S.J. Reisner's Blog, page 111
October 8, 2010
The Day My Illusions Were Shattered
Back between 2002-2004 (or thereabouts) I was actively writing and submitting short fiction for the professional market. It was all being rejected. I just figured my stories weren't good enough. One of the particular magazines I was sending my work to was Realms of Fantasy. I had been laboring over my stories, putting them through rigorous critique and editing, and making them as perfect as I could. And yet I was still getting the stock form rejection letters.
When the fourth one finally came back I called my sister, ranting, "This is ridiculous. I really don't understand what these magazines want! What am I doing wrong? My critique group thought it was great!"
To which my sister replied something like, "Maybe you should write what you think they would like instead of what you like."
"Like what," I said in a snotty tone. "Fuckin' stories about unicorns? Maybe some fluffy bunnies?"
My sister laughed.
But that did it for me. I was dead set and determined to make a point. That night I sat down and penned a short story about unicorns. Yes, you heard me. Unicorns.
I wrote it in a few hours. Let my sister read it the next day. I edited it a little. Then I sent it out to Realms of Fantasy. Months went by. Finally, it got to a point where I'd been waiting a long time and many of my writer friends who'd also submitted stories to Realms had already gotten rejections back. I queried the assistant editor who confirmed that Faith In Unicorns had indeed been pulled out of the slush pile and sent on to the editor, Shawna McCarthy. After a few more months I received a polite note from Shawna herself telling me she loved the story, but unfortunately she'd already bought more pieces than she could use for the year so she was passing on "Faith in Unicorns".
This point bears repeating: The sarcastic joke story that I didn't send through critique, or labor over for more than four hours is the one that made it out of the slush pile and almost into the pages of one of the biggest pro short story magazines in the genre.
I remember thinking, well I'll be damned, they really did want unicorns.
The point being that to be a successful writer goes beyond being able to write well. It goes beyond being able to tell a good story. Instead -- it's really about giving the people purchasing the stories what they want. I know a lot of writers don't want to hear this, but it's true. If your inclination is to write about wizards who ride war horses and all your stories keep getting rejected, perhaps you need to write about warriors riding magical unicorns (metaphorically speaking of course).
This point was driven home for me again this month. I've been dabbling in some alternative genres lately under a pseudonym. I've had one novella published in this particular genre (another one will be published later this month). In 7 days it's sold 40 copies and I've made $80. I look at the books I've literally spent months writing. Books that do not sell this well (not in small press anyway) and I am shell-shocked. It only reminds me that if you want to make a living as a writer you do have to give the buyers what they want no matter how ridiculous it may seem.
Talented writers are a dime a dozen. Talented writers who are persistent become published. Talented writers who are published and give the buyer the product(s) (s)he wants have careers.
When the fourth one finally came back I called my sister, ranting, "This is ridiculous. I really don't understand what these magazines want! What am I doing wrong? My critique group thought it was great!"
To which my sister replied something like, "Maybe you should write what you think they would like instead of what you like."
"Like what," I said in a snotty tone. "Fuckin' stories about unicorns? Maybe some fluffy bunnies?"
My sister laughed.
But that did it for me. I was dead set and determined to make a point. That night I sat down and penned a short story about unicorns. Yes, you heard me. Unicorns.
I wrote it in a few hours. Let my sister read it the next day. I edited it a little. Then I sent it out to Realms of Fantasy. Months went by. Finally, it got to a point where I'd been waiting a long time and many of my writer friends who'd also submitted stories to Realms had already gotten rejections back. I queried the assistant editor who confirmed that Faith In Unicorns had indeed been pulled out of the slush pile and sent on to the editor, Shawna McCarthy. After a few more months I received a polite note from Shawna herself telling me she loved the story, but unfortunately she'd already bought more pieces than she could use for the year so she was passing on "Faith in Unicorns".
This point bears repeating: The sarcastic joke story that I didn't send through critique, or labor over for more than four hours is the one that made it out of the slush pile and almost into the pages of one of the biggest pro short story magazines in the genre.
I remember thinking, well I'll be damned, they really did want unicorns.
The point being that to be a successful writer goes beyond being able to write well. It goes beyond being able to tell a good story. Instead -- it's really about giving the people purchasing the stories what they want. I know a lot of writers don't want to hear this, but it's true. If your inclination is to write about wizards who ride war horses and all your stories keep getting rejected, perhaps you need to write about warriors riding magical unicorns (metaphorically speaking of course).
