Bless me Fictioneeers, it’s been two months since my last flash fiction. *sigh* I have been in Internet hell. I’ve had more trouble getting Internet in rural California than I did in rural Mexico. Huh?
Other excuses worth mentioning:
I’m basically an angst driven writer and I’m too chillaxed living at the lake house. It’s too nice outside to write inside. There are no interesting drug cartel stories around to fuel my “CIA agent meets a girl and a tequila bottle” novel, WIP.
I actually have no real excuse not to write so I’ve been designing a new food blog and cookbook proposal at http://www.mybajakitchen.com (shameless promotion).
Anyway here’s my dark tale of writing turned warfare. My husband thinks the tale is too dark but he hasn’t met any of you writers who have struggled with getting published. Crazy happens.
Join us at Friday Fictioneers where Rochelle will give you 100 words to justify your actions.
Photo credit Claire Sheldon
Arsenic and Glue Sticks
by T. Delaplain
The thought was crazy of course, just more fiction spinning and frothing in her head. Her desk, once a sanctuary, was now a battle field of staple shrapnel, exploded paper wads and broken dreams. The last bomb lay amongst the ruins.
“We regret to inform you….”
Determined to plant her flag, she devised the final skirmish. No prisoners. She assembled the revised manuscript, slid it gingerly into the envelope and sealed it with the glue stick.
“Dear editor, I regret, nothing.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
That last line is terrific!
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I think as a writer you only regret not saying your truth.
Thanks James.
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Good for her on not giving up!
The struggle is so very real. One I hope to have one day 😉
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Then I hope the rejections are few and far between.
Thanks for reading,
Tracey
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I do not think i could face sending in a manuscript… and even less to be an editor…
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I would be such a mean editor, yikes. I’m too truthful.
I’d have to actually finish a manuscript, to be rejected.
Thanks for commenting Björn.
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Will they need the bomb squad?
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Nah, just a little glue remover.
Thanks for commenting,
Tracey
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Boy! Did you catch the feelings of an author perfectly. And the title alone made me smile. (P.S. I love your food blog – anyone reading this comment should follow http://www.mybajakitchen.com )
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My evil twin was awake today. Thank you. My food blog has been consuming all of my time so this was a fun diversion.
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What I hate is the form letter rejections. I suppose they print them up by the thousands and their secretaries jiggle from maniacal chuckles as they stuff them into your pre-paid, self-addressed envelop. Try this approach with your next submission letter.
Dear Loser,
I regret to inform you that your company will not be publishing my novel. I hereby reject you. You will not granted access to view the manuscript let alone read it. That privilege is reserved for those with the foresight and common sense to recognize talent when they see it.
Please do not continue to whine and beg for another chance. It only serves to make you appear more pitiful than you already are (if that’s possible).
Best wishes on your next 10 books selling up to 5 copies each,
T. Delaplain, Author
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I never get rejection letters.
Of course, I never submit any finished manuscripts either. Thanks for the “rejection” letter template.
Tracey
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Well, now that you have a letter, you’ve a reason to submit.
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I guess many budding authors have swept the desk clear, then cooked a great meal. You cooked a great story
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Thank you Michael. I’m cooking up a plan.
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Dear Tracey,
Your husband obviously doesn’t realize what a dark bunch we can be, does he?
I love last line. Really dark would’ve been if she’d sent a bomb along with the manuscript. Or did I miss something? Oh those rejections can sting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No bomb. Just extra glue.
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as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
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Exactly! Thanks Plaridel.
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wicked wonderful, Tracey!
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Hola chica,
Thanks. I was feeling wicked yesterday.
Tracey
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I absolutely love the determination in this Tracey.
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Some days, writing is a battlefield.
Thanks
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This was very well written. I adored the last line. Brilliant.
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Thank you for stopping by. What a nice compliment.
Tracey
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Hahahaha! Quite inspirational, Doc. I think it helps us all by saying, “We’ll get ’em next time!” And we usually do. It makes us all work harder, really.
I laughed at your husband’s comment about us. I write a variety of things so I don’t get stuck in a rut — comedy, tragedy, suspense, romance, etc. No dark there (as far as I know). He can come read my stuff if he likes — I’m only HALF-crazy (though, Cousin Shelley, a.k.a.the Queen, would disagree — but she KNOWS me). 😀
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Half-crazy works for me. He hasn’t read any of the Fictioneer’s really dark prose.
Thank you for stopping by,
Tracey
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There’s a splendour to that last line. Love it.
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A good metaphor when time starts to accelerate. Thanks Sandra.
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The last line is pure GOLD! I am going to use it for everything, especially ex-BFs 😀 Loved the warfare theme too!
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It’s all yours. Use it liberally. As time starts to accelerate it is a good reminder to live every day to the fullest.
Thanks,
Tracey
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One of the solutions could be an open review as some of the scientific journals are practicing. Love your take here.
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That’s a thought but I’d still be afraid of rejection.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tracey
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You’re back with a vengeance. Such fun, and no regrets, that’s the spirit.
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Ahhh … to be bold and say our truth. Loved the way you took the prompt. An insight all writers have but never talk about for fear of being outed. I enjoyed your food blog too. No same in letting us know. How would we find you ???
Isadora 😎
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That last line is gold. Loved it!
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Thanks Amie.
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In India, they don’t sell envelopes with glue on them because the moisture of monsoon makes them all stick shut. We all have to use glue sticks. I don’t want to find out what it would take to mail a manuscript from India to the U.S. or England. With the insecurity of the mail, it might not even reach its destination. Good writing, Tracey. 🙂 — Suzanne
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We don’t trust the mail service in rural Mexico either. I give my letters to random friends flying to the U.S.
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LOL!
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Thanks Dawn. I thought the poison was a nice touch.
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