NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

Hiya,

I'm Amy and work in investment banking in NYC (boo!)

I spend a lot of my time at work writing (it's not all Excel spreadsheets) and have been improving my design/illustration skills. Particularly interested in the overlap between human skill, AI and how it will change the writing industry longer term. 

Found the forum searching around things I am learning so looking forward to getting involved
Amy 

@amydavisnyc 

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the Forum! I’m glad you can find time to write and create art. Writers of the Future celebrates both!

Do take their online workshop. It’s free and it’s taught by the best. And when you’re finished you’ll have a story you can submit to the Contest!

Welcome aboard!

@amydavisnyc Welcome.  

Make sure you check out the free workshops.

I'm thrilled to be a part of this group. I've been writing for a long, including essays, articles, and creative works, and I'm constantly trying to learn new things and make connections with other people who share my passion for language.

In addition to writing, I also teach and research how creativity and technology might collaborate to make writing more approachable and interesting. The way that concepts are expressed through words never ceases to captivate me.

I'm excited to connect with other writers here, exchange stories, and gain insight from everyone's experiences. I'd love to talk if you enjoy editing, narrative, or are simply fascinated by the writing process.

Welcome Amy, and Drexan. Todd's advice is worth following, plus after the workshop you will have a new story to submit.

Welcome @drexan-marrick

@drexan-marrick 

Welcome to the Forum, Drexan!

I'm happy to hear you love all aspects of writing. Communicating deep concepts through written symbols is a fascinating ability only humans have. Improving our understanding of writing can only enhance our ability to communicate and share our thoughts and feelings with others. All the best to your quest!

Do take the WotF Online Workshop. It has been designed to enhance your ability to communicate through stories. When we understand the foundation principles that make stories work and enhance our skills at telling them, our stories begin to rise. Hopefully all the way to the top in this Contest!

Welcome aboard and best of success!

Hello, I'm a bit delayed in introducing myself, but... better Nate than lever, as they always say (I may have heard an interminably long joke that ended with that punchline).

I'm Hannah, but Bootzen Katzen (or Bootzie) was my roller derby nickname, so it's what I use for my internet pseudonym. To use my MIL's joke, I've turned 35 four times now (I'm 38). I grew up out in the willywags, which is apparently a New England colloquialism.  I like to say it's like the boondocks, but sillier.  Basically in the middle of the woods, but with a sprinkling of whimsy. Reading and daydreaming were two of my biggest past times as a kid, so I've tried to turn that daydreaming into writing with varying levels of success. 

I've been working on a novel for... uhh... *gulp* 15 years now.  It's been off and on since college. I'm well over 75k words at this point, but I think I'm somewhere between 50-75% done with the actual plot.  I've been stuck for a while, so I've been trying to do some short story writing in the meantime, just to be writing something.  I heard about this contest at Dragon Con, and decided to take a stab. My first submission was formatted incorrectly, had swears, and several glaring errors that I missed in my last-minute panic to just get something submitted, but at least I submitted something. And now I know what not to do

Posted by: @bootzenkatzen

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Hello, I'm a bit delayed in introducing myself, but... better Nate than lever, as they always say (I may have heard an interminably long joke that ended with that punchline).

I'm Hannah, but Bootzen Katzen (or Bootzie) was my roller derby nickname, so it's what I use for my internet pseudonym. To use my MIL's joke, I've turned 35 four times now (I'm 38). I grew up out in the willywags, which is apparently a New England colloquialism.  I like to say it's like the boondocks, but sillier.  Basically in the middle of the woods, but with a sprinkling of whimsy. Reading and daydreaming were two of my biggest past times as a kid, so I've tried to turn that daydreaming into writing with varying levels of success. 

I've been working on a novel for... uhh... *gulp* 15 years now.  It's been off and on since college. I'm well over 75k words at this point, but I think I'm somewhere between 50-75% done with the actual plot.  I've been stuck for a while, so I've been trying to do some short story writing in the meantime, just to be writing something.  I heard about this contest at Dragon Con, and decided to take a stab. My first submission was formatted incorrectly, had swears, and several glaring errors that I missed in my last-minute panic to just get something submitted, but at least I submitted something. And now I know what not to do

Welcome, Hannah. 

I must say I like Bootzen Katzen even better than Hannah! And Bootzie is also cool. You'll find our Forum *mostly* less dangerous than a roller derby match, but there's plenty of players here with skillz!

The short form is a great way to advance your craft before trying to market a novel. Or you can turn a chapter into a short story and give that a shot. Several writers that won the Contest have done so. Patrick Rothfuss comes to mind. An editing client of mine did something similar and won as well. The key thing is to keep learning, and to keep doing smart practice to advance your skillset. And getting skilled writers to look over your work is very helpful in finding your blind spots so you know what to work on. 

I do hope you'll take the WotF Online Writing Course. It's free, and it's taught by some of the best in the biz!

Welcome to the Forum, where all your wildest dreams will come true. Vote for Pedro!

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

More than three weeks since our last new member introduced themselves? I've got to believe there are more of you here, hiding in the shadows. 

Hey you lurkers, come on down!  

"Warriors Writers, come out to play!"

Hi everyone! My name is Jeanne Rhodes-Moen. I entered for the first time in Quarter 4 and am anxiously waiting so see the results. I've written 6 self published novels, The Apara Chronicles, but haven't had the energy to do much promotion because of health issues and the floods here in 2024(my jewelry study was under water). I'm in Asheville, NC. 

I'm probably a bit older than many starting authors... I'm turning 59 soon...I see so many young authors on tiktok!

I was lucky enough to have someone in my very small social circle who is not only a writer, but a major RPG designer/creator for old White Wolf/World of darkness, TSR and more. She read an early draft of my first novel and liked it enough to volunteer to help me with editing/mentoring in 2021. We're going to work on doing an RPG of my series next. I haven't sold a lot of copies of my books, but what reviews I've gotten have been great! I also did a trad published jewelry how-to book nearly 20 years ago for filigree work. I coincidentally worked in textbook production(formatting) for 10 years in Norway, and picked up graphic skills to help my late husband after his stroke in the 90's. So, all of that has helped me get my books done and out.

I've already got a new story ready to send in end of this quarter if I don't hear anything. 

Welcome!

Sorry about Ashville. That was truly horrible. Hope you were able to recover from your losses. 

How did you find the switch from novel to short story(ies)? Some folks really struggle with it. I had three novels written before I switched, and had no trouble, other than writing long-ish the first few. 

Welcome @jeannius!  I'm turning 55 in March, so you are in good company around here.

Congrats on writing, finishing and submitting a short story to WotF. 

@jeannius 

So sorry about the flooding of your jewelry studio, Jeanne. Those NC floods were shocking.

We're glad you're writing, and don't let ageism hold you back! Lots of winners are seasoned human beings, and their life experience adds tremendous power to their stories. You actually have an advantage, especially since you've been doing so much writing already!

Don't miss the WotF Online Workshop. There is always more to learn, and they have the best teaching in that online workshop. And it's FREE!

Welcome to the Forum!

Hi! I’m AJ,

I've been putting this off because I’m…not good with introductions. Or talking about myself. So…I’ll just talk about my writing instead, if that’s okay. What got me into it, my inspirations and influences, etc.

My style is experimental and deeply rooted in heritage, using prose that takes inspiration from classic literature—authors like Emily and Charlotte Brontë and Victor Hugo—but also from my cultural background.

I’m of Irish, Native American, French and Black American descent (Creole), and my worldbuilding draws on all these traditions. From Celtic myth I take the vast, mythic sweep of lore; from Native storytelling, the reverence for nature as a living, active participant in human stories. From Black oral traditions, the rhythm and musicality of language itself—stories that are sung as much as told. And from French literature—folklore in particular— the juxtaposition of beauty and brutality, with prose that seeks to demonstrate the wonder even in monstrosities of artful decay.

