Hello
Everyone,
It
is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time, and can you believe January
has already said goodbye for 2017? Wow!
IWSG
is a writer support group created by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many
of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving
encouragement and help to others.
So,
if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you
directly to us:
My
report:
I’m
still judging. Each contestant who would like to be critiqued receives two
critiques from two judges. This contest
has taken a tremendous amount of time but I have increased my skills, and my
expertise is getting fatter.
Rejections:
I submitted one story to Wigleaf April 29, 2016. It was one of three publishers
I mentioned that I hadn’t heard from.
Well, I heard from them January 4th. It was a rejection but what impressed me was
they actually apologized for not getting back to me sooner. So, I think I will
try them again.
Submissions
still out:
Wordhaus.
Haven’t got an answer yet, but maybe they take a long time to deliberate also. J
I
start submitting in March. I want to get the judging contest out of my way.
OPTIONAL FEBRUARY 1ST QUESTION: How has being a writer changed
your experience as a reader?
Answer:
Reading has changed my writing experience. I started reading first. In
fact, most of my learning comes from reading. So for me, my writing experience
is an expression of how my reading has enhanced me. (I surely hope my answer
makes sense.)
Today is IWSG Day, and tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. I
do not know whether the ground hog will see his shadow when he wakes up. If he
does, old wives' tales say we’re in for a beautiful spring. What I do know is when I awoke this morning; I
turned my light on my nightstand on so I could see my shadow made by the
artificial lightening in my bedroom.
Yes, I’m ready for spring. I'm ready to jump
knee deep into a pile of editing, submit my short stories and write more, dive
into my flash fiction, dip into my poetry, and skinny dip through my blogs. So come on Mr. Ground Hog. Open your eyes,
look at your shadow and bring on spring.
Have a great February everyone, and be safe.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
lovely post Pat thank you! Your life sounds creatively full. Keep at it; you're one gal I want to see published. You're right, reading is key to good writing ...
ReplyDeleteAt least you finally heard back from them :-) Sounds like you're quite busy with your writing - keep at it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the cooler days of autumn to arrive, perhaps the groundhog has something to do with it too - though, an aardvark is more probable in SA ;-)
Kudos to you for taking time to be a judge in a writing contest. What a job. Interesting to note YOU are learning from it. I think it is very considerate for Wigleaf to apologize for being late with their reply. Perhaps they were on a fence as to pub your work or not and that was the delay. So definitely submit again. Wishing you all the best with your writing--love skinny dipping through your blogs. Hmmmm..
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
That's great judging the contest has helped with your own writing.
ReplyDeleteI'd still like to see a little bit more of winter before we jump into spring though. Just one good snow would do it.
Wow, an apology from a publisher. You should frame that. Perhaps you should submit to them again; sounds like an honest and considerate organization. All the best with judging. I can understand how you may be benefiting from it. Just as my writing improves when I critique others, helps me see where my own writing can improve. I too am looking forward to Spring. Here's to a fresh blossom of flowers and ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for visiting my blog and offering much needed encouragement. I don't always remember to list my insecurities in the posts (oops), but you always seem to know my heart. I thank God for you.
Skinny dip through the blogs. Hehe. I'd do that, but I'd strike people blind. Spring is great for energizing the spirit. The return of the sunshine is always energizing.
ReplyDeleteI've had some great editors but none of them compared to my critique partners. Wouldn't be where I am today without them.
ReplyDeleteFantastic that the judging has helped with your own writing. And an apology from a publisher is rare. I'm looking forward to spring too. Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the submissions! I'm rooting for that groundhog and the beautiful spring you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteKeep at it!! You will get there. I'm ready for spring too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're getting something from the judging. Sorry about the rejection, but at least they were polite. Good luck on the one still out and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI've judged for contests before. I love reading and providing feedback. I hate the judging part.
ReplyDeleteBusy times. I've had the opportunity to be on a judges panel a time or two, but passed it up. When you only have two hours a day to do all things writerly, you tend to be REALLY picky about what you choose. One day though...
ReplyDeleteYou know, Sharon Lawrence, the queen of short story submissions, sends out several a month (5 to 10) and typically ends up with one to five accepted a year. It's a total numbers game from what I've seen.
Judging is hard work and takes time to do it right. LOL. I saw my shadow too when I turned on the light. Spring it is. Or is it if you don't see your shadow spring is close? I always get it mixed up.
ReplyDeleteYou are really growing as a writer. I am so impressed! You made some wonderful points, as I too learn from the books I read, as I enjoy Memoir. Ok, I read fiction too, but I love learning from life and how writers present life. I'm applauding you!
ReplyDeleteBeing a writing judge is not for the faint of heart. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteCome on, spring.......
I think you are so brave to do queries. I'm always afraid of the rejections, but they're just part of life I think. You are very busy, but please, do take great care of yourself. I hope you get the spring news you want to hear;) Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Keep going.
ReplyDeleteThat's nice they apologized for not getting back sooner. You don't see that often with submissions.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for spring too.
I have to echo the sentiments of Murees. Nicely said! After reading your comment about "show, don't tell" I must reiterate that it is the worst vague advice ever but my current short story rewriting spurt has me on a roll of just that. I'm excited to be making some good story out of rough drafts. Blessed be!
ReplyDeleteSome publishers never reply, and actually getting an apology is unique. I set myself an arbitrary term - 3 to 4 months. If I don't hear from a publisher 4 month after submission, I consider it a default No and resubmit my stories elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are super positive. That's so awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, judging for writing contests really is an eye opener.
It's hard to wait on the publications that take a super long time. I keep track and see where others are getting responses, and it helps me know whether mine is maybe being held over or not. But it's still hard.
ReplyDeleteThe judging sounds like a very rewarding experience. Good luck with your productive spring!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the submission. Persist until you succeed and you will. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit