Discussion: Q2 Volume 41

@shounenbat congrats on your first submission to WotF.

You can't win if you don't submit, and you can't submit if you don't write. So, have fun and keep on writing new stories.

Posted by: @toddjones

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@shounenbat congrats on your first submission to WotF.

You can't win if you don't submit, and you can't submit if you don't write. So, have fun and keep on writing new stories.

That is very true. The more I think back to that story, the more I think of all the ways I screwed up. Granted, it could just be my own perfectionism talking (I was tweaking it right up to the point where I made myself hit 'submit'), but time will tell.

Posted by: @shounenbat

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(I was tweaking it right up to the point where I made myself hit 'submit'), but time will tell.

I'm with you on that (@shounenbat). Sometimes you just have let the kraken fly away.

I'm in.

Posted by: @toddjones

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I'm in.

 

Welcome aboard!

I'm in for Q2--a whole day ahead of the deadline!

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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@ehonour you've had great responses so far. Pet the dog is a great strategy but there are a few others if its still not working (and just to be clear - pet the dog does not *have* to be a dog. The key is that it is something weaker than them. A kitten, a child, etc. Even weaker adult characters can work but they lack the cuteness factor which automatically makes the reader make them want them helped.)

Other things to improve the likability of characters

- character set up that gives context to their reprehensible behavior (past trauma distorting their world view, current situation, being under duress. etc)

- inner monologue that shows they struggle between doing the right and the wrong thing.

- if they mostly do the reprehensible thing but they do have a conscience and so sometimes do the right thing even when it doesn't serve their best interest at all (think Captain Jack Sparrow)

- that they're humorous (Jack Sparrow also gets an aid from this)

- popularity bias - that other people who *are* honorable still like the character, or say they are good, as the opinion of other characters also affects the reader (hate to use the same example but I'm lazy - so I will just point out JS also gets this from Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan)

- give them a character flaw that is relatable so most readers will see themselves in the character

- make the reprehensible character the puppy (not literally of course, just give them a weakness which means their toughness is a survival tactic, that makes the reader feel in their corner)

and most importantly is, the character cannot be unrelentingly reprehensible. If everything they do is selfish and mean, they're not funny, so there's no tension relief on the page, and they always succeed, and they're always smug about it. That character cannot be likable.

 

Hope something helps nudge it where you want it to go

Excellent ideas, Gideon. Thanks very much for laying them out. They were a distinct help. And I've saved them for the future.

And ... it's in. Now let it go, with all its angst, and move on to write something new.

I'm in. Whew that was close. Moving on to next story.

[Spreads out doughnuts and coffee, for those that need an extra boost to get them through till 11:59PM pacific time.]

Good luck all.

I have picked myself up and put in another effort.

Here's wishing us all luck!

Submitted and eager to move on to the next one. Good luck everyone

Submitted and already well into something entirely new for the next quarter.

Fingers crossed for all of us that subbed. 

One year ago today, I submitted for the first time. One RCW and two HMs later, I submit with high hopes that all the progress made in the craft over this past year will pay off! Good luck everyone, y'all are awesome 

I'm in for Q2 (finally). Good luck everyone!

I don't think I've ever had more than one real option per quarter. I had two things I could submit. I think I chose the better of the two. Anyway, I'm in.

Also, is there a writer version of empty nest syndrome?

Posted by: @babooher

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Also, is there a writer version of empty nest syndrome?

This is a real thing!

Posted by: @babooher

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Also, is there a writer version of empty nest syndrome?

OMG - I have always referred to this as my wotf-hangover. I so overindulge in whatever I have been writing that when I finally hit 'submit' not only do I wander around with this huge vacuum of time to fill, but my wotf-hangover makes my creative head so useless I can't start on something new

wotf-empty nest syndrome is probably a better way of describing this feeling 😉

Posted by: @tiinag

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Submitted and eager to move on to the next one. Good luck everyone

I get so drained from editing, and reediting, that it is a huge relief to submit. 

I just wanted a couple days of not thinking about writing. My brain, once the pressure was off, decided to think about the next story that I had started as an option for Q2. I ended up spending a couple hours on it to get notes in. haha

After a very busy work week, weather induced blackouts, and preparing for Easter with the family, I managed to get my entry in.  Hoping for the best.

After about three weeks without a computer (unhelpful for the last month of a quarter!), I managed to get my story in. Now, to wait for the results (hopefully the blogs from Hollywood and Vol 40 will be released before then which will be a nice distraction )

I have now officially entered the second stage of post wotf-syndrome.

stage 1 entered immediately after hitting submit is a state of complete brainfog i usually refer to as the wotf-hangover. Wandering about with this strange void of time, feeling like you *should* be writing but no ability to start something new

stage 2, where i am now, is where my creative brain kicks back in, but refuses to think on the next quarter, it just points out all the better things I *should* have done with the piece just submitted and now beyond my reach

I love writing... 

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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I have now officially entered the second stage of post wotf-syndrome.

stage 1 entered immediately after hitting submit is a state of complete brainfog i usually refer to as the wotf-hangover. Wandering about with this strange void of time, feeling like you *should* be writing but no ability to start something new

stage 2, where i am now, is where my creative brain kicks back in, but refuses to think on the next quarter, it just points out all the better things I *should* have done with the piece just submitted and now beyond my reach

Ha! I like it and recognise what you say.

I'm currently in peri-wotf (had to look that prefix up.)

I've loving what's in progress for Q3. At the moment, it's a certain winner, just like all the stories before it.

Posted by: @time

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I've loving what's in progress for Q3. At the moment, it's a certain winner, just like all the stories before it.

it's funny. All of mine are sure winners too at some point in my head. And yet none win 🤣 

deluded? me? I prefer the term 'optimistic' 😉

Hey, all!

Just a friendly reminder from the slush team that Q2 results are always delayed because of the workshop and gala week. The event happened later in April this year, so slushing started later, too. No twitching until somewhere in the June (probably) / July (maybe) range.  😉

Happy writing!

Kary

Hi Kary,

Is this May-mid June results outlook, also applicable to the artists part of the contest ?...I entered my art back in February. Thanks.  

Jose Sanchez

Congrats on submitting everyone and all the best in this quarter!

@jose77sanchez Hi, Jose,

Apologies, but June / July is only for the writers. I'm not part of the illustration side, so I don't have any info about their judging schedules.

Best wishes in the contest!

Kary

I've noticed that the two contests are growing closer together results-wise. No guarantee or anything, but simultaneous blog posting (soon after writer's results) seems to be trending.

Posted by: @tj_knight

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I've noticed that the two contests are growing closer together results-wise. No guarantee or anything, but simultaneous blog posting (soon after writer's results) seems to be trending.