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WotF Workshop Zoom Q&A with Orson Scott Card

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John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
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Topic starter
 

UPDATE:  Orson Scott Card will be delivering ANOTHER TWO-HOUR live Zoom Q&A on Friday, AUGUST 25, at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm EST) OPEN TO ANYONE WANTING TO JOIN! He is looking forward to GIVING ANOTHER Q&A. Please share this with your other writer friends!

 

 
Posted : May 10, 2022 11:07 pm
Desiree Matlock, Will Span, J.S. Solomon and 14 people reacted
N.V. Haskell
(@nvhaskell)
Posts: 93
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I can't wait! These Q&A's are always so good!

 

‘Writing is like giving yourself homework, really hard homework, everyday for the rest of your life. You want glamour? Throw glitter at the computer screen.' - Ketrina Monroe
'The War Within' Deep Magic Volume 73 https://deepmagic.co
'Spirit Talk' in The Last Line Issue 7 Winter
'The Mystical Farrago' Writers of the Future, Volume 38
'The Dying Book' Misfits of Magic Anthology
'Whatever Lola Wants' Murderbirds Anthology
'Inspirational Theurgist' Of Wizards and Wolves Anthology for the David Farland memorial fund
'Beneath the Glass Dark' From the Depths Anthology
'A Life of Color' Metaphorosis magazine 8/1/2023
'A Murmuring Darkness' Strange Horizons 9/18/2023
'Out There With Them' Robotic Ambitions-Apex publishing
'The Skykeeper's Daughter' Dragon Gems Winter 2024 Anthology --this story was written in 24 hours at the WoTF workshop.
'A Widow's Word' Murderbugs Anthology
V37- R, HM, SHM, HM
V38- HM, SHM, Winner (3rd place)

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 6:07 am
Joel C. Scoberg, John Goodwin, Wulf Moon and 1 people reacted
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy
(@physa)
Posts: 426
Gold Star Member
 

Wow! This is super news. Love learning from Orson Scott Card. Will be nice to see what he has to say July 9.

WOTF results:
Vol 41: Q1 HM, Q2 HM, Q4 P
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs. 7 HMs
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 6:40 am
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3251
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I’ve taken a lot of writing workshops and have listened to panels by many famous writers, editors, and agents over the years. No one knows more about the craft of writing than Orson Scott Card. Don’t miss this, Forumites!

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 9:37 am
Joel C. Scoberg, Sinocelt, MountainSpud and 1 people reacted
John Goodwin
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@physa I would appreciate you sharing this with your writer friends so they get through the workshop and are able to participate.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 9:51 am
John Goodwin
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@nvhaskell Thanks, Nicole.  And please do let your writer friends know so they can take advantage of this as well.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 9:52 am
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3251
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Shared to my Wulf Pack Writers group, @johngoodwin  Please let us know how to access the Q&A when ready. I assume this will be a Zoom presentation.

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 12:18 pm
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
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QUICK SURVEY: Would you rather the live Q&A with OSC be on Friday night (July 8) or Saturday night (July 9)? He is fine with either. It will be 9:00 pm EST (6:00 pm PST) Just respond to this comment and I will go with the majority by the end of today.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 12:18 pm
crlisle
(@crlisle)
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@johngoodwin Friday night. I go out of town on Saturdays, so I would have to access the recorded version if on Saturday, so I prefer Friday

Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, 4th -- pending
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending

Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 12:26 pm
John Goodwin reacted
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
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Topic starter
 

@wulfmoon Yes, I am doing a quick survey now to see if people prefer Fri or Sat night (OSC is fine with either day). Then I will start sharing the link with those who have completed the course.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 12:35 pm
Wulf Moon reacted
David Hankins
(@lost_bard)
Posts: 448
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I prefer Friday, but can do either. 

Death and the Taxman, my WotF V39 winning story is now a novel! (Click Here >).
Death and the Dragon launches on Kickstarter August 27th. (Click Here >)
Subscribe to The Lost Bard's Letter at www.davidhankins.com and receive an exclusive novelette!

