I seem to get more re-write requests than the average writer. I don't know why, but they all say the same thing. "We are willing to look at it again but you need to expand on -" one idea or another in the story. I know a lot of people overwrite their stories and I seem to underwrite them. I don't know if it is the flash fiction writer in me or the lazy writer in me. Editor's are asking questions of my characters that I thought were pretty obvious or I didn't think I needed to waste valuable words on.
That being said, I do think that most of my stories come out for the better once they are re-written, it usually only takes a line or two to clear things up but I was just wondering, is this a problem I am alone on or does this happen to everyone on occasion? I know that Stephen King said in his book "On Writing" (wonderful book, if you haven't read it I recommend it.) To cut out at least 10% after you are done, just to make it less convoluted. I seem to have the opposite problem. I need to add another 10%. My problem is I don't know what 10% to add.
Have a great rest of the day. At least it isn't snowing here!
More Little boats: Poleacre and America's
1 week ago
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13 comments:
No, but I wish I had that problem...beats a "Dear Contributor" letter any day.
Indeed. I've never gotten a rewrite request. It's either an "ok" or a "no way."
I think of my 11 acceptances that 3 have been re-write requests and I just had another request so hopefully it turns into an acceptance.
I get a pretty high percentage of rewrite requests and I tend to have the same problem with under-writing. I'm also bad about losing the focus of a story and giving it essentially the wrong ending.
Hey, a rewrite request is still better than a no thanks!
I didn't think a story could have a 'wrong' ending. If it isn't what is expected all the better I say. Sure beats knowing the ending by the end of page one.
First of, I think rewrite requests are a definite compliment from th editor.
Secondly, I've only ever gotten one. Upon arrival it forced me into a bout of nerves so bad that I botched up the story and found it promptly rejected upon delivery back to the editor.
After 3 years of continuous submissions, I got my first rewrite request a few weeks ago. I did so, but stood my guns when they asked me to change the end. Maybe this impressed them...they accepted it anyway!
Best of luck!
I've never had a rewrite request. Last year I had a rejection stating they thought it might be better suited to a sister mag, and suggested two changes. I made the changes and sent it to the sister mag who promptly accepted it. That's the closest I've been to a requested rewrite.
I'd love to be given an opportunity to rewrite. I'd be over the moon to keep getting requests of that nature - it means you're close.
I also agree on SK's book. Simply brilliant.
That book was one of the reasons I started writing again.
I know what you're talking about. Every so often Ying points something out that a sentence or two takes care of!
And I know all about writing stories that are on the short side. Three thousand is my happy place, by some publications standards that's slim.
Rewrites make me more nervous than anything. (shudders just thinking about it)
I usually add words to subsequent drafts too (ignoring my NaNo effort), I think some writers overwrite and some don't, and you are what you are.
Sometimes I give the full picture when writing the story, and at others, I forget that not everyone can see what's inside my head. That's where time away from a story helps.
Haven't been getting that much lately, just outright rejections.
And I'm an overwriter who loves to ramble on and has to do many edits, tightening, tightening, tightening.
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