NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

Posted by: @kippspeicher

Hi, I'm Kipp from Ohio. I have decided to give the contest a checking out. I'm an Indie filmmaker and have written a few short stories. I have known of the contest for years, being a big fan of  L. Ron Hubbard and his pulps. 

Besides working full time in a print shop, I also run a used bookstore specializing in Science Fiction, Horror, and Crime books. I also have a large section of pulps and Science Fiction Digest from the 1950s.

 

 

Welcome aboard, Kipp!

Did they ever call you the Kippster? Seems like it would be a cool nickname. Very cool about your Indie films, which means you likely have written screenplays. SAVE THE CAT is a marvelous book for that. Glad you've known about the Contest, and how cool to run a bookstore in some of our favorite genres! Since you love the pulps, we'll be looking for a retro SF winner from you! Never enough of that, and it always feels like going home when you find it.

Do post to the quarter you are entering. Do tap into that Writers of the Future Online Workshop. And do make friends here by posting to the various topics. Lots of great people here that can help you on your writer journey!

Cheers!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

Hi everyone

I'm Joel and I'm from Wales (UK). I had been dabbling in writing short stories for a little while but had always made excuses for not committing more time to learn and practice (work being the main one!). But after my daughter was born in Feb last year, I made a decision to commit and try my hardest to get a few stories published and - dare to dream - a novel one day.

I'm still very much learning the craft but found the WotF online workshop incredibly helpful. I received a Silver Honourable Mention in V37: Q4, which boosted my self-confidence no-end after what had felt like an avalanche of rejections from magazines. I'm editing another story now for entry in V38: Q2 and hope to have put what I learned to good effect.

I look forward to being part of the community!

Cheers

Joel

Welcome aboard, Joel!

Glad you took the WotF Online Workshop, glad you got an SHM! That’s a really big deal. Some of those were actually in Dave’s finalist stack down to the very end, and he made it a Silver not because it was less than a Semifinalist, but because he hopes the writer will submit it again. FYI.

Thanks for introducing yourself and welcome to the family!

Wulf Moon

Forum Moderator

Thanks, Moon! And hello!

I didn't realise a SHM (could) suggest that Dave wants to see it again - just a bigger, faster, stronger, gold plated version 2. That's really good to know and really encouraging. I submitted it before completing the online workshop, so I'll give it an edit pass (or dozen!) and submit it again. I currently have a story lined up this quarter, so I will aim to have it (space)ship-shape next quarter.

Best wishes, and happy writing

Joel

 

Welcome from me also, Joel! I spent parts of my summers in Wales when I was growing up, my grandparents lived over there. I have fond memories of the most wonderful castles I've ever seen, and weather that went from glorious summer to torrential rain at insane speed...

Fingers crossed for you to nail this quarter's entry! I've only just started looking at the workshop, but I'm really enjoying it so far.

Welcome to the forum Joel. Everyone here has your back as you grow your talent for winning.

Hello all! I am Mike Jack Stoumbos, and I'm a mix of anxious and excited to be here.

Last week, I was named the Quarter 1 Winner for Volume 38. The unsteady deluge of happiness, imposter-syndrome, hope, self-doubt, bolstered confidence, and "not now, I have to get back to work" has been enough for the audience to quit on the grounds of inconsistent protagonist. But, despite all of that, here I am, and joyfully learning about the WotF community as I go.

Shoutouts to Wulf Moon, Joni Labaqui, and Dave Farland in particular for the initial communication and help navigating the various details of WotF--thank you, and glad to be a part of the community.

@mikejackstoumbos Congratulations and welcome! Can’t wait to read your work.  

Posted by: @mikejackstoumbos

Hello all! I am Mike Jack Stoumbos, and I'm a mix of anxious and excited to be here.

Last week, I was named the Quarter 1 Winner for Volume 38. The unsteady deluge of happiness, imposter-syndrome, hope, self-doubt, bolstered confidence, and "not now, I have to get back to work" has been enough for the audience to quit on the grounds of inconsistent protagonist. But, despite all of that, here I am, and joyfully learning about the WotF community as I go.

Shoutouts to Wulf Moon, Joni Labaqui, and Dave Farland in particular for the initial communication and help navigating the various details of WotF--thank you, and glad to be a part of the community.

Welcome aboard, Mike! Thanks for accepting my invite to join us!