New Releases:
"The Missing Music in Milo Piper's Head" in Third Flatiron's Offshoots: Humanity Twigged
"To Catch a Foo Fighter" in DreamForge Magazine
"Milo Piper's Breakout Single that Ended the Rat War" in LTUE's Troubadours and Space Princesses anthology
"The Rise and Fall of Frankie's Patisserie" in Murderbugs anthology
"Felix and the Flamingo" in Escape Pod
"The Devil's Foot Locker" in Amazing Stories

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 1:00 pm
John Goodwin reacted
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1540
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I'm okay with either day.  I also like to watch the recorded session to catch anything I miss in round one.

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 1:54 pm
John Goodwin reacted
John Goodwin
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Topic starter
 

@storysinger Thanks. OSC will be covering a lot of material and a review when it's all over is smart.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 1:57 pm
storysinger reacted
Yelena
(@scribblesatdusk)
Posts: 225
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Saturday night please! I cannot do Friday. 

V36:Q3 HM V37: Q3 R, Q4 SHM V38: R,HM, F, HM V39: HM, SHM, SHM, SHM V40: SF, RWC, ?

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 3:28 pm
John Goodwin reacted
Jenny Perry Carr
(@jennyperrycarr)
Posts: 42
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Saturday please! Not able to do Friday.

I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done. - Steven Wright
V37: -, -, R, HM
V38: HM, R, HM, SHM
V39: HM, HM, R, R
V40: SHM
Pubs:
Model Citizen in the anthology From the Yonder: A Collection of Horror from Around the World Volume 2
Blue Serpent in Dark Recesses

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 3:54 pm
John Goodwin reacted
Cray Dimensional
(@craydimensional)
Posts: 708
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Will there be a recording for those of us who can’t make it. I’d love to be there, but it’s a bad weekend.

Small steps add up to miles.
V38: R, R, HM, HM
V39: RWC, HM, HM, SHM
V40 : HM, RWC, R, HM
V41 : RWC, R, R, P
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
"Experimenting with the Dance of Death" in Love is Complicated LUW Romance Anthology.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 4:12 pm
pdblake reacted
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
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@craydimensional Yes, it will be recorded and shared for those unable to attend.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 5:31 pm
pdblake reacted
Donovan Cedars
(@cedars)
Posts: 48
Bronze Star Member
 

I'd be able to make either day work. For a preference, though, I'd go with Saturday.

R- 1 or 2. Or 3. Possibly 25.
HM-8
SHM-0
SF-1
F-0
W-Inevitable

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 6:15 pm
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
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Topic starter
 

@cedars Thanks. I should have a good idea by the end of tonight and will formalize the date tomorrow and start sending out invite links to the Zoom event.

 
Posted : May 11, 2022 6:36 pm
Wulf Moon reacted
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy
(@physa)
Posts: 426
Gold Star Member
 

@johngoodwin I can make either day and time work. Smile

WOTF results:
Vol 41: Q1 HM, Q2 HM, Q4 P
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs. 7 HMs
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa

 
Posted : May 12, 2022 11:37 am
John Goodwin reacted
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
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Topic starter
 

@physa Thank you. It will be held on Saturday, 9 July, at 9:00 pm EST.

 
Posted : May 12, 2022 12:02 pm
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1540
Platinum Plus
 

I've got it marked on my calendar. See you there.

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : May 12, 2022 3:22 pm
Wulf Moon reacted
Scott_M_Sands
(@scott_m_sands)
Posts: 452
Gold Member
 

Really excited to hear from Scott-Card!

Friday would suit me better (which becomes the following Saturday morning, here in Aus).

*Never mind. I'll try to make the Saturday

"If writing is easy, you're doing it wrong." -Bryan Hutchinson
V36-37: R x6
V38: R, HM, R, HM
V39: HM, HM, HM, HM
V40: HM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: RWC, P

 
Posted : May 12, 2022 4:13 pm
annmarieinlr
(@annmarieinlr)
Posts: 30
Bronze Member
 

I finished my workshop tonight!

 
Posted : May 12, 2022 4:53 pm
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1540
Platinum Plus
 

That's awesome(@annmarieinlr). The next step is to submit your story and earn your ticket to LA.

 

 

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : May 13, 2022 7:01 pm
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
Bronze Star Member Moderator
Topic starter
 

@scott_m_sands Saturday surveyed out better. I do hope you are still able to attend from Australia!

 
Posted : May 23, 2022 7:21 pm
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
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Topic starter
 

@annmarieinlr Well done and you will separately receive an email invite to Orson Scott Card's Q&A.

