The night of spooks is coming! And what more appropriate story to rewrite than The Legend of Sleep Hollow.

The main problems I see is doing this in 3000 words or less. Let me know if you'd like to increase the word limit, or anything else about the challenge you'd like to change.

I've been working on my version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and I'm already above the 3,000 word limit. And that's just on set up for the main action. I think, if I'm really careful (and change my set up), I think I can keep it at about 6,000. If I write the story the way I'd like, it'll probably be closer to 8,000.

This is all based, by the way, on what I'm seeing from the way my rough draft is turning out.

I know, I know, that's huge compared to the other challenges. But I just don't how I can tell the story I want to tell and keep it under 3,000.

Oh, and thanks for the link, Dakota. I really like that story.

Perhaps we don't need to put a word cap on, as we seem to get a wide variety of length as it is. Everything from under 1000 words, to pushing the 3000 limit.

Luckily, I backed up my stuff. So, I can have the rewrite available by the deadline. I don't have time to change the setup, so it'll be around 8,500 words (if I have time, I'll see if I can trim it down).

As for word count, I agree with RH.

Everyone ready? I'm not.

I'm looking forward to reading some of the other stories. If they aren't posted before Friday, I'll have to wait until next week to sign on and get them unless I can get on-line over the week-end.

That means my story is now about 13,000 words long and I don't have time to get something smaller together by the deadline. (Curse you Compaq!!!!)

However, the story flows much better now, so I guess that's a good trade off. The only problem I have now is with how to fit in the background. Most of it is sprinkled through the story except for one piece at the beginning that tends to be info dumpish. But I don't feel I can put it anywhere else in the story.

First, after reading Robyn_Hood's story, I reverse my original statement. I think the word count is a good idea. RH's story was very creative and very enjoyable to read and I think that the word restriction had a lot to do with it (you can correct me if I'm wrong RH).

However, I didn't really worry about the word limit. I just started writing the story and it came out at less than a thousand words. That's how long it took me to tell my story, this time. Back during the first challenge, I was afraid I might have to start cutting to stay under the limit (now that I'm into the revising and re-writing stage, I'm discovering a need to add things that I didn't think to put in the first time because of the word cap).

All that said, if your tendancy is to write longer stories, the word cap can challenge you to write tight. But I don't think it should get in the way of telling the story you feel the need to tell.

Have you had others request your stories besides those participating in the current month's challenge?

(And since we're on the subject, would you please send them to me?)

I'm planning to reword or rename the challenge to spark some greater interest and to let people know that they are more than welcome to read, even if they don't participate.

I'm also changing the challenge format to make the submissions for reading only--no critiques. More people might be interested in reading if they don't have that pressure of also having to critique. And those participating should have time to seek critiques during the writing process to help them along. I'm thinking the challenge should feel more like a final deadline, rather than a rough-draft submission intended to hook critiquers.

I never expect critiques on these stories, at least, not when I first post. I like the little comments that people e-mail back after they read my story but I never look for a deep crit. If I get enough positive feedback, then I'll ask for volunteers to give me more. (So far I've only done that for my Billy Goats story, and I'm still working on the re-write ).

I think some adjustments might help; it would be nice to get more readers and writers involved.

BTW, are we going to do a November challenge? I know we talked about skipping this month because of NaNoWriMo, but I wouldn't mind doing one.

Any thoughts on a topic?

***
P.S. I'll send you my re-write asap

I haven't had anyone who didn't do the Challenge ask to read my submission.

As for critiques, I think the location is what's throwing people. I usually assume people want a critique since it's in F&F, unless they specifically state otherwise. I also really enjoy both giving and listening to the critiques of my sub. It's shown me a lot about how my writing changes when I've got a deadline.

If we're not going to critique, maybe it should be moved to Writing Class.

That's just my $0.02.

We had talked about it a couple of months ago in some length. What I remember being decided in the end was a two-month Challenge. And since the challenge would be for December, I indulged my selfish love of Christmas stories and made the challenge one that will feed that love. Anyway, read the post and let me know what you think. Think it'll draw more people in? It's the thread entitled "An Invitation to All".

I'm just about to start the Discussion thread as well.

And RobynHood, this is exactly what I envisioned this challenge would be from the beginning.

quote:

---

I like the little comments that people e-mail back after they read my story but I never look for a deep crit. If I get enough positive feedback, then I'll ask for volunteers to give me more.

---

I see your reasons for avoiding Writing Class. I looked at what you posted in F&F and I think it works great.