I don't know why I'm bothering. It's like talking to Guy in Your MFA.
Seeing you call them idiots
I didn't, the other person did.
Get with the program.
Uh, you said the word idiot first. You admit that in this very post.
Quit calling good people idiots. It isn't impressing anyone.
I'm not trying to impress anyone.
I used village idiots in a general way.
I wasn't the one saying, "oh, there's more."
You cry "bullies" but you're the one throwing ad hominem attacks and insults. That's not welcome on this forum.
Your the baddies.
*You're. Take a grammar lesson. Maybe it will increase your chances of an editor accepting your submission.
SHM - 4
HM - 11
R - 11
My published works
I don't know why I'm bothering. It's like talking to Guy in Your MFA.
Better than a bully.
Uh, you said the word idiot first. You admit that in this very post.
Look, I left the playground decades ago.
You cry "bullies" but you're the one throwing ad hominem attacks and insults. That's not welcome on this forum.
I'm the one being attacked.
This is a very cliquey forum.
Lighten up.
You're
"A spelling error! We have a writer with a spelling error over here!"
So shoot me.
I take way too long going back and editing and re-editing these things as it is.
PS
I guess most people would have up and quit by now.
Now I have people trying to flood my account with dislikes.
It's all very childish behaviour.
LRH would be spinning.
"Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs."
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
We all tried to be accommodating and patient and helpful at first. We all explained in great detail how your posts were confusing, how we didn’t understand the points you were trying to make, how your logic trains just didn’t make any sense.
Instead of displaying a bit of humility and willingness to learn and understand our frustrations, you chose instead to argue, call us idiots and bullies, and flood the message boards with more indecipherable content. Now you’re trying to act like you’re the victim here and claim that we’re all attacking you.
Your claims are not true, but I doubt you will change your mind, and that’s fine. You do you. This is my last message to you until you can change your attitude and post content worth responding to in a friendly, respectful way.
I’ve already asked you to stop tagging me in messages, but you’ve refused to accommodate that one simple request. If you spent half as much time working on improving your writing as you do trolling all of us in the forum, I suspect your writing would improve by leaps and bounds.
Take care. I wish you well on your journey.
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
It's not attacking to say, "this doesn't make sense." It's not cliquish to say, "You're being a jerk. Don't insult people." If this is your reaction, then you're too thin skinned to have an editor accept your story and then drop three pages of comments about how they want clearer imagery here, or a more believable character there.
The only one burning bridges here is you, Harvey. You are the one who needs to lighten up or leave.
SHM - 4
HM - 11
R - 11
My published works
Harvey, we help each other out around here, so here’s an example of how to use “your” versus “you’re” in a paragraph:
It’s unclear if you’re a sermon in search of an audience or just trolling, but either way you’re wasting your time and everyone else’s on here. There are a million things that would be a better use of your time than the hours you’re spending fighting people on this forum.
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.“ -C. S. Lewis
//
V40: RWC, HM
V41: HM, HM
V42: HM
//
"4 Laws of Storytelling" (YouTube reflections on the craft)
I know I probably shouldn't say anything, and maybe it's not my place, but tensions seem to be rising. Perhaps folks need to take a step back from each other?
My experience on the forums has been mostly nice; most everyone here has been very welcoming. I know this thread doesn't reflect the entire forum, but right now it feels like it's quickly devolving into something that will only breed further resentment. No one's mind or behavior is going to be changed with continued conflict. At this point, the purpose of this thread has essentially become the equivalent of yelling at the clouds. Meaningless and futile.
I know I probably shouldn't say anything, and maybe it's not my place, but tensions seem to be rising. Perhaps folks need to take a step back from each other?
My experience on the forums has been mostly nice; most everyone here has been very welcoming. I know this thread doesn't reflect the entire forum, but right now it feels like it's quickly devolving into something that will only breed further resentment. No one's mind or behavior is going to be changed with continued conflict. At this point, the purpose of this thread has essentially become the equivalent of yelling at the clouds. Meaningless and futile.
Thank you for taking the high road, AJ. That’s completely fair.
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.“ -C. S. Lewis
//
V40: RWC, HM
V41: HM, HM
V42: HM
//
"4 Laws of Storytelling" (YouTube reflections on the craft)
Now you’re trying to act like you’re the victim here and claim that we’re all attacking you.
We all tried to be accommodating and patient and helpful at first.
!
This is my last message to you until you can change your attitude and post content worth responding to in a friendly, respectful way.
I'm having great interactions with others on the forum.
So I can't be that bad.
Is there another possible explanation??
I’ve already asked you to stop tagging me in messages, but you’ve refused to accommodate that one simple request.
It makes it easier for others reading.
It's a basic function of the forum.
Your choosing to react.
as you do trolling all of us in the forum
Um.., you guys are approaching me here, and in a negative manner.
If you spent half as much time working on improving your writing
I agree there.