 
Posted : May 23, 2022 7:22 pm
Scott_M_Sands
(@scott_m_sands)
Posts: 452
Gold Member
 

@johngoodwin 

Of course, WOTF always does a fantastic job with helping as many people as possible.

I'll try my best to make it!

Thanks.  Smile

"If writing is easy, you're doing it wrong." -Bryan Hutchinson
V36-37: R x6
V38: R, HM, R, HM
V39: HM, HM, HM, HM
V40: HM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: RWC, P

 
Posted : May 23, 2022 11:02 pm
John Goodwin
(@johngoodwin)
Posts: 58
Bronze Star Member Moderator
Topic starter
 

@scott_m_sands You are very welcome!

 
Posted : June 5, 2022 10:19 pm
Scott_M_Sands
(@scott_m_sands)
Posts: 452
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Just finished the Orson Scott Card Q and A. What I DEFINITELY found better than the terrific writing advice was just listening to Scott Card speak. He is immensely fun, super easy to listen to and honest. Amazingly valid. Very much worth your while listening to the recording if you weren't able to make it.

I thought I'd post a few highlighted notes, for those not able to attend (yes, these are just highlights-there was so much great information in the session). This is me paraphrasing what Scott Card said:

-with execution: if you can’t be clear enough to be understood, it doesn’t matter how good your idea is

-Don’t worry about ‘writing a story’, no dialogue, etc. Just tell what happens and why (preferably in past tense, in 3rd limited POV or 1st POV)

-to improve your editing process: have a wise reader do it. Don’t fiddle with anything- it will get more elegant, but worse. Your wise reader will point out what wasn’t clear. Only change when your wise reader says there’s a problem

-boredom/implausibility in a story always comes from a problem earlier in the story

-foreshadowing allows events later in the story to be plausible. It is not for suspense

-building an audience is not your job

-write the best story you can and immediately begin writing the next one

-don’t make a pseudonym if you have a great name, unless maybe your surname starts with Z

-you can do anything in writing, so long as it’s prepared in advance

-don’t kill off your protagonists. You MC is a character who suffers the most without dying

-spell out details for readers. Even if it feels obvious. You need to confirm for them that their guess/ideas were right

-Don’t write sequels to unpublished work

-Once a story has been through all the publishers and not been published, set it aside. Keep writing other things. After a few years, go back to it. You’ll read it and see things that didn’t work and you can change them.

-prologues are never necessary

-traditional publishing is the best option for real, full-length novels. Publish in hardcover, by someone who can get the book on the stands in stores

-Amazon is the only worthwhile self-publication site

-Don’t look for idea inspiration when researching, look for ways to make the story that you’ve already got work

-Don’t agree to do a signing with places (libraries, bookstores, etc) that don’t have a mailing list. It’s a waste of time as a new writer

-At a convention, never talk about your own work. People want to know about YOU. They will remember YOU, not your work. Sit there, and as people walk by, talk to them about the book they’re holding/jewelry they’re wearing. Talk to them about what they want to talk about.

-OSC only describes things that matter to the story.

-NEVER write a story with someone looking in the mirror.

-In Science Fiction, God cannot be an active character. You never need to insert your faith into your books, unless it’s part of the story. What you really believe will pop up anyway. Don’t try to hide your religion or include it.

-even if you sell some books, don’t quit your day job. Treat your writing income like this: money earned from writing goes to a family pool, vacations. The EXTRA things in life. Keep HALF of your writing earnings aside for taxes.

-‘elsing’ is where ideas get interesting. You get a good idea, then ask “what else …” then again “what else …”

-writers’ block is the best gift your subconscious mind can give you. It means the last thing you wrote, or are about to write, is crap. You’re not invested. So look for what else about the story will be exciting

-at the beginning of a story, you set up what kind of story it is. The ending will be about that

-all OSC’s characters are him. No way around it. He differentiates that by making them want and do different things

-write till you die.

 

I hope that helps some folks. But seriously- watch the recording! Scott card is awesome.

  

"If writing is easy, you're doing it wrong." -Bryan Hutchinson
V36-37: R x6
V38: R, HM, R, HM
V39: HM, HM, HM, HM
V40: HM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: RWC, P

 
Posted : July 9, 2022 8:12 pm
sconn, John Goodwin, Ramya (Writhmic) and 8 people reacted
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