Listening to the critics

It says a lot about how stressful Friday through Sunday were that getting two stories returned didn’t even faze me a little.
Nevertheless, that’s two more stories, continuing my unwinning streak. If I were Bizarro, that would be cool (“Hah! Me am more unpublished than any author in history! That mean me am big genius!”)—but of course, I’m not.
As I’ve mentioned before, there are times to ignore feedback. Possibly this is a good time to start taking it. While my writing group has been positive about almost all these stories, editors have given me some. So over the next month, I’ll start thinking about whether it’s time to rewrite some of my rejections. Even though I’ve sold stories after being told It Sucks by someone else, other times the editors have been spot-on about the suckage.
•Mage’s Masquerade. Beneath Ceaseless Skies said the hero needed to show more emotion so they could connect with him. This fits into something I was already thinking about, adding some flashback material to beef up the romance. So I may try it.
Abyss and Apex said it had too much style, but not enough plot. Since I worried the story was slightly overstuffed with events, I’m not sure what, if anything to do about that, but I’ll keep it in mind.
•I Think Therefore I Die. Abyss and Apex thought the magic wasn’t distinctive enough. Beneath Ceaseless Skies said, again, that the lead character didn’t care enough to hook them. I think both may have a point—and both points are relatively easy to fix (and if you’re submitting anything yourself to BSS, take note of this point)
•Leave the World to Darkness. I got one recommendation a year or so ago that I make the opening more of a grabber. I think I’ve done that but I may revisit it just to be sure.
•No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. No specific feedback, so I’ll stick with it as it is.
•And He Caught a Crooked Cat. Ditto. I’m very pleased with this one (obviously if someone raises an issue I hadn’t thought of, that’s different)
•Kernel of Truth. Ditto.
•Tale Spinners. I got a couple of complaints this didn’t have a strong enough plot—it was more like a scene—so I rewrote accordingly. Hasn’t helped so far.
•Glory That Was. No feedback to date.
•Heads Up. No feedback but it’s only been out once.
•Wodehouse Murder Case, An F&SF author said it just didn’t work for her. Which I think indicates a matter of taste more than a flaw in the story (PG Wodehouse fantasy knockoffs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea).
•Number of the Least. Allegory’s editor said it got a little preachy in the middle. I think I’ve fixed that … but so far the editors still aren’t biting.
•Grass is Greener. My oldest story currently still going out. I must ask the writing group what they think of it.
•The Savage Year. One that came back this weekend. No feedback as yet.
We’ll see how it goes from here.