NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

Welcome Ariel,
You found the right place to learn about writing! This forum is a goldmine. You might try subscribing to David Farland's Daily Kicks too. He's the judge of the contest, and his website (just google his name), is chock full of great advice for writers.
The main advice all the pros give, however, can be summed up in one word: Write! Just keep writing and the more you write, the better you'll get. Once you get a few finished stories under your belt, you'll begin to notice your own improvement. Just keep writing, keep submitting and don't give up! Good luck entering the contest!

Thanks a lot! I will get on it!

Welcome Karen, Erin,and Ariel. I've only recently discovered this forum myself and now visit daily. Lot's of good stuff to be learned here. Ariel, in the last two weeks I finally crossed the hurdle you're talking about, finishing a story. I had so many starts and no endings. I finally took one story and stayed with it until the only thing left to write was The End.

That's awesome storysinger! Time to celebrate! Very inspiring.

Welcome to all the newcomers, Storysinger, Karen, Erin,and Ariel. (and anyone else I may have missed)

This a fantastic place to come and learn and to share. I joined back in 2008, and several of us have been here since around that time. (A few even earlier). Don't ever feel intimidated. There is a range of experience here from beginning writers, through to those with several professional publications. I can even recall when Brad was asking what a HM was.

The wonderful thing about this community is how supportive and encouraging it is.

There is, of course, only one rule. Don't be better writers than us old timers. (and thereby win before we get a chance!) 😉

hehehe

Steve

Welcome, Ariel! I second all the advice above. Dave's Kick's are worth their weight in gold (though since megabytes don't have any mass, the validity of this assertion is still up for debate), and I'd also recommend internalizing Heinlein's Rules. Making time to write every day and putting your stuff into the slush pile is the best way to learn and grow as a writer.

And if you (or anyone) ever have any questions on the contest (or writing, publishing, editing, shenanigans...), just ask. Chances are, someone on here will know the answer.

Hi! I'm Naomi. A tad terrified to finally step into this world of writing of which I have always dreamed. Don't really know why I waited so long to leap into this - thus far it has been most exhilarating. The more I write, the more ideas and stories come to mind. Is that normal?

Anyway, I am trying my hand at historical supernatural, allegorical scifi and fantasy. There is so much to learn! I was in such a rush to finish my story that I didn't read any writing tips until after making my Q3 submission. Much head smacking ensued after that bit of education. Well - you learn by doing! Any advice is welcome! I am an avid reader but have absolutely no training in wordcraft.

My goal is to gain experience and writing advice (and lets be honest, some recognition from winning a contest couldn't hurt) for the purpose of breaking into the Christian SciFi/Fantasy arena. Kathy Tyers' example is a great encouragement to me. Hopefully some day I can be in that league with her, Karen Hancock, Madeleine L'Engle, CS Lewis, Tolkien and other such inspirational writers!

Like my Mom told me, "You only live a life as big as you dream - so dream the infinite!"

Hi! I'm Naomi. A tad terrified to finally step into this world of writing of which I have always dreamed. Don't really know why I waited so long to leap into this - thus far it has been most exhilarating. The more I write, the more ideas and stories come to mind. Is that normal?

Anyway, I am trying my hand at historical supernatural, allegorical scifi and fantasy. There is so much to learn! I was in such a rush to finish my story that I didn't read any writing tips until after making my Q3 submission. Much head smacking ensued after that bit of education. Well - you learn by doing! Any advice is welcome! I am an avid reader but have absolutely no training in wordcraft.

My goal is to gain experience and writing advice (and lets be honest, some recognition from winning a contest couldn't hurt) for the purpose of breaking into the Christian SciFi/Fantasy arena. Kathy Tyers' example is a great encouragement to me. Hopefully some day I can be in that league with her, Karen Hancock, Madeleine L'Engle, CS Lewis, Tolkien and other such inspirational writers!

Like my Mom told me, "You only live a life as big as you dream - so dream the infinite!"

