Innovation

[narfnitsirk]

I recently got a rejection letter saying one of my stories was predictable. This stabbed deep into my insides, curdling a puddle of paranoia and wound licking. Reading Jeanne Cavelos’ “Innovation into Horror”, one of the chapters in On Writing Horror, I started to panic a bit more, reading entirely too much into the quote “If you don’t have a

Comments

[knowmebymylaugh]

I've never read any of your stories, but I can safely say that you're one of the most clever people I know.

From Scott

[anonymous]

But that's just the thing. You ARE creative and imaginative. You DO have that spark, and your stories are genuinely good. We all have the occasional predictable story. So what? I think innovation comes from the approach as much as it does the twist ending. You have the talent. Don't let anything that anyone says make you believe otherwise. And, just to prove that I can be both predictable and juvenile, I'll conclude by calling the person who rejected your story a "booger-head."

Try it. You'll fee better. Make sure to emphasize the "oo" in "booger."

[anonymous]

Predictable is what they say when they just don't want the piece. But equally isn't everything predictable?

It's better than the one I got: There's nothing wrong with this story. It fits our magazine. We just don't like it.

Don't worry

Jared

[horrorlitchica]

I just got a rejection sort of like that too. Mine was "good writing, but scenario didn't hold our attention." Anyway, felt kind of like you and I totally agree with you on the Dean Koontz thing. Stopped reading him a long time ago.

And, I agree with Scott. You're awesome! Now get back to work!!! :-)
Elsa

[anonymous]

Don't sweat the small stuff!

~Sheldon