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Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose? I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy. I already read my stories ...

BrandieJ wrote:I will admit that the one I submitted that got finalist was the best one I've written.

The best one you've written so far. Go write another. It might not be better, but the next one, or the one beyond that, will be.

Well... not a winner. I appreciate getting this far, but I was hoping for a different call. I'm sorry, BrandieJ! :( Making Finalist is an amazing accomplishment, though! You are so, so close!! Yes it really is. A winner with a slightly different mix of judges. Go sell it! Oh, but this is so true. I...

BrandieJ wrote:Well... not a winner. I appreciate getting this far, but I was hoping for a different call.

Oh man I am sorry. I know so well how that feels. Take your time to get over the disappointment but know this: you’re hitting the inner ring. It’s going to happen again if you keep submitting.

BrandieJ wrote:Hey guys. I don't post a lot here, rather keeping to the shadows. But I found out I'm a finalist for this quarter. I am so excited and so nervous. And then excited again.

Congrats! Being a finalist is so awesome! I hope you win!

Just whatever you do don't use ale and mead interchangeably. (Because mead comes from honey, if anyone is confused). I literally did that in my first paragraph. wotf018 Oh crud, did I miss that when I critted you? Sorry about that.... the example came to mind because I had a bee-related incident in...

Just whatever you do don't use ale and mead interchangeably. (Because mead comes from honey, if anyone is confused). Totally agree about this. Most of Dave's suggested edits on my winning story have to do with specificity. He had me narrow down a season, then use that to put in details. And change t...

Anyone know the area code from whence the joyous news comes? :) Oh wait-I seem to recall someone mentioning it showed up as blocked or unknown or something like that? All but one time, my call from Joni has been from an Unknown number. You would also know this: When do published finalists find out ...

chuckt wrote:Anyone know the area code from whence the joyous news comes? :) Oh wait-I seem to recall someone mentioning it showed up as blocked or unknown or something like that?

All but one time, my call from Joni has been from an Unknown number.

I am going to channel Martin Shoemaker and tell all you twitchers this:

WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!

And good luck on the twitching. May you hear soon!

I'm ready to start, but can't make myself get up in the AM. I'm out of the habit. Anyone have any tips for getting butt out of bed and into chair? I often have to give myself the "you are a professional, you are going to sit down and write [tiny little goal] before you check email or forums or...

Would this be a bad time to mention concealed carry fanny packs for carrying your gun around in public without making a scene? Or that carrying said gun is commonly referred to as "packing"? So, then, would carrying your said weapon of choice between your cheeks be considered as "Fan...

...as for places to carry your wallet, I bet "fanny pack" doesn't translate well at all. wotf019 I had no idea they even came in packs, I've only ever seen them in singles. Would this be a bad time to mention concealed carry fanny packs for carrying your gun around in public without makin...

I hadn't heard anything about the judges disliking first person POV, could you tell me where that is? I imagine it is mostly because it is easier to make mistakes in it, such as switching viewpoints, but that is just a guess. Check out Moon's super secrets #25: don’t write a story in 1st person for...

My Q1 winner is first person. About half my finalist pieces were. Well done first person is magnificent. As anyone who names himself FitzChivalry well knows!

I would hold off twitching today, Joni is probably super busy getting Q3 wrapped up!

First time poster, though I read these forums voraciously around the time stories are due to reassure myself that other people are panicking as much as I am. I have a story I've been working on for this quarter but it doesn't feel ready. On the other hand, I have a story that got a silver honorable...

They keep it a secret, I think to keep people from being too intimidated by the numbers to send in a story. But we have heard "thousands" before, and it seems the number grows each quarter. :) Thousands, yes, but so does every pro paying market and this one is only for fledgling professio...

I'm cheering for all of you! Get those stories in! Who's going to come to LA with me next year? If you haven't heard it's going to be the best party yet because we're going to have V36 AND V37 honored TOGETHER at the same gala. So that's double the amount of awesome writers, artists, stories, and art!

I'm cheering for three of you to join me in LA! Get those stories plotted and polished! disgruntledpeony, if you need a quick "is this or isn't this WOTF material", you know where I am.

I had a similar question, so thanks to all for clarifying. My follow-up question: I'm starting to submit seriously to pro markets (wish me luck!) and I was wondering when Rule #5 kicks in (should I be so lucky...). What if: I submit a story to WOTF contest while, at the same time, submitting OTHER ...

Hermione, I am definitely not the first PF to win the contest later. But I am the first in a long time. Eric James Stone and Floris (can’t recall his last name) were both PFs and then winners the following year about fifteen years ago. They were the last before me. Remember when you are PF you are s...

Cool! KD, I believe that you are the most experienced among all forumites. I bet it was a wonderful experience, being a published finalist! Did the published finalists receive a trophy and give a speech at the gala? Dustin posted a link but yes, you do! It’s the whole experience just the same as fo...

There could be several factors here. Most importantly probably is story length. If all 12 winners have very short stories, the volume will feel thin. Then they'll want to add another story or two to give readers good value for money. Conversely, if the winners write long there's no room for a publis...

So, Dave has said many times the way to win WOTF is to make the judges cry. That's certainly easier with a sad ending than a happy one. However, I think if you look at them many WOTF winning stories may have sad endings in that a character dies or looses something precious, but they usually still wi...

The Writers of the Future Forum are the best place for entrants to congregate. I value the camaraderie and shared wisdom there from other entrants and past winners both. It's turned the Contest into a real community for me. I've made friends, cheered wins, mourned losses, and found story swap partne...

Cliff Winnig. Does anyone know him personally? This was his fifth NWF (Non-winning Finalist). He has 3 semi-finalists. Damn. Wow, I don't know him but I sure as heck know how he feels. Damn. The plus-5 club is exclusive, and uncomfortable. Founding member Scott Parkin, current record holder KD Juli...

It's the blue sign!!! CONGRATULATIONS! So many of us have been fans ever since your published finalist entry in volume 32. While I'm happy for you for your well-deserved result, I'm equally happy for the self-interested reason that I will now get to read another one of your stories. Thanks Galen! I...

Screaming for days Congratulations!!!!!! I would love to hear more about that small but crucial change! So after I got the original HM, a year ago, I submitted the piece to a pro magazine. I didn't get in, obviously, but the editor kindly took a minute to tell me where he had faltered in the story....

I have permission to announce! wotf059 wotf059 I got third place. Joni called me Monday and I’m still glowing. It feels so darn good to finally get the win. This piece was an HM a year ago. I made a small but crucial change, lopped 10% out of the first couple pages, and now it hits all the right not...