The Daily Rejection - Page 207

redneckballerina · 04-18-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pollymilton

"Thanks so much for sending your sample chapters, and for your patience in waiting for my feedback. Unfortunately, this isn't quite right for my list so I'm going to step aside, but I appreciate this opportunity to acquaint myself with your work and will be rooting for you from the sidelines!"

This....is not very helpful. From a partial sent a month ago.

I'm sorry.

redneckballerina · 04-18-2012, 07:33 PM

My bite is finally healing ~ and I have to say, my house is cleaner than it's ever been. I've had to empty every closet, cabinet, and drawer and move all the furniture, but the exterminator is confident we've handled the problem. Looks like it was just one rogue spider, but I wanted to be sure!

Okay - I promise I'll never bring it up again.

And... I got another R for a short story. "Your prose had an effortless lyricism that made reading this story pure pleasure and we enjoyed the premise very much. Unfortunately, after much consideration, we've decided to pass. It just isn't quite what we were looking for, but we wish you luck placing it elsewhere."

I don't understand. This story has gone to the editorial/sales board several times, and yet it's collected a handful of rejections. If everyone likes reading it so much, why won't they buy it? Oh, well. I'll keep trying, I guess.

Hathor · 04-18-2012, 09:21 PM

They don't want their readers to experience pure pleasure from an enjoyable premise and effortless lyricism? Maybe they don't think much of the tastes of their readers.

I'm glad your house is now free of that sort of creepy-crawly we can't mention because of Carleree...

Carleree · 04-18-2012, 09:42 PM

Form reject on a full and I'm out of chocolate

Carleree · 04-18-2012, 09:55 PM

I think I need a new heart. Just got a full request off first 3 chapters and the synopsis. From one heart attack to another...

Hathor · 04-18-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleree

I think I need a new heart. Just got a full request off first 3 chapters and the synopsis. From one heart attack to another...

Red wine is good for your heart, you know.

Carleree · 04-18-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hathor

Red wine is good for your heart, you know.

It's not even noon yet. I have to wait for the game to start drinking...

Quickbread · 04-18-2012, 10:21 PM

Wow, Carleree. Talk about an emotional yo-yo. Sorry about the full reject, but it sounds like you didn't need to resort to chocolate. A full request off a partial? That sounds very promising.

Carleree · 04-18-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickbread

Wow, Carleree. Talk about an emotional yo-yo. Sorry about the full reject, but it sounds like you didn't need to resort to chocolate. A full request off a partial? That sounds very promising.

It's been a weird day, that's for sure. Agent used to work at Writer's House, but started her own agency in '06. She has a ton of sales. And she responds to fulls in a few days.

Fingers crossed. It will either be a very good weekend, or a terrible one. Plus the Canucks are playing. I might have to start drinking early.

Hathor · 04-18-2012, 10:26 PM

Didn't need to resort to chocolate? I can't imagine a circumstance where that would be true. Good news, bad news, no news...all better with chocolate.

pollymilton · 04-18-2012, 10:31 PM

Wow, soooo excited! This is going to be EXCELLENT, I can tell, Carleree!

Carleree · 04-18-2012, 10:41 PM

From your lips to God's ears, Polly.

And Hathor, I found some chocolate! Woohoo!

Hathor · 04-18-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleree

And Hathor, I found some chocolate! Woohoo!

Well, are you going to share?

redneckballerina · 04-18-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleree

It's been a weird day, that's for sure. Agent used to work at Writer's House, but started her own agency in '06. She has a ton of sales. And she responds to fulls in a few days.

Fingers crossed. It will either be a very good weekend, or a terrible one. Plus the Canucks are playing. I might have to start drinking early.

Oh, that's fantastic! Good luck ~ I am crossing my fingers for you!!

Beckstah · 04-18-2012, 11:49 PM

WOOHOO! Congrats, Carleree, and good luck!

Carleree · 04-19-2012, 12:03 AM

Thank you everyone. I'd share my chocolate but it was hijacked by a five year old.

pollymilton · 04-19-2012, 12:15 AM

just received kind of odd request for partial - seattle agency, well established - reps nonfic writer from my kids school:

"Thanks for getting in touch. We're glad Maria directed you our way.
We're looking at very few new projects right now but we can take a quick
peek at THE REMEDY. "

also, they want PAPER. huh.

Carleree · 04-19-2012, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pollymilton

just received kind of odd request for partial - seattle agency, well established - reps nonfic writer from my kids school:

"Thanks for getting in touch. We're glad Maria directed you our way.
We're looking at very few new projects right now but we can take a quick
peek at THE REMEDY. "

also, they want PAPER. huh.

Yay for making the cut!!! Woohoo! Look at us go! And on an even-numbered day, too!

Hathor · 04-19-2012, 12:28 AM

A request is a request, polly. Congrats.

And to you too, Carleree. I got distracted there thinking of chocolate...hmmm.

It's a rainy, even-numbered day and I'm spending my time searching for overuse of the word "I" in my memoir-plus, I guess you'd call it. No reason to say "I think" something, for instance. It's in my book. Of course, I think it.