However, I am editing things here, and I'm using it to communicate with fellow writers.
If you spent half as much time working on improving your writing as you do trolling all of us in the forum, I suspect your writing would improve by leaps and bounds.
Says the person who doesn't want me quoting them, yet keeps coming back for another go.
Take care. I wish you well on your journey.
See you on the boards buddy.
"You're being a jerk. Don't insult people."
!
I thought I was supposed to be doing the name calling.
You people can't even be consistent.
then you're too thin skinned
I seem to putting up with a lot of carp here.
The only one burning bridges here is you
Correct.
Because I'm not vindictive, at least not here.
My bridges stay open.
You are the one who needs to lighten up or leave.
Now they are making threats.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
we help each other out around here,
Well one of you is breaking ranks.
Unless he comes back again??
so here’s an example of how to use “your” versus “you’re” in a paragraph:
God, are all writers like this?
and everyone else’s on here.
No, your wasting your own time.
No one is forcing anyone to post comments.
There are a million things that would be a better use of your time than the hours you’re spending fighting people on this forum.
Obviously you have the time to come here and target me.
You sure you weren't in that video???
I agree it would be easier for you if I just gave up.
" Never give up, never surrender."
Fighting??
So, your saying your fighting?
And I should give up so you can win this, alleged, fight?
What a great community you have going here.
it's quickly devolving into something that will only breed further resentment.
Thanks.
Certainly not from me.
I'm just weathering the storm.
Crazy.
At this point, the purpose of this thread has essentially become the equivalent of yelling at the clouds. Meaningless and futile.
I believe I have tried to get things back on track up above, but they just keep coming at me.
But it is, at least, frustrating!
So there is that.
Thank you for taking the high road, AJ. That’s completely fair.
Now we wait to see if it sinks in.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
Copping some flak in the dislikes.
Where's USAF when you need them?
Well, I got some likes too, so at least thats nice.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
I often write micro stories (less than 500 words) as writing exercises a couple days a week. They get the creative juices flowing, and it feels good to write a complete story in just an hour or two.
I don't know if here is the appropriate place, but could you maybe make a post about that? I never know how long a story is going to be until I've written it, but I'd love to try some writing sprints like this. How do you limit yourself to such a short story? How do you know if your plot is going to fit? Does it have a full plot, or is it more like a scene?
v42: - - - HM
I often write micro stories (less than 500 words) as writing exercises a couple days a week. They get the creative juices flowing, and it feels good to write a complete story in just an hour or two.
I haven't been paying very much attention to this thread, so I completely missed the post this quote is from. My bad! That practice of writing a micro story sounds like a great exercise. I can't even picture a story that short.
but could you maybe make a post about that? I never know how long a story is going to be until I've written it, but I'd love to try some writing sprints like this
I second this! Writing short stories can be challenging for me sometimes. And while I am getting the hang of it, slowly, it would be really helpful to see how a more experienced short story writer goes about it. Seeing a real example of a micro story might help motivate me to just sit down and get my thoughts out rather than allowing them to tumble around in my head forever.
I often write micro stories (less than 500 words) as writing exercises a couple days a week. They get the creative juices flowing, and it feels good to write a complete story in just an hour or two.
I don't know if here is the appropriate place, but could you maybe make a post about that? I never know how long a story is going to be until I've written it, but I'd love to try some writing sprints like this. How do you limit yourself to such a short story? How do you know if your plot is going to fit? Does it have a full plot, or is it more like a scene?
A worthy topic deserving of its own thread. I've pubbed 11 flash fiction stories (< 1,000 words) though only 2 micro (< 500 words). I'd love to talk shop on this topic.
SHM - 4
HM - 11
R - 11
My published works
Ask and you shall receive! Here's a link to an article I wrote on my website earlier this year about this exercise. Since I use these really just for warmups, they don't always come together to form a complete story. For me, the point isn't always to complete a full story; it's just to get the creative juices flowing. But you could definitely polish a micro story from this process too.
Writing Challenge - Morgan Broadhead
Enjoy!
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
I never know how long a story is going to be until I've written it, but I'd love to try some writing sprints like this. How do you limit yourself to such a short story?
I'm not the best at writing short, but the 'formula' I've heard for calculating how long a story will be is, very roughly, 250 x number of characters x number of settings. That 250 varies per writer, but is a decent ballpark starting point. So if you want to write short, limit the number of characters and stick to one setting!
VOL 40 2nd Quarter: Third Place ("Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber")
Past submissions: R - HM - HM - HM - HM - HM - SHM - SHM
www.jd-writes.com
Kindle Vella - Ashes to Ashes, Earth to Kaybee
I second this! Writing short stories can be challenging for me sometimes. And while I am getting the hang of it, slowly, it would be really helpful to see how a more experienced short story writer goes about it. Seeing a real example of a micro story might help motivate me to just sit down and get my thoughts out rather than allowing them to tumble around in my head forever.
