Out of the Pan

And into the fire of writing all the clichés you can drum up, despite that disheveled white haired windbag. One of my professors in school was like that, an ego that wouldn't quit, knocking 'em all to the floor right and left. Get on with your work and pretend you never met the guy...Kathe

I submitted a story to another writer, who asked for submissions to be in his book. His rejection was three pages longer than my submission. I guess I should tell him sometime that I did get it published without changes any way. My response was to just keep writing. I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets bad reviews sometimes. Gail

Hi Jim,

Keep in mind that Andrew is one person and has only one person's opinion. Sounds like a rather pompous person, too. I liked the comment in your story about the power play on an editor's part. I think it can definitely be a factor. But there's also another side. We all love what we've written. If we didn't, we wouldn't be exposing it to the world, would we? And taking criticism isn's a bit easy. It can hurt deeply. But over the years, and after being in a few critique groups, I've come to the realization that often those criticisms are valid. Not always, of course. But I've found that I can learn from those criticisms and I can write a stronger story if I try to rectify whatever the critiquer told me was wrong. There are exeptions to every rule or case, but it happens this way for me a majority of the time. Of course, I have to gnash my teeth and toss a few nasty comments (silently) toward the critiquer before I'm able to wade through my misery and see what good I might reap. I like your idea of getting two more opinions, however. Keep on writing.
Nancy

Hello Jim,

I like your fast moving style of writing. I also like a good critique. I took a course in creative writing at the University at Buffalo years ago. When the teacher handed back our first round of papers, he said, "We'll it's been a while since I read so many Dick and Jane stories." Irish writer Maeve Binchey, who has written many best sellers, has written a book on the craft of writing. She said to consider your piece like writing a letter home.

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire"...the man Andrew flung you, and hallelujah, Jim, you may've gotten singed, but you did not burn! I, for one, want to read your book when it's done cookin'! ~ Susan