Because of this, my prose is intentionally rhythmic and emotional. I use beats, cadence, and poetic structures (haiku, staccato lines, broken meter) to mirror emotional states on the page. A racing heart, the surge of panic, the weight of grief—my goal is to make the reader feel these experiences through the tempo of the words themselves.

I didn’t grow up reading fantasy (my chosen genre)—I wasn’t allowed to. In fact, I still haven't read much of it. As a kid who was drawn to the fantastical but forbidden from anything with even a whiff of magic in it, I had little choice other than to turn to mythology (because I could pass it off as schoolwork, lol). Works like the Eddas, the Iliad, the Táin, the Odyssey, the Kalevala, the Mahābhārata, along with various folktales from Japan, China, Scandinavia, and the Caribbean—combined with the traditions of my own heritage—became the foundation of my imagination. My writing is best seen as a fusion of all of them.

Um...what else? Can't really think of anything else to say. Given my relative newness to just about...everything, I'd love to hear anyone's recommendations when it comes to fantasy books! I've read the first Wheel of Time and Game of Thrones books so far, and I keep meaning to pick up the second books in either series. But I get sidetracked and forget, lol.  Already got some great recommendations from some nice folks here, but more are always appreciated! I love to read. 

Awesome intro! 

You're so multi-cultural. I'm jealous. I'm white as paper and live in a podunk town. I'm open to culture and have an open mind and heart, but my experiences, my immersion is light. I just left the country (USA) for the first time this year! (Well, Canada last year. Does Canada count?) 😉 

How did you discover WotF and, well, writing itself? Looks like you've read 39 and 40? Did you enjoy those? Any older volumes on your shelf? 

I started in the low teens, though I don't remember those stories now. I bet if I read one I'd remember. I got re-started with V.25 and read The Assignment of Runner ETI. As a runner myself, that one appealed to me. Loved it! And kept going and going and here I am. 

Something that appealed to me in particular is how these stories aren't gotcha or twist and drop endings like I'd found in many of the "Best Of" volumes at that time. Like the author was just writing to see how clever they were at dropping the reader off a cliff at the end. I found/find WotF stories satisfying.  

Oh, and you mentioned you're looking for some fantasy to read. Do you have a favorite or two that you've recently discovered? What do you love about it/them?

@dagnir Welcome. Glad you found the forum. Tons of free aids for writing and great people you can discuss writing with and even swap for opinions.

@tj_knight Ha! Canada totally counts. 

Since I've been pretty sheltered most of my life, now that I'm out on my own I've been trying to catch up on just about everything. I've been reading not just books, but about the authors who wrote them. That's actually how I learned about this contest. I found a guy—Patrick Rothfuss—when I picked up his book, Name of the Wind, at the bookstore and I read up on him. This contest was mentioned. If I remember correctly, it said that he entered back before he published his first book. So, I started looking into it and here I am. I've never published anything in my life, and I've never entered a writing contest before, but I thought, why not? And this one doesn't charge an entry fee (thank goodness), and it lets you enter as much as you want.

I have volumes 38-41. And an older one. I forget which volume it is. Uh...it's from 2002? Or maybe it was 2003. One of those. I don't have it with me to doublecheck, but it's definitely from the early 2000s. I've been liking a lot of the stories so far; I really enjoy that there's such a wide variety of different styles and perspectives. There was one I just read recently, about a guy whose wife exists out of time, in Eternity. That was pretty trippy. I can't remember the name off the top of my head. I've been reading so much that the titles are starting to blur together in my head. 

I've got a few authors that have been great! I like Rothfuss, who I mentioned earlier, for his prose style. Since I grew up reading baroque, like the Bronte sisters, I appreciate his flourishes. But apparently the third book is never coming out? Then there's Le Guin's Earthsea books I've just started, and so far, she's been amazing, but for different reasons. She's got a more...what's the word? A more minimalist style? But I can tell every word was chosen carefully, if that makes sense. Oh! And then N.K. Jemisin! She's got a very lyrical style and themes that really resonate with me. I'm just getting into her Broken Earth trilogy, and it's been fantastic so far! Highly recommend. 

