This is a critique group for writers that will be entering a story for the second quarter of 2009 in the Writers of the Future contest (26th year), and do so on an early schedule.
Anyone is welcome to join. If you do though, please follow the directions for such. Currently, the group consists of me: WriterDan
If you want to join the group for this quarter, please re-post the current names list in a reply and add your name to the bottom.
Deadlines for this quarter's crits are as follows:
December 1st: Start writing January 21st: First drafts out for crits February 14th: Second drafts out for crits March 7th: Mail-in final drafts for Q02
Note: The official mail-in deadline for this quarter is March 31st; however, this group's deadlines are set up so that all entries can be mailed well before the deadline and hopefully beat the rush at the end of the quarter.
When you send out drafts for critique, please do so in a generic format so that everyone will be able to open your file. (eg. rtf, txt. Pdf is okay too, but won't allow for in-text comments.)
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited January 08, 2009).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Please, count me in. I'll try not to be a nuissance. ______________________________________ WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions)
WriterDan Patrick James
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
OH Boy! A group for writers that are nuissances! Sounds like one for me!
WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions) WriterDan Patrick James Snapper
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Due to the loss of all my edtis, I'm out of the present quarter, but will be in this one.
WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions) WriterDan Patrick James Snapper darklight
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
Count me in. I promise to be a better participant this quarter.
WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions) WriterDan Patrick James Snapper darklight AWSullivan
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I'm in, too. My hard drive died and I'm having difficulties. Lots of difficutlies. Like, how do I get this new computer hard drive to remember my password here?
Sigh, I'm still working on Cory. I lost quite a bit of that with the hard drive.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Would you like me to send you the latest version of Cory that you sent me, arriki?
WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions) WriterDan Patrick James Snapper darklight AWSullivan arriki
Anybody know if WOTF appreciates sci-fi comedy?
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
Dunno yet whether I'm going to be in this group or the normal-schedule group, but I also wanted to remind you, arriki, that I have a relatively new version of Cory if you need it.
And great question, PatrickJames. I was wondering almost the same thing - in my case, whether to write a futuristic fantasy with strong shades of humor, or a straight-out fantasy.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Question for you guys - when you start your WOTF stories do you run them through the Short Story Crit area first?
I'm going to try this, but I'm not sure if I'll have time to complete it within the limits suggested. Oh, and no one go and start quoting Yoda on me.
WOTF 2nd quarter 2009(early submissions) WriterDan Patrick James Snapper darklight AWSullivan arriki philocinemas
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Yes, please do email me the "no no this is the patest copy" that's that last one, I think. Oh dear, I made some important changes after that.
Thanks, guys
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
WOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just had some inspiration peoples, and I am STOKED for this quarter!
Had an idea for a story this quarter that I was pretty ho-hum about, and didn't really have an ending for yet. It was interesting, but not KA-POW, you know?
So, the other day I listened to this podcast on podcastle that I didn't particularly care for, but it got me thinking.
And most times, that's all it takes for my ideas to come.
OOH! I need to get writing. But dang I still have to draft my Q01 entry. Where's the love!?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I will most likely be late on first draft. Hope no one minds.
I am doing a comedy--I have never tried comedy. I hope I get at least one laugh.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
I might be dropping out, sorry. My available writing time has been very limited.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So how is everyone doing on their first drafts? Me? You're asking me? Well...um...I still need to get to that most very important first word.
Eep. Eep.
Yes, even the crickets agree: I am a slacker. Just got back from a whirlwind tour including my little brother's wedding, not to mention Holiday fun with the family. Was all a blast, but made my vacation time fly out the window like the proverbial finch. Actually, still suffering from the shock that I'm back at school. Ugh.
Anyhow, was curious where everyone else was sitting, and if maybe anyone else could use a bit of a delay on our first deadline. Would just like to know where everything is sitting for this upcoming quarter.
Luckily, I finished plotting my story on the bus this afternoon as I was riding up to school. Have to admit that I'm pretty excited about it. And all this after hours of contemplation on the big Q-word in relation to WotF. Sheesh.
Luck everyone.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Oh Damn!
Look, I got something done but it still needs work, and unfortunately, I have other loose ends to tie up. Just as soon as I get this old story fixed up I'll get back to my WotF and then bug the rest of you.
How's the rest of you doing?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
75% done(stop)deadline jan 7th(pause)no chance(stop)jan 14th projected fin(end of tranmission)
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
New Year's Resolution:
I am going to polish up THE VANISHING BASEMENT for this quarter. Take a two week break and write a first draft of a totally (or maybe finish the one set on Cyddonia Station -- orbiting Mars) new story from the list of ideas above my desk and then I'll finish Cory for the third quarter.
