This was a critique group for writers that entered a story into the second quarter of 2012 in the Writers of the Future contest (29th year).
After the end of the quarter, entries submitted have been responded to as thus:
Honorable Mention: Jennifer Hicks (JenniferHicks) Frank Dutkiewicz (snapper) Krystal Claxton (Strycher) Dustin Adams (axeminister)
Congratulations to everyone that submitted!
If you participated in the group and got some kind of award for this quarter, let me know and I'll add you to the list.
These are our Woo-hoos!
(Original posts from the quarter shown below)
[ November 14, 2012, 02:09 AM: Message edited by: WriterDan ]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
I'mma space cadet. Sorry this is so late, peoples. Probably has something to do with the fact that I'm now an official rocket scientist. Passed my dissertation defense on Nov 30th.
Anyhow, looking forward to some good stories this quarter, and oping I can accomplish getting mine out as well. Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Hey WriterDan, congrats on getting the Ph.D.! What an accomplishment! I'm amazed you've even had the time and energy to write.
Count me in for this round.
WriterDan Annepin
Posted by greenroom (Member # 9692) on :
I'd like to participate for Q2.
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
@Annepin: I actually haven't had the energy to write anything for the last couple of quarters. You can ask just about anyone that's been there. lol. Good to see you around again! You've given me a burst of motivation.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Thanks, WriterDan. Good to be back, and good to see familiar faces! Can't wait to get started.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
I might as well sign up now, so I can start procrastinating sooner. Congrats, Dan, what's your PhD in, BTW.
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I'll join. In fact I was just thinking that someone should be starting this thread about now.
I finished the story for Q2 and have started to revise it today. I'm doing it at work instead of starting a new story there. Of course my inner editor is acting up, I don't think the emotion is as good or strong as I want it to be. But we shall see.
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72 LDWriter2
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Count me in.
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72 LDWriter2 wirelesslibrarian
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Another Quarter, Another WotF story
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72 LDWriter2 wirelesslibrarian owasm
Posted by Nick T (Member # 8052) on :
Hi everyone,
In quarter 2 for 2011, Ben Mann offered to critique WOTF entries as he'd won in Q2 2010 and the quarter held special significance for him. I'd like to do the same. If you want an extra critique, then send me an email. I'm not the quickest of critiquers and I'll be busy leading up to Christmas, but I'll do what I can within reason. I can't offer any special insight, but I'm happy to offer an extra pair of eyes.
Regards,
Nick
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Nick, I think I would take you up on that offer. Mine probably won't be ready until after Christmas anyway. I need to finish the first revision and since I'm doing it at work during breaks, that could take a week or two. Then I have to spellcheck it and spend time looking for certain words I have a habit of interchanging. That might take another week, or one long afternoon. Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Speaking of WotF stories. I just finished one that seems to break out of their normal routine. For one thing it's one a lot of Older Masters could have written; Isaac Asimov or even writers before him. The ending was a bit different but from I've heard about them I think most would have liked the humor in it.
Second: I think this story ends kinda quickly. I don't mean it is rushed I mean it's very short. Almost like the writer wasn't sure exactly how to end it, he finally put something in.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Don't forget to take a look at my critique suggestions in the "Ways to Critique" thread. Maybe one or two or all will be helpful.
Also, I recently heard from a semi-finalist that one of KDW's nits is when people place the # separators on the left side. She prefers them in the middle.
So, if you had them on the left, (like me) then move them to the middle.
Axe
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
quote:Originally posted by axeminister: Also, I recently heard from a semi-finalist that one of KDW's nits is when people place the # separators on the left side. She prefers them in the middle.
Interesting. I wonder if little formatting quirks like this really make a difference in the judging process. Man. I just looked back at my submissions for the past couple of years and apparently I've been using pound signs that are centered, left-justified, and left-justified with a tab. Talk about a need for some consistency. Sheesh! Anyhow, Axe, I'll add a link to your suggestions in our initial post for each quarter. Thanks for putting something together on this. Every piece helps in this process.
@Utahute: My PhD is in Chemical Engineering. Title is: Modeling Solid Propellant Ignition Events . Sooo glad that it's finally done. Now I just have to try and shrug off the writing funk that these last few months of writing/formatting the actual document has given me. Well, that and find a job. Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Small world Writer, I spent a year working on burn rate kinetics for the solid propellant fuel for the Poseiden missle Hercules after I graduated. Also did some work on coating materials for the HMX used in the mixture and the effect on burn rates. Interesting work.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
WD
Is that the page numbers?
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Dan, My finalist had the # symbols on the left, but tabbed. I doubt it makes much of a difference if it isn't done - but makes one if it is.
Axe
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Yea mine did too Axe.
LD, it's the notation for break.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
You mean the line of ########### or in some cases *********** or ---------------- When you want to show a passage of time?
If not I'm not sure what you mean or where to find them. I must be extra dense at the moment.
[ December 11, 2011, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by greenroom (Member # 9692) on :
quote:Originally posted by axeminister: Also, I recently heard from a semi-finalist that one of KDW's nits is when people place the # separators on the left side. She prefers them in the middle.
Axe
It seems to me all she's really stating here is that she prefers standard manuscript format (a la Shunn) since that's what he states to do for line breaks in his document.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
(Welcome aboard, Greenroom.)
Who is Shunn? I was going with the Mcintyre link that's on the OP. I've followed that exactly all along. I'm sure it's fine, but with KDW, knowing she prefers the # in the center, not the left, seems like a handy tip.
Louis, look at the Vonda Mcintyre manuscript preparation link above. You'll see her # separators are tabbed to 5 spaces. KDW prefers them centered.
It's the standard manuscript format document that is referenced at Analog, Asimovs, and Lightspeed Magazine. (Though I just checked and F&SF Mag references the Mcintyre one. I'd never looked at it before).
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Hmmm...haww...
I can't decide if I am in or out, because I do not believe I am writing WOTF material (based on my first two submissions).
Not that I think the quality of my writing is so terrible, but the stories I tend to write don't seem to fit. They're, I suspect, star-shaped pegs (six-pointed) for an WOTF round hole .
I had another story written for Q1 but withheld it because it was the same genre (urban fantasy) as my prior rejected entries, and even had the same protagonist.
My mother (of blessed memory) taught me if banging your head against the door receives no response, try ringing the doorbell. So last week, in time for Q1, I completed a new tale (a classic old world fable) different in voice and style from my earlier entries though still lightly seasoned with my particular ethnic flavor (kapish?).
