Rejected.

[feuervogel]

I got the rejection email from Viable Paradise. The letter said they received way more applications than they could accept and they could not accept me. (Though I think there's a typo, because they couldn't have accepted 28 people...) It's also "not an indicator that your work was subpar in any way" and the instructors "strongly suggest that you apply to VP 16 next year."

Do I read that as "yes, please, you should apply next year" or "we're just saying that, because everybody we reject gets the same letter"? (Hello, little insecurities.) I mean, I can't imagine anyone who's not serious about writing would go to the trouble of sending in the application form (and $25 fee) for something that'll cost them $2000 all told (tuition, hotel for a week, travel).

Argh.

So I guess I'll revise the story I applied with, especially the parts I've been told were too infodump-y (I still have NO IDEA where else I can work them in), and send it out to other places. Starting with Lightspeed, because they give lightspeed rejections and I can send it out elsewhere within 48 hours. (When I met the assistant editor at ReaderCon last year, she said, "try us first!" because they won't hold on to the story forever unless they want it.)

But for today, the plan is this:
- hem the other edge of this pretty remnant and finish making it a wrap/shawl thing. Sadly, the first hemmed edge is kind of rough-looking, because the second fold was bigger than I wanted it to be. (I have to French seam it, because it's likely to fray.)
- play more Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3.
- if I need to give my wrists a break, watch more Gundam Wing.

Comments

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

As an editor, I have no problem telling writers where they need improvement. I think this is an honest, "We liked your work and couldn't fit it in." sort of feedback.

I suggest you read through the submissions once this is published. It's likely that you and another submitter had stories with similar themes.

[feuervogel]

VP is a writer's workshop which, unlike Clarion, is only a week and allows things other than short stories.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

I think they have two forms, and one does not encourage people to reapply. That doesn't mean they think you will for sure get in if you do, but that you have a chance.

Of course, I also think rejectomancy is evil and leads to more insecurity. There are a lot of reasons that they accept/reject people, and the group they end up with is not necessarily the best writers, but the group of writers they think will work together well and learn something in any particular year.

[feuervogel]

Interesting. If I got the "reply hazy try again" and not everyone does, maybe I'll give it another go. With The Novel of doom. Though I suspect I'll never fit in, because the things I like to read and write about aren't the ones that get people talking. It's not erudite fiction with lyrical prose and allusions and references to everything from Shakespeare to Octavia Butler :/

Rejectomancy is indeed evil.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

It's also entirely possible that you should just send the Novel of Doom to agents (after revising and all that). As far as I'm concerned, the best thing about getting into a workshop like this is meeting other writing peers at or around your writing level. You're doing that already with chairing the lit track of your local con and getting in with the Triangle writing network, so you may decide that 2000 bucks (not a small amount) is best applied elsewhere. Getting into a workshop doesn't in any way ensure success at selling your work, or a lasting sense of security (I am proof of these things!).

[feuervogel]

That's an even more terrifying thought! I feel like I should have at least another one finished before I start doing that. (Partly because I may end up changing some parts of the continuity when I write the story about the coup itself... though I feel like they're pretty cemented in my head somewhere already. We'll see.)

You're right, though, that's a lot of money that I could spend on other things. Like bills. Or keeping in savings for emergencies, since I'm unemployed and all.

[prongsy.livejournal.com]

I say give it another shot, it's worth the risk either way.

And DYNASTY WARRIORS AND GUNDAM WING. TWO OF MY FAVE THINGS (though I prefer Dynasty Warriors - China over Dynasty Warriors - Gundam on the video game front... I do like flying Wing Zero, however)!

[feuervogel]

Wing Zero made everything too easy! But I liked it. My favorites to play GDW1 in were Char's Gelgoog and Kamille in the Zeta.

I may or may not apply. The fees are really high, and I'm unemployed, after all...

[tammylee.livejournal.com]

=C *hugs*

[feuervogel]

Thanks darlin'.

[luckykitty.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that you applied is awesome and brave to begin with (I know I wouldn't have the guts) and I suspect they also have two rejection letters as the commenter above. It is worth trying again if this is something you really want to do.

For the infodumpy parts of your story, are they absolutely necessary to leave in? Sometimes you just have to trust your reader to figure it out (or accept they might not grasp that part the way you imagine). Can they be inferred from other things going on in the story?

Your daily plan sounds good!

Also I am reading your novel, on chapter three now! (Yes I am a slow reader). Taking lots of notes so hopefully I'll come back with some useful feedback :)

[feuervogel]

Aw, thanks.

I think they are? It's the background for why the things that are happening are happening. There's probably a better way to work them in, but I was stuck on it when I was writing.

Thanks! Do you like it so far?

More Gundam now :D

[luckykitty.livejournal.com]

I was definitely sucked in by the events of Chapter Two! Chapter One was a bit tougher for me, so I made some notes to try to figure out why. Enjoying Chapter Three so far as well!

[feuervogel]

I was nervous about chapter one, but I'll see how many people also think it's slow (or whatever). That's the joy of having multiple readers :D

[amakarie.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out this time, but I agree you should still send in things for the next one. :3