I am relieved. But I feel like I should be dancing about the room with glee. Or, at the very least, bouncing in my seat as I write this. Yet, I can't be anything but composed and worn.
Why should I be giddy?
I sent out a story for publication.
It's only a short story and for a contest, but it's the first time I've ever sent my work to a publisher. This is the real deal. If I win, I'd be published in Writer's Digest magazine. I don't expect to make it into even the final round, but a girl can dream.
I'm not sure if the rules would allow me to share the name of the piece here; otherwise I would tell you. I do desperately want to share it! However, I can show you the prompt for the contest.
A month later, I reread the prompt, the idea returned, and I wrote the short that I sent in.
Let me correct myself. My first draft is not the same story I submitted. It went through many revisions before I pronounced it publishing worthy. It's not finished; no story ever is. Even now if I let myself into that state of mind, I could probably think of ways to improve my final draft. Paraphrasing author Dave Cullen, "It isn't my absolute best work – because then I'd never let go of it – but it's something I'd be very proud to have published."
When I finally had the cursor hovering over the send button, my story in the email, I still didn't feel totally ready to click. But I was weary; I had spent hours on end laboring over the editing process. Thus, I submitted my entry with minimal jitters.
I write to you, hunger and anticipation beginning to stir my stomach. If I am a finalist, I will write promptly after I float down from the ceiling.
This writer girl,
Why should I be giddy?
I sent out a story for publication.
It's only a short story and for a contest, but it's the first time I've ever sent my work to a publisher. This is the real deal. If I win, I'd be published in Writer's Digest magazine. I don't expect to make it into even the final round, but a girl can dream.
I'm not sure if the rules would allow me to share the name of the piece here; otherwise I would tell you. I do desperately want to share it! However, I can show you the prompt for the contest.
You're stranded on a desert island with three items: a coconut, a mask and a dictionary. Write a story that explains how you use these items to help get you off the island.When I first read the prompt, I was as clueless as my mother. In her words, it was "puzzle impossible." Then, inspiration came to me. I laughed, tossed the magazine aside, and forgot about the idea.
A month later, I reread the prompt, the idea returned, and I wrote the short that I sent in.
Let me correct myself. My first draft is not the same story I submitted. It went through many revisions before I pronounced it publishing worthy. It's not finished; no story ever is. Even now if I let myself into that state of mind, I could probably think of ways to improve my final draft. Paraphrasing author Dave Cullen, "It isn't my absolute best work – because then I'd never let go of it – but it's something I'd be very proud to have published."
When I finally had the cursor hovering over the send button, my story in the email, I still didn't feel totally ready to click. But I was weary; I had spent hours on end laboring over the editing process. Thus, I submitted my entry with minimal jitters.
I write to you, hunger and anticipation beginning to stir my stomach. If I am a finalist, I will write promptly after I float down from the ceiling.
This writer girl,
Janelle
2 comments:
Congratulations girl!
I hope your dreams soar higher than the ceiling your dancing on ;)
<3 Me
Haha! Thanks, Hailey! =)
Post a Comment