Comments on: Crazy Rejection Reactions

By: jean

jean — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:18:52 +0000

Cate,

What is really strange is that both of my pieces are rated almost identically. Yet they are very different stories. Different voice, different format, different characters, different stories, different everything! It kind of makes me wonder…

Every day we get better, keep truckin’.

By: Cat Woods

Cat Woods — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:23:01 +0000

Yay for you. It would be interesting to see how your writing ranks. As well as get a glimpse of the slush piles.

Best wishes on this and enjoy the process.

Now is not a good time to enter, but I may consider it in the future.

As to my rejections: I think they always bring on a quick swell of hatred, then fear that I’m not good enough, followed by a healthy dose of “alright, let’s see what I really have.”

I have never given up yet and until someone rejects me with a verbatim “You suck!” I will continue to persevere!

By: jean

jean — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:32:43 +0000

Aw, thanks, Calista.

I have to remind myself that it is all a process and one day I will, as you say, strike the right cord. And bing. I’ll be ready. I keep thinking I am, and then realize I am not quite there. Soon though. Soon would be nice.

By: Calista Taylor

Calista Taylor — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:17:50 +0000

Best of luck on the contest, and rest assured, you’re a great writer. I think tweaking things is part of the writing process.

As for rejections, the best ones do offer advice and a kind word, but it can still be hard when the rejections keep coming. Still, I try to keep in mind, that even if it’s not this story, maybe it’ll be the next, or the one after that. I’ll still be writing, so I can only hope I’ll find one that strikes all the right cords. Though soon would be nice. ; )

By: jean

jean — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:16:38 +0000

Contest update: While I am not going to make super-star writer status with this contest, I am pleased to announce that I am doing a little bit better! I now have 18% wanting to see my work go on to the next level–that’s about 1 in 5, so that ain’t bad.

And even better news is that I think I already have a stronger, more interesting opening scene now (I’ve been tweaking and editing) due to my recent rejection advice as well as seeing how the first few lines of my opening wasn’t speaking to readers in this contest. This is inspiring and motivating. I’m actually kind of excited! Now, if only I could swap the new opening into the WEbook contest–doh!

By: jean

jean — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:12:08 +0000

Glad to hear you sally forth, Suzette.

While rejections can be a downer, you are right, the ones that come with advice always ratchet me a notch or two up that learning curve. And for that reason, I do super-appreciate those personalized rejections.

By: Suzette Saxton

Suzette Saxton — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:09:58 +0000

First, best of luck in the contest, and good for you for getting your work out there.

Rejections are definitely not fun. The best ones are those that come with advice. As for how I handle the sting of rejection, I sally forth.

By: jean

jean — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:53:49 +0000

Jemi, the contest is kind of fun, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into the responses, if you do enter. I’ve read some really strong pieces on AQ which have been entered, but because of the short entry nature of this contest, some of the pieces aren’t getting a fair shake. (In my humble opinion.) In some cases, it is easy to judge the quality of writing, and in others, I would like more pages to see. It is a fun experiment though. I feel for agents–it kind of gives you a taste of their slush piles.

P.S. My rankings are doing slightly better now, but my first 250 words are not going to launch my writing career via this contest by any long shot of anyone’s imagination.