Reading, Writing, Revisions, Rejections and Bad Reviews

So we all get them. The dreaded R's (and a W). Ok, so some aren't so dreaded. But I happened by Wendi's blog and she got me thinking about a few things.

I haven't had a rejection in a while, not to say one isn't coming. I never count ye olde chickens.

So let's say you have this wonderful story. You've written on it for a long time and made it past step A. Step B--you send to the crit partner. You never know when that wonderful isn't exactly polished enough. That can be a super pain. But, I'd rather have Kealie tell me the story isn't ready rather than step C.

What's step C? The submission process. That's where I am at now. I've got to out in submission land. I'm hoping they aren't lost or worst...in the slush pile to be rejected. But that brings me to the next point.

For every submission, a little rain must fall. Rejection will happen. The dreaded step D. I know, here I am sounding so confident. I'm not. I'm skeered to death that even though I have a book under contract, that I have worked my tail off on the book, that it still won't be up to par. What do I do with rejection? Honestly, after a chunk of Godiva chocolate (milk chocolate, thank you very much), and a little teary action, I give myself a month and revise. If it's a thank you very much, but no thank you, well, I still revise but I look at secondary publishers.

So now I'm at step E. The revision. Not everyone will love what you wrote. Some editors will look at it and say, there's too much work to be done and I don't want to do that. Others might say, this story has no promise. Then there will be some who say, yanno, this is something I totally want to work with. We all want those editors. So I set myself a month. If the editor likes what he/she sees, but it's not quite there and the offer to revise is offered, then I give myself that month to get it revised per editor's instructions. Is it painful? Sometimes. Is it hard? Can be. But if you don't at least try, then you'll never know.

So it's been revised and resubbed. Once again to step D. The waiting and the hoping.

But let's skip ahead. Say the book has been accepted, edited and released. Now we're at the review stage. My take? Reviews are opinions. What that reader thought of your work on that given day. The reader could be having a crummy day. Could be stressed. Could be just not really interested in reading. Could be that your work is just what he/she is looking for. As much as I find it hard to adhere to this sometimes...you gotta swallow ye olde pride and just smile. Was it Monty Python that said, "Always look on the bright side of life"?



It's true. You might not like what they have to say, but really, it's an opinion. You'll never make everyone happy. Think about it this way. Taylor Swift. It seems like this girl can't put a foot wrong. Then look at the reviews on Amazon for her latest CD. Yeah, she's got some serious haters. Some are really more reviewing her as a person (which is a whole 'nother ball of wax), but as much as it's loved, the CD is not loved. Or take the Stephanie Meyer series. Twilight isn't a favorite of mine. Not a book I could get into. Check out the reviews. Either it's loved or hated. Do you think she or Taylor actually sit up at night worrying about reviews? Probably not. Why? They have boat loads of cash to count. I'm sure they don't want to be hated. No one does. But reviews, like opinions and individuality are parts of life.

So, follow old Monty Python. Always look on the light side of life. :::Whistling::::

Not Here... and Announcement!

Okay, I wasn't here today. I spent most of the day at the hospital keeping my mom company while my dad was in surgery. So, I'm a bit exhausted and forgot today was my usual day to blog. So you get a late post. Dad's fine, he had hip surgery, but he's cranky... he's not the best of patients and my mom worries while he's in the OR. Might be because she's a nurse and knows all that could go wrong. So, since the hubby was off work today, I hung out with my mom at the hospital most of the day. Now, I'm off to hide in my room so I can hopefully... finally... finish revisions to resubmit my cowboy story to TWRP.

Speaking of cowboy stories (ya like how I segued there?): Our good friend Sandy Sullivan had a release last week! Way to go Sandy! (Yup, give me a holler and I'll announce yours too... lol) Her book Cowboy Love came out on Thursday the 10th of September, and is available from Siren Publishing. It looks purty good too!

Cowboy Love by Sandy Sullivan

Amy Russell has sworn off men until she runs into Tanner Lewis. His muscular chest, soft brown eyes and drop dead gorgeous, sexy dimpled smile has her rethinking her decision. Can she learn to trust again, especially a cowboy, after her ex broke her heart? Will she let Tanner penetrate the shell around her heart?

Tanner's been burned. Yeah, he was in love once, until he caught his fiancé in bed with his best friend. Now all he wants is to get his singing career on the right path. Just when he thinks things are going perfectly, he runs smack into Amy Russell, horse tamer extraordinaire and registered nurse. As he watches her take a difficult horse and turn it into a docile pussycat with nothing more than soft words and a kind touch, he's fascinated, but Amy doesn't want a relationship. Can he convince her there's nothing better than a cowboy's love?

Not Quite There... Yet

So, I received a reply from The Wild Rose Press in regards to my submission of Claiming Her Cowboy. No, I don't have a contract, but it wasn't a complete rejection either.

Basically, they liked it, think I'm headed in the right direction, but I need to make some revisions. I don't have enough conflict... which is frustrating because I already added quite a bit more conflict than was there before. My good friend Marianne laughed at me... but in a nice way. LOL. She said, "You're so sweet, you don't like to torture your babies." Then she quoted another author, "But, you have to hang your hero from a cliff and pelt rocks at him, otherwise you're doing your manuscript a disservice." Okay... pelt rocks at him... *sigh* I think I can do that.

But, honestly, I am really okay with this. I'm not bummed, I'm actually hopeful. They didn't send me a "Your work sucks, please don't send us anything else" letter. They were very nice and gave me quite a few helpful ideas and thoughts. I've got two months to do the revisions and send it back to them... as Wendi would say, "Back to my bat cave."

Wish me luck.