Discussion: Q2 Volume 43

Posted by: @haganenoedward

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I skipped the Q1 for several reasons, but now I think it's time to think about joining you guys again. But now I have quite a fun dilemma: What to submit?
1. A story I have originally written for Q1, that rifght now has a completed first draft. Although in this case I have only a very weak speculative element (that is, nonetheless a key feature of the story)
2. My RWC story is currently waiting for a rejection from Beneath Ceaseless Skies, so I can also look at their feedback, once I get it, rework the story and send that. 
3. A new idea I really, REALLY want to write out.

Q1 appears to be the hardest to get motivated for completing a story and submitting.  In contrast, Q4 has a ton of entries.

Posted by: @ease

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Best of luck to everyone! May this be your quarter! 

A small cheatcode: start with someone interesting doing something interesting somewhere interesting.

A dentist trying to pay off student loans to start his own practice is working as a diesel mechanic in the artic. Sprinkling in some angry tooth faeries and maybe there's a story in there.

@haganenoedward 

Absolutely! I have my finished one, and then there's one I'm currently working on that I can show once I'm happier with it. We could do an exchange!

I've heard about Sanderson a few times now from folks on this forum, I really need to check him out! I've just been given so many amazing recommendations that it's hard to settle on which to read first. 🤣 

I went from knowing almost no fantasy novels to being neck deep in new books to try. Not a bad problem to have, though, so I'm certainly not gonna complain. 

Any book from him in particular that stands out as your favorite?

Posted by: @haganenoedward

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What to submit?
1. A story I have originally written for Q1, that rifght now has a completed first draft. Although in this case I have only a very weak speculative element (that is, nonetheless a key feature of the story)
2. My RWC story is currently waiting for a rejection from Beneath Ceaseless Skies, so I can also look at their feedback, once I get it, rework the story and send that. 
3. A new idea I really, REALLY want to write out.

My two cents: finish what you start. I'm convinced that the majority of growth in a skill comes from reflection after the complete completion of a project/attempt/practise/whatever. That, and the reinforcement you get from exercising the same skill soon after (ideally, the day after) said completion. Something about letting the subconcious soak it all in while you sleep, and then the concious mind confirm and substantiate the wisdom gained the following day, seems to be the ticket for me.

So personally I'd grab the story you wrote for Q1, put the spec-elem on steriods and make sure it's at least hinted at in the first 2 pages, and get it polished and submitted!

The submission portal is now open. 

With my Q2, I’m in that fun brainstorming stage where I’m excited about the idea, but I haven’t found the story yet. How is everyone else’s coming along? 

Posted by: @kz_richards

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With my Q2, I’m in that fun brainstorming stage where I’m excited about the idea, but I haven’t found the story yet. How is everyone else’s coming along? 

I'm in that zone where you have the idea but then you forget it - whoops! 'Life' is busy right now. Hopefully my brain will resurrect the thought for further rumination when the next two weeks are over 😉

Posted by: @kz_richards

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With my Q2, I’m in that fun brainstorming stage where I’m excited about the idea, but I haven’t found the story yet. How is everyone else’s coming along? 

I do love the brainstorming stage. 
Funny, I used to love creating the character in D&D too when I was a kid. Just realized, that was a brainstorming session too about the possibilities of who the character could be.

I don't have a story for Q2 yet, working on another market. I may update something older and resubmit to give me time. It takes me 2-5 months to create a new short story from brainstorming to draft to final edit. 

Ditto. Honestly, I could be completely content never writing a real story ever again, and instead just worldbuild ad infinitum. But that way lies madness, and zero audience.

I took a look at my graveyard of unfinished stories and was surprised at how much I didn't hate any of them hah! I just got super stuck and couldn't see a way forward so I put them aside. Now I have to decide which one gets resurrected. Two of them have a character that I love but the story is not clear. Couple others that I like the story of but the characters need a lot more work. None of them have a full draft. How to choose?

@tiinag Which one is the most mind-bending idea? 
Or
Which one would you tell someone about first if asked - "what are you working on?"
The first one that comes to mind - that's the one. 😉

@tj_knight Hah! That helped! Thanks

Posted by: @tiinag

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@tj_knight Hah! That helped! Thanks

@tj_knight's answer is best. The engineer in New suggests: which one would take the least time/effort to complete? Which has the most potential to win Wotf? If any story rates highly in both categories, I'd pick that one...

...if I wasn't already picking the one TJ suggested.

@ease Yep, the story I least expected to pull at me. It's not the closest to finish, but I know where it beings and I know where it ends. Just gotta figure out everything in between, hah. But now I am excited!