A man and a boy are taking a donkey to town to sell. While on the way, they encounter a group of people saying "Look at that foolish man and boy. They are walking that donkey when someone should be riding on it."
The man climbs on the donkey. Later, they pass another group of people who say, "Look at that selfish man riding that donkey when he makes his son walk."
The man climbs off the donkey and puts his son on. They encounter another group of people who say, "Look at that selfish boy, riding that donkey while he makes his father walk."
The man and boy complete their journey, ignoring everything else people they pass say to them.
Writing can be like that. As a writer, I'd like to think every manuscript I submit pleases every editor who sees it. Obviously, that's not possible. The above parable has been useful in reminding me of that.
I'm helping someone from my online crit group perfect her YA novel. I think it's one of the best manuscripts I have seen and a lot of others agree. She submitted it to an editor, who provided several paras of criticism. It has her and me scratching our heads.
I've had a similar experience with my novel. An editor gave me a personal rejection with reasons for rejection that seemed out of left field to me. It has me scratching my head over that also.
I'm not saying you should pay no attention to the feedback of editors. You need to make sure the manuscript is of sufficient quality or it will stand little chance of being accepted anywhere. Still, there are many editors out there and they are not of one giant, monolithic opinion.
Still, while browsing potential editors for my most recent manuscript, I encountered a lot of very unique markets. One specializes in Young Adult Zombie Apocalyptic survival stories. Another is seeking stories about gay blue-collar workers. To me, this is proof there are many editors out there and they are looking for different things in the stories submitted to them. There's a certain point where I think you have to say 'nuts' and move on. While knowing exactly where that point is can be tricky, it's also important for your own sanity.
The man climbs on the donkey. Later, they pass another group of people who say, "Look at that selfish man riding that donkey when he makes his son walk."
The man climbs off the donkey and puts his son on. They encounter another group of people who say, "Look at that selfish boy, riding that donkey while he makes his father walk."
The man and boy complete their journey, ignoring everything else people they pass say to them.
Writing can be like that. As a writer, I'd like to think every manuscript I submit pleases every editor who sees it. Obviously, that's not possible. The above parable has been useful in reminding me of that.
I'm helping someone from my online crit group perfect her YA novel. I think it's one of the best manuscripts I have seen and a lot of others agree. She submitted it to an editor, who provided several paras of criticism. It has her and me scratching our heads.
I've had a similar experience with my novel. An editor gave me a personal rejection with reasons for rejection that seemed out of left field to me. It has me scratching my head over that also.
I'm not saying you should pay no attention to the feedback of editors. You need to make sure the manuscript is of sufficient quality or it will stand little chance of being accepted anywhere. Still, there are many editors out there and they are not of one giant, monolithic opinion.
Still, while browsing potential editors for my most recent manuscript, I encountered a lot of very unique markets. One specializes in Young Adult Zombie Apocalyptic survival stories. Another is seeking stories about gay blue-collar workers. To me, this is proof there are many editors out there and they are looking for different things in the stories submitted to them. There's a certain point where I think you have to say 'nuts' and move on. While knowing exactly where that point is can be tricky, it's also important for your own sanity.