This is a critique group for writers that will be entering a story for the first 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:
September 1st: Start writing
October 7th: First drafts out for crits
November 7th: Second drafts out for crits
November 30th: Mail-in final drafts for Q01
Note: The official mail-in deadline for this quarter is December 31st; however, this group's deadlines are set up so that all entries can be mailed up to a month 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.)
Sign up! And let's get busy writing!
Award count for this WotF critique group (Q03 2008 - present): Finalist: 0 Semi-finalist: 3 HM: 5
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited September 30, 2008).]
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
I'm in, of course.
Anthony
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Me, too,
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I'm in.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Filling in for those who don't care to read my CAREFULLY PREPARED and METICULOUSLY DETAILED instructions... lol Cut and paste works miracles, but can cause some of the worst debugging errors ever. Beware the unwary!
er, that's cRow. Like the bird. Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
"Moo," said the cow with an air of disinterest.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
quote:er, that's cRow. Like the bird.
Hey, welcome back. Long time no see. But serious, boredcRow?? You mean I've been misreading it this entire time?? The mind boggles!
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
lol, anne, I suppose it's easy to misread. I'm sure cows get bored too, but I'm an ornithologist and thus much more interested in cRows.
... what, you mean this topic isn't about screen names? Oh, okay, I'll be quiet now.
[This message has been edited by BoredCrow (edited September 02, 2008).]
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
With apologies for not always honouring my responsibilities this last quarter, due to host of family and personal problems and illness, I promise to do better this time around.
Oops. Sorry for the mis-read Crow. I've totally read it Cow ever since first seeing your name. Will make that change in my long-term memory.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Me too, me too! I'm in. Wow, this looks like fun. Leslie
Moooo!
[This message has been edited by LAJD (edited September 05, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Glad to have you back, darklight. Hope things on the homefront are better.
Sigh. I'm still stuck on finishing China Station. Fortunately I have a good draft of the story I'm planning to submit. I get to worry my way through polishing instead of writing from scratch. I'm absolutely horrible in first draft. No one would want to read one of those.
I've decided this next quarter it will be "Cory's Fall From Grace." First off, I need a better title although this one is better than the simple "Cory" it used to have. This is that dark adult fantasy.
So, what're the rest of you guys planning on? Fantasies or sf?
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited September 07, 2008).]
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
Mine's sci-fi... one of the only sci-fi stories I've ever written. My entry for 2008 Q04 was/is fantasy.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I am definitely in.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
Not sure Arriki. My Q3 story was fantasy and my Q4 is Sci-fi. I suspect I'll do sci-fi again since that is what I'm mostly writing right now... but who knows. Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
My entry for Q04 is Sci-Fi, and the one that I have planned to write for 2009Q01 is a Fantasy. Been looking forward to writing this one for some time actually. Now, I just have to finish my freaking 4th quarter submission so that I can start on the new one! Really looking forward to this quarter because I have everything planned out. During the 4th quarter, I gave up on a re-write of a past entry after a couple of weeks, got 9 pages into a new sci-fi before realizing that I didn't have the plot finished enough to continue, so I wrote 36 pages of a new sci-fi story that wasn't well-received by you guys or much liked by myself for that matter, to finally get to my current 40 page sci-fi revamp, which I'm now drafting. Ugh. MAN, am I looking forward to an easy quarter this time around! Looking forward to all the new stories.
I'm pretty much the same as you, WriterDan, this quarter. I abandonded my first story, tried to write another, which I got about 2500 words into when I got sick, so it never got finished. Been sick now for ten straight days, just feel like I'm coming out the other side now. Haven't been able to look at a computer screen for days. Don't know if I'll get anything done for this quater, but determined to get something ready for the next.
I have it all planned anyhow. Another sci-fi. Perhaps I'll give fantasy a try one of these times.
Anyone heard anything from last time, yet? I'm still waiting to hear one way or the other.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
I got my Q3 rejection letter today. A little deflating at first but now I'm bouncing back. I realized that I could now go ahead and start to workshop my Q3 story.
It was my first completed work and received no workshop effort at all. I didn't even know what such a thing was!
Look for 'Old Magic' in the short stories forum shortly.
Anthony
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Well, I don't feel so lame then. I wrote mine, struggled, scrapped, rewrote, and still struggled... don't know if I'll get something in for this Q4. My home life has been a bit turbulent. But I'm in for Q1-09.
Well I'm in, but remember I'm "Down to the Wire Girl." As DWG, I typically mail it just prior to 5 PM on the last day of the quarter. Some quarters I have even managed to get it in the day *before* the last day of the quarter.
So, count me in, but I'm still in early revisions on my Q4 entry so I've got a bit of time before I know what I'll be doing next quarter. I'm happy to help with any crits for current quarter for other down-to-the-wire folk, and I'll be needing some as soon as I add in the scene Annepin recommended.
Glad to see more of you in on the game for this coming quarter. Hope things get better for you, annepin, and we're more than happy to accommodate your delayed schedule, KayTi. Mostly, we're just glad to have the two of you along for the ride.
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited September 09, 2008).]
So, how are the first drafts coming? Started? Mid-way? Finished? Our posted deadline for first round crits is coming up fast at just under three weeks away. Wanted to give everyone a push along and wishes that things are going well.
Between critiques and drafts of my Q04 2008 story, I've managed to bang out almost 5k words on my new story for this quarter. Probably a little more than a third of the way through my plot arc and coming along nicely. Actually haven't had a story come out this smoothly in a long time, which is nice to see and makes me hope for some good to come of this quarter.
Happy writing!
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
My Q04 2008 story is down to the last proof. I wrote maybe 200 words on the new story, just to put something on paper. I'm expanding it from a flash, so I sort of have that as an outline.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Well...I haven't started my story. I know the story, have an old version of it I need to extend, but haven't written one word of the new version. I still have to finish a read through and minor edits of this quater's story, which I will do before I start the new one. All I have to do then is find some way to print it, since my printer has decided it doesn't want to work.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
The story I'm going to use for this time is in its third draft. I think it's one of the better stories I've written, but it still needs a lot of work to become polished and shiny.
