Discussion: Q4 Volume 36

You can do it 

Thanks, Henckel and thanks for the crit!
Between you and a writing buddy of mine, I think I might have this story figured out!

I'm trying...to...finish... Wish me luck guys!

Thanks, Henckel and thanks for the crit!

You're very welcome. Its a lovely story.

I'm trying...to...finish... Wish me luck guys!

You have my details. Just give me a shout if you need a quick crit

I think I'll be getting in, with a revised story from last year. I'm not a huge fan of resubmitting but all my new words have been going to a novel, and I do think I strengthened it considerably. I took 1k words off an 8k story, mostly from scene 1. I've had feedback from several sources that my short stories take too long to get started, and this also removed a couple useless minor characters who weren't doing anything. Plus if it doesn't get anywhere this quarter, it's a much more marketable length now.

I think I'll be getting in, with a revised story from last year. I'm not a huge fan of resubmitting but all my new words have been going to a novel, and I do think I strengthened it considerably. I took 1k words off an 8k story, mostly from scene 1. I've had feedback from several sources that my short stories take too long to get started, and this also removed a couple useless minor characters who weren't doing anything. Plus if it doesn't get anywhere this quarter, it's a much more marketable length now.

I'm glad you're gettng a story in, Kate. Over the years, when things didn't work out as planned, I either wrote a flash, or fell back on my trunk stories, often ones I had submitted under prior judges so they'd be fresh to the new judge. And yes, I gave those a solid once over, because our writing does get better over years of practice, and you have to bring them up to where you are currently at in your skills.

And I say to all, Q4 deadline approaches. You all know this. What you may not know is that you are capable of much more than you realize. Don't be afraid to go for it. Don't be afraid to throw a Hail Mary. Your name isn't even on the story. If it fumbles, if it slips from butter fingers, nobody is looking, no one is going to know.

So give it a shot! Think of all those games that have been won by one desperate throw that minutes before seemed utterly impossible.

And the game was won. Because somebody took a chance.

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

I'm trying...to...finish... Wish me luck guys!

You got time which means you can do it.

CONGRATS, einstein36, vjalrik, DoctorJest, Henckel, disgruntledpeony, LDWriter2, and all those who submitted earlier!!!

I am working on the novel this week and letting the crits for my Q4 simmer until the weekend. Then a Fix and a Polish and I might even be in a day early.

Thanks and get it done when you can then,

CONGRATS, einstein36, vjalrik, DoctorJest, Henckel, disgruntledpeony, LDWriter2, and all those who submitted earlier!!!

I am working on the novel this week and letting the crits for my Q4 simmer until the weekend. Then a Fix and a Polish and I might even be in a day early. 

Thanks!  I was considering waiting too, but once I hit my first read through with only minimal changes, I was pretty much ready to submit. After that point I'm just juggling word selection in a very minor way, and I can use my time much better on other projects.

Hi everyone,

I'm brand-new to this contest, and just entered for the first time in Q3. But I then entered the same story, unedited, in Q4. For some reason I thought the judges were different from quarter to quarter, but I read here on the forum that that's not the case. My question is, is there some way I can withdraw the story from Q4? I would feel silly about inflicting it on the same judges twice.

Hi everyone,

I'm brand-new to this contest, and just entered for the first time in Q3. But I then entered the same story, unedited, in Q4. For some reason I thought the judges were different from quarter to quarter, but I read here on the forum that that's not the case. My question is, is there some way I can withdraw the story from Q4? I would feel silly about inflicting it on the same judges twice.

I believe you can e-mail Joni about it and explain the situation.

As far as judging goes, there are two waves. The first round is always judged by first reader Kary English and coordinating judge David Farland. Once Dave decides on the eight finalists, he sends those out to a panel of judges whose votes determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. That panel of judges is different from quarter to quarter.

Hi everyone,

I'm brand-new to this contest, and just entered for the first time in Q3. But I then entered the same story, unedited, in Q4. For some reason I thought the judges were different from quarter to quarter, but I read here on the forum that that's not the case. My question is, is there some way I can withdraw the story from Q4? I would feel silly about inflicting it on the same judges twice.

I believe you can e-mail Joni about it and explain the situation.

As far as judging goes, there are two waves. The first round is always judged by first reader Kary English and coordinating judge David Farland. Once Dave decides on the eight finalists, he sends those out to a panel of judges whose votes determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. That panel of judges is different from quarter to quarter.

I will email Joni then. Thanks for clarifying; I appreciate it!

I'm trying...to...finish... Wish me luck guys!

thegilrintheglasses--You and Me! We got this! 

