Discussion: Q3 Volume 36

[Corbin Maxwell]

I'm rewriting mine, again, after realising that I could make a single key change and greatly improve the story's weight. Fourth time of writing now, and I get to keep about fifteen percent of what I wrote previously.

This doesn't even count the the three times I tried to write this story before. Honestly, it's been nothing but trouble. I'll almost be glad to see the back of it, but at the same time, I'm very hopeful that it'll end up as a good one when it's actually finished.

Could be you need to write something new. Possibly your subconscious is telling you the story is no good and that's why you're having so many problems.

[DoctorJest]

Could be you need to write something new. Possibly your subconscious is telling you the story is no good and that's why you're having so many problems.

No, not in this case--even the last draft is pretty good, actually, and I was just getting into my stride editing it for submission. This was more to do with a question I was asked, and a comment someone made- neither had anything directly to do with the story, but they opened up a whole new idea of how it could go, and I knew without needing to think much that it would be considerably better if I took the time to pursue it.

Mildly frustrating, but good too.

[Corbin Maxwell]

Could be you need to write something new. Possibly your subconscious is telling you the story is no good and that's why you're having so many problems.

No, not in this case--even the last draft is pretty good, actually, and I was just getting into my stride editing it for submission. This was more to do with a question I was asked, and a comment someone made- neither had anything directly to do with the story, but they opened up a whole new idea of how it could go, and I knew without needing to think much that it would be considerably better if I took the time to pursue it.

Mildly frustrating, but good too.

My last one I did a lot of rewriting. Cut like 7k. Took me over a year to write it. 18 months for an R.

[glenn84]

I've got a fat turkey roasting in the oven. Bad breaks won't get in the way of my writing. No sir.

I'm willing to swap the first 2k words with anyone. Just send me a PM if interested.

[disgruntledpeony]

My last one I did a lot of rewriting. Cut like 7k. Took me over a year to write it. 18 months for an R.

Believe me, I've been there. I also almost completely rewrote my finalist, so... *shrugs*

Keep writing. That's the key.

[DoctorJest]

My last one I did a lot of rewriting. Cut like 7k. Took me over a year to write it. 18 months for an R.

I could see that happening here, to be honest, as there's definitely a risk of a story losing its sparkle if it's on the table for too long, but this is one of those hills I just have to climb now, whether for this contest or just to reach the summit for its own sake. Putting it in front of WotF gives me focus and a deadline, which helps me stay committed to completing it when it gets difficult.

[TimE]

This link was posted on Scribophile earlier. Quite old but still interesting. Average point at which the slushpile reader has decided to reject - Page 3. Provides a reasonable amount of explanation.
https://www.shimmerzine.com/2011/03/16/ ... ld-i-care/

[RSchibler]

Excellent article. Thanks for sharing. We have to make the reader care *right now* about our story. More than they care about their kids fighting in the playroom or the beep of the microwave. Hooks, all the way down.

[Helge Mahrt]

This link was posted on Scribophile earlier. Quite old but still interesting. Average point at which the slushpile reader has decided to reject - Page 3. Provides a reasonable amount of explanation.
https://www.shimmerzine.com/2011/03/16/ ... ld-i-care/

Awesome article. After reading this, I took one of my Writers of the Future volumes and read only the first 3 paragraphs of every story. Quite interesting and insightful

[disgruntledpeony]

Rough prose draft finished. Now I just need to make it not suck.

[TimE]

Story in progress set aside, new story started. 1000 words done. I've got some catching up to do. Plenty of time. And so far, this one might be working.

[chuckt]

This link was posted on Scribophile earlier. Quite old but still interesting. Average point at which the slushpile reader has decided to reject - Page 3. Provides a reasonable amount of explanation.
https://www.shimmerzine.com/2011/03/16/ ... ld-i-care/

Yes, thanks. That was a good article. (Wulf has said largely the same but this reinforces the lessons from a somewhat different angle).

[JVAshley]

I had a rough outline for Q3 and fleshed it out last night, almost like the snowflake method. I need to finish editing another chapter of my novel today to stay on schedule with that. Then hopefully the next 2 days will get me the first draft of my Q3. With this detailed of an outline, I hope the first draft will be cleaner than usually.

