A Bit Worried

[Seren]

I am new to C-C. I have submitted three articles, and all three of them have been returned to me to make changes. With the first, I was sloppy and I admit it. I have always loved writing and wanted to make a living off it, so attempting to sell my work was not a stretch. But I joined the day after I lost my job, and I was in something approaching a panic at the time. I was a bad, bad author and I didn't read the rules about formatting. When I received the message to read the formatting rules, I fixed the problem, resubmitted and was accepted. I have since received an offer on that work.

At the time I had submitted two articles, and when I got my first rejection I immediately went and fixed the formatting on the other too. I got another rejection based on a misspelling in my title. It was arguable that the misspelling was really just an alternate but generally acceptable spelling, but I still fixed it, resubmitted, was accepted and have sold a usage for that article.

On to article three, submitted, rejected for run-ons. (I think) I fixed that one too, but now I'm scared to submit it, for multiple reasons. For one, I've seen mentions of a three-strikes policy here on rejections. I've already been rejected three times, and I don't particularly want to be banned, especially not when I have sold an article and received an offer on another.

I suppose this post is more of an epic on my frustration with myself. I have completely understood every rejection I have received, so I'm not arguing that my articles should not have been rejected. The first rejection was the result of my own initial eagerness, mixed with desperation. From then on, they were honest mistakes, but mistakes nonetheless. I proofread both articles before submission but still missed things that the editor caught. I guess I'm just not certain what to do from here on out. The mistakes are mine, but with three articles and three rejections (two of which, when the issues were addressed, resulted in interest from buyers), I don't want to continue to waste editor time, but I also don't want to sell myself short.

I know I have the ability to write articles that buyers want, I've already proved that. But it bothers me (and embarrasses me) that I've had to be rejected once on every article to do it. Andi t doesn't bother/embarrass me because I can't handle rejection ... it bothers and embarrasses me because I feel I am wasting someone else's time. I'm sure editors here have better things to do then hold my hand. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I AM proofreading my articles, but I'm still missing things that lead to rejection. Should I just give up on it for now and come back later if I feel my proofreading and/or writing abilities have improved? Perhaps what frustrates me the most is that I know I'm a both a good writer and a good editor ... people come to me to edit their work all the time, I've even been paid for my editing skills. Both writing and editing are talents I possess, yet I can't seem to do for my own work what comes so easily for me to do with the work of others. Why can't I seem to effectively edit my own writing?

[Celeste Stewart]

With CC, it's not unusual for the new members of the site to receive initial article rejections for formatting and guideline errors. There are so many guidelines that we must conform to, font type and size, file formats, no hyperlinks, etc. Ed understands that. Ed also understands that the occasional typo or error will occur. The three strikes rule is often used when the writing as a whole isn't up to CC's standards, when plagiarism is discovered, or when the writer continues to make the same mistakes or ignore the guidelines and advice offered. I can't imagine someone getting banned for three minor rejections though.

You're already learning more about CC through the process and you've made the corrections needed to get the other two articles approved. I'd let the article sit overnight, re-read it in the morning, re-read Ed's message in the email, and then re-read the article one last time, making sure that Ed's issues have been corrected as well as any new issues you may have spotted when reading it with fresh eyes. Then resubmit and move to the next article. Good luck!

[jadedragon]

Welcome Seren. I know how losing a job can affect you adversely. Just focus on the next steps and don't let it get you down. You get the opportunity to try something new.

Getting a sale and an offer on your first two articles is awesome! Keep that up and you can earn a living or at least a decent second paycheck writing on topics you want to write on and working hours you want to work. Freelance writing is not easy but no one can fire you from it, plus you can live where you want. You've proved you can write. Just wait till you see your byline on the web on those articles. (search them out in a few days/weeks). That is pretty cool the first few times.

CC has high standards - and they take getting used to. Ed expects that and is tolerant of good writers on the CC learning curve (must be or I would be gone by now). Poor writers get banned when it is clear they can't meet site standards.