Discussion: Q1 Volume 39

On the subject of feedback, and rewriting based on it, who here has a regularly meeting "writer's workshop" or group who sees what you're writing and offers critique?

I put one together a couple years ago and it's been immensely helpful and motivating.

@angelslayah I used to, and it was not only invaluable but the highlight of my week, but it slowly disintegrated, and then I moved to another continent. I'm now on call 24/7, and end up working three or four evenings a week, so can't set up a regular scheduled thing ?

Posted by: @ease

@angelslayah I used to, and it was not only invaluable but the highlight of my week, but it slowly disintegrated, and then I moved to another continent. I'm now on call 24/7, and end up working three or four evenings a week, so can't set up a regular scheduled thing ?

all bands fall apart, but yours is a special case. today with zoom or obs, you could put a video crew together. everyone in the group makes a video response to each week’s writing… there might be others for whom this would be ideal!

@ease I understand where you are coming from. My work schedule has been hectic.

I know WotF is all a buzz with Gala preparations, but I am curious about how QTR 1 judging is going as well. I am however excited to see the Gala for the first volume I submitted to take off. It will be a nice escape to watch.

Posted by: @craydimensional

I know WotF is all a buzz with Gala preparations, but I am curious about how QTR 1 judging is going as well. I am however excited to see the Gala for the first volume I submitted to take off. It will be a nice escape to watch.

I’d be surprised to see Q1 results come out before the gala, Cray.

Here is Kary’s last comment on it:

”RE: Q1 slushing - less than halfway done, but I can see it from here. Jody is already working on the Hold pile. I'm not sure if we'll be done by the end of Q2, but it will be close (and we're trying!). Jody also has to prep for teaching the workshop. Just to be safe, don't start twitching until after the workshop.”

And yes, watching the gala live-streamed is wonderful. This year especially because we have a record number of our Forumites as winners!  Mark your calendars for April 8th!

Posted by: @wulfmoon

And yes, watching the gala live-streamed is wonderful. This year especially because we have a record number of our Forumites as winners!  Mark your calendars for April 8th!

I hope there will be a daily blog of the gala again...

Posted by: @physa

Posted by: @wulfmoon

And yes, watching the gala live-streamed is wonderful. This year especially because we have a record number of our Forumites as winners!  Mark your calendars for April 8th!

I hope there will be a daily blog of the gala again...

There always is, for both sides of the Contest. The blogs are fun, a way to experience the workshop week vicariously, as well as a source for writing and art tips!

FYI, Joni invited me to come to the workshop and gala to blog again this year, and I was all set to go until a few weeks ago when my vaxed and boosted father died of COVID. It caused me to do some soul-searching. While vaxed and boosted, I not only have fifty percent of my genetics from my father, I have multiple comorbidities that put me at higher risk. I had a nice talk with Joni about my personal risk factors and why I believed it would be wise for me to avoid the event this year, and she agreed with my decision.  

It was not an easy decision. I love the workshop and gala, and all the good this Contest does for aspiring writers. And I do wish I could have been there to cheer on our many Forumites that won—this Vol. 38 year is a record after all. But there will be other years to look forward to.

May all attending have a magical time.?

Posted by: @wulfmoon

It was not an easy decision. I love the workshop and gala, and all the good this Contest does for aspiring writers. And I do wish I could have been there to cheer on our many Forumites that won—this Vol. 38 year is a record after all. But there will be other years to look forward to.

May all attending have a magical time.?

We'll miss you, Wulf, but I ain't ready to write another elegy. Stay safe!

@martin-l-shoemaker  Thanks, Martin. I’ll miss you as well. Have fun cheering on the new winners!

@wulfmoon Stay safe. Would love to read you commentaries on other's blogs.

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Posted by: @physa

Posted by: @wulfmoon

And yes, watching the gala live-streamed is wonderful. This year especially because we have a record number of our Forumites as winners!  Mark your calendars for April 8th!

I hope there will be a daily blog of the gala again...

There always is, for both sides of the Contest. The blogs are fun, a way to experience the workshop week vicariously, as well as a source for writing and art tips!

FYI, Joni invited me to come to the workshop and gala to blog again this year, and I was all set to go until a few weeks ago when my vaxed and boosted father died of COVID. It caused me to do some soul-searching. While vaxed and boosted, I not only have fifty percent of my genetics from my father, I have multiple comorbidities that put me at higher risk. I had a nice talk with Joni about my personal risk factors and why I believed it would be wise for me to avoid the event this year, and she agreed with my decision.  

It was not an easy decision. I love the workshop and gala, and all the good this Contest does for aspiring writers. And I do wish I could have been there to cheer on our many Forumites that won—this Vol. 38 year is a record after all. But there will be other years to look forward to.

May all attending have a magical time.?