After I send out my 2004 Q4 story, I want to work on ironing out some of the flaws, such as the weak beginning the story currently has.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I've started two stories... one kinda hit a dead end, the other I need to think about how I'm going to work it. I'm going to try to finish at least one this weekend.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
I've written three stories in as many weeks so I suppose I'm doing fine. I'm not sure I'll make a specific effort to write a WotF story but rather send in the best of the stories I have written since my 4Q story.
Not that I won't want crits so don't think you're off the hook!
~Anthony
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
annepin, I'm like you. I started one and it just ended. Maybe some other time for that one.
Now, I have a second that I like a lot. It's one of those stories that comes with the big parts all worked out, I just need to get those pesky details out on paper! I plan to work on it this weekend. I doubt I will finish it, because I have a big day job deliverable on monday, but I will try.
Leslie
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
I've written 2000 words, although I've decided that the first 500 aren't really necessary. It'll probably be somewhere between 5000 and 8000 words when I finish.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I have written about 6k words and I think this one won't be that long. The way it is going now, I think the first draft will be close to 8k. Though the draft really is in a horrible state right now. The characters need a lot of improvement, but I like the way the plot has evolved in my mind. Only if I were able to put it down to words...
Posted by deggett (Member # 6215) on :
I just signed up for the regular time-table, but I'm more than willing to critique for you high-aiming early people.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Original post moved to Writing Class topic. See link in first post, above.
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited September 30, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Great stuff, WriterDan.
I was just wondering, though, if you have Dave Wolverton's permission to reprint this.
If you do, that's fine, and it would be good to have a separate topic for his stuff.
If not, please check with him and make sure it's all right?
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
At the bottom of the email, he says to feel free to share the information with friends, and there weren't any qualifiers on it. I figured this was the easiest way to share it with the groups, and I've stated that it came from him. Do you think that I need to be more careful and specifically ask about posting it here? If you do, by all means I will. Just seemed like it'd be okay to me.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Permission granted. Is there somewhere that we could post this info semi-permanently, Kathleen? That way I can just reference a Hatrack discussion link at the beginning of each new quarter with the info.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Sure, WriterDan. I'd recommend starting a topic in the Writing Class area and calling it something like "Advice from Dave Wolverton."
Do you want to do it, or shall I?
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Done!
Anyone interested can find it in the "Writing Class" area from the main forum page. I will post anything further that he has to say there.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
2008 is done. All that's left is waiting to hear now.
Where are we with the first quarter of 2009? I'm buffing and polishing the Cory story. That'll take a while. Where are the rest of you?
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I'm using a story that I've been working on for a while now called "The Dying Time." I think it's at a good place, but once I polish it a bit, I'm looking forward to getting feedback on how to make it even shinier.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
The last few days have been spent solely on my Q04 entry. Got a little time to draft the first part of my 2009 Q01 story tonight. Still at about 5k words with the plot arc 1/3 done. I'm shooting to have my first draft of this one done on time though (Oct 7th). I really need to spend some time with my co-authored novel this month (haven't touched it since last Feb), and the whole early-submission thing should allow me to do that. Plus I need to start formulating my next Q02 entry. Now that 2008 is over and done with, I think it's time for some inspiration to hit. So, okay. Any time now...
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Count me in. Except I'm afraid I won't have anything to show off for the 10/7 deadline, but I'm happy to read and crit.
[This message has been edited by Zero (edited October 01, 2008).]
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
I've finished my first draft (10000 words). One of my classes is critiquing it next tuesday.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Inspiration hath hit!
Second quarter 2009 entry now formulating...
And today's the 2nd. Eek. I need to get writing--
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I think I will have my first draft finished on time. It is coming along somewhere between 8000 and 9000 words. I have written 8000 already, but need to go over a few scenes to make it look more compact.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I want in, hope I'm not late.
I am ready to recieve and send ms to anyone in group.
Write/Critique: WriterDan AWSullivan arriki BoredCRow darklight LAJD Icared Annepin KayTi Gardener TheOnceandFutureMe Patrick James and I believe Zero
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
I've changed track three times and still not sure which idea to pursue. I think I'd better join the regular timeline.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I can't believe how well my story is going. From less than two thousand words a couple of days ago, it's now at almost five. But what I planned on being a 7k story, I think is going to turn into maybe ten or eleven.
I'm writing this using a short (2k) story I worte years ago. I'm finding rewriting from the original very slow going, but when writing the new scenes I'm adding, it's so easy. Any else find this to be true when adapting an old story?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Yes, darklight, I have exactly the same difficulty. I can write fresh material at least three times quicker than editing old material, atop that is my patience for editing. I can write all day, rewritting, on the other hand, wearys me very quickly.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Yes, this happened to me on my novel. The new parts I'd envisioned were so easy. But then I had to rewrite old stuff--for style and content consistency. Man, I felt like I'd hit a wall!
Why do you think this is? Part of it for me is I get annoyed. I can't shut the part of my brain off that says, "We already wrote this. Why are we rewriting it?" Even though I know I can do it better, I know I have to do it better.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Am I too late to get in? My story is ready for critiquing any time.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Yes, I'm happy to read and crit anyone's.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Glad to have you aboard, Jennifer. So, as far as I can tell, the current list sit at:
So, I don't think that I'm going to be able to finish my story by this first deadline now (tomorrow). Was working on wiring a new switch this last Saturday for a bathroom fan I'm going to be installing soon, and I think I broke my hand (well at least a bone that is part of it anyways). Have to go to the doc today to make sure, but it hurts pretty freaking bad. Will do my best to still get things finished by this Friday though.
The list this quarter has ended up pretty long, just like it was last time through. I don't exactly remember how well the crit swaps worked out last time, but my memory says that it didn't happen very well. I'm hoping that things will be better this time around. Seeing as how we have twelve people in the group right now, I'd suggest splitting up into two groups of six each (because, I'm sorry, having eleven stories in my mailbox that I have to crit is just not a fun feeling...) for this round, then we'll mix things up for the second round of crits. Sound okay to everyone?
