Writing

To Submit or Not Submit, That is the Question #WhyWrite #WhyBotherWithSubmissions

Marie A Bailey

January turned out to be a real bust when it came to writing. I had started the Smokelong Fitness Group in earnest but quickly lost my will to write. I submitted two pieces to my group for feedback, but I’m not sure if either is worth working on further. I even went through a period where I questioned the purpose of writing (my writing, that is).

I see lots of writers sharing their publications on Twitter and other social media, and I’m happy for them. But what does it mean? What does a long list of publications in journals–mostly online venues–mean for a writer? Sure, it’s a validating experience. It’s reassuring and rewarding to know that other people like one’s writing and want to publish it.

But is that the ultimate goal? Or is there even a goal? Do writers submit for the sake of submitting, to grow their portfolio so they can say, “Look at all the places I’ve been published.”? I don’t begrudge anyone who wants to be published. I still want to be published. But, I’m feeling a little wary about jumping on the submission bandwagon.

I have a blog (this thing here), and I occasionally write on Medium, but from what I’ve observed, it’s not enough to publish one’s writing on one’s own blog or another platform. If I have a story or a poem or an essay that I’ve worked hard on and want to share, I must first submit it to a journal, then suffer countless rejections just so, eventually, I can celebrate the one or two or five publications I finally get.

I know I’ll submit my writing like most writers do. But getting published is not why I write. At least, it’s not why I started writing.

Meanwhile …

I’ve been knitting. I just finished a wool scarf that will soon be on its way to someone in a much colder clime. The pattern was quite a challenge, but it turned out to be relatively simple once I got into a routine AND made sure I would not be distracted while knitting. The worst part was having to count the stitches after every row to be sure that I hadn’t dropped or added a stitch. Egad. But it was so worth it.

Fox Paws Scarf designed by Xandy Peters
Close-up of pattern

The colors in the photos are off a bit. They are: navy, plum, lavender, charcoal gray, and light gray. Even though I initially struggled with the pattern, I’m game to make another Fox Paws scarf.

And that is the difference between knitting and writing. I really don’t need outside validation of my knitting because the act itself is so enjoyable for me. Knitting makes me feel grounded. It also seems more readily appreciated than writing, I suppose because it’s visual and has texture. With my writing, I’m always looking for outside validation, someone to tell me that they really enjoyed my [fill in the blank]. Rarely do I read my own writing and feel as satisfied as I do with my knitting. At least, these days.

Meanwhile …

Recently we went to the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve near Whigham, Georgia, about 35 miles from our home. I learned about the Preserve through another nature center. This Saturday (February 4), they opened for the season. As it was a cool, sunny day, I suggested to my husband that we take a drive up and look about.

Here are a few of the photos I took while there. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

According to the Preserve:

[Trout lilies] are usually found in the Appalachian mountains.  The theory is that they migrated from the mountains probably tens of thousands of years ago.  When the last ice age receded they were left in some spots in southwest Georgia and north Florida, east of the Chattahoochee, Flint, and Apalachicola Rivers.  Apparently the Wolf Creek spot is just right for them – a north facing slope of just the right angle, a hardwood forest with dappled sunlight in the winter, soils of just the right type and depth before underlying clay.  Whatever the reasons, they prospered at the site, and Grady County is blessed with a beautiful marvel for all lovers of nature!  It is definitely a photographer’s paradise!

I recommend visiting the website of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve (click here for the link). They have lots of wonderful photos and information on their wildflowers.

So, what are your thoughts about writing and submitting? Do you feel you need to submit your writing to journals? Do you feel less of a writer if your list of publications is a lot shorter than other writers? Am I fussing about nothing?

Published by Marie A Bailey

I am a writer, knitter, cat mama, introvert, bleeding heart liberal, & Floridian via upstate NY and SF Bay Area. My church is in Nature, not religion. I dabble in iPhone photography, leaning toward "two-fers" such as insects on flowers.

