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?

12 comments:

Sherri said...

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.

Julia Thorley said...

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?

Patsy said...

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

Teresa Ashby said...

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

Nicola said...

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 :)

Penny A said...

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?

Dolores Doolittle said...

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

Carolb said...

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

Geraldine Ryan said...

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

Anonymous said...

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.

Patsy said...

Thanks, everyone!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

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.