Five Minute Rant

I've been entering since 2007. Not consistently, mind, but fairly consistent. I'm sure I have close to 20 entries.

I think I've been entering since 2009. Never missed a quarter, maybe 15 in a row now?

I'm going to rant about this loser talk.

'Nough said. Now quit it and get back to writing. Not the contest. Writing.

That is all.

I'm writing a novel right now. I'm not writing for the contest or any other short story. But here in a few days, the novel will be done and I'll need another short story. I much prefer novels.

Some of this is loser talk but it's good to vent your spleen--as the full saying was originally--sometimes. Sometimes it can be the verbal equivalent of hitting the wall with your hand, as long as you don't hit too hard to break the wall or your hand. Or use ragefull words.

A little lite yelling at how tied you are that they take so long and build your hopes than just send an ordinary rejection or some such then back to writing.

Just checking - I know it can avalanche sometimes.

This contest wears me out some days. I'm not giving up, but it sure wears on a person.

That is all, please move along, nothing to see here...

This is why I'm saying if I get another form rejection for Q3 I'm outta here! Seriously, getting positive results motivates me to keep writing. Getting form rejections doesn't.

This contest wears me out some days. I'm not giving up, but it sure wears on a person.

That is all, please move along, nothing to see here...

This is why I'm saying if I get another form rejection for Q3 I'm outta here! Seriously, getting positive results motivates me to keep writing. Getting form rejections doesn't.

I'm not giving up. Hurt, tired, but still going. No matter what the result is each quarter. That's the only way to make it.

I'm going to rant about this loser talk.

'Nough said. Now quit it and get back to writing. Not the contest. Writing.

That is all.

Don't worry. I'm always writing. Even on the bad days I drag my ass into that chair.

This is why I'm saying if I get another form rejection for Q3 I'm outta here! Seriously, getting positive results motivates me to keep writing. Getting form rejections doesn't.

I'm not giving up. Hurt, tired, but still going. No matter what the result is each quarter. That's the only way to make it.

Agreed. I'm on my third straight rejection here, but I still think it's worth submitting to.

I don't know you all very well so I don't know how well you have been doing on WotF or elsewhere and I don't know if I am reacting to only half of the story but three rejections??? Different writers have different expectations and abilities.

I don't know my record but it's probably at least five complete rejections in a row. Other complete rejection runs have been broken up my four HMs. Two I got on my own a couple of years ago and later two with critiques. It happens. Even if it was three rejections after a finalist.

This one will probably be only two minutes.

Got my next rejection from F&SF. Surprised that it was from Stephen, that's the third one in a row from him. Some wording even he never changes what he sends to me. I will probably continue my sweep there. So far four stories in four weeks. Got another almost ready to send this week. I have ten to twelve more stories written that need revising and thought about going as long as I can remember to send a story each week. Maybe he or Lisa will get tired of seeing my name, and that will help them decide when it's close. But then again, I've never been close with anyone at F&SF so that's out. JJA kinda liked one story but that's as close as I can get. If anything they would think Wish he would learn to write.

Tina,
I don't think they'll notice.

They'll be too busy looking at the part that says your a WotF winer.

Too subtle?

Winner, Dustin. Winner.

Hm...Where am I? Oh, right. The Rant thread. Okay. She can whine, as long as she keeps the wine bottle in its paper bag.

(Too many edits...must stop distracting myself.)

I'm going to totally recognize the ranty-ness of this thread - having exercised its power numerous times - but I wanted to pose a less discouraging view of receiving rejections quickly. I believe that with most slush stories, the editor doesn't need to think about the story before rejecting it. This isn't true of all stories, of course, but I think that (and this comes after some Duotropery) editors have crap that comes up, whether in life or pertaining to their job, and the slush pile doesn't move along at the same rate. There's just no accounting for the mad methods that editors employ to reject/accept.

Besides, I tend to focus less on how long it took to read (unless it's a place like Clakesworld or Lightspeed, then you KNOW that two weeks is unusual) and more on what level of rejection it got - 'what tier?' 'was it a personal rejection?'

You can slap me on the wrist for engaging in such time-wasting activities.

At times yes and at times no. My story at DSF has now been out for twenty one days when the rejects are at 18-19. Also, my Apex is at 30+ days, well outside the norm and no overlooked rejects. The faster ones are a bit more reliable on the time thing at Duotrope.

