I had a story rejected by Chicken Soup for the Soul (a Christmas anthology) a couple of years ago. In fact, I had two of them rejected. Okay, to be honest, the ones that don't make it don't ever get a rejection notice. You just end up never hearing about them. In this instance, no news is bad news... After all, I like to increase my odds. If I send in three stories, I get the chance to get disappointed three times. But I also think they might get so tired of reading my stuff, they'll occasionally accept one just to shut me up.
Yesterday I submitted one of those Christmas stories again. I had completely revamped it, took out some details and fleshed out others. Today, I reworked a story I submitted to CS's "Hope and Miracles" collection. They passed on it, so perhaps a warmed-up second helping of the same tale--completely rewritten--will be a tastier treat. I'll be bringing it to my critique group to see what they think of it, and then will submit it for the "Think Possible" anthology.
This is a kind of jazzy version of "Silver Bells," sung by Meaghan Smith. (I had to get in silver bells somehow.) It was either this, or the Twisted Sister version. Perhaps people who are buried under in snow can enjoy these snow-free winter scenes...
What have you rewritten or reworked or revamped lately? It could be a room, a recipe, or a writing piece. My nosey self wants to know...
Buried in snow is right! I can barely open my doors this morning, and i went out and shoveled last night!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's "revamping", but I deleted one word from one poem while putting together my new book, which will be available by week's end!
A new book? Yipee yahoo!
DeleteShay, as carefully as you craft, taking out one word is huge...
A snow-free Christmas? Next thing you'll tell me is that Christmas brings tee shirt weather! So call me a skeptic, but it was -9 this morning before the wind chill.
ReplyDeleteEven with continuing rejection and reworking of stories the odds must be increasing for acceptance. I did a major reorganization of clothing. The piles got sorted and actually moved into drawers or enclosed containers to expose some horizontal surfaces that hadn't seen light for over a year. It is always behind a closed door so as not to be anything other than personal embarrassment.
Jono--I like cold weather, but MY cold weather is way different than YOUR cold weather. Stay warm...
DeleteAs you know, DH just revamped my house! As for writing, I just revamped my DX article in a way. I meshed it with an earlier one, and like I told Linda over at her site, I hope I don't get sued for plagarising myself! I haven't reworked much that has been printed, but oh, I revamp the unpublished things all the time. Change here, move there...and I never know if it is better or maybe just better because some editor is in the mood to apprecaite it. Sometime ago, I circulated a travel piece for years and one day sent it to unlikely market just to say I had sumbitted that day. It sold for good dollars in less than 30 mintues with no editing. I wish you luck with your piece...bet that support group will help you!!! Have a good first week in February.
ReplyDeleteClaudia--I know part of your home is new and improved (lucky you)...What a wonderful story--sending off a piece as an afterthought and getting it snapped up. Wow!
DeleteMeghan Smith sings well, although she is no Rachel Potter.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank goodness for that...
DeleteI have spent the last three school days reworking problem statements, hypotheses, research info, and procedures for 80 freshman science projects.
ReplyDeleteI'm not feeling the rewrite love just now.
Val--This past week I had to put the finishing touches on a teacher-of-the-year nomination I started for my teaching partner. Now that that is over, I can concentrate on other "fun" teaching duties... since mid-quarters go out this week...
DeleteI need to revamp my weight, my thoughts, my stories, so I think I will enjoy a salad today, imagine winter whooshing away, and sort through my files. That's what I THINK. What will actually happen is I have a coupon for a lunch buffet and I will start with a salad. I know that crabby groundhog is right and I'll have to live with it. And my stories or printed out on my desk, and I swear I hear them saying, "I dare you."
ReplyDeleteLinda--I'm afraid if I revamped my weight, I'd get HEAVIER! You know what they say: the road to he** and fat rolls is lined with good intentions. I have great intentions, and then succumb…and suck down some chocolate.
DeleteI do that, too, Sioux, when it comes to CS..."Third time's the charm" is my motto. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm presently revamping Mister Man, btw. (Shhhhh. Keep it on the down low--he doesn't know.)
Cathy--If you're successful, let me know how you did it.
DeleteI'm revamping my website! I've hired a web designer and driven her absolutely stark raving mad with questions and emails and questions and emails and . . . you get the idea. (Actually, she's been very gracious). I'm still figuring stuff out on my end (features, pages, colors, etc.) but after I finish being angsty and wishy-washy she'll be able to get started. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--You have a wonderful website already, so a revamped one? I can't wait.
Delete