NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

[Wulf Moon]

Dude! Is there anywhere on the net that you don't hang out? You're like, everywhere, man.

Well, I've managed to write a few things, get them published in a few places and I'm working on other bits. I've submitted to WotF a few times over the years with submissions in for the 3rd and 4th quarters this year.

I try my best to stay off social media as much as possible because it isn't much more than a soul-sucking black hole. I'd suspect that this forum would be more helpful than wasteful, so here I am.

Most folks from my last few lifetimes (military/civilian/writing) tend to just call me Hillbilly.

So Hey y'all...I'm Hillbilly, and I freely admit that I have a writing addiction.

Welcome aboard, Hillbilly!

Glad you've got some publishing credits, always nice to know editors and readers like your work! Now to get David Farland to like it. You'll find lots of help here in that regard. Look around, avoid the black holes, and skim up all the good planet building info. Great first pages and crit swap area as well.

Best of success on your Q3 and Q4! WINNERS HAPPEN HERE!

All the beast!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[EricSchimel]

Hello folks,
My name is Eric Schimel. I’m a pilates teacher, a sci fi peep, and a lifetime dilettante of the martial arts. I entered the writing side of the contest last quarter and will enter this one as well.
Not too much of a bloggy/forum sort of person but I am pleased to meet all of you.
Thanks and take care, everyone.

[Wulf Moon]

Hello folks,
My name is Eric Schimel. I’m a pilates teacher, a sci fi peep, and a lifetime dilettante of the martial arts. I entered the writing side of the contest last quarter and will enter this one as well.
Not too much of a bloggy/forum sort of person but I am pleased to meet all of you.
Thanks and take care, everyone.

Greetings, Eric!

Thanks for letting us know you are here! I know of at least one other in this group that is into martial arts at the championship level. I'm sure she will say hi.

Look around, comment in the quarter you are entering, and soak up the good feedback and knowledge. It's a great group!

Welcome aboard!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[EricSchimel]

Howdy,
I’m kinda the opposite of a champion, but I’ve hung with a few.
Thanks again.
Eric

[C.A. Tedeschi]

Thank you, Brad R. Torgersen for the opportunity.

My name is Carmine (pronounced Car-mee-nay). I am a writer. Like so many others i piddled around for years, never taking it serious enough to make real progress. It was foolish of me to neglect the craft. Writing is truly an art-form with unlimited potential to learn, experiment, and evoke emotion. i began again, nearly twenty years later, by listening to podcasts, watching videos of classroom instruction (Brandon Sanderson), and most importantly of all, i joined a writing group and opened myself to criticism.

I've been working on a series of novellas, about the struggles of a rag tag brotherhood of knights from a bygone era. I kept hearing how short stories could improve your craft, force you to focus on story, etc. So i wrote one.

It takes place in the same mortal realm as the knights. But it's not about the Knights. It's about the Skree, a savage goblinoid race who value strength above all else. They keep humans as slaves, and remove the tips of their noses at birth to mark them as such. The Skree view human compassion as a weakness to be shunned, or leveraged. But there is one among them who will decide for himself, what is weakness, and what is strength.

Ran it through the writing group. Felt like i hit all the beats. It's a Heroic Fantasy Fiction, more of a Sword and Sorcery story.

On the Goodreads S&S group i got the impression that S&S stories never win, seldom get far. More specifically, stories that lead up to a final violent confrontation, or the slaying of an enormous beast, etc. etc. I wasn't going to send it to WOTFC because, what can i say? i lean towards Badassery (most definitely NOT a real word), but i sent the story anyway.

And, hold the horses for me, i got an Honorable Mention!

"Hondo's Honor" can be read for free at, Swords and Sorcery Magazine

https://www.swordsandsorcerymagazine.co ... honor.html

I'm open to feedback. I reckon a little strategy couldn't hurt.

I'm here, trying to learn more, i've completed the WOTF writing course, and have a jump on two separate stories for Q4.

There is no way around it. As writers we seek validation.

Thank you for your time.

[Ania]

Hello!
I have been lurking for a while and forgot to introduce myself! I'm Ania, I live in Greece and I used to write stories when I was little. Now that I have had to spend a lot of time at home (quarantine and life choices!), I began writing again and submitted to Q3, unfortunately before I discovered the forum and the writer's workshop.
I've already had tremendous help on the forum, I am so grateful to this wonderful, inspiring community!!

[Dustin Adams]

Welcome! So an HM and a sale. Very nice. :)

[C.A. Tedeschi]

Welcome! So an HM and a sale. Very nice. :)

Thank for the welcome Dustin.

[Wulf Moon]

Welcome, C.A. Tedeschi!

As writers, we do seek validation. Glad you've gotten some in an HM and a sale. Brandon Sanderson wouldn't be writing today were it not for the HM he got in writers of the future. He got the validation he needed to go on.

You do the same! And tap into the critique section in here. We've got some great writers that can help.

