11:11:00.000-04:00Timely post as I think about how to get this plane...Timely post as I think about how to get this plane in the air.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-28178115640232637392007-08-24T09:39:00.000-04:002007-08-24T09:39:00.000-04:00It is interesting how many writers think they're t...It is interesting how many writers think they're thick-skinned, but aren't. Y'know, "tell it to me straight," followed by "but I did this because...that's there because...etc., etc." If ya gotta get explanatory and defensive, something ain't working. While it's important to be able to tell the difference between someone who doesn't know what the hell they're talking about & one who does, it's almost always more useful to get over the pissy/hurt thing and open up your ears. Chances are you'll learn something.angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751466673491487048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-47103186057233032322007-08-23T22:57:00.000-04:002007-08-23T22:57:00.000-04:00Great examples Kris. Indeed, not all slush feedba...Great examples Kris. Indeed, not all slush feedback is useful, but if you don't have an open mind you'll potentially miss out on critical advice. I needed someone to tell me my weaknesses to help me find my strengths. Which fits right in with your "realizing what a bad writer you are is the first step to becoming a good one". Best English teacher I ever had was the first to tell me I didn't walk on water.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-71589269270182344512007-08-23T18:45:00.000-04:002007-08-23T18:45:00.000-04:00I couldn't agree more about rejections, Sandra. I ...I couldn't agree more about rejections, Sandra. I often think that if I published enough work to go on the creative writing lecture circuit, the first thing I'd say to the students would be something like this: "Realising what a bad writer you are is the first step to becoming a good one." <BR/><BR/>I wasted six or seven years fuming about 'myopic' publishers, and it was only when I opened my mind to the idea that maybe some of their rejection comments had merit that I started to get more positive responses.<BR/><BR/>To offer a specific anecdote, I had been shopping around a story called 'Trouble with the Locals' for years. Finally, one slush reader said it took too long to get started. I applied his feedback and chopped 2,000 words out of it. The very next market I sent it to, <I>Back Roads</I> at 1018 Press, accepted it. <BR/><BR/>I'm not saying all slush reader feedback is worthwhile - I got two responses to a now-published sci-fi comedy story where the readers had clearly missed the fact it was a comedy - but you have to give it due consideration if you ever hope to improve. I wish someone had pointed this out to me back in 1997.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com