Have you ever had a story to tell, and you knew it was inside you waiting to burst forth, but you were too afraid you wouldn't be able to do it justice?
This stinkin' thinkin' hit me hard when I came up with the idea for "Soulless in His Sight."
Who was I to think I could write an homage to Faulkner's As I Lay Dying and McCarthy's The Road with Diogenes (crossbow and hatchet instead of a lamp) tossed in for good measure?
Who was I to think I could write an homage to Faulkner's As I Lay Dying and McCarthy's The Road with Diogenes (crossbow and hatchet instead of a lamp) tossed in for good measure?
Here's the concept: What if Faulkner's Vardaman didn't know his own strength, and he hurt someone close to him? His father, a violent incarnation of McCarthy's, believes his son was born without a soul. Like Diogenes on the hunt for an honest man, the father must find a soul for his son so he can go to heaven and see his mother.
On Week #9 of Write1Sub1, I decided to finally give it a go. I wrote, polished, and submitted "Soulless in His Sight" to Shimmer, a market I'd been stalking for over a year.
The editor eventually responded, "I've read this story a few times now, and though I like it very much, the ending still makes me hesitate. I think if you were to be more concrete with it, the story would be a home run."
I was definitely open to a rewrite, and after making a few minor edits and overhauling the end, the editor replied, "I like the revisions very much. Fatha and Boy are just great; the story has a genuine voice that shines."
In spite of my self-doubt, "Soulless in His Sight" is going to appear in Shimmer's February issue.
We don't have to be our own worst critics.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your work.
Cool stuff will happen.
32 comments:
Or what might happen is what happened with me and my last novel which refused to go in the direction I originally conceived and became its own thing. The end result was worthwhile, it needed to have been written, but it was not what I planned; I didn't have it in me to write what I'd planned. That fear is something that's still with me as I prepare to begin what I hope will be my next novel, that I've bitten off more than I can chew. But we'll see. Pleased for you though.
That's great, Milo! Next time don't doubt your abilities.
Are you going to do a tally at the end of the year for how many of your stories were accepted? I think you'll blow some minds.
Well done, Milo! :)
I am always my own worst critic. I'm still learning how to step aside and let the story/novel take center stage, let it glow and shine, and stumble and pick itself back up again, while the whole time having faith that I am the one to write this story, this way, at this time.
Wonderful news, Milo :D
Shimmer???
That's huge! Congratulations!!!
I'm not really my own critic. I just look at what I write and say 'to hell with it. I like it like that', and send it out.
I have learned to have no shame.
excellent news :)
Jim: I can relate; I've had a novel-length project glaring at me all year. I'll muster enough courage to tackle it one of these days.
Alex: I included a tally in my "blogiversary" post a couple weeks ago, but I'll need to add to it!
Madeline: You're right, and that's the mindset I need to have.
Lydia: That's the stuff. I don't usually have a problem submitting my work; I'm usually harder on myself than the editors.
Marcy: Gracias; I think so, too. =]
New to your blog . . . looking around.
Love Faulkner!
Congratulations!
Huge congrats, obviously. I wish I had your sense of story and your strength. I can't tell you how many stories I have floating around in my head right now because I don't have the confidence to put them on paper (we need to find a new metaphor, by the way).
I'm running out of excuses for not following your example.
Cool stuff will happen, indeed! Great advice. So cool that you never give up.
If you don't believe in it, who will? Congratulations on another sold story.
Fantastic, Milo - and a great lesson to all of us. I know that feeling you describe well. I'm willing to bet most writers - even the greats - know those doubts too.
He who dares . . .
is Milo. Fabulous. Just keep on pushing.
Kudos to you for executing your vision well and for believing in yourself. Shimmer is a wonderful venue in which to have your work appear. This also speaks to the power of the Write 1 Sub 1 concept (another homage, this to Bradbury).
Bobbie: Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to make a habit of it. =]
Joe: To screen with them, and posthaste! I'm trying to train myself to pour my ideas out of my head and onto the screen, regardless of how crappy they seem at first.
Jennifer: Never. I refuse. And I'll keep refusing until I find a good reason not to.
Martin: That's the truth -- whether or not the story itself is plausible...
Simon: Doubt-free is the way to be. If only!
Deborah: Will do, mos def.
Steve: You know it. If ever I meet Mr. Bradbury, either in this life or the next, I'll be thanking him for his positive influence from afar.
That's fantastic, Milo. I think writers are the most insecure people in the world. But good things happen when you push through it, it seems.
Yes kudos once again Milo.
I'm posting a poem about my latest 'positive' rejection on Friday.
Jay: I think most artists are; we really put ourselves out there, and pushing through the negative self-talk is just the first hurdle.
Madeleine: I look forward to reading it.
Congrats on your publication with Shimmer. I've been stalking them too.
I have decided to try W1S1 this next year. What could it hurt, right?
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
W1S1 congrats :)
Erin: Write1Sub1 has really made my year; I'd highly recommend it to any writers willing to stretch themselves and grow in the process.
Lydia: Only one more month, can you believe it? Then...W1S1 RELOADED!
Congratulations on your story being accepted!
Thanks for the inspiring message and CONGRATS on your upcoming publication in Shimmer. I love hearing about editors offering rewrites rather than rejections, especially when the process turns out so well in the end.
Reid: Thanks; after a few near-misses, this one is a sweet success.
Jillian: I've had good luck with rewrites; my stories can always be improved!
That's a cool story concept, Milo. I'm looking forward to reading it. Congrats on meeting your November W1S1 goals.
And congratulations on powerhousing your way through November.
And just to add I think I'll have to make those words my mantra.
Believe in my work, believe in myself.
My post posted blank this morning. Have redone it now!
Jeff + Deborah: Thanks, and the same to you!
Madeleine: Me too -- I need to practice what I preach.
Congrats Milo on the W1S1 November Powerhouse win!
Congrats on the sale, sounds like an amazing story. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Oh, and a virtual pat on the back for W1S1. :)
Michael + Defcon: Gracias; onward and upward.
Oh Milo, this is seriously MAGNIFICENT. Congratulations, and I cannot WAIT to see it!
I'm even using loads of CAPSLOCK :D
THANKS, Katey!
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