But I didn't submit it.
On review, I believe it, too, is a poor fit for WOTF.
Nick T kindly read my last two stories (one of which I submitted) so I don't wish to impose on him further. If someone cares to give it a read and tell me (complete honesty necessary) whether it is or is not WOTF material, I'd be appreciative. If you give it the nod, I'll put my two shekels in and participate with you this quarter; if not, I'll move on to my next story and try to complete it by Writer Dan's JAN 14th deadline (though that is doubtful).
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Doc,
Just submit. The only way to know for sure if what you wrote is what KDW is after is to send it in.
For better or worse, it's a crap shoot. You may get a rejection, most (85% plus) do.
Submitted, and forget it.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
What Snapper said. Submit it. For all of our guessing on what KDW looks for, none of us really know for sure. Last spring, I submitted a story I was sure was going to get a rejection, and it ended up being a semi. And last quarter, I sent in The One that was going to be my winner, and it got a straight reject. You never know.
Posted by anarresti (Member # 9614) on :
Third times the charm maybe?
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72 LDWriter2 wirelesslibrarian owasm mbwood anarresti
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Dr. Bob I agree with the others. A two story test isn't a very big sample. You are a good writer no doubt about it but not even the best succeed all the time.
And it's free to enter so why not? Even if they don't particularly like UF stories one of yours might be the one that changes their minds
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
anarresti welcome back.
You never know when you hit the right combo of words.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
WriterDan Annepin Greenroom Utahute72 LDWriter2 wirelesslibrarian owasm mbwood anarresti mrmeadors (that's Melanie Rose, not Mr. )
I'm doing this. I might be sending out draft one about a week late though, that OK? Hope everyone's muses are being kind to them!
Melanie
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Alright, I get it: nothing ventured nothing gained. But then I'll have nothing ready in time to participate with this Q2 critique group. Thanks to all for the encouragement.
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Just wanted to check in and see how folks are doing. i've got most of a first draft with a few critical holes. Hopefully I can patch them up before the 14th.
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Annepin, it sounds like you're in good shape. I haven't even started writing yet, but I have got a story percolating in my head. The 14th is what, five days away? Yikes.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Not One Word
This is why I can't join anymore. I'm not remotely in synch with the dates. Or, more lazily, why I only enter twice a year.
Axe
Posted by anarresti (Member # 9614) on :
I've got the scenes listed and have started plowing through them. I did a lot of groundwork this time based on advice from two books: Beginnings, Middles and Ends (Kress) and Characters and Viewpoint (Card). Two scenes down, four to go.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Mine is done. Well, one more run through maybe to add some more of the five human senses and to double check on nitpicks for sure.
For a change I had the idea and got to writing it very early. Thing is that I almost did the same for the next quarter but forgot my idea.
But I'll come up with another one by then it just might not be done early.
Thinking of what Dr. Bob said about Urban Fantasy and WotF--which supports what I have thought with the UF stories I sent in except he's a better writer-- I want to write a really great UF story: one with emotion and guts(The MC's not mine) and life changing for him. But we shall see if I come up with an idea.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I'm doing pretty well. Have quite a few pages written, but they are all in longhand. I need to finish this draft up and when I type it up, I'll fill in the details and stuff that I left out when writing in a hurry. I should be able to finish and be ready for a first round of critiques somewhere between the 14th and 21st.
Melanie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I like to think of these deadlines as more like guidelines. If it's a few weeks late... <shrugs>.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Yea, the deadlines are set up with almost a month of slack in them.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
I'm finished with 2/4 scenes for my current attempt at a story, with the last two scene well-sketched out in my head. Sitting at just over 5k words now. I knew I'd never make the cut to hang out with the cool kids, but at least I don't have to wonder now. My hat's off to Snapper. Great idea. I just can't hack it. All my stories end up at 10k. lol.
I'll have group lists up by Friday. Just in case anyone is ready for a swap then because, you know, there IS a deadline posted and all.
I've had an interesting experience this last week, and it's not yet over. After graduating from college last month, I've been on the hunt for a job. Unfortunately, the resources for finding the kind of job I'm looking for are finite. Which means that I ran out of stuff to do. Well, minus formatting technical papers based on my dissertation work, but that's beside the point. Thus, I decided to spend the week at the library, working on my writing and current stories. I've spent about forever "saying" that I want to write for a living and never having had the time to try. Given my current employment situation, I decided to give it that try. Liking this gig so far, but then again, this is only my second day at it.
Keep up with the stories, everybody. If you get stuck, take a quick break and then sit back down and keep writing. It'll come out right eventually!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
quote: I knew I'd never make the cut to hang out with the cool kids, but at least I don't have to wonder now. My hat's off to Snapper. Great idea. I just can't hack it. All my stories end up at 10k. lol.
Totally. Mine clocked in at 13,000 words. I've got a lot of editing to do, but even if I cut 30 percent we're still looking at 9,000 words or so.
After this year, I've decided to focus on books. This short business hurts my head!
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Awesome Dan! It's good that you have something like writing to keep you busy, too. I've had friends out of work for over a year, and they are starting to drive themselves nuts, they have nothing to do. But I think this is the perfect opportunity for you to give this a serious try .
Not sure how long my story is going to be yet. Probably long than 5,000. But probably not more than 8 or 10. But I'm at the point in writing it where suddenly it seems like a big mass of words with no real "story" to it! Ugh. It will shape up, but i hate this phase .
Melanie
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
If it makes you feel any better Writer, I started two stories figuring I could get one under the limit. Both ended up being significantly over that.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
After suffering massive ankle trauma last night at basketball, I nearly forgot to post our crit groups today. Good thing I have a mind like a steel trap. Whatever.
Here we go for round 1.
Group 1: WriterDan Greenroom LDWriter2 owasm anarresti
Group 2: Annepin Utahute72 wirelesslibrarian mbwood mrmeadors
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Mine's going to be about a day late, unfortunately. I was not able to put in any time this week, but should be able to on Saturday and Sunday.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
That's OK, as I said, mine won't be ready until next weekend. At least, I hope it will be ready next weekend...
Melanie
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Well that's three of us in group 2 that will be a little late.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I think that's okay. That will mean the reading will be staggered and we won't be faced with reading 50,000 words in, like, two weeks!
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Mine is ready to go but I think I will wait until tomorrow to send it. Without checking my E-mail in the last hour or so, I haven't received any stories at this date, but that could change any time.
