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’.

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!

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.

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. ; )

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!