To make things easy, I think we should take evens and odds on the list-- Hmm. Okay, so apparently it seems that I have some trouble with counting unless the names are individually numbered already (which I just took the time to do on the list above...).
So then, ahem, as I was saying, let's split up into one group of six and one group of seven. If we have another random someone sign up for the group, they can join the "evens". And if our groups get much bigger than nine a piece, we can consider splitting up into three groups. (The possibility makes my head spin with giddy desire.)
The two groups will be:
First round critique group #1 (the oddies): 1.WriterDan 3.arriki 5.darklight 7.Icared 9.KayTi 11.Patrick James 13.JenniferHicks
First round critique group #2 (the evens): 2.AWSullivan 4.BoredCRow 6.LAJD 8.Annepin 10.TheOnceandFutureMe 12.Zero
If anyone is open for doing more crits than just those within their own sub-group, then let it be known. Otherwise, let's get busy swapping.
Now I'm going to go soak my hand in an ice bath...
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
Splitting into two groups seems fine. Hope you get better soon WriterDan.
I am open to critiques at anytime, so if anyone in my group has finished the first draft, feel free to send it to me. I will be finishing mine either tomorrow or the day after.
[This message has been edited by Icared (edited October 06, 2008).]
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I'm about half way through my first draft, so I'll be a little late, too.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Groups suits!
Hope the hand/finger gets better soon. Two of my fingers are broken so I know how you feel.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Oh yeah, and thumbs up on the groups. Maybe we can scramble them for round two to get some fresh eyes. And those in my group, send me your drafts as soon as they're ready.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Groups and fine with me too, and hope the hand is ok.
I'm all finished with my first draft and will be sending it out tomorrow to everyone in my group. Likewise, I'm all set to recieve stories, so please send when ready.
Edited to add: Ended up at 9,500 words.
[This message has been edited by darklight (edited October 06, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
We'll definitely scramble for second round crits, annepin. I'm guessing we'll probably have a few drop-outs/additions to the group by then, as usual. So, we'll hit that when we get there. Thanks for all the well-wishes, people. Off to the doc now. Later.
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
The first draft of my story is being critted in a workshop today. I'll do some rewriting tomorrow and hopefully have it out to my group by the end of this week.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
My story has been sent! The only person I was unable to send to was KayTi because I didn't see an e-mail address in the profile. I'm looking forward to critiquing everyone else's work.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
JenniferHicks -- I didn't receive it.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I resent. Hopefully you got it this time.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I've sent mine off to everyone in my group. Awaiting stories for all but JeniferHicks - I sent my crituiqe of your story back to you. If you haven't got it, let me know.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I'm almost done with my first draft, but not ready for crits yet. I expect that I need a couple of days.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I sent my critique to JenniferHicks. I hope I wasn't impossible to please.
By the way guys...as you know I suffered a stroke back in June. I lost the ability to write by hand and to type. I still have a lot of trouble typing. I try to clean it up but stuff slips through. I especially have difficulty with periods such as an "l" instead of a "." Misspellings slip through, too. I'm not any dumber than I was. I do have muscle twitches that strike keys I don't realize I've hit in the white heat of writing. So forgive me my slips in messages, critiques and stories. Point them out in the stories, please.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
arriki, I, for one, didn't know about your stroke. Sorry if I missed your posting the information here on Hatrack.
And congratulations on your work to overcome it. I haven't noticed any spelling problems, etc, so you're doing something right.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
Sorry to hear that arriki, hope you get better soon.
I just sent out my story to everyone in my group as well.
I just wanted to warn you guys, as english is not my first language(i am turkish,in the US for graduate study), my first drafts are usually a bit messy in terms of vocabulary. I would appreciate any corrections and suggestions about that.
Please don't think that I am too lazy to correct any vocabulary errors, I am doing everything I can.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Icared, we welcome those for whom English is not their first language, and we have several people here who speak more than English as well.
You do the best you can, and we'll do what we can to assist you.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
arriki,
I sincerely wish you the best of luck, fortune, and godspeed with your health and recovery. I am both inspired and amazed at your refusal to quit, and your persistence to keep chasing after the art of writing that we're all passionate about. I hope this glowing post isn't read as cheesy or sarcastic, because it is rare that I am so inspired and I wanted to thank you.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Thank you. Zero.
I used to write using WordPerfect 5.1 but now I'm kind of stuck with WordPerfect 12 and Word because they underline in red all misspelled words. The ones like "ship" instead of "slip" they don't catch, however. Sigh. It's just so darn frustrating.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Exactly what Zero said. I couldn't phrase that sentiment any better--or even as well. Your strength to overcome that difficulty has made me feel small for whining about my fingers.
I have similair frustration with spell checkers, its the 'cant' vs 'can't' that bugs me the most. And when they do underline something, why does it have to RED. I don't see red, and often mistake it for a standard underline and miss it.
You say it happened back in June? I guess you're not the whiner I am, or I'd have known about it.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Arriki, indeed, you are an inspiration.
Patrick James, I think you can change the underlining to a different color if you go to the "preferences" and "editing" section.
These kinds of errors are precisely why I don't rely on the spell checker. I find it gives you a false sense of peace, of feeling like it's got your back. Instead, it introduces more insidious errors. So, I have it on, but I check as I type, and if a word gets underlined just after I type it I go back and fix it. After the piece is written, I find there's no substitute for careful proofreading, and reproofreading.
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited October 08, 2008).]
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Just to say, if anyone has emailed with a critique, or is waiting for one from me, apologies if a reply is taking time in coming. MSN wont let me into my email account.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Just sent my first draft off to the Oddies group. Now I'll finally be able to get to the crits. All hail. This is going to be a good quarter. I can feel it. Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I'm deep in happy-novel-land, but I'll try to pull myself out long enough to check over my WOTF story and send it out.
All of my fellow even group members, send along your stories whenever they're ready.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I've sent back a few critques today. I kind of get confused as to which story belongs to who as I have so many, so if you received something in error, please let me know!
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
My story is ready to send out... is anyone in the evens group ready to crit?
