Discussion: Q1 Volume 40

Somehow I have been given the chance to help with proof-reading v39. Of course I read all the forumites stories first.

Whether I gain insight into what Kary and Jody are accepting remains to be seen. Best of results to all, and to all a

Merry Christmas.

@storysinger Wow that's awesome. Enjoy!

Pshew!  My Q1 story is submitted. That was a hard one! Thanks to everyone who offered comments and suggestions over the last several months. Fingers crossed. Time to give it a rest.   

@time I also managed to unwittingly stick a typo or two in my final major edit. Not just you. I've done that in other past efforts and still gotten honorable mentions, though, so don't think it's the end of the world. Either way, I'm entered. I have somewhat low expectations for this story, partly due to it being a bit of a different style than my prior couple entries, so any success will be a pleasant surprise. This was one I had fun writing, so won't complain too much

@adrian @time - they use several volunteer beta readers to check over the winning stories after they've been edited because they know there'll be typos. That's right: there are typos in at least some of the winning stories.

Are typos going to help you? Hell no. But will they prevent you from winning? Still hell no. 

Posted by: @adrian

↑

 I have somewhat low expectations for this story, partly due to it being a bit of a different style than my prior couple entries, so any success will be a pleasant surprise. This was one I had fun writing, so won't complain too much

The story I had the most fun writing wasn't my favorite story I've written, yet it earned me a semi-finalist.  So, your story may turn out the same way. You can never tell.  

Posted by: @ease

↑

Are typos going to help you? Hell no. But will they prevent you from winning? Still hell no. 

Some typos can be funny. Some not so like angel or angle and title or tidal.  We all make a mistake. We just need to try to less mistakes with each new story.  Baby steps my friends.

That I know of, I didn't have any typos - but I did use the word steppes incorrectly.

Steppe: a large area of flat unforested grassland.

What I meant was terrace: make or form (sloping land) into a number of level flat areas resembling a series of steps.

So, when is a step not a step? When it's a steppe.

Posted by: @tj_knight

↑

That I know of, I didn't have any typos - but I did use the word steppes incorrectly.

Steppe: a large area of flat unforested grassland.

What I meant was terrace: make or form (sloping land) into a number of level flat areas resembling a series of steps.

So, when is a step not a step? When it's a steppe.

I don't think you had any typos. Pretty sure your last beta reader/critiquer would've caught them  

@ease Yeah, I got that hint from only one dude or it might have made final copy!

I was huffing and puffing to get a story in on time this quarter. I keep telling myself 'plan ahead, leave room for edits, let someone read it!' but here I am cramming my trouble child into the mailbox and scurrying back into my gremlin introvert cave. Good luck everyone and happy holidays! 

So, I just sent back the files I was blessed to be a beta reader for on Vol 39. Mistakes were made. I had to flag a word I was pretty sure wasn't correct in one of the stories and there were other mistakes (filed instead of filled, for example). And these were winners. I learned a lot, I got some new targets, and I was happy to (hopefully) help. I would always want my prose to be as good as I could make it, but it gives me hope to know winning stories aren't perfect (cuz really, what story is?)

@babooher I also learned a lot from Beta reading, and plan on putting my learnings together into some form of useful article once the book is released. Pretty happy to have found a few minor errors, too.

It is such a good idea to let writers edit the beta files. I found a few typos and sent the corrections back to Meliva.

Between the lot of us I'm sure all mistakes have been found and fixed.

Reading the winning stories gave insight into what is trending at WotF.

I'm currently fretting between finishing the edits on a fresh story by tomorrow, or just resubmitting an old story. I find whenever I'm faced with a binary decision, I tend to always make the wrong choice....oh well! Onward! In the mean while...can anyone offer their opinion on intentionally writing the narrative grammatically incorrect for the overall tone of the story? The narrator isn't a particular character, but the intention is to add an old western tone to the scene. For example (not from the story, don't worry): instead of saying "she wasn't wearing any pants" the narration would say "she weren' wearing' no pants." Personally, I'm liking the way it reads, but I used to do VO so it's just a less boring narrator voice and I don't know if what would be okay in film would be okay in literature. 