Think I can hold to that schedule?
The BASEMENT should not take more than 2-3 weeks. It's in pretty good shape as it is. Every teen and preteen who's read it has loved it.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, it looks like a decent 1st draft date would be the 21st.
Yea?
That still puts us two weeks ahead of the deadlines for the end of the quarter, which is good. I'll move the 2nd deadline back to the 14th too. That way we'll still have time for the all-important drafting stage. I'll update the first post to reflect these changes.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Whew,
I believe my draft is ready. Do I win a prize for being first? Who wants it or should I just dump it in everyones lap?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
You may send it to me, you fast-um-typer-man. (And its snapper by a nose!)
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Just throw it out to everyone. As far as I know, the list above is still in effect. Philo-- said he/she might have to drop out, but haven't heard anything else since then. Time for some spamming. I'll be looking for it.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I will assume that he (Philo) is out until I hear otherwise. In the meantime...
Editing to say I sent it away to everyone. Let me know if I missed ya.
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited January 14, 2009).]
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
I might submit something I did for the sudden fiction contest a while back. I'm still working on the other piece, and I haven't gotten very far. I have worked on the first story a little and it is now 2200 words. What do any of you think would be a good word count for WOTF?
Edited to add question mark.
[This message has been edited by philocinemas (edited January 16, 2009).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
WotF excepts anything under 17000 words, so you're good, Philo.
Thanks to arriki, WriterDan, and Patrick James for reading my entry. I am ready if anyone has their done.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
I'll trade off with you snapper and with anyone else who is ready.
(My story is "The Trade", so if anyone's already seen it in the last Sudden Fiction Contest, it hasn't changed that much - I've just touched it up and added a little)
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Sure thing, Philo.
I am putting some finishing touches on a few cosemitic changes based on some suggestions that the others made. Although, I have yet to understand how dousing it in gasoline and lighting a match will help it.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Snapper, if it is on your computer, all you need is a sturdy baseball bat.
That just goes to show you that you can't trust every suggestion you get from a critic.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Hey Philo,
I'm open for any critting. Send yours my way. I'm not quite done with my story yet. Have it all plotted, just getting the prose out of my head now. Coming along slowly but surely.
Dan
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Thanks guys. I'm sending it to you now.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
philocinemasI'll have go at it.
I'm stalled on the basement story. I decided the ending was too abrupt but haven't figured out a better one yet.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Thanks, arriki. I'll send it over. This was actually the first short story I had written in about 20 years. Asimov's and Analog didn't seem too impressed, so I figured, what the heck, I'd go ahead and submit it to WoTF. I've completed one since then, and I've got 2-3 in the works. The second wasn't as good, and the others are going slow.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I read it. Cute idea but I think I can see why the magazines are passing on it.
There are some bad flaws -- in my opinion -- that you need to fix. they're tricky ones having to do with the whole thing relying on double entendre.
I'm sending you my comments after they've had a while to simmer and age and, maybe, improve.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Endings – I’ve got a new book on the subject which brought up some ideas I wanted to discuss with other writers.
First, it’s kind of like the advice that Donald Wollheim used to give out. He said that he always read the first page of a mss then (if that passed muster) the last page, to see if they were on the same subject.
In THE THIRD ACT by Drew Yanno (a screenwriting text but I read those for insight to story and plot and stuff like that),Yannoe talks about stories failing because the question raised in chapter one isn’t answered in chapter three (the last act).
In my latest story about a basement, I have all this happening with a basement but don’t really get down to answering the question raised that Tommy doesn’t believe in basements. Looking at the story as a whole I can see this is a weakness. The lack does not ruin the story. It’s more like a stumble, as if a step were too tall or too low as you’re coming down a set of stairs. However, stumbles like this are reasons why stories don’t get to finals, or, maybe, even to honorable mentions when they seem okay to the casual reader.
That’s what I’m struggling with right now on m WOTF story – answering the first question. That and the ending itself which Yanno says the third act is all about the final battle. Set up, the final battle, outcome of the final battle, denouement, and “the bridge.”
What do you guys think?
I’ve felt a weakness both in the basement story and in “Cory.” I think this may be part of, if not the whole, problem. And, as I come to understand this concept better, I think I’m going to be looking for or finding it in your stories as I critique them.
I thought I’d mention this so you are forewarned about my latest “great idea.”
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Consider me warned. Sounds like a good project/idea. The results should prove interesting.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
OSC talks about this in HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY when he talks about the structure of his M.I.C.E. story categories and how each kind of story has to end.