Maybe I shouldn't say it yet but I'm proud of this story, it might be one of my best with the writing and the story. But we shall see about the writing, I've thought that before. I've noticed a couple little glitches. Commas are another matter but I feel like they better be better then usual for me but we shall about that too.
Posted by anarresti (Member # 9614) on :
Mine's bubbling right along. It'll be ready in another day or two.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Make sure you get it out while it is al dente, Anarresti. Over-cooked plots tend to turn to mush .
(sorry....I'm tired)
[ January 15, 2012, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: mrmeadors ]
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I sent out one copy earlier today but hatrack got super busy or something happened and I could not get back on to get other addresses, so the rest of group one will get mine later tonight. Or Monday.
However:
Greenroom you must not have an E-mail address listed. Yours doesn't show up anyway.
If you want to keep yours private E-mail it to me and I will send a copy of my story just to you.
If you just haven't got around to listing it yet. Now would be a good time.
[ January 16, 2012, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Just to warn group 2, I am still on track for finishing my story, but I will need this weekend to do so. I should have it out to everyone by Monday. Sorry, my son had a bad panic attack yesterday and it kind of threw a wrench in things.
Melanie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Thanks for the update. I haven't received any stories so I assume we're all running late. I am as well. My out-of-town guest decided to stay for almost the whole weekend so I didn't get a chance to write.
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Greenroom,
I need your email address so I can send you my first draft.
Thanks...
To the others in Group 1, I am pressing the send button on my email after I post this.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I received one story, from Owasm, and I sent mine to members of group one, except greenroom, and a couple of the cool group.
I forgot to add a PS that I would like a confirmation back that everyone got it okay.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I just sent mbwood my crit of his story, so Malcolm, let me know when you get it (to be sure it doesn't get lost in the void of the internet...).
Melanie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Hm, mbwood, I didn't receive your story. I haven't received anyone's. Please resend and I'll crit ASAP.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
HIs was the only one i've gotten so far, annepin, so you're not too far behind or anything Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Yea, I've only seen mbs, and sent his back.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Grrr... I FINALLY got to the core of my story, and now it all makes sense, and I'm able to write it all cohesively etc. After a few thousand wasted words. Sigh, so hopefully this monster will be ready for my group at some point this week. Sorry for the delay. I'll still work on other people's stories though, so send them along whenever they are ready .
I really hate it when you think you have it all figured out, and then you write it, and there is NO CONFLICT!!
Melanie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Go Melanie, go! Sounds like you're in a good place now.
And yes, I hate that no conflict thing. Happens to me a lot.
By the way, I sent my story to the group. It's 11,600 words. Let me know if you didn't get it.
So far I've sent back Malcom's story, and I am working on Utahute72's, though I don't think I will be able to finish it tonight like I said I would. Sorry. Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Awesome, got it! Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Hi, I've received pieces from LDWriter2, UtahUte72, Annepin. I still need pieces from mrmeadors, wireless librarian.
Many thanks to wireless librarian, mrmeadors, UtahUte72 and annepin for their thoughful comments and insightful advice on my piece '.
Thanks! mbwood
[ January 24, 2012, 08:40 AM: Message edited by: mbwood ]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Melanie: Check this post out, Giving Birth by Ty Franck (James S A Correy) -- a published author having the Aha! moment. This is a sign of good things to come on your part. Seriously! Keep at it.
Everyone else: So, I ended up getting a regular job (totally unrelated to my dissertation work--figures) and writing has come to a screeching halt for a bit until I can figure out my schedule. I'll do my best to finish what I've said I will, but it'll probably take me another week or so. Sorry for the delays from my direction. I hope everyone else is having luck.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Thank you for sharing that, Dan--Yes, that is EXACTLY what it is like with this story! Glad to know this stuff doesn't just happen to me .
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
OK Utahute72, just shipped your story back to you! Let me know when you get it .
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Okay, received my second story and I have two crits back for my story.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
The end is in sight!!!!! I hope everyone else is having better luck with their stories than I am with mine!!
Melanie
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
All right, I've received 4 excellent crits... I think I've only read two stories. I am ready to read whenever anyone has something to send.
Technically second drafts are due next Tuesday (Feb 7). I'm probably going to miss that deadline by at least a week. WriterDan, I forget how this works (yes, it's been that long!). Do we switch up the groups for D-2?
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I think I still have only two crits come in. Might be three. I'm not sure because I have crits for three stories coming in but I think it's two for this one.
The same with received stories. I have one to send out this weekend, maybe tonight.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Yes, I have officially been swallowed whole by the schedule surrounding my new job. Sorry, everyone.
Today's the 7th, and so it's time for round two of critiques! For convenience, here's a re-listing of the groups as posted from Round 1.
Those listed in Group 1 should send their stories to Group 2. Those listed in Group 2 should send their stories to Group 1.
Any questions, just ask! Good luck!
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Yeah, I have a question.
What happens if we haven't received everyone's first group stories yet?
And mine will be late to the second group I need to finish revising it. Been too busy working on novels, here and playing around too much.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
@LDWriter2: You don't need to worry about it. If someone didn't send out their story for first round crits (like me, for example), they should just send out their story when it's finished to the second round of crits. That way, there isn't any possible chance of an overload on anyone (delayed first round + current second round = everyone in the crit group). If someone is open to doing additional crits, make it known in this discussion so that everyone will know. Hope that answers your question.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Okay, WriterDan;
a couple of administrative type questions:
How do I get Greenroom's e-mail address?
I've already received a crit from LDwriter2. Hmm, am I in the wrong group? Or is LDWriter2 in the wrong group?
remember the first rule of writing... Write! mbwod
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
@mbwood: Question one: At this point I'd say forget about getting ahold of Greenroom. There's no information listed about him/her in the appropriate profile, he/she only made three posts on Hatrack ever (the last of which was December 12th, 2011), and I've pretty much exhausted my options for trying to find out who Greenroom is. Sorry. We're minus one in Group 1. Question two: You're in the right group and so is LDWriter2. In my crit-swap-defining post above, you're listed as being in Group 2. Those in Group 1 (LDWriter2 and company...) have been told to send their story to Group 2 (you and company...). You should be sending your story to Group1. Sorry if all that was confusing.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
WriterDan;
Okay, gotcha. I've already sent my piece to you, owasm and anarresti. I'll send my piece to LDwriter2 (for the second time).
I'm ready and willing to crit your stuff - send it my way.
Remember the first rule of writing... Write! mbwood (good luck to all)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Mine will be a bit later. I have a bad case of the flu and I'm a bit fuzzy brained at the moment.
