Discussion: Q4 Volume 37

Sabine,
Can I request a read after the inevitable revisions from the first round of critiques? 

Yep,  (closest to a thumbs up)

Congrats! What is the name of that anthology?

Thanks! It doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s being published by Smoking Pen Press.

Selling a story is a HUGE achievement! Good for you!

Thanks 

Submitted my Q2 HM to a market yesterday. Finished a story tonight and sent it to my writing group. Must build momentum.

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy.

I already read my stories aloud and edit in print as well as on e.copy. But, my sentences are either too long and detail heavy (or) I polish the life out of them at the cost of the vibrant detail.

A great example of my end-goal is The Trade by C. Windsor (WOTF V36). That story flows as effortlessly as a child’s storybook, but retains all the vibrant detail.

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

I have the same problem. I mostly "solve" that by writing a billion sentence fragments (but so help me I just love them so much).

Seriously though one of the things I feel helps me so much is analyzing the order of things. Whether it is the order of words in a sentence or the order of sentences in a paragraph. Sometimes the long sentences can be broken into pieces more easily if you reassess the order.

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

Have you read Ursula K. Le Guin's - Steering The Craft...?

It might help. Just contemplating buying it myself. The opening chapter - The Sound of Your Writing - looks good and I like the idea of an exercise on Being Gorgeous.

I liked Steering the Craft - thanks for the reminder - I should go and revisit some of it!

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy.

I already read my stories aloud and edit in print as well as on e.copy. But, my sentences are either too long and detail heavy (or) I polish the life out of them at the cost of the vibrant detail.

A great example of my end-goal is The Trade by C. Windsor (WOTF V36). That story flows as effortlessly as a child’s storybook, but retains all the vibrant detail.

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

Dave Farland's "Writing Enchanting Prose" course leaps instantly to mind, because he'll teach you what it is you're actually trying to accomplish with your sentences. I believe there's an auditable version on his website or if you read his tips and look for mentions of the Kinetic-Audio-Visual cycle, you'll get a feel for what he's talking about.

I liked Steering the Craft - thanks for the reminder - I should go and revisit some of it!

My response was meant to be to both of you. Couldn't see how to quote more than one.

Having just read DF's Million Dollar Outlines and as I avidly follow his tips, I imagine KDJ's recommendation for DF's Enchanting Prose course is a good one.

Wow. What a day. I wrote 1500 words, worked out all the major plot issues, and completed my first draft of my entry. Now. I am no Heinlein or Hubbard. I have to edit and revise. A lot. I 'm a plodder for sure and stories don't come out my brain in good shape. I think it has decent bones though.

Wow. What a day. I wrote 1500 words, worked out all the major plot issues, and completed my first draft of my entry. Now. I am no Heinlein or Hubbard. I have to edit and revise. A lot. I 'm a plodder for sure and stories don't come out my brain in good shape. I think it has decent bones though.

Good thing you're not Heinlein or Hubbard, Chuck, because they're dead. It's good to learn the techniques of the greats, but you have to be you or it will never work. Glad you had a good writing day, and that it flowed. That's going to keep happening, because you're doing the work. Your synapses don't have to make fresh connections to other neurons...they've already wired the pathway, and will leap from there to build more. And one day, you'll have built a super network, and it will come out in great shape.

Light 'em up!

Moon

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 

Thanks everyone. Excellent recommendations. I'll go check those out.

Wow. What a day. I wrote 1500 words, worked out all the major plot issues, and completed my first draft of my entry. Now. I am no Heinlein or Hubbard. I have to edit and revise. A lot. I 'm a plodder for sure and stories don't come out my brain in good shape. I think it has decent bones though. /blockquote>

You are my hero. 

I'm working on the next quarter's story and could use some fresh eyes. It's hovering around 2500, which is a different problem than my norm. I tend to go WAAAY over. I started this with a Wulf Moon KYD and it's like the thing needs a shot of growth hormone. Does anyone have time?

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy.

I already read my stories aloud and edit in print as well as on e.copy. But, my sentences are either too long and detail heavy (or) I polish the life out of them at the cost of the vibrant detail.

A great example of my end-goal is The Trade by C. Windsor (WOTF V36). That story flows as effortlessly as a child’s storybook, but retains all the vibrant detail.

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

Hey, Henckel. Have you tried using the Hemingwayapp.com online? You can use it for free and it's helped me choose my words. It highlights long sentences plus the extra long sentences, adverbs and passive voice. I don't know. When I see the highlights, it just helps me focus my attention. "Distraction" is my evil word for this year. Chosen before the pandemic, or I'm sure I'd have picked something else. LOL Still. It's appropriate for me.

