Discussion: Q4 Volume 36

[Peter Glen]

So if you find your scenes shrinking to just a couple stubby paragraphs, you've probably cut too much.

But somewhere in that balance lies perfection.

hmmm, if it's a matter of keeping the good stuff, I'll be cutting so much out of the story might end up looking for a poetry prize ... hehe. Seriously though, I'm looking forward to trying out this technique!

[DoctorJest]

All this writing advice is good and all, but how on earth will I find a way to crack this pesky Captcha system? Honestly, it has me bamboozled.

[disgruntledpeony]

All this writing advice is good and all, but how on earth will I find a way to crack this pesky Captcha system? Honestly, it has me bamboozled.

Effing spambots, man... I gave up reporting the posts after the first twenty or so. A mod will see what's happening and fix it eventually. It just sucks that it happened on the weekend, when the forum is usually so slow and the mods are probably busy elsewhere.

[Retropianoplayer]

The ideal story I'd love to write would have characters as realistic as Jamie Frazier and Clare in Outlander; the inspirational genius of Harlan Ellison; action as heart-stopping as Jason Bourne; multi-faceted, multi-toned protagonists and antagonists such as the Amazon Prime adaptation of Philip K. Dick's The Man In The High Castle; an emotional scene on a Richter scale of 7 (such as the one where Forrest Gump says goodbye to Jennie); suspense such as in The Escape Room, and dialogue as witty as Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church in 'Divorce.'

Condense and compress the above into a short story half the size of a conventional screenplay, and I'd be happy to submit it.

Rambling thoughts on a peaceful and serene Sunday evening.

[Wulf Moon]

All this writing advice is good and all, but how on earth will I find a way to crack this pesky Captcha system? Honestly, it has me bamboozled.

Effing spambots, man... I gave up reporting the posts after the first twenty or so. A mod will see what's happening and fix it eventually. It just sucks that it happened on the weekend, when the forum is usually so slow and the mods are probably busy elsewhere.

I was away with visting relatives. Martin said he took care of it. Hopefully all is peaceful once again.

Cheers!

[disgruntledpeony]

The ideal story I'd love to write would have characters as realistic as Jamie Frazier and Clare in Outlander; the inspirational genius of Harlan Ellison; action as heart-stopping as Jason Bourne; multi-faceted, multi-toned protagonists and antagonists such as the Amazon Prime adaptation of Philip K. Dick's The Man In The High Castle; an emotional scene on a Richter scale of 7 (such as the one where Forrest Gump says goodbye to Jennie); suspense such as in The Escape Room, and dialogue as witty as Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church in 'Divorce.'

Condense and compress the above into a short story half the size of a conventional screenplay, and I'd be happy to submit it.

Rambling thoughts on a peaceful and serene Sunday evening.

I will admit to not being familiar with every item on your list, as there is far too much media in this world for any one person to consume in their lifetime, but I completely understand the sentiment. That's a wonderful aspiration. I'd be under a lot of pressure if I consciously attempted that, though--at least, on my first draft. I just write things and see what sticks, then punch them up in post.

All this writing advice is good and all, but how on earth will I find a way to crack this pesky Captcha system? Honestly, it has me bamboozled.

Effing spambots, man... I gave up reporting the posts after the first twenty or so. A mod will see what's happening and fix it eventually. It just sucks that it happened on the weekend, when the forum is usually so slow and the mods are probably busy elsewhere.

I was away with visting relatives. Martin said he took care of it. Hopefully all is peaceful once again.

Cheers!

He did, indeed. No worries.

[MiloMinderbinder]

I ran into trouble with the story I was planning on submitting for Q4. Couldn't get the middle to work. So I set it aside, came up with a new idea, wrote that story instead, and let my WG have a whack at it. Now I'm incorporating some of their feedback and polishing it up.

[WriterGirl0426]

hmmm, if it's a matter of keeping the good stuff, I'll be cutting so much out of the story might end up looking for a poetry prize ... hehe. Seriously though, I'm looking forward to trying out this technique!

If it helps, my 2nd Quarter entry was RIGHT at the 17k mark for word count. I knew this made it a long shot, but I thought (and still think) it's one of the best things I've ever written, so I submitted. And made SF!!! So don't discount those longer pieces. Harder to win with them? Very likely. Impossible? Never!

That said, this story started out at over 20k words, and I edited down to just under 17k. Might not seem like a lot, but I sure worked up some sweat in the process. So to echo your other advice, editing and streamlining only makes your work that much better. But don't back away if your awesome story ends up a bit longer, either.

