Why am I trying to get published?

[rhetoretician]

 The other day, my old college friend John asked me why I didn't just go the "self-publication" route -- by which he meant, put them up on your web site and let anyone read them who wants to. My initial response was that I like the idea of the validation that would come from an editor saying, "Yes, we want this." But I realized that that answer

Comments

[girlspell]

Wow..you are really serious about this. I wonder, how did you feel about this before you went on LJ? Either way, it's in your blood now. Too late. I'm glad it's too late. :)

[rhetoretician]

Hi Rachel.

First it was the fan fiction, then it was people telling me I should write original fiction, then...

Life works in strange and circuitous ways.

Definately go for publishing

[kahanlaw]

I think being interviewed by Terri Gross would be the culmination of years of hard work and wonderful validation that you are an original, thoughtful voice worth listening too.

Re: Definately go for publishing

[rhetoretician]

Hi Gail. Thanks! That would be great validation, wouldn't it?

(One would dread the "Terri Gross" question, though: "Tell me about [X traumatic personal event] that influenced [Y public or artistic action].")

[rosalinanarnen]

• I agree there is something about having an editor say "We want this" that sounds like validation and recognition. My second though thought is that an editor is just a person with an opinion. That opinion can be more or less educated but at the end of the day it's just one opinion

[rhetoretician]

Thank you for that thoughtful response.

I agree with you mostly. I don't get much out of the exclamation marks on fan sites; I do like the more thoughtful comments that appear there, which tells me that, to the extent I hunger for praise, it's praise from people I can respect. My friends on LJ and elsewhere are thoughtful people like yourself, and their words of encouragement are like swimming in clear, cold water on a scorching hot day. I like the idea of being validated by an editor (at least the editor of a magazine I respect) for the same reason.

I can't remember whether we've met before. If not, welcome! I gather from your icon that you're a Tonks fan? I also see that you're from Ukraine (although that's pretty much all I can read of your profile). My paternal grandfather was born in Rovno.

[rosalinanarnen]

We have met. I left a comment for one of your stories. I am an HP fan(obviously and Tonks is one of my favorites).
Now to the point. Of coarse everyone likes thoughtful reviews. A friend of mine says that finding a reader who will really appreciate what you have to say is a rare and valuable gift to a writer.They are readers that make it all worthwhile. You touch them and their insight helps you grow as a writer.
But personally I also get a big kick out of seeing that my writing creates an emotional response in people (hence the exclamation marks) and always am really grateful when I come across people that can articulate what sort of response it was. Luckily thoughtful and emotional response are not mutually exclusive things.
Thanks to you for a chance to think about writing, since for a while I've been altogether too focused on other things.
*walks off to make an English version of her profile*