Now be honest, did you not have a refreshing break from reading repetitive updates about my writing during the latter part of October? Fess up, you know that reading a few short stories as well as a companion post about me getting my comeuppance yet again AND watching a video or two, was better than me blathering on and on about what I've been writing, or been submitting, or having rejected.
Of course it was!
And now that you've had your brain cells rejuvenated, it's time to return to that wonderful slop that you've come to like about as much as scrapple, called "Writing Wednesday". And as you know, the main feature of "Writing Wednesday" is me blathering about all things related to my (mis)adventures in writing. So without further ado, let's begin at the beginning.
1} REJECTED!I received what had to be the quickest rejection I've ever experienced for a story last weekend. I submitted Line 21 to Ellora's Cave and according to their guidelines, the initial response time is two days to four weeks. For me, it was two days. I submitted it on October 29th and received my rejection on October 31st. That rejection actually got me to thinking about what Line 21 isn't, and what it is, so a small readjustment in stratergy will be taking place in the coming weeks, mostly in the form of what publisher I should be submitting my manuscript to.
For those who were wondering what the second fastest rejection of a story was, it was one week, back in 2009.
2} LATEST WRITING PROJECT! Due to the ongoing aggravation that is my real life coupled with the remnants of Storm Alfred this past week, I managed to accomplish very little in the way of adding excess verbiage to "Blackness In The White Sand". However, that isn't to say that things haven't been totally quiet on that particular front, because it hasn't. To refresh your memory about my writing habits, one of the things that I like to do is to print out what I write so that whenever I have some down time, I can do a little judicious editing/note taking/outlining/etc. etc. etc. before going back to writing.
Anyways, I got to thinking about the content of this particular project and how to reconcile that to my personal opinion about crime fiction (click here for a refresher). The main reason as to why I got to thinking about it is that the last thing that I want to do is sound like hypocrite, you know, complaining about a particular genre and then kind of/sort of writing something similar with my current project.
I know I mentioned early on that I was upping the level of violence in this current project simply because I thought that the basic plot required a level of violence that I've tried to stay away from for the past five years or so.
So I would like to solicit your opinion on this particular point if I may. Earlier in the year, I posted an excerpt from the original version of "Blackness In The White Sand" because I wanted to give everyone a basic idea on where I wanted to go with the new version. This time, I'm posting an updated version of that previous snippet, and I would like to know if I'm making too much about the "Do as I say, not do as I do" angle with this.
Warning: The excerpt that you're about to read is extremely heavy on graphic sex and heavy on violence. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Also, before you even think about apologizing for not reading it, please don't. Over the years, I think I've gotten know everyone's personal tastes and values pretty well, so I will not be offended if you choose not to read my excerpt. I try to respect everyone's personal tastes and values, which is why I always put up a disclaimer/warning to let people know that something might run counter to their personal tastes/values.
And for those of you out there who might be using this blog as a pit stop before continuing on your journey, I don't consider this to be censorship. I consider this to be simply looking out for my fellow blog readers who might not be comfortable with what I write about from time to time. I write what I write because I enjoy what I write, but I also understand that what I write is not necessarily everyone's cup of coffee, which is why I have another blog that was created with the express purpose of having a home for some of my more salacious postings.
With that being said, I now present to you another excerpt from my latest writing project entitled "Blackness In The White Sand".
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
12 comments:
Go on, give me your best shot. I can take it. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have created this wonderful little blog that you decided to grace with your presence today.
About that comment moderation thingy: While yes, it does say up above I can take it, I only use it to prevent the occasional miscreant from leaving thoughtless and/or clueless comments.
So remember, all of your comments are greatly appreciated and all answers will be given that personal touch that you come to expect and enjoy.
G. B. Miller
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Using email I have gotten rejections the same day I sent a piece. at least they didn't let it hang around and gather dust.
