A Sacrifice to the god Reader

So I have another story written, edited, beta-read, re-written, and submitted. Now that I pushed that submit button, it's on its own. Like a kid leaving for college, a birdie kicked out of the nest, like a sacrifice burnt to a god named Reader I have to wait and hope that my tribute is deemed worthy.

That's a bit dramatic. Point is, after you hit submit, there's nothing more to be done. Promoting maybe. Praying might have more effect.

The truth is, some stories are hits and some just miss the target. I'm often surprised by which ones catch on and which ones fall flat. I've had stories that I was SURE would catch the readers imagination and excitement just to receive humdrum feedback or no feedback at all. Other stories I write on a whim with no expectation and am surprised, pleasantly surprised, when that is the one that gets people excited.

I guess the lesson is to write, edit, share and see what happens. Write a lot. Submit a lot. Be ready for the ho-hum responses. (Truly negative feedback is pretty rare.) All of that's worth it to have a story finally appease the fickle god Reader.

Want to see if my latest work is dynamite or a dud? Swing on over to http://thewritersarena.com and read and vote on some of the stories there. Mine will be in the arena for Battle #47 waiting to spill its inky blood in the digital sands of he internet coliseum, all to win the favor of the great and benevolent Reader!