Hehe. That's what lies will get you. I always enjoy stories where the truth does come out, in whatever form. Excellent tale, AC. And yes, I always hold onto my work, no matter if it's rejected. All this stuff is subjective. If you like it and believe it, someone else will to. Great post.
I recently wrote about rejection on Substack - sometime last year. It really is a game of chance. I submitted a short story to an anthology, where I had gotten a poke that they were short a few stories. So, I quickly wrote something that I thought fully embraced what they were looking for in the open call. I had the editing checked and sent it off, fully expecting to be accepted. And then got the rejection. I wrote the Substack post just after that.
I then found it a better home a week or so after. So you never know. I have a couple of other short stories that are still waiting to find the right home. One the anthology folded and another was just rejected as not fitting the rest of the anthology theme.
I don't consider them wasted. I learned from writing them, got good practice, and I still have them in my possession for future possibilities, including the possibility of my own collection of short stories.
10 years ago, I wouldn't have been so calm about it. It has taken time and learning and accepting myself and my works to get there. Same with my art - plenty of rejections, plenty of acceptance. It really does come down to the eye of the beholder....and sometimes the beholder is a monster from D&D!
First, let me make it clear that I am not the character Tony in your story :-). I’m that ancient pedant living in Spain. Secondly, it would be a good idea to correct the typo? “cord” to “chord”. You strike a chord.
“He had thought about that music teacher who was older now and still gave private lessons in her home.” Of course she was “older now”. She can’t avoid the effect of passing time. Later, “demanded” seems an odd choice of verb. “But the boat didn’t seem to get anywhere. Finally, he stopped.” If he didn’t get anywhere, how could he stop? Perhaps the word “engine” is required after “stopped”.
The story itself is not bad. Perhaps the people you sent it to were pernickety about the items I’ve pointed out.
Hehe. That's what lies will get you. I always enjoy stories where the truth does come out, in whatever form. Excellent tale, AC. And yes, I always hold onto my work, no matter if it's rejected. All this stuff is subjective. If you like it and believe it, someone else will to. Great post.
First, thanks for sharing your thoughts on rejection (it's something we writers deal with all the time). Second, I liked your short story.
Thanks much, and thanks for the restack! The main thing is for writers to stay positive about their work.
I completely agree.
I recently wrote about rejection on Substack - sometime last year. It really is a game of chance. I submitted a short story to an anthology, where I had gotten a poke that they were short a few stories. So, I quickly wrote something that I thought fully embraced what they were looking for in the open call. I had the editing checked and sent it off, fully expecting to be accepted. And then got the rejection. I wrote the Substack post just after that.
I then found it a better home a week or so after. So you never know. I have a couple of other short stories that are still waiting to find the right home. One the anthology folded and another was just rejected as not fitting the rest of the anthology theme.
I don't consider them wasted. I learned from writing them, got good practice, and I still have them in my possession for future possibilities, including the possibility of my own collection of short stories.
10 years ago, I wouldn't have been so calm about it. It has taken time and learning and accepting myself and my works to get there. Same with my art - plenty of rejections, plenty of acceptance. It really does come down to the eye of the beholder....and sometimes the beholder is a monster from D&D!
Got a link to your article? And hang in there. Keep writing. Keep designing.
I actually have 3 that are adjacent to it, as I guess it’s something I’ve talked about/thought about a lot! lol.
This one: Writing for Anthologies is the one that I think I was generally referring to: https://tntcreationz.substack.com/p/writing-for-anthologies
But Critique Groups and it’s follow up talk a lot about rejection, too:
https://tntcreationz.substack.com/p/critique-groupsdo-you-need-them-are
https://tntcreationz.substack.com/p/a-follow-up-on-critiques
I loved the way you ended your story. Very touching.
As to rejection...it's a part of life, and I'm glad you shared your experience as well as your attitude toward it.
Thanks. (Tony got a real sinking feeling. Ba-dum-tiss!)
Your story's good.
Thanks much! Good to hear.
"An extension of themselves, not yourself." So I may get rejected because I'm too much me and not enough them...
Hi A.C.
A few idle remarks on your intro and your story:
First, let me make it clear that I am not the character Tony in your story :-). I’m that ancient pedant living in Spain. Secondly, it would be a good idea to correct the typo? “cord” to “chord”. You strike a chord.
“He had thought about that music teacher who was older now and still gave private lessons in her home.” Of course she was “older now”. She can’t avoid the effect of passing time. Later, “demanded” seems an odd choice of verb. “But the boat didn’t seem to get anywhere. Finally, he stopped.” If he didn’t get anywhere, how could he stop? Perhaps the word “engine” is required after “stopped”.
The story itself is not bad. Perhaps the people you sent it to were pernickety about the items I’ve pointed out.
“pernickety”? Hee! Yeah, typos emerge where least wanted.