The critique contest is officially over. Finalists will be announced next week. Thanks for your patience during this time. I know some of you weren’t able to get much out of my last few posts because you didn’t enter the contest, but next week, I’ll have a contest for you. That’s right. A CONTEST FOR EVERYONE. I just have to come up with a prize…
Moving on.
If there were a recipe for getting published, it would look something like this:
Good storytelling
Great understanding of the craft
Decent comprehension of grammar
Someone in the industry (like a fellow writer) to critique your work
A load of perseverance
Tons of patience
A network of supportive writer friends
Beaucoup time
One or more computers
A fire pit or shredder for rejections
A dash of good luck
A sprinkle of the right place at the right time
Mix all ingredients together and cross your fingers. Results may vary.
Did I miss anything? I’m not the best cook, so it’s possible. What would you add?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
LOL, love your recipe. Stew and simmer for about three years. :)
ReplyDeleteCome enter my photo caption contest when time allows!
Nice recipe - I think I'd throw in one supportive partner. Could help bind the other ingredients together..
ReplyDeleteActually, I never get rid of my rejections. They are battle scars and reminders of my time in the trenches. I'm proud of them.
ReplyDeleteI would add honing a thick skin. And more than a dash of good luck.
LoL, great recipe, what's the cook time? HA HA HA!!!
ReplyDeleteAngie, Strange Fiction, and Rene: Great ingredients to add to an already complicated recipe. No wonder I don't like to cook! ;)
ReplyDeleteQuixotic: Don't we all wish we had the answer to that?
Lynnette Labelle
You must also have lots and lots of coffee!
ReplyDeleteI also keep all of my rejections. I even posted some of them on my blog. I think there is a lot to be learned from them.
Feel free to visit my blog (which, by the way, has recently been revamped) and read about my thoughts on querying and rejection.
I can't wait to see what your next contest is about!
Sounds like a good receipe to me, especially the luck. I think I would double that ingredient.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! And I'd have to agree with Angie--this recipe must cook at high temps for a long time!
ReplyDelete"Someone in the industry (like a fellow writer) to critique your work"
ReplyDeleteI have an "issue" with that ingredient. More and more, in this sue happy world, writers/authors aren't critiquing work because they don't want the liability of being sued for "stealing" someone's ideas. It would be great to be able to have that "ingredient" if it didn't cost an arm and a leg to pay someone to do it. =)
I'll second Strange Fiction's "supportive partner" though.
It sounds about right to me. Just a shame it's so hard to actually make it happen!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I would add is characters with spice. For me, the characters can make or break the story. If I love the characters, chances are very good I'll love the book. :D
ReplyDeleteSo is that a teaspoon or a tablespoon of patience? I'm thinking about making it at least two cups? Do you think that will prevent it from burning?
ReplyDeletegreat recipe...and much more difficult than the 30 minute ones I stick to.
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed I couldn't enter your contest. I'm sure you have many, many wonderful critique group options/buddies to sort through. Unfortunately, my time is finite (no beaucoup time here) and I've decided I have to say no to myself sometimes...even for those things I really, really, REALLY wish I could do.
Keep any written praise of your work to refer to on bad days--this includes rejections letters!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are great! Thanks for all the wonderful additions to my recipe.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
Great post! and wonderful recipe. Naw, you're a great cook, i can tell.
ReplyDelete:)