posted
Same here, Arikki. I take it that one in F&F is your WotF planned submission? All that is in front of you is Owasm rewrite and that shouldn't take long for me to get through.
posted
Okay. Anyone else have a story draft you want me to look over? Or, willing to take a (I hope) last look at Cory before I send him off?
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posted
I'm back from my holiday and now have a finished story that I'll be ready to send out in the next couple of days. She might be a little rough but its getting late in the quarter and I know I need to get some thoughts on it before its too late to edit and tidy up. Hope everyone in the group is up for critiquing.
I've got a couple of stories to critique and am ready for more if you'd like to send them out.
I can't beleive it'll soon be time to start the next quarter's stories but luck has it, I have an outline for one for next time, and a plot for a sequal for this one. I'm feeling pretty good about things right now, hope it stays that way for a while!
posted
sending CORY to Writer Dan and darklight. Thanks guys.
Next time I'm going back to sf. I've got one that just needs polishing so I may be sending it out way early so I can focus down on one much closer to my heart -- one of my lysiscan stories that has to be cut down -- 29k to what? 16K
posted
Has anyone else received my critique without the comments off to the side of the text throughout the piece?
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posted
I got them. Has there been a problem with anyone else? I used the same technique you did, arikki, comments within the text and a commentary at the end (mine were in color though). Anyone else receive it differently? Let me know if you didn't. Posts: 3072 | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Yes, Jennifer Hicks missed all my comments the first time around and didn't tell me. I finally discovered that and resent my first critique. Then I started wondering if any other had gone astray.
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posted
So, how's everyone shaping up for the "deadline"? One more weekend to go.
As for me, it looks like I'm going to be hugging the real deadline pretty close. Made the last connection that I needed to make for the next draft of mine. Been tossing ideas around for next quarter. Don't know if I should do a re-write of a past quarter's entry (Snapper might get excited about this possibility), try my hand at a humorous urban fantasy, or go with another tough, dark fantasy. Hmmm...
Anyhow, hope things are well with everyone else. As far as I know I only have one more crit to return (Darklight), and after that I'll be free again. Feel free to correct me if I've somehow forgotten yours.
posted
I think I'm backing out of submitting this quarter, though I'm still happy to critique for anyone who wants it. I spent the past couple of weeks working on a short for another market and WotF has fallen a bit by the wayside. But who knows, there might still be a miracle....
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posted
I'm doing one last round of revisions before declaring my story done and will probably get it in the mail soon after Labor Day weekend (during which I'll be happily immersed in the geek heaven that is DragonCon and therefore too busy to write). I'm pretty happy with how this story has turned out.
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posted
Okay, my first draft that I sent around requires far too much work to finish this quarter, so I've been digging around in my trunk for something I might dust off at the last minute and I have an opinion question for y'all. For WotF success, does the speculative element HAVE to be in the first page (or so)?
Bit of clarification. I have a milieu story where the speculative element doesn't show up at all until page two (in the form of a bizarrely dressed person) and really comes out at page 5/6 (which the MC leaves our world for another one). The beginning's pretty tightly written, so the only way I see to move the speculative element up is to throw it into a "free" paragraph at the beginning.
posted
The best way to make sure Kathy keeps reading is to get your speculative element in the first page. End.
That being said, there have been stories in past anthologies that haven't had that. In those cases, the writing was really well-done and pulled the reader into the story with just that. The speculative element, still, wasn't THAT far behind.
If you're looking for an opinion that's a little more pointed, you could always send me the story. Would be happy to take a look at it.
posted
I'v started a revision of my story, with a new beginning, eliminating that info-dumpish, italicised first scene, and enabling the eradication of those horrible flashbacks. Are there a couple of people who would be willing to read what I have so far, just to be sure I'm on the right track? It's going to be a week at least before the entire thing is ready, so there isn't going to be time for me to ask for a critique of the whole thing, but I'd apreciate some eyes looking over what I have right now. It's about 1500 words, so nothing too big.
In return, if there's anyone who needs someone to look over their edits/revisions, send my way.
Anyhow, hope you've all gotten something you're happy with. Good luck if you've already sent it out.
posted
arriki, thanks. You've seen the original story, but if you're willing to look over this small section of rewrite, can I still send it? And if there's anything I can do for you, please send it over.
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So I know we're late in the game, but was curious if anyone would have time to read through my close-to-final draft. Story line is pretty much the same as before, details have changed though. If you do, lemme know.
After thinking about things, I think I'm going to re-draft an old story that got straight up returned to me a couple of years ago instead of writing a new one this next quarter. That way I can get ahead of things and not find myself in this position any more.
posted
Dan, looks like me and you are in the same boat.