I got mbwood's but no other second time stories.
Oh speaking of good luck to us all wouldn't it be great if all three winners for a quarter were from here?
And I may have missed something since I read the introductions to each story in 27 very quickly but does WotF say what each story got as i n First Second Third.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I don't believe so, Louis, I think the stories in the anthologies get pretty much even standing in the book. Nothing about how they placed. I hope you feel better!
Melanie
PS--My story had been going so well, but suddenly it seems like it's not going anywhere again...which is sort of dumb because I have a plan for it, it's just resisting being written, I guess! But anyway, I'll continue fighting with it!
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Hmm, about WotF I recall seeing someplace a listing of where the writers placed but don't recall where.
Posted by MJNL (Member # 9686) on :
*Pops in mysteriously.*
Placement is listed in the back of each book. For vol 27 it's hard copy page 533.
*Pops out just as mysteriously.*
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Ooooh how about that. It IS in there. I just never even noticed it!! (duhh...how many of these books do I have on my shelf?)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Maybe That is where I saw the list and then forgot where.
I can check out how my nemesis placed.( If anyone is curious about that there a recent blog post explaining that nickname. )
Anyway, I just sent my story to group 2.
Hopefully it all makes sense, I made some changes during my on and off again fuzzy braininess.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Hi MJ...
bye -
Did I hear a ricochet sound?
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
I decided to dump my first story and pulled an old one out of my WIP and rewrote it for WotF. Now I'll send it out and read the ones that have been sent to me. I'll be all caught up by Monday night.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I have to decide what I am doing with my story...It's gotten a bit out of control. I might set it aside for a bit and work on another for this quarter. Sigh. Unfortunately the other idea I have is fantasy and I'm not sure how that is going to work for WOTF. Worrying about what will do well in this contest I think is giving me a touch of block.
Melanie
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
quote:Worrying about what will do well in this contest I think is giving me a touch of block.
Ugh. That's not good.
If you'd like to send me the first 450's of each, I can throw my opinion at you - for what it's worth.
Up to you.
Axe
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I think I've gotten all my crits back but still short on stories. I have one to do I need to send back tomorrow. Could have done it today but I spent my computer time sending out stories.
I think that's two received for the second round and there's still two for the first round coming in, I think.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
OK, Axe, I shipped them over to you. Thanks a lot!
Melanie
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Louis--I need to get my crit back to you. And maybe you might see a story from me, but it might not be for another week or two.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Of crits: Now I think I have them all.
But still few stories. But as long as I have a week or so to get it back to the writer whenever is okay. I could get it back in a day if it was an emergency but I like to give myself time to get side tracked for a day or two.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I'll try not to be THAT bad Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Thanks to all of Group Two for their timely crits. They really helped my story. I spent today incorporating their comments into my story and after giving it another run through in a few days, it will be ready to send out.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I need to do the incorporating thing
I think I may have started but have a long way to go. Could have done it today but had a long afternoon date with my wife which was good.
Maybe some work on it tonight. But I want to write new stuff too.
[ February 20, 2012, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Hello,
OWASM, glad to hear you enjoyed the timely crits. How about returning the favor? I'd like to get some feedback before I send my piece out, too.
Also, WriterDan and Anarresti, do you have pieces that need critiquing? I sent my piece to you, but nothing from you, either submissions or critiques.
Is this group functioning? I sure hope so...
mbwood (Remember the first rule of writing... Write!)
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Mrmeadors;
Hello, Melanie, I still owe you a crit from long ago. If you'd like a fresh set of eyes to go over your piece, send it my way.
Honest, fair and rigorous... scary, but worthwhile.
mbwood
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
OK It's slow going, but unlike previous quarters, it's actually GOING. You should see something from me soon .
Melanie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
"tis good Melanie. You can make it and be good.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I sent a crit back to someone... Owasm? Have not received any since, nor have I had a chance to work on my story. I'll be working on it this weekend, most likely.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
@MBWood: I have about 3/4ths of the last scene of my story to write still. And I'll get on a critique of your story right now. Should be back to you in an hour or so. EDIT: I actually just went looking and I have someone else's story in my queue. I never got yours. Could you send it to me again? Thanks. EDIT_THE_EDIT: Found it, critted it, and sent it back your way. Hope you got it.
[ March 06, 2012, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: WriterDan ]
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
I just sent mine in. Q2 is through.
Now on to Q3.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Thank you WriterDan & OWASM for your crits. My delay in letting you know had to do with a ski trip to Utah.
I've sent my Q2 piece in & got an acknowledgement from Joni.
I'm still thinking about Q3 - I've got lots of candidates, however, I'm working on getting one of my mainstream novels e-published, and that learning curve is steep.
Remember the first rule of writing... Write! mbwood
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Got an assignment for myself. I was at the doctor's office today and while waiting I was hit by two ideas for stories. One was a different way to do an event in a story I wrote years ago and has made the rounds.
Second one was about my Q2 story. Add some background. One maybe two people suggested something along those lines, maybe that's where the idea came from. So along with finishing going over the crits for the story I need to add some.
And see if I can find a reader at the last moment since it's going to change certain parts of the story. Mostly it will be the same but at the same time there would be significant changes.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I finished the extra stuff for my story. even with deleting a few sentences I added around 5000 words to the story. It has some background now and maybe some more of who my MC is. I made a few other changes as well, mostly minor rephrasing.
This is after the official trades but can anyone look over the changed story? I probably added a bunch of nitpicks also.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Oops, That should have read I added 500 words. I'm not sure if even I could have written 5,000 in that amount of time.
But looks like next weekend I will giving it a last look over-with the new stuff I'll be on my own- and sending it in. The old stuff had some good critiquing, thanks to you all.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Two days left, peoples! Everyone already have their stories sent in? I failed to finish AGAIN this quarter. Ugh. Next quarter it is, I guess. Hope everyone had a worthwhile time in the group this time around. See you next time.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I'm not in the crit group, but I'll enter of course. It will be my 14th consecutive entry. I'm cutting it really close, though. I still have one scene left to revise.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I just sent mine in and got the confirmation.
Thanks for all the good crits.
One surprise though with my new WP. It has a Proofreader program hooked into it. Found some nitpicks. Probably not all of them even with that but with that and the crits, it should be in better shape that some of the ones I've sent in.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I just submitted, with six hours to spare. That's after a marathon revision session that kept me up until 2:30 last night. Whew.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Just thought of something.
