Sister Night, Sister Moon

[cathschaffstump]

This time, the rejection was because the story was not dark enough for the anthology. The story worked for the editor until the ending, and I can buy that. I became antsy about getting it done, rather than letting the thing take some time and letting my subconscious puzzle it out, which is ALWAYS my best strategy. (Watch the Type A personality fight the inner artist. Go on! You know you want to!)

Again, encouraging words:

I am not going to accept this story because I don't think it quite fits with the darker tone of the other stories I am looking at... and that's the only reason that I am not going to accept it. If I were doing a different anthology I would just ask for a rewrite of the ending...

What have we learned, author buddies? Both the take home message for me with this rejection and with Delirium has been, "this is good, but it's not what we want." So...with careful work, we get the good work to the right person. Your market research, when you can do it, is essential.

Both Cat Scratch and Delirium still each have one. We're still a contender. :)

Catherine

Comments

[scieppan.livejournal.com]

It's all subjective, you know? One agent liked X but not Y, another liked Y but not X, another liked both but didn't think it was the right time. Just have confidence in yourself and your story and it will find a home.

[awelkin.livejournal.com]

I will. I do. Thanks. :)

Remember that an agent, like an author is one person at a time.

BTW, had a GREAT conversation with Yo about writing last night. We need to talk soon, you and I.

Catherine

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

Rejection letters are still rejection letters, though. I don't know if people ever get so blasé about them that they can just let them roll off their backs. I actually kept my first rejection letter for a long time, just as a reminder: what we think is perfect doesn't always work for everyone else. What we think is pretty good doesn't necessarily ever work for anyone else.

I like your lesson about listening to your intuition, though. I've read story after story that feels like it was rushed to be finished, and that always shows. You know you're good at your craft. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are good at this craft. Learning to listen, being true to what you want instead of what you feel like you have to do in a hurry... these are things that set excellent writers apart from the merely good ones.

Or something. I'm babbling. Writer's prerogative.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

It really is goal driven!Catherine fighting with artist!Catherine every time on that issue.

However, artist!Catherine gets a rematch every time she revises, and/or an editor calls her on it. I just gotta get goal driven!Catherine to listen more.

Maybe if I whack her on the nose with a rolled up newspaper from time to time...

Are you sending stuff out now?

Catherine

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

No, I'm not sending stuff out now. I might start again at some point, though. When the mood strikes me and I feel both sufficiently thick-skinned and wildly creative.

[david-bridger.livejournal.com]

Accept a hug from a new friend?

(((Hug)))

I received a heavyweight rejection yesterday. Heavyweight, in that this was from the first (and only, so far) agent to request a full MS of my first novel. It wasn't a form rejection. She explained why she's passing. I don't agree with her take on it, but appreciate her generosity in taking the time to write.

At the risk of sounding Pollyanna-ish, I can still welcome rejections because every one of them is a step towards finding the perfect agent for me.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

I know how hard that can be. A friend of mine, scieppan, has been going through a similar struggle.

On the one hand, it's great to get the attention, and you know you're on the right track. On the other hand, well, wouldn't you really rather have the good news?

Keep at it, though. Perserverance is key, yes?

Catherine

[david-bridger.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! I queried two heavy-hitter London agents by email* last night, within 24 hours of the last rejection. We have to keep pushing it out there.

*One immediate rejection and one request for a partial 12 hours later. Balance. Om. :)

[tapestrymlp.livejournal.com]

*hugs* You're right, one of the those arrows is going to hit. And whether you are "officially" published or not - you're still a kickass writer. That said, I have every confidence you will get published. It's just going to take the right person in the right circumstances. Hang in there!