I just read Dave's winning story in v3 On My Way To Paradise and a friend of the MC is garroted. When the MC arrives at the scene of the murder he sees the victim also suffered a stab wound to the chest.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships
As I said on another post long time since I have been here. But I will be trying another story. I probably will be almost late getting it sent in since I am doing NaNo this year.
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
So now to decide which story or which new one. Dave likes actions but it looks like a specific type of action even though he has stated it doesn't have to be violence. Not to mention a clear setting in the opening. Something different-for me anyway. Which doesn't leave much. There is one genre I have never done before, I have thought about doing anyway. Another flash done in a different genre I have only done one or two in. There are double or triple genre I could do. Have them crash together as Dean Wesley Smith told me to do once. Did that though. Maybe just what for me is just the basic story idea. Come to think of it I am not sure if I have ever sent one one of those two. Probably. 
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
I just scrapped every bit of text from my Q1 sub and will restart tonight.
WOTF Stats
(2014) V31 – R
(2018) V35 – HM
(2019) V36 – HM, SHM
(2020) V37 – R, HM, SHM, Finalist
(2021) V38 – SF, SHM, SHM, HM
(2022) V39 – HM, SHM, SHM, SHM
(2023) V40 - HM, SF, tba, tba
I just scrapped every bit of text from my Q1 sub and will restart tonight.
Wow. That's--that's rough. 
Why, if I might ask? (If you'd rather discuss it privately, feel free to PM me.)
If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback
I just scrapped every bit of text from my Q1 sub and will restart tonight.
Wow. That's--that's rough.
I found a way to give my first scene greater conflict and tension. But in doing so, it "changed" how I needed to present the remainder of the story. All the action and T/Fs are still the same, but the eyes through which they're seen are now darker ... more blindly motivated.
WOTF Stats
(2014) V31 – R
(2018) V35 – HM
(2019) V36 – HM, SHM
(2020) V37 – R, HM, SHM, Finalist
(2021) V38 – SF, SHM, SHM, HM
(2022) V39 – HM, SHM, SHM, SHM
(2023) V40 - HM, SF, tba, tba
I just scrapped every bit of text from my Q1 sub and will restart tonight.
Wow. That's--that's rough.
I found a way to give my first scene greater conflict and tension. But in doing so, it "changed" how I needed to present the remainder of the story. All the action and T/Fs are still the same, but the eyes through which they're seen are now darker ... more blindly motivated.
Good reason, that. 
If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback
http://www.diabolicalplots.com/dp-fiction-58a-consequences-of-a-statistical-approach-towards-a-utilitarian-utopia-a-selection-of-potential-outcomes-by-matt-dovey A story by Writers of the Future Golden Pen winner Matt Dovey over on Diabolical Plots, the market that runs the submissions grinder. Something to inspire you while you wrap up your Q1s.
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
Me: Oh this story is as good as finished. Just one more quick line edit.
Me after aforementioned line edit: Yeah I'm going to rewrite the whole thing.
Me: Oh this story is as good as finished. Just one more quick line edit.
Me after aforementioned line edit: Yeah I'm going to rewrite the whole thing.
Perhaps you need a 2nd (3rd, 4th..whatever) opinion.
?
Completed my rough draft for Q-1 today.
I ain't cut out to be no Jesse James.
Completed my rough draft for Q-1 today.
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
I'm happy to do critiques. Might ask you to critique my writing too. 
Can't promise I'll get through all of any 10k+ word monsters, but feel free to PM me.
First Place, Q1 Vol 36
Recently out:
"Letter To A Christian Nation Not Sworn To The Elder Dark: https://www.sciphijournal.org/index.php/2025/03/27/letter-to-a-christian-nation-not-sworn-to-the-elder-dark/
"Deymons" in Mysterion: https://www.mysteriononline.com/2024/02/deymons.html
Just submitted for Q1 - best of luck to everyone!