I need caffeine, chocolate, wine, something. I'm so bored I'm talking back to my manuscript.

triceretops · 04-19-2012, 12:30 AM

Rejection on a full from a small press publisher. The reasons stated that the work was fine, just that they we're booked up with new book concepts at the present and had no room to slate others.

Tri

LadyA · 04-19-2012, 12:49 AM

Another form rejection

I know my first ten pages aren't OMG OMG I HAVE TO READ ON but the story needs them for character development. The missing boy (and MMC) is found on page 22, but his best friend's body is found on page 1 - I wanted the whole 'is he dead?' thing for MMC, but US agents only ask for first 5/10 pages. Without those first 21 pages, my MMC seems misunderstood rather than bad, and I don't want that...Any suggestions?

Luckily I've got an Easter egg left over *breaks it up and passes it round the rejectionistas*

Hathor · 04-19-2012, 01:47 AM

Sorry for the Rs, tri and LadyA.

And thanks for the chocolate, LadyA. Have you tried posting your first few pages over on Share Your Work? Perhaps folks can figure out what tweaks to try. Of course, opinions vary, which is why you can't tell much from R, particularly a form one.

I have the same situation with my fiction, although I've yet to query the sucker (a wonderful beta got halfway through and her computer got sick, so I'm waiting). I don't even have a dead body on page one. The tension is supposed to build throughout the book.

Do you really need all the character development in the beginning, rather than dribs and drabs through your book? Perhaps you can find the most telling or interesting action or conversation and include that. Readers can be proven wrong as they read further, but a character has to seem interesting so they'll do so.

My first draft had all sorts of background information and psychological insight about my narrator in the first pages. I managed to weed much of it from there without losing anything.

Since you raise the question yourself, perhaps you know the answer already: you have to tighten up your beginning. Only put in what absolutely has to be there to make it seem an intriguing story with intriguing characters. Once you get an agent and are doing rewrites, you can always redevelop the MMC, if need be.

So consider this the kick in the arse you know you need. You can take it. You have chocolate.

pollymilton · 04-19-2012, 02:14 AM

lady, start a new draft and rewrite it anyway you want - try something nutty and start where your gut tells you. The old version will still be sitting there safely.

Explore.

We'll be here with chocolate. Or booze, or whatever.
P.

Carleree · 04-19-2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hathor

So consider this the kick in the arse you know you need. You can take it. You have chocolate.

This is why I LOVE this group.

Hathor · 04-19-2012, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pollymilton

lady, start a new draft and rewrite it anyway you want - try something nutty and start where your gut tells you. The old version will still be sitting there safely.

Explore.

We'll be here with chocolate. Or booze, or whatever.
P.

Looks like booze for me. My husband left for his Wednesday night chess club. I looked for the gourmet chocolate bar purchased yesterday. He either hid it or ate the whole thing himself. I will offer some pithy observations to him on this subject upon his return.

04-18-2012, 11:49 PM	#5165
Beckstah Here I go again on my own Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 503	WOOHOO! Congrats, Carleree, and good luck! __________________ Represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Inc! YA fantasy - On sub!! YA gothic horror/historical - Drafting: 60k/80k I'm blogging now! http://mahoneystory.blogspot.com/

04-19-2012, 12:30 AM	#5170
triceretops Super Browser Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 10,166	Rejection on a full from a small press publisher. The reasons stated that the work was fine, just that they we're booked up with new book concepts at the present and had no room to slate others. Tri __________________ BLOG http://guerrillawarfareforwriters.blogspot.com/ WAR GATE http://www.amazon.com/The-War-Gate-e...9233675&sr=1-1 WOLFEN STRAIN http://www.amazon.com/The-Wolfen-Str...vglnk-c1189-20 Planet Janitor.

04-19-2012, 12:49 AM	#5171
LadyA dreaming, drowning Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon girl living in Oxford, England Posts: 1,471	Another form rejection I know my first ten pages aren't OMG OMG I HAVE TO READ ON but the story needs them for character development. The missing boy (and MMC) is found on page 22, but his best friend's body is found on page 1 - I wanted the whole 'is he dead?' thing for MMC, but US agents only ask for first 5/10 pages. Without those first 21 pages, my MMC seems misunderstood rather than bad, and I don't want that...Any suggestions? Luckily I've got an Easter egg left over breaks it up and passes it round the rejectionistas __________________ Amy x Y, M & ECG - YA Contemp (62k) WHAT I DIDN'T TELL Y0U - YA Thriller (querying!) twitter tumblr "I wished with all my heart that she could understand how it felt to be us that night - how it felt to be eighteen and unbeaten, eighteen and alive.” Eva Rice, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets ~ How can the birds sing, when the willow tree is weeping? ~

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-18-2012, 07:33 PM	#5152
redneckballerina I ride the wind and dance the stars Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: a farm in the middle of nowhere Posts: 82	My bite is finally healing ~ and I have to say, my house is cleaner than it's ever been. I've had to empty every closet, cabinet, and drawer and move all the furniture, but the exterminator is confident we've handled the problem. Looks like it was just one rogue spider, but I wanted to be sure! Okay - I promise I'll never bring it up again. And... I got another R for a short story. "Your prose had an effortless lyricism that made reading this story pure pleasure and we enjoyed the premise very much. Unfortunately, after much consideration, we've decided to pass. It just isn't quite what we were looking for, but we wish you luck placing it elsewhere." I don't understand. This story has gone to the editorial/sales board several times, and yet it's collected a handful of rejections. If everyone likes reading it so much, why won't they buy it? Oh, well. I'll keep trying, I guess.

