by LD on December 4, 2012
As a writer – okay and as a reader – it’s pretty easy for me to act like a hermit. Fortunately, writers are encouraged to go to writers conferences, and at least once a year I shake off my cobwebs and go to a conference. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about writing, find out the latest trends, and meet other writers.
Over a year ago I met a writer named S.J. Abraham at a conference. He’s a great writer and a pretty cool guy. He’s read some of my work and has given me some really good advice.
He’s also just provided me the opportunity to post one of my short stories on his blog. His site is called Perilous Writing, and he’s constantly writing and posting flash fiction. As a reader I think it’s a great idea. As a writer, I’m honored that he’s including my work on his site, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Please check out the site, and read stories from S.J., myself, and other writers over the next few weeks:
S.J. Abraham: Favors Part 1 and Favors Part 2
Catiana Nak Kheiyn: The Question
S. Owen Malles: The Lanky, Long-legged Blue-Eyed Boy
L.D. Silver: The Pale Man
Rachel Ottinger: The Tale of Pandora Russet
Kara: Expelled
Emma Granberg: Oliver and Silvio
by LD on September 5, 2012
I’m not a huge football fan, but after living for a few years with a big football fan, I’m beginning to appreciate the sport.
One of the really good football movies is called Any Given Sunday, and near the end of the movie is a great speech given by the coach, played by Al Pacino. He says that the game of football is really a game of inches, and you fight for every inch you get.
I think this is something that every writer needs to embrace. We fight every time we try to get a paragraph, a scene, and a character right.
When we win that battle, we start all over again. We write queries, pitch agents, go to conferences and try to find an audience. The rejection is more than a hindrance, or an annoyance. It will drag you down. But every rejection means you’re still in the game. You may have lost inches, but everything you send out might be your next step forward.
And then there are the glorious times where you win that inch. Sometimes it’s an agent saying she likes your query, or asking to see your manuscript, or offering representation.
Or sometimes it’s finding out you’re a finalist in a writing contest. That’s recently happened to me. And yes, I know, it doesn’t mean I will win the contest. But after a year of submitting, and revising, and getting rejections, receiving that email felt incredibly good. I wanted to jump up and down and run around like a lunatic.
I finally understand why the football players celebrate, even before a game is won. Because when you’re fighting for every inch, finally winning that inch feels damn good.