This point was driven home for me again this month. I've been dabbling in some alternative genres lately under a pseudonym. I've had one novella published in this particular genre (another one will be published later this month). In 7 days it's sold 40 copies and I've made $80. I look at the books I've literally spent months writing. Books that do not sell this well (not in small press anyway) and I am shell-shocked. It only reminds me that if you want to make a living as a writer you do have to give the buyers what they want no matter how ridiculous it may seem.
Talented writers are a dime a dozen. Talented writers who are persistent become published. Talented writers who are published and give the buyer the product(s) (s)he wants have careers.
October 7, 2010
Enter the Halloween Book Giveaway!
Here's how:
First, send me an e-mail at swordarkeereon@gmail.com, in the subject type BOOK GIVEAWAY, in the body of the e-mail tell me if you're interested in mystery fiction, fantasy fiction, or non-fiction (or all three!), and I will stick you in the right drawing(s). If you absolutely DON'T want to win e-Books -- say NO EBOOKS. If you don't mind e-books you will be able to choose between PDF and ePub.
Winners will be chosen on October 31 and I will start sending out prizes November 1! See the previous post for prizes!
First, send me an e-mail at swordarkeereon@gmail.com, in the subject type BOOK GIVEAWAY, in the body of the e-mail tell me if you're interested in mystery fiction, fantasy fiction, or non-fiction (or all three!), and I will stick you in the right drawing(s). If you absolutely DON'T want to win e-Books -- say NO EBOOKS. If you don't mind e-books you will be able to choose between PDF and ePub.
Winners will be chosen on October 31 and I will start sending out prizes November 1! See the previous post for prizes!
2010 Halloween Book Giveaway Prizes
So I'm running a contest this month. You'll have to watch here, my website, or my Facebook Fan Pages (for any of my pen-names) for details.
I will run all the contests at the same time, but there will be 2 separate fiction contests and a non-fiction contest (since not all readers like the same things).
Prizes for the October Halloween 2010 Giveaway include:
NON-FICTION CONTEST
1 autographed copy of The Complete Book of Demonolatry1 autographed copy of Daemonolatry Goetia1 autographed copy of The Daemonolater's Guide to Daemonic Magick1 autographed copy of Demonolatry Rites (the Amazon version)1 Daemonolatry e-Book pack with PDF's of Goetic Demonolatry, Daemonolatry Goetia, Demonolatry Rites, The Satanic Clergy Manual, and The Art of Creative Magick
FICTION CONTEST (I will break this down between Fantasy and Mystery as not all readers like the same thing).
1 autographed copy of Left Horse Black1 autographed copy of Warrior's Blood Red2 autographed copies of Outer Darkness1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of Left Horse Black and Warrior's Blood Red1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of Outer Darkness1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of The Unicorns War SoftlyI'm still debating the easiest way to do this. I might just have entries sent straight to my e-mail, then I'll sort them and stick them in the hat.
I will run all the contests at the same time, but there will be 2 separate fiction contests and a non-fiction contest (since not all readers like the same things).
Prizes for the October Halloween 2010 Giveaway include:
NON-FICTION CONTEST
1 autographed copy of The Complete Book of Demonolatry1 autographed copy of Daemonolatry Goetia1 autographed copy of The Daemonolater's Guide to Daemonic Magick1 autographed copy of Demonolatry Rites (the Amazon version)1 Daemonolatry e-Book pack with PDF's of Goetic Demonolatry, Daemonolatry Goetia, Demonolatry Rites, The Satanic Clergy Manual, and The Art of Creative Magick
FICTION CONTEST (I will break this down between Fantasy and Mystery as not all readers like the same thing).
1 autographed copy of Left Horse Black1 autographed copy of Warrior's Blood Red2 autographed copies of Outer Darkness1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of Left Horse Black and Warrior's Blood Red1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of Outer Darkness1 ePub or PDF (your choice) of The Unicorns War SoftlyI'm still debating the easiest way to do this. I might just have entries sent straight to my e-mail, then I'll sort them and stick them in the hat.
October 6, 2010
Revised Website Version 4.0
Hey all - check out my new site and drop me a note to tell me what you think!
http://www.sjreisner.com/
http://www.sjreisner.com/
Ah... Sacrifice
One of my new favorite authors, Juliet Blackwell and a group she blogs with, the Pens Fatales blogged today about sacrifice. They basically talked about everything from what they sacrifice as authors to the difference between selfish and selfless sacrifice. It's a fascinating topic actually.
What is it any of us sacrifice for what we care about? Whether that be our families, our friends, our jobs, our art, or whatever it is we want in life? And is it really sacrifice?