First off, CONGRATULATIONS on your win in WotF Vol. 38! That's a wonderful accomplishment, something everyone in this Forum is working hard to achieve, and we're happy when we see it happen for a writer. We know the Contest has launched so many SFF careers, and we look forward to seeing what you do with the boost WotF will give you. You're going to love the workshop and gala. It's amazing being taught by the masters, and to have so many legends in the field come to the awards' ceremony to cheer you on. You won't get much sleep, but as they say, sleep is for mortals. It's a wonderful experience that will change your life, casting away those imposter feelings with all the validation the Contest heaps on you. It's designed to make you BELIEVE, and when you do, belief becomes reality.

We hope you'll stick around and share your thoughts and goals . . . and maybe even make a few new friends in the process. Welcome to the Forum!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Congratulations on your win Mike. Welcome to the community. 

@doctorjest Thanks for the welcome and for the best wishes for my entry this quarter!

We do have some fab castles here in Wales - and the most per capita in the world I believe. Plenty of inspiration for a budding fantasy writer and about the only per capita stat I take interest in  

I found the workshop really helpful, I hope you do too. And good luck with this quarter's entry too.

Hello @joel-c-scoberg first of all, congratulations on being a father, I love to read novels mainly fictional, I also want to write my own novel do you have any suggestions that how should I start!?

Hi, all.

A fellow writers' club member mentioned the WotF online workshop, which I immediately signed up for (but took a couple months to get back to). It was only after the workshop that I heard about the contest. I've been working since December on a short story to enter even though I prefer to write (and read) novels because the level of respect this contest seems to generate is inspiring.

I am in Saskatchewan, Land of Living Skies, and only returned to writing in 2014 from my high school dreams. High school was awhile ago. Not saying more.

I hope to publish in the next few years. I will count any kind of success in this contest as a huge boost toward that goal. I also look forward to finding critique partners here in the near future.

Congratulations to those who have already earned mentions or placed well. Good luck to those working toward that kind of recognition.

Best wishes,

Monica

Posted by: @mdevid

Hello @joel-c-scoberg first of all, congratulations on being a father, I love to read novels mainly fictional, I also want to write my own novel do you have any suggestions that how should I start!?

I recommend starting with the Writers of the Future online workshop. It's completely free and self-paced and you get a ton of fantastic tips and guidelines on the basics of how to write a story. See the link below for the workshop.

https://writersofthefuture.com/register/online-workshop/  

Along with that, I'd recommend looking through the Forum here. There's a lot of good information in the different threads with everything from tips for writing to publication.

The most important tip on becoming a writer is to actually sit down and write. Don't feel like you're at the point of penning a full novel yet? That's okay, everyone has to start somewhere. A lot of the folks here in the forum work on submitting short stories to the WotF contest each quarter. Of course, everyone wants to win the contest, but through the daily/weekly/monthly practice of writing short stories for the contest, we improve our skills, learn the craft of storytelling, and many WotF alumni have gone on to have fantastic writing careers as novelists.

Best of luck and Write On!

@mdevid Thank you, David, and welcome to the forum!

I second @lost_bard suggestion of the WotF online workshop. I recently completed it and feel like I learned so many helpful tips and techniques, not to mention insights into the writing craft. I can't actually believe it's free! Who said nothing in life comes for free, eh ?

I used to think about what I'd like to write and never got round to actually writing what I had thought about, too many ideas, excuses, lack of confidence etc. Sitting down and writing - even though it was hard to get down my vision at first - has improved my skill set, then on top seeking and providing feedback on other writers' work has helped enormously too. Check out the story critique exchange board on the forum, I've found that really helpful. There are a lot of people willing to help out and that will get you further down the road to being a writer and starting that novel.

Happy writing  

Hi I suppose,

I live in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Writing is something I’ve enjoyed since I was very young, and I’ve always said I wanted to be an author. In my opinion, I’m not that competent of a writer yet, but I feel like participating in WOTF and attempting to turn in as best of a short story I’m able to write every quarter will certainly help me practice. I was actually very excited when I found this website a few years ago as a teenager, but I certainly didn’t feel very confident in my skills, and ultimately  refrained from participating in something that seemed like so much fun to me. Often I found myself just sort of longingly staring at the writers contest rules every once in a while for a couple of years. Now, I still don’t feel like I would be good enough to win, but I don’t really want that thought to hold me back from participating and ultimately learning anymore. My top favorite genres to read and write are both science fiction and fantasy, so I’m looking forward to attempting to create short stories in those genres. I’ve never really created a short story before, so I’ll certainly be looking up tips and writing exercises for those on this forum.