I recommend checking out Crepuscular Magazine, which has a 250-word maximum for stories. It was created and is edited by Rebecca E. Treasure, a WotF published finalist who eventually pro'd out of the contest.
Published writers include this forum's very own Gideon P. Smith, amongst others.
I started writing drabbles (exactly 100 words) in recent months. They're a great exercise in making an impact in such a short space. Every word/sentence has to be there for maximum impact and do double or even triple-duty if possible. It's made me very critical of every word and sentence, which as I keep practicing, should benefit my longer short stories.
35: - R R R | 36: R HM R R | 37: HM HM HM SHM | 38: HM HM HM HM | 39: HM HM HM SHM | 40: HM R SHM SHM | 41: R HM SHM R | 42: HM R R HM
5 SHM / 15 HM / 11 R
I never know how long a story is going to be until I've written it, but I'd love to try some writing sprints like this. How do you limit yourself to such a short story?
I'm not the best at writing short, but the 'formula' I've heard for calculating how long a story will be is, very roughly, 250 x number of characters x number of settings. That 250 varies per writer, but is a decent ballpark starting point. So if you want to write short, limit the number of characters and stick to one setting!
Of course, using this formula, you can only have 0.4 of a character in 1 setting if you are writing a drabble 😉
"...your motivations for wanting to write are probably complex. You may have a few great passions, you may want to be rich and famous, and you may need therapy."
- Dave Farland, Million Dollar Outlines
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: P Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
2024 Q1: F Q2: HM Q3:SHM Q4: SHM
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3: SHM Q4: R
2022 Q4: R
Submissions to other markets:
2026: 6 submitted 0 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
and I echo @alexh that I do love drabbles for practicing!
"...your motivations for wanting to write are probably complex. You may have a few great passions, you may want to be rich and famous, and you may need therapy."
- Dave Farland, Million Dollar Outlines
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: P Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
2024 Q1: F Q2: HM Q3:SHM Q4: SHM
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3: SHM Q4: R
2022 Q4: R
Submissions to other markets:
2026: 6 submitted 0 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
Really? I've never heard of that magazine! Thank you, I'll definitely check it out. Writing really short stories has forever been my weakness, so these kinds of exercises will be really helpful. Plus, if I start doing them several times a week, maybe that will help me to write more regularly.
So many of you have given me new ideas and practices to try and I appreciate it tremendously! I'm already giving the exercise in Morgan's link a try. It's actually got me excited to expand on my worldbuilding organically, rather than with emotionless notetaking.
And others, can't figure it out.
Very refreshing stuff.
It sounds like writing shorter stories can certainly be frustrating to some, so it may not be inappropriate.
Hooray.
I usually write 1-3000 words.
Probably 500 is a scene or two?
A man walks into a post offIce (the pope and the president just hang outside) and it's held up, he throws some letters, and the gunman runs off.
500 words.
Why was he going to the post office?
500 words.
Was the gunman watching from outside?
500 words.
Did he chase the gunman?
500 words.
Was there a confrontation at the gunman's hideout?
500 words.
I think this is the mistake people are making.
Just pick an exciting event, and your done.
It looks like another way may be to prey before our looming master and simply reduce the number of algorithmic sections.
Tomato, tomato.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
@morgan-broadhead That writing exercise sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: DQ, HM, SHM, SHM
V43: P
Stories published in Triangulation: Hospitium, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
Shorter stories are challenging for me because I've got so many ideas and sometimes it can be hard to settle on one, lol. I'm working on it, though!
And yes, I can see how picking one specific moment, like an exciting event, would be a useful starting off point.
And yes, I can see how picking one specific moment, like an exciting event, would be a useful starting off point.
For a longer story.
For a shorter story, I'm suggesting you stick with the starting off point only.
Perhaps also.
Pick a character.
Pick a time.
A place.
A thing or event.
Then simply ignore anything that doesn't comply with it all.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
And yes, I can see how picking one specific moment, like an exciting event, would be a useful starting off point.
Test.
That's weird, quoted the same text, 2 different results.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
That writing exercise sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
May be worth a topic to share them?
500 words isn't that long, about 10 typical comments.
Could do 2-250 if theres an issue.
Cheap throw away stories, heaps of eyes, instant feedback.
Negative?
PS
Ha!
I'm already getting feedback here, lucky the majority is not negative, just.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
I did create a separate topic for this in the Writing: Inspiration, Craft, Formatting forum. Though I'm not sure people will be comfortable sharing their micro fiction directly on the forum itself (in case they develop it into something they want to submit), though it would be fun to see what people come up with. Maybe we could do exchanges via messages or email though.
v42: - - - HM
Maybe we could do exchanges via messages or email though.
Sounds good.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
@dagnir Sorry to join the party late but if you want to read a sick fantasy book read Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake who literally went insane writing it.
The Correction, Vol.1 Old Earth is on Pre-Order NOW!
Amazon Author page
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