R&R-not, in this case, Rest and Relaxation, but Revise and Resubmit.
I’ve discussed argued this with other writers this week, because most of them disagree with me. But to me, an R&R is still an R. Sure, it’s a lot nicer, and has extra padding so it doesn’t hurt as much, but, if I’m not walking away with a contract in hand, it’s not an acceptance, right?
Sure, it’s a second shot, a foot in the door, a ‘you’re very close’…but still not quite there.
The ironic part is that I don’t feel like that for others. I cheer them on when they get an R&R and I mean it with every fiber of my being. But I’m a total hypocrite when I get one. I find myself shrugging it off, going to work on those edits, but not feeling any more hopeful than before the R&R.
Maybe whatever it is, it’s the same thing that makes me reluctant to announce a sale until the contract’s signed. As if I could still jinx it if I get too excited. Maybe it’s self deprecation at its finest worst.
Anyway, my question is going to not be about R&R’s. Because you’ll all disagree with me anyway. Instead I’m going to ask, what opinion do you have about writing that you think the world would disagree on? Or if you’re nervous to give that one a shout out…what writing-thing are you hypocritical about?
November 10th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Okay, this might sound off, because I’m not sure it’s going to come out right, but here goes….
When I’m editing/criting for someone, I don’t hold back. If there’s something that isn’t working, I point it out BUT I a lot of times, I feel bad about it. This is someone’s WORK I’m beating up.
The flipside is I want someone to point out if something isn’t working. Honestly not working for them, and I don’t hate them for it. The stiffer the crit, the better the final comes across.
Does that even make sense?
November 11th, 2006 at 12:39 am
How funny! I just got an R&R from Sha Shana Crichton this week (agent) and it came with a personal phone call. So…at first I was bummed. But then I realized it’s NOT a rejection. With rejections they don’t take the time to write you a long letter or call you even. So seriously, it’s not an R!!! It’s fabulous!
November 11th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
I can see where you’re coming from, but I wouldn’t count it as a total rejection, myself.
A rejection is “No.” Period. You can submit other work, but that’s it for that specific project. (With some exceptions.)
With a R&R, you have another shot if you make the requested changes. Sometimes, the changes aren’t ones you’ll want to do, because they take the story in a different direction, but other times, they’ve noted real issues.
Is it an acceptance? No.
Is it a rejection? No.
It’s somewhere in between.