I think I'll be getting in, with a revised story from last year. I'm not a huge fan of resubmitting but all my new words have been going to a novel, and I do think I strengthened it considerably. I took 1k words off an 8k story, mostly from scene 1. I've had feedback from several sources that my short stories take too long to get started, and this also removed a couple useless minor characters who weren't doing anything. Plus if it doesn't get anywhere this quarter, it's a much more marketable length now.

KD, you are a Super Star! If you edited a story, I am sure it is a winner! 

I'm in ... GL All!

I'll be slipping in just under the wire. Got one more round of editing I'm going to do this weekend.

I'm in. Best of luck to anyone squeezing in at the last minute! Congratulations to all who entered!

If any of you are pushing to meet the deadline and need a super quick crit, just let me know. I can fit in one more.

Looks like I've got a taker. All the best y'all.

I had a day of not writing yesterday so I could spend 3 straight days on my story. But I'm completely stuck! It is pretty much finished, apart from the ending not working. Which I suppose could take a whole rewrite. I just want to get started on a story for next quarter! I have 3 new ideas, 2 works in progress and a HM to improve on already...

I had a day of not writing yesterday so I could spend 3 straight days on my story. But I'm completely stuck! It is pretty much finished, apart from the ending not working. Which I suppose could take a whole rewrite. I just want to get started on a story for next quarter! I have 3 new ideas, 2 works in progress and a HM to improve on already...

You could do the old tried and true method of listing out 10 - 20 new ideas to end your story. The first few are sure to be basic, but they usually get weirder and more interesting the more you think up. It might be the jump start you need to wrap up the ending.

Good Luck!

I had a day of not writing yesterday so I could spend 3 straight days on my story. But I'm completely stuck! It is pretty much finished, apart from the ending not working. Which I suppose could take a whole rewrite. I just want to get started on a story for next quarter! I have 3 new ideas, 2 works in progress and a HM to improve on already...

You could do the old tried and true method of listing out 10 - 20 new ideas to end your story. The first few are sure to be basic, but they usually get weirder and more interesting the more you think up. It might be the jump start you need to wrap up the ending.

Good Luck!

I've 'listed' thoughts in my head and also gone for a walk to see if that sparks anything. Too lazy to get out the pen and paper, but I will now - thanks!

I had a day of not writing yesterday so I could spend 3 straight days on my story. But I'm completely stuck! It is pretty much finished, apart from the ending not working. Which I suppose could take a whole rewrite. I just want to get started on a story for next quarter! I have 3 new ideas, 2 works in progress and a HM to improve on already...

You could do the old tried and true method of listing out 10 - 20 new ideas to end your story. The first few are sure to be basic, but they usually get weirder and more interesting the more you think up. It might be the jump start you need to wrap up the ending.

Good Luck!

The pen and paper gave me a better ending within minutes! I still think I can do better, but I'm at least moderately happy if I don't come up with anything else by Monday.

Q3 HM, Q4 entered, and 600 words of Q1just written.

The pen and paper gave me a better ending within minutes! I still think I can do better, but I'm at least moderately happy if I don't come up with anything else by Monday.

Congrats! You and I both have two days to finish up the edits and polish. We can run the last 100 yards together. 

Q3 HM, Q4 entered, and 600 words of Q1just written.

Way to go--keeping up the momentum! 

I received valuable feedback on my story which pointed out a couple of weak areas. Some adjustments and it should be good to go.

I received valuable feedback on my story which pointed out a couple of weak areas. Some adjustments and it should be good to go.

You can do it!!!! 

Happy to hear so many have submitted or are wrapping up their Q4 submissions! And if you're hanging your head because you don't have something ready, hey, stuff happens. Life can deal us a bad hand. That said, I will just say it was at this moment last year I started writing my entry, with only one day to go before deadline. I submitted it at 11:56 pm on year end contest close. You know the result. Sometimes, when you're up against the wall, you can perform miracles, for the very fact that it defies all logic, so you have to shut your logical mind down. You have to let your subconscious take over, because your subconscious has no limits, it doesn't believe in walls.

Never underestimate your potential. There is no spoon.

Fortune favor the brave,

Wulf Moon

Finally got all the bumpies ironed out with this entry and was able to add a subplot that is resolved in the climax too. I don't care what this one gets, I'm pretty proud of it. LIES! I want to win, but I'm cool if I don't. It's a non-traditional horror story t Probably the most emotional story I've ever written.

Gonna do just a proof read after dinner then sub tonight before I change something again!

Finally got all the bumpies ironed out with this entry
Gonna do just a proof read after dinner then sub tonight before I change something again!

Sounds super cool and congrats --but I'd edit out your story specifics here. Don't want your masterpiece dq'd. I'm finishing mine as well. Down to the wire. Wish you luck

Just one more read and spot edit and I'll be in. I'm expecting an R on this one, though it was a story Dean Wesley Smith thought was good.

But I can't self-reject and you can't win if you don't try. 😛