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Yes, I can crit. Go ahead and send!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I've critted four stories in my group, the oddies. I'm assuming the other two will be a little while until they are ready to send. So if anyone in the evens would like another set of eyes to read their story, I'm ready and willing to critique.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I can crit too, send it on. leslie
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
So can I.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
How's it going, evens? So far I've only received Bored Crow's submission. How's everybody else doing?
Mine is stalled at about 3/4 of the way through. I'm hoping to get it finished in the next day or two, and then will send it out. In the meantime, i'm open for critting.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Sorry for anyone counting on me right now, please don't. My new job has a deadline that's killing me and I have another story deadline I need to prioritize ahead of WOTF since, after all, I do have until Dec 31 for this one...
I'm sorry. I did receive a few stories and will try to give them a crit as soon as I can but am not sure when that will be. In the meantime, don't wait up for my submission, as you might be waiting a long while...
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I spent today spinning my wheels working on a short three paragraph section of backstory. I'm still not happy, but it is improved. I hope to have a draft out by next week...maybe.
This is an atypical story for me. Very dark.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
I like dark.
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
I'm in the evens, BoredCrow, and anyone else ready, go ahead and send me the story.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Anyone for moving second drafts up a week or two(say Oct. 24), and do it with groups as is. Then also do the scheduled second draft crit(Nov 7th), exchanging every other person from each group. So Groups would now be.
Goup 1(formerly oddies or oddballs) after exchange. 1.Writerdan 5.darklight 9.KayTi 13.JenniferHicks + 2.AWSullivan 6.LAJD 10.TheOnceandFutureMe
Group 2 (formerly evens or 'the slightly less odd group') 3.Arriki 7.Icared 11.Patrick James + 4.BoredCRow 8.Annepin 12.Zero
What do you guys(ladies and gentlemen) think?
Hope I haven't left anyone out.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I am not sure if I can have a second draft by 24th but the groups look good.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
aww, can't we be the "oddly challenged" ?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Zero, do you mean deficient in 'odd' poeple, or 'challenged' in an odd way?
Anyway, question from a noob, what is everyone else doing for second drafts? Re-writing from scratch, or just altering to address story's shortcomings?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
But I've already critiqued most of the people in the odds!
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
I mean it in the sense that a short person can be "vertically challenged."
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Don't know if I'll be able to get a new draft turned around that quickly. I have a few other demands on my free time right now that are going to make things difficult as it is to meet the Nov 7th deadline. I'm going to have to bow out of this mid-range crit. Sorry, Patrick.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
I want to apologize for my lack of participation this round. If it doesn't sell, there is a pretty good chance my 09Q1 story is already complete and ready to send.
I will be happy to read the drafts of anyone in my 'group' however so please feel free to send them.
Let's kick some ass this quarter!
~Anthony
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
At least stick around until the next round of crits, Anthony! Sit on the story for a bit and then re-read it. I've always found that's the best way to make my stories better. So, great that you're done. But you have some time to let it rest, so take it. Plus, I want a chance to read it too. Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
Oh I'm not going anywhere. I just wanted to let everyone know why they hadn't received an MS from me. I've sent it on to everyone in my sub-group.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts.
Anthony
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I am probably going to drop to the regular timetable group, since i have not sent out a first draft yet; I just keep rewriting.
I think I am freaking out; make that I am freaking out! LOL
However, I have been critiquing and am happy to continue, I finished looking at Sabrina's yesterday (not sure of the Hatrack moniker) and will finish AWSullivan's today.
I will mosey over to the regular timetable and let them know that I am dropping in.
Leslie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
It's okay, it's early yet. I'm still hammering out my draft. I might join up the other group, too. Or I might just solicit one crit. But we still have time!
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Now, let's see if I have this right. I'm supposed to sent my draft to-- Writer Dan darklight Icared Kay Ti Patrick James JenniferHicks
I've been working on it and it's still not right. I feel the ending lacks punch and the main plotline is just not really solid. Plus I keep finding typos.
What do you guys think?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Did my story make across the ether intact to you guys? Is there anyone else out there who would like to help check it out?
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I got it, arriki, and it's all intact. Will critique probably no later than Tuesday.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
Arriki - if you want another look, go ahead and send it to me. I haven't gotten any stories from anyone, so I've got plenty of time to look at it.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
OK, in a surge of inspiration I think I have a first draft. WooHoo!
I am a little concerned that my story is too light and fluffy for WoTF.
So, if anyone is interested in reading a first draft let me know, otherwise I will offer it when the regular timetable group gets going.
I am just glad that I have something that I think is at least first draft-able! Leslie
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I got it as well arriki. I will probably be sending my critique before monday night.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Thanks, Bored Crow.
It's such a relief to get away from that story for a while. I've been concentrating on it for ever so long.
Now I'm starting back to finish "The Girl With the Gold in Her Eyes." Desperately needs a better title. It's another first person space adventure. I love those. Hmmm...it's also another Mars Born story.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Guys...I seem to have not cut off some notes to myself after the "the end" of my story. Ignore them. Thanks.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I know I am late and my story is 5300 words, so crit what you can. Thanks Leslie
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Send it over to me too, Leslie, I'll take a look.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Thanks Darklight,
It's on its way.
Leslie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Well, I'm not going to be able to get mine off any time soon. I've decided it's better for me to spend the time that I need working on my first draft, than rush it out and try to squeeze a second round of crits in.
I'm still available to crit people's stories, but I think I'll just try to solicit crits on my story sometime around the end of the month.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Will be glad to give em any time that you finish, annepin. Looking forward to seeing it.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Annepin,
Happy to crit whenever you finish.
Leslie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Thanks, WriterDan and LAJD. You guys are the best! I'm done a bit earlier than expected (read: decided to cut my losses for the moment) so will send it off now.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
Don't forget to send it to me too, anne! Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Hey folks - it has occurred to me that WOTF might have my last quarter entry mixed in with this quarter's entry. Does anyone have any way to contact them other than the email addy linked from the WOTF blog? I've sent a message (two, actually) and have heard nothing back. I'd really like to find out if last quarter's entry has been judged or not. It would solve the mystery of the missing manuscript, since I haven't received my bonged MS back in the mail. It might also alleviate the pressure I feel for 4Q2008 because, you see, if they haven't judged my last Q story, I could just have them keep it for 4Q or have a chance to revise it and resubmit (which would not be a bad thing. That story never did benefit from workshopping.)
