Discussion: Q4 Volume 39

Righto--I'm jumping into this one with a different story than I had intended, but my Q4 ship is out on the water now. V39 is a wrap, so it's time to start thinking about V40...  

I'm still trying to get my Q4 ship launched... 

@physa And I can't seem to break the champagne bottle over the bow properly.

I'm studying the works of our fellow forumites in 'After The Gold Rush'. So far the stories seem to be contest worthy.

I have two stories I'm working on, one nearly finished, and one on the back burner. Reading the afore-mentioned anthology has me wanting to start another story. Life is good.  

After a long break, I decided to submit again! I'm in for this quarter ? 

Posted by: @storysinger

I'm studying the works of our fellow forumites in 'After The Gold Rush'. So far the stories seem to be contest worthy.

I have two stories I'm working on, one nearly finished, and one on the back burner. Reading the afore-mentioned anthology has me wanting to start another story. Life is good.  

So glad you’re enjoying After the Gold Rush and that it’s inspiring your writing! There are some great stories in there.

I’m trying to decide on whether to finish a new idea, edit an old idea just released from the MR awards, or pass on this quarter because I’m trying to finish a novel re-write. Too many options!

Posted by: @lost_bard

So glad you’re enjoying After the Gold Rush and that it’s inspiring your writing! There are some great stories in there.

I would say this is recommended reading for writers trying to get a feel for what's selling now.

I finished the book and grabbed the next one in the queue '4th AND Starlight' by Elizabeth Ticknor and a host of even more forumites.

Watching the ascension of so many of our frequent posters is proof that taking the free online WotF course and practicing Wulf Moon's Super Secrets is a short cut to success.

Posted by: @wahlquistj

I’m trying to decide on whether to finish a new idea, edit an old idea just released from the MR awards, or pass on this quarter because I’m trying to finish a novel re-write. Too many options!

Pass should never be an option. Even if you don’t have time to edit your old piece, send something in. You can’t win if you don’t play. 

@lost_bard While I appreciate the sentiment, and I think aiming to sub every quarter is a laudable goal, sometimes real life gets in the way. We shouldn't sacrifice our emotional or mental health if it's not the right time To be clear, if you CAN submit, go for it! But we shouldn't attach any shame or guilt if a quarter gets missed.

@storysinger Thanks for reading After the Gold Rush. Glad you enjoyed it.

Posted by: @storysinger

Posted by: @lost_bard

So glad you’re enjoying After the Gold Rush and that it’s inspiring your writing! There are some great stories in there.

I would say this is recommended reading for writers trying to get a feel for what's selling now.

I finished the book and grabbed the next one in the queue '4th AND Starlight' by Elizabeth Ticknor and a host of even more forumites.

Watching the ascension of so many of our frequent posters is proof that taking the free online WotF course and practicing Wulf Moon's Super Secrets is a short cut to success.

Thanks for the kind words, Storysinger! ?

Posted by: @rschibler

@lost_bard While I appreciate the sentiment, and I think aiming to sub every quarter is a laudable goal, sometimes real life gets in the way. We shouldn't sacrifice our emotional or mental health if it's not the right time To be clear, if you CAN submit, go for it! But we shouldn't attach any shame or guilt if a quarter gets missed.

Thank you for the clarification. Yes, what I meant was that if you have something, even if it's an older piece you don't have time to re-edit, then you should submit. We have a new coordinating judge, so you never know if that piece is what she's looking for. I fully agree that life can and does get in the way of what we want (so often!), and driving yourself into an emotional wreck just to get something submitted is not the way to go.

@rschibler Hopefully it's a win!

@storysinger Thanks for reading! Glad you're enjoying the anthology!

@rschibler I'm secretly pulling for you. Don't tell anybody. ? 

Posted by: @jabecker

@rschibler I'm secretly pulling for you. Don't tell anybody. ? 

Same @rschibler. Your work is excellent.

Also really enjoyed After the Gold Rush. Thank you for the recommendation everyone. Great stories!

Thanks all ? but really, I got to go and do the thing. WotF treated me exactly the same as the “real” winners. While I’d love to win and get to go again, root for new faces!

Posted by: @wahlquistj 

Also really enjoyed After the Gold Rush. Thank you for the recommendation everyone. Great stories!

So many great stories in there. I’m glad you enjoyed reading them!

It's very quiet. And a Thursday.

Today I'm working on my Q4. Like the last few stories I wrote, I have the beginning and the end, but I am brainstorming the middle. Usually, pulling weeds helps me figure out my plot holes, but it's a hundred degrees in the shade and 400% humidity, so I'll sip lemonade and scribble inside.

How is everyone doing on their Q4 submissions? I turned mine in, but I hope everyone is getting theirs done for turning in. You can do this. Let’s do it together!  

Still struggling to figure out my Q4 piece. Wrestling too many ideas until I can settle on one. Playing with a digital art piece is helping, I think.

@physa Write them all and pick the best one, then send the rest to another publication.

@annax Mine is done. Just sitting on it for now while I work on other things (might want to make a last minute change or two [fickle that way]).

Posted by: @sandy

It's very quiet. And a Thursday.

But it's a hundred degrees in the shade and 400% humidity, so I'll sip lemonade and scribble inside.

Good googa mooga, Sandy!!! Where on earth do you live? Florida? Alabama? Mississippi? Cuba?

So, uh . . . @wahlquistj - your avatar . . . are you a Disney character?

I hope to submit my Q4 within the next week, so Eternal Thursday could lead to three pending stories.

@dragonchef it’s one of those cartoon photo apps. My picture turned out looking so much like a Disney Princess I just kept it as my profile pic ?

Hit 5k this morning. Moving along pretty well. About to hit turbulence, so I expect a slowdown. Still, should be 1st draft in a week or so.

Then I'll beg for some crits because I've been so bad about giving them lately.

Does anyone happen to owe me a crit from like years ago?  

@axeminister I don’t owe you one but I’d be happy to give one. I should have Q4 drafted in two weeks or so, I’ve got it plotted out it’s just the writing part that’s lagging.