I mean - regardless whether my books were published or not, I'd likely still write them just because me, pens and paper go way back, as do me and keyboards. I just can't stop putting my thoughts to paper or hard drive. It's a compulsion. Sure, maybe if I wasn't published perhaps I wouldn't write with the same zeal and fervor, but still... I can't shut up.
Even if I wasn't writing books based on my experience with Daemonolatry and magick, I'd still practice magick, study the Western Mystery traditions, and experiment and record those experiments. I'd still practice the religion I practice, too.
So what do I sacrifice? Well people looking in might say, "You sacrifice time with your husband, family or friends."
To which I'd reply, "Not really."
My husband has his own hobbies and interests and I have mine. That doesn't mean we don't have activities we enjoy together. We do! We spend a lot of time going out to dinner, going to movies, watching TV, socializing with friends and traveling. We're also childless so that frees up a lot of our spare time. And no - writing hasn't robbed me of children. I also don't sacrifice time with family because I have a day job working at the family business. I see my immediate family daily. I make time for friends, too. So really - none of that applies to me.
I have routine rituals and magickal working nights, too.
I don't look at using my time to write as a sacrifice of my time, but rather better use of it. If I wasn't writing or doing some sort of magickal work I'd probably be sitting in front of the television watching Law & Order re-runs or doing something equally unproductive. Perhaps pestering a cat...
What is it any of us sacrifice for what we care about? Whether that be our families, our friends, our jobs, our art, or whatever it is we want in life? And is it really sacrifice?
I mean - regardless whether my books were published or not, I'd likely still write them just because me, pens and paper go way back, as do me and keyboards. I just can't stop putting my thoughts to paper or hard drive. It's a compulsion. Sure, maybe if I wasn't published perhaps I wouldn't write with the same zeal and fervor, but still... I can't shut up.
Even if I wasn't writing books based on my experience with Daemonolatry and magick, I'd still practice magick, study the Western Mystery traditions, and experiment and record those experiments. I'd still practice the religion I practice, too.
So what do I sacrifice? Well people looking in might say, "You sacrifice time with your husband, family or friends."
To which I'd reply, "Not really."
My husband has his own hobbies and interests and I have mine. That doesn't mean we don't have activities we enjoy together. We do! We spend a lot of time going out to dinner, going to movies, watching TV, socializing with friends and traveling. We're also childless so that frees up a lot of our spare time. And no - writing hasn't robbed me of children. I also don't sacrifice time with family because I have a day job working at the family business. I see my immediate family daily. I make time for friends, too. So really - none of that applies to me.
I have routine rituals and magickal working nights, too.
I don't look at using my time to write as a sacrifice of my time, but rather better use of it. If I wasn't writing or doing some sort of magickal work I'd probably be sitting in front of the television watching Law & Order re-runs or doing something equally unproductive. Perhaps pestering a cat...
October 5, 2010
I'm Allergic to Work
Strange as it sounds, everytime I'm at work I have sneezing fits. There's something nasty here (dust, mold, something) that causes my allergies to flare up like crazy. I don't like it.
On that note - I don't think I'm bringing work-work home tonight which means I can get back to writing. I have a little more to do on one project then I can get back to work on Honoring Death (S. Connolly) and Into Darkness. Maybe I'll be back to them this weekend.
Also, I want to finish the book I'm reading this week, too. Very bizarre f/f/m bdsm novella. Okay - not bizarre, but with bi-sexal women -- a topic I'm really not into. I guess I'm saying that I don't find it sexy (not that it really matters but I guess my door doesn't swing that way), but the characters are interesting. I guess I want to see what makes them tick (with regard to the D/s roles, not as bi-sexuals). The whole Dom / sub relationship dynamic is what fascinates me most about bdsm. The psychological need to dominate or to submit. It's really one of those topics I probably won't get bored with anytime soon.
On that note - I don't think I'm bringing work-work home tonight which means I can get back to writing. I have a little more to do on one project then I can get back to work on Honoring Death (S. Connolly) and Into Darkness. Maybe I'll be back to them this weekend.
Also, I want to finish the book I'm reading this week, too. Very bizarre f/f/m bdsm novella. Okay - not bizarre, but with bi-sexal women -- a topic I'm really not into. I guess I'm saying that I don't find it sexy (not that it really matters but I guess my door doesn't swing that way), but the characters are interesting. I guess I want to see what makes them tick (with regard to the D/s roles, not as bi-sexuals). The whole Dom / sub relationship dynamic is what fascinates me most about bdsm. The psychological need to dominate or to submit. It's really one of those topics I probably won't get bored with anytime soon.
