Discussion: Q1 Volume 42

I might already be done with a story for Q1. Finished a draft I'm pretty happy about yesterday. Now all the tabs (story bible tab, each version's tab, research tabs, etc) are finally being closed. There should be a name for that. Like, Tab Harvesting or Putting the Prewriting to Bed, or something. The Beginning of a New Age. Something.

Spider monkey.  

Yup. Have fun.

The submission portal for Q1 is now open! This is cycle 42A (Volume 42, 1st quarter). Good luck to everyone!

@jason thank you jason!

V41 is done. Long live V42!

Aaaand, Gideon is in.

Kidding.

How about now?

Posted by: @tj_knight

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Aaaand, Gideon is in.

Kidding.

 

 

 

How about now?

it's with trusted critique readers 😉

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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Posted by: @tj_knight

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Aaaand, Gideon is in.

Kidding.

 

 

 

How about now?

 

it's with trusted critique readers 😉

 

What a beast. 

I haven't even decided which idea to run with for Q1.

Moving over next quarter's writing tent with my trusty laptop in hand.

I have a question, not sure in which thread to ask but this seems like as good a place as any. I see a lot of people talk about resubmitting stories that got disqualified, or rejected, or even an honorable mention. Is that a common thing here? Because I've got two versions of a story, one that is kinda bold and runs a very real risk of being rejected, and one that stays perfectly within the lines, but just doesn't work as well... So I was thinking of submitting the first version for Q1, see how that goes and if it bombs, resubmit the second version for another quarter. Could I do that?

@marius you can do it. There is even a thread somewhere here where Jody asks that if you do you keep the same title.

Different people entering have different opinions on this kind of thing. I tend not to resubmit things because (a) something is only seen for the first time by Jody once. You can never reclaim that new experience with a resubmit. (b) I write fast so I always have a new story ready anyway.

That being said, maybe the 'fresh eyes' I'm wanting is not so necessary as there definitely are multiple winners who won on a resubmission. So clearly there is also something to be said for that approach. But if you were going to do that I would still make sure the second version 'worked' as you put it before considering submitting it.

Posted by: @marius

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Resubmitting stories that got disqualified, or rejected, or even an honorable mention. Is that a common thing here? Because I've got two versions of a story, one that is kinda bold and runs a very real risk of being rejected, and one that stays perfectly within the lines, but just doesn't work as well... So I was thinking of submitting the first version for Q1, see how that goes and if it bombs, resubmit the second version for another quarter. Could I do that?

Yes, you can resubmit any story that received an award/notification lower than semi-finalist. My understanding, especially over the last year, is that it is best if you submit a new story each time.

Although, I have resubmitted after reworking a story and received a higher ranking (ref my signature).

You could also ask forum members to test read each version and give an opinion on which version to focus on.

Thanks guys. I've had some test readers. Half of them loved the original version and the other half hated it, so that didn't really help me. I think I will go with that one though and if I'm ever short on material, I'll have version 2 as a back-up.

I need to get back on track writing. Nit sure what will help.

Posted by: @Anonymous

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I need to get back on track writing. Nit sure what will help.

I'm right there with you. I've been experiencing a health crisis that has impacted my ability to write fresh stories. I'm just now getting back into it. All I know is to make myself stare into a computer screen for a set period of time and see what develops. My fingers are crossed for both of us that we can get back on a happy writing track.  

@craydimensional @physa - still so early in the quarter, I believe in both of you, still plenty of time! I always find dicing up big projects into small managable bits and setting small weekly goals helps - as long as you do sit down to eat, you can always eat the elephant one mouthful at a time! 👍 

@physa We will get there.

@gideonpsmith what an interesting phrase.

Just thanked a reader for an inciteful critique. Freudian much?   

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to write for this quarter. I dug deep for my Q4 story and now I'm scrambling for ideas in Q1.

@wahlquistj I've heard of various SFF authors giving variations on the facetious comment when asked "where do you get your ideas":

"People ask me where I get my ideas. I always tell them, “Schenectady.” They look at me with confusion and I say, “Yeah, there’s this ‘idea service’ in Schenectady and every week like clockwork they send me a fresh six-pack of ideas for 25 bucks.” Harlan Ellison

Stephen King "Warehouse in Utica"

Robert Jordan "Trenton New Jersey"

Isaac Asimov "Idea farm in Wisconsin"

All I can say is, mines must be shipped from the other side of the planet and arrive by ground mail, as they sure take a long time to arrive sometimes 🤣 

Struggling to come up with ideas does no more to fire my creativity than struggling to make something come through the regular mail does. 😉 However, thinking of it this way and just trusting that the ideas are on the way does usually help.  And having read some of your work I know you are def not short on creativity!

@marius I actually have experience with this. I had a story reach SHM that I really wanted to win, so I trimmed it, sent it for more critiques, got great feedback, trimmed it again, adjusted some things...and as I was doing this, I resubbed it to the Contest. Too many times. I actually got an email asking me to knock it off (gently, of course). So I'll be submitting fresh stories from now on, even if I really like something!

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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@wahlquistj I've heard of various SFF authors giving variations on the facetious comment when asked "where do you get your ideas":

 

"People ask me where I get my ideas. I always tell them, “Schenectady.” They look at me with confusion and I say, “Yeah, there’s this ‘idea service’ in Schenectady and every week like clockwork they send me a fresh six-pack of ideas for 25 bucks.” Harlan Ellison

Stephen King "Warehouse in Utica"

Robert Jordan "Trenton New Jersey"

Isaac Asimov "Idea farm in Wisconsin"

 

All I can say is, mines must be shipped from the other side of the planet and arrive by ground mail, as they sure take a long time to arrive sometimes 🤣 

Struggling to come up with ideas does no more to fire my creativity than struggling to make something come through the regular mail does. 😉 However, thinking of it this way and just trusting that the ideas are on the way does usually help.  And having read some of your work I know you are def not short on creativity!

All my ideas come from my chickens.

"Well girls, what shall we write today?"

"Book!"

Admittedly, they sound a tad repetitive but you need to read between the lines.

@amstard I've resubmitted stories, some with upward movement, but I've committed to working on new tales. If I really like a story and understand why I messed it up, I will resubmit it once. Line in the sand has been drawn for me.

@toddjones I agree. New stories are better, but if I felt I had a really good story, that should be a really good fit for this competition, and I felt sure I (a) knew what the issue was that had held it back - and (b) those changes were substantive, I would consider one further submission after those were implemented.

@gideonpsmith I believe I committed to my folly after hearing from someone that they had won after revising/resubmitting a piece several times. I really loved the story I had, and several trusted people (including a contest winner) had said that the story was excellent and had a real shot, so I committed too hard.

Grabs a steaming pumpkin drink, turns on the computer, and starts writing with the magical stylus after checking for smoke signals.

I may need something stronger than pumpkin to help motivate me.  haha

Raising my glass of butter beer 🍺 in a toast to @jasontoth for correcting my mistake of accidentaly deleting my account.