ReplyDeleteAt least there is no aggravation of waiting to be rejected, just get it over with..haha
ReplyDeleteYeah - you've pegged me. :) I told someone the other day that left to my own devices, I'd probably just read Dorothea Benton Frank and Janet Evanovich. :) That's why I'm in two book clubs - I read things that are a stretch.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask you G, how you handle rejection? I think I'd find it very hard to pour my heat and soul into a piece of writing and have someone read it and say they don't like it. I had a taste of that when I did Graphic design. I'd design logos and sometimes the customer would say they didn't like any of them.
ReplyDeleteHow do you handle rejection?
Charles: Using e-mail for submissions is relatively new for me. For the longest time I used to do everything via snail mail, but as of late, publishers and agents now prefer e-mail queries/submissions over snail mail.
ReplyDeleteSame day rejection sounds pretty brutal. Does may you wonder some times.
Pat: This is very true. Usually when I do writing contests the wait is anywhere from two to five months. This way, I can get a quicker deflation of my ego.
Lynn: I do try to take into consideration what my fellow readers personal tastes are whenever I blog, but I do miss from time to time, usually in a spectacular fashion.
Two book clubs are pretty cool. Definitely keeps you on your toes and expands your horizons immeasurably.
Joe: I used to handle rejection quite badly when I first started submitting my writings back in the early days. I would stew and simmer for weeks on end whenever I would get a rejection.
Now I when I get a rejection, I try to learn from it and move on. Problem is that most of the time I don't get any feedback as to why the story is being rejected. It just gets rejected, usually w/o even a word saying "saying, sorry we can't use your story".
But I try not to let it bother me. I figure that if my story isn't a good fit for the publisher in question at the time, I can always tweak it and try someone else.
This is hilarious - I always read the excerpt first, then see the post here with the warning :)
ReplyDeleteWow- That breaks the record! Guess that's what stinks about e-submitting n e-mail...
ReplyDeleten I'm thinking "How can it get MORE graphic?"
I think it's nice of you to warn folks- Like the time I really didn't wanna see Joey's dead bird...
Here I go (click!)
R: See that's the beauty of being you and why people easily gravitate towards you: your unconventionality in the way you pursue things that interest you. :D
ReplyDeleteSnaggle: I think that's a record that I'm not really proud of, only because it could be considered as a semi-crushing blow to my ego.
I've often wondered that myself sometimes when I write, but with me, I always have that litte voice inside my head that reminds me of all the crap I went through back in '08 when I'd self-pubbed my first book.
I really got clobbered over it, so now whenever I want to post something that seems to be excessive, I'll throw up a warning for everyone and let them decide for themselves on whether or not they want to read it.
That's a very quick response. That's better customer service than what I get from companies whom I pay for their services!
ReplyDeleteI'm skipping the excerpt. I'm trying to keep my reading to upbeat, good news, inspirational stories at the moment.
S.R.: Yes, it was depressingly fast. Seriously though, I am curious if they read the entire submission (first three chapters and last chapter) or just the synopsis.
ReplyDeleteI can understand you wanting to keep your reading light and airy, so I have no problem with you skipping the excerpt.
Yeah I think that's the only way you can handle rejection. Learn something from it and coming back stronger the next time.
ReplyDeleteSnaggle cracked me up mentioning my dead bird post and the way she still clicked. Not clicking has been something I've learnt to do in the last couple of years for self protection. There are just some places that are safer for me emotionally not to go. I've experienced quite a bit of "darkness" in my life and it's not a place I want to go back to for my own sanity. It's not really connected with my faith, but more to do with my own well being, if that makes sense?
Joe: It actually does make sense. There are times where I don't really click on certain things, simply because they either don't interest me or I really don't want to reopen old wounds again.
ReplyDeleteA very good example is the chat rooms. While I have made quite a few friends from those years, the abuse and stress I'd experienced far outweighs those friendships made. So I make a concsious effort not to re-visit that particular part of my life.
In the end, you have to do what's best for you and the people who genuinely know, love and respect you, will absolutely understand why you chose to make that decision.