Any tips/thoughts for me? Thanks in advance!
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
annepin, send me a copy, too. I seem to be temporarily caught up with my group's. I can send you mine, if you like, also.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Kay Ti, in the first quarter when I sent Redlight in, they sent me an email informing me that they were going put it not in the first quarter, but in the second. I imagine they'd do that to you, too.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Thanks guys. I sent a copy off to WriterDan, BoredCrow, and Arriki. Send me yours whenever you like.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I got a new draft of my story done. The only one I have an open invitation to send it to is Annepin. So, I'm going to do that. Anyone else up to read my most recent incarnation? It's probably 15-20% different than my first draft.
Speaking of, the deadline for general second round crits is coming up. Just a week away. Nov 7th. A while ago Patrick suggested some new groups. For your ease in remembering them:
Group 1 Writerdan darklight KayTi JenniferHicks AWSullivan LAJD TheOnceandFutureMe
Group 2 Arriki Icared Patrick James BoredCRow Annepin Zero
I think we can keep these groups for this next round. Usually lose a few people between the first and second crits. If you're out for this round, just take your name off the list and re-post. Hope everyone's stories are coming along smashingly well. Thanks everyone.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I'm going to be concentrating on Nano for a while, so not bothering with another critique on my story until the beginning of December, and since I have a few days off around the middle of next month (November), I'll be able to do some critiques from the 14th to the 18th. Feel welcome to send your stories on if you're not needing a reply for a couple of weeks.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Have I returned critiques for everyone I need to? Have I received first time critiques from everyone I sent copies out to?
Am I current?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Is there anyone out there who look at Cory right now? I've made some major additions and need a sort of intermediary opinion.
One change is the addition of a flashback at the beginning. any volunteers?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I'll give 'er a look arriki. I liked that one.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
I will probably be like a week late for the second drafts, but I am always available for reading yours. Annepin and arriki, if you still need critiques, I will be happy to have a look at your stories.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I've lost the site where they list the HM and all. What is it?
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Writers of the Future Blog (if you google that phrase you'll get it too.)
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Well, I'm not on the HM list. Sigh, I think.
It's that little smidgen of backstory I tried to slip in there on page two. I cringe. It's so close to the opening. It could be the place where when reached it, they dropped my story into the return-to-sender pile.
I hope I could have handled the backstory better now. Hope, hope.
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited November 05, 2008).]
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
quote:Well, I'm not on the HM list. Sigh, I think.
It's that little smidgen of backstory I tried to slip in there on page two. I cringe. It's so close to the opening. It could be the place where when reached it, they dropped my story into the return-to-sender pile.
I hope I could have handled the backstory better now. Hope, hope.
Or maybe you are in the finalist pile.
Anthony
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Isn't it too early? I mean, this is only the first round of HMs. There were at least three last time. Maybe four. And yes, if you're not an HM, you could still be a semi or finalist!
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Not being on this particular list of HMs means nothing - they still have boxes and boxes of entries, I'm sure.
Best of luck to everyone!
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, today's our posted day for swapping stories for second round crits. Anyone ready?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I am. Who's out there willing to reread Cory's story with some added bacstory and a lot of details cleaned up I hope.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I'll read, arriki, I'm interested to see what you've done with it. And anyone else too who needs another crit, send it over. Can't promise a hugely fast turnaround, but a week tops should do it.
I hope some of you guys will give mine another look around the beginning of next month.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Darklight, I don't think I've read your story yet. I'd be willing to read it.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Thanks so much, annepin. Once I get this NaNo thing out of the way in the next couple of weeks, I'll be giving my WotF story a good edit. I'll be sending it off to you then. I don't think I've read yours either, so please send it over whenever you need a crit.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Sorry guys, I'm out this quarter. My last quarter entry turns out to be entered this quarter, so for once I'm an early entrant!
I hope to have some critting time in December, though, so keep me in mind. I can't promise anything in the next few weeks, Nano is eating my soul and I'm way behind on my slush pile reading.
Best wishes to everyone!
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I sent my story off to everyone in this group __________________________________ Arriki Icared Patrick James BoredCRow Annepin Zero ______________________
Two days ago, for second round crits. If you haven't got it please let me know. I know you got it Arriki and Icared.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I got it, Patrick. Hopefully telling you here counts. I've been putting off sending mine out in hopes of receiving some of my first round crits back still. I'll wait until Sunday night and then send it out to the second-round group.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
The third guy on the list hasn't messaged me back!
Oh. Disregard that.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
How do you make text on here appear in italics, underline, or bold?
Anyone else on the list care to read 2nd draft of Cory?
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I think it's done with UBB (universal bulletin board) code, which is the straight up and down brackets -- not the curly ones, not the angled ones. THese ones ] and it's cousin [
Typically the way you do it is stick a tag for what you want to have happen to the word(s) in the straight brackets *before* the word, then *after* the word you do this again with the brackets, but include a forward slash before the tag
I'll try an example with curly brackets, because if I use the straight ones the bulletin board software will just try to parse the tag.
{b}make this text bold{/b}
then using the straight brackets
make this text bold
Italics are done with "i", to quote someone else's text you can write QUOTE in there, then paste the text you want to quote, then do /QUOTE inside the brackets after the text you want to quote.
I also use the URL tag, which is URL=yourwebaddresshere with brackets around it. Then in the space between that tag and the "closing" tag you write the "friendly text" for the web address. that's how you can get those clickable links that make sense, like "Go to CNN" instead of www.cnn.com.
Does this make any sense?
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I'm ready to read anyone's story. Send 'em on.
Arriki, I'll read Cory.
I should have Faeries ready for a second read in a couple of days--make that weeks end, just to be safe.
