Search found 306 matches
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:43 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q2 Volume 38
- Replies: 20
- Views: 969
Re: Discussion: Q2 Volume 38
I have an idea I'm excited about. I've spent more time plotting than normal - now got to reel it back in to s/s length!
- Mon Jan 18, 2021 4:14 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: First vs Final Draft
- Replies: 16
- Views: 563
Re: First vs Final Draft
Dustin Adams wrote:
BAM!
I was Bam-Bam for Halloween when I was five. Had a little plastic club and everything.
I could be Bam-Bam.

- Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:03 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: First vs Final Draft
- Replies: 16
- Views: 563
Re: First vs Final Draft
Dustin Adams wrote:It's not a winner, but I'll offer my SHM that I edited to my SF.
Up to you.
BAM!
Dustin Bam-Bam Adams does it again. (I can only think of you as Bam-Bam since your earlier post.)
- Sun Jan 17, 2021 3:24 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: First vs Final Draft
- Replies: 16
- Views: 563
Re: First vs Final Draft
I read the winning story and the 1st version of The Glowing Heart that Anton Rose had on scribophile and I'm surprised/impressed the few changes it underwent which I guess answers a different question than the one I asked but is also important: how many changes does the manuscript undergo by wotf e...
- Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:26 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: First vs Final Draft
- Replies: 16
- Views: 563
Re: First vs Final Draft
You can see Anton Rose's winning story on Scribophile and the crits and changes he made in response there. You have to join, but you don't have to pay. It's a great story.
- Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:12 am
- Forum: Publishing: The Business Of
- Topic: Success!
- Replies: 4285
- Views: 1163133
Re: Success!
https://nightshiftradio.com/storytellersprint/print-edition-vol-8-the-wizard-the-watcher-and-the-waif If you're interested in an HM that reached publication, check it out! It's a fantasy about Grundar, who wants vengeance, and Epohar, who just wants to survive. Enjoy! I enjoyed the read. Well done,...
- Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:49 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Average WOTF story word count?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 464
Re: Average WOTF story word count?
I try not to write an average story.
- Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:56 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: Helpful Writing Links
- Replies: 33
- Views: 11862
Re: Helpful Writing Links
Insights from Writing through to Publishing by Hugh Howey - Wool Trilogy.
https://hughhowey.com/writing-insights- ... -a-writer/
https://hughhowey.com/writing-insights- ... -a-writer/
- Thu Jan 07, 2021 12:52 am
- Forum: Publishing: The Business Of
- Topic: Success!
- Replies: 4285
- Views: 1163133
Re: Success!
Hello everyone. I never thought I’d be able to post anything on this thread, since I've never had any major achievements in writing. But finally, I've got some good news to share! My 70k novel just got accepted at World Castle Publishing! It’s a small press, however, this is a very big milestone fo...
- Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:20 am
- Forum: Interviews: Entrants, Judges, Past Winners
- Topic: Interview with R J Ellory on WotF
- Replies: 2
- Views: 561
Interview with R J Ellory on WotF
I found this one of the best WotF podcasts. Found him a really interesting speaker - and they have plenty of his books in my library. (Whereas I've had to buy one of Charles Gannon's. Flippin' podcasts are costing me money!)
RJ seems to have found a fan in John.
RJ seems to have found a fan in John.
- Sun Dec 20, 2020 1:35 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: What's in a name?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 406
Re: What's in a name?
None of those are memorable to me. September Fawkes (who has worked for Dave F) has an article on titles in her blog - https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2018/10/coming-up-with-titles.html I wouldn't expect WotF to ask you to change a title unless it had a swear word in it. However, if there was nothi...
- Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:47 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
- Replies: 148
- Views: 9486
Re: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
I have 1200 pages of Rhythm of War to read in 4w and the latest Hunger Games book to pick up and read that also. So, just as well, mine is ready to submit. I'm trying to let the paint dry without putting fingerprints all over it. Mine doesn't quite compare to Sanderson.
- Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:40 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
- Replies: 148
- Views: 9486
Re: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
Dustin Adams wrote:
I once saw a SF crit where Dave mentioned wanting more belly laughs. With humor it's go big or go home. Little chuckles are OK in an otherwise serious story, but if you go humor, go all out.
Belly laughs are unlikely. Better that I keep my results expectations low.
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 2:16 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
- Replies: 148
- Views: 9486
Re: Discussion: Q1 Volume 38
Plenty of humour in mine, so i know i've no chance. But I'm enjoying writing it.
- Tue Aug 18, 2020 2:58 am
- Forum: Story Critique Exchange
- Topic: RULES for critiques
- Replies: 21
- Views: 13813
Re: RULES for critiques
For me, Rule 4 needs adding: that the critiquer should be thanked for his/her time and effort regardless of what the writer thought of the crit. I spend 3 or 4 hours or more on each crit. If I don’t get a simple thank you within a few days, I spend another half hour or more re-reading it to see what...
- Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:07 pm
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: The hyphen, the en dash, and the em dash...please help!
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3628
Re: The hyphen, the en dash, and the em dash...please help!
I noticed some people use a space at either side of the em dash, and some don't. I was under the impression, no space. I'm fond of the em dash and I suspect I'm guilty of inconsistency with spaces around the em dash. I don't uses spaces when i use em dashes to show an action interrupting dialogue. ...
- Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:57 pm
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
I'm working on the next quarter's story and could use some fresh eyes. It's hovering around 2500, which is a different problem than my norm. I tend to go WAAAY over. I started this with a Wulf Moon KYD and it's like the thing needs a shot of growth hormone. Does anyone have time? 2500 shouldn't tak...
- Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:33 pm
- Forum: Story Critique Exchange
- Topic: Looking for a critique/feedback
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1399
Re: Looking for a critique/feedback
Hi everyone! My short story that I'm considering for Q4 finally finished making its rounds in my writer's group, and I would like another pair of eyes on it, if anyone would be so willing. Any kind of feedback would be welcome. I wrote it based of a random prompt challenge and I'm really proud of w...
- Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:18 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
I liked Steering the Craft - thanks for the reminder - I should go and revisit some of it! My response was meant to be to both of you. Couldn't see how to quote more than one. Having just read DF's Million Dollar Outlines and as I avidly follow his tips, I imagine KDJ's recommendation for DF's Ench...
- Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:46 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose? Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you? Have you read Ursula K. Le Guin's - Steering The Craft...? It might help. Just contemplating buying it myself. The opening chapter - The Sound of Your Writing - l...
- Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:19 am
- Forum: Publishing: The Business Of
- Topic: Success!
- Replies: 4285
- Views: 1163133
Re: Success!
Twenty-five minutes to produce something publishable - Blimey! Well done.
- Sat Jul 25, 2020 1:18 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: Dialogue Tips
- Replies: 29
- Views: 9076
Re: Dialogue Tips
So - no one is going to help that 13 yr old girl, just because she's a bot?
I guess the nature of help might change a little. Not sure how you tell a bot when writing 'rules' can be bent.
I guess the nature of help might change a little. Not sure how you tell a bot when writing 'rules' can be bent.
- Fri Jul 24, 2020 12:02 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: Dialogue Tips
- Replies: 29
- Views: 9076
Re: Dialogue Tips
Recently my daughter(she is 13y.o.)said to me that she wants to be a writer and asked me for some recommendations. But I don't know what to advise her. Maybe someone has any thoughts? I'd hoped you would get more replies to this. I suggest you look out for competitions aimed at youngsters. In the U...
- Thu Jul 23, 2020 11:25 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: Alien Languages
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2011
Re: Alien Languages
Bullshit and gobbledegook - best way to pull the wool over people's eyes.
- Thu Jul 23, 2020 11:23 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: Alien Languages
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2011
Re: Alien Languages
I had langa-weasels who could read the Broca’s area and angular gyrus and equivalents in brains of any creatures and thereby learn languages. They were bred to be interpreters and dependant on their owners and they couldn't be trusted. It was part of my one attempt at humour and only got HM.
- Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:15 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
I've got a 6 pack.
(In the fridge waiting to be drunk.)
(In the fridge waiting to be drunk.)
- Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:08 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
Dustin Adams wrote:Looking for 1 or 2 Alpha readers.
Does that make me an alpha male?
- Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:58 am
- Forum: The Contest - Quarterly Topics, and Other Items
- Topic: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
- Replies: 336
- Views: 36968
Re: Discussion: Q4 Volume 37
Dustin Adams wrote:Looking for 1 or 2 Alpha readers. Grammar should be good, commas, are all over the place, but does the story work? 4400 words. I can return an under 10k swap after Aug 5th.
I'll take a look if you like. You should have my email address.
- Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:26 am
- Forum: Publishing: The Business Of
- Topic: Success!
- Replies: 4285
- Views: 1163133
Re: Success!
Congratulations, Bartleby. And I agree that those little measures of success and improvement in the form of WotF awards are great encouragement.
Well done.
Well done.
- Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:09 am
- Forum: Writing: Craft, Talent, Technique
- Topic: How to fix a short short story?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1626
Re: How to fix a short short story?
Are any parts confusing at all and need a little more explanation? As per Dave's tips on character arcs - do you have The Lie, The Wound, New Action, Wants and Needs covered. Do you have a theme? Does it need more work? Is the setting well described, does it play a part in the story? Do you have eno...