I understand. I'm exhausted by the Covid19 risks and associated protocols. Hopefully you will be able to do the blog when I win, ;)... Hey, I gotta think positive and hope the teachings of Moon and Farland will affect my writing in monumental ways at some point. I already feel like my writing is sharper and more on track.

Posted by: @physa

Hopefully you will be able to do the blog when I win, ;)... Hey, I gotta think positive

I hope I'm there to give a fist bump when you leave the stage, because it's my turn to ascend the podium.

Posted by: @storysinger

Posted by: @physa

Hopefully you will be able to do the blog when I win, ;)... Hey, I gotta think positive

I hope I'm there to give a fist bump when you leave the stage, because it's my turn to ascend the podium.

Let's work to make that happen! Here's to us sharing a fist bump at a future gala...   

@wulfmoon I’m sad I won’t see you there this year but glad you are being cautious and keeping yourself safe. There will be more galas to attend when the risk is lower! 

@angelslayah I have a great little writing group that meets in person Friday nights to write. Most of us submit to the contest and read and critique each other’s stories. It’s fantastic for all of us! I’m glad you have a good group too!

Posted by: @clfors

@wulfmoon I’m sad I won’t see you there this year but glad you are being cautious and keeping yourself safe. There will be more galas to attend when the risk is lower! 

Sorry to miss you at the gala! I will be there in spirit as I watch the live-stream. I hope we get to meet next year … with you nervously awaiting your moment to go up to the stage! ? Cheers!

@clfors - I've been meaning to ask you about your avatar. I know I'm probably wrong but it looks like a spider giving birth to a human inside a lemon.

@wulfmoon - You are wise to refrain from public transportation for now, considering your possible susceptibility, and I am sorry to hear of it and all that you will miss because of it. Try not to let the fear of COVID destroy your way of life the way many other people are doing. People die because it's their time.

@dragonchef Oh I love your interpretation of it! It’s an AUC—artificial uterine chamber. I designed it for my science fiction novel series. The arms are the support, filtration, and birthing system and the lemon shape is the capsule that acts as an artificial uterus. This is a simplified version of course to be used as a logo.

@wulfmoon I’m going to envision that moment until I manifest it! Thanks for the encouragement and support Wulfmoon ??

 

<  It’s an AUC—artificial uterine chamber. I designed it for my science fiction novel series. The arms are the support, filtration, and birthing system and the lemon shape is the capsule that acts as an artificial uterus. This is a simplified version of course to be used as a logo.

 @clfors - This make more sense, of course. Thanks for the clarification.

Any scuttlebutt on results?

@chuckt I think we can begin assembling a blanket fort and get the hot cocoa and s'mores ready to watch the awards ceremony (April 8). I'm pretty sure results won't come before that date, but we can hang out and find comfortable corners to place our bean bag chairs for the big show while we consume the daily blog posts leading up to the big reveal!

Posted by: @chuckt

Any scuttlebutt on results?

Results almost always come a week or two after the workshop. Given the past year’s dates I’m rejectomancing April 25th as the day. 

Posted by: @rschibler

Results almost always come a week or two after the workshop. Given the past year’s dates I’m rejectomancing April 25th as the day. 

You mean Thursday, April 25

@physa sounds like fun. I’ll bringing lattes and pizza.

Hi all! I don't post much (at all?),but am a devoted lurker who has learned much from this forum and am most appreciative of the helpful tips

I have a style question for you. If writing a story in third person, which do you think is a better way of conveying the main character's (MC) thoughts, keeping third person or going to italics for the first person POV? For example, suppose MC has just insulted a friend ("Joe, you're blah, blah, blah"). Which do you think works better:

MC watched as Joe stalked out, slamming the door behind him. Why oh why did he say that? Joe's no blah blah blah - Joe was his best friend.

OR

MC watched as Joe stalked out, slamming the door behind him. Why oh why did I say that? Joe's no blah blah blah - he's my best friend. 

I have used both styles, typically keeping mostly in third person, with the occasional switch to italics first person for impact. But I recently wrote a story which heavily used italics first person for the MC's thoughts. I liked it, but am curious what forum folks might think: Good to use italics first person occasionally for impact or okay to use throughout the story or pick third person/first person and don't mix?  Of course, the right answer is whatever works, but I am still curious as to your opinions!!

Thanks!! 

Elaine Midcoh

PS: I don't know how to do the signature thing so here's what mine would say: Some R's, a few HM's, one SHM, one Finalist (published finalist, V. 37: "The Battle of Donasi")

The first Thursday after the gala would be the 14th, according to my calendar. So, no twitching until then.

@elainemidcoh just reading George RR Martin's GOT books and he does the italics a lot. Seems to work fine. 

Incedentally, I have never known a TV/movie series to be so unlike the books before. I thought lotr went too far but this one takes the biscuit. Definitely prefer the books.