Monday, September 15, 2014

On the Fast Track





When I appeared at the ER several years ago with a broken elbow and a face that was rapidly turning purple, the triage nurse put me on "the fast track." They whisked me off to X-Ray and into an examination room, bypassing the crowded waiting area.

I've often thought there should be a fast track for writers and championship readers. Get those two together without delay. Skip all the usual publication boards, print that baby out, and hand deliver it to the reader.

Ah, but that's not the way it works, is it? We must jump through the hoops, dot all our i's and cross all our t's. It took The Moses Conspiracy eight long years to reach the reader's hands. The process is long and arduous, but it gives us time - time to hone our craft, polish that story until it shines, and appreciate the opportunities we're given.

The fast track doesn't always end up being fast. After patching me up, they sent me home to wait for the swelling to go down. Surgery, occupational therapy, and a long recovery followed.

Hmm, maybe the fast track for writers and championship readers isn't a good idea after all.

Writers and Readers:  Has the fast track ever turned into a less than pleasant experience for you when it comes to writing and reading? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Bubbels

3 comments:

Karen Lange said...

This reminds me of what I heard a Christian speaker once say, "In consistency lies the power." To see results for most anything, including writing, we must stay the course and be consistent. No shortcuts here, right? :)

Happy writing,
Karen

quietspirit said...

Susan: As I hear it, there is none. We all have to go through the process. Writing, Submitting, Receiving those rejections, Rewriting, do this as many times as necessary until something happens.

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

I don't believe in the fast track, certainly not when it comes to writing and publishing :) Working on a solid foundation takes time.... then we move!