Leslie
Also, I think I have read, critted and responded to everything that has been sent, if I have not replied to you, please email me!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Arriki, when you post, look to the left of the text field. You'll see an underlined phrase saying "UBB Code is ON". If you click on it, you'll get to a page explaining all about the code.
I just sent my story off to everyone in my group (except for you, anne - there have only been subtle changes since you last read it. Maybe, if you don't mind, I can send it along at another time?)
I'm feeling really good about how this story is turning out. There is definitely room for improvement, but it's getting there. How has everyone else been doing lately?
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
My second draft is going incredibly slow. I am hoping to get it over with this weekend, but I don't know how improved the story is . Anyway , I have arriki's, BoredCrow's and Patrick's stories right now and will try to get the critiques as soon as possible. Would be happy to comment on any other stories as well.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
May I send out to all and sundry willing critiquers an updated version of my story?
You see...I had this flash of inspiration. It's a subtle change. Reading, you might not even notice. It ties the Cory of the opening more strongly to the one who emerges at the end. May even make him slightly more understandable if not even a little sympathetic.
Thanks, annepin, for the link. I printed off the instructions. Now I HAVE them to refer to. Thanks, again.
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited November 11, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I thought that my second draft was ready, but then I got a crit back from Annepin. My thanks are gushing over in uber-completeness and mega-thankfulness for her words of wisdom and suggestions. Suddenly, the pieces that were difficult are now no longer such , and my story is going to kick some tail. Anyhow, I'm in the middle of a chapter of the novel that I'm writing. Hope to get that done by the end of the week and then to get started again on my WotF entry some time next Monday. So I'm going to ask for a little stay in the deadline for myself, and will ask around for crits when my "third" draft is done. As far as crits for others, I haven't gotten anything recently from my group. I'm open for second round crits now. So, that means you arriki, and anyone else that wants it too. Thanks all. Get busy. And good luck.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
On its way. Or, do you need it in rtf format?
Anyone? Remind me if you need a plain text or rtf.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Doh! Sorry I didn't get it to you earlier!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
arriki, I was planning on looking at your story this weekend, so yes, send the altered version. I'll replace it with the one I already have.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
annepin -- do you mean you already did the critique? If so, I won't bother you with these slight changes.
I can't seem to stop worrying over the wording.
Does it read better as Cory could no more sleep than could the sea. Or that he could no more rest than could the sea. I feel sleep is better. The sea can rest at the time the tides change. Sort of. But sleep? That's a longer time and it doesn't ever, does it?
And I love the new way the ending works -- today. Ask me next week and I may pull a bag over my for shame at it.
Sigh. I'll be SO glad to get this thing in the mail. Although...I'm dithering over what to do next. Three stories are all jammed together in the doorway wanting to be next!
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited November 11, 2008).]
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Just so everyone knows, I've run into some project deadlines so I've been, and am, busier than expected. Please feel free to keep sending me your stories and, hopefully, time permitting, I'll get them back to you. But I can't promise my reply will be swift in coming. I'm sorry.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
You can send it my way, arriki. Rtf is fine.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Look out Ann. With a report like that everyone will want you to crit theirs.
Get ready for a mail avalanche.
"Spam filters up, commander!"
"It's doin' no goog, cap'n. Theres too many of 'um!"
"Well, then we'll have to take the easy way out."
"What's that?"
"The Hatrack Utility Belt Easy Crit Device."
"But there isn't one!"
"Oh, crap."
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited November 12, 2008).]
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Lol, Patrick James. @Arriki, sorry, my comment was directed @WriterDan (hence the need for twitterspeak!)
I generally don't crit stories I've already critted, unless there were major changes. It's felt kind of pointless to me, except in certain situations.
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited November 12, 2008).]
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
okay, Patrick James, I finished with your critique and sent it on. Let me know if you didn't get it, and I will resend.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Thanks, Anne. I'll get to it soon. I'm sure it will be helpful.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I haven't received any rewrites from anyone in my group, so this is just letting you all know that I'm ready for critiquing any time. I've run into a block on my own story, and it's probably won't be ready for this quarter. I might send in a different story that's in better shape.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
So. what's going on with everybody? I haven't seen any second version critiques come rolling in nor any more stories for me to critique. JennifreHicks, you want to take a look at mine? I'll look at yours later, when you're ready.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Sorry for the slow response, Arriki. Send it along!
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I am up to my ears in the final week of nano (32K). I will happily critique anything sent, but don't expect anything from me until after the 1st.
If I owe anyone anything, please ping me, I think I am up to date here.
thanks leslie
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
JenniferHicks -- give me a few days. I just had a revelation on the story. Something definitely to fix. How could I have been so blind!
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, it looks like I'm not quite going to be finished with my draft this week. From what I'm seeing, there are going to be a lot of people tied up with Nano until the end of the month anyhow. So, I'm shooting for a Dec 1st finish date. Which pushes back my submission date. Grumble, grumble. Wanted to get mine out on time this quarter. Oh well. I guess there's always next time. See you all in a week or so.
Ah, and I'm open for any crits between now and then. Unfortunately, I'm not doing a Nano this year. Just didn't think that I'd be able to hack it. And I was right. This month has been a killer without it.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Happy Thanksgiving peoples. And yeah, I know, this probably doesn't apply to everyone, but ah well. Happy End of November to everyone else. Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I'm getting awfully sick of dissing our traditional American holidays. I will not shop any store that has replaced Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. It is not July the Fourth or Veterans Day or such. You want t make profit? Don't pretend it's not Christmas and Christmas presents that sends shoppers out in such numbers at this time of year. I go along with the secular side, okay. Good Taoists and Moslems and all can put up a pagan decorated tree and leave presents under it. Santa Claus and his elves aren't really religious, not any more.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I was just reading a book -- TALES FROM THE DAD SIDE -- where he quotes some anonymous person to the effect that there are three stages a man goes through. Believing in Santa Claus. Not believing in Santa Claus. And finally, being Santa Claus.
Anyway, our Dec. first launch date approaches. Everyone ready? ANYONE ready?
