get published

I got my second rejection for another one of my short stories. The publication is too busy to send out a formal letter, so I just have to check in to see if they have published the next edition – which they have, without my story.

I think it is hard not to take it personally – but I’m not too upset about it. Just kind of peeved that they can’t even send an email or letter telling me “thank you but we can’t use your story bla bla bla”. At least SOMETHING so I’m not sitting here wondering.

Anyway, I won’t be sending them any more of my stories. Better to spend my time on places that won’t leave me hanging forever.

I’m off to write today – wish me luck.

I have one short story almost completed and I’m going to start the other one today. I should have both done and sent out by the end of this month. I’m not moving at the pace I would prefer, but I figure its going to take some time – so I’m being patient with myself.

I have the first draft done for one story I hope to submit to a magazine. There’s so much I want to do with my writing, but one of the most important goals for me is to get published. Even if its just a small story that gets in print – it will make me happy and keep me motivated.

Well, I’ve been focusing on children’s mags lately, since that’s one of the genres I hope to write for. I’ve been trying to read as many children’s magazines as I can find – even leafing through them at the doctor’s office.

I started a story and hope to finish in within the next week or so. I have to admit that it is a little harder than I expected. I think because I’m trying hard to conform my writing to the style of the magazine – but I think its something I’m getting better at.

I’ve had this on my list the past week or so, but I’ve yet to touch it- “Submit story ideas to magazines”. It seems I have time to get around to everything else but this. I think its still hard for me to get over the fear of rejection. No matter how you put it, rejection stings and I think its only natural that people would try to avoid it.

Well, I plan to start small. But even then, its intimidating. I guess I’m just gonna have to get over it. As a writer I will get rejected. Many times. But I just have to keep on going, and look forward to the small successes. Somehow that’s not too motivating, but I have to be realistic, right? I have to start somewhere.

I submitted a short story a couple of months ago – and have not received word back excpet to confirm that the story was received. At this point I am going to assume it was rejected and continue on. I need to set some higher standards for this goal because at this rate I will never get published. Submitting 1 short story a year, is like trying to fill a bucket of water one drop at a time with 24 hour intervals.

So what would be a good goal? 3 submissions a week? One a week?

I know that as a writer I face an uphill battle, and will see a lot of rejection, but I think the end result of seeing something I wrote available to everyone is worth all the struggle in between. Right now my goal is to get something published. I have a list of magazines and publications that interest me and that I think would be a good starting point.

I’m very excited that I’m working toward this goal that I’ve had for so long.