It's been a while since I posted an article, and this time it was not because I was writing like a rabid dog gnawing on the dead postman's leg either. I just got really busy with the paying job and the writing slowed down a bit.
Well ... that's not entirely what happened, but it was a good excuse at the time (October-November).
Actually, let me start from the beginnning (which is something that supposedly a writer should never do). You see, way back in the summer when I had that big spurt of creative energy, and I had started cranking out all sorts of new stories, I also started looking at the brave new world out there for writers. Let me tell you, things have changed since the last time I tried to submit anything to a publisher.
Now, I am not going to tell you that old man story that starts with, "When I was a boy we used to walk ten miles in the snow just to get to the school bus .... " Nothing like that at all. Actually, what occurred was that the last time I submitted anything for publication we did have the internet and computers, etc., but online publications weren't present as a large and viable market for publication. Now, there were some things in their infancy back in the nineties (sounds like ancient history, right?), but nothing like what I am seeing out there now. The opportunities for would-be writers and those of us still just starting out have exploded exponentially. In fact, there seems to be so many that it makes my head hurt just trying to sift through it all. Not that I am complaining, mind you. Because it was just a few short years ago the opposite was true. Especially when it came to genre fiction, such as fantasy, horror, sci-fi, which is where my twisted brain tends to go creatively speaking. Now it is out there in droves and I think it is great.
So, that's what got to me thinking (back in August-September) -- thinking positively, that is. I looked at the target-rich environment and just knew that if there was ever a time to get published, it was now. Further, I made it a goal to work at what I had in my brain and push myself because I was determined to have something make it into publication before the end of the year. I even set things up in my mind as if my writing was like my business. The creative process became like an assembly line. I would think of an idea. Then I would write the draft. Then I would edit it and polish it. Meanwhile another idea would come into my brain. And then I would write the draft of that. And then edit and polish. And then another idea, and another draft, and more editing. Meantime, I was pushing (and I am still pushing) the various drafts of various stories at my formal critique group to get their feedback on the stories (allowing them to be my rather skilled and knowledgeable focus group) -- to see which stories were working and which ones were meant for the trash. And then once I had corrected whatever my critique group suggested on the various stories that appeared to have some merit, then I started actually doing the one thing that tends to derail some would-be writers, and that is to submit for publication.
Well, what do you think happened? I got started with my assembly line of stories, and I had only gotten about a half-dozen stories moving along to where they were actually being submitted to various publications, most of which are online e-zines, when I came across a genre-based e-zine that was putting out a contest. I submitted one of my stories and after a very long wait (practically until December -- and I had submitted the story in early October), I received the news just a week ago, which is the real reason why I put off writing a blog. I wanted to bring good news to the table and it was taking a little bit of time to receive it from the contest presenters (not their fault -- they're just very busy people). I wanted to bring a little hope to those of you who might be wondering if it really is possible to become a published writer.
Well, Virginia, yes, there is a Santa Claus -- as the line goes.
The story I submitted received third place in the contest and was published on the e-zine's website, electronic rights worldwide. The publication, Anotherealm.com. In my estimation a semi-professional e-zine, but the stories I've read on their site are professionally done and on a creative level with any other story I have seen in an actual (or virtual) print. The e-zine gets high marks in the industry and has been written about in certain books as a good place for beginning writers.
So, I will state the obvious ... I am thrilled.
And it all goes back to one thing: the power of positive thought and applying that thought toward moving forward with publication.
Keep writing and never, never, never give up.
Merry Christmas.