Who do I still need to critique? I'm presently interviewing old stories for candidates for the next WOTF. How about you guys?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I am ready to send in, not entirely satisfied with what I've got, but I suppose I never will be.
Looking at stories for next quarter, also.
Thanks to all who helped me get it ready, particularly WriterDan and arriki.
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited November 29, 2008).]
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Arriki, sorry I haven't got your critiqed story back to you yet, I am working on it. If you sill need it, I will get it back to you asap.
As for mine, I haven't looked at it since october, and plan to get back to it this coming week.
That aside, back in october, I had an idea for a story for next quarter, and as a result, have my next story almost finshed in first draft form. I'm happy about that.
Does anyone need a critique?
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Arrgh, I am just popping my head out of nano hell. I am still happy to crit but need to work on my story.
Leslie
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I think that I'm going to be done with the next draft of my story tonight. I just have the final section to write. Already through the climax. That means I'll be ready to send out tomorrow. Is anyone willing to give mine another(or a first) read through? If no one is up for it, I'll jump over to the regular timetable and do some swapping there.
In general, who's open for giving out another round of crits? Leave a comment if you are. Maybe an updated list would be good... That way we don't have to go through the "asking" thing every time someone needs another crit for this quarter.
Later all.
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited December 02, 2008).]
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
WriterDan,
I have jumped to the regular timetable, but am still lurking here. There does not seem to be much going on in the regular group,
I would be happy to give your story a read
Leslie
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Hi Dan, I'll read.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
The second round of HM's are up on the WotF blog now. Looks like we have at least arriki and tnwilz to congratulate. That is if I'm right in guessing that they're misspeled Tracy's last name on the blog. Semis and finalists were getting called today, I guess. That's the word anyhow. No calls for me. So, I'm gunning for an HM or it's back to a big zero again. Anyone else see their name on the blog? Check it out and let us know! Blog says that announcements for the rest of the honors of 2008 Q04 will be up in the next few days. Keep your eyes peeled for em. Later.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I'll read for anybody from our group. Whoever is left. I wouldn't mind haveing mine read either. Though I already sent it I am sure it is not perfect and would benifit from another look. Wish I had the time to make all the adjustments people here suggested.
WriterDan darklight Patrick James LAJD (Stop lurking. You're in too. I wanna read your story.)
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited December 03, 2008).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Where are you seeing the second round, Writer Dan?
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I'm gutted. I just went to finish up the edit of my story that I started right before NaNo, and it's gone! I can't find it anywhere. Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Your WOTF entry is gone? Hold on, did you send me a copy? I'll send it to you if you did.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Patrick: I'll send the most recent draft of my story over to you this morning. More than happy to read yours again. Did it change much from my last reading?
Patrick-I'm only kind of lurking! I will send it on I have been fretting over some of the motivation, and I am not sure its the kind of story that WoTF wants...AAARRRGGHH.
OK, I will send it tonight, no excuses!
Leslie
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
OK, I sent my story to WriterDan and Patrick James. Please send yours back to me. I have some time this weekend.
Anyone else?
Leslie
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Patrick, thanks so much for sending a copy of my story to me. I only wish it had been the one with all my edits. I've lost a complete scene and a lot of work on that story. As a result, and a lack of good health, I don't now have time to re-edit, send out for critique and make my final adjustments before the end of this quarter, so I'm going to sit this one out, and keep this story for the third quarter next year (I already have a story almost ready for Q2 09).
Thanks anyhow for helping.
[This message has been edited by darklight (edited December 06, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So has everyone gotten their entries off for this quarter? Unfortunately, I'm still trying to get mine right. Ugh. Quarter-end stuff is tight enough without all of the holiday stuff. Even if I do enjoy it a whole lot. Anyhow, let us all know where you are. Luck with the New Year and your writing goals.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Nope. I gave up temporarily on Cory. It needs more work to make it the best t can.
I'm going to send off THE VANISHING BASEMENT instead. I just have two fixes and I'll mail if after Christmas.
The rule is postmarked by Dec 13, right?
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Postmarked by Dec 31, right, though I suggest being careful with end of quarter submissions. Two quarters running now I've had a problem with mine...
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Just sent mine off. It was so nice to not have to be watching the clock as I waited in anticipation for the printer to finish. Usually, I'm so close to the mail-in deadline that I develop a few ulcers over the course of that hour or so when I'm printing, packaging, and paying to mail my entry in. Granted, this probably means that I'm going to be terribly late with starting my entry for next quarter. Grumble, grumble. Ah well. This story sounded like a winner to me. Luck to everyone!
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited December 24, 2008).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Has anyone recieved notification that WOTF recieved your story?
I sent mine twenty days ago and have recieved no notification.
Posted by BoredCrow (Member # 5675) on :
I hate doing this, but I'm not going to submit anything this quarter. I found that though I like my story, as written it needs too much work (and I've been too lazy). So rather than dash something off at the last minute, I'm going for getting things done early next quarter. Good luck, everyone!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I haven't submitted yet--I'm working on something now, hopefully will run down to the post office tomorrow. KayTi, I think you're rubbing off on me!
Patrick James, don't worry. It took me over a month to hear anything back.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
Just sent mine today. I am really happy I won't be seeing that story for at least three months. I have gone over it so many times, when I close my eyes I can see sentences from the story .
Good luck to us all.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Sorry my disease is catching, annepinn. LOL
Good luck to everyone. I'm annoyed that my last quarter snafu turned into a this quarter snafu, but another way to look at it is that I have two market-ready stories that I just need new cover letters for and can mail (my new year's resolution is to get my stories OUT there. )
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I did not get mine off.
Somebody didn't want me to do so. I had computer go out, printers -- twice. I was sick and then I got swamped with extra work (for real money). I couldn't believe how things came up. I know right before the end I realized there was a lot more subtle work to do on CORY. I think it would have made HM but nothing more. I want it to surpass REDLIGHT.
So, in a couple of months, think you can stand ONE MORE TIME on CORY? It will be better. I'm beginning to look at the higher levels of storytelling (heavens! I hope that's what I'm doing!) The sorts of story manipulation that pushes stories past the HM level.
