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I've rejoiced on two other forums here, so I'll post here as well. I got the call today that my short story "A Key Turning" won first place in the annual contest held by the local paper. There was a 3k word limit, and 1st place pays $250. They will print the story in its entirety sometime in August. There were 60 submissions this year, and the editor who called had some very encouraging words for me. I am ecstatic. This story first saw the light of day in the 'writer's forum' here at Hatrack. It is also my first sale.
I feel like I am giving an awards speech and my wife has already said "you're talking like you are a big time writer now". I don't care. I'm too overjoyed.
One thing I would like to say, in all seriousness, is how much I appreciate this site. I don't know if I would have even placed if I hadn't had it critiqued in the workshop first. The final draft was very different from the first. Also, I used a technique that OSC mentioned in a preface in his MIAM collection. He said that when something is represented by a physical object in a story, that the word itself should never appear. I used a lock (a seabag lock passed from a father to his son) to represent forgiveness. I never use the word 'forgiveness' or any form of 'forgive' in the story, but that's what the story wound up being about. I think this made the story much more powerful. Now let me go see if I can get some sleep.
posted
Congratualtions, Crotalus! A first sale is a big deal. Beating out 60 other entries is great! Many famous authors had their first sale in a writing contest.
quote:Originally posted by Crotalus: ...I used a technique that OSC mentioned in a preface in his MIAM collection. He said that when something is represented by a physical object in a story, that the word itself should never appear. I used a lock (a seabag lock passed from a father to his son) to represent forgiveness. I never use the word 'forgiveness' or any form of 'forgive' in the story, but that's what the story wound up being about.
Hmmm, this is very interesting writing advice. Makes sense, I have to think about it.
Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Make sure and tell us which paper, and when it's published... I'm sure a bunch of us would be interested in reading it!
Posts: 52 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Crotalus you have every right to rejoice about your little victory, i hope to attian that vary same victory. and the tip from OSC, will definately help me out thanks for posting it.
Posts: 29 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Congratulations. It's terrific to have people read your story and care about it and even pay you for it. Nothing small about that!
As for the idea that you should avoid saying the word if you have something symbolically representing it in the story: That came from Francois Camoin, one of the best writing teachers I've known or heard of. He was critiquing my story "Eumenides in the First Floor Lavatory," and since the word "Eumenides" in the title clearly identified the little monsters in the story as Furies, those who torment the guilty (which means that they ARE guilt), he suggested I remove the word guilt and never, ever have the character feel guilt or think about guilt - since guilt was what he kept seeing whenever the baby showed up.
It was great advice; I took it; and now someone else takes it and benefits yet again. Thanks, Francois! (By the way, Francois is the "mad Frenchman" referred to in "Prior Restraint"; "Doc" in that story is Doc Murdock, who teaches, writes, and leads writing workshops in California.)
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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Now I am complete. My favorite author has congratulated me on my first sale. Where else but on Hatrack could that happen?
I said this somewhere else, but I met Mr. Card at a book signing/library-promote-reading thing a few years ago. When I asked him to sign my copy of "HtwF&SF" he asked, "Are you a writer?" To which I gave my standard reply "I've got the rejection slips to prove it." To which he said "Good. Most people just dream about it."
And, though I'm sure it's a standard line for that book, he signed my copy "To a fellow Taleswapper." Now I feel like it is actually the truth.
Another thing: Although 'Prior Restraint' reads like early Card, it is still one of my favorites.
And since I'm finally getting paid and published I've come to think that pigs really do have wings.
Posts: 232 | Registered: Jan 2005
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grats, almost made me reminence about when back in Everquest someone would shout "Ding! lvl X" And everyone else would say grats or congrats etc.
Posts: 1567 | Registered: Oct 2004
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