As for sword and sorcery, cream rises to the top. If you write a fantastic S&S, it's going to catch Dave's eye. Just remember it's got to be UNIQUE to do so!

Enjoy the forum! Do post in the quarter you are entering.

Cheers!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[Wulf Moon]

Hello!
I have been lurking for a while and forgot to introduce myself! I'm Ania, I live in Greece and I used to write stories when I was little. Now that I have had to spend a lot of time at home (quarantine and life choices!), I began writing again and submitted to Q3, unfortunately before I discovered the forum and the writer's workshop.
I've already had tremendous help on the forum, I am so grateful to this wonderful, inspiring community!!

Glad you found us, Ania! Welcome!

I've already seen a sample of your writing. You create strong prose. Combine that with great storytelling, and you will hit that bullseye!

Do post in the quarters you enter, as the most support happens there.

By the way, the Contest loves discovering writers from around the world, adding an international flavor to the anthology. If you can explore Greek culture, modern day or otherwise in your stories, I think you'd especially catch Dave's eye.

All the beast of success!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[C.A. Tedeschi]

Welcome, C.A. Tedeschi!

As writers, we do seek validation. Glad you've gotten some in an HM and a sale. Brandon Sanderson wouldn't be writing today were it not for the HM he got in writers of the future. He got the validation he needed to go on.

You do the same! And tap into the critique section in here. We've got some great writers that can help.

As for sword and sorcery, cream rises to the top. If you write a fantastic S&S, it's going to catch Dave's eye. Just remember it's got to be UNIQUE to do so!

Enjoy the forum! Do post in the quarter you are entering.

Cheers!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Awesome! I'll certainly take your advice. It's well received. Thank you for setting me straight. And the warm welcome.

[Ania]

Hello!
I have been lurking for a while and forgot to introduce myself! I'm Ania, I live in Greece and I used to write stories when I was little. Now that I have had to spend a lot of time at home (quarantine and life choices!), I began writing again and submitted to Q3, unfortunately before I discovered the forum and the writer's workshop.
I've already had tremendous help on the forum, I am so grateful to this wonderful, inspiring community!!

Glad you found us, Ania! Welcome!

I've already seen a sample of your writing. You create strong prose. Combine that with great storytelling, and you will hit that bullseye!

Do post in the quarters you enter, as the most support happens there.

By the way, the Contest loves discovering writers from around the world, adding an international flavor to the anthology. If you can explore Greek culture, modern day or otherwise in your stories, I think you'd especially catch Dave's eye.

All the beast of success!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Thank you for the welcome and the encouragement!! And thank you for you time--it's one of the most valuable things a person can gift nowadays!

[Valiant]

Hello, fellow forumites.

I'm a fledgling author from Stockholm, Sweden. I submitted to WOTF for the first time for the second quarter this year and I've been lurking around the forum since the results of that started to approach. I got a rejection on my first submission, and though I would have wished for more, the story was probably not the best fit, so I didn't take it that hard when the email came. My second submission - for Q3 - is another matter entirely. I think I might get really disheartened if it gets rejected outright, not because I have an inflated opinion of my craft, but because the story is dear to me. I imagine a lot of people here know the feeling.

As a writer, my biggest struggles are health-related issues, as well as writing in my second language. It's easy for the doubt to come creeping in when you're juggling words back and forth across language barriers. Still, it will be my ambition going forward to submit every quarter. And now I'm jumping over to the section with the compiled insider super secrets to see if I can glean some insights to improve my next project!

Happy writing!

[Dustin Adams]

Welcome & Välkommen!

Very few people go through the WotF crucible without a rejection, so it's all good.

I get the near and dear story. That was my first because it was the only one I wrote in complete isolation. I had no idea how I'd do. I printed it up, mailed it in, and got an HM. I framed that sucker and hung it on my wall. :)

[storysinger]

Welcome to the forum Valiant.

I imagine a lot of people here know the feeling.

You are right of course. The first time I submitted a fantasy piece I thought I'd written the story of my life.
The rejection sent me to place where I continued to write but abstained from the internet, Including WotF.

Then Joni rescued me from the pits of desolation. A simple email wanting to know why I had stopped submitting. I already had received an honorable mention and she said you don't get those unless you are a good writer.

I started submitting again from that day forward and only death or success will interrupt the process. Hopefully the latter.

[Retropianoplayer]

Valiant,

I think you'll find the thread WULF MOON'S SUPER SECRETS of enormous benefit. He is the ideal example of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds - Wulf is the protagonist par excellence. Having devoted a quarter century of his life to this contest, and while others might have given up, he persisted and won the 4th Quarter of Volume 35. Rather than move on to the next chapter of his life, he's dedicated his Raison D'Etre to helping others level up.

You might also be interested to know he conducts online classes.

Best,

Retropianoplayer

[Wulf Moon]

Welcome, Valiant!