@dagnir @tj_knight Canada totally does not count

I think Rothfuss winning piece ended up as chapter 3 in Name of the Wind. It's true book 3 may never come - but you could always read RR Virdi The First Binding which has some (pick your adjective: remarkable/uncanny/troubling/unbelievable etc) 'similarities'. So if you want to know how Name of the Wind ends, just read Virdi 😉

There are other WOTF winners with books I like - JT Greathouse (JT Grottenhuis in WOTF) wrote the Pact and Pattern series. Lyrical. And Andrea Stewart wrote The Bone Shard Daughter. Also excellent.

Jemisin is interesting as her 'style' seems completely different depending on the series. All great. But all very distinct.

@gideonpsmith

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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I think Rothfuss winning piece ended up as chapter 3 in Name of the Wind. It's true book 3 may never come - but you could always read RR Virdi The First Binding which has some (pick your adjective: remarkable/uncanny/troubling/unbelievable etc) 'similarities'. So if you want to know how Name of the Wind ends, just read Virdi

Really? Ooh, that's fascinating! Of course I have to check it out. This is the first time I've ever heard of RR Virdi or The First Binding, but I can't wait to read it! Thank you so much for telling me, you're amazing!

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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There are other WOTF winners with books I like - JT Greathouse (JT Grottenhuis in WOTF) wrote the Pact and Pattern series. Lyrical. And Andrea Stewart wrote The Bone Shard Daughter. Also excellent.

Thanks to everyone on the forums I've gotten so many new books to try my head's spinning. I love it! This is fantastic. Only problem is I want to buy them all now and I can't. 🤣 

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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Jemisin is interesting as her 'style' seems completely different depending on the series. All great. But all very distinct.

Does it really? I've only gotten into her Broken Earth series so far (well, I'm on the first book). I had no idea her style shifted depending on the series. That particularly stands out to me because I do something similar. My style shifts depending on the setting, the POV, the theme. I'm not sure how best to explain it. Um...

For example, a book I'm working on, the prologue is mythic and operatic, with baroque prose that also utilizes specific poetic forms, then deliberately breaks them. How do I say it? Um...Basically, I use those constrained poetic forms at moments of psychological rupture.

Then comes the broken rhythm, when the character fully descends into a state of complete, maddened panic. The prologue functions as one bookend, while the other bookend, the epilogue, is structured in the reverse style of the prologue. Where the prologue opens with themes of grief, love and terror, the epilogue brings it to a close with fury, hatred and denial. The first chapter shifts gears because the setting is no longer mythic. It changes to match the current, gritty situation the protagonist is currently in, if that makes sense.

Finding another writer who also shifts style is great! I look forward to seeing more of her work.

@dagnir 

Welcome to the Forum, AJ. Algis Budrys, the founding WotF coordinating judge, was known as AJ. You're in good company!

I'm glad to see you are reading in the genres you enjoy writing in. It will guide you in how to write successful fiction. Another great guide is the WotF Online Workshop. Listen to some of the best as they show you how to write your best. And when you complete the workshop you'll have a story to submit as the result!

Lots of great advice here. If you seek to win this contest, start reading the WotF Volumes. "Know Thy Judge." It's a Super Secret of Writing that I teach, and it's important. You can't hit the target if you don't know where it's at. 

Best of success!

Moon

Posted by: @wulfmoon

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Welcome to the Forum, AJ. Algis Budrys, the founding WotF coordinating judge, was known as AJ. You're in good company!

Obviously missed the episode of IT crowd with Jen's boyfriend Peter!

Posted by: @wulfmoon

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You can't hit the target if you don't know where it's at. 

Eh, just napalm the whole darn area, bound to hit something.