5x R
10x HM
2020 Superstars Writing Seminar scholarship award recipient
"No subject is terrible if the story is true, if the prose is clean and honest, and if it affirms courage and grace under pressure." — Ernest Hemingway
I just released my Kraken to Q1.....Go Wulf Pack:)
I just released my Kraken to Q1.....Go Wulf Pack:)
Go Einstein! Go Woodward! Go Prancer and Dancer and Crasher and Bellsmasher!
Less than two weeks till D-day! Don't miss it!
AND TRIPLE CHECK FOR YOUR NAME REMOVED FROM TITLE PAGE, HEADERS, AND FILE DETAILS! DON'T BE THAT GUY!
All the beast!
Wulf Moon
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!
Most definitely....double check and triple check everything on your story to see who's naughty or nice
I'm in for Q1.
Congrats to those who are in! I'm about there and I'm starting to worry about Q2 as I have no ideas rattling around in my brain.
Chuck Thompson
6 Rs, 5 HMs, 2 SHMs
Sent my Q-1 off just the other day. I'm very happy with it.
I ain't cut out to be no Jesse James.
Congrats to those who are in! I'm about there and I'm starting to worry about Q2 as I have no ideas rattling around in my brain.
Try doing some KYD (Kill Your Darlngs) exercises on the weekly Monday prompts in Super Secrets, Chuck. After doing a few, they start sprouting in your subconscious. You will know what to write because the vignette will demand a bigger story.
Best of success to everyone on your Q1s! Never miss a quarter!
All the beast!
Moon
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!
Merry Christmas, everyone. Here's to a stellar 2020 for all, and a whole bucketful of peace on earth.
--Tracy
Tracy
V36 - SHM, SEMI-FINALIST!!!, HM, SHM
V37 - Q1:SHM --COVID INTERRUPTUS--
V40 - Q3: SHM
Yes here's to bucketfuls of peace all around!!
v36 Q1, Q3 - HM; Q4 - R
v37 Q1 - R; Q2 - SHM; Q4 - HM
v38 Q1 - HM; Q2 - SHM; Q3 - HM; Q4 - HM
v39 Q1 - SHM; Q3 - HM; Q4 -RWC
v40 Q1, Q2 - HM; Q3 - Pending
Success to all in this Volume 37 WotF year! Don't miss this quarter! That's the greatest secret I can share with you. Never miss a quarter, and do keep changing it up with fresh stories!
Cheers!
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!
Do The judges stay the same?One of last years judges gave me feedback on a story so it’s disqualified unless they aren’t judging in 2020.
Chuck Thompson
6 Rs, 5 HMs, 2 SHMs
Do The judges stay the same?One of last years judges gave me feedback on a story so it’s disqualified unless they aren’t judging in 2020.
My understanding is that semi finalists get critiques, which disqualifies that story from being entered again. In my understanding only finalists are judged by the panel - the rest of the stories up to semi finalist are only read by Kary English and Dave Farland. I’m not sure of your specific situation however!
I’m thinking you meant feedback outside of the contest - they frequently reuse judges so I’d consider it DQ’d personally.
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
I’m thinking you meant feedback outside of the contest - they frequently reuse judges so I’d consider it DQ’d personally.
Yup, That's what I meant. I don't think I've ever seen it said who upcoming judges are but you can tell from prior years pictures it's pretty much the same year to year.
Chuck Thompson
6 Rs, 5 HMs, 2 SHMs
Do The judges stay the same?One of last years judges gave me feedback on a story so it’s disqualified unless they aren’t judging in 2020.
I believe Chuck is talking about a workshop he attended outside of WotF. As far as I know, that judge will be a judge in Volume 37. They tend to become lifetime members once appointed.
Easy solution. Write a fresh story! 
All the beast!
Wulf Moon
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!
Easy solution. Write a fresh story!
All the beast!
Wulf Moon
Chuck Thompson
6 Rs, 5 HMs, 2 SHMs
Congrats to those already in! I think I’ll be reworking mine up till the 30th or 31st
I also just read Ken Loy’s finalist story, Gossamer. Has anyone else on here read it? I really enjoyed it, and it’s free online on his website: https://kenliu.name/stories/gossamer/
R, HM, R, Pending
