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Well, I never actually got my story out for last quarter so I'll get it in this one. With it almost finished, I actually stand a chance of making the deadlines. Count me in.
Writer Dan Axeminster ThomasCarpenter Owasm PB&Jenny genevive42
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Dangit, I'm not going to be able to make the cut here. I'm having to move again in about two weeks and it'll be almost a month to get my internet service up again.
posted
I'm not sure what possesses me to think I can do this, but I've got a story I like. (Problem is, of course, I like them all or I wouldn't write them.) So, I'm going to try this at least once.
Writer Dan Axeminster ThomasCarpenter Owasm genevive42 Meredith
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Look at all you awesome people with first drafts done/(almost done). I'm going to look like such the slacker this quarter. Then again, when don't I? Ah, the pleasantries of making good on your goals. I'll be starting my story for this quarter in about...three days. lol.
Happy to see you all signing up. Was worried there for a bit that our numbers for this quarter might be low. Woo-hoo!
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So quick question, this is my first WoTF crit group participation. How does it work in terms of sending out the story draft? Do we just email everyone who signed up with a copy of the story on October 14th? Or do we break it down into smaller groups of people?
Posts: 1043 | Registered: Jul 2010
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It sort of depends on how big the group gets. The last couple of quarters we've been breaking up into two groups. You send the first draft out to your primary group and then your second draft goes out to the other group. That way there are fresh eyes on your second draft.
Not sure if this group is going to get big enough to break up though. Since everyone sort of finishes in a staggered manner, you don't generally end up with too many crits to do at one time.
Either way, it's a good process but do be prepared for a wide range of opinion.
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Thanks for the welcome Genevieve No worries, I'm just new to WoTF critique but I'm not new to critique in general. I have a very thick skin Posts: 1043 | Registered: Jul 2010
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I find I only need a few critiques the first time around to get an idea of what's up.
Then to have a new group of readers of the second draft is great. It helps motivate me to get done as people are waiting, and helps focus what I learned the first time around. i.e. not screwing it up.
I'd like to request moving my name to the bottom of the list so I can get in group two.
I keep sending OWASM my first drafts and I'd like him to be able to check out some of my more refined work. I don't want him to think, "damn, this dude writes some rough stuff."
Axe
[This message has been edited by axeminister (edited October 07, 2010).]
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So even though I'm only about halfway done with my current story (nearly complete re-write from last quarter...), I'm going to post up the groups for the first critique deadline tomorrow. Here they are.
Group 1: WriterDan Owasm Meredith walexander Brendan
Group 2: ThomasCarpenter genevive42 Osiris JenniferHicks Axeminster
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Wow. I've already received stories from Axeminister, Osiris and Genevive. It'll be a few more days before I send out mine. I'm still writing.
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2008
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quote: This is a critique group for writers that will be entering a story into the first quarter of 2011 in the Writers of the Future contest (28th year), and do so on an early schedule. Anyone is welcome to join. If you do though, please follow the directions for such. Currently, the group consists of me: WriterDan If you want to join the group for this quarter, please re-post the current names list in a reply and then add your name to the bottom.
Tentative deadlines for this quarter are as follows:
Sept 1st: Start writing Oct 14th: First drafts out for crits Nov 7th: Second drafts out for crits Nov 30th: Mail in final drafts
Sorry to use this thread for questions but I have a couple. One is does anyone mind if we use a story already written or is this group for who need to write one from scratch?
Are there any groups for middle or last minute writers?
Last is I notice you have links to all types of helps except one thing. What type of stories does WotF like best, I read one comment by someone involved with the contest that they don't like stories that start with fighting. But so far that's all I have found.
I do have one story I think that could be good to enter but I have others that I'm not sure about.
Does anyone mind if we use a story already written or is this group for who need to write one from scratch? --It's for everyone. All we expect is that if you want critiques on a story, you better be willing to give em back to everyone in your assigned group.
Are there any groups for middle or last minute writers? --This is it. I've tried to have two groups, but usually that ends up with two very small groups that both end up being the same group in the end. So this is the only one we do.
What type of stories does WotF like best? --They take fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. PG-13 levels of violence/profanity/sex. You pretty much have to have some kind of speculative element within the first page or your story will get tossed. Kathy has mentioned that she doesn't like in medias res beginnings. Other than that, you should read the recent anthologies to find out.
