New submission. Wish me luck
Re: Embers and Ashes
Submitted my latest short story, "Embers and Ashes" to fiction365.com. You can read draft number 4 (I submitted draft number 8) here on the DT forums. Wish me luck with this one. If I get it, it will be my first publication outside of "Muse", the Calhoun Community College literary magazine.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:40 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Good luck!
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:40 PM.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Wishing you the best of luck!
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:40 PM.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Thanks, guys.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:41 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:41 PM.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RE: Embers and Ashes
Thanks, Jean.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:41 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Rejected today. Non-form, personalized rejection.
Who among you all interprets the last paragraph as an invitation to re-submit with the suggested changes?Hi Ryan:
We like the premise of this story, but the structure you've chosen for it means that there is an awful lot of exposition, which is always taking us out of the moment and thus lessening the emotional charge. We generally warn writers against using a "double narrative" structure like this, in which you move from scenes of one story to another, telling them bth. It can be done effectively, but we almost never see it - and most of the time that structure detracts from both stores, becomming less than the sum of its parts.
We would suggest cutting the story signifcantly by focusing on one of those stories (either the failed adultery or the conversation with his wife) and only giving us the absolutely essential information about the other one.
Hope this is helpful:
Fiction365
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:41 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
I don't know if it's an invitation to resubmit, but I like they they told you how they honestly felt about the story. I like that a lot. Also, I haven't read the story, but I think if you "focus... on one of the stories" then you're losing the other side of the story, which I think you included for a reason, no?
Shannon
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:42 PM.
Re: Embers and Ashes
It was certainly included for a reason, yes. I wanted the reader to understand that his wife had motivations behind her affair, and I didn't want them to dislike her. I wanted her as well as her husband, who is attempting to cheat on his wife here, to both be sympathetic characters.Originally Posted by Shannon
But, the backstory of his wife cheating and her motivations behind it was too big of a story to tell at the same time I told the story of the man trying to cheat on her, believing it would allow him to forgive her for her infidelity and move on with the marriage. It distracted the reader from the current story I was trying to tell, pulled them out of it, and lessened its emotional impact in the end. I think the editor is right that it needs significant trimming. But, I don't think it needs to be removed completely, which he didn't say he thinks I should do.
I have received enough form rejections in my time as a writer that I am ecstatic to receive this rejection. These guys (editors of literary magazines) have very little time, as they read so many submissions, that I regard it as a high honor to receive a personalized rejection.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:42 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:42 PM.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Thanks a lot, Shannon. They are in progress as we speak.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:42 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
We here at tdt are happy to personally reject you at every opportunity.
Seriously, I take it as rewrite and resubmit.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Thanks, man. I appreciate your opinion. And I can't wait to receive a personalized rejection from the fine folks at "In Mint Condition". lolWe here at tdt are happy to personally reject you at every opportunity.
Seriously, I take it as rewrite and resubmit.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:43 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
bears think the sameSeriously, I take it as rewrite and resubmit.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:43 PM.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Embers and Ashes
Thanks, Jean. I'm working on editing the story now. I cut 1,250 words out of it today, but to me, it feels... like we don't understand enough about why he is doing this. So, I'm trying to fit in the most important parts of the backstory without putting in too much, and without being cheesy. That's not all that easy to do. But, it'll get there. It'll get there.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:43 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
I do hope you realize it was a joke.Thanks, man. I appreciate your opinion. And I can't wait to receive a personalized rejection from the fine folks at "In Mint Condition". lolWe here at tdt are happy to personally reject you at every opportunity.
Seriously, I take it as rewrite and resubmit.
Oh, and if you want someone to take a look at it I'd be happy to help if I can.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Yes, yes. Of course I did. I was just going along with it. lol. I appreciate the offer, sir. I greatly appreciate it. It will need to be looked at in its next draft before it's edited again and resubmitted, and I may just call on you. Thanks a lot.I do hope you realize it was a joke.Thanks, man. I appreciate your opinion. And I can't wait to receive a personalized rejection from the fine folks at "In Mint Condition". lolWe here at tdt are happy to personally reject you at every opportunity.
Seriously, I take it as rewrite and resubmit.
Oh, and if you want someone to take a look at it I'd be happy to help if I can.
Last edited by Odetta; 01-23-2014 at 12:44 PM.
Go then, there are other worlds than these.
Re: Embers and Ashes
Right on! Just let me know.
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