Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRETS Workshop & Challenge!

My favorite episodes were City On The Edge of Forever and All Our Yesterdays. I love the way Harlan Ellison writes – the two episodes of Outer Limits still resonate in my mind. Demon With A Glass Hand. Soldier. Premonition.

I'm with you there! The Essential Ellison sparked my love for the short story format ... I have a small signed collection of his hardbacks. RIP Mr Ellison.

INCOMING: Q2 Results are spitting into your emails now. Watch your phone. Does it ring? Ring? RIIIINNNNNGGGG?

We gather in the cave, circle around the crackling fire, waiting and waiting... Together we watch for who stands and leaves to take their call. Is it you. You. YOU! Dun-Dun-dun.

ALSO...
...WE INTERUPT THIS PROGRAM TO UPDATE THE LIST:

Fresh blood drip-th on the cave wall. Three down, final story to goooooooooooo!

I'm looking for Q3 from these (I may just have missed these, guys, but I'm not seeing them):

TimE Q1-F Q2-F
AnikeKristen Q1-F Q2-F
Dragonchef Q1-F Q2-F

These I know have reported:

Storysinger Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
Milominderbinder Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
LittleRed Q1-F Q2-F Q3- F
JVAshely Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
DoctorJest Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
Disgruntledpeony Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
Vsutherland01 Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
AjZach Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
Megan Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
ChuckT Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F

The Three Quarter Challenge
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And all of these have reported as well:

RShibler Q1-C Q2-F Q3-F
SCAFontaine Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F
Michealjwyantjr Q1-C Q2-F Q3-F
KDJulicher Q1-C Q2-F Q3-F
thegirlintheglasses Q1-F Q2-F Q3-F

Either PM me to report or just remind me again here. I'm human. I miss stuff. And this thread is getting awful full lol.

Oooh! I also wanted to raise my hand for the "write three, pick the best" challenge for Q4. I've got a half-finished first story. Better finish it before next month and write two for the next. Then...to choose and polish in September.

Because there can only be ONE!
Onward!!! <img src=" <img src=" <img src="

Thank you so much, Brittany, for updating the cave wall. I won't ask who has been decapitated from the challenge, and whose blood you used...

Also...Congrats on accepting my 3 stories in Q4 Super Duper Bonus Challenge, Brittany! I know Becky is in as well. Pace yourself. One month is almost gone.

Now who in this group will go silent on their Q2 results. I'm watching...

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

Thanks to all that posted the spark that created the fire within them to write SF. It seems 50/50 between books and television. The Star Trek series seems to have had quite an impact. While many in that category just write fanfic, you boldly chose to go where no man or woman has gone before--creating your own worlds. Being original is very important. Both in ideas, and in voice. These are upcoming SUPER SECRETS I've saved up for Q4. But I'll give you a preview because you need to make your winners with these thoughts in mind. BIG ORIGINAL IDEA combined with BIG ORIGINAL WORLD combined with FLAWED BUT SYMPATHETIC PROTAGONIST bound together by UNIQUE WRITER'S VOICE.

If you'd like to get ahead of the pack, here's my suggestion for reading this Q. Just as Budrys wrote THE book on the elements of a well-crafted short story, Zuckerman studied what made novels become bestsellers. And then Don Maass modernized these concepts with his book Writing the Breakout Novel. My suggestion to you is to read Don's book, but instead of thinking novel, try to strip the principles out of it that can apply to crafting the breakout short story. Because, to win this contest, that is what you must do. Good isn't good enough. Excellent isn't always good enough. You have to write something unique, and it has to be EXCEPTIONAL.

Go read his book, but with a different mindset than what it was created for. Figure out BREAK OUT. Just that, as a concept. Take notes. Then, read a few of those classic short stories that will be branded on your mind for life (one of mine is "Nightfall" by Isaac Asimov). Figure out WHY you will never forget them. I'll bet you those items you tick off parallel the secrets of BREAK OUT. Let your subconcious have a bit of time grasping the concepts as you let story ideas filter in.

Then go write your break out story.

Like I said, THAT is what you will need to do to in order to win this contest. Shine like a diamond. Radