Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRETS Workshop & Challenge!

Good job Megan! So. Who has the time machine we can use to check out Q2 results?

I finally have an idea for a new story. I get fairly excited when I come up with something that I think has a chance to become a story. It can be my Q4 if I don't come up with anything better between now and the Q4 deadline. September 30?

That's the Q4 deadline, yeah. Any thoughts on a potential Q3? June 31st is the date for that one. (Not trying to push you faster than you're comfortable--just curious.)

Good job Megan! So. Who has the time machine we can use to check out Q2 results?

I finally have an idea for a new story. I get fairly excited when I come up with something that I think has a chance to become a story. It can be my Q4 if I don't come up with anything better between now and the Q4 deadline. September 30?

That's the Q4 deadline, yeah. Any thoughts on a potential Q3? June 31st is the date for that one. (Not trying to push you faster than you're comfortable--just curious.)

My Q3 is written. I've sent it to someone to read and critique and I'm waiting on that feedback. It only appears I'm ahead of the game. I already had a story finished when I found out about WotF last November and my Q2 was already started. I'm a total noob at this game. I just started to try to get published last September (although I've been doing technical writing for many years).

Don't mind me, keep discussing. Just hanging this on the cave wall, creeping past the flickering torches, and into the dark...

Full Challenge
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MWStallings Q1-F Q2
Milominderbinder Q1-F Q2-F
Olddarth Q1-F Q2 N
Alicia Cay Q1-F Q2
JVAshely Q1-F Q2-F
DoctorJest Q1-F Q2-F
Disgruntledpeony Q1-F Q2-F
TimE Q1-F Q2-F
AnikeKristen Q1-F Q2-F
Vsutherland01 Q1-F Q2-F
AjZach Q1-F Q2-F
jpayne1138 Q1-F Q2
Storysinger Q1-F Q2-F
Dragonchef Q1-F Q2-F
LittleRed Q1-F Q2-F
Megan Q1-F Q2-F
ChuckT Q1-F Q2-F

The Three Quarter Challenge
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thegirlintheglasses Q1-F Q2-F
RShibler Q1-C Q2-F
SCAFontaine Q1-F Q2-F
Michealjwyantjr Q1-C Q2-F
KDJulicher Q1-C Q2-F

PS I just put "shrugs" on the ones I couldn't find if they submitted. They may have submitted and I just missed--just let me know and I'll put 'em up

Hi Brittany. OldDarth here - did not submit for Q2.

Hi Challenge Beasts! Don't forget to watch the Dailies at Writers of the Future blog! You can keep up with what we're doing each day!

You definitely will love this workshop and event. Set your sights by taking it all in!

See you Friday from the stage!

Cheers!

~Beastmaster Moon~

PS I just put "shrugs" on the ones I couldn't find if they submitted. They may have submitted and I just missed--just let me know and I'll put 'em up

I am in Q2 with a fresh story.
Submitted around 7:00pm (PST) 3/31

I am in Q2 with a fresh story.
Submitted around 7:00pm (PST) 3/31

Updated! Thank you!!!

I submitted for Q2

I submitted for Q2

Updated

Hey Moon! Still on Cloud 9? I bet you are.

How many try/fail cycles would you say Super-Duper has? I'm thinking you didn't have any. Just the problem and then the solution. Mind you-I think the story is perfectly written. I consider your story an example of the old "exception to the rule" thing. But I may be missing something subtle.

Hey Moon! Still on Cloud 9? I bet you are.

How many try/fail cycles would you say Super-Duper has? I'm thinking you didn't have any. Just the problem and then the solution. Mind you-I think the story is perfectly written. I'm consider your story an example of the old "exception to the rule" thing. But I may be missing something subtle.

Hey, Chuck! Thanks for saying the story is perfectly written (and I saw your nice review on Amazon)! Tim Powers made it very clear several times during the week he loved my story too, and told me he was reading it again just before I left. The trophy was nice, but to have Tim Powers say the things he did about it? Priceless. THAT was my award.

"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" is an example of THINGS GET WORSE, and how tension drives story. And yes, I utilized sleight of hand to accomplish the tale in many nonconventional ways, including first person, present tense, something Orson Scott Card adamantly spoke against at the workshop. And yet, Tim Powers took me aside, told me I had written a hell of a story, and that it couldn't have been written any other way and have been as powerful.

You decide if Tim was right. We can talk about it again after more have had a chance to read it. I assume you've all ordered your copies and are studying up on how these stories won even as we speak. And Chuck, thanks for ordering a personalized copy in addition to your Kindle version! It went out yesterday, and I trust you'll enjoy all the hard work that went into making Volume 35.