I'm still trying to get my story polished up in time for the end of the month, but some tough family stuff has halted my progress. One final push and I'm sure I'll get mine finished up, just need to clear my head of what's been going on. Anyhow, I'll be happy to give your story a look. Send it over and I'll look at it tomorrow.
posted
Writer Dan and Darklight, I'm open to reading your stories. I can do a quick turn-around. I didn't submit this time, but I'd like to support you guys!
Posts: 2185 | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I really appreciate the offer, annepin. If it's ok with you, I'm going to take you up on it. I've just finished putting the finishing touches to my story, and will send it over to you.
posted
arriki, you've critiqued my story, and looked at some new scenes I wrote, one of which I had to ditch and start again.
I think I'm about there now, just got a few final touches to put to it, and it'll be in the mail, if not monday, tuesday at the latest. Thanks to everyone for all your help on this story.
posted
I haven't even heard back that they've received mine, but I did mail it in very late in the competition.
Posts: 715 | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
First round of HM's posted on the Wotf Blog!
Didn't recognize any names in this bunch, but there are sure to be more to come. Kathy has posted that she sent back a "whopping big bunch" of stories on the 31st, and that the rest are soon to come. So, not much longer to wait for this quarter.
posted
Finalists and semi-finalists for the quarter to be finished by Monday of next week! Watch for those calls people. Wouldn't want to miss this one! Posts: 599 | Registered: Sep 2007
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KD Wentworth commented on her judging style for picking finalists.
quote:The sad reality is that if a story does not look like a possible winner very early on, I have to go on to the next one because (insert very large number here) stories are waiting for my attention. So put your best ammunition on the first page!
Other nuggets from same thread
quote:Re: The tips on the wotfblog... Kathy Wentworth Article 4241, Sat 22 Dec 2007 07:32:36a
HMs are stories that have exceptionally well executed plots, concepts, characters, and/or prose, but just don't rise to the very top of the pile. If you get an HM, it means you've scored in the top fifteen percent of all entries, which is no small achievement. And it definitely means you should keep entering. You're on the right track.
I think I have seen this one posted or linked here before but here it is again
An Honorable Mention (formerly Quarterfinalist) is a story that has at least one (and usually more) area(s) of excellence, such as prose, characters, premise, setting, or plot, but is not retained for the very small pile of possible Finalists. Typically, an Honorable Mention means that you have scored in the top fifteen percent of all entries.
quote:... no one's story gets rejected because of a typo or misspelling. It's incredibly difficult to get all of those out because the eye sees what it expects to see. That's why it's helpful to get someone else to proof for you.
The single most important quality in a winning story is its originality. The people with the best imaginations are the ones with the most potential to have a great career, and getting new writers launched into careers is what the Contest is all about.
Kathy Wentworth Article 4811, Thu 09 Oct 2008 07:36:43a
quote:1. "Smirked" means a mean nasty little smile. It is not an all purpose synonymn for the words "smile" or "grin."
2. The past tense of sink is sank. "We sank the boat." "Sunk" requires an auxillery verb. "We have sunk the boat."
3. Paragraphs are your friend. Become one with your tab key.
Kathy Wentworth Article 4821, Fri 10 Oct 2008 08:05:59p
quote:4. When it comes to over the top metaphors and similes ("the night sky put the moon coin away in its black purse"), JUST SAY NO.
5. It's never a good idea to use the word "orb" as a synonynm for "eye" or "sun."
6. Don't start with poetry that you've written yourself.
[This message has been edited by Dark Warrior (edited January 09, 2010).]
posted
Here is when the torture begins. Death by anticipation.
quote:Finalists and semi-finalists for the quarter to be finished by Monday of next week! Watch for those calls people. Wouldn't want to miss this one!
One thing that is consistent about that WotF blog is they never do when they say they will do. Monday will come and go and not one Finalist or Semi-F will get notified (I bet).
So I shall sit on my hands, pace the room, chew my fingersnails down to the cudicles (I've been growing them long for this moment), peak out the window looking for the mailman, check my email; for the next two weeks now.
The damn problem is, I have no idea how my entry will do. I'll probably get a thanks but no thanks letter with my script but, what the hell, who knows? Maybe I'll be standing at the podium next August bragging to Skadder and Brad T that my trophy is bigger than theirs.
posted
Ah, just forget about it, Snapper. Go write some more. That should help to get your mind off of things. That's the only way that I've found I could cope at these times of the year. Just keep writing, and then when the acceptance call/letter comes you can be all the more surprised. Of course, I know, easier said than done. Maybe all this is just for my own benefit. Say something enough and you begin to believe it. Good luck!
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posted
Okay, with a snappy attitude like that you must have received some good news today. Go on, spill your guts Dan.
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Would be happy to take a look at it.