Welcome Naomi,
You've come to the right place to learn about writing! Just browse the forum and I'm sure you'll find many of the answers you're looking for. I think Heinlein said it best though. Write, finish what you write, submit, and repeat!
Good luck!

Welcome, Naomi.

Yes, Preston is right. This is a good place to spend time.

cheers

Steve

Hello Everyone! I'm back!
I used to be a regular on the Forum, but then a glitch with the computer gods several years ago cut me out. I became a computer atheist.

Brad Torgersen got me squared away again. (Thanks, Brad!) I think I posted a few times. But then I had other "life" things going on and still didn't post here.

I have, of course, continued to write and submit I just haven't chatted with y'all. I do have a story in Q3, and have another ready for Q4. I've also had a couple stories published in small press anthologies.

So now, like everyone else on here, I'm watching for the V30 Q3 results!

Laurie, your stats are incredible.
5 top 20 finishes...

Hello Everyone! I'm back!
I used to be a regular on the Forum, but then a glitch with the computer gods several years ago cut me out. I became a computer atheist.

Brad Torgersen got me squared away again. (Thanks, Brad!) I think I posted a few times. But then I had other "life" things going on and still didn't post here.

I have, of course, continued to write and submit I just haven't chatted with y'all. I do have a story in Q3, and have another ready for Q4. I've also had a couple stories published in small press anthologies.

So now, like everyone else on here, I'm watching for the V30 Q3 results!

Welcome back, Laurie! And hope to see you up on OR again sometime soon.

Welcome aboard, Naomi! This is a great community for those wanting to learn craft and technique, so you've definitely come to the right place.

And welcome back, Laurie!

Hi all

I write fantasy, science fiction and a whole bunch of other stuff as C.M. Simpson. I have independently published four novels (all dark fantasy) and am working on a science-fiction-fantasy blend next. After that, it's back to another dark fantasy novel and then some dark science fiction. Around that, I'm working on my flash fiction, short fiction and poetry skills. It's really nice to meet you all.

Hi all

I write fantasy, science fiction and a whole bunch of other stuff as C.M. Simpson. I have independently published four novels (all dark fantasy) and am working on a science-fiction-fantasy blend next. After that, it's back to another dark fantasy novel and then some dark science fiction. Around that, I'm working on my flash fiction, short fiction and poetry skills. It's really nice to meet you all.

Welcome aboard, C.M.!

Welcome, C.M.! It's nice to meet you too.

Hi, all. I just discovered this forum a few days ago and love the rabid passion and advice all over the place! I can tell I'm going to learn a lot here.

I live in Atlanta and just celebrated my second anniversary as a fiction writer. Two of the most exhilarating and exhausting years of my life. I'm looking forward to many more. I tend toward the horror genre but find myself dabbling in fantasy and literary/mainstream at times. I have a handful of publications in small press magazines/anthologies, but nothing so far that really approaches that "elite" level.

The Atlanta Braves (baseball) made the playoffs and Joni Labaqui called to tell me that I'm a finalist in the third quarter of WotF. It's been an incredible week. I'm still in shock, as it's my first time entering the contest. Best of luck to the other seven and to every one of you submitting to Q4!

Hi, all. I just discovered this forum a few days ago and love the rabid passion and advice all over the place! I can tell I'm going to learn a lot here.

I live in Atlanta and just celebrated my second anniversary as a fiction writer. Two of the most exhilarating and exhausting years of my life. I'm looking forward to many more. I tend toward the horror genre but find myself dabbling in fantasy and literary/mainstream at times. I have a handful of publications in small press magazines/anthologies, but nothing so far that really approaches that "elite" level.

The Atlanta Braves (baseball) made the playoffs and Joni Labaqui called to tell me that I'm a finalist in the third quarter of WotF. It's been an incredible week. I'm still in shock, as it's my first time entering the contest. Best of luck to the other seven and to every one of you submitting to Q4!

Welcome, Michael, and congrats on your finalist!

