"You know spies. Buncha bitchy little girls."
Fill in "writers" and you'll have the results of my internet explorations of late.
In the course of trying to work out the ins and outs of having "internet presence," which publishers seem to like, I've been visiting a lot of sites for, by, and about writers.
Yee-ha.
I would say never have I seen so much bitching, whining, and general cavailing that generally proves the point of the editor writing the rejection letter, but -- hey, I did spend three years modding at MNFF and have now been a member there for nearly four. I do read MNFFers' LJ entries. I do get around. I know when someone feels her staggering genius has been somehow mysteriously overlooked.
Surprise! The world of publishable fiction is pretty much the same. It looks like having the hide of an alligator is still necessary (luckily it is a comfortable and useful thing, though it does cost in hand lotion) and keeping a bit aloof from the small skirmishes is still a good idea. Perspective won't hurt any. The ability to handle a certain amount of petty whining from one's alleged peers with a small smile and perhaps a gentle restoration of scale may be called upon from time to time (1:34 pm, 1:35 pm, 1:36 pm...). I expect that publishable fact is the same.
The dog-show world is the same. Search and rescue is the same. Hell, it's a miracle our species manages to reproduce itself when any exchange of words is so likely to end with rude ones and bruised feelings.
Quote, of course, is from Burn Notice. I love Sam.
On a lighter note, just submitted something to a brand-new publication. We'll see if a) they fly and b) they like my peculiar little story. Two days ago it didn't exist. Now it is a triptych from the POV of a dog, based on the prompt "Follow the Butterflies." Yes, really. The editor said on her blog that most of the submissions so far had been fantasy -- imagine that! Ron goes well with dog POV, though, I think.
Spouse is grading essays behind me. Yes, there may be another Snape Grades Again fanfic on the way. We shall see.