Now I have to wait for two WotF stories to be judged or as in the case of the current story to be finished judging.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Most of us are probably in that boat. At least, I haven't seen many reports of rejections on the Q1 thread. I seem to remember once, two or three years ago, when I had three WotF entries out at the same time.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Well this will be interesting. I submitted my story, even though the site said the quarter ended yesterday. Silly me for thinking it ended on the last day of the month. Anyway I got the "Thank you for you Submission" e-mail so who knows what quarter it is in, maybe limbo.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
One rejection on the Q1 thread unless I missed one or two but they seem to have been getting them out on a steady stream.
But Three at once, you must have been very early with one of your stories and/or they were very late.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
@Utahute: The March 30 deadline on the website is a typo. Someone on another forum e-mailed Joni and asked about it. If you submitted this evening, you're in for Q2.
@LDWriter: I don't remember the circumstances of having three at once, but those were back in the days when I submitted early and the results took longer to come in.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Anyone else get an email like this?
quote:...we're sorry to report your entry did not make it into this quarters contest. Please inform me if you would like (title of my story) entered into the third quarters contest...
Admittedly, I did submit it close to the deadline (as in minutes if not seconds) but I did manage to get it off before the bell sounded.
I am requesting the contest for a clarification. Please, if anyone else received something similiar, let me know.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Snapper, I sent mine in a full two hours before the bell and got a "You made it in" e-mail this morning.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Could be your clock is set a few minutes different than theirs.
But I just got another confirmation and invite in one. "Congrats on Making the Deadline, Now here is an invite if you live near Los Angeles"
Sent to the writing E-mail address.
[ April 01, 2012, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Or it could be that this is Snapper and it's April Fool's Day.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Just got a response from the contest.
quote:...the amount of entries we received exceeded our predetermined limit. The number of entries have grown considerably each quarter. A decision to set a finite number we would allow was made earlier in this quarter...
...This quarter was our highest one yet. We didn't anticipate that we would exceed our limit but the rush of last minute entries put a handful over the top. Only a very few were turned away. I am sorry that yours was one of those few...
Has anyone heard of a "finite amount" imposed for entries? I looked up their rules and haven't found a thing in them. I am querying them again in hopes of getting a satisfying answer.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Snapper, sounds like the set a limit, but really didn't tell anyone what it was or that they had set one. Seems a little odd to me. I wonder if they need to get someone else other than KDW to help her go through the slush pile.
What's really interesting is my went in at about 8:30 Mountain time, so yours can't have been that far behind.
[ April 01, 2012, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: Utahute72 ]
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
I heard somewhere that they just decided to chuck all the entries and restructure the contest for the third quarter. Well the rumor seems to be correct and it appears that we're all out of luck. From the WotF website:
quote:Due to the excessively abusive complaints of writers to whom we returned entries, we have decided to reject all Q2 entries. If we can't satisfy all writers, we will equally mistreat every entrant.
We will only accept 4,000 entries on a first come, first served basis for Q3. All stories will be based on the following trigger: webbed footprints
-Joni Labaqui, Contest Director
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
After a little back and forth, i have my answers. Some of which may interest you. First the upcoming changes in the contest.
quote:The number of entries into our contest have doubled since we went to an electronic submission option. Although not having to handle all those envelopes (storing, sending, pulling top page...) has made life easier to some here, (She Who Must Be Impressed) is now reading the equivilant of four War and Peace novels a week. The strain is getting too much on her. Upcoming quarters will have limits that are 80% of the amount of entries we receive now, with future limits gradually going down to 60 to 70% of the current total. That will bring the amount of entries in line with what we had when we were a postal submission only venue...
Then this on KDW's opinion of the writer's...
quote:...cutting out the last to submit was an easy one for us. Fairness of 'first in line' is obvious but our first round judge has noted the earlier entries are far better than the ones sent in close to the deadline. The last minute entries often read too much like they were submitted at the last minute. Many of those received in the final week that were HM's would have likely been finalist if the author took the time they needed to write it...
...of their time table...
quote: ...many of these decisions will be addressed when all the judges arrive for the ceremony. Other things under consideration.
Word count - 17000 is too much in the opinion of many of the judges, and anything under 3000 words is just a waste of time to others.
Tuxedos - a couple of judges are getting tired of looking like penguins. They are after a more casual appearance and would like the winning writers to reflect the casualness of the ceremony. Smoking jackets and denim skirts may be in our future.
Guest Writer - Expect a big name judge to contribute to the anthology. WotF believes just one of the major authors will increase sales 40%
Writer workshops - these will likely be open to the general public to join the winners. They will limit the class size, however, to no more than 50 writers.
...and this last side note from Joni...
quote:...I have no idea who Jennifer Hicks is so I don't believe I can agree that she is a busy-body. But she must be a bright girl to be able to see through your obvious farcical before you had a chance to get it off the ground. And one last item, don't ever use my name again for one of your April Fool jokes. I don't like it. Just for that, Don't ever expect to get an invitation to one of our ceremonies again!
I think that last one was way out of line.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Drat, forgot to turn the page on my electronic calendar.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I am deeply offended by Joni's final comment. I am the official rose petal thrower for "Next Big Thing" Nick Tchan and expect to be treated with the respect due to one in such a venerable position. I prefer Ms. Busy-Body, She Who Cannot Be Fooled or, if you like, Official Hatrack Party Pooper.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Now it's obvious but that first one was so subtle, so doable, that I didn't think of what today was this morning.
And no mention about how wonderful and/or how bad the writing was in the story.
And man snapper you spend so much time "quoting" everyone at WotF that I wonder when you write.
But than again you are writing.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
quote:...cutting out the last to submit was an easy one for us. Fairness of 'first in line' is obvious but our first round judge has noted the earlier entries are far better than the ones sent in close to the deadline. The last minute entries often read too much like they were submitted at the last minute. Many of those received in the final week that were HM's would have likely been finalist if the author took the time they needed to write it...
Which means, when they cut it back to 50% there will be an equal amount of technical rejections as submissions. Carrying these into the next quarter is impossible, as the entire quarter would be filled up prior to it starting. Therefore the fairest way is for each person to register their story for the quarter, and still have a "First in line" strategy. For a small fee, you could have it lodged automatically for you on 1 second after midnight on the 1st of the new quarter, by entering it ahead of time to http://www.donotsubmithere.com.ic. For a larger fee, you can get your story bumped up the order within the lodging script.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Pokes his nose out of the hole...... looks around for snapper
"Is it safe to come out yet?"