Hi! I just heard my story got an Honorable Mention for the 3rd quarter, so forgive the plethora of exclamation! points!

I've been writing for a while, have several things in short and long format at small presses, member of Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers. I write scifi, fantasy, pulp, horror, steampunk--in fact, my WotF story is a steampunk/zombie mashup.

Now I'm gonna go reread my Hon-Men email.

best,
Gail

Welcome KGail and congrats on the HM!

Welcome and congrats! An HM is a great achievement and means you're definitely on the right track with the contest.

Hello all. This is me, under a pseudonym I’m chosen. (Hence the name: ⅉ² = −1, don’t y’ see.)

I’m a working engineer in NYC, long-time SF fan, and I’ve had some stories floating around in my head for a while that I’ve finally gotten around to submitting. Jerry Pournelle has mentioned this contest a time or two on his blog, so I decided to try and enter the current round.

Welcome to the forum jcscott, and to the contest. Lots to learn on this forum, I've found it to be a treasure of people and ideas.

Hi im Dillon, Im 17 years old and I like to write alot. More than just Science fiction. Ive written about fantasy stories (Dragons and people dieing). And have many story concepts. The story im working on now is a Science fiction futuristic war like story. Its cool so far im over 200 pages. and its still on chapter 1. Im looking to become a movie director. and make my ideas come True through movies. so i can show people my creativity and imagination. I also wanna help pepole.

Welcome to all to the forum
Naomi
Laurie
cmsimpson
Michael
KGailM
jcscott
Dillon
I'm looking forward to reading your posts

Hi all. Obviously, I'm new here.

I'm a life long science fiction and fantasy fiction fan, and have tried off and on to write it. I write constantly, but a lot of it is non fiction, but I still want to write fiction full time (or most of the time at least).

I've submitted, and been rejected, from most of the finer magazines but have never really given any of the contests a shot. Well, here I am not, and will be getting something ready for WOTF shortly. I tend to prefer post apocalyptic fiction myself, but don't want to get caught up in just writing about all the ways the world of the future sucks. Even in dystopian societies, there is a possibility of optimism and all that

So, hopefully I can learn a few things here, share in y'alls successes, and maybe share a few of my own.

Welcome to the forum Dillon and Tom!

Hi all. Obviously, I'm new here.

I'm a life long science fiction and fantasy fiction fan, and have tried off and on to write it. I write constantly, but a lot of it is non fiction, but I still want to write fiction full time (or most of the time at least).

I've submitted, and been rejected, from most of the finer magazines but have never really given any of the contests a shot. Well, here I am not, and will be getting something ready for WOTF shortly. I tend to prefer post apocalyptic fiction myself, but don't want to get caught up in just writing about all the ways the world of the future sucks. Even in dystopian societies, there is a possibility of optimism and all that

So, hopefully I can learn a few things here, share in y'alls successes, and maybe share a few of my own.

I've missed saying hi to a number of new people here so I thought I would get this out of the way,

Hello and be welcomed.
You can learn something about WotF here and even a bit about writing.

As to apocalyptic futures, On a writing community on Google + someone asked the question if all post-apocalyptic societies had to be dystrophia. I thought not, I may even do one some day...I do break out of my usual stuff now and then.

Hello all - add me to the list of noobs!

I'm a beginning writer (unless you can count thinking about it, if so, then I am a seasoned expert). I'm currently researching this contest as most of my ideas seem to be falling into the short story realm.

I was going to finally do NaNoWriMo this month but decided instead to focus on my first WotF submission!

As a voracious SciFi reader, I've actually read several of the anthologies in the past and I have a few of the more recent ones sitting here for study/inspiration. This forum is another great source of info.

Thanks and <wave>!

Welcome Tierra from a fellow noob to the forums!

Welcome to all the new members I've missed greeting: Michael, Gail, JCScott, Dillon, Tom, and Tierra!

Welcome Tierra and TomKnighton and anyone else I've missed.
Looking forward to reading your posts.