Thursday 8 April 2010

It's all about perspective

Ok so today I hear one of my stories that I sent off for competition waaaaaaay back in January didn't win.

Ok it didn't even make the shortlist.

But I comfort myself that there were over 2000 entries - over TWO THOUSAND entries!

Now I know maths isn't my strongest point but the way I look at it, I had erm... minus zero chance of getting anywhere with it. LOL!

See, it's all about perspective.



If I don't laugh and take the philosophical route, I'd cry.

So yep, it's all about perspective.



Have a lovely Thursday everyone!

44 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Whaddya talking about? Don't cry! You finished and you submitted it to a contest. That is a huge hurdle for any writer to cross. It's only going to get better from here! Keep writing, keep finishing and submitting!!

Milton said...

Thanks Sweets, I haven't even put one entry in yet 'cos I'm so scared. But really, what do I have to lose? My self-respect - well, I'm darned sure I'll garner it at some point...so what else is out there to lose...gad's nothing comes to mind...

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

When you don't succeed the first time...well there's always a second try and a third...and we know you will meet your goal!

purrs
>^,,^<
Abby

Ann said...

I agree with KarenG. You entered. That is a big hooray for you and well done.

Amy & the house of cats said...

I agree - you accomplished a lot just by finishing and it took a lot of guts to submit it. I know I probably couldn't do either (and especially the later). And 2000 entries - that is a LOT to compete against. The more you write and the more you enter the more likely you are to win!

That is an adorable picture of Charlie - hr looks like he is trying to decide what to play with!

Anh that video was totally hilarious!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

So, Kitty, what are you going to do with that manuscript now? Is there a publisher you think it's perfect for or a magazine that it might work for. Your eyes have had a rest from the piece, so pick it up reread/revise it and send it on. You can do it!

Theresa Milstein said...

I try to take the philosophical route, and usually cry anyway.

I'm sorry you didn't win the contest. We writers keep talk about being brave just for trying, but it's hard when we don't get the validation for our hard work.

If it makes you feel better, I submitted for the Amazon contest in January, and didn't even make the first round. Then I came across a blog whose author submitted for the same contest with a ROUGH draft, and is now at round 3.

Sigh.

As Karen says, "Keep writing, keep finishing and submitting!!"

Susan Fields said...

I agree with Karen - at least you got out there and gave it your best shot! And I'm sure Charlie was more than happy to curl up on your lap and cheer you up! :)

fairyhedgehog said...

Sorry to hear that, Kitty, but as you say the odds were very much against you.

Good luck with your other stories and with placing this one somewhere else.

Jacqueline said...

You are doing a great job and should be proud of yourself for entering the contest...Good for you for having the fortitude and determination to keep working to realize your dreams.

Kea said...

I think simply finishing a story and submitting it is FANTASTIC. I'm betting there are many would-be published authors who don't have the courage to submit their work for a competition. So please give yourself a pat on the back for even getting in the game in the first place.

P.S. That video was surprising. Not what I was expecting. LOL!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Well, truth be known, we all know you're a winner anyways! Hello Charlie!

Hannah and Lucy said...

It's a great achievement to write and submit a piece of work - look at it again and tweak it and submit somewhere else - keep focused and you'll do it.
Love Charlie's contribution today!

Anonymous said...

You tried - a lot of others won't even do that. Great work!

Anonymous said...

Was it a competition with feedback or a critiquing service? Is there anything you can take away from this submission, before you resubmit elsewhere?

lupie said...

Yes! Trying is already the first step to a big win!

:)

Pip said...

You deserve respect and applause for the personal risks you take in the name of your art.
Don't ever let anyone, yourself included, tell you that it is anything less that awe-inspring that you create.
TK's mom

Anonymous said...

But you finished and you submitted... *nothing* can get published if we don't do that! Now get yourself back on the bicycle, as my mum always said when I fell off.... :)

Fascinated by today's Charlie/Mr MacD photo. Have they swapped tails...? :)

Love Meow said...

You are a brilliant writer. I am a fan of yours! Keep it up! You always have my support!

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

I have enough rejection slips to wallpaper an entire village. I take pride in them. I think OMG look at how much I've been writing. And then think how messed up these people are for not getting what I'm saying. What a lost the nay sayers won't give the reading public a chance to experience our essence. Of course I'm sure my writing suck but this is my way of comforting myself. Don't give up...I won't.

Lola Sharp said...

What Karen said!!!

Math is not my strong subject either, it makes my head explode, BUT, 2,000 is a lot, LOT. (see, I can figure that much out)

We get better with each story we write. Perhaps that was the practice you needed to write the NEXT one, which will be a best seller!

((hugs))
~Lola

Lola Sharp said...

Oh, that video was funny. I dint expect that either.

I want a real one.

Old Kitty said...

Hi KarenG

Aww thank you for your uplifting words!! Much needed!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Milton

Thanks for popping by!

You are a wise and wonderful kitty!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Aww Abby

That is so true!

And one thing that I am - is a tryer - in the nicest possible sense of course!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Ann

Awww thanks!! I'm feeling more positive now and looking forward!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Amy and the House of Cats

Aww thanks!

The video with the car really got me! How on earth did they do that?!?!

Amazing!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Sharon K Mayhew

Oh yes I am now being more pro-active and very positive!!

Thank you!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein

Oh so true, so true!!

I just want validation - that's all I'm seeking really!

And it's so, so, so morale and soul destroying when I am constantly reminded that there realy are other writers out there better than me!

:-)

But yes, we must plough on regardless and just be the best we can!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Susan Fields

Awww Charlie really helps - he does!! Each day with him is a joy!

And yes KarenG's words sustain me!

Thanks

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi fairyhedgehog

Thanks - and yes I will find homes for my orphaned stories!

Some day!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Jacqueline

Awww thank you! Your kind words really help!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Kim

I am patting my back as I type this - yes I am!

the video is incredible isn't it?

LOL!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Brian

Awww, thank you! Charlie send his "purr meow" and is waving his paw too!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Hannah and Lucy

You are very wise cats, really and truly!

thank you for your encouragement!

Charlie sends tons of "purr-meows" to you both and mum too!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi wncmountainliving

I did didn't I?

And that's what matters!

Thank you!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi kate m

they didn't offer a critque service but I've re-read my story again and have tweaked it. I may find a competition with a critiquing service and will go for that next time - it all helps!

Thanks and take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi lupie!

Amen to that!! I'm a tryer alright!

In a nice way of course!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Aw TK's mum

Thank you for such uplifting words!

They really help, thanks

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi hampshireflyer

Aww will get back on that bicycle pronto!

:-)

Charlie tried to swap his tail with mr McD with very dire consequences..!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Aww Love Meow

Thank you!!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Debra Harris-Johnson

:-)

Your writing is lovely because I love your blog and you write with such clarity and passion!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Lola Sharp

Awww thank you!! Lovely, lovely words, thanks!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Lola again

I just want to know how they did that!

take care
x