Even more important than knowing how to throw a sentence together, writers have to have very thick skins. Unless you're really fucking lucky, because most of us face scores of rejection for every tidbit of acceptance. I've been doing this for a long time now, and a few years back, I just got sick of the constant "no's" and kind of retreated from pitching stories. This is a really stupid way to be, because it's not like I think I'm such a terrible writer that I should pack it in, I just couldn't stand the constant ego body blows. I fully know I could be doing a lot better if I pitched a lot more, but instead of getting easier, it kept getting harder and harder. Thus, my tiny little bank account and my giant, looming credit card bills. And it's not like I'm any good at much else!
But anyway, with the help of pharmaceuticals and exercise, I've trying to boost myself out of this mindset and make a little money. Lately it seems to be working a tad better, which is why I wasn't that upset when I got a nice little form rejection letter from the New York Times. I submitted a story to the "Modern Love" column about finding out at his memorial service, that my dead ex had cheated on me. I discovered this little nugget of info via a performance piece that his new girlfriend played out in front of his casket.
In order to pander to the Times audience, I pretty much wiped it clean of all the really nasty bits and sort of lied by saying the whole thing didn't bug me that much. I was even somewhat charitable towards the chick he cheated with, which anyone who knows me, knows is a blatent lie. Because the fact is, I can be one unforgiving bitch. So, yeah, they rejected it (me) and I feel like I deserved it because I was dishonest. (Not that they would've accepted it with the adult diaper jokes, but still.) Maybe it's the happy pills kicking in, but I'm really okay with it.
I want to read it!
Stupid Times.
Posted by: girlbomb | September 20, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Judy...are you holding out on us? Are you writing things that you're NOT putting on your blog? Shhhhhhhame on you!
Posted by: All the booze that's fit to drink | September 20, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Think you might share sometime soon?
Posted by: Maria | September 20, 2006 at 11:49 AM
hey fabulous, have you pitched this to salon? they ignore me when i pitch, but it's worth a go.
Posted by: kc | September 20, 2006 at 02:12 PM
i wuz gonna ask the same thing
I feel like there's another place for this piece -
somewhere just as reputable but maybe a little more open-minded than the Times.
Posted by: mark | September 22, 2006 at 11:05 AM
i'd rather read your article than some of the other self-indulgent pablum
that gets published in the column.
please let us know if you sell it elsewhere.
Posted by: I am not Star Jones | September 22, 2006 at 03:04 PM
Ah, you should have included a part about how you're now living in Park Slope (with a husband and baby you absolutely adore). The Times eats up stuff like that with a spoon.
Posted by: kevin_m | September 25, 2006 at 06:31 AM
Just keep in mind that Kurt Vonnegut was writing for small mags until he was around 47 and suffering similar rejection until he published "Slaughterhouse Five". Now everything he's ever written is in print. Don't let the bastards get you down.
Posted by: osisbs | September 25, 2006 at 10:02 AM
"don't let the bastards get you down" has been one of my mantras for surviving this city. so much so that in the uglier days of working for a certain alt weekly, i made a password out of part of it, so that every time i logged in to one of my accounts, i was reminding myself about the bastards and not letting 'em pull an albatross on me.
Posted by: kc | September 28, 2006 at 12:22 PM