Discussion: Q3 Volume 36

[chuckt]

However, I've yet to see a scifi crime story make it in the CWA. Perhaps not many try and mine will stand out for being different?

Have any made it in WotF?

[TimE]

Have any made it in WotF?

Ah - Crime in WotF. Don't know. Don't see why not. Can't remember the title, but there's an Asimov scifi crime novel that I love.

[thegirlintheglasses]

There was a sci-fi crime one a few years back. Police officer with an addiction to a super-power inducing drug. Used it one last time to solve a crime before turning himself in. It was really cool-also broke Dave's rules about having drugs in a story. If done well...

[Dragonchef]

Ah - Crime in WotF. Don't know. Don't see why not. Can't remember the title, but there's an Asimov scifi crime novel that I love.

And then there's Blade Runner. There was also a show on NetFlix, "Altered Carbon" (this one is very good)

[TimE]

The addicted police officer story sounds interesting. Don't think I have that one.

Blade Runner's one of my favourite films. Blockbuster films are often scifi. Yet, you will find literary agencies that don't handle scifi or fantasy.

There was a Brit author who wrote Crime as Iain Banks and Sci fi as Iain M Banks (or the other way round). Haven't read any of either, so don't know if he merged the two.
Seems odd that he has to use different names - but I think it was Dave F. who covered this in one of his articles. Something like book shops might order more of a crime story by a writer than a scifi. I read all sorts, though long since got tired with Crime.

[SCAFontaine]

A good crime mystery in SFF is always fun to read!

I've got an idea for my Q3, but am not able to start writing it just yet. What with editing my novel and then finishing a novelette, I hope to get to it by mid May.

[Michael Kingswood]

Well, I'm in again.

10,000 word story that I wrote earlier this year. Destined to be HM #10, no doubt.


Good luck, everyone.


V/R,
Michael

[Dustin Adams]

I'm inching my way back into writing with consistency. Even if just visiting the forum again and opening my stories to tinker with the openings...
I have unread messages here from July 2018. How embarrassing.

With that amazing intro, I'm here to ask if anyone has a story I can critique. For me, the writing and critiquing have always gone together. I'm not such a great reader, which handicaps me tremendously, so I make up for it with crits (aka reading).

Send me a PM if you're in need of and ready for a pair of eyes. I'll give myself a 7 day turnaround limit...

[Dragonchef]

Not quite there yet with my own Q3, Dustin. In fact, I started a whole new beginning on it and its turning out to be two entirely different stories with the same characters. Pt.1 and Pt.2? My story the sequel? Q3 and Q4? Is that legal, or would I get disqualified for doing that?
Going a bit crazy here.

[disgruntledpeony]

Not quite there yet with my own Q3, Dustin. In fact, I started a whole new beginning on it and its turning out to be two entirely different stories with the same characters. Pt.1 and Pt.2? My story the sequel? Q3 and Q4? Is that legal, or would I get disqualified for doing that?
Going a bit crazy here.

Sounds like you might be writing a novel to me.

[Dragonchef]

Sounds like you might be writing a novel to me.

Yeah, I thought about that. Add that to all the other novels going on i my head.

Back to legality, I wonder if using the same characters in different stories for two quarter entries is okay.
Can anyone field this question?

[disgruntledpeony]

Sounds like you might be writing a novel to me.

Yeah, I thought about that. Add that to all the other novels going on i my head.

Back to legality, I wonder if using the same characters in different stories for two quarter entries is okay.
Can anyone field this question?

I mean, I've done it before, and there's nothing in the rules against it. Should be fine.

[KD Julicher]

Back to legality, I wonder if using the same characters in different stories for two quarter entries is okay.
Can anyone field this question?

There's nothing at all in the rules about it. So you're clear there. If the story doesn't do better than an HM then I see absolutely no issue with using the same characters. With as many entries as the contest gets, there's a good chance they won't even remember your last entry.

I have a recurring gimmick that's not necessarily unique to me but I doubt anyone else is using. I don't stress that it makes my stories identifiable. Kary and Dave are consummate professionals and judge each story on its merits.

[RSchibler]

Dustin it’s good to see you posting. I’m struggling with my story but when it’s done I’ll send it your way. Maybe having you waiting on me will motivate me to finish the darn thing.

