 For Authors: April 18, 2007 Issue [#1666] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: larryp
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Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere, so start by getting something – anything – down on paper. One friend says the first draft is the down draft – you get it down. The second draft is the up draft – you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth to see if it’s loose or cramped or decayed or even, God help us, healthy. ~~~ Anne Lamott
I’m privileged to be the guest editor for this edition.
I’ve heard it said that nothing good comes without a fight. For authors, the road to publication is often one of blood, sweat, and tears. In the words of singer Joe Cocker, it’s good to have ‘a little help from your friends’ along the way. |
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If a writer has been writing for any period and has sought publication, he is more than likely familiar with letters of rejection. Most of these letters are congenial and assuring, encouraging the author to keep seeking publication. Many writers give up after a few letters of rejection, feeling they just don’t have what it takes. In most cases, this is not true.
Sometimes, it is simply a matter of finding the right publisher, especially if the author is submitting articles, poems, or short stories to a magazine. Finding the right audience is a key to being published. Don’t give up because of a rejection letter. Send your submission to other publishers. I remember when my first wife left in 2001 and filed for divorce. I was very depressed for quite a while. One day a friend advised, “There are more fish in the sea. You will find someone who loves you and thinks the world of you.” The same often applies to publication. Just because one publisher denies publication doesn’t necessarily mean others will.
At other times, when an author receives a letter of rejection, it may be necessary to do a rewrite or some serious editing to improve the story. I have reviewed writings in the past and the writer has responded that if a certain change were made, the writing would not mean the same to that writer. In our writing, we can experience ‘tunnel-vision’ and not see what a reader or a good reviewer can discern. Another pair of eyes is very helpful to a writer.
While there are many places to seek professional editors, Writing.com has some very good reviewers. Take advantage of the reviewers here. Last year, I entered the Moderator’s sponsored Thanksgiving Contest, before I became a moderator. I was awarded first place in the contest, using a very difficult poetry form. I would not have taken first place had it not been for two very good reviews, which revealed things that I completely missed. I have a poem published on a site for poets in the state of Kansas. The poem was originally an entry to Lexi’s Poetry Challenge, using one of her title prompts. I was part of a Writing.com forum at the time I penned this poem. This group reviewed the writings of the members of the forum. Without the helpful insight of these reviewers, my poem would not have been published.
Another set of eyes is important to a writer. Have you noticed the acknowledgement section of many books? They are thanking the people who faithfully read and edited their manuscripts. A good writer knows the importance of another set of eyes. Something a reviewer points out may be the difference between publication and another rejection.
As an author, you can also help fellow authors by becoming part of the reviewing process. Many reviewers take reviewing as seriously as they do writing.
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A good place to ask for a review:
What others say:
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Since this is my first opportunity to edit this newsletter, I have no feedback.
Take some time to review this week.
Have a good week ~~
larryp
Larry
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