Anyway, thanks for all the help so far with this story.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I submitted. I can't believe I actually got Faeries to a place where I think it may have a shot at an HM...8)....or maybe a late rejection? 8)
Anyway, I sat on it and read it, then edited (then repeated for about 3 weeks. got some local eyeballs looking at it and then it seemed to mesh. It will be very interesting to me to see if I get anything on this. I think it is my personal best. So, if it does not get an HM, I will probably ask for some help ripping it apart to see if I can figure out what is wrong with it.
Leslie
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I will be shocked if it doesn't get at least an HM, Leslie.
However, if you do need help ripping it apart I would be willing to lend my rather inexpert eyes and fingers to the task.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Aww Patrick, you are very kind, but honestly I will be shocked if it does!
8)
Leslie
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
OK, so I have some pretty odd emails with Joni. I don't want to be a pest so maybe you guys know what is going on.
She emailed me yesterday that the post office had found a stack of stories in the back, my story was in the stack, and that my story would be entered in Q4. But I thought that I had entered in in Q1 since I sent it late Dec.
I emailed her again but the response was still a bit odd, she just told me:
"The quarters are: -- 4th quarter ends on the last day of September. First quarter starts the first of October and ends on the 31st of December. "
So, if I did get the story in by the end of Dec, then it should be entered in Q1 not Q4? But if the post office lost it, I would expect it to slip no later than the Q2 round not the upcoming Q4, but if it was entered in the last Q4 then it was entered too late to be scored. That does not seem reasonable. My head hurts.
I don't want to be a pest to Joni so I thought I would post here and see if you guys have any notion of what is going on.
Confused, Leslie
[This message has been edited by LAJD (edited February 06, 2009).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I think you could ask her if she meant it would be entered in Q2.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
I'd probably also ask her to give you the title of the submission that she's talking about. That way you know which story, and which quarter. Luck. I'm sure things are pretty crazy around the WotF table right now.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
At least you got an email. I have received no acknowledgement that my story has been received. Quite odd, this hasn't happened to me before. I did send it in late December but a few days before the first of the year.
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
Snapper I asked Joni about my entry for the first quarter last week. I had mailed it on Dec 30. She said she is still processing the entries and told me I would probably hear from them next week.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I also mailed my late in Dec on the 29th. I think I will just wait a week or so and see if I hear anything else. If you got a note that they are still processing its likely my story will fall into Q1.
She really sounded frazzled in the emails.
Leslie
[This message has been edited by LAJD (edited February 08, 2009).]
Posted by Icared (Member # 8091) on :
Just to update you guys, I have received my confirmation for the first quarter today. Yours should be arriving soon I guess.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Hey all,
Got notice that I won an Honorable Mention for this quarter. That's three in a row now. Craziness. Anyone else hear anything? Let us know!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Wow Dan, that's amazing, congrats. Remind me again which story it was. I'm sure I must have looked at it (and thought it was great).
I didn't get an entry in for last quarter, so nothing to look forward too!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
And to add: I was beginning to wonder when we would hear anything for this quarter. Is it me, or are the announcements later than usual?
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Far as I can tell they're coming in right about the same time as always. Kathy Wenthworth just mentioned on the WotF-sff feed that she'd finished the first read-through a couple of days ago.
The story for this quarter that I turned in was about the girl working in the temple where everyone has disappeared and ends up swapping places with the goddess.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Congratz, Dan.
I haven't heard where mine has placed yet. I hope that's a good thing.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Congratulations IR and Dan! great going.
I liked Mother Gemma, that's the one, right Dan?
Leslie
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Yeah, that's what it was called. I realized late (read, after mailing it in) that I probably should have tied the ending back to the beginning a little better. Wonder if that's one of the reasons why it didn't get any further. Eh. On to the next!
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Lets see,
I see you Dan, and I believe Chris Cook used to be with us, and A & W Sully got himself a HM.
I never hear anything from them. they just post what I do, always someone from hatrack emails me first, last one to know. I send them my phone#, email address, and home address. The only time I hear from them is when they received my entry and my SASE.
Hmmm, you think I shouldn't send them a picture with me in a speedo next time?
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited March 13, 2009).]
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
I just got my 'thanks for trying' letter. 8)
I reread my story a few days ago and just cringed. I think I can see the problems with it now. The ones that I just could not see earlier.
On to Q3! I have a first draft almost ready.
Leslie
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
ROFL @ Snapper.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Depends on what you look like in speedo, snapper.
Posted by Christopher (Member # 6336) on :
Yeah, I'm still hanging around. HM again. The HM was for The Buddhist Tree that some of you guys helped me with three quarters ago. A few changes and I sent it back in. I suspect, because it didn't have any obvious sci-fi or fantasy elements in the first couple of pages originally, that it might not have been read. I'm glad it got read this time.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Chris,
Did I undestand that correctly? Did you resend a story you enter in a previous quarter? Can you do that?
Posted by Christopher (Member # 6336) on :
Yep. That's right. I sent in the same story again. Yes, you can do that as long as it isn't a semi-finalist. If it's a semi-finalist then it gets a critique from Kathy. Then, according to the rules (and logic), it has an unfair advantage, being that the actual judge already told you how to fix it. So, yes, if you sent one in and then improved it, you're free to send it in again. NOTE: But I wouldn't recommend sending it in the very next quarter. Wait a few quarters so you don't bore her at least. NOTE #2: An author I know sent in a story again and it actually placed and got in the book.
[This message has been edited by Christopher (edited March 18, 2009).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
OMG! That changes everything!!!
got one for the next quarter. Could use some workshopping. Better sign up for the next WOTF group.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Lots more HM's up on the WotF blog. I recognize a few of them as being members of our group at one point or another. Congrats to everyone that got The Mention.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Hey!
Patty Jensen of Planet Earth got named as an HM winner! I live there!
Small world...
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Has anyone won from there yet?
I have to work harder next time(and on quarter two as well, haven't sent it in.)
. Anyway , I have arriki's, BoredCrow's and Patrick's stories right now and will try to get the critiques as soon as possible. Would be happy to comment on any other stories as well.