63 thoughts on “To Submit or Not Submit, That is the Question #WhyWrite #WhyBotherWithSubmissions”

  1. Oh! The trout lily!

    As to why write? Because it’s there… in our head, words up in the sky waiting for us to pull them down. Because even when it isn’t as satisfying as your gorgeous knitting, sometimes it just needs doing.

    As to January. Well, heck, January.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. That scarf is gorgeous! As for submitting my writing to journals, I’ve never really thought about the reason for it. It was what I was taught in undergrad and grad as the path one follows. Decades later, I’m still submitting. Why? I think the reason is that I believe my characters have stories that need to be heard by others. (I’m very attached to my characters.) With poetry, I would say that the experience of the poem is something I would like to share with others. Thank you for asking the question. It’s good every now and again to take a step back and question what I’m doing “because I’ve always done it.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, thank you, Liz, for sharing your thoughts. “Because I’ve always done it” is what I want to avoid. But your reasons for submitting–“my characters have stories that need to be heard”–as well as just wanting to share your work really resonates with me.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. That scarf! Oh my goodness, Marie. What a talent you have!
    As for submitting, it really is up to you, isn’t it? Of course, I have yet to submit anything anywhere but that’s me. I don’t think I have what it takes so I just enjoy what I do “at home” so to speak.
    But back to that scarf… I am in awe. My knit one, purl two is as far as it goes!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for your kind words about my knitting! Hey, knit one, purl two makes a pretty nice pattern 🙂 This pattern was created with extreme increases and decreases … hence, the constant need for counting. It was indeed a challenge.

      You know, I definitely believe you “have what it takes” but I can see what would be appealing to just do “at home.” Also, you have a good audience, people who are always reading your blog so you are still sharing, still getting external validation, but mainly on your terms. Win-win 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A lovely scarf, Marie. I have never submitted to a journal. I guess doing a blog and writing novels is enough for me. I write because I want to write. If it becomes a pain and I don’t want to anymore, I’ll stop. So far, that hasn’t happened. Your photos are beautiful.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, John! I would think writing a blog, especially a daily blog, and writing novels would command most of your writing time. That’s one reason why I’m rather lax about submitting. I do it occasionally, but, gee, often there are other things I’d rather do when I’m not writing, like knitting or taking photos of pretty plants 🙂

      Like

  5. Back in the day, I was submitting because I wanted to apply for an NEA grant and you needed X number of publications to do that. Then I didn’t submit anything but novels to literary agents for years. Then I thought, hey, maybe agents would take notice if I had some publishing credits in my query letters. Now I know that doesn’t seem to help but I’m hooked on submitting flash and poetry to zines!

    All in all, I’d say the odd acceptance is a nice little reward from objective readers that helps get me through the writing day. And for the time being, that’s enough for me. It’s great to get occasional affirmations. 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You make a good point, Kevin, about “objective readers.” Maybe that’s the real draw. I’m pretty sure if I posted any of my stuff here, I’d get pats on my back and compliments, but I would also automatically accuse my readers of being biased 😉
      I’m focusing more on flash these days (yes, I still have my novel and I do need to get back to it). It’s very challenging to tell a cohesive story in few words, and it’s often fun 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Yes, indeed! I participated in an “auto-fiction” workshop last weekend with Meg Pokrass. The limit of what we submitted was 150 words. Oh, what a challenge! I found it to be a lot of fun, though 🙂

          Liked by 2 people

          1. 150 words for flash fiction? – I could use that extra 50 I think! Writing flash fiction in 50 words is even more difficult. Although someone told me of a famous flash story told in just six words recently.
            For sale
            Baby shoes
            Never worn.

