I don’t hold many threads in the bid for sanity.
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The rejections pile in and though they are not cruel
they have become common, at times unshakable.
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I could write of other things. I could write more directly.
I could coat my skin in lard that the tears would cease to leek through
but in the end I cannot recant my love of the whip.
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Happy Holidays everyone =) Sorry no holiday themed poems from me! Right now I have an obsessive need to organize but I have organized my house and there is nothing, even my storage closet it tidy.
mindlovemisery 
May your life be filled with joy and happiness and may each new day bring you moments to cherish.
Merry Christmas!
Awww thank you XD I hope you are enjoying the holidays as well!
I bet doing the organizing made you feel a little more centered. It does me. Best wishes!
It does and now I have some good ideas, the only problem is I tend to get obsessive in whatever I am doing
Me too!
I’m an obsessive organizer, too, especially when things seem a bit out of control. Be kind to yourself. I have so many rejections…it’s part of the process.
Thank you Victoria and best of luck to you
Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year.
Thank you Kim! I hope your holidays have been wonderful and that you have a fabulous 2016
Happy Holidays!
Thank you, you too XD
well …. I suppose it may be of little consolation – the sting of the whip – but I have to say this much: I applaud your courage and faith to continue to honour your truth in the words you fashion, just as they are – I commend your dedication and willingness to “send your work out” – knowing full well that “rejection” is a possibility – and I am in awe that you have accomplished so much regardless – published book?
*ahem*
not many are strong enough to take the chances – even if in desperate longing – but you have – you did – you will – and I suspect you will continue to do so – and so, more power to you Yves. Because I think that for every “rejection” letter there must be at least 2 or 3 alternatives – they just haven’t been “found” yet …. and so, I will continue to cheer from way over here – and look to you and your works as inspiration – even if you don’t feel particularly accomplished or on you game, best foot forward etc., because we all feel and have those moments …. and maybe some day I just might sit myself down and consider “doing the work [ whatever that means and whatever content it may yield] ” without fear of rejection.
Pat
Thank you so much, I can’t tell you how much your words mean to me. I will gather myself up again. I submitted to quite a lot of places and have a lot to consider. I have never been good at picking poems to submit. Occasionally magazines query my blog and I think there are poems that a certain magazine would be interested in but I am not good at figuring out what fits. I just don’t have experience I suppose.
Who has experience? Really?
It’s trial and trial again; notice – no error stated – because what’s the point of considering it wrong? It’s just not conducive to being creative.
As for when magazines query your blog – well it would seem that the best place to start is to then check into their publications – because usually – it’s all laid out – if not in actual detail about the type of content/subject matter – then simply by reading the issue and seeing what’s what – and if possible – back issues too; whatever has come before usually is a really good indicator of “thematic” ideas that are of whatever it is they are looking for.
Generally, in order to increase the chances of publication – you have to know the audience – and that means you know the “target” – knowing the magazine and what their demographics are – before considering randomly picking; and of course, I have noted one thing in my limited travels – often, as the artists or creators – the pieces we think are the best or should be showcased aren’t what is in demand necessarily;
and on a final note, if it’s any help – part of the process regarding submissions – whether it’s art work, fiction or poetry – means you have people in your stable – who can be trusted – who are willing to work with you – offering you the critiquing end of things – who are honest and able to help you, as the artist – you know, really digging in – which means feedback – verbally written whatever – more than just the “wow- amazing – you’re so brilliant” – which is supportive and lovely to hear – yes – it’s encouraging – but if you don’t have someone who is willing to “bite off more than that” – and you have to be the one willing and ready for it – then it makes it harder to sit back and objectively look at your body of work.
At any rate Yves – you are an artist – accomplished in your own way and right – and I’m sure you will continue to find ways of getting it done – your goals and dreams …. as I said before – and maybe it’s naive of me – I’d like to think that for every one rejection letter – there are at least 2 other “yes!” out there – somewhere.
All great tips Pat. I have done the research part at least to an extent (I can’t say I have been exhaustive) trying to locate magazines that publish “amateur” writers/read what is sent to them and second publish poetry which I feel has the right sort of vibe. Like I might see something like looking for dark and abstract and think oooh may be that would fit. Now either I simply do not understand my own writing or I am just not picking my best work from an external perspective. The other problem is, most of the magazines I see that claim to publish poetry are in reality publishing prose. I submit poetry and perhaps I should submit prose, but poetry is my preference. Would you mind evaluating work for future submissions?