WRITERSoftheFUTURE.com

I had the first page of this story critiqued at futurescapes, and people bounced off the first line, which I thought was cool.

Going to go work on something else to distract myself from wanting to mess with this story.

I got an HM, which is a step down from the SHM this story got last year. But I haven't seen any other silvers this quarter, so maybe there just weren't any? Anyway, I just got feedback on a different story that tells me how to fix this one. So I'm going to rewrite it and submit it again... probably ...

That's 2 down. Q3 is at beta readers right now, and I am about to start my first draft for Q4.

Wow, I feel productive this year.

I am in! First time I've submitted before the last month of the window.

1 down, 3 to go. I have next quarter planned, and an idea for third. 4th - no clue.

I am in! Good luck to all!

Yeah, $4 a month does sound steep. You can get it as low as $3 a month if you buy in bulk.
At least the trial costs nothing (not even putting in a credit card). Definitely worth doing.

Anyone here use 4thewords? I've been trying it out for the last month, and it has really increased my productivity with writing. For those who don't know - it is a site that gamifies your writing. You battle monsters, complete quests, and level up all based on the number of words you write. My refer...

It's Thursday!

Straight rejection. No surprise. I'm going to go send it to DSF.

Just met my goal of 25 rejections for the year. Still have 4 outstanding, and I'll probably send this one back out once I figure out the next place its going.
Out of that I got 6 personals, which is more than last year! Yay progress!

A lot of my story ideas have come from playing video games and wanting to take things a different direction than they did. Such as "What if Zelda was jealous that Link found the Master Sword?"

I think I've had 10 unique stories. 11 if you count the rewrite that only left the magic system and character names in place. Plot and characterization were different. Completely different tone to the setting too.

I did 4 in 33 and 4 in 34. Going to continue my streak! Good luck to all! wotf009 "Oh, yes, they call her the Streak Look at that, look at that She likes to show off her physique Look at that, look at that If there's an audience to be found She'll be streakin' around Invitin' public critique.&...

I did 4 in 33 and 4 in 34. Going to continue my streak! Good luck to all!

I'm in. I think it's a long shot, but hey, a long shot is better than no shot!

I'll be revising a SHM. I have ideas on how to redo the ending, so I'm excited for it. Just need to get darn Q4 finished first!

My story "2 Flowers" is now available for critique at critters. It's admittedly a bit of a mess, but wanted some opinions before refining it.

Not too surprised as this was a fairly raw story.

Congrats to disgruntledpeony and congrats/commiseration to the other honorable mentions!

Seen on Facebook:

Dave Farland wrote:So, this quarter of Writers of the Future I had 15% more stories than ever before, but 20% more good ones competing for a finalist slot. You folks are gonna make me work!

Good luck to everyone still waiting! May the odds be ever in your favor!

Finally finished a draft of my story. I'm really struggling with it. But I am committed to whip it into some kind of shape for Q4.

If you read "Hero with a Thousand Faces" or look at other examinations of the Hero's Journey, you'll see that other people make different distinctions about the Hero's Journey. Campbell also states that in his examination of myths from many cultures, some will do steps in different orders,...

Congrats!

I think you're asking about the likelihood of selling an honorable mention as is, not about whether mentioning the HM in your cover letter helps. So, here's my data points. My submissions of HMs and SHMs have gotten me a pile of rejections and one sale to a semi-pro zine. Some of those are only now ...

I'm actually a bit bummed. I'd really hoped to go all the way with this story. I really don't know what else I can do with it to improve it. And I don't think I want to submit it elsewhere yet, and shut out my few chances to sell a novelette.

*goes to get ice cream*

I know I have a solid story and would be thrilled with an HM. Maybe I should send it out to some more beta readers to boost my confidence. Nope. Write the next story - send that to beta readers, and get yourself in Q4! wotf011 Alternatively, wait until you get your results, since you can't do anyth...

Yeah, 3 months after the deadline is about average. Sometimes its shorter. Sometimes its longer.

Next wave should be coming anytime now, right? *twitch*

I have another story in the queue this week - "After the Escape." It is unchanged from when it won Silver Honorable Mention in Q1 (So, amy has already given me a critique. I just wanted some more opinions before I dive into story surgery.)

I am in, after much headbanging after realizing that scrivener was justifying my fonts on export. And I've been doing it that way for many submissions...

I've seen other places say explicitly that they will measure the word count themselves using Word's word count to make it the same for everybody. So, perhaps when a contract is offered, you can ask how they determine word count.

While scouring The Story Doctor website, which features many of Dave's writing tips, I came across an interesting checklist Dave composed that he used to use. Here's a link: https://mystorydoctor.com/12588-2/ . Talk about extensive. I started reading not realizing how in-depth it was and finished w...