In 2009, I thought this was the best story I'd ever written. So I submitted it to all the top-tier, SFWA-qualifying markets first—which I've dubbed the Pro Circuit.
Yet alas, form letter rejections are the norm with the Pro's. After making the rounds, "Life" went to other markets who don't pay nearly as well; but that's when I started receiving feedback:
"It's a well-written piece. The main idea just didn't stand out to me." (Futurismic)
"You had me up until the end. It changed the story as a whole, making it about how uncaring humans are. But other publishers may disagree and prefer the story as-is." (Neo-Opsis SF)
"Some good conflicts playing out near the end at the house. However, the fabricated humans are a bit of an overused subject matter in the genre." (OG's Speculative Fiction)
"The concept is hackneyed nowadays and needs a serious twist to work. Unfortunately, the narrative consists primarily of dialogue, where character development would be of more use to support the storyline." (Aoife's Kiss)
"The story was entertaining, but I wasn't sure it had enough to set it apart from other stories of convincingly human robots." (Ideomancer)
"Well-written and almost Golden Age Asimovian robot tale. Interesting, but it doesn't read as very original." (Kzine)
Then from Roar & Thunder: "I enjoyed your story and would like to publish it."
I'm not making $500 on this sale; I'm making $5 (Australian). But "Life" is the tale I wanted to tell, and as a writer, you've gotta know when to rewrite 'em and know when to stand by 'em.
But is it any good? You be the judge.
Congratulations, Milo!
ReplyDeleteAll that feedback is amazing. But I also agree with you regarding when to rewrite and when not to. It's a matter of having an open mind, listening, considering, and then going with your gut. :)
Congratulations Milo! Interesting feedback you got as well. Nice that you kept it all. Now to click on the link and see what I think LOL.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on sticking to it.
ReplyDeletePro circuit. I like that. Going to start using that myself.
Yes, I submitted once to the pro-circuit, too and got a nice little rejection letter. Which is okay since I don't really write short stories (I have, but I'm more of a novel writer). Glad your story finally found a home :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome you didn't change it and kept submitting. Besides, the feedback seems really varied.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finding a home for, "Life is What we Make It". I think many times, publishers or even readers for that matter want things spelled out for them. Sometimes you have to look deeper to find the thread the author has woven so well between the plot.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I was a little confused by the ending at first. The story stayed with me and as I did a few things around the house it dawned on me what you were trying to say. Left me with a smile. I love those deeper aspects of writing. The ending as it turns out was a hidden gem for me.(Hugs)Indigo
Super congrats! It only takes one to shine.
ReplyDeleteMadeline: Let's hear it for the gut! (I call him Jabba the Gut, hoping such verbal abuse will send me to the gym more often.)
ReplyDeleteKaren: Hope you enjoy it. The ending is probably my favorite scene with everybody at the Solomons' house.
Court: Just be sure to credit me as your source. No, I'm kidding. Or every time you use the phrase PRO CIRCUIT, you include a hyperlink to my site. Now that would be freakin' awesome.
MS: I haven't received NEARLY the level of personalized feedback from my novel submissions as I have with my short stories. What does that say? I don't know.
Alex: I noticed that too -- and in a couple cases regarding the ending, downright contradictory!
Indigo: Thank you so much for reading; I'm glad the ending resonated with you.
Erin: All a matter of the right editor seeing it at the right time, right?
Whoo for feedback. I'm glad it found a good home. Pretty cool story, I could easily imagine reading it in a top tier market. *shakes head* This game, eh?
ReplyDeleteKudos to Roar and Thunder (and I've got a story upcoming with them) who know a good thing when they read it.
That's one problem I find with some feedback: it varies from person to person. If I get six things from five people (not uncommon), I also go with my gut feeling. If I get one thing from six people I take note and make changes.
ReplyDeletep.s. Good Story and an interesting end. Inspired by Blade Runner?
ReplyDeleteGood story, Milo. Well written -- I think the dialogue flows well, adds immediacy, and reveals the characters extremely well.
ReplyDeleteI don't get some of the feedback -- Yeah, robots/androids are a frequently mined SciFi topic, but so is time-travel, FTL-drives, aliens, and all the other elements. It's not the topic, it's characterization and plot that make a good story, and I think this piece succeeds in that. I definitely enjoyed it.
The slogan/title is great and adds that extra level of impact. I wasn't expecting the punch at the ending -- and frankly, if anyone needed punching it was MRS. Solomon!
Congratulations on getting this published, and I greatly admire your tenacity!
But form letters are the BEST, man! They make me feel alive. Anyways, I never really listen to anybody when they say any particular trope is "over-used". It wouldn't be a trope if people didn't like to see it from time to time.
ReplyDeleteDeborah: Top tier? Thanks for the kind words; I'll be looking forward to your story @ Roar & Thunder.
ReplyDeleteMartin: You're right: when I start hearing about the same problem with one of my stories ("It starts out too slowly," for example), I sit up and take notice. Thanks for reading! Blade Runner -- mos def; "Life" takes place in the same world as my Time's Eye future noir novel.
Chris: Thanks for reading! There are a whole lot of tropes in SF, aren't there? The same goes for any genre, I'd say. And you're probably right about ol' Mrs. Solomon; maybe she'll get her comeuppance in another story.
David: I agree with you; there's nothing quite like a nice, cozy trope to snuggle up with on occasion.
At least you got some great feedback. It sounds like you almost had the pros but it might have slipped out of your fingers by a smidge.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the sale, and also be-lated W1S1 virtual pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story, it gave me a Blade Runner vibe, too--but in a good way. Glad you found a home for it.
Great stuff, Milo - and well done for sticking at it. An editor's opinion is just that and others will always think differently, as all your feedback demonstrates.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the story a lot: some real depth to the characters. And I'm always puzzled by people saying there's too much dialogue. Dialogue, if well done, pushes along the plot, reveals character motivation, everything you need.
Ah, man I feel for you and have gotten similar contradictory comments myself. At the end of the day what matters is that you like it and your primary audience liked it. If you meet that criteria everything else can fall by the wayside.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it takes a little time for something to find a home. Very well written! It did remind me of Blade Runner, or I, Robot. But in a good way. Sometimes, editors see similarities between what's been done a submissions and that's all they can see. Most don't have time to delve a little deeper. Oh well, their loss.
ReplyDeleteMichael: Feedback is a rare beast in this game, and I always appreciate it -- even when it's less than flattering. At least I know the editor has read my work.
ReplyDeleteDefcon: Home sweet home; and in a few months, I'll start sending it out on the Reprint Circuit...
Simon: I've always been a fan of dialogue, too; reading long passages of narrative usually makes me antsy.
Mark: I agree; we have to be open to constructive criticism, but we also need to believe in our work. It's a balancing act, mos def.
Jay: That's one thing we definitely can't control -- how many times an editor sees something similar to our submissions. Unless it involves vampires or zombies, of course.
I love that you share your feedback. So important to know what advice to listen to, and what to disregard.
ReplyDeleteYou get some interesting feedback on your submissions. Congrats for the acceptance.
ReplyDeleteJennifer: It's always more entertaining after I've had a story accepted!
ReplyDeleteMadeleine: I got one from an editor last week who refused to read the ending of my story because he said he could already guess where it was going. Doubtful of course, and it ended up being his loss.