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[quote] What type of stories does WotF like best? --They take fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. PG-13 levels of violence/profanity/sex. You pretty much have to have some kind of speculative element within the first page or your story will get tossed. Kathy has mentioned that she doesn't like in medias res beginnings. Other than that, you should read the recent anthologies to find out.
Want in? {/quote*
To answer your last question , Yes I need all the help I can get. Which probably means I should send in one of my stories in a day or so.
Second: Thank you for the quick answers.
Third: In response to the last question, I knew all that but yet as I mentioned I've read somewhere I think hints on their web site that there are certain types they don't want; like ones with a bunch of fighting which I assume means Space Opera. I think the stories that have reached HM have been of a certain type.
And reading the anthologies may not help, I have read some of their stories. I've read various magazines, including the best of the partially resurrected Universe, but didn't help trying to figure the best type of stories for each one.
Most of my latest stories are Urban Fantasy. For some strange unknown reason my inner muse has been stuck on UF. Must do have speculative elements on the first page.
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In that case, what most of the secondary judges want is hard science fiction, and what Kathy wants is amazingly cool ideas that get her thinking. So, if you're going to try urban fantasy, it'll be a hard row. Of course, I'm a fantasy kinda guy myself. I just figure that's gonna make me end up being loads better by the time I finally win this thing. Luck to you. And you can join group 1. Send your story off when it's ready.
Group 1 -- First Round Crits WriterDan Owasm Meredith walexander Brendan LDWriter2
Group 2 -- First Round Crits ThomasCarpenter genevive42 Osiris JenniferHicks Axeminster
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited October 16, 2010).]
quote:In that case, what most of the secondary judges want is hard science fiction, and what Kathy wants is amazingly cool ideas that get her thinking.
Probably because both Niven and Pournelle were part of the judging group this time.
But it makes me wonder - should I change stories and do the one I did for snapper's challenge recently? That was hard science fiction, and my current WIP is more soft science fiction.
quote: In that case, what most of the secondary judges want is hard science fiction, and what Kathy wants is amazingly cool ideas that get her thinking. So, if you're going to try urban fantasy, it'll be a hard row. Of course, I'm a fantasy kinda guy myself.
The say they want fantasy too but that's what I meant when I asked about specific types of stories. So it depends on whose judging that quarter?
But I do have a Science Fiction story that might get Kathy thinking, actually one or two of the UF might also, but the SF story has been debated-on another forum here at Hatrack- rather or not it should be hard SF or not. I think it's not. I think I do have it ready to go I think that's the only SF story I have that I haven't sent to WotF and that I am willing to have a go at.
quote: In that case, what most of the secondary judges want is hard science fiction, and what Kathy wants is amazingly cool ideas that get her thinking. So, if you're going to try urban fantasy, it'll be a hard row. Of course, I'm a fantasy kinda guy myself. I just figure that's gonna make me end up being loads better by the time I finally win this thing. Luck to you. And you can join group 1. Send your story off when it's ready. Group 1 -- First Round Crits WriterDan Owasm Meredith walexander Brendan LDWriter2
Just double checking since I haven't been a member of a group in this Site before, I send the story to each of the members of the Group one and they send me theirs?
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Rats, I forgot about two stories. One SF, one fantasy-not UF-both might inspire Kathy to think. The SF isn't really hard even though I think it has a touch. Maybe I go with the SF I did it differently than I usually write...there's always next quarter for the other story.
posted
I'm still working on my story. Sorry for the delay. I have stories for everyone in my group and will do the critiques this week.
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
So I have three scenes left to do and the final two are completely scripted in my head. This one pivotal scene is just driving me up the wall and I'm having the hardest time trying to make myself write the last two and then come back to it, instead of waiting to write them straight through. Regardless, I'm hoping to have my story all out by the end of the week. Nothing new from my direction, I guess. I'm always freaking late when it comes to these dang self-imposed deadlines...
I hope all the critiquing is going well. I've finished two of the three I've received and am working on the last. Remember to give each one your best, guys. We're all working to help each other succeed in this thing. Best!
posted
Sorry I'm running behind on my story, guys. I finished the final scene tonight, but it made me need two more scenes in the story, and to adjust a third scene, none of which I have started. I hope to finish it by the end of the weekend.
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Ah, the pleasantries of making good on your goals. I'll be starting my story for this quarter in about...three days. lol.
Woo-hoo!
I hope y'all don't mind.