I'm not sure if this is a double-edged reply, back-handed support, or me playing devil's advocate. I'm so confused!!! LOL

[LDWriter2]

Got my Q4 tale done. Months ago. I already submitted it. Months ago. Nothing, yet I still like it and think it could fit in quite easily. But after, hopefully, a couple of critiques I can Improve it. I added a post in the Critique exchange but I ask here. We can trade critiques. We got time. One person might yes to that request but I always like a couple of critiques.

[DoctorJest]

Mine is coming together in dribs and drabs, a few hundred words here, a thousand there, and then days of nothing. I have the story in my head mostly, but it's flowing out in a decidedly erratic fashion. I'm enjoying it though, which I take to be a good sign.

[LDWriter2]

Hmm, evidently I have already sent the story I thought of using, twice. I must like that story. Even with critiques it got no where-twice. So I decided to do a different story. Still an older one I sent in once-I think only once-hmm now I am not sure. Anyway need new readers.

[MWStallings]

I just finished the Fantasy Writing workshop here in Dublin with Dave Farland and he mentions he has never seen a submission that involved Elf Love. Something to think about.

[DoctorJest]

I suspect misdirection.

(Though this does play wonderfully into my planned v37.q1 tale, Lady Cha'taerll'ae's Lover.)

[mhkuch]

Just sent in my second entry ever! Hopefully I get at least an HM!

[storysinger]

My story for Q4 is way ahead of schedule. One more session and it should be finished.

[disgruntledpeony]

Finally got a workable rough draft on a potential Q4. It needs a lot of polish yet, but writing it made me happy.

[LDWriter2]

Finally got a workable rough draft on a potential Q4. It needs a lot of polish yet, but writing it made me happy.

Very good

[LDWriter2]

My story for Q4 is way ahead of schedule. One more session and it should be finished.

And 'tis good

[LDWriter2]

Started the revision of my story. Two nice people said they would critique it. Plus I am adding some of my own changes. Even deleted a couple of sentences so maybe this week I will have it done. Not to mention time to send out some other stories also. I am assuming the last one out was a rejection or they never got it-it's been long enough. So I can add WotF to the batch soon.

[Peter Glen]

I've got one story done with another is almost done. A third story that I started first probably needs a couple of arcs to make it work so not quite a short story. So, tossing up over whether I choose a solid middle-school & up piece for Q4 or tempt the gods and submit the sci-fi horror?? Decisions, decisions.

[DoctorJest]

I have my rough draft about 85% complete, but the 15% in gaps are known, and don't trouble me. I expect them to fill out during the revision process now.

It's in a muddled order though, and has two separately written openings. I'm currently toying with changing the opening POV to create a circular form in the finished piece, but I don't know if I can find justification for it within the story itself. I'd like to, though, the pattern of the finished work would be a lot more appealing to me.

[JVAshley]

I thought I had a full 1st draft then discovered it started in the wrong place and hadn't made it to a satisfying conclusion. I think I know how to fix the beginning, but not the ending. So I have to put brain power to it.

[AlexH]

My three Q4 stories:
1: Needs more science, but it seems as scienced as I can make it. The best ending of the three, but can I make it believable?
2: My favourite but probably needs major restructure and more about the PoV instead of other people.
3: My least favourite. It has the best opening, but I don't think the payoff works. This is the one I'm going with...

[czing]

Submitted my Q4 today. I was going to finish up my revisions on my Q2 HM and submit it. But instead I chose to submit my story that made the second round at Diabolical Plots. Today I am going to get in there and polish up the revisions on my Q2. But I think I will throw it against the wall at a publication and see whether it sticks :)

[storysinger]

The sound of the bugle echoed as another darling was laid to rest.

[LDWriter2]

My story needed even more work than I thought. Delete a bunch of stuff, change a few words, move things-again. But I think I may have it almost ready for another try

[Dragonchef]

My Q4 is now in!!

[storysinger]

Congrats Dragonchef. Now on to Q1 37. My story for Q4 grew a little bigger yesterday so I have a lot of work to do.

[Henckel]

My Q4 is with peer reviewers.

[LDWriter2]

Okay, think I am done. I have time to keep it a few days then look it over again. I rewrote the first 900 words or so, condensed some of it. I deleted over 1500 words, redid some sentences, replaced paragraphs and made it better. I hope.