I mention that here because it's a little more specific. Each kind of story asks a different kind of question, and each kind of story ends differently because each kind of question has a different kind of answer.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
At long last I've finished the re-draft of my story. It's the same one as last quarter that I lost a portion of. Is it ok to send to everyone?
Ready to recieve stories from everyone too. How's it all going? I've spent the last few weeks going over a novel I just entered into the Amazon Breakthrough contest but ready now to get back into WotF.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Boy, I haven't even heard about the Amazon novel breakthrough contest before and here I've read about it twice in just the last couple of hours. Crazy.
Still working on my story. New one about...well...good stuff.
Go ahead and send your story out to everyone on the list, darklight. In fact, here it is again so you don't have to go searching.
WriterDan Patrick James Snapper darklight AWSullivan arriki philocinemas
Looking forward to reading your story.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
WriterDan, thanks for that.
I finally got around to sending it off to everyone. If you didn't get it, give me a shout.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I just emailed you back and complained about the fact that it was a docx file. Apparently, Microsoft has a patch for earlier versions of Word that will allow for them to open docx files. Nice. Thought everyone else might want to know. Then again, maybe I'm just behind the curve and everyone knows this already.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Okay, here I am. It looks like I might possibly be able to finish the first draft of my story tonight. Only have about 2k words or so left to go, and I really NEED to get it done so that I can kick things into high gear with my PhD dissertation starting next week. So, watch for it coming down the pipe. It'll be by Monday at the latest. I'm such a slacker. But in my defense (of this self-inflicted attack), this was a big one. Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I'm sorry, but this was so...humorous I had to share the comment with you guys. I hope I'm on the right WOTF topic.
I'm reading the full moon thing and the first sentence stopped me cold.
A real nit, but, since it IS the first line – I thought he had a canteen of some liquid and was pouring it into something. You might want to use a different term for the place. I had no idea you meant a house of refreshment rather than some piece of camping equipment.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Thanks so much for the public humiliation, just what I needed.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I thought it was just a humorous oversight and wanted to share it because humor is so rare these days.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Yes, it is so rare to see anything humorously written these days, can't remember the last time I seen anyone write down something funny.
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited February 07, 2009).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
didn't you see the humor in my "Fish Story"?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
You didn't send me your 'fish' story. I am eager to read it. Please do so.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
My apology's arriki. I checked my records. I did read you Fish Story. How did that do in the WotF contest anyway?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Just an HM. I really thought it deserved better, but then, don't we all -- think our stories deserved better.
I failed to finish CORY for the fourth quarter, so I don't have a story this time. I hope I can get the basement story polished in time and go on to CORY (after writing an entirely new story between them -- something to have simmering in my subconscious for a future quarter).
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
That's okay, darklight, I would love if my stories were discribed as humorous. As it is they have been discribed as: Boring, barely readable, dull, nonsensical, sophomoric,...where is that one Annepin sent me... pathetic, not unlike water-boarding, and lacking character.
Critiques were sometimes as short as: Needs work... and I dont know where to begin.
Just joking about the Annepin comment. I am sure she would never say something so hurtful. The others on the other hand...
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
What are you talking about PJ? I haven't even got a chance to trash your work yet.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Should I stick my foot in that bear trap and send him something?
(If you're talking about this quarter, I am horribly flumoxed on my story, everything was going great, then...)
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I overreacted, I know, sorry. I'd had a horrible couple of days before hand, it just seemed like rubbing salt in my open wounds.
Back to the purpose of this thread: Thanks for the critiques I've gotten so far, had some good ideas come from them. WriterDan, I'm working on your story now; should have it back to you in a couple of days.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
hey PJ,
I am working on the final touches of my crit to Writer Dan. If you need someone to un-flumox you, send what you got and maybe I can offer some advice.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Double that comment, PJ. I'd be more than happy to shoot a few ideas your way.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
quote:Deadlines for this quarter's crits are as follows:
December 1st: Start writing January 21st: First drafts out for crits February 14th: Second drafts out for crits March 7th: Mail-in final drafts for Q02
Anybody going to make that second draft date? I could, if I pushed it.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Nope. Wish I could. Might be until the end of the month until I can. Been doing lots of extra hours at school after dinner to get the first draft of my dissertation out. Probably about 50% done with what I can currently write about. Ugh. I wish this thing could just be done with. Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I have a rewrite done. Completely redid the middle.