That would put me WAY ahead of my usual last minute attempt at WotF. I might even get it in before 11:59pm June 30th.

[SCAFontaine]

Good luck on fleshing it out. You've still got a little more than a month.
I'm trying to tighten the beginning of mine. It's too long, but I'm having difficulty choosing what parts to trim off in order to not lose the story's essence and light humor.

[JVAshley]

Good luck on fleshing it out. You've still got a little more than a month.
I'm trying to tighten the beginning of mine. It's too long, but I'm having difficulty choosing what parts to trim off in order to not lose the story's essence and light humor.

Can some of the necessary information be sprinkled through out the rest of the story to allow the beginning to be sleeker? Just a thought. Good Luck!

[TimE]

I reached a full stop (not literally) yesterday, when I thought this sentence is really suited to end in a paraprosdokian. I congratulated myself on the idea, love using such an odd word and after thinking about it for hours realise I'm not even sure how to pronounce it.

[SCAFontaine]

Can some of the necessary information be sprinkled through out the rest of the story to allow the beginning to be sleeker? Just a thought. Good Luck!

That's just it. The stuff I'm debating isn't necessary to the development of the plot but it is to the character and setting and since the setting changes halfway, any set-up /description needs to be given in the first half. With all the recent forum exchanges about beginnings, I'm looking twice as hard into mine.
Just things to think about for Q3 while the twitching begins for Q2.

[JVAshley]

That's just it. The stuff I'm debating isn't necessary to the development of the plot but it is to the character and setting and since the setting changes halfway, any set-up /description needs to be given in the first half. With all the recent forum exchanges about beginnings, I'm looking twice as hard into mine.
Just things to think about for Q3 while the twitching begins for Q2.

Beginnings are so important and so hard!
Good Luck!

[TimE]

I guess the Good Omens series is going to bring a plague of stories involving angels and demons.

[disgruntledpeony]

I guess the Good Omens series is going to bring a plague of stories involving angels and demons.

Possibly. The book is amazing, and the first two episodes (which are all I've had time to watch thus far) are appropriately delightful.

[TimE]

Searched for it on Netflix - found out it was on Prime. Damn.
I like everything Gaiman writes. Pratchett - not so much. Sheen and Tennant tend to add something to a part.

[czing]

Searched for it on Netflix - found out it was on Prime. Damn.
I like everything Gaiman writes. Pratchett - not so much. Sheen and Tennant tend to add something to a part.

We are opposites. Love Pratchett but Gaiman is very hit or miss for me. But Good Omens is delightful so I guess together is good.

[disgruntledpeony]

Searched for it on Netflix - found out it was on Prime. Damn.
I like everything Gaiman writes. Pratchett - not so much. Sheen and Tennant tend to add something to a part.

It is, in fact, on Prime. My husband has a Prime account, so we got lucky there. They do have a 30 day free trial, and Prime Video might come with that? (Not sure.)

Searched for it on Netflix - found out it was on Prime. Damn.
I like everything Gaiman writes. Pratchett - not so much. Sheen and Tennant tend to add something to a part.

We are opposites. Love Pratchett but Gaiman is very hit or miss for me. But Good Omens is delightful so I guess together is good.

I love both, albeit for different reasons. Good Omens is right in my wheelhouse.

[MiloMinderbinder]

OK, I submitted for Q3. I'm going hiking in the Sierra Nevadas next week, and figure there's no way I could finish a different entry by June 30th

1500 words in for Q4.

[Dragonchef]

Q3 in for me

[storysinger]

1500 words in for Q4.

Congrats on subbing but IMHO you shouldn't post your word count.

[MiloMinderbinder]

1500 words in for Q4.

Congrats on subbing but IMHO you shouldn't post your word count.

That's how many words I've gotten so far for Q4, not how long my Q3 story is.

But I appreciate the advice.

[chuckt]

Well, I guess it is time to do the final edit or two on my Q3 and join Milo in submitting. My other possibility isn't quite cooked.

[TimE]

Still writing 1st draft. Jeez, I make 3 legged tortoise look fast.

[thegirlintheglasses]

Still writing 1st draft. Jeez, I make 3 legged tortoise look fast.

I'm with you. Let's get cookin'