[disgruntledpeony]

Back to legality, I wonder if using the same characters in different stories for two quarter entries is okay.
Can anyone field this question?

There's nothing at all in the rules about it. So you're clear there. If the story doesn't do better than an HM then I see absolutely no issue with using the same characters. With as many entries as the contest gets, there's a good chance they won't even remember your last entry.

I have a recurring gimmick that's not necessarily unique to me but I doubt anyone else is using. I don't stress that it makes my stories identifiable. Kary and Dave are consummate professionals and judge each story on its merits.

Well, even if they can identify a story as coming from the same author, as long as there's no identifying who said author is I'd imagine it still helps avoid bias. Plus, Dave reads so many stories, and sometimes he'll get the same story rewritten....

My stories with the same recurring characters both ended up SHMs. I really like the character from my F story, but I have resisted writing another story with him for the contest because that one went a lot farther. (On the other hand, it still didn't win, so it's probably not a big deal. I'd imagine the only one who might know would be Joni, and she's not one of the judges, so...)

[Dragonchef]

To all those who answered the legality question . . . THANKS!

[Dustin Adams]

Dustin it’s good to see you posting. I’m struggling with my story but when it’s done I’ll send it your way. Maybe having you waiting on me will motivate me to finish the darn thing.

Dustin makes like Chuck Norris and






waits

[DaneCurley]

Looking to get in this quarter for the first time.
Do many of you try your hand at submitting your stories to pro-markets before submitting a story here (after rejection)?

[RSchibler]

Looking to get in this quarter for the first time.
Do many of you try your hand at submitting your stories to pro-markets before submitting a story here (after rejection)?

If I have a story that will suit the contest, it typically goes here first. But I have a few that are inappropriate for Writers of the Future, so they go to the other publications. (Inappropriate because of swearing, or hopeless endings, for example). Anything that gets an Honorable Mention from here has gone out to pro-markets afterwards.

[Corbin Maxwell]

After 12 plus years I'm still here. I don't remember when exactly I joined the forum. There was one before this one started in 2007 and I was posting on that one. I saw Brad and Kary win, plus lots of others before them. It's a strange feeling when you're writing, entering, and posting; and then watching your forum buddies win the contest and move on, leaving you behind.

So depending on how my current piece does over at F&SF will determine if I enter the contest this quarter.

[Dragonchef]

Good luck there, Corbin 'Dallas' Maxwell. Persistence is key.

[Dustin Adams]

After 12 plus years I'm still here. I don't remember when exactly I joined the forum. There was one before this one started in 2007 and I was posting on that one. I saw Brad and Kary win, plus lots of others before them. It's a strange feeling when you're writing, entering, and posting; and then watching your forum buddies win the contest and move on, leaving you behind.

So depending on how my current piece does over at F&SF will determine if I enter the contest this quarter.

What I lack in your endurance, I make up for in opulence (post count, that is).
Maybe we'll win this in the same year and be like Preston and Wulf, contest old-timers meeting in LA.

It is interesting to watch the high post-counters win and move on. Makes one think there's a correlation.

I hope to prove that theory correct.

[storysinger]

It is interesting to watch the high post-counters win and move on. Makes one think there's a correlation.

Let's do one better and have three forumites win and meet in LA.

[RSchibler]

Here’s to taking every quarter

[amoskalik]

It is interesting to watch the high post-counters win and move on. Makes one think there's a correlation.

Let's do one better and have three forumites win and meet in LA.

There are still twelve slots open for this year. Let's take them all!

[OldDarth]

It is interesting to watch the high post-counters win and move on. Makes one think there's a correlation.

Let's do one better and have three forumites win and meet in LA.

There are still twelve slots open for this year. Let's take them all!

So say we all!

[RSchibler]

Finished a first draft today. Let the editing commence.

[storysinger]

I just got my copy of 35 so I plan to read, summarize, and try to put something together that will have a chance to make it past Kary and on to Dave.
Learning to grow one story at a time. Write on!

[Corbin Maxwell]

I remember when Kary was first entering. We used to trade stories for critique. And now she’s a contest judge.

[disgruntledpeony]

Finished a first draft today. Let the editing commence.

I haven't even started mine, although I've finally decided what I'll be writing. That, at least, is a good thing.