Opinions please, oh wise AWers...

[WendyNYC]

I'm applying to attend a writer's conference this summer, and I have to send in a writing sample. I have it narrowed down to 2, but they have very, very different tones. Which should I choose, as I am paralyzed with indecision:

Story #1: A dark, brooding story, somewhat lyrical (so I've been told) but depressing, already accepted for publication, polished to a high sheen from suggested revisions from said publication. Set in 1970's suburban Chicago.

Story #2: Lighter, funny satire, set in present day NYC. Most of my critters thought this was a fun read. Out on submission now.

Thoughts?

--Mods: I wasn't quite sure where to post this. Please move it if needed.

[DeleyanLee]

Honestly, I'd send the one that's sold. Can't really explain why, that's just my inclination.

Good luck.

[dolores haze]

I'd have to read them. Would you be able to post a link? If not, I'd go with the first one - "polished to a high sheen" sounds like it cannot be further improved. The same may not be true for the second piece.

[WendyNYC]

I don't have a link for either yet. The first one is coming out in April. I'd be happy to email them to you if you want to read them.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the first one, just because it's already been accepted and needs no further revisions.

[icerose]

Yeah, I'd go for the first one. By chance some people there will have heard about the sale and that will make a much bigger impression on them than a piece that hasn't been through the editors yet.

[RickN]

I'd send the one that hasn't been sold. I hate realizing that I could make something better, but since it's sold, no one will see the improvements but me. Plus, I have so many thoughts and ideas flitting around my head and vying for a bit of attention, I need to be working on incomplete projects, not mulling over finished ones.

[slcboston]

Yeah, I'm also of the opinion, that, if it were me, I'd submit the second one. Because the first one is already "finished" and if I'm going to get feedback on my skills as a writer, I'd like it to be on something I'm currently working on.

But I suppose this depends on why you're going: if you're going with an eye to being treated as a "real writer" (i.e. published) then the first might suit your needs better. You can do the whole "look ma, I'm published" thing on a wider stage.

On the other hand, if you're going to try and improve your craft, I'd go with the second one because in addition to the reasons above, it will also help elevate you from "one hit wonder" status. It shows you're working on the next thing, not merely resting on your laurels. So what if it isn't perfectly polished? When is ANYTHING ever so shiny? :)

[qdsb]

In my mind, it depends greatly on the application requirements. My understanding is that some writers workshops/conferences expect that you'll be workshopping the piece you submit for the application.

If that's the case, then do you have any plans to expand the piece that's about to be published? If you don't, then go with the unpubbed piece.

If it's clear that the conference is open to workshopping pieces other than your application piece OR if you might make that pubbed piece part of a future novel, then submit the polished pubbed piece!

Good luck!!

[Twizzle]

depends. it would depend on the conference and who's doing the reading/choosing, why you're submitting it (is it for workshopping?), and what you're trying to accomplish.

[WendyNYC]

Just to clarify, this is for acceptance to the conference, it's not going to be critiqued. I'll submit my WIP once I'm there, if accepted. The application says "acceptance is based on the promise and depth of the writing sample, along with an indication that the applicant will benefit from the Conference." They say they accept both published and unpublished authors.

It's the Southampton Writer's Conference, if that means anything to anyone.

[qdsb]

I just took a quick look at the application guidelines...they specify submission of unpublished work.

[qdsb]

By the way, now I'm drooling over the list of guest authors. Good luck!!

[WendyNYC]

I just took a quick look at the application guidelines...they specify submission of unpublished work.


Really? Jeez, how did I miss that.

Yes, it's an amazing list of authors. I'm certain that has something to do with the location--close to Manhattan and 5 minutes from the beach.

Come with me! :)

[rugcat]

If your acceptance depends on your writing sample, I'd stay away from light and funny. Light and funny is hard to do well, but it's often dismissed as glib and unserious by people judging your work. In fact, the better it is, the harder you work on it, the easier it is to read , the less respect it will garner.

The goal is to make it look like you just sat down and dashed it off -- like P.G.Wodehouse. (Who sometimes spent an entire day revising two pages) If you succeed, people (even writers) often will think you actually did exactly that, so you don't qualify as a "real" writer.

Okay, I'll stop now. I think a personal agenda is creeping in, but I still think it's true.

[Meerkat]

Wendy, as your loyal Beta, for what it's worth, if the #2 story is the one about the dogsitter, I enjoyed it more KNOWING YOUR PREVIOUS WORK, because it was atypical. You might send a more typical work, if you are limited to one submission.

[WendyNYC]

Wendy, as your loyal Beta, for what it's worth, if the #2 story is the one about the dogsitter, I enjoyed it more KNOWING YOUR PREVIOUS WORK, because it was atypical. You might send a more typical work, if you are limited to one submission.


Thanks! Yes, it is the dogsitter story. I had fun with that story, because it's sarcastic (like me!), but it's not my usual writing voice.

Whatever THAT is!

[qdsb]

Really? Jeez, how did I miss that.

Yes, it's an amazing list of authors. I'm certain that has something to do with the location--close to Manhattan and 5 minutes from the beach.

Come with me! :)

Oh, believe me, it's tempting! Very tempting! At the Hamptons even! But I can't afford it right now. Not to mention, I don't think I could stand to be away from my family for a whole week. (For one thing, the house would fall apart! ;) ) Sigh...

[jenstrikesagain]

I'm gonna chime in here because I haven't seen my answer yet...I'd send the one that feels the most like you. If they both feel like you, great (I write thrillers and fantasy/comedy). In that case, send the one that most expresses where you be at, as a writer, at the present moment.

Grammatically yours, Jen.

[KarlaErikaCal]

I like story #1. If it's near publication then it must be really good. So I'd use that.

[Shweta]

Wendy, unless you're looking for input from short story writers, this seems like a fine place :)
I know I'm learning things here.

[DWSTXS]

story #1 just sounds better to me