I've started organizing my literature favorites a little differently, and to some this has become a bit controversial, so I think perhaps a full explanation is due.

As a former intern for a major literary journal, I've gotten into the habit of reading pieces in terms of 1s, 2s, and 3s. 1s are pieces that are polished and ready for publication, 2s are good pieces that need a little bit of work but are worth commenting on, and 3s are outright rejections. When you get a 2 back from a literary journal, the editors are likely to give you some supportive comments. When you get a 3 back, you get a short, insincere letter that isn't even worth printing out on a full sheet of paper.

When we interns had to read through the slush pile, we came to find out there were a LOT of 3s. And some people sent in such garbage that they really deserved it. But we had to read everything. So we had to read a lot of garbage.

Here's where my "Rejections" folder is a little different: I don't have to read anything at all. I think it is worth note if I was interested enough in the story to finish reading it. THAT alone shows that you have one very important skill as a writer: capturing your audience. And that's great! Not everyone can do that. There are a lot of literature pieces that go through my message box that I don't read past the first sentence because I put so much importance on a grabbing opening. Now, I could see people taking offense if I started putting all those pieces, unread, into my rejections folder.

When I put pieces in my rejections folder, I do also take the age and experience of the author into consideration, at least when I am able to glean that information from their profile page. And most of the time the authors are very young and inexperienced. Yes, I am aware of this. I was there once too. Just look in my poetry folder in my gallery. Trust me, I've been there. That's why I try to give a lot of constructive feedback, because, honestly, if I don't think the piece is very good, I should be able to give a lot of advice on how to improve it, and how to improve in writing in general. As with all comments, you don't have to take my advice. That is entirely your prerogative; it is your piece, after all. And its entirely possible that I'm completely wrong about my comments, and someone else might take your story in a completely different light. But, I'm just trying to give the best feedback possible and share my experience with other young writers. At the end of the day, I am just trying to help support the literary community here. And personally, I don't think I'm doing that very well if I just tell everyone "WELL DONE OLD CHAP!" and +fav everything with the tiniest bit of merit.

Although some people have wondered, if it's a rejection, why put it in your favorites at all? Well, as I said earlier, it's worth note if the author is able to capture an audience. Also, I would like to keep track of all the pieces I read. Perhaps in a few weeks, a few months, or hell, a few years, I'll be looking through my 3 folder and notice someone made some major revisions, and reread it, and decide to put it in my 2 or 1 folder. I would LOVE to see this happening. But by all means, if you're 100% happy with the way your writing comes out on the first try, let me know, because I don't want to waste constructive comments on something that's already perfect.

But, since the rejections folder is largely for record keeping, I can see why some people see the title as unnecessary. After all, it is viewable to the public. And no one wants to display their rejections; that's why they don't get published. So, I'm going to be changing the title of the folder to just "3" so that I can still keep track of my readings, and the authors don't have to be uncomfortable about having their piece in a folder labeled rejections.

If I comment on your work, even if it ends up in my 3 folder, please, take it as a complement. As with any slush pile, there is a lot of garbage on dA. But there was something good about your piece or your style or your writing that I think is worth noting. You are welcome at any time to send me a note and ask for further feedback, or advice, or critique, or even to discuss with me your ambitions. I may be blunt and critical, but all I really want is to see young writers on dA flourish in the larger literary community.

So with that, keep writing!

Gryphyn Bloodheart