            Liked by 1 person

  6. Your knitting is gorgeous, Marie! And I, for one, am glad that you write. I want to hear what you have to say.
    I write for my blog and for Medium… No journals yet. And now that I’ve begun to write more, I find that I want to keep writing, want to keep putting my thoughts and feelings into written words. It almost feels like a need, a drive within. I love when others relate to things that I may write. I love to hear that it sometimes helps them feel a bit less alone. Because writing helps me feel a bit less alone. A bit more connected. Including more connected to myself. My Self.
    And yes, there are days when I do wonder why bother…. with pretty much everything. I try my best to breathe through those days, trusting that the feelings will pass. And then I write again.
    Thanks so much for writing and sharing this piece!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Jo! I’m glad you are writing, both on your blog and Medium. I know I started writing in part because it made me feel less alone, even though it was a long time ago before the internet. I wrote to and for myself and it helped. And I know that’s why I keep writing. At a minimum, writing helps me sort out my feelings as well as sort through the world.
      Keep writing!

      Like

    1. Thank you for your kind words, Jill. You create beautiful stories with your hands 🙂 That’s interesting that you were much happier when you wrote for yourself. I imagine the grind of publication takes its toll.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Oh Jill. I’m so sorry to hear that. Perhaps that’s your inner self saying it’s time for something to change. The gifts given to us are meant to fill us with purpose and joy in the doing…Take care.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. As the world would have it, I got this blog post in the same batch of emails that had yet another submission rejection. I originally submitted to “prove” I was a writer. I came from the lawyerly world–one needed to build a resume, right? But I have a built resume, and it’s not helping me get agents’ attention on this novel (neither is the novel placing well in contests.) So why have I returned to submitting? I read a piece, and I think I really like that, wonder if someone else would too? Or I want some more recent validation. Or it’s a connection to the writing world somehow. I will probably lose steam again, as it’s a painful, time-consuming, frustrating, boring process. Writing gives me great joy. I’m so glad you have the knitting where you both enjoy the process and you wind up with a beautiful product the world loves!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Ellen! I’m glad I knit too. It’s been a constant for me. I started knitting when I was about 9 or 10.

      I’m sorry you’re getting rejections, but people say you won’t get accepted if you don’t submit. Kind of like playing the lottery. That writing gives you great joy is what you need to hang on to. And I like how you see submitting as another connection to the writing world. I think that’s accurate. I’ve seen on social media many writers share not just their acceptances but also their rejections. It’s like one big support group 🙂

      Like

  9. Wowsa, that knitting! Just gorgeous, Marie!!!! BTW, I finished the daughter’s wedding junk journal and didn’t end up using the knitting. Something else was required, and I might post a pic of it at some point. Anyway, as I think I told you, the photos are just gorgeous.
    Here’s my take on submitting to magazines. It’s how I feel about my process. Very individual, you know? While I cringe when people post that they have 1,000 pieces published in journals and magazines, I do believe submitting is a good thing. What it’s done for me is force me to keep working on my writing and improving. You have the interaction of acceptances, rejections, and sometimes revisions. You get readers’ responses to your work. Best yet, you see your own work anew, almost as if someone wrote it. It’s hard to get that kind of objectivity when you writing into the void, so to speak.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ah, thank you for your generous words about my knitting. I am quite proud of that scarf 🙂 And thank you for sharing your thoughts on submitting. You’ve reminded me that sometimes there is interaction, especially if a piece is accepted but needs to be revised. But seeing your work anew, as you say, is a really important point. You’ve reminded me of an experience I had about 30 years ago. In my final year of grad school, I wrote a review of a biography of Virginia Woolf for a class. It was well-received so on a lark, I submitted it to Biography (University of Hawaii journal). One year later, I got the galleys in the mail. I started reading and thought for sure they must have edited my review. Then I checked my original copy and realized they only changed one word. That was my writing, word for word, and I didn’t even recognize it right away. I thought it was too good to be mine.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I will echo others about your scarf. It is gorgeous, and I am in awe because I have no idea how to create anything like that. Beautiful!