So glad you found us! Truth be told, every story is dear to us, or why would we write it? But a greater truth is that some stories are indeed very close to our heart, and seeing those stories rejected can hurt our hearts. We take it personally.

The answer? We can go off to our Dark Night, enter our even darker Inner Cave, or we can do our best to stand back up in the light and keep fighting for what we believe in, and that's our writing! Are you a writer? You've proven you are. So now you have to find ways to develop coping skills to deal with the rejection every writer must face. And face. And face. Until one day, a story will sell. You will leap for joy. And then it starts all over again. :)

This place can help you. The people here know what you're going through. It's good to have friends that understand. Get to know them.

We're glad you're here!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[Valiant]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

Looking forward to browsing the forums for hidden secrets and fretting about results together with other people for once. If anyone needs any info on something nordic, like language or culture, feel free drop me a line.

Valiant

[FatThor]

Greetings All! I am FatThor, an IT tech from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. I am the proud father of two beautiful, and oh some much more intelligent than I, teenage daughters and the lucky husband to the best wife in the world. I submitted two stories to WTOF, but the first one crashed and burned and I don’t hold higher hopes for the second. I am rewriting the second one and I know your critiques will upgrade it to winning status and I will do my best to upgrade your ingots to the same lofty heights!

[Wulf Moon]

Welcome to the Forum, FatThor!

Glad you have intelligent teenage daughters and the best wife in the world! I'll argue that last point--*I* have the best wife in the world, but you haven't met her, so I forgive you. :)

Enjoy all the information contained in this forum, but more importantly, the friendships and the allies that can be gained.

Ask not what the forum can do for you, ask what you can do for the forum. :)

All the beast!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[storysinger]

Welcome to the forum FatThor. You'll find everything you need in the many threads available here, enjoy.

[Wulf Moon]

Snatches the Marauders Map out of a student's hands, knowing there are students out of bed, tiptoeing unannounced through these halls. Taps it with his wand. "Reveal yourself!"

[chezwise]

Because it was mentioned that I should:
Have not published anything in, well, decades. Had a dream as a teen, (Pulitzer level). First year in college I realized food cost money. As I grew older, the USMC doesn't care about pulitzers, Kids grow out of thier clothes really fast, and Corporations want you to work 24/7.
Now that all that is in the past, and there is only me and the dog (Trekker), I took early retirement, and am attempting to reunite with my teenage self.
Looking forward to learning a lot from all of you.

[Wulf Moon]

Welcome aboard, Chezwise!

Sounds like you are back to reaching for that Pulitzer level dream you had as a teen. But first, win Writers of the Future, it can only help. :)

Enjoy our friendly Forum and adding to the Collective. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[whatthephilhall]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Phil Hall and I'm a ship designer from the Virginia Beach area. I think I've submitted to WOTF four times (I lost count), with two honorable mentions. I've published a few stories online. After taking the online seminar, I've come up with a few stories I hope will do well in future quarters. Wulf Moon, I really liked your story "Super-Duper Moon Girl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler." Dixie's voice was captivating throughout the story. Glad to be here! Hope maybe I can get some critique swaps on the critique swap forum, improve my writing and move up into professional publishing.

[storysinger]

Welcome to the forum Phil. Congrats on the two HM's. Hope a win is in the future for you.

[Wulf Moon]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Phil Hall and I'm a ship designer from the Virginia Beach area. I think I've submitted to WOTF four times (I lost count), with two honorable mentions. I've published a few stories online. After taking the online seminar, I've come up with a few stories I hope will do well in future quarters. Wulf Moon, I really liked your story "Super-Duper Moon Girl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler." Dixie's voice was captivating throughout the story. Glad to be here! Hope maybe I can get some critique swaps on the critique swap forum, improve my writing and move up into professional publishing.

Welcome aboard, Phil!

What kind of ships do you design, if I may ask? I have some friends that work in ship design in Port Angeles, Washington. Luxury yachts.

Congrats on finding WotF Online Course. Glad you've written a couple stories from it already. I'm sure Emily at WotF would love to interview you!

Thanks for your kind words about "Super-Duper Moongirl..." I wrote that in a day and a half at the end of the contest year. You read a first draft, because that's all the time I had. :) Glad you enjoyed.

Let people in Critique Swaps know the genre and word count, offer to crit their story, and I'm sure someone will be happy to swap. Best to your Q4!

To your writing future!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

[Dustin Adams]

Welcome Phil!

A ship designer... interesting.

[whatthephilhall]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Luxury yachts sound really cool. I design HVAC systems for surface ships. Are we allowed to submit stories that get critiqued here?

[Wulf Moon]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Luxury yachts sound really cool. I design HVAC systems for surface ships. Are we allowed to submit stories that get critiqued here?

Yes. It's always a good idea to have someone read over your story before submitting. Just go to the story swap area for critiques and let members know your word count and genre. Always offer to swap for theirs.

Best of success!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator