Connie's Corner

Difficult to self-edit...

It is very difficult, almost impossible for me, to self-critique my own writing. I find I have to make a specific list of things to look for, and even then, I get off track and overlook important faults with my writing.

The reason this has come to my attention today is an email reply I just received to an online submission. I'd like to share the comments I received (the reasons for rejection) and have copied them below:

EDITOR 1: No. The ending isn't satisfying because there's no explanation
for how Joey gets healing powers or why they only work on his grandmother.

EDITOR 2: No. The point of view meanders from Joey to his grandmother and
back again.

EDITOR 3: No. The writing in this piece just isn't strong enough -- the
point of view wanders, there's too much telling, and the "no one knew for
sure what happened" ending cheats the readers of a satisfactory
conclusion.

EDITOR 4: No. The spontaneous healing raised an interesting question, but
the answer was kind of a let down. I also found the point-of-view switch a
little jarring.

I was extremely pleased that four editors took the time to read my story and give me these comments. There was no entry fee involved with my submission. The story in question is titled "The Rock" and is in my folder marked "Flash Fiction Entries".

Now that I have feedback, it is easy to spot the problems. Correcting them may not be as easy, but at least, now it is attemptable. What I have learned from all this is that honest reviews are very important and thorough editing is as important as writing the story. Objectivity is still a problem...

until next time...c