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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Tuesday Tip: Try, Try Again (Or Wasn’t That A Lovely Rejection?)

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The other day, I received the most lovely rejection from a UK publication. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t all rainbows and puppies. But it was exceedingly polite.

Don’t be discouraged, said the editor, for what may not work for us might be perfect for another publication. Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. But sending your story out to another publication is not the tip (’cause you already know that).

Here’s the tip: When you see a call out for a short story or an essay or a sestina (hey, it could happen) and it makes you think of something you wrote, months, even years ago, pull out the piece. Chances are good that you’ll see something (or a few somethings) that make you sorta, kinda squirm. In other words, welcome to that big old room of improvement. Take a seat and get to work. Maybe there’s a better way to move your plot, a more interesting way to express your theme, or maybe your sestina was more like a rondeau (um, I don’t pen sestinas or rondeaus. But that’s not the point here, people). Bet you’ll see all kinds of ways to make improvements.

And even if you know it’s a long shot, sending your piece to a British publication, at least now, you’re motivated and you have a much better piece than you did before. And then, if you get a lovely rejection, send out the piece somewhere else. Because there is a pot of gold at the end of one of those rainbows. Might as well be yours.

Finding Something Friday: Baseball Beauties and VOICE

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I found my latest ramblings up on Baseball Beauties today, so I thought that might be a fun way to start this fine Memorial Day weekend. But I also had a bit of a brainstorm (which doesn’t happen often), so I’m throwing that in, too. Kinda like that ball from left field.

You know that Baseball Beauties is a site for fans of the female variety. But there’s more to being a fan than gender. Like where to sit, or how to get the Mojo working. And today’s topic, when to leave the ballpark. Take a look at Speaking of Categories of Baseball Fans. (And what the heck? Here’s a bonus, ’cause it’s a holiday weekend: The WHOLE world is Watching Your Error, in which I give a little insight into what I like to call “Growing Up a Hall.”

Now it’s on to the brainstorm. I’m getting ready to write an article for WOW-Women-on-Writing on that elusive beast we writers call VOICE. And I asked WOW readers/writers to give me a hand. And then I thought, “Wow! I should ask all of you scathingly brilliant readers/writers, too!” So, shoot me an email (cathyhall55 at hotmail dot com), telling me about your fave novel and include your thoughts on why the VOICE of the novel makes it so special/strong/unique, etc. If I use your comments, I’ll give you a little link love, so be sure to send your website/blog url, too. And whee! You might end up in the next issue of WOW!

I think that’s it. Except for one more thing: have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!