Also, you don't want to get too involved in appeasing certain judges, as you'll need to stay flexible for the ones who come later. Plus the judges can change.., unexpectedly.

Posted by: @Anonymous

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I'd love to hear anyone's recommendations when it comes to fantasy books!

Maybe try Goosebumps and similar kids books from the 90-2000s.

Well written and published.

Many of those readers are now our intended readers. Or even their kids.

Even tv adaptions. I used to read the X files, for example.

Going a little older, the obvious trendy books, Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger games and the like. 

Remember, women are big readers.

Probably more female leads in novels than movies.

Personally, I'd just catch the film anyway.

Have been collecting Alissa Callen.

Not SciFi and Fantasy, but fom the few pages I've read, seems very well written.

@nova Thanks for the recommendations, I appreciate it. I don't know much about Goosebumps, but I'll take a look. There're quite a few books to it, I think. Is it a series that covers one story, or is each book different?

I have a few friends who are really into Harry Potter and Hunger Games, if only the movies. I think I'll give the books a try!

I'm not sure Twilight is quite my speed from what little I know, but I'll still look it up. Maybe read the first few pages to see if it'd be my kind of thing. 🙂 

Posted by: @Anonymous

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Thanks for the recommendations

Twilight was written by a student (I think that's the right term?) of the late WOTF coordinating judge David Farland.

The author wanted to write the most successful young adult book and he helped her.

3 books, 4 films later...

Goosebumps are 100 page individual stories, less a few sequels. 

They typically centre around a kid and their siblings or friends in an American typical town/suburbs. And some type of monster/alien/goo/ghost or what not.

They came around the time of the X files, so it's like that for kids.

They made a tv show from it and a (2?) films with Jack Black acting as the author.

It was a big deal in the early to mid 90s with all the merchandise and associated paraphernalia.

Much like the X files.

It should be a good time to buy Twilight, as it's popping up in second hand and thrift stores a lot. Goosebumps and others should also be there. You don't need to spend much money. Also check your library availability.

PS

David Farland also worked for a publisher where he was asked to pick a kids book to push for Christmas.

So, he's likely also responsible for children getting concussions at railway stations.

(Psst, it was Harry Potter)

Hi, everyone! Just introducing myself. Longtime writer, learning everyday, and hoping for professional publication someday.

I've submitted twice to the WotF, earning two Honorable Mentions.

Outside of WotF, I have more rejections than I care to share and one contest win.

Hoping for positive Q1 results!

@zetarra 

Hi! Welcome to the forums! It's nice to meet you. I'm new as well.

Grats on your win in another contest getting the two HMs here! Two HMs are nothing to scoff at, though I understand everyone hopes for more. ^_^

Good luck in Q1!

@zetarra 

Welcome to the Forum, Zetarra! Great job on getting HMs on your first two entries. That’s a good sign!

Keep leveling up. You’ll note in people’s signatures that’s often a matter of time and growth in one’s craft. To speed the process up, don’t miss the WotF Online Workshop!

Best of success to you!

Moon

Posted by: @zetarra

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I've submitted twice to the WotF, earning two Honorable Mentions.

Welcome! Getting an HM on your first submission is no mean feat! Congratulations. 

I noticed you're a self-professed numbers person, so thought you might enjoy these analyses of V39 and V40. I won't pretend that I found some magic formula, but the studies have impacted my storycraft. Hopefully for the better.

Thank you for the warm welcome and encouragement! 

I have completed WotF Online Workshop and have a few methods I heavily incorporate into all my stories because of it, also bearing all that in mind when revising some of my older pieces. Very helpful.

Posted by: @ease

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I noticed you're a self-professed numbers person, so thought you might enjoy these analyses of V39 and V40. I won't pretend that I found some magic formula, but the studies have impacted my storycraft. Hopefully for the better.

@ease this is absolute gold! Thanks for sharing. I've always thought sensory details were important to really ground the reader. I'd be interested in seeing more of your data in the future. All of that is really quite insightful and is certainly worth keeping in mind. Thanks again!