The best Christmas present ever…rejection!
On Friday, December 23rd, I received a letter. I saved it to open for Christmas (I had an inkling of what it was). It was from Zoetrope All-Story magazine. From the Editor, Michael Ray. It was my first-ever rejection letter as a writer! And — what are the odds? — on my first-ever magazine submission! I was so excited…I knew there was no way I would be accepted by this prestigious magazine that publishes around 30 stories per year out of 15,000 submissions (including many by known authors). But it was a reminder to myself that I’ve crossed a certain threshold by actually doing something — passed a rite of initiation into this strange cult of writing. I received a personal letter that, although it didn’t offer much direction of how to improve my story, clearly indicated he had at least read it. He even said my decision to unfold the story from a particular character’s perspective was “an inspired one”. (And yes, also that the narrative could “benefit from a good deal of paring”.)
I never would have guessed that rejection could be so inspiring. I’ve neglected my creative writing (blog not included) over the past month or two, but now I want to refocus my efforts and try to get some more rejections! (-;