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
You better see your shadow--- it's going to be at least six more weeks of snapper.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Getting back to the quarter
Who made it?
As you know already I did. LDWriter2
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Yea, me too.
LDWriter2 Utahute72
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
And me, but barely.
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I messed up my submission slightly, but the words are all there...
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister Owasm
I made it weeks ago, for a change.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister Owasm mbwood
Since my submission was a shorty, I got it in on March 8. Now I'm busy with e-publishing my mainstream novels. I may not have an entry for Q3.
[ April 03, 2012, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: mbwood ]
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
I wasn't part of this group this time, but I put one in at the last minute (probably falling foul of snapper's critique of last minute entries). So, in waiting
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister Owasm mbwood Brendan
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
In the press of fighting other battles I almost--make that did-- forget about this quarter. Joni sent me a note asking for my address for the HM certificate and as she always does she hoped I was doing the next story I said yes, but afterwards realized Q2 was the next story.
Normally speaking shouldn't the judging be starting soon if not already, but with KDW's too early death things aren't normal so unless Joni, or someone else, has stated otherwise I would assume the judging will take longer than usual.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Sorry to hear that LD. I hope your battles have all ended with you victorious.
Those of us who submitted by paper for Q1 haven't received our results yet. And after the new judge reads those, he/she still has to sort the semis and finalists. So I'm guessing that it'll be awhile before anyone starts on Q2.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I could be wrong but from reading the blog over the years it seemed that the judging of the next quarter started just before they announced the HMs of the last quarter.
Of course as I said it will most probably be different at the moment. But someone could still be starting to read one set while finishing up on the last.
In either case--agreeing and disagreeing with you Jennifer it will probably be longer. But it seems like they should say something if it does take significantly longer than usual.
[ April 30, 2012, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Surprised no one else has mentioned this. Unless of course my E-mail got lost in E-space and just got to me. Time stamp says it arrived after eleven last night.
But I just received a note I assume from Joni saying. My story is in Q2 and I can expect results ??? She, or whoever, left out part of a sentence. And winners will be announced in June.
No signature
When that happens along with the missing sentence I wonder if it was from WotF. Joni is busy and has made typos before but this looks cut and pasted. Of course maybe an assistant-if she has one- did it.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
I got the same message LD, almost seemed like they were resetting the second quarter. I wonder if they are moving things around with the loss of KDW and maybe there is someone else handling things instead of Joni. Strange.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I got that email as well as a similiar email notifying me that I am entered in the Q3 contest (thought the deadline was the end of May so panicicked and send one in before Memorial weekend).
I'm betting Joni was clearing her to do list. KDW's passing and the ceremony celebrating Nick T Chan's brilliance (they just invite those other people so not to embarrass him) must have left her way behind.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I wonder how they expect to finish Q1 and Q2 by the end of June, as Joni's message this morning implied. It would get them back on a more regular schedule but also would involve mountains of work for both Joni and new judge DW.
P.S. If I enter my Q3 story in the next week or so, I could end up with three stories out to WotF at the same time.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
quote: (thought the deadline was the end of May so panicicked and send one in before Memorial weekend).
Dan set May 31 as the goal to send in the story but he always seems to be a month early.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Jennifer, they seem to be trying to run things as, or acting like it's, normal.
Obviously half of Q1 isn't but who knows with some extra hard work Q2 might be. Or close to it anyway. Or they might ignore anything that isn't normal. (Shoulder shrug)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
But that reminds me, need to do one last version of my Q3 story.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Hmm, had the thought today that the E-mail was just a notice to say we haven't been forgotten even if things are messed up at the moment.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
All this waiting for results must be getting to me, it's time for strange dreams. So there's no misunderstanding I know how the contest works but as I said this was a strange dream.
The night I received my HM certificate--I say that because it might have inspired the dream--I dreamt I received another brown envelope, this one probably smaller than a paperback book. Inside a note about my Q2 story. I forget the exact words but the first sentence said something along the lines of "your ending has been used too many times." Second sentence was long and said along the lines of "this will be the last time I include your story in the anthology before I get to the end." Another line followed but I can't recall any of it. It was signed with one name, a first name. A girl's name, Kathy maybe. The letters were very close to each other and I wasn't sure.
My first thought was that they meant none of my future stories would get in but then I read how it was stated and realized what was being said.
I said to myself. "Hey, that's not the name of the new guy, is this a prank?" People online though evidently didn't have any problems with the name. After I showed it to people online I looked it over again and thought "Hey, does the phrasing mean my story was going to get to be in the anthology until they got to the end?"
End of dream.
Didn't think of it during the dream but does any of the final judges have the first name of Kathy or something very close to that? Posted by MJNL (Member # 9686) on :
Guess I should add myself to the list of those who entered Q2--Hopefully we see results start to pop up soon.
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister Owasm mbwood Brendan MJNL
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Oh, there's one of these in this quarter, too?
Yep, add me in as well.
LDWriter2 Utahute72 Jennifer Axeminister Owasm mbwood Brendan MJNL rabirch
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
June has come and gone with no results announced (as promised). Today is the 100th day since the deadline to enter Q2, which is a longer time span than Q2... Any guesses (or bets) on when the results get posted?
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Well, we know from the Daily Kicks that David Farland has been deep in the slush, so I'm guessing that as soon as the winners for Q1 are announced we're going to see a flood of Q2 responses. As to when they'll notify finalists, I couldn't even begin to venture a guess.
Posted by MJNL (Member # 9686) on :
Incoming!
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Well, never mind my guess on when we'll see results ... DUCK!
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Q2... Boo Hoo
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Sorry to hear that, Owasm.
Part of me is surprised we're getting Q2 results before Q1 is officially done, and part of me is thinking, "It's about time!"
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
I'm sorry to hear it, Owasm.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
I dunno whether posting the comment about the late results had anything to do with it, but I just got my Q2 rejection today from Joni, the same day. Maybe I should have just laid low.
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Ouch, sorry mbwood.
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
I'll give WotF one more try. The problem is, I've not liked anything Farland has written.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Sorry, mbwood. Small consolation, but at least this quarter you weren't left hanging and hanging and hanging ...
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Grumpiness deleted.