04-18-2012, 09:21 PM	#5153
Hathor Goddess of Rationalization Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In de Nile Posts: 1,624	They don't want their readers to experience pure pleasure from an enjoyable premise and effortless lyricism? Maybe they don't think much of the tastes of their readers. I'm glad your house is now free of that sort of creepy-crawly we can't mention because of Carleree...

04-18-2012, 09:42 PM	#5154
Carleree Queen of Catastrophes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Between the middle of nowhere and where the hell am I? Posts: 1,711	Form reject on a full and I'm out of chocolate

04-18-2012, 09:55 PM	#5155
Carleree Queen of Catastrophes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Between the middle of nowhere and where the hell am I? Posts: 1,711	I think I need a new heart. Just got a full request off first 3 chapters and the synopsis. From one heart attack to another...

04-18-2012, 10:21 PM	#5158
Quickbread practical experience, FTW Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Somewhere between the beginning and the end Posts: 353	Wow, Carleree. Talk about an emotional yo-yo. Sorry about the full reject, but it sounds like you didn't need to resort to chocolate. A full request off a partial? That sounds very promising.

04-18-2012, 10:26 PM	#5160
Hathor Goddess of Rationalization Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In de Nile Posts: 1,624	Didn't need to resort to chocolate? I can't imagine a circumstance where that would be true. Good news, bad news, no news...all better with chocolate.

04-18-2012, 10:31 PM	#5161
pollymilton please hold.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The Northwest Posts: 605	Wow, soooo excited! This is going to be EXCELLENT, I can tell, Carleree!

04-18-2012, 10:41 PM	#5162
Carleree Queen of Catastrophes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Between the middle of nowhere and where the hell am I? Posts: 1,711	From your lips to God's ears, Polly. And Hathor, I found some chocolate! Woohoo!

04-19-2012, 12:03 AM	#5166
Carleree Queen of Catastrophes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Between the middle of nowhere and where the hell am I? Posts: 1,711	Thank you everyone. I'd share my chocolate but it was hijacked by a five year old.

04-19-2012, 12:15 AM	#5167
pollymilton please hold.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The Northwest Posts: 605	just received kind of odd request for partial - seattle agency, well established - reps nonfic writer from my kids school: "Thanks for getting in touch. We're glad Maria directed you our way. We're looking at very few new projects right now but we can take a quick peek at THE REMEDY. " also, they want PAPER. huh.

04-19-2012, 12:28 AM	#5169
Hathor Goddess of Rationalization Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In de Nile Posts: 1,624	A request is a request, polly. Congrats. And to you too, Carleree. I got distracted there thinking of chocolate...hmmm. It's a rainy, even-numbered day and I'm spending my time searching for overuse of the word "I" in my memoir-plus, I guess you'd call it. No reason to say "I think" something, for instance. It's in my book. Of course, I think it. I need caffeine, chocolate, wine, something. I'm so bored I'm talking back to my manuscript.

04-19-2012, 01:47 AM	#5172
Hathor Goddess of Rationalization Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In de Nile Posts: 1,624	Sorry for the Rs, tri and LadyA. And thanks for the chocolate, LadyA. Have you tried posting your first few pages over on Share Your Work? Perhaps folks can figure out what tweaks to try. Of course, opinions vary, which is why you can't tell much from R, particularly a form one. I have the same situation with my fiction, although I've yet to query the sucker (a wonderful beta got halfway through and her computer got sick, so I'm waiting). I don't even have a dead body on page one. The tension is supposed to build throughout the book. Do you really need all the character development in the beginning, rather than dribs and drabs through your book? Perhaps you can find the most telling or interesting action or conversation and include that. Readers can be proven wrong as they read further, but a character has to seem interesting so they'll do so. My first draft had all sorts of background information and psychological insight about my narrator in the first pages. I managed to weed much of it from there without losing anything. Since you raise the question yourself, perhaps you know the answer already: you have to tighten up your beginning. Only put in what absolutely has to be there to make it seem an intriguing story with intriguing characters. Once you get an agent and are doing rewrites, you can always redevelop the MMC, if need be. So consider this the kick in the arse you know you need. You can take it. You have chocolate.

04-19-2012, 02:14 AM	#5173
pollymilton please hold.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The Northwest Posts: 605	lady, start a new draft and rewrite it anyway you want - try something nutty and start where your gut tells you. The old version will still be sitting there safely. Explore. We'll be here with chocolate. Or booze, or whatever. P.