This is topic IB Trigger Challenge #3 in forum Writing Challenges at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.


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Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
It's 12:01 am here, so, officially Friday.

The trigger: "Smelting mind-nuggets into Grade A Product."

As usual, the trigger doesn't have to be employed in the story, it's just something to baste with creative juices and see what comes of it.

Any questions, ask them in this thread--to keep the next one clean.

Markets you can write for:

1) Strange Horizons, whose guidelines are here.

2) Shock Totem, whose guidelines are here.

3) Brain Harvest, whose guidelines are here.

4) Pod Castle, whose guidelines can be found here.

5) IGMS, whose guidelines are here.

6) Chizine, whose guidelines are here.

7) Flash Fiction Online, whose guidelines are here.

8) The Pedestal Magazine, whose guidelines are here.

9) The WAHMagazine, whose guidelines can be found here.

10) Pseudopod, whose guidelines are here

My advice would be: see what they want, mix it with the trigger, and then write to market.

Good luck, and enjoy the challenge.

[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited March 06, 2009).]
 


Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
 
This looks like it was a lot of work IB. Thanks for taking the time to put that together. You have the heart of a teacher.

Alright, at first I couldn't get past the word 'smelting' but now some ideas are starting to percolate in my head. This is going to be fun.
Melanie
 


Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
 
I echo the sentiment, Rich. So this is the March Challenge?
 
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
Yeah, Scott, this is my new challenge. I'd like to see people start breaking that fear barrier and succeed. Adding the guidelines (some of which tell you what they get too much of, and you can therefore eliminate that) allows each person to customize the story for said magazine. Strategy. And, even if it doesn't sell to the original magazine, you can be pretty sure one's cliches are abundant everywhere.


Unwritten, "smelting" is how they make gold bars.
 


Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
 
Yeah, I spent some time on a smelting board the other day, making sure I understood the nuances. Not that I think my story will have much to do with actual smelting
 
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
Only two people are in?
 
Posted by satate (Member # 8082) on :
 
I'm in, I have two ideas bouncing in my head and I think I will combine them.
 
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
 
I thought I was in til I started actually writing the dratted story. It might accidentally turn into a novel. I'm still in, it's just more work than I'd expected.
 
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
 
IB--I sent my story to you, such as it is. How are the rest of you coming?
Melanie
 
Posted by satate (Member # 8082) on :
 
I almost didn't get it finished. I started it and then hated it. I was about to declare it dead but my husband said I should just try and finish it. So I powered through and then decided it wasn't complete crap and sent it in.
 
Posted by JohnMac (Member # 8472) on :
 
Work has gotten in the way of my writing. I'm not nearly as done as I would like to be to turn this is. I'll have to bow out and hope I can get things settled enough to participate next time.
-John



 


Posted by shimiqua (Member # 7760) on :
 
Is it too late to submit a story?
 
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
 
Due to the overwhelming number of contestants, I don't think you should submit anything at this time, Sheena. Just kidding--go ahead and send it to IB. I'm not sure what's going on with him though. I haven't heard from him in a while. I've got my fingers crossed that it's something really nice that's keeping him away from his computer--maybe he won a trip to St. John or something like that.
Melanie
 
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
Sheena, (and JohnMac) late entries are fine. I lost my internet for a little over a week and just got it back today. Melanie's the only one who noticed. <shrug> So, everything will have a little delay on it.
 
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
 
I have one ready. I just need a crit or two to clean it up. I am going for Baens Universe, F&SF, and Asimov's, Strange Horizons in that order. So I need it to be brilliant. Anyone up for the Rough Draft? I posted it in F&F and got one good reader, but I could use a few more eyes. I have never submitted to the big guys before. But I am tired of token sales. Time to up the ante.
 
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
 
Oh yeah, Sheena and whomever else is ready send it along. I promise a fast return.
 
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
Scott, the way these work is anonymously. There shouldn't be ANY emailing between contestant until it's over. I'll collectively mail the stories out to everyone to make critiques on and send them back.
 
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
 
gotcha, sorry I'm a NOOB.
 
Posted by BenM (Member # 8329) on :
 
Hi IB, if one of these goes up for next month I'll probably be in, but is there a link to a 'rules/conventions/...' post you can throw into the first message on the next run? I am slow and need it spelled out
 
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
 
All contestants have received and email for critique. I got too overwhelmed with the last contest to do my critiques, but I'll do them this time. I just have to finish the first draft of my next WotF entry (hopefully tonight).
 


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