[ July 10, 2012, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: axeminister ]
Posted by MJNL (Member # 9686) on :
You know, write what you want to write, and make him read it. No one proves anything by letting a venue beat them. KD said she stopped in about the same place as DF says he does if she felt deep down it wasn't gonna float her boat. Aim to Impress on the first page, that hasn't changed
I was terrified when I heard there'd be a changing of the guard. Up until KD passed away she was the only editor who'd ever pushed me to the top. I'd written my Q1 for her, felt deep down that it was just right *for her,* but I paper subbed, so I know she never saw it. I thought I was screwed.
And then something miraculous happened. Joni called me. I was a finalist again, and it wasn't KD who'd picked the story.
The lesson is this: You never know if an editor will like your story or not. You're not in his/her head. Don't do their job for them. Force *them* to reject you. It's not your place to reject you.
If a handful of rejections wouldn't turn you off of another venue, don't let it turn you off of this one. The only thing failing to submit gets you is a missed sale.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Yes, Jennifer, I wasn't left hanging. I got the Q2 rejection 12 days after the Q1 rejection. Kind of a double whammy. I'm still trying to figure out what's required. I got an HM and subsequently entered what I thought were superior stories... I just dunno. I get the feeling that there is a rush to judgement. Maybe I should just be quiet...
Posted by thomaskcarpenter (Member # 9192) on :
Well said, Marina.
And I agree with her. Don't self-reject. Keep in mind that no matter how well you wrote your story, there might have been many others that wrote better ones. It is a contest after all and if doesn't think yours is in the top 10% then he might also pass on it. It doesn't mean it wasn't good, just that it wasn't better than the others submitted and maybe just not right for him, on that day. </pep talk>
Now get back in there and push some nouns against some verbs!
Tom
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Came here to check this group out. There're dropping like Dog hair on a hot day over on the WotF forum....some very surprised people too and some not so surprised.
I was just on my E-mail sending out a story and nothing but I'm double checking later.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
More grumpiness deleted.
[ July 10, 2012, 12:52 PM: Message edited by: axeminister ]
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Axe
Was it one of the ten rules for rejection or one of the 87 rules that came later? Because if it was one of the 87 rules, they are more suggested improvements. It is far easier for him to read and go with his gut feel than to apply even 10 rules to each he looks at. It would also be far quicker. So don't give up yet. (PS this pep talks is all for selfish reasons - we need quality critiquers in our WOTF circles)
Posted by Strycher (Member # 9821) on :
quote:Originally posted by axeminister: But he's seemingly rejecting stories based on his hard and fast rules, without bothering to find out if the story is good or not.
Moving in a different direction from everyone else's highly valid points, and into the realm of rejectomancy:
Maybe he is doing this. Maybe he's not. But if he is, perhaps it's because they're two quarters behind and it's his responsibility to catch them up in time for the awards ceremony. Maybe once things have settled down he'll take a more leisurely pace. But he was handed a thousand stories and told, "These are due back next week." Literally. When he started reading Q2 it was when we're normally anticipating Q2 results.
But this speculation is invalid if he's not rejecting in this way. (And again a few of the examples he gave indicate that he at least skimmed several pages on a few of the rule breaking stories to see if he spotted anything he liked.)
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Joss Whedon said, if you like my movie, tell everyone you know. If you don't, please practice quiet contemplation.
[ July 10, 2012, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: axeminister ]
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Still dropping over at the WotF forums. Evidently not everyone but it sounds like its close.
But if David is rejecting the stories according to one or more sets of his rules I don't see that as bad. Most editors have a set of "rules" they look for while reading. They are developed through experience. Certain types of mistakes either lead to other mistakes or are followed by other types of mistakes. If it speeds things up so much the better.
As to feeling bad about it, KDW rejected a bunch of stories every quarter, even some good ones. So David is no different in that regard.
I might be saying that to myself in a day or so.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
And evidently Joni is sending out copies of "kicks". You may have to respond to her rejection to get one and I don't know if it's the same one to everyone.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
So only one or two people here got rejects???
In that case we're doing good so far. The rejections are coming hard and heavy this time around. It is opinioned that we will either be getting: zero more, one more or two more tidal waves of rejects before the HMs and higher.
It all depends on exactly how many stories were sent in, exactly how many David has gone over so far therefore how many are left to do. Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
quote:Originally posted by LDWriter2: It is opinioned that we will either be getting: zero more, one more or two more tidal waves of rejects before the HMs and higher. It all depends on exactly how many stories were sent in, exactly how many David has gone over so far therefore how many are left to do.
Which basically means we're all speculating to pass the time and know absolutely nothing.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Too True.
Except that there was a tidal wave on a Monday instead of a few on a Thursday so it's easy to say that there could very well be another wave. I suspect so. Unless that Wave was a whole lot bigger than even we knew there will be some more rejects. There does seem to be some stragglers who are either late in getting the News or some rejects have been sent out a couple at a time instead of waiting to do a bunch.
And we know he is busy with Q2 so we will be hearing more soon...as in a day to a week.
Posted by greenroom (Member # 9692) on :
David Farland announced on Facebook that he is done judging Q2, up to and including having picked the 8 finalists.
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Now we'll get a feel for how long the turn-around is from getting the decisions made to the results out.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
That was a fast turnaround. I suspect the finalists will get calls in the next day or two, and then more rejections and possibly HMs will go out next week.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Wow, either there wasn't as many stories as expected--by the opinionaters--or Joni waited through the weekend before sending out more rejections. Which means one more tidal wave tomorrow.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Boy, my heart is getting a work out, sinking to my stomach than going back up etc..
Four times this weekend so far I saw an E-mail was waiting for me. Three times was rejections from other markets and once someone else was sending me a story to crit.
I even checked my spam folder because a couple of times WotF's E-mail was sent there for some reason. Oh a message from Joni....one from a couple of months ago I never deleted.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I have zero expectations this round.
I do think Kathy would have particularly liked this story tho.
Axe
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I'm with Axe. My story would have probably been an HM under Kathy. Under DW, who knows?
I'll be checking my e-mail box obsessively over the next few days.
Posted by mbwood (Member # 9525) on :
Having not read your story, Jennifer, I wouldn't know. However, being put in the 'HOLD' pile sure was an indication that your story had something. I'd kind of like to read your entry. Maybe we can do a swap to see each other's effort...?
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Reporting in with a rejection for Q2. Time to adress some issues in the story and send it off to the next market.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
quote:Having not read your story, Jennifer, I wouldn't know. However, being put in the 'HOLD' pile sure was an indication that your story had something. I'd kind of like to read your entry. Maybe we can do a swap to see each other's effort...?