At times yes and at times no. My story at DSF has now been out for twenty one days when the rejects are at 18-19. Also, my Apex is at 30+ days, well outside the norm and no overlooked rejects. The faster ones are a bit more reliable on the time thing at Duotrope.

Agreed. DSF is another one that is consistent. IGMS, on the other hand... *insert roller coaster* I thought they'd have some clear system for Boot Campers since we get out of the slush pile, but no. Personal rejections can come in 1 day and form rejections at 94 days. Those are the markets you truly have to forget about - there's just no consistency to make the pot boil.

At times yes and at times no. My story at DSF has now been out for twenty one days when the rejects are at 18-19. Also, my Apex is at 30+ days, well outside the norm and no overlooked rejects. The faster ones are a bit more reliable on the time thing at Duotrope.

Agreed. DSF is another one that is consistent. IGMS, on the other hand... *insert roller coaster* I thought they'd have some clear system for Boot Campers since we get out of the slush pile, but no. Personal rejections can come in 1 day and form rejections at 94 days. Those are the markets you truly have to forget about - there's just no consistency to make the pot boil.

This discussion fits with what I was thinking about today.
My rejections for IGMS seem to be within the same time frame. Over two months less then three. I can't say that has always been true but it's never been less then five weeks. I realized today that with all the markets that seem to be speeding up--including a certain cheaper one-- two are taking as long as usual. IGMS and Asimovs. As of this Friday it will be one month for IGMS. Which means there is still time for them to prove me wrong.

But I've never gotten a personal rejection from them so it takes longer. They know my work by now so they can place mine on a lower priority.

Here's my IGMS stats thus far (having begun submitting in December): Form rejection 94 days, personal rejection 1 day, pending response 14 days.

RANT! RANT! RANT!

F&SF just rejected my high fantasy story.

RANT! RANT! RANT!

Off to Duotrope!

RANT! RANT! RANT!

F&SF just rejected my high fantasy story.

RANT! RANT! RANT!

Off to Duotrope!

Try BCS and/or Lightspeed, if you haven't yet.

That reminds me that I need to send my F&SF rejection to BCS...at least they send a couple of comments explaining why they said no.

I almost posted this in the mixed feelings thread, but the more I thought about it, the less positive I gleaned from my most recent rejection.
50 days out to DSF, second round, form reject.

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

My grand total career sales stands at two. Both token. And since I've yet to actually receive either token payment, (I refuse to query about money.) I've still not officially met my goal of earning even one cent from my writing by age 40. (5 months remain)

Six years ago this seemed like a reachable goal.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Someday."

ETA

I just sent a new story to DSF and the 2nd round story to EDF, so my horses are still running.

D

I almost posted this in the mixed feelings thread, but the more I thought about it, the less positive I gleaned from my most recent rejection.
50 days out to DSF, second round, form reject.

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

My grand total career sales stands at two. Both token. And since I've yet to actually receive either token payment, (I refuse to query about money.) I've still not officially met my goal of earning even one cent from my writing by age 40. (5 months remain)

Six years ago this seemed like a reachable goal.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Someday."

ETA

I just sent a new story to DSF and the 2nd round story to EDF, so my horses are still running.

D

Dustin,

I'm not commenting to say that I am any better or worse than you... I can remember my very first sale, to the US (and I'm from Oz), I was stoked, and I received a $5 cheque/check in the post after I signed my contract.

I've STILL got my cheque/check, NEVER cleared it AND it still looks good for "The Sentinel", AlienSkin Magazine.

Who cares about PRO sales when one can take so much pleasure over $5
When/IF I ever DO make my first PRO sale, I'll spend it all - won't be the same as that first cheque/check

YOU'LL get there with persistence, and so will I - it's just time/work/family commitments that delay the actual day! I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's soon for you.

Okay, in regard to how long IGMS takes with my stories. They hit a new record. One month and four days.

Looks like they are speeding up also. Or have joined the crowd for this round of stories.

Just the usual rejection of course but maybe they are getting used to my stories and can judge them faster because they know what to expect.

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

My grand total career sales stands at two. Both token. And since I've yet to actually receive either token payment, (I refuse to query about money.) I've still not officially met my goal of earning even one cent from my writing by age 40. (5 months remain)

Six years ago this seemed like a reachable goal.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Someday."

