In roughly the same sense that two lungs full of pollen are a Spring bouquet, I have writing news. Nothing new published or accepted to report--nothing to sneeze at, one might say—but given my lethargic pace of late, I felt it best to offer some update anyway.
What have I been doing lately?
THE TROPHY
1. On February 28, upon finishing a new, much longer draft of an old science fiction story, The Trophy, (originally fewer than 2k words, now, just short of 9k words) I submitted it to both NewMyths and Planet Scrumm (both of which allow simultaneous submissions). Usually, I run my all complete drafts past a few, reliable beta readers first, but it was already the eve of the submission deadline for one of them (I forget which), so I was rushing. In this instance, I sent it to my beta readers next.
Within a day or two, two of my favorite beta readers separately shared their respective dissatisfaction with the story, alongside advice about each of them would fix it. Upon digesting their comments, I had to agree that both had valid points. Disappointed but realistic, I waited for the inevitable rejection emails to arrive.
My plan was to let the rewriting suggestions marinate, and then rewrite the story before submitting an updated draft to two or more different paying markets. Meanwhile, I shifted my creative focus to rewriting yet another rejected story that I thought was worth improving.
It was late March (about three weeks later) before I received the rejection from NewMyths. It was mid June when I decided it was time to update my submission records in the online database, Duotrope. I tried to record my submission to Planet Scrumm as (never responded), but Duotrope refused to allow this. Their automated message assured me it I was giving up too soon. So, I wrote a follow-up query to Planet Scrumm asking them to suggest what date I should record for their rejection of "The Trophy". To my surprise, I received a prompt response:
"It’s still under consideration. Sorry for the long wait. It may be another couple months yet. - Tyler"
HOLLY HAD A HUNCH and TOKEN HEROES
Meanwhile, I spent time rewriting "Holly Had a Hunch", and finishing a first draft of a superhero story I named "Token Heroes", as suggested by my author friend, Dawn DeBraal. This time, I sent the superhero story to a few beta readers, who faithfully responded with helpful advice for changes. Both stories are still under revision.
SECOND WAVE
On May 22nd, Starry Eye Press, who has published two prior science-fiction anthologies featuring my works, announced a sequel to their drabble anthology, "First Contact". This latest anthology, titled "Second Wave" will have, as its theme, alien relations following first encounters. It took me until June 13th to complete and submit ten drabbles. I have yet to learn whether or not they've been received, much less accepted/rejected. They were fun to write, but this isn't a paying market.
YESTERDAY, having been recently inspired after watching DEPT Q on Netflix, I began to plot out an original mystery story. I've begun mystery stories before, but have yet to finish any, so this may lead nowhere.To confirm that I wasn't becoming prematurely enthused about an idea that had already been done to death, I began to share the plot with ChatGPT. [Note that I have never and would never allow AI to write the slightest plot point or paragraph for me, nor would I ever put my name to something AI has generated.] It took me a couple of pages to share how much I had already come up with, during which point I accidentally submitted partial fragments more than once, and had to tell ChatGPT, "I'm not done yet!" Anyhow, I'm still not done, but ChatGPT has already usefully brought to my attention two stories that share elements with my idea (Strangers on a Train, and Double Indemnity). Having read the synopses for these, I'm reassured that my idea is sufficiently original to continue. I have yet to phrase a question for ChatGPT, but I will admit that it's summary rewrite of my draft is conveniently digestible.
FINALLY, I received an anonymous message yesterday via this blog, from an old Army roommate during my days at Fort Lewis who required I guess his name from these details: A Scottish name. Not Smith. If I do recall the name, he suggested I may be able to find him on LinkedIn as a CPA.
To my old roommate, if he's reading this: I'm going to need more clues. You can email me at astromote@gmail.com.