If anyone is interested, or has the time, let me know and I'll send it to you.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Any time, snapper. Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Send it my way snapper, happy to take another look.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Did you send it to me? I'm currently looking at Icared's but I'll get to yours if you send it.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Send it along.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I'll read, snapper.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I haven't even freaking finished my next draft of this quarter's story, and over the last hour or so my mind's been going overdrive on a new story idea. Pretty much just wrapped it up. Think it'll be on the docket for next quarter. I'm actually pretty impressed with the idea. Was watching Click on the tube (Adam Sandler) and the main idea stuck in my head. Can't even remember now what sparked it though. Odd how things like that work out sometimes.
How's things going for everyone? School's been killing me (8am - 5pm and then 9pm to 11pm every day) so I've been really slow on my rewrite and on a few of the critiques that I owe people. Sorry for that. Will do my best to get them out this week. Hope everything's well. Write, write write!!!
Later.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
I have a goal to be done drafting this quarter's story by this Friday. I'll try to send it out by then for crits. Anyone else in the group need a crit from me? I'll do my best to get any back quickly.
Also... DEADLINE RAPIDLY APPROACHING!!!!!!
So, today is the 11th, and the official deadline for the quarter is only 20 days away. Time to polish and buff. Time to kick it into high gear.
Happy writing.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Well, I finally finished my first draft.
Never tried comedy before (though some have thought my works comedy till I told them they weren't) and I am somewhat disappointed in myself.
Oh, well. I don't expect my first to be great, anybody who wants to read it--that I haven't already sent it to--holla.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Finally got the draft of my story finished. Sent it out. If anyone didn't get it that wants a go at it, let me know and I'll send it your way. Thanks everyone.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I have sent everybody back a critted story to everyone that sent me a story right?
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
It's official.
ONE WEEK TO GO!
Just thought a gentle reminder would be helpful.
Luck everyone.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
If you haven't sent it, you'd better.
Good luck everyone.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Well, I failed in getting my story finished on time.
Humph.
But on the the bright side of things, I'm not getting kicked out of school without a degree. Yay!
So, I guess that means things are pretty okay. We'll see what happens next quarter. Luck to everyone that got theirs off.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Thanks. I'll need all the luck I can get this quarter and good luck to you on next quarter, Dan.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Just got confirmation that they got my story. I'm a lot happier now, since I sent it off so late, knowing its gotten put into the right quarter.
I like how they treat you as a person, and not just a number and not worth bothering with. They way their e-mails actually have you name in them and with the title of the story, it shows that they take time and care about their contestants. A lot of other contests wouldn't be as personal, if at all.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
...like the heinlein contest. It's been ten months and I don't believe anyone has heard a thing about it.
Hats off to Joni, such a sweet lady.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Snapper, the Heinlein contest posted something just a few weeks ago that they're still judging. Hope the results are in soon, I really want that story back (or have it win, LOL, I'm not picky) because I want to get it out again, it's among my best, IMHO.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Has anyone seen the latest entry on the WOTF blog?
It says they are experiencing the largest quater (number wise) in living memory. Only, I'm not sure which quarter she means, this one, or the next (Q3).
Either way, I wonder how well that bodes for us. I would think that if we get a HM or higher, it's pretty good. What do you think?
Posted by Kitti (Member # 7277) on :
I saw that too. Darn economic down-turn giving people more time to write :-)
I'm guessing she means the 2nd quarter (January-March).
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Yeah. That'd be my guess too. Now I'm really feeling crappy that I didn't get my submission in before the deadline. Dumb school. Dumb flu.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So has anyone been hearing back about their submissions from Q02 (Deadline Mar 31st)? I don't expect to see announcements about Finalists for another 3-4 weeks, but HMs are possible. Anything?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Not yet. The winners haven't even been mentioned for Q1 yet.
Brad T (a hatracker that we rarely hear from) was named a finalist. In his blog he says it has been 9 weeks since he was informed and hasn't heard a thing yet. WotF's blog hasn't been updated since april 24th. Maybe they're all out looking for jobs?
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
First set of Honorable Mentions are up. No familiar names there. Any one heard anything?
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Although I didn't participate with you guys last quarter, I did get an HM (Kenneth Cassell, UT). My first attempt.
[This message has been edited by Owasm (edited June 22, 2009).]
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Just seen I've gotten an HM for my Full Moon story. I'd whoop with excitment but its too early in the morning. No, I'm really pleased about it. And congrats to all the other Hatrackers that got one too.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
Grats to all! Especially the first timers!
~Anthony
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Congratulations, everyone!
Another quarter is gone and now we're on to the next. Let's make it even better.
And all this after hours of contemplation on the big Q-word in relation to WotF. Sheesh.