The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Sunday, October 10, 2010

If You're a Frequent Submitter, Do Not Read This

          I am one of those people who think of themselves as a writer, but I only talk the talk.  I don't walk the walk.  Actually, I guess that's not quite accurate because it is definitely not the case that I don't yearn to live the writer's life. I do.  With a great deal of my heart. However, the rest of my heart is taken up with my kids (24 right now), and since they clamor more and yell louder than my laptop does, my students win just about every time... 

         A little over a month ago I sent off a manuscript.  It's one I have sat on for several years.  (And it's not a novel. It's a picture book.) Did I think it was going to hatch if I let it sit long enough?  Who knows? 


           Since this is--more or less--my first foray into the world of submitting-getting rejected-retinkering-submitting to different venues, I am a bit excited that on some desk (perhaps gathering dust) is my piece. It may take four more months to hear from them (and it probably won't be a thin envelope when their response arrives) but I have a plan when I do hear from them.

         I'm also working on a short story for a contest the Saturday Writers are having, and a story for a Chicken Soup for the Soul collection.  Also, the writing I read on other writers' blogs inspires me.  I am in awe of what others are able to do with their writing craft.

          If you're a writer who submits all the time, you won't be able to relate to someone who is getting excited about their "first" serious attempt at getting published. It was probably so long ago, you've forgotten it.  However, they say you never forget your first...

3 comments:

  1. We all had to start somewhere. Everything has a beginning and I'm glad it's an exciting beginning for you! :)

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  2. Hi Sioux! I definitely do NOT fit into the category of someone who submits often. I'm much more like YOU. I constantly THINK about writing, and I love to write on my blog and let others know about contests and calls for submissions that I've seen, etc. But, the actual sitting down and writing and submitting....not so much. As you know, I'm just coming out of a non-writing period and it feels really good! I intend to not only concentrate most of my awake time on my book, but also submitting to other areas! I totally understand your excitement!! And I say, if you ever lose that excitement, even when it's your 100th or 1000th acceptance, then we aren't as much alike as I think we are! AND, I have so much admiration and respect for you and all the other writers who work full-time and still manage to fit it into their lives! Amazing!

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  3. I've just now started submitting my work to contests. It's so hard to let go of something that you have worked hard on and get rejected. My goal is to start submitting more stuff! Thanks for the reminder.

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