More SUPER SECRETS coming. And I'll be recapping the workshop with Orson Scott Card, Tim Powers, and David Farland right here, so stay tuned! Same bat time...same bat channel!

All the beast!

~Beastmaster Moon~

Looking forward to it. Vol 35 is on my TBR pile.

Just finished Vol. 35 - Wulf, your story was a delight. I have a soft spot for dogs and you twanged my heartstrings beautifully. I’m also impressed how you made it relevant to contemporary issues without irrevocably dating it. I really enjoyed it. They’re all great stories.

Life of the Party might be my personal favorite for study, because it’s so tautly written yet creates such a complete story. It reminds me of the bit from Writing to the Point that talked about how the manuscript is not the story, and creating story in your reader’s mind is the point, not writing the whole story down.

Just finished Vol. 35 - Wulf, your story was a delight. I have a soft spot for dogs and you twanged my heartstrings beautifully. I’m also impressed how you made it relevant to contemporary issues without irrevocably dating it. I really enjoyed it. They’re all great stories.

Life of the Party might be my personal favorite for study, because it’s so tautly written yet creates such a complete story. It reminds me of the bit from Writing to the Point that talked about how the manuscript is not the story, and creating story in your reader’s mind is the point, not writing the whole story down.

Thank you, Becky. I am glad it twanged your heartstrings--that is the target I was aiming at. You. Your heartstrings.

I'm glad you liked Mica's story. She is a sweety, and I enjoyed every moment with her at the workshop and gala. I hear and judge by the art it's a dark tale--another surprise, coming from one so innocent and bright.

Glad you got the point of Writing to the Point! In understanding the deeper workings of a thing, you can manipulate the thing in ways no other can. Keep absorbing that knowledge and making good application, and you will win.

All the beast,

~Beastmaster Moon~

Oh, and now that some of you have read the anthology, if you love this contest and what it does, you can really help us right now. John Goodwin told us when we receive 100 reviews on Amazon, it shoots the algorithm into another plane, massively increasing the anthology's exposure on their platform. The success of this contest is your success. Please help us by leaving a review on Amazon as soon as you can. You are a part of this. Help us increase the anthology's readership so all can appreciate the value of what Writers of the Future is to the industry. Thank you so much! Every review will help us.

Cheers!

So I just finished a podcast David Farland posted on facebook today. Here's the link for inquiring minds: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2 ... 89GLIx1Fz0

He spoke about what he looks for in the stories and I found one tidbit pertinent for our discussion about the stories we read in the anthology. He said new writers often look for "formulas" and "hows". He does say he wants to see try/fail cycles and growth in a character (example he gave was he will never pick a story where a character just decides to blow himself away. The character needs to grow and have a change/revelation). BUT what stuck out was that instead of giving a formula, he said write something that you LOVE. That you are passionate about. Because that will come through in your writing. He wants to FEEL something. Whether that be a love of language (Tolkien) or a love of psychology, or WHATEVER... Figure out something new--something unique to YOU and then make him FEEL something about it.

Thought it was cool.

Back to writing...

So I just finished a podcast David Farland posted on facebook today. Here's the link for inquiring minds: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2 ... 89GLIx1Fz0

He spoke about what he looks for in the stories and I found one tidbit pertinent for our discussion about the stories we read in the anthology. He said new writers often look for "formulas" and "hows". He does say he wants to see try/fail cycles and growth in a character (example he gave was he will never pick a story where a character just decides to blow himself away. The character needs to grow and have a change/revelation). BUT what stuck out was that instead of giving a formula, he said write something that you LOVE. That you are passionate about. Because that will come through in your writing. He wants to FEEL something. Whether that be a love of language (Tolkien) or a love of psychology, or WHATEVER... Figure out something new--something unique to YOU and then make him FEEL something about it.

Thought it was cool.

Back to writing...

Thanks for sharing this, Brittany! You are talking about emotionally evocative writing. Making the reader feel. That requires being passionate about our story, and getting that passion onto the page. I think I've mentioned Donald Maass' book THE EMOTIONAL CRAFT OF FICTION. It's deep stuff, but reveals what makes the greatest stories of all, and that's tales that take us on an emotional journey as well as a physical one. Plot is formula. We set up a series of events that lead us to the ultimate climax and resolution. But emotions? That's the exploration of deep feelings, that change in our protagonist over the course of the story. It's where the real character growth happens, and to be a satisfying story, the character must grow, not only in knowledge, but in heart.