    As for the submitting–I like what Luanne said in that it is a more objective response. I’d say perhaps more objective. Not people who know you (maybe), but they have their own biases, too. In a post by an editor I saw recently, he said something like editors don’t always get it right, it’s their opinion at the moment. And it is about others seeing something you’ve taken time to craft. I think because I don’t have a degree in writing or literature, I wanted to prove to myself that I am a poet. And submitting does make me work on my writing. Sometimes when a poem is rejected, I revise it and submit it somewhere else. That said, probably more people read my poems posted on my blog or Twitter than they do in journals. And I write poetry because I want to. I’ve sort of given up writing the history/gender books because that writing is not fun to me. I have one history publication coming out. I felt flattered that I was asked to do it, but I feel like I’m no longer up to date with the research.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Follow your muse, Merril 🙂 I love your poetry. I can imagine giving up the other kind of writing. I was never able to be successful at academic writing, although I had encouragement. It just wasn’t fun. And, you know, in these our later years, I think having fun is the most important thing to do 🙂

      I really appreciate it when editors acknowledge (essentially, remind us) that they have their biases. They like what they like and if you submit something they don’t like, well, then they won’t publish it. But another editor might like it. So it goes. And that’s another good point that submitting makes you work on your writing. I hadn’t taken that into account. I guess I need to gather my little darlings and have a go at submitting 🙂

      Oh, thank you for your kind words about my knitting! Although I don’t need (or say I don’t need) external validation for my knitting, I’ll take it … lol 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Marie. 🙂
        (And thank you.) You’re a good writer, but it is up to you if you want to go through submitting or not. I’m always upset when I get a rejection. Probably because I don’t submit that often.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yeah, rejections are hard to roll with but we have to if we’re going to put our work out there. Every so often I hear a writer say that as soon as they get a rejection, they turn around and submit their piece elsewhere. They don’t spend any time on the rejection, especially if it offers no more than “thanks, but no thanks”. Funny, I just realized it’s kind of like my knitting: with the scarf I just finished, I had a couple of false starts (knit a few rows and find a huge mistake requiring me to rip out and start over), and also had to rip out several rows toward the end when I realized I was running out of yarn. I could have just given up, but I didn’t even though I dreaded starting over. Knitting might be my metaphor for writing 😉

          Liked by 2 people

  11. I’ve been mulling over this question recently myself, being in the process of querying on a novel, currently 0/30. What worries me the most is not the process but the likelihood that if no one takes it, it dies with me. If I knew there were a PLACE I could leave my manuscript after I die, some kind of ‘story repository’, the whole process would not bother me as much. The idea of my characters never being known by anyone simply because I am dead really bothers me. Does anyone else think about this?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Yes, I think about it. I have a novel that I’ve been working on for several years. I really want to finish it and get it out into the world. I’m not getting any younger (I’m 65). At this time, I plan to query some small presses, places that have published books I’ve enjoyed even if they didn’t make the bestseller list. I just want my novel in print form, available for friends and strangers to read. To that end, if I get zero interest in publishing my novel, then I’ll self-publish. That’s no guarantee that anyone other than friends and family will read my novel, but at least I’ll be able to say I did it.

      Liked by 2 people

  12. Similar paths/desires/obstacles exist in all (he)artistic endeavors for us creatives. I have no illusions of being anyone great or super-starish in my music, but I do want to make its presence count. On my terms. In a manner I feel is of worth to those in my ‘world’ who have been waiting with me for their unveilings. And perhaps exposing those outside my ‘world’ to something different and worthy of their consideration. To that end, utilizing media outlets such as Spotify, YouTube and BandCamp are key factors – but need to be mindfully applied. In the writing world, there are other such ‘outlets’. As much as DIY espouses more ability for ‘everyone’ to be heard/seen/read, it also becomes a sneaky rabbit hole if one isn’t careful…Anyway. I get what you’re saying. And I feel with you. 100%.
    So it helped me when I discovered ‘famous’ creatives dealing with similar issues even back in the 18th & 19th centuries! I wrote a post about William Blake who went to great lengths to get his poetry published – in this post – https://laurabrunolilly.com/william-blake-was-an-indie-artist/
    We are not alone in this!
    Keep on Keepin’ on, Marie!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ah, I remember your post about William Blake. I often think of authors like Virginia Woolf who, along with her husband, created their own printing press. Self-publishing is not something just recently created, and it’s good to keep that in mind. Thank you for your thoughts, Laura. I feel I’m in good company 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Your trout lily looks a bit like our tiger lily. Grown in the wild they charm me.

