imaginarycircus

I usually write long things like novels. My short stories almost never work unless they are very short, like flash fiction or drabbles. But before I started grad school I was determined to write a successful short story. I tried and failed several times. Then I tried again and did it. It was my writing sample for grad school. It was OK and very rough. I have rewritten it at least twenty times. I started sending it out for publication last December. I revised it some more and sent it out again in the Spring. I have heard nothing.

Tonight I got an email from a lit magazine (a major one -- but I am afraid to say which yet) and they want me to revise again. It is a lot better than a no. It is a lot better than "not for us." But still - another revision. *falls on floor in sweaty heap*

So I am very cautiously optimistic. And pretty damn pleased even though this means some painful cuts. If they take it they will actually pay me. So I know what I am doing this weekend. Sitting in the bedroom in the AC with laptop. Writing the 22nd version of this story.

I'm not sure why any of us write since it means endless, crazy revisions, and rewrites, and then lots of rejections. I never really thought I was a masochist, at least not a sexual one. Whatever.

It is so hot and humid. Ew.