From Rejection to Publication
Before I had my dream come true
moment of becoming a published writer, I had, as part of what I’d always
considered my apprenticeship, eight complete manuscripts that hadn’t made the
grade and four false starts languishing on my computer. It was my thirteenth
attempt and entry into So You Think You Can Write 2013 which made it. But all
those other stories put together make up a lot of words, time and effort and
even though some were rejected, they were invaluable to me. Each and every word, each
submission and rejection was part of the learning process.
None of the time and effort I put
into those stories is wasted. Some merely form part of my apprenticeship, but others, with a fresh pair of eyes and a little more
experience, could be rewritten.
But how do you know if a story can
be rewritten?
For me it was simply that the
characters just wouldn’t leave me alone. I first met Zafir and his horse
whisperer heroine, Destiny over three years ago. I just hadn’t told their story
right the first time and he was insisting I try again.
Things to consider when rewriting a
story.
1.
Your characters must thrill you, or as in my case, constantly linger in your mind
long after the rejection has landed. They will all but demand their story is
written again.
2.
Look at where you started the first time. Was
that really the beginning? Can you start the story at a better point, one that
see’s things changing for your characters, bringing them together more
convincingly?
3.
Are they really who you thought they were?
Interviewing your characters and getting to know them is crucial, but did you
ask the right questions the first time? Did they tell you everything you needed
to know?
4.
Delve deeper emotionally. This is what I always do, not digging deep enough, but by finding out more about your characters, their hopes and
dreams, fears and aspirations it can lead to some surprising revelations – and
a new story!
This is a process I’ve just been
through with Zafir and Destiny and their brand new story was accepted last week and will be out next year. But if you want a sneak preview of the
story, take a quick look at Zafir and Destiny's board on my Pinterest.
I hope this post fires up your determination if you too have just had a rejection. It doesn't mean the end for you or that story, so keep going!