How do you do this? You get inside of them, make us feel what they feel as they go through your plot, When they feel triumph and joy at the end, if we've done our job right, the reader will feel it too. Because they went with our hero on an emotional journey.

All the beast!

~Beastmaster Moon~

I meant that Andrew and Wulf's stories were both in present tense, not first person! I haven't had my caffeine yet this morning. I'm guessing that's what they were referring to.

Having read the anthology, in my highly biased opinion Wulf's story was the only one that needed to be present tense. I don't think you could tell it any other way. The other pieces that were in present, my brain kept trying to read in past tense. But I'm not a judge and obviously they did very well.

So Kate wrote this in the Q1 topic, but I want to talk more about this here. She was responding to forum chat about the recent WotF podcast where Tim Powers spoke of a certain story he liked in Volume 35 that was told in the narrative of first person present tense. I do believe he was talking about my story, and the following will shed light. Also, I am sharing this because there's a few secrets here that might help you win. Here goes:

Kate, thank you for saying this about my story, "Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler." Had I told the story ANY other way, it would have been weaker. Period. Good on you for recognizing this, but then again, you're about to break out as a professional writer. Hopefully, that happens within the contest, so you get the reward you have been working so hard to achieve. Having been to the workshop, and having direct comments on my story by some of the instructors, I can shed some light on this podcast you speak of (EVERYONE should listen to it!), and also offer a word to the wise on how to hit the WotF target.

Tim Powers sought me out the first night after the meet and greet. He made a point of shaking my hand and saying, "You wrote Super-Duper Moongirl? I *loved* your story." Well, I LOVE Tim's writing, and believe he is the greatest literary fantasy writer alive today, so having him single me out to tell me what he thought was truly my WotF award. I could have gone home right then, and left the real one behind. But as they say, BUT WAIT, there's more!

The next day, Tim invited us to join him for lunch. Walking back to the hotel conference room, Tim singled me out as we traversed the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "I have to say again, I *loved* your story. It's the kind of story I hope gets reprinted again and again for many, many years to come." Still shocked, I told Tim I was deeply honored, as it was coming from him, one of my writing heros. And he said, "You told that story in first person, present, right?" I said yes. He smiled his wild smile, the one that says the Universe is filled with anomalies, and he gets to witness a few of them as they occur. And then he said, "Well, we're about to go into class and do a segment telling you that's all wrong, that it's the wrong way to tell a story." He put his hand on my shoulder. "But you wrote a helluva story."

I said, "I don't believe I could have told that story any other way. Third person past would have weakened it." He shook his head vigorously. "You're right. I agree. I don't believe there was any other way."

We returned to class. And Scott Card did indeed rail against first person present tense, and that third person past was the only Truth. And Dave and Tim said they hated the modern YA trend, likely linked to the success of TWILIGHT's author telling her tale in first person present. They said NOT to write in first person present. It was a very strong lecture, and Scott Card concluded with this: "I know some of you won writing this way, and I read them, and for first person, they were pretty good, but they would have been better stories in third person past." He has a right to his opinion. I deeply respect Scott Card. For the most part, I agree with it. But his candor would have really stung had not Tim told me how he felt about my story beforehand.

I will also say this. When Joni called me and said I had won second place in Q4, she said my quarter's judges (Tim Powers, Mike Resnick, Dave Farland, and Jodi Lynn Nye) were unanimous that my story should be a winner. Joni then said, "Moon, that *never* happens. No, you don't understand, that NEVER happens. The judges NEVER agree on the winners. I can't even remember the last time that has happened!" Her point? I had done something special. Andrew Dykstal had too, of course. He placed first for my quarter, and he won the Golden Pen. But I had broken an unwritten rule...and had won with it.

What can we glean from this? This is, after all, Moon's SUPER SECRETS. I am trying to help you win with every bit of knowledge I have gleaned from twenty-five years of trial and error. First, beware first person present tense when submitting to this contest. You have three judges on record saying they hate this style, and you don't want judges hating the very style you chose to tell your story in. That said, if you can break a bias like this (those unwritten rules all judges carry) and tell your story well, it won't matter. The good story will rise to the top, just like cream.