I'm working on the next quarter's story and could use some fresh eyes. It's hovering around 2500, which is a different problem than my norm. I tend to go WAAAY over. I started this with a Wulf Moon KYD and it's like the thing needs a shot of growth hormone. Does anyone have time?

2500 shouldn't take it long. Send it my way if you like.

Wow. What a day. I wrote 1500 words, worked out all the major plot issues, and completed my first draft of my entry. Now. I am no Heinlein or Hubbard. I have to edit and revise. A lot. I 'm a plodder for sure and stories don't come out my brain in good shape. I think it has decent bones though.

You are my hero.

Thanks. LOL-It was a rare event for me.

Chuck Thompson
6 Rs, 5 HMs, 2 SHMs

 

I'm working on the next quarter's story and could use some fresh eyes. It's hovering around 2500, which is a different problem than my norm. I tend to go WAAAY over. I started this with a Wulf Moon KYD and it's like the thing needs a shot of growth hormone. Does anyone have time?

I'd be happy to offer my eyes!

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy.

I already read my stories aloud and edit in print as well as on e.copy. But, my sentences are either too long and detail heavy (or) I polish the life out of them at the cost of the vibrant detail.

A great example of my end-goal is The Trade by C. Windsor (WOTF V36). That story flows as effortlessly as a child’s storybook, but retains all the vibrant detail.

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

Hey, Henckel. Have you tried using the Hemingwayapp.com online? You can use it for free and it's helped me choose my words. It highlights long sentences plus the extra long sentences, adverbs and passive voice. I don't know. When I see the highlights, it just helps me focus my attention. "Distraction" is my evil word for this year. Chosen before the pandemic, or I'm sure I'd have picked something else. LOL Still. It's appropriate for me.

Read a book called Sin and Syntax. Plus Faulkner and Cormac McCarthy.

I'm about done with my Q4. I don't know that it'll be a winner, but I've done about all the editing that I can stand.

Can anyone recommend resources for upskilling my line-by-line prose?

I’m not looking for anything on spelling/grammar (that’s a whole other kettle of sardines); rather, I’m looking for strategies to make my prose flow effortlessly, while still retaining a bit of vibrancy.

I already read my stories aloud and edit in print as well as on e.copy. But, my sentences are either too long and detail heavy (or) I polish the life out of them at the cost of the vibrant detail.

A great example of my end-goal is The Trade by C. Windsor (WOTF V36). That story flows as effortlessly as a child’s storybook, but retains all the vibrant detail.

Any thought or strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?

Hey, Henckel. Have you tried using the Hemingwayapp.com online? You can use it for free and it's helped me choose my words. It highlights long sentences plus the extra long sentences, adverbs and passive voice. I don't know. When I see the highlights, it just helps me focus my attention. "Distraction" is my evil word for this year. Chosen before the pandemic, or I'm sure I'd have picked something else. LOL Still. It's appropriate for me.

Read a book called Sin and Syntax. Plus Faulkner and Cormac McCarthy.

Ha! Ha! You two can't imagine how well you've hit the mark.
Yep, I use the Hemingway App.
And, yes, Ive recently read Faulkner (As I lay her dying).
And Cormac McCarthy is my all-time favorite non-SF&F author. Simply brilliant prose.
Thanks for your recommendations. I appreciate that.

.
Checking in. How's everyone's Q4 coming along?

I finally got 800 words down yesterday after wrestling with it for a week. So, I’m feeling good! Should have a first draft by Friday.

Waiting on a crit, after which I plan to do my final polish.

My Q4 is still kicking around inside my head--I've got an idea I like, but I'm trying to learn and practice a few more things before writing it in full. The WotF course has been really good so far, though, and as grueling as my first KYD exercise was, the final result is probably some of my best writing yet. Trying to write a full story that incorporates all this stuff feels daunting, but I'm excited to see how it turns out!

My first Q4 story has been sent to an editor for review and am now writing a second Q4 story. I will submit the best out of the two at end of Sept.

I've written two fresh this quarter but I'm considering submitting a revised story from a previous quarter this time instead. Got some helpful critiques on it and will be working to revise it in the next couple weeks, hopefully.

Anyone want to trade critiques? I need some fresh eyes on my possible Q4 sub. It's a little under 9,500 words.

My Q4 was submitted a few weeks ago. So I'm good.

Hey everyone,

I was listening to one of the wotf podcast yesterday (one of the ones with Wulf Moon) and I had a question. Didn't know where to put it but I am working on my Q4 so I guess I could ask it here, ask it of anyone who may know or if Wulf is lurking around here somewhere
So he said that sometimes editors (or publishers maybe? I forget) will sometimes check to see if an author has social media and a following, and what that is like. And I was wondering, is that just publishers, like etreasure, who are publishing more of a book form, or does that go for mags as well?

Thanks!