October 4, 2010
Monday Musings
I am currently marveling at how well certain types of books will outperform others in sales. One of my novella's sold 18 copies over the weekend. I haven't seen this many fiction sales in such a short time on a single item in a long time. Wow. I have Mandy to thank for the suggestion! You were right, girl! :)
Have you ever gone to the store and noticed you were the only person shopping for two weeks because your cart is full while everyone else's is practically empty? I keep thinking my husband and I must be pigs, but then remind myself that not only is the cart filled with two weeks worth of groceries (most of it shelf stable or frozen), but it also includes both our lunches for several weeks as well. Since he works from home and I take my lunch to work every day - it's just cheaper.
Smacking myself for forgetting to stop by the bank.
Had a dream last night that my sis was preggers and someone killed her. (Yikes!) Then there were odometer guages on all my books and the only one moving was the aforementioned novella. Matt and I had a good laugh about that. Of course my dreams are often bizarre and filled with gore and death and have been since 1996, but that's another story.
One more story down and then back to work on the novels. I want to get a lot accomplished on HD and IT this month so I can do a proper Nano next month (the latter half of which I'll be in upstate NY).
I have every weekend this month filled with all sorts of activity, which is not bizarre at all. The last three months of every year is usually like this for me. Chaos.
I have a huge reading queue so for those authors whose work I have on Kindle I promise I'll eventually finish it and post reviews. :)
Have you ever gone to the store and noticed you were the only person shopping for two weeks because your cart is full while everyone else's is practically empty? I keep thinking my husband and I must be pigs, but then remind myself that not only is the cart filled with two weeks worth of groceries (most of it shelf stable or frozen), but it also includes both our lunches for several weeks as well. Since he works from home and I take my lunch to work every day - it's just cheaper.
Smacking myself for forgetting to stop by the bank.
Had a dream last night that my sis was preggers and someone killed her. (Yikes!) Then there were odometer guages on all my books and the only one moving was the aforementioned novella. Matt and I had a good laugh about that. Of course my dreams are often bizarre and filled with gore and death and have been since 1996, but that's another story.
One more story down and then back to work on the novels. I want to get a lot accomplished on HD and IT this month so I can do a proper Nano next month (the latter half of which I'll be in upstate NY).
I have every weekend this month filled with all sorts of activity, which is not bizarre at all. The last three months of every year is usually like this for me. Chaos.
I have a huge reading queue so for those authors whose work I have on Kindle I promise I'll eventually finish it and post reviews. :)
October 2, 2010
Book Review: SINcerely Megan
SINcerely Megan (BDSM Erotica)
- by Anne O'Connell. While I'm in a writing frenzy I don't always have time to read long fiction so I will often read novellas. Because they're so cheap I'll try new authors all the time. My most recent guilty pleasure, as you may have noticed, is erotica novels. This is actually a pretty hot book. Basically, it's about a thirty-something woman whose previous bad relationships have left her single and imaginative. She ends up falling head over heels in lust with a priest. Of course being Catholic she feels guilty about the whole lust thing and ends up confessing to the priest (in a round about way). That leads to private counseling sessions where (SPOILER) the priest ends up having his way with her. Clearly since it's bdsm there's some kinky sex (and I have to say this one went a bit further than all the other bdsm books I've read - the altar scene was just - wow). As it turns out the priest has a secret past and has been thinking about Megan (the main character), too. Despite their six month flirting session and four day affair (or was it five?) he decides to leave the priesthood and they hook up. Told from the point of view of Megan (first person). The writing is good, too. Definitely worth a read if you want something short and non-committal.
- by Anne O'Connell. While I'm in a writing frenzy I don't always have time to read long fiction so I will often read novellas. Because they're so cheap I'll try new authors all the time. My most recent guilty pleasure, as you may have noticed, is erotica novels. This is actually a pretty hot book. Basically, it's about a thirty-something woman whose previous bad relationships have left her single and imaginative. She ends up falling head over heels in lust with a priest. Of course being Catholic she feels guilty about the whole lust thing and ends up confessing to the priest (in a round about way). That leads to private counseling sessions where (SPOILER) the priest ends up having his way with her. Clearly since it's bdsm there's some kinky sex (and I have to say this one went a bit further than all the other bdsm books I've read - the altar scene was just - wow). As it turns out the priest has a secret past and has been thinking about Megan (the main character), too. Despite their six month flirting session and four day affair (or was it five?) he decides to leave the priesthood and they hook up. Told from the point of view of Megan (first person). The writing is good, too. Definitely worth a read if you want something short and non-committal.
