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"I like your voice."
"I like your writing style."
LIKE. LIKE. LIKE.
I used to relish these words. It gave me validation as a writer. But the more feedback I get for my writing, the more I am realizing that liking it doesn't make it in this world. Think of the ways you can say, "I like it."
- The well-meaning: With eye brows raised, a smile and a purposeful voice, "I like it!"
- The hesitant: With head tilted to one side, nodding with a half smile, "I like it."
- The liar: With no eye-contact and a hurried voice, "I like it."
- The accomplice: With someone shaking his head violently at you and waving both hands in the air like he's wiping windows, you say to the person in front of him, "I like it?"
Like it = small cup
Love it = medium cup
Gotta have it = large cup
LIKE IT just doesn't compete with the larger sizes.
Lately, I've been getting too many likes. And I'm not talking about Facebook. In this competitive picture book market, my manuscript needs to be loved. It needs to stand out.
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| Image courtesy of jscreationszs/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
Now when I get a critique for my story, I am looking for the "I love it" comments. That's when I know that I am getting closer to a submission-ready manuscript.
I want to write something readers will love and I want editors and publishers to tell me they've GOTTA HAVE IT.
Now if you'll excuse me, I will drown my sorrows in some comfort food- ice cream!
Tell me your favorite Cold Stone ice cream flavor for a chance to win a Cold Stone gift card. Deadline to enter is June 29- my husband's birthday! (Drown your sorrows with me or celebrate with him)
One winner will be chosen by Randomizer.com and announced by July 4th!
[Disclaimer: Don't get me wrong, "I like it" is a very good comment. I am setting high-standards for myself.]
Strive for the LOVE!
7/3/13 UPDATE: Congratulations to SUSAN CABAEL! She won a gift card to Cold Stone.
7/3/13 UPDATE: Congratulations to SUSAN CABAEL! She won a gift card to Cold Stone.
I've never heard of Cold Stone. But I do like your post. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric. I guess they aren't as well known as Starbucks or Jamba Juice.
DeleteYou are so right. So many people are writing "likes" and a few of those do get published, but the really have to be "loves" to cut through the slush. But remember it's like selling a house - you only need ONE buyer who loves it to make the sale.
ReplyDeleteJust ONE! That is the challenge. Then again, we won't find that ONE unless we submit.
DeleteThis is great. I've been hearing "like its" from editors lately, which are ultimately "no thank yous." Need to come up with a "gotta have it" idea!
ReplyDeleteGoing to get me a "gotta have it" sized ice cream. Maybe inspiration will strike!
DeleteHmm...I want the LOVE too. I know I do.
ReplyDeleteWhen do all the "likes" add up to a "love"? Or is there a bright line between the two? Is it head-over-heels material, or just a casual coffee date?
Good question! We form a relationship with our stories. We like it, but its spending time with it and nurturing it until our story is as best as it can be that the love starts to blossom. The love is the head-over-heels material. I like your definition.
DeleteAwesome post, Love it! I miss Coldstone. Ate there in CA. So skip me for the card, but I love this comparison!
ReplyDeleteI am realizing that Coldstone is not as popular in other states. Glad you got to taste it, Tina.
DeleteI want the love too... and I love cold stone on a hot day!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Good perspective. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by, Michelle. I am sure you will be LOvED someday soon!
DeleteMaking the analogy between ice cream & submissions--brilliant. I find that with every manuscript I write, the more my Like Its turn into Love Its. Now to get an agent to Gotta Have It.
ReplyDeleteCHEESECAKE FANTASY!! :-)
That is terrific, Susan! Your "love its" will definitely turn into "gotta have its" in no time. And yum! I love cheesecake! I order the "make your own"- cheesecake and cherry ice cream with graham crust mixed in
ReplyDelete