Posted by: @monjoh

Hi, all.

A fellow writers' club member mentioned the WotF online workshop, which I immediately signed up for (but took a couple months to get back to). It was only after the workshop that I heard about the contest. I've been working since December on a short story to enter even though I prefer to write (and read) novels because the level of respect this contest seems to generate is inspiring.

I am in Saskatchewan, Land of Living Skies, and only returned to writing in 2014 from my high school dreams. High school was awhile ago. Not saying more.

I hope to publish in the next few years. I will count any kind of success in this contest as a huge boost toward that goal. I also look forward to finding critique partners here in the near future.

Congratulations to those who have already earned mentions or placed well. Good luck to those working toward that kind of recognition.

Best wishes,

Monica

Welcome aboard, Monica!

The contest has helped hundreds of writers launch professional careers, and it can help you, too. Enter every quarter, write fresh stories, and study all the helpful posts that can give you an edge. Do post in each quarterly topic for the one you’re entering—lots of support there. 

Have fun sharing here, and we wish you much success!

Wulf Moon

Forum Moderator

@fenrik

Welcome, Erik!

We all begin somewhere, and you couldn’t have found a better place to start! Study the basic format, write your story, send it in, start your next. Your skills will build with each story you write, and the certificates the contest gives out will tell you when you’re getting close to the mark.

Do take the WotF Workshop. My Super Secrets can help you as well. Enjoy the journey!

Wulf Moon

Forum Moderator

Posted by: @monjoh

I am in Saskatchewan, Land of Living Skies, and only returned to writing in 2014 from my high school dreams. High school was awhile ago. Not saying more.

Welcome, Monica! I certainly hear this--and I'm glad you returned to it! I have a friend I dearly hope to coax back to it myself--he was a better writer than I was, and I was inspired by him to invest myself in honing my craft. I've since grown a lot, and unfortunately due to personal struggles, he's mostly given up on it--which is a shame, I still very much enjoy the style of his work, and I know that he loved doing it. It's sad to see people fall by the wayside, and always a joy to see people returning to the road again.

Posted by: @fenrik

In my opinion, I’m not that competent of a writer yet, but I feel like participating in WOTF and attempting to turn in as best of a short story I’m able to write every quarter will certainly help me practice. I was actually very excited when I found this website a few years ago as a teenager, but I certainly didn’t feel very confident in my skills, and ultimately  refrained from participating in something that seemed like so much fun to me. Often I found myself just sort of longingly staring at the writers contest rules every once in a while for a couple of years. Now, I still don’t feel like I would be good enough to win, but I don’t really want that thought to hold me back from participating and ultimately learning anymore. My top favorite genres to read and write are both science fiction and fantasy, so I’m looking forward to attempting to create short stories in those genres. I’ve never really created a short story before, so I’ll certainly be looking up tips and writing exercises for those on this forum.

And welcome, Erik! I think you're right that you'll get a lot from this. One lesson that you're learning here, and it's a good one for all things, is to never self-reject. Write what you can, submit, and see where it gets you--share it with other writers, and see what they can teach you (and be willing to have a thick skin for the criticism, as all critiques are from people who believe you can be better, and are helping to show you how). This forum is particularly excellent for that, as while we're all striving to win the same competition, we're also all hoping that our fellow forumites will win it too, and we can all bask together in the shared glory.

And while you say that you don't feel you'd be good enough to win, well, every quarter, most of us don't win! But we're all here learning, trying to get better, and to get a little closer to that contest victory. We all get better with every story we write. Some writers arrive at the contest fully-formed, with years of writing behind them, and strike gold with their first or second story--others are growing, start out with rejections, and grow and improve until they end up winning. In the end, they're just different paths that complete the same journey. 

I'm very glad to see you join our number!

@doctorjest

Loved the way you summarized that last part. Absolutely, we're all heading for a goal of 'successful writer' (whatever that may look like for each person). I love that reading through the forums, writing, practicing, entering, writing a bit more... they're all steps towards publication and good art.

I enjoy the way people in the contest encourage you in the business side of writing, too. It's one thing to write well, but you need to submit/meet deadlines regularly, write marketable stories, connect with others.

There is so much here. It's great.

A hearty welcome to all the new additions to the forum. No better place to be for advancing your skill set.