October Goals
So it's probably time to set some October goals. Many times, when I write them down, I force myself to complete them. There's something about putting them on paper (or computer screen) that makes them more concrete.
Finish NGD by 5th (almost done, I'll probably finish this weekend)Write at least 10K on ID (I only need another 20K or so to finish the story I'm thinking - then edits)Write at least 10K on HDDo more Nano novel fleshing out (I really want to write this stand alone story)Start revamping website
I'm noticing how ETG didn't make it into there. ::frown:: I guess I'm still in the thinking stages. What I need to do is finish the story as it stands, then go through and edit the crap out of it. And yes - chances are I'll be re-writing huge chunks of it, but it seems a better option than rewriting it completely from square one.
Finish NGD by 5th (almost done, I'll probably finish this weekend)Write at least 10K on ID (I only need another 20K or so to finish the story I'm thinking - then edits)Write at least 10K on HDDo more Nano novel fleshing out (I really want to write this stand alone story)Start revamping website
I'm noticing how ETG didn't make it into there. ::frown:: I guess I'm still in the thinking stages. What I need to do is finish the story as it stands, then go through and edit the crap out of it. And yes - chances are I'll be re-writing huge chunks of it, but it seems a better option than rewriting it completely from square one.
October 1, 2010
Professor Connolly - The Movie Star
I really do love my fans. I do. You guys are awesome. However, a few of you are kind of freaking me out.
To the woman who addressed me as "Professor Connolly", I really do appreciate the sentiment, but I am not really a professor. Even if I were, that's kind of a stuffy title. I probably wouldn't wear it unless required by my job (if I worked at a university, which I don't).
Then to the gentleman who keeps writing me telling me what a star I am - I absolutely love the fact that I have such a devoted fan. When I'm feeling down I only need to look in my inbox to find some amazing compliment. However, it concerns me because it seems you've put me up on an awfully high pedestal, one I'm not sure I belong on. You've built such an interesting viewpoint of me in your mind that I've become a legend to you - one I'm afraid I can't live up to. And when the day comes when it hits you just how normal and human I am, I'm concerned that you are going to be so disappointed that you'll become a vicious critic (as usually happens in cases like this). So please know that there isn't really a huge difference between us. We're both human, we both put our pants on one leg at a time, and we both are just normal people with bills and friends and family. We both have the potential to be wonderful and loving, or brutal animals. We both have to work for a living, it's just that I have a different occupation than you. I write books and I have a YouTube channel (along with 85% of the rest of the population).
I'm not so sure that gives me any sort of celebrity beyond the fact that people in certain circles know me and in those circles I'm either the girl people are jealous of (and whose ass they want to kick) or the popular girl people want to be (or be seen with). I'm like the Demonolatry version of Paris Hilton, but with a brain.
So I really do appreciate the time that went into the long fan e-mails telling me how wonderful I am. I really just don't need a new one every few days. Thanks so much for your thoughts and fandom and I'll do my best to continue to write and create books you will enjoy and find useful. Blessed Beast.
To the woman who addressed me as "Professor Connolly", I really do appreciate the sentiment, but I am not really a professor. Even if I were, that's kind of a stuffy title. I probably wouldn't wear it unless required by my job (if I worked at a university, which I don't).
Then to the gentleman who keeps writing me telling me what a star I am - I absolutely love the fact that I have such a devoted fan. When I'm feeling down I only need to look in my inbox to find some amazing compliment. However, it concerns me because it seems you've put me up on an awfully high pedestal, one I'm not sure I belong on. You've built such an interesting viewpoint of me in your mind that I've become a legend to you - one I'm afraid I can't live up to. And when the day comes when it hits you just how normal and human I am, I'm concerned that you are going to be so disappointed that you'll become a vicious critic (as usually happens in cases like this). So please know that there isn't really a huge difference between us. We're both human, we both put our pants on one leg at a time, and we both are just normal people with bills and friends and family. We both have the potential to be wonderful and loving, or brutal animals. We both have to work for a living, it's just that I have a different occupation than you. I write books and I have a YouTube channel (along with 85% of the rest of the population).
I'm not so sure that gives me any sort of celebrity beyond the fact that people in certain circles know me and in those circles I'm either the girl people are jealous of (and whose ass they want to kick) or the popular girl people want to be (or be seen with). I'm like the Demonolatry version of Paris Hilton, but with a brain.
So I really do appreciate the time that went into the long fan e-mails telling me how wonderful I am. I really just don't need a new one every few days. Thanks so much for your thoughts and fandom and I'll do my best to continue to write and create books you will enjoy and find useful. Blessed Beast.
