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Tuesday, 17 May 2016

The tears of an editor

This comment appears with my story 'Letting Go' in the 31st May issue of Woman's Weekly. The feedback I got from Clare (assistant fiction editor) was that it nearly made her and Gaynor Davies cry. Very shortly before I'd had a different story rejected for being too sad. It's hard to get the balance right, isn't it?

Do you like writing or reading tear-jerkers?

Got any thoughts on what makes a story a tear-jerker in a good way, rather than being depressing?
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12 comments:

  1. Sherri17 May 2016 at 19:16

    I think a sad story needs hope or a sense of moving on to stop it being too depressing for the womags. I haven't read yours yet, but I will look forward to seeing it.

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  2. Julia Thorley18 May 2016 at 08:06

    Bernadette makes an excellent point. We don't read our womags to feel worse - but at the same time, don't we all love a bit of a weep?

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  3. Patsy18 May 2016 at 10:47

    I agree. An uplifting ending, even if it's not exactly a happy ever after, does make a big difference.

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  4. Teresa Ashby18 May 2016 at 14:43

    What a lovely comment, Patsy. I love a tearjerker and I'm looking forward to reading yours :-) xx

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  5. Nicola18 May 2016 at 15:20

    Congratulations on the publication, Patsy. As look as it's an 'aawww' tearjerker then that's fine. I hope I get to read it. I'll have to get my mom on the case and send it on over :)

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  6. Penny A18 May 2016 at 20:02

    Moving stories, yes! I think they'll always be popular... that 'lump in the throat' moment. Can't always be guaranteed, of course, but lovely when it works. It's about Acceptance plus some Hope, perhaps?

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  7. Dolores Doolittle18 May 2016 at 21:34

    Even the editors` comment brings a happy tear to my eye - wonderful, Patsy, that you moved them in a perfectly-balanced manner

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  8. Carolb19 May 2016 at 14:16

    When you get comments like that you know you've done a very good story, Patsy.

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  9. Geraldine Ryan19 May 2016 at 17:49

    I love a tearjerker too! Look forward to reading this Patsy!

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  10. Anonymous20 May 2016 at 23:23

    Well done on bringing tears to the eyes of two very seasoned editors, Patsy. I look forward to reading the story. Good wishes,
    Kate Hogan.

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  11. Patsy21 May 2016 at 14:10

    Thanks, everyone!

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  12. Rosemary Gemmell22 May 2016 at 14:26

    I think it's a very good sign to cause such emotion in an editor or reader and I do like this kind of story now and then.

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