Feeling Unliterary
When "this short story feels more like a TV show" isn't exactly a compliment.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Preparing for Springtime Writing 🌸
Sunday, March 17, 3-4:30PM EST · $20
Join me on Zoom next Sunday for 90 minutes of exercises, readings, and sharing that will help your writing life bloom in the spring. Together, we'll reflect on the winter months and look ahead into the spring, returning to the goals and intentions we set for our writing lives at the start of 2024.
Growing Our Books 🌱
Wednesdays for five weeks starting March 27, 6-9PM EST · $330
ONE SEAT remaining in the second session of my Growing Our Books workshop. This five-week Zoom class is designed for any writer who'd like support on a book-length fiction or nonfiction project, whether or not you've begun writing. Includes a one-on-one meeting to discuss your writing goals.
Paid subscribers of this newsletter get 10% off all writing classes. Click here for the promo code.
I had an essay in
last week. It’s about submitting writing and feeling unliterary. I love the Chill Subs submission database and felt honored when they asked me to contribute some thoughts on submissions. If you’re a writer submitting work, do yourself a favor and check out Chill Subs.Here’s an excerpt from my essay. Long live the unliterary among us!
“This short story feels more like a TV show,” a fellow writer once told me during a workshop.
Immediately, I wanted to thank this writer for such high, generous praise. My writing, I thought to myself proudly at the workshop table, is as pleasurable to read as Gilmore Girls is to watch. I am a miracle. I am a genius! How am I not going to get a seven-figure book deal someday?
Only this writer wasn’t complimenting me. He went on to ask, “Like, why wouldn’t I just watch TV instead of reading this? What’s making me read this story instead of putting on Hulu?” Around the table, heads nodded, emboldening this writer to go on. “This story just needs more substance,” he said. “It’s not, like, literary to me.”
Ah, yes. Literary. In a workshop setting, “literary” writing seems to be what most writers are aiming for. I’ve been in workshops where the term “upmarket” was used as a slur… by the workshop facilitator. And don’t even get me started on the word “commercial,” which has, essentially, become a euphemism for “basic.”
I can laugh about it now, but when that writer told me that my work lacked substance, I let it bother me for a long, long while. It especially got under my skin whenever I’d receive rejections from literary journals. Upon receiving a form rejection, I’d think, “Well, I must not be literary enough for that place. Or anywhere.” And whenever I’d get one of those close-but-no-cigar personal rejections, encouraging me to please try us again!, I’d think, “I guess my writing just doesn’t have enough substance.”
My advice for writers facing a similar predicament? Keep your eyes peeled for themed calls for submissions. Consider giving pitching a try. And, most importantly, get clear about your reasons for submitting short-form writing in the first place: it’s possible that it may not even be aligned with your writing goals! Read all of my advice over at Sub Club.
Hope to see you in class soon! Here’s all the info if you missed it:
Preparing for Springtime Writing 🌸
Sunday, March 17, 3-4:30PM EST · $20
Join me on Zoom next Sunday for 90 minutes of exercises, readings, and sharing that will help your writing life bloom in the spring. Together, we'll reflect on the winter months and look ahead into the spring, returning to the goals and intentions we set for our writing lives at the start of 2024.
Growing Our Books 🌱
Wednesdays for five weeks starting March 27, 6-9PM EST · $330
ONE SEAT remaining in the second session of my Growing Our Books workshop. This five-week Zoom class is designed for any writer who'd like support on a book-length fiction or nonfiction project, whether or not you've begun writing. Includes a one-on-one meeting to discuss your writing goals.
Paid subscribers of this newsletter get 10% off all writing classes. Click here for the promo code.
“Hurley’s workshops provide structure and inspiration to any struggling writer. Every workshop session, I leave feeling fulfilled, inspired, and ready to take on the problems in my writing. If you’re wondering where to go next in your writing, the answer is right here!” —Kalee
Omg I’m so sorry for your experience in that workshop! IMHO workshop is the pits. It can be done well and I’ve also been in a looooot of bad ones 🤷🏻♀️