I think good short-story writers have to go down a lot of dark alleys--spiritually and psychically. You must have nerve to do that, but sometimes it's just what your fate is.
Charles Baxter
Well once again I'd like to report on my failures as a short-story writer. Let me start with a bang--I had one editor (no need in naming names or literary magazines) tell me the story I submitted was a "jumbled mess." My reaction, perhaps a tad bit defensive, bordered along the lines of something Raymond Carver once said about writing short stories and not novels. Something about having a short attention span. Of course RC had been joking. The short story requires much more in the form of devotion and concentration. Anyway, this very same story received "positive rejections"--if there is such a monster.
I sometimes wonder if my not having an MFA (I mockingly refer to it as the "My Friends Association") has something to do with it. Of course I know this isn't true. There's a coworker at my facility with an MFA who has published less then I. But does that make me feel any better? Oh hell no! I'm a “convict” teacher and I'm trying to set my bar a little higher than that.
Let's be honest here. I've had this inner dialogue with myself about honoring my blogging commitment--one year--that's what I had said to a former creative writing instructor--"I'll give it one year." Mid-May is the deadline. But whose counting? Two or three posts ago I had my 300th post--I think it showed a picture of dog shit. I'm not saying that I'll pull a JD Salinger and become a recluse, but the Wheels of Fortuna seem to be spinning downward.
Peace out and enjoy My Own Private 8 Mile which will be at the East Lansing Film Festival.
18 comments:
It's terribly frustrating to put so much work, devotion and some of yourself in a story only to have it rejected or ignored because it's not what a publisher is interested in or they don't feel like the "current market is there for it" How would you know if the market audience is there if you don't even give it a chance.
It's looks like I'll have to get another job just so I can afford to keep writing. How sad is that? Espeically considering all the crap on the bookstore shelves these days.
Sometimes I even wonder if I can even call myself a Writer; having had nothing published under my own name. I've been a "ghost writer" on many corporate documents, manuaels, letters of appeal etc. But does the sheer act of doing it make one, a Writer?
-P
Fight the good fight -- fuck 'em. Some of those editors are so bombed they can't even see straight, let alone pick good stories.
hey, I know I am a nobody, but I truely enjoy your stories. Keep it up.
well now you can't give up just like that! i enjoy your stories- if I find them I'll send you a whole bunch of links I have for independent writers to submit their works to several mags (if you want it)- by the way that makes an interesting pic for online dating- does your wife know?
JR,
There's nothing great about an MFA
(I used to joke that it was Master of F-All).
Most MFA's I know may have had one short story published, usually in a collection--that's after thirty years of application); the rest distribute telephone books and pizzas.
The really hard degree is the MA, but in something intelligent, preferably not in English (Anguish?). A Master of Education, I can respect. And an MBA is a fearsome cannibal, but he'll make the bucks.
The trouble with writing is that we ultimately paint our own face.
And then God, or somebody will thunder, "I don't like you effing face!"
With me, it was personality. I could do the job all right, but it was my personality, the arrogance, the superiorities.
Then they slammed me back down to Ground Zero. And then, along with David Clayton Thomas, I started auguring for "the colours that are real."
I would not be too disappointed at your present juncture. It really does get darkest before the light--no, there is not a train coming the other way: it just gets darkest before the light.
Read some heavy philosophy, starting with good old Play Dough.
Then graduate to old Wittgenstein and have your mind really bowled over by some simple yet importatant phrase like "A sentence is a word picture."
And then he gets streetwise and utters a phrase which he later
takes back: "F*ck and live; suck and die."
This is a good time to read Wittgenstein.
Ivan
Love the video...very cool!
I have a large pile of stories that have been rejected by several publications... it can get very frustrating...
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
The only thing I ever submitted was a series of weird cartoons (a comic strip of sort) to a weird comic magazine. I thought my stuff was right up their alley. They said it wasn't funny. It was kinda neat having a rejection letter. I wonder where I put it? Oh and thanks for the youtube link.
Rejection sucks but it comes with the territory. I've had my share.
An MFA doesn't do anything in terms of getting you published. What it's good for is forcing you to devote the time to your craft. If you were writing a novel, it might be a good idea if you think you don't have the time or the focus.
Short story writing is an art...a difficult, frustrating but oh-so-good art. Just keep at it.
Proxima - You're a writer! I'm a writer. Just by virtue of doing it and devoting your energy and spirit to it makes you a writer. It would be sad to measure one's art by how it's received by others or if it's published. If it makes you happy and satisfies you, then well...
Jim, Keep the faith and keep blogging! I liked the video, "My Private 8 Mile". Maybe you should incorporate video (i.e. short movie flick) on most of your readings that show a visual picture. You have had ~4 other videos which were interesting. I know! It takes a lot of time!!! I know I don't have the time. --Bro, Ron
I agree with Proxima's assessment of "all the crap on the bookstore shelves these days." What ever happened to the small independent bookstores? As for "writing making me happy"--that's a double edged sword I've repeatedly fallen on.
Oh, I almost forgot: Jane, what are you trying to do?--get me in trouble.
Hang in there, Jim! I know that it's frustrating -- all my writer friends feel it, regardless of their credentials or skill or past successes or failures. You're a tough great writer -- fight to the death! You're a writer as long as you're writing. That's my motto these days.
I picked up a rejection of my own a few days ago. That probably doesn't make you feel particularly better, but... I know you're posts on the blog are extremely well written and hang together to make fascinating gems, the kernals at least of many stories, although some seem like flash pieces in their own right.
I've always wanted to go into short story writing too but I am aware how difficult it is to get published and have not got off my behind. The difference between you and me is probably the passion. I think you have a real passion and hunger to make this work.
A friend of mine "tropic temper", has probably been writing for more than 10 years and nada, nothing. Suddenly, one of her old stories is picked up and now in less than 5 years, she has one trilogy under her belt and other books too.
I guess I am saying, if you really desire it, you've got to hang in there. You write for yourself and not anyone else.
Well put by the "long grey squirrel"! Jim, Looks like you have the passion to write, now jut keep writing!! --Bro, Ron
I'm sorry to hear this. I get frustrated with the rejections.
I had a group of people read a short story that I wanted to submit and they said the same thing, that it was jumbled so I need to go back and fix it.
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