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| photo by jaqian |
I began this new year by writing something that was way out of my box. Late last year, I had submitted to a romance anthology. Since I am incapable of heaving bosoms and men with Fabio-esque looks, it was humorous. It was snarky. It was rejected.
Stung by the
Everything else I write is creative nonfiction. Writing a romance is not my forte, but my stubborn nature has fueled my efforts during the occasions I do emerge from my box--these two romance stories...a novel that is currently in a rut--I'm pushed forward by my pride. And when I fail to get something published or a little voice inside me says 'Don't be ridiculous. You can't do that, Sioux,' my uncertainty surrenders to my stubborness.
What have you done--writing or otherwise--that has brought you out of your box? What fuels you? What keeps you moving forward? Inquiring minds want to know...
(This post is also not aimed at Mama Zen, either. She's a poet who can write mind-boggling poems with just a few words. After the investigation into the ruse Fireblossom has created has concluded, one is going to be launched to check out Mama Zen. Is she really a mother? How can an actual mother squeeze out creative brilliance like that as she does diapers and laundry and lunches? Was she really a singer in a band in her "former" life? How much talent can one person hoard?)
You'll never pin this rap on me, copper!
ReplyDelete(chews on a Twizzler as if it were a cigar)
A while ago, I resolved to try more form poetry. Free verse is my thing, but I like to be like Quigley, in "Quigley Down Under". After winning a rigged gunfight, using a colt revolver after having said he wasn't partial to them, his dying opponent looks up at him with a betrayed look. Quigley goes, "I said I wasn't partial to them. I never said I didn't know how to use one!" Go, Quigley!
Shay--That is one my favorite movies, although Alan Rickman almost steals the show. (I adore him. He was brilliant in the otherwise-stupid Robin Hood movie with Kevin Costner. Rickman was the only reason to watch it.)
DeleteYeah, you know how to use forms and despite you being loyal to their constraints, you bend them to fit your creative will.
Alan Rickman is amazing.
DeleteRomance writers of America will pant after us when you and I get those stories published. Wait and see.
ReplyDeleteRomance Writers of America will pants us, is more likely.
DeleteFirst - I'd love to read your snarky no-mance. I bet it's awesome. Second - I DO write romance. What is this market? I've not found a short story market for romance, except for the occasional contest. Guess I'm looking for love in all the wrong places. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--Thanks for the vote of confidence when it comes to snarkiness. Re-reading it, there was more snarky than
DeleteIt was Cupid's Quiver. The length was 2,500-5,000 (or maybe 7,000). I think you saw it on Donna's blog or Lynn's and commented that you didn't have anything long enough. It's Pat Smith's Welkin Press.
She might be doing more. You could email her at pbsmith@wt.net to find out if she's doing more collections in the future.
Re-reading my "Fifty Shades of Santa" submission, there was more snarky and smart a** than romance. Thankfully, I edited it more carefully than I do my blog comments. ;)
DeleteI'm actually a burly truck driver named Stan!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT I believe! ;) Burly, with hamhocks for hands, right?
DeleteI like it here in my nonfiction box. But I suddenly have an urge to try a bit of fiction featuring a burly truck driver named Stan.
ReplyDeleteThe decision to start writing a couple of years ago brought me out of my box. I had so much fun blogging every day, I figured I might as well venture into the land of contests. A couple of quick successes made me think I might actually succeed.
Val--
DeleteIf my box was as nifty as yours, I'd stay in it as well. However, I think the more trips you make, sneaky and stealthy, into the land of contests and publication, the more success you will encounter.
It's inevitable.
Your post demonstrates how important it is for writers not to get discouraged by rejection.
ReplyDeleteLast year I moved out of my comfort zone by tapping into the spiritual side of my writing and started a writers' group in my parish. This year I'm going to write a script--something new for me.
Donna--I am sure you will be just as successful at script-writing as you are about fiction and creative nonfiction.
DeleteIs it a script for a play? I'd love to hear more about it, as there is a book I'd love to develop into a movie script, but it's way out of my box as well. Perhaps I can pick up some tips from you as you're writing it/when you're finished with it?
I don't think I'm destined to be published. I once had a manuscript selected by a lesbian book publisher who told me that she liked my work but that I needed to add several sex scenes, especially a shower sex scene. I heard where she was coming from and had researched her company well, so knew that many of their listings were romances, but in the end, I just couldn't throw in a bunch of sex scenes because I felt that it cheapened up the book. I forfeited my chance for publication and went back to what I do best and (frankly) love most: my day job.
ReplyDelete