Well, I guess you can call me crazy.
I've been submitting multiple pieces to an editor--every month--and have not gotten any nibbles. In the past, I enjoyed some success with this editor. In the past, I know other local writers who've enjoyed lots of success with this editor. But for a long time, they've gotten nothing published, either.
While at my writing critique meeting this week, I decided I'm done. I'm finished. It's a new editor, and obviously, their needs have changed. Every time I submit something, I figure This story is one they're sure to snap up and yet they don't.
It's a waste of my time (and theirs, because they have to read every submission). It's time I could spend on something with at least some potential.
Whether or not I stick to my guns remains to be seen. And if any of the pieces that I've already submitted get published, well...
I'll probably start writing like crazy again...
And now onto book blurb fun--
Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. Is it a mystery? Is it a coffee table art book? You decide.
Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.
Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. Currently, she's super busy. She and her hubster sold their house in Georgia and are setting up their new house in Florida.
Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.
Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:
Dancing for Love
He couldn’t dance. He tried, he really did try. But every time Derrick shuffled onto the dance floor, the music didn’t move him.
And really, he could live without dancing, but what about Layla? Layla was the new girl in school, the pretty one, the one Derrick would like to take to the prom… except he didn’t know how to dance.
But one day he walked by a shop and noticed a poster in the shop’s window. Become a dancing machine in one easy step. Derrick went inside, paid for the package wrapped in brown paper, and followed the directions.
And it was miraculous. Derrick drank the potion, and immediately, became Gene Kelly, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Channing Tatum all rolled into one.
Will Layla fall for Derrick like a whole line of dominoes? Will Derrick’s dance skills get out of hand and become a problem? (145 words)
And for those writers who'd like to work ahead, here is the picture for next week.
Looks like a psychopath.
ReplyDeleteMichael--He DOES look like he's a psychopath. It must be from his father's side of the family...
DeleteDid you notice the dancing dude has a dog at his heels? Wow a combination of all those tail shakers with one lesson? Every girl loves a guy who can dance.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know exactly how you feel about a particular publication. Ready to say forget about it, too.
ReplyDeleteLinda--I hope I can stick to it.
DeleteI hope Derrick didn't make a crucial mistake with his dance-in-a-cut-glass-bottle (that's how I picture the potion). Girls like a project, you know...a guy they can teach to do things their way.
ReplyDeleteI know the publication, because I think you mentioned it to me before, to console me because I had submitted fruitlessly.
So I'm really glad now that I was a lazy-butt do-nothing, and did not submit anything else!
Val--Now I am going to be the lazy-butt when it comes to submitting to them...
DeleteI understand how you feel about the rejection. Publishing is changing faster than anyone can keep up--just like the rest of life--and not necessarily for the better. And the reading fees!$15 and $20 have made writing an expensive sport for the well to do. Then I see things like James Patterson and his son writing a children's book and I seethe. Many writers as good or better than this young man, nothing against him, but not everyone has rich father with even richer connections who is established money maker for big houses. And then there is Patterson now writing with Bill Clinton too. GRRRRRR and I will get off my rant this morning.
ReplyDeleteClaudia--And Patterson doesn't even write his books. I think he just outlines them, and has dozens of writers working for him.
DeleteIf we had those resources at our fingertips, we could churn out books too.
Don't give up, Sioux. I don't know which publication/editor you're writing to, but obviously s/he doesn't recognize good work.
ReplyDeleteDerrik looks like he's been struck by lightning; maybe he's doing the electric slide.
Donna--The electric slide? That would fit the photo.
Delete(And thanks for the kind words. I just figure I should stop wasting my time and start looking for other markets.)
Don't give up because I love your writing! I think Layla needs to grab Derrick because someone else will! I like a man who can dance well (even though my hubby can't and won't).
ReplyDeletePat--I think I'm just going to stop submitting to THAT particular editor. Thanks for the compliment. I love writing too much to stop it completely.
Delete(By the way, my husband won't dance either, and I'm thankful, because I've seen him dance once and it wasn't pretty.)
I'm pretty sure I know which publication you're referring to. I've passed two approval rounds with them recently, so hopefully they'll be taking one of my pieces. However, it's been a looooong time since they have, so never give up! While it's disappointing when an editor doesn't snap up our literary baby, I figure the "rejected" story can always find a home somewhere else.
ReplyDeletePat
www.patwahler.com