Craig. Where the heck are you?

jen2012

Sundanceh said:

My News for JEN...

You are good!

When I got back into work and was going through my email, I saw one that caught my eye...

It was from an editor at Coping Magazine...

Hi Craig

I apologize for my late reply. We would be happy to take a look at your story. We generally don't do series, and 2000 words is quite long for our magazine, but definitely send it on over. I can't guarantee publication, but we're always looking for survivor stories, and we appreciate you thinking of us. 

Best,

Jessica Webb Errickson
Editor Coping magazine

I had re-written the story twice and could not come close to the 700-word count limit.  I decided to ask them anyway if they would consider doing a series or something and if I sent them something, would they consider my work? 

 

A month went by...

 

Website had stated if you do not hear back from them...they (ain't) interested...I thought that's what happened.

 

Until yesterday, when I opened up this reply. 

 

So, I re-wrote the story a 3rd time...and it's still way over the limit....but I SENT it in to her anyway.  She's probably hit the Delete key by now, eh?

 

Here's what I wanted to tell you...

 

First, I just have to say Thank You!!!

 

Thank you for being you...thank you for taking the time out of your hectic schedule with all you've got going to think about me and then try and help me! 

 

I talk about Paying It Forward all the time...I talk about using cancer to give to others...I talk about thinking beyond yourself and directing those thoughts to another...

 

Well, Honey Baby...you aren't just talking about it...you're really doing it!!!

 

It just makes me feel so warm...and so proud of you...

 

I can't tell you how hard it is trying to sell yourself to any publishing editor...you can barely beg them to reject you outright...most of the time rejection comes in the form of Silence. So, just to hear from an editor is great!  To be asked to go ahead and send something in even though you have exceeded their length requirements three-fold is incredible!!

 

To be honest with you, I don't know if anything will happen from this.  I would imagine I'm 'too strong' for them...and too wordy:)

 

But, I got the chance to present some of my work to a real live editor of a publishing outfit...and that means that someone in authority got to read my work and perhaps give me some kind of opportunity to print some of my material.

 

Our victory lies there, Jen...

 

This is a good magazine and seems highly credible.  I know most of their stories are those of the 'feel-good' type.  They don't leave you alot of wiggle room...I may be a little too real for them...but I did explain that to her...that I was a 9-year guy and my perspectives differed from someone just starting out or in their first year or two. 

 

Depending on what she tells me, I even have a fall-back plan...I've got the Big Billy story that I think I could edit and present that...and I could try writing something about me and my cancer that I might could pare down to 700...I don't think that story would have any real conviction though.

 

Here's how it would go...

 

I'm Craig / I got cancer 9-years ago / It was hard / I got well.

I got cancer again / It was harder / I got well.

I got cancer the 3rd time / It was the hardest / I got well. 

 

Doesn't read too well, does it, Jen?  But I made the word count, LOL! LOL!

 

But even that took up 36 words out of 700!  Yikes!  See where I'm going? 

 

I just wanted you to know that you are special and that you have made a real difference in my life - by your caring - by your attitude!  I mean, we got this far didn't we?  That's as far as I've gotten in nearly two years of trying other avenues.  WE weren't this far along a month ago, were we?  It was just a concept then...

 

You've helped to play a role in my story...who knows maybe we get our first scalp with Coping...a writer needs to be published.

 

I get somewhat discouraged though honestly, Jen.  I figure if a cancer outfit that thrives on cancer survivor stories doesn't want me - then really, who would?

 

You know what I'm saying?

 

Our people are out there reading that magazine...and I think what I have said about cancer could definitely play to that audience...I know it could be of benefit to them in the same way that it is to some here. 

 

I've prayed on it and asked Him for direction in whatever way that He decides it should go. 

 

We won't stop - we will keep trying! 

 

One way or the other - no matter which way it goes...you stood up and took your shot against cancer...and by doing that, you scored a win for the whole team, Jen! You empowered yourself and you stood up to your adversary and you took affirmative action against said opponent.

 

I'm so proud of you for trying!

 

I see the Personal Growth sprouting within you now...I see you moving away from victim...and more towards protagnoist.  That's what Cancer teaches us to do! 

 

Just know that your actions did not go unnoticed by me:)

 

We'll either hear from her - or not. 

 

Still, it was a good day in the CSN neighborhood.  This is just the right kind of fiber we need here in this room to bind us all together!

 

 

P.S. I still have this image of you with your kiddo tied to your waist...only it changed with this post that Chels started...

 

Somehow, I see all of you ladies "Deputized" as the new Young Guns (honey-pie style)...you've got your hat on and your badge...and your leather chaps on, LOL!  All of you riding hell-bent for leather with your hair blowin' in the breeze. 

 

It's got the makin's of a TV movie...or maybe another book, LOL!

 

Love U!

-Craig

You have a great big heart

You have a great big heart Craig!  Thank you for you kind words.

As to the magazine - I hope they come through.  So...my husband is a talker and has been involved in many volunteer positions, some of which have meant that he has to give a speech.   I'm his editor    I look over what he's written and chop away until it's to a point that he can get across what he is trying to say without taking a lot of time.  I'd be happy to try to edit for you if you'd like and if it wouldn't offend you.  Would love to see you published!   I understand what you probably feel about the rejection of being turned down, but that certainly doesn't mean you aren't a good writer - you just aren't writing what they are looking for at the moment.  I think I mentioned before that my kids schools had authors visit every year and it was a common theme - how long it took to get published. Just gotta get that first piece published then you will have a following.  If you don't hear back from this one - keep trying. We know you wont give up!

Chelsea71

smokeyjoe said:

SHEESH Craig ..... me and my

SHEESH Craig ..... me and my Billy were gonna have to join this group and come down too....I'd have piggy back my  old 33 year old horse down to Texas though..... do you have mud down there??  She's white and loves to get real dirty......

 

Ha Ha! Hi Lena. I'm
Ha Ha! Hi Leena. I'm picturing you and I crossing the border on your horse. Can you imagine the questions we'd get from the border guards. Would have been quite a journey!

Chelsea