I wrote and wrote until my fingertips were numb, nails stripped to bloody pulps, polish chipped so badly there were tiny portraits of...SORRY! this isn't about the fingernails--it's about the hair being pulled out. And the why of it.
Where was I. Writing. Okay, so, I finished my little gem. Oh, wait, there's some holiday flair here too because I felt like Santa Claus, minus the worn, red suit of course. I pulled out my check list. Checked it once, checked it twice, what character was naughty, and who was nice.
Yada, yada, yada.
Read it, edited it, and read it again. I'm smiling because I love this story--the world is gonna love this story right? The blurb was attached along with a synopsis and it's all ready to go with my sweetly typed introduction letter saying, "Hi, it's me again! Here's all the things I've done over the last year, all the writing organizations I belong to, and you, dear editor, will LOVE this story."
I hit the send button and pull up another blank page.
It all starts over again...but wait. Beep, beep--I've GOT MAIL. I open it with glee, sure there's an acceptance in there.
It's the dreaded rewrite and resubmit. Oh, come on, you've had them too. For me, there's nothing worse. I'd almost prefer, "Sorry, not right for us." Note please: I said almost.
Here's where the hair pulling starts. I've written this story once and I've moved on. I start digging through the cyber notes, get everything in order and I begin the rewrite. I pull a paragraph out here, add a piece there, and damn, up pops a whole new character. I don't know this person from Adam. I've never seen them before, they've never said a single, solitary word to me, yet here they are smack dab in the middle of MY story. The nerve!
Anyway, we do the meet, greet and glad to know you thing, I introduce them to the others living there and then I sit back and watch the sparks fly. Do they fit in, is everyone happy now? Sure they are.
You see, this isn't really a new person, they have only been rewritten. Now they are stronger and wiser, or meaner and badder. They're much more interesting, and of course--they fit right in.
Now, if I could only find the hair I loss.
Remember: Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-© J. Hali Steele
5 comments:
LOL So, the point of your blog this morning was the writing, the submission or the rewrite? LOL In any event, best of luck on the submission process and that's why wigs were invented. Have a great weekend :-)
I HATE rewrites! On other note, I should have my take on it back to you tomorrow.
I like your humor. It helps get through the rewrite process. It also helps (me at least) get through the day. Thanks. I can also identify with the no hair. What little is left on my head after going through the teen years with my kids is quickly going away now. No time to turn grey. At least being blond, the grey doesn’t show as much. Anyway. At least you are getting to the resubmit stage and not the Doesn’t fit our requirements at this time or Sorry not right for us, rejection letters. Lol
Rewrite and resubmit as many times as it takes. Persistence wins in the end, or so I’ve been told.
Gary/GE Stills
Lord, Sandi, had a story due, nothing written, knocked it out in 3 days. In the meantime, got a rewrite I had to turn right around. Nails are bloody nubs! lol
Annie, you're the best - still looking for those dang pants though. I swear I dressed him in a pair! *grins* Maybe I didn't - he's pretty nice!
Gary, lol. You're right. Really, I'm happy to have a rewrite. And humor, I'm seldom without it. It gets me through most days.
You're in good company, J! My rewrite is driving me bonkers. The old story and new direction overlaps in my head at times and gives me weird ghostly feelings of multiple lives. Hmmmm....
*grin*
Girlfriend, I just LOVE your sense of humor.
--Chiron O'Keefe
The Write Soul: www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com
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