Taking Writing Risks

I did something a little wacky.  I submitted an article for publication in Brevity Magazine.  Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t know what is crazier: Submitting the article or telling you about all it.  The thought of both is making me a little queasy right now.

I submitted a short, non-fiction story.  And as I think back to when I first started this blog; I would have never had the courage to do something like this.  I barely have it now.  When it comes to writing, I am still in a constant state of anxious indecisiveness with every blog post. My “revision” counter for this one has capped out at 25.  Should I hit the publish button? Could I make it better? How do I make it better? Is it good enough? Am I good enough? 

Those questions combined leads to a bigger one.  Is the potential literary reward worth the risk of putting yourself out there?  That is a big gamble.  The idea of having something published is a huge, massive thing.  I don’t care if 5 or 50000 people read the magazine. That is the reward.  But, the risk of rejection?  This soon into my writing venture?  The thought of taking a chance and ending up with a bruised ego, and one that is already a bit blemished I might add, has me reeling. And worried I may have made a mistake.

While the graphic reads “How to”, it may be better read “How to???.”  I guess first things first, I should probably start by managing my expectations.  State my goal and get myself mentally prepared for the probable repudiation.  Now you see, here I feel like I should type something like “Oh, I’m not expecting much.  Maybe just some feedback”.  In fact I did type something similar to that.  I had to delete it. It wasn’t the truth. Obviously, I’m expecting something.  I would have never wasted my time or the $3.00 it cost to submit it if I wasn’t. But then again, perhaps “expecting” is the wrong word.  I think “hopeful” is more apt in this situation.  It’s better to be hopeful than expectant in most things.  I am expecting a response.  I am hopeful that it is one of acceptance and not of rejection. That’s my goal. Yes, that’s much better.

However this pans out, I really wanted to write about it.  This blog has made me think about things in ways I haven’t before. Never in my life have I set personal goals for myself or stepped so far out of my comfort zone.  I’ve never put myself in a position for open critique. Not like this anyway. And even if no one reads these posts. I like to think that it keeps me honest.  It keeps me aspiring to do something or be something more. Take risks. I really love what this has turned into. And if that’s all this ever is, just something I enjoying doing, then that’s ok. But I really hope that I never lose the desire to try for something bigger.

Goals:

Have my non-fiction short story published on in Brevity Magazine

WordPress Goals:

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Darci Petrov

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20 thoughts on “Taking Writing Risks”

  1. I am so proud of you for doing this and taling a chance…..your living your dreams…..there is nothing more exciting than living outside your comfort zone ….keep up the great work

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  2. For writers, rejection is tough, I know–I’ve been there. Writing is so personal. I wish you success and hope you’ll let us know when/if you are published.

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  3. I’ve been submitting for almost a year now, and I’ve been rejected about 20 times, accepted only 2. We writers we always be faced with rejection, but we must see it as a way to strengthen our writing, see it as a way to make us better. It’s great that you’ve submitted – that’s the first step – and it’ll be an anxious process whichever way it goes, but it’s all part of the writer’s life!

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  6. Hi, Susie sent me 🙂 Well done on your application and good for you in blogging about it. Some posts are really hard to publish, aren’t they? I had one particular part that I found difficult to publish and just as difficult from resisting to taking it down for a few days afterwards. I had such wonderful and supportive comments though. I hope you find this sport too. Xxx

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  7. Love this! I know all about rejection. I’m in the midst of querying agents with my manuscript. With every rejection, I’ve revised it. I’ll never stop learning or striving to be better. It’s hard to cry “Uncle” and send out my work. Blog posts are different. They can always be edited.

    Good luck to you! Keep sending out submissions.

    Thanks for coming to the party!

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  8. Congratulations on submitting your story! Writing is all about taking risks and the more you take, the better your writing becomes. Keep believing in yourself and don’t give up! Susie sent me and I’m so glad she did. Onward!

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  9. Hey there! Susie sent me – for good reason. I, like all of us, know all about taking risks. I didn’t have a journalism degree (still don’t) when I put my self-esteem on the line asking for a writing position at the local newspaper years ago. I got it! But the short stories taking up space on my hard drive have yet to enter the submission process. Ugh! Thank you for your inspiration. I hope you get published! 🙂

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