Kaia Boyer
Why did you submit to trash to treasure lit?
The piece I submitted is one I wrote on a whim, in the midst of my English class because a prompt my teacher had given inspired me. It was deeply personal, and helped me understand myself and actions better. However, after a few submissions to literary magazines and a few rejections, I felt as if maybe this piece was something to keep close to my heart, although I was eager to get it out there to see if anyone felt the same. Then I found TTTL, loved the mission, and decided to give myself and my piece one more shot.
How would you describe your writing practice?
Very, very irregular. I only write when inspiration strikes, because I've found that my writing is quite dull when really I don't know what exactly I want to be writing down. So I'll write maybe, three poems in a week and then not write one for another four. Writing is trying to find the right things to put down, and I like to keep that sacred, even if it means feeling slightly unproductive for a few weeks while I wait for a new muse.
What is the biggest thing that stops you from submitting work to lit mags/journals/publications?
Other than fees to submit, definitely how big the magazine is. If a publication has more than ten-thousand followers, I'll definitely go this is unlikely, and rarely try. I have an irrational fear of simultaneous submissions, and big magazines tend to take a while to respond, and why should I submit if I'll a) probably get rejected and b) have to wait a while for that rejection in order to not feel off when I submit to another publication? I wish more of these magazines had wish-lists or things they're looking for that are more concrete: it'd really help me out to decide if it's worth the anxious emotions that come with submitting.
Do you think the writing industry has an impact on your confidence in your work (good or bad)? Why?
I find my relationship with the writing industry is interesting. I've learned from experience that it takes persistence to find the right home for your piece, and that you might not get it immediately, but that realization only settles in when a piece does get accepted. When a piece gets rejected, it makes me question lots. I'm still deciding if that tantalizing feeling is greater or lesser than the thrill of an acceptance.
When do you start to doubt a piece that you are working on?
I don't think I doubt a piece while I'm drafting it; if I don't believe in it, I won't write it. I only start to doubt the quality and enjoyment of the piece when it starts getting rejected by publications, in which case I'll go back and reread and question myself until I have a new draft, ready to submit. This process usually repeats until a piece gets accepted.
Once you trash one of your pieces, what makes you come back to it (if ever)?
Definitely the guilt of feeling like I've given up on it. At one point, I did have a vision for this piece and I did want to finish it, even if it's faded out. I feel like I have a responsibility to whatever character I've created or concept I'm trying to communicate to finish the piece.
How many pieces do think you have currently in your 'abandoned' folder?
About 4 or 5.
What is the ultimate reason that you trash your work?
There's two big ones: too many rejections, or not enough motivation to complete it or make it better. For the latter, I feel as if that's okay. Each piece in my writing journey is practice and I don't regret that I wrote what I have because it ultimately made me a better writer. For the former, the answer is more simple: I just lose confidence in myself and that piece.
Is there anything that would stop you from trashing your work? (More education in writing, more publications/less rejections, a change in the industry, etc)
Definitely more publications that are less serious and have a broader scope of what they're looking for, *nearly* regardless of how good they are. I believe TTTL is taking a huge first step in making the industry a lot more accepting and a lot healthier.
What writing advice have you been given that has changed your perspective on how you treat/view your work?
That each piece has a home, you just have to find it, and that if you don't write the piece, someone won't ever find their favorite one!
If you have any upcoming work (books, publications, features, art, etc), feel free to mention them here, so that we can support you!
I have a few pieces coming out soon in these publications: Londemere Lit, Fleuri Lit, and in the print issue of Soft Star Magazine, and I'm currently working on my third novel and revising my second! Look out for the second in bookstores in a couple years (-;
Kaia Boyer is a Chinese-American author born and raised in California. While she's not reading and writing, she can be found on the softball field pitching wildly, and or trying (and failing) to manage their parakeets. They’re currently revising their second novel.