Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Whining thread

This is topic Whining thread in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :

Sorry, folks, but I HAVE to whine today. I just got this.

quote:
Thank you for submitting "Treacle and Ashes" to Shimmer, but I'm afraid
it's not right for us.
While I like that this isn't a typical vampire-slayer story, I felt this
read as the opening to something longer rather than an independent short
story. The conflict between the characters just gets underway as the
story ends, and I was left wondering what happened next (particularly as
you ended with that great line about the hint of a smile on Marcus's
face). Have you considered turning this into a novel?
Best of luck with your writing and thank you for letting Shimmer consider
your work!

That bonking sound you hear is me pounding my head on my keyboard. It isn't "typical" and ends with a "great" line but she still doesn't like it. I SWEAR I can't win. That is after a rejection yesterday that my writing was "competent" but the editor didn't like the plot--it was "typical." Gah!

Feel free to whine yourself or criticise me for whining. I know rejections are part of the business, but sometimes they just get hard to take.

Posted by NoTimeToThink (Member # 5174) on :

JeanneT,

I haven't submitted anything yet, so I don't have a right to whine. Just wanted to tell you, from what I've read about rejections, that one looked pretty good. Are you sending "Treacle" right back out to the next publisher on your list?

Posted by nitewriter (Member # 3214) on :

Ya, that just shows you just how subjective the whole thing can be. I have read stories in the best known science fiction magazines that were so horrible you wonder what the editor was taking/smoking when he decided to print them.

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Sounds as if the editor wanted to turn the page, and you didn't provide the next page.

Sometimes a story can be too open-ended, I guess.

Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :

I had a similar feeling about Pip and the Faeries which I seemed to recall was nominated for a Nebula (although it didn't win. I liked it better than the winner. lol) I wanted to know what happened next and Theodora Goss didn't say. Well, I found that rejection easier to take than the "your writing is competent" one. COMPETENT? Why not just slap me? *sighs*

Posted by RMatthewWare (Member # 4831) on :

Haven't I heard that you should leave the reader wanting more?

Oh well. You should be pretty stoked that you're actually getting personal replies, though. My problem with short stories was that I wanted to tell more. So I gave up and turned to novels.

Posted by J (Member # 2197) on :

Jeanne, sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear, well, he eats you.

Stay positive. Sounds like you've got a winner of a story. The rejection letter makes it sound like it's an issue of fit rather than quality.

Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :

If I got that rejection I'd be jumping up and down in elation. You actually got feedback. I've only managed a few form rejections.

Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :

Yeah I have to say, it feels like listening to a professional racquetball player complain that he can't get his drive to land in the exact, precise inch he wants it to land, when I feel pretty good when I even hit the ball.

In other words, I think you're doing well and I think your rejection says that.

Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :

I suppose. But having gotten feedback, I now want some more sales. I just look at the feedback (and I admit I get feedback more than form rejections), and think: "Yeah, so if it's so good why didn't you buy it?"

I suppose I had this illusion that once you sold at least some pieces, that it got easier.

Guess what, kids? It don't. (Or not always)

PS and thanks for the encouraging words.

I usually say much the same when other people whine about rejections. It comes with the territory, just get it out again, so on and so forth. All true, too. But I have to admit deep down we all know that rejection hurts. It's like when guys complain about a woman saying, "Oh, let's be friends." *wiggles eyebrows*

[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited October 15, 2007).]

Posted by I am destiny on :

Wow personalized rejections, that is a good thing right?

I feel your pain, while I have gotten no rejections yet, I have submitted two things now, and am in the waiting stage.

I have an awsome atypical vampire story that has fleshed out at 70 pages and 19,000 words and at the moment is stalled. I know it needs more, but dont know where. The whole story runs, in my head, for about three months. It isnt enough time for a novel. (At least in my head.) Hopefully it will come to me.

I hope you will find homes for your work. Good luck.

~Destiny

Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :

The people at Shimmer are great people and that was a thoughtful letter. Keep on keeping on.

Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :

Oh, I agree that the editors at Shimmer are nice. I have gotten good feedback from her before.

I was just feeling a little frustrated. I got a sale yesterday and even though it was a small one it cheered me up.