tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post6865415321005515594..comments2023-08-14T10:44:59.007-04:00Comments on Novel Spaces: Keep Your Eyes On Your Own PrizeKeVin K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14792797517571690942noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-41664401203536985042015-08-27T12:24:48.980-04:002015-08-27T12:24:48.980-04:00I received awards for short stories early on and I...I received awards for short stories early on and I actually reached a point of "Why me?" What was I doing that others weren't? I studied my own writing and figured it out, then started lecturing on how to write prize-winning short stories. <br /><br />So, I think that stage of envy over the success of others hasn't been a problem. I've actually helped authors succeed, both when I was an acquisitions editor and with my promo column "Coming Attractions" over at Kings River Life. That is as satisfying as my own success. Maybe not in a money sense, but Karma has a way of rewarding me as people don't forget the help you've given them. Sunny Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03693884364418711551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-91481276343704007982015-08-21T22:54:07.928-04:002015-08-21T22:54:07.928-04:00I can't ever say that I've entertained tho...I can't ever say that I've entertained those feelings. When I see an author's success it tells me there's hope for me yet and I celebrate it. Except in the case of some undeserving political figure who gets a million dollar deal for a story written by a ghost writer, because they had the audacity to be publicly stupid. But that's a whole other kettle of worms.Jewel Amethysthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14813773386476356666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-27197901463513616522015-08-19T13:47:40.770-04:002015-08-19T13:47:40.770-04:00I plead guilty to those feelings. I've wondere...I plead guilty to those feelings. I've wondered why a certain editor who said she loved my work and with whom I thought I had a great rapport did not approach me for an anthology project--twice--and why one of my publishers puts certain books like mine into their best promos--but not mine. I can't tell you how many times that zoo suppository job began to look really tempting by comparison.<br /><br />But I move on. And I'm always glad when someone I know in this business achieves something good. Liane Spicerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035607144500219524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-43717688088550625832015-08-19T13:01:39.699-04:002015-08-19T13:01:39.699-04:00Oh, yes, I know this feeling well.
Especially whe...Oh, yes, I know this feeling well. <br />Especially when I took a couple of years off from writing to earn my MFA. I did continue to edit - but there's a reason books that are not anthologies are never shelved by editor. One of my favorite games to write for rebooted its novels, a friend's original novel made a best seller list, another's short story won an award, I had to turn down an anthology invitation that came during crunch time on my thesis.<br />For just a second there's a twinge of jealousy - a sense that that should have been me. Probably has something to do with being human.<br />Then my better nature asserts itself and I'm happy for the other writer. <br />And usually I read the story and think: "Well, yeah, that's better than what I would have done. They deserve this."<br />Of course, it's never about the other writer or me. Writing - and publishing - is not a zero-sum game. It's good to remember it's quite possible for all of us to win.KeVin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14792797517571690942noreply@blogger.com