Last week I talked a bit about some updates going on, and briefly hinted that I was hopeful for publication soon. Well, you know what? I got some good news recently! I actually heard from Arlington Literary Journal about my flash fiction piece, “I”m Not Home Yet” and it’s been accepted for their next 2023 issue.
And the timing was amazing because I mentioned feeling optimistic about getting an acceptance in my post last week. At the same time, I even wrote on WOW! Women on Writing on how to make rejections easier to take.
I like to reflect on any publications to mine through the experience to uncover any lessons I’ve learned. Here are a few I’ve gathered:
- Sometimes stories only require minimal revisions.
Aside from some minor tweaking, this story of mine didn’t go through major revisions. I liked it fairly quickly and sent it out pretty soon after writing it. It shows me not every story needs that major overhaul.
- Prompts do wonders for my writing.
This story was in response to a writing prompt I exchanged with a writing friend of mine. It’s amazing how much prompts help me! That’s how I get a lot of my ideas actually. More than anything I get from real life, strangely enough.
- Be confident about the version you send out.
The funny thing is this piece that’s getting published is a slightly earlier version. I did some tweaking of it after the fact (that’s kind of my process to keep myself motivated to send things out after I’ve gotten a rejection). Not much changed actually, but still, it’s a reminder to me to feel confident about the version of stories I send out.
I did send a note to the editor of the literary magazine to see if he’d be open to the newer version of the piece and let him know the changes were minimal. We’ll see how this goes. This may be one of those lessons I learn the hard way and discover that no, editors don’t actually like you doing that. Who knows! I’ll let you know what happens with that.
What sort of lessons do you take away from your publications?
Good suggestions!
Thanks!
Congrats on your flash fiction story being published!
Thanks!
Congratulations! I love the element of “reaching” for a positive attitude (hope floats)! I’ve learned that not giving up–even though you’ve thought you’ve given up a few times along the way–is the true way of the writer. Took me 32 years to complete TROPHY GIRL–forcause husbands, children, going back to school, and a nagging voice that said “Why you?” even as I was publishing poetry and stories and teaching creative writing. Happy to be ensconced in a world of fellow writers saying “Why not?” and “Go girl.” Thanks for sharing. Make a nice day.
I love how you transformed that voice to say, “Why not” instead of “Why you.” Kudos!