    Good luck with our queries and getting your book published. It’s an uphill battle, I know.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I really love this post because I’ve moved into an entirely different place with my writing. For years I chased the dream of being traditionally punished, trying to get my stories just right, reading books about writing and going to workshops. All of those things were fun to do, but I burned out every time, and always felt inadequate. It stole my joy of writing.

    I’m coming into a space where I’m writing at my own pace, whatever I want to write, for the pure joy of it. Unapologetic, and without seeking validation, as I’d always done before. I feel like I’ve gotten the love for it back, after so many years of feeling “off”.

    It all took a turn when I started reading a book called the Eden Option after watching a webinar by the author, Allen Arnold, as he talked about our position with God combined with creativity. It was heart-opening.

    You don’t need validation for your knitting (which is GORGEOUS, by the way), and that’s what makes it that much more enjoyable. You do it because you love it, and you’re pleased with the results. If you applied that to writing, as well, do you think your heart may shift?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi, Natalie, thank you for reading and commenting. I think the only way for me to make that shift would be to keep my writing private. Right now I’m in a workshop and I’m really enjoying it in part because I’m getting positive feedback (external validation) on my work. (By the way, thank you for your kind words about my post and my knitting :-)). I think it’s wonderful that you’re coming into a love for your writing, in and of itself. That is so important. Anything else, like external validation, is just icing 🙂

      Like

  15. I am very impressed by the knitting which seems to genetically coded to some Scandi folk. I missed that gene although tried many times to learn.
    What kind of things do you submit to Medium? I have not submitted stories but have responded to various mags upon an invitation to write.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for your kind words about my knitting 🙂 I have submitted a variety of writing to Medium publications from personal essays to flash stories to poems. Crow’s Feet is a great publication if you’re interested in writing about “life as we age.” They take essays and poems, but no fiction (and I don’t know why that is). I’ve also submitted to The Memoirist (memoir-type essays) and The Lark (fiction). To be honest, I’m “weaning” myself from Medium. I’m sure I’ll continue to submit when the spirit moves me, but writing for Medium isn’t worth neglecting my WP blog … which I have done rather shamefully 😉

      Liked by 1 person

        1. I get “paid” by Medium, but there’s no rhyme or reason (at least that I can figure out) in how payments are determined. Also, the company/platform is always fussing around, I guess still trying to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. I’ve had occasional issues with WP, but I feel I have a lot more freedom to make my blog my own on WP than on Medium. Plus, I’ve been on WP a lot longer so I have a stronger sense of community here.

          Liked by 2 people

  16. Marie, that scarf is GORGEOUS!!! And as usual, your photos are beautiful—like your scarf. Well done!

    Writing is such a personal thing. Many people I know are still in pursuit of traditional book publishing. They might offset that pursuit with poetry or short story submissions to online magazines. I have two manuscripts with an agent now, so that’s where I am.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, how wonderful that you have manuscripts with an agent! I wish you much success (however you want to define success … we all have different definitions). And thank you for your kind words about my knitting and photography 🙂

      Like

  19. Hi! I’ve recently submitted to 5 poetry journals and got 4 rejections. Some of the comments were dubious. I think rather than keep submitting to journals it would be cheaper for me to get a Eurostar to Paris and sit in a cafe on the left bank smoking black Gaulloise and drinking absinthe and just ‘pretend’ to be a writer!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.