Some of you may be wondering why I pulled the story "Yielding". There were several reasons - all good. First of all, I'm sure you noticed that it was still a rather rough draft. As Laura pointed out (and I agree) there were clunky POV switches. Also, I noticed some grammatical problems and the dialogue was a bit contrived. The title was unsatisfactory, and the original ending I had in mind (paranormal) did not work. Since then, I have come up with a brand new ending which I think will do nicely. Laura also put me on to a contest I hadn't heard of, and I think this story might be a good fit.
As you know, many (if not most) literary journals, publications and contests do not accept previously published work, which usually includes blogs and personal websites. So I have chosen to pull 'Yielding", re-title it, re-work it, and submit it.
And thanks yet again to Laura for suggesting that I email a copy of the finished story to those who wish to read it. I'm guessing that it will take several weeks for me to finish the story; when I do, I will let you know and you can drop me a line. That will also give me the added benefit of several other critiques.
I can assure you that my blog will not become a repository of second-rate work and rejects; my primary goal is still to write the very best stories and poetry that I can, and to share them with readers all over the world - for the sheer pleasure of it. I hope you are enjoying it, and perhaps taking something from it.
Last, a bit of news. I had several haiku accepted for the June issue of the online journal Black Dahlia. And I submitted a story to the local newspaper for a column called I Know A Story (the link is to a previous story they published in 2010, I'm still waiting to hear about the current submission). Which makes a dozen or so rejections a little easier to swallow.
I'd tack on my thoughts about the A to Z Challenge but this post has gone longer than I intended, so I'll close with a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has followed me, commented, and offered support, kindness and critique. I would have given up long ago without you. I am blessed to have fallen in with such a wonderful crowd.
As you know, many (if not most) literary journals, publications and contests do not accept previously published work, which usually includes blogs and personal websites. So I have chosen to pull 'Yielding", re-title it, re-work it, and submit it.
And thanks yet again to Laura for suggesting that I email a copy of the finished story to those who wish to read it. I'm guessing that it will take several weeks for me to finish the story; when I do, I will let you know and you can drop me a line. That will also give me the added benefit of several other critiques.
I can assure you that my blog will not become a repository of second-rate work and rejects; my primary goal is still to write the very best stories and poetry that I can, and to share them with readers all over the world - for the sheer pleasure of it. I hope you are enjoying it, and perhaps taking something from it.
Last, a bit of news. I had several haiku accepted for the June issue of the online journal Black Dahlia. And I submitted a story to the local newspaper for a column called I Know A Story (the link is to a previous story they published in 2010, I'm still waiting to hear about the current submission). Which makes a dozen or so rejections a little easier to swallow.
I'd tack on my thoughts about the A to Z Challenge but this post has gone longer than I intended, so I'll close with a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has followed me, commented, and offered support, kindness and critique. I would have given up long ago without you. I am blessed to have fallen in with such a wonderful crowd.