3 things...

[erastes]

They say they always come in threes.

1. Rejection letter from Abyss & Apex, although they do say that "we look forward to reading more of your work" but I bet that's just their standard wording. *resubmits elsewhere with a stubborn face *

2. Rejection letter from another agent. *keeps trying *

3. My car failed its MOT. argh!! Bad timing as I don't get paid until tomorrow. (stresses)

I joined a historical fiction writer's critique group yesterday, it's very small, only about 30 members, but it works in the same way that SFFW's does, you have to critique 3 before you can offer up a piece for critique and you must crit 3 a month and you must offer one of your own a month. It will be good discipline and good bread on the waters too. I don't read half enough of other people's stuff, and hopefully if I can see the errors in other people's writing, I will see more of my own.

However, it has to be said, that I nearly DIDN'T get into the group, as the owner was concerned that my writing about homosexuals would upset the existing members. However I wrote an impassioned "has not a homosexual history? If you read us, do we not pop up everywhere - doth not a homosexual deserve to be read?" speech, which went down rather well, and I got in. I'm wasted, really. *G * I shall let you know if the other members pack up their bags and leave as the neighbourhood goes down now the queers have moved in next door.

Comments

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

However, it has to be said, that I nearly DIDN'T get into the group, as the
owner was concerned that my writing about homosexuals would upset the
existing members. However I wrote an impassioned "has not a homosexual
history? If you read us, do we not pop up everywhere - doth not a homosexual
deserve to be read?" speech, which went down rather well, and I got in. I'm
wasted, really. *G * I shall let you know if the other members pack up
their bags and leave as the neighbourhood goes down now the queers have
moved in next door.

Ooooh, interesting. You think they could deal with a transgendered person? We could start our own private little Soho. :)

[l-prieto.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo!!!

Congrads on getting in! Now begin converting--I mean, enticing them with your brilliant writing ;)

always in three's?

[mystchainsister.livejournal.com]

Then you should be getting charged up for three blessings,

cause always after the storm of bad, comes the beautiful blessings!

Myst

[semioticwarrior.livejournal.com]

I belong to two crit groups, one monstrously large (critters.org, for short stories) and one with 8 regular members (for novel-length work). It's been the best thing I ever could have done for my writing, and yeah, finding other people's mistakes has definitely opened my eyes to my own.

I'd love to have read your "If you prick us do we not bleed" speech. Heh. But seriously, these are adults. I'm amazed that it would even be an issue. ::shakes head::

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

my writing about homosexuals would upset the
existing members.

How weird is that? Have they ever heard of Oscar Wilde? Doesn't writing have it's own homosexual history?

*shakes head*

Good to hear that you got in. Now you can change the system from within. :-) I keep my fingers crossed that they won't ignore your stories for the subject of homosexuality.

[copperbeech.livejournal.com]

The rejection part sucks. No question there. They say it build character, but I'm pretty sure my character was built before I did all that *looks around*. I hope you strike gold with a lovely home for your writing soon. May the best fit rejoice in your talent!

[haydenthorne.livejournal.com]

Lots of luck with the submissions. I'd offer you some martini for comfort, but that wouldn't work at the moment. ¬_¬

I've yet to participate in Zoetrope's writing community, myself. I signed up for their flash fiction section (I only have enough time to read and critique short-shorts, really). Which means that I've yet to impose my gay flash fiction on unsuspecting members. >:)

And make sure to wear your rainbow hat when you start posting in your writer's group.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

If you write historical romance, and want crit, go for it! I need support! I have to say that one of the member said welcome, which was nice and "well done for writing m/m, historical fiction needs more of it" which I agree with , completely.

*G*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

heh. I wish! (but thanks... *wag*)

Re: always in three's?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

oh god i really hope so.

In fact I'm due about 2,000 blessings please.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Nod nod. I've done two today and I've enjoyed the experience, it really has been an eye opener.

And I know... unbelievable...

[maidenform.livejournal.com]

Go you for standing up to oppression. :)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I hope they don't either, but.. well, they might. which is unfair. But if I go and critique every single one of theirs, then I'm not in the wrong, at least. It's not as if I'm going to subject them to throbbing members and bulging breeches (although I'm going to have to hunt high and low for chapters without those in......)

*G*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

It's building thick skin, that's all it seems to be building....

Thank 'ee!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I joined Zoetrope, but I got bamboozled with all the stuff to read and understand, so I gave up!

You wait till I write about screaming gays in Berlin in 1930!! *G*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

*g* well, it's a very teeny stand...

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

Hi. I'm back...after a massive system failure, and an hour of rebooting. Stupid machine. It seems to be working, at least for the nonce.

Unfortunately, you're no longer around. Sigh.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

throbbing members and bulging breeches

Lol. Those euphemisms are the worst.

I think it's a clever strategy to offer concrit, so they cannot tell you off for not taking their work serious. It's one thing to dislike a subject, and another to criticise the writing style of an author. Let's hope the members of the group - either throbbing or other - can differentiate as well.

[maidenform.livejournal.com]

Anything counts!