Sorry if this is rambling...pullin' some late nights to get this sucker in. Gotta love it ? 

Posted by: @watt_writes

↑

I'm currently fretting between finishing the edits on a fresh story by tomorrow, or just resubmitting an old story. I find whenever I'm faced with a binary decision, I tend to always make the wrong choice....oh well! Onward! In the mean while...can anyone offer their opinion on intentionally writing the narrative grammatically incorrect for the overall tone of the story? The narrator isn't a particular character, but the intention is to add an old western tone to the scene. For example (not from the story, don't worry): instead of saying "she wasn't wearing any pants" the narration would say "she weren' wearing' no pants." Personally, I'm liking the way it reads, but I used to do VO so it's just a less boring narrator voice and I don't know if what would be okay in film would be okay in literature. 

Sorry if this is rambling...pullin' some late nights to get this sucker in. Gotta love it ?

That's style, and IMO, the main thing is whether it reads fluidly. You'll see narrative style variances in the Writers of the Future entries here and there, and when done well, they add a layer of character to the telling. When done poorly, though, I think they can throw a reader out. (I had a real issue with one writer's shift to using a very affected first-person narrative once, to the point that I actually stopped reading their work after I ran into it--the main reason was that I just didn't find it fluid to read any more, I was constantly having to pause and interpret.) But this feels like it would work pretty well to me, nothing about it feels unintuitive or intrusive.

I'm in. Usually I wait until the last day, but a monster storm approaches so I better send it now.

My hope is to see names of fellow forumites in the win column.

@physa That's great to hear. I wish you all the best this quarter!

@watt_writes Firstly, if you're uncertain what to send or if your story isn't done yet, an old one (ideally if it's been retooled a bit) isn't a bad idea, as long as you get something in. My winning story was actually one that I submitted because I felt like I had nothing "better" to send, it was basically a story I had given up on. So you never know! 

Regarding  the grammar, it really depends on how well it reads. In general such slang / grammar may stilt the reading flow, but if the reader expects it / if it is done properly, it may serve the story well. See what your beta readers think.

I've finally got my submission in! Breathe out...

It's a story that I had some feedback on from the editors at Escape Pod. I've spent some time this week revising the element suggested in their comments.

Hopefully the changes will pay off and I get my first HM

And, in! Take a breath, one, two...

It's an odd one for me, different in tone, style, and point of view than anything I've previously submitted. I like it, but then, I don't think I've ever submitted anything I didn't...

But, Q1 is done and dusted now, and Q2 waiting in the wings.

@doctorjest and @spencer_s  Thanks for the insight! Again, I have to emphasize how great this forum is. It's such a supportive atmosphere to ask noobie questions ?. I'm leaning toward resubmitting for Q1 because I'm trying something quite tricky with my other piece and want to give it more time. I suppose that'll be my Q2!

Posted by: @pmg

↑

I've finally got my submission in! Breathe out...

It's a story that I had some feedback on from the editors at Escape Pod. I've spent some time this week revising the element suggested in their comments.

Hopefully the changes will pay off and I get my first HM

I wish you the best for your first HM too!  

**Quarterly forum lurk post.** Got my submission in for Q1 just now. With other deadlines I have looming, it was tough this quarter. Although, if a short story I submitted last month makes it into an anthology, that will trigger my pro-ing out.

Q1 submitted! Onward to Q2! 

Best of luck to everyone, can't wait to see which of y'all will be getting that call this quarter ?.

I'm in for Q1--I guess I'm back to submitting on the last day of the quarter!

Best of luck all!

And to all subbing today.
Long wait for Q1, but an excellent time to work on Q2!   

@pmg Fabulous! Good luck!

I'm in! Story's been finished for a few days, but I held off submitting in case anything came up... and sure enough, a buddy skimmed it today and found an inconsistency!

8 hours left to go!!!! Just a reminder if you don't get an email confirmation you have finished your submission form. Once you fill it all out you have to go back and click on the "Submit" button. An auto email will come to your email on file.

I will be around to help if anyone has any issues.

Good luck to everyone!