D

I know this is a rant thread, but this is something I've wrestled with recently... You can't use age to count. I've been writing seriously since my early twenties. I'm finally seeing some success (still no pro pubs) and I'm just a little younger than you. Some writers make it early, some writer make it later. We're all on our own path.

Just as an example, Jedi are supposed to be trained from what, the age of 5? And Luke --despite Yoda's warning thtat he was too old-- not only learned, he took out Darth Vader. (sorry for the spoilers <eg>).

Ignore age. Focus on the here and now, focus on what you can do.

And my rant for the day: my morning writing session started with my refridgeator yelling at me. The ice maker more precisely. Sporatically. Usually when I'm on the cusp of tying out something really cool. Frustrating. (I'm writing in the kitchen, I've got my back to the unit and I'm trying to write something with subtle tones of creepiness. Grrr.. lol

Also, you are owed money. Query! How do you expect to run a career if you can't follow up on contracts?

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

My grand total career sales stands at two. Both token. And since I've yet to actually receive either token payment, (I refuse to query about money.) I've still not officially met my goal of earning even one cent from my writing by age 40. (5 months remain)

Six years ago this seemed like a reachable goal.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Someday."

D

I know this is a rant thread, but this is something I've wrestled with recently... You can't use age to count. I've been writing seriously since my early twenties. I'm finally seeing some success (still no pro pubs) and I'm just a little younger than you. Some writers make it early, some writer make it later. We're all on our own path.

Just as an example, Jedi are supposed to be trained from what, the age of 5? And Luke --despite Yoda's warning thtat he was too old-- not only learned, he took out Darth Vader. (sorry for the spoilers <eg>).

Ignore age. Focus on the here and now, focus on what you can do.

And my rant for t,=)he day: my morning writing session started with my refridgeator yelling at me. The ice maker more precisely. Sporatically. Usually when I'm on the cusp of tying out something really cool. Frustrating. (I'm writing in the kitchen, I've got my back to the unit and I'm trying to write something with subtle tones of creepiness. Grrr.. lol

What could be creepier than a haunted refrigerator? Does it say "Zuul"?

Thanaks Martin, nwo I'm moving back to the basement. 😛

LOL

I almost posted this in the mixed feelings thread, but the more I thought about it, the less positive I gleaned from my most recent rejection.
50 days out to DSF, second round, form reject.

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

D

Have you tried AE? Most of the fiction McCourt buys us on the shorter side. And it is pro rates.

This brings my pro-sales total up to zero.

My grand total career sales stands at two. Both token. And since I've yet to actually receive either token payment, (I refuse to query about money.) I've still not officially met my goal of earning even one cent from my writing by age 40. (5 months remain)

Six years ago this seemed like a reachable goal.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Someday."

D

I know this is a rant thread, but this is something I've wrestled with recently... You can't use age to count. I've been writing seriously since my early twenties. I'm finally seeing some success (still no pro pubs) and I'm just a little younger than you. Some writers make it early, some writer make it later. We're all on our own path.

Just as an example, Jedi are supposed to be trained from what, the age of 5? And Luke --despite Yoda's warning thtat he was too old-- not only learned, he took out Darth Vader. (sorry for the spoilers <eg>).

Ignore age. Focus on the here and now, focus on what you can do.

And my rant for t,=)he day: my morning writing session started with my refridgeator yelling at me. The ice maker more precisely. Sporatically. Usually when I'm on the cusp of tying out something really cool. Frustrating. (I'm writing in the kitchen, I've got my back to the unit and I'm trying to write something with subtle tones of creepiness. Grrr.. lol

What could be creepier than a haunted refrigerator? Does it say "Zuul"?

Sometimes it is very hard to say some day. Sometimes I say I'm a writer and writers send things in so I send things in.

And Martin is right even while joking--- you could count that as an inspiration. All kinds of interesting tales could be made about a nosy refrigerator.

Ugg, Ideaomance just sent a rejection- not enough explanation of the world. What do they expect in an almost flash story?

{yes, I know the answer to that question, but don't bother me with logic I'm busy ranting}

I mean that story is barely over a thousand words, it started as a flash but I had to add some for a writing challenge, and it's still basically that flash tale. Mumble mumble mumble...

And it didn't do well in that challenge either.

{yes, I know the answer to that question, but don't bother me with logic I'm busy ranting}

If it's any consolation, I'll give you a prize for Line that Made Martin Laugh Loudest Tonight.