Thank you @wulfmoon!

As you can see by my delayed reply, my day job is keeping me busy, but I will keep coming back. It is not only a dream but a very determined goal of mine to write and publish, no matter how long it takes, although I would prefer sooner obviously!

You are doing a great job here and I am very grateful.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

@doctorjest "never self-reject" I am taking that for myself, thank you! Such an important sentiment, and exactly what I needed to hear today.

Welcome to the forum @connie-colin @monjoh @fenrik !

Howdy all

Army Vet

25 year English teacher/coach

Semi-retired

I’m a life long reader and writer.

My name is Nigel and just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm from the UK, Dorset, but live in Johannesburg now for 8 years or so.

I'm starting out late as a writer but have just self-published my first eBook - fiction action-thriller. I hope to write many more. It's just so much fun, the creativity in my mind. I'm a 52 year old action-hero. Haa haa

Anyway, that's me in a very small nut shell.

Welcome, @coachspivey and @nigelbillington! It's always great to get fresh blood into the forum. Are you both new to the forum only, or new to entering the contest as well? 

(Either way, you'll find a ton of support here--welcome again!)

Posted by: @coachspivey

Howdy all

Army Vet

25 year English teacher/coach

Semi-retired

I’m a life long reader and writer.

Welcome, Brian Spivey!

We're happy to have an English teacher with us! What grades do you teach? 

Enjoy the Forum and all the contest info that can give your story an edge. Don't forget to post in the quarterly topic you are entering, and do take advantage of critique swaps, they can really help!

Welcome aboard!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Posted by: @nigelbillington

My name is Nigel and just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm from the UK, Dorset, but live in Johannesburg now for 8 years or so.

I'm starting out late as a writer but have just self-published my first eBook - fiction action-thriller. I hope to write many more. It's just so much fun, the creativity in my mind. I'm a 52 year old action-hero. Haa haa

Anyway, that's me in a very small nut shell.

 

Welcome aboard, Nigel!

We did have a member here from South Africa, but I haven't seen her in awhile. You'll have to hold up her end now. We expect great things!

Glad you've published your first book. Winning this contest will help bring it more attention. WotF does have a bright spotlight, and have launched many professional careers. 

Welcome to the party!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Welcome to the forum Brian and Nigel. It's always good to see new points of view. Explore the different threads and enjoy the interaction.

Hello, all.

What is it about writing? I started a couple of years ago after wanting to for a long time, and now it seems I can't stop. Stories pop out of nowhere. They grow and swell in their own way, and I feel just like the conduit. 

I love it.

New to the forum here, I live in Florida and have been cranking out short stories so far. I have an envisioned future milieu of worlds in which many of the stories occur. Now a novel is flowing out as well, with ideas for more behind it.

Now, if I could only get the magazine editors to agree on how great my stories are.

Have been a US Navy pilot, an internationally known systems engineer, and an entrepreneur in engineering education. Left all that behind to move back to Florida and write. 

@ehonour

What's up, Doc?

Sorry, couldn't resist. Sounds like you have caught the writing bug and it has taken over your mortal body. Keep riding that wave!

The more we write, the more our skills improve. By studying books on craft, taking courses by masters, and networking with other skilled writers, we can accelerate our learning curve substantially. It's important to read the publications you are submitting to as well, so you understand both the style and type of stories they buy. Taking the WotF Online Course will certainly help, and I've written the Super Secrets in here to give writers guidance as well. You have lots of expertise to share as a US Navy pilot, Doc, so do tap into the knowledge for realistic stories. Don't forget to post to the quarter you are entering, and do take advantage of the crit swap folder. 

Final advice? Acquire target on the win like you're in a dogfight and never pull out! Those that stay in get the win!

May the Force be with you!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

Hi all! My name is Alex (or Foxed, if you’d like). I started writing seriously about 1.5 years ago (after I read Cormac McCarthy for the first time lol). Anyways. Submitted a piece to WoTF to challenge myself (to finish a piece and meet a deadline, first time submitting). Got an HM which encouraged me.

Question for you all (if I can post this here). do you all really submit every quarter? I think I need to refine my process. I spend a lot of time editing, but maybe that’s because I’m a newer (-ish) writer. This WoTF piece I submitted I spent six months on, on-and-off. Is the ability to put out more stories more frequently something learned over time? Hopefully I can achieve that pace one day.

Anyways, happy to be here.