May I suggest you ladies check out the Ghost of Wotf entries gone Past thread. It is set up by some forthright thinking genius for this purpose.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
The first HMs are getting reported at the WotF forum.
@mbwood: Do you mean trade Q1 or Q2 stories? I know where my Q1 story went wrong, so I'm not interested in having someone else tell me what I already know. (BTW, it was never in the hold pile.) And I think I'll hold off on Q2 until I hear how it did. But if you want to trade critiques for Q4, I'm up for it, whenever I get my story done. PM me if you're interested.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Honorable Mention for me.
E-subbed on 3/31.
Earlier, DW mentioned he's completely finished with Q2 and had sent his full list of results to Joni. So, the calls will be going out soon.
I'm actually very pleased with this. Especially after last quarter. Nice to rebound with a positive result this time.
Axe
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Congrats, Dustin!
Anyone else get an HM tonight?
(I'm still waiting.)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I join the larger bunch with a straight rejection.
Rats, really thought it was looking like a HM too.
Must not have really thought it would go higher.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I'm waiting but lost hope when I read his DK on cliched openings. I so rarely open that way. Oh well.
Posted by Strycher (Member # 9821) on :
Got an HM notification last night.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Let me add to the carnage, straight rejection. I have mixed feelings about this one. It was a story which should have fit Dave's mold, even though it was submitted before he took over. It was also one that no one on here read, so I was shooting in the dark. I guess stumbling around in the dark isn't the way to go.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
Oh and congrats to the HMs.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Congratulations to our HMs!! As for our rejects, there's always next time! Try, try agin....
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
So we have two HMs or did I miss someone ?
In either case Congrats.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
As I mentioned on another thread this story was somewhat different for me. The average person, futuristic setting and the problem was all different than what I usually write. The emotional baggage may have been similar however. And it may have had a cliche opening.
I figured all that--minus the cliche opening--and the help I got around here would raise it up but obviously I was wrong.
Maybe Lisa Rogers will think more of it than David did. Even though it is still basically my writing,
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Still haven't heard a thing. Is this going to be one of those months where I gotta bug Joni to find out how I did?
[ July 18, 2012, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: snapper ]
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
I still haven't heard either, so I don't think the last pile of rejections has come out yet. I submitted on 30/3 and I notice a couple on WOTF forum also have not received a reply from that date (while a number have from dates all around and including that one).
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
There are a few on the WotF forums who haven't heard either.
But snapper... had a comment but obviously you thought better on your comment.
And those color coded kicks Joni is sending out certainly are interesting to read.
PS
I have got to turn off that auto-correct on my browser. Egads it likes to change things without telling me.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Here's what I'm thinking:
Duotrope has logged 83 WotF responses since July 9. Probably five of those are Q1 finalists, but the rest are Q2. If you figure about 10 percent of responses are logged on Duotrope, and there are about 1,000 entries per quarter, then about 75% to 80% of the Q2 entries have been responded to. Those are big "ifs" because no one knows for sure how many people enter WotF or use Duotrope.
More HMs might be coming, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're done. DW has implied that he didn't give out as many HMs as usual. And the finalists know who they are. That means there are a maximum of eight semis and a couple of silvers left, out of an estimated 200 entries still pending.
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
So where are you guys seeing these Daily Kicks?
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
So you read my pre-edited post LDW? Hmmm, that was one of my best trade secrets on how to get noticed I let spill out there. I got to be more careful in the future.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I saw it too, Snapper.....but don't worry. I'll never tell.... ;-)
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I am suspecting the rest of us will have to query Joni to get the news that we already know.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
quote:Originally posted by snapper: I am suspecting the rest of us will have to query Joni to get the news that we already know.
That's what I'm thinking, too. A few HMs always go astray, so a few of us might get some good news.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
snapper finally responding.
Yes, I did but my first thought was it wasn't doing much good.
On WotF anyway.
But I just thought of something, I've never had to bug her to hear something, maybe she just likes talking to you snapper.
Or she likes my responses better.
[ July 22, 2012, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I heard from Joni. HM.
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
Good for you, Jennifer.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Grats 2 u!
I thought for sure we'd have more today...
Axe
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Thanks. I'm happy with it. I did pretty well under KDW's reign, but I wasn't so sure about DW. This gives me hope.
Maybe we will see more results today.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Oh sure. Tell the pretty girl how she did but leave me on the aussie still guessing. Typical.
Nice work JH.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Pretty? Heh. I could look like the Wicked Witch of the West and you'd never know it.
Joni was also graciously asking after me and my family, to make sure we weren't anywhere near a certain movie theater. I live a half-hour drive from Aurora.
I hope you hear good news soon.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I was a little confused by snapper's comment. I thought he meant Joni.
But congrats to you Jennifer...and I wouldn't be surprised if he was right. Glad someone here got something or are there people I have forgotten?
But as to the rest of it --- Yikes. Glad you all are okay even though I didn't know you were that close.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
The semifinalists know who they are. At least, a couple of them announced on the WotF forum. If you're still waiting for a response, you might consider shooting Joni an e-mail.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
My thoughts are, why create an avalanche of extra queries to Joni, which may only delay her further, when, with so many on the WotF forum still without an answer, its clear that another round of rejections/hms etc are coming. One even had a reply stating she hadn't yet sent a round out. I can be patient for another week yet.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
quote:Pretty? Heh. I could look like the Wicked Witch of the West and you'd never know it.
Oh come on, WWW wasn't that bad. She had pretty eyes. She's confident and lives in a castle with some pretty cool pets - a rich and powerful misguided girl. Sure she's green, but that never stopped Capt Kirk.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Congrats to everyone who's on the list, and good luck in Q3.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Congratulations axe, Jennifer, strycher, TomCarpenter and snapper for your HMs. Anyone else?
Snapper, did you end up querying?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Nope, in fact, your post is the first I've heard of it.
Fully expected a rejection because I opened with a waking up cliche (Merlion, Foste, and everyone else is free to call me a hypocrite now) - which went completely against the Daily Kick In The Pants post.
Congrats to my fellow HMers. Better luck next time for all of us.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Congrats, Snapper. If you haven't already, you should e-mail Joni with your story information so she can send you a certificate.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Hey all,
I'm obviously way behind on populating our list of Woo-hoos for this quarter. If any of you got awards/honors for this quarter or quarter 3, could you send me an email with what you got and I'll put it up in the first post? I'll try to go through all the posts and filter the answers, but I'd rather not miss anyone if at all possible. Thanks.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
)![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)