This is a bit of a rant, but also something that links back to my professionalism arguements as well as my references to being "in the know" before you start anything.
If you have not done your work ahead of time, or simply have been taking the short cut, if you get a rejection or a bad critique, don't go complaining that it wasn't your fault. In the end, it was you that wrote the material and it was you that submitted the material.
Too often, I hear people start complaining when things don't go their way. It was never their fault and there is always a reason why this time they deserve a special treatment. As many of you know, I also teach on the side. I had a student whining that they were earning a less than favorable grade and felt like they had not received a fair treatment. This all revolved around their lack of attendance in class and their lack of listening when they were in class. I heard comments such as "If I had known..." and the like. Hmmmm? Isn't it interesting that other people knew but this student didn't.
The same goes with publishing. If you submit to a house that doesn't take your type of writing, don't complain that you didn't know. The information is pretty darn available out there in terms of what is being accepted, who is accepting and whether or not you can do it without an agent.
I really do hate seeing writers out there on the loops complaining about how it was so unfair when it could have been fixed all along.
Please people. If you don't understand something, you can simply ask. This student could have easily done that throughout the entire class and not run into this situation. Heck, I have writers all of the time email me and "clarify" what is needed. This is smart. Now, does it mean I sign them? Not necessarily, but it is a step in the right direction.
Scott
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