But there's a second lesson here. When you're one of the eight finalists, four bestselling author judges vote on which stories they believe are the best. Joni revealed that they have wide ranging opinions on what is the best story, indeed, which ones should be winners and admitted into the volume. That it is so hard for them to normally agree on which of the eight are the best says all eight stories are exceedingly good, just a hairsbreadth apart from the others. So after reaching the threshold of finalist, much of it boils down to personal opinion on the part of the judges. Swap the quarters' judges out with four other judges, and you'll likely get different winners for that quarter. It's good to remember. When you hit those top tiers, you are writing at professional level, and could likely have been a winner as well. Do keep believing, and be sure to send that story elsewhere. MANY stories that got honors sold to professional publications elsewhere--some of them even winning prestigious awards, as Dave comments on. In fact, I just got a contract last night from a pro-pay publication for a story that got semifinalist here. Keep believing, and send those stories out to other publications!

Get every edge you can. When you learn a tip from the judges, remember it. To win, you're not just trying to hit the target.

You are drawing bead on the bullseye!

All the beast!

~Beastmaster Moon~

Thanks for sharing Wulf. Very inspiring. It's rather cool you 'broke the rule' and the passion for your story swayed the judges.

Impressive, most impressive.

Thanks for sharing Wulf. Very inspiring. It's rather cool you 'broke the rule' and the passion for your story swayed the judges.

Impressive, most impressive.

Thanks, Old Darth! And you had a Silver HM! You do know how close you came to winning, right? You were in Dave's winner stack he had to whittle down. Very cool!

And our first quarter of this challenge is INCOMING. Success to all that WROTE FRESH STORIES!

All the beast,

Moon

Well, my first quarter was a quick-at-the-end, write-without-too-much-revising, push-out-the-door job. A lot of fun! Didn't take me any farther than the more revised things I've done in the past, but it DID put a spark back into my somewhat seized writing engine. I figure that might be worth more than an early win, even, as it just means I get to hang onto it and stay motivated to keep on writing...

Well, my first quarter was a quick-at-the-end, write-without-too-much-revising, push-out-the-door job. A lot of fun! Didn't take me any farther than the more revised things I've done in the past, but it DID put a spark back into my somewhat seized writing engine. I figure that might be worth more than an early win, even, as it just means I get to hang onto it and stay motivated to keep on writing...

That excitement and energy you feel will go into your writing. Fresh writing makes your story fresh. It's necessary for the win.

Heh, I think Q1 results are in, and I see a couple of silent members in this SUPER SECRET challenge! Remember when I predicted we'd see some winners come out of this group this year? Not just one? Well, I believe IT'S HAPPENING! And it's because you're doing the work AND WRITING FRESH NEW STORIES!!! The silence is deafening. I'll be very happy if my prediction comes true. I've done this challenge for all of YOU!

All the beast!

~Beastmaster Moon~

The wait is over for me -- Semi-Finalist -- waaaayyy higher than i expected this very dark piece to land. No complaints here.

Fingers crossed for those still waiting to announce their good news.

The wait is over for me -- Semi-Finalist -- waaaayyy higher than i expected this very dark piece to land. No complaints here.

Fingers crossed for those still waiting to announce their good news.

Awesome, LittleRed! You were top 16 out of around 2000 submissions from around the world! Was that your first semifinalist? Take a close look at Dave's critique when it comes. His comments are golden.

And then...quick revisions if you agree and send it out to other pro markets!

All the beast!

~Beastmaster Moon~

Yes, Wulf - it''s my first SF. I''m a noob here -- entered 4th Q last year for the first time. Still finding my sea legs.

Damn, Wulf.

I read Super Duper Moongirl last week. I've been thinking about it since. That's always a sign for me that there's something special about a story, when it sticks with you. And this one is following me around like my own personal moon dawdler.

Anyway, I'm late to the party, but I'm in. My Q1 was a Q4 R that turned into an HM. I've collected a good handful of HM's over the last few years, but can't seem to get beyond that. I've diagnosed a weakness in my ability to write with emotion, and weak try/fail cycles.

The "super secrets" have been excellent, and I'm looking forward to writing fresh stories for Q3 and Q4.

By the way, thank you for the effort of putting this thread together.

My Q3 is finished and out to my critique group - and I checked your boxes as I wrote Wulf! FWIW, I got a rejection for my Q1 and looking at Wulf's Super Secrets, I made a few of the mistakes he warns against! I "drove to the story" (oops! Cut those first few pages and it's already better), and I didn't have a major emotional journey threaded through the story. I think that's something I really struggle with, because I don't write stories with "theme" or anything like that in mind. I write what I want to read, which is fun adventures about interesting people. Anyone have any tips on finding theme/emotional subtext for your story?

Anyone have any tips on finding theme/emotional subtext for your story?

Try "The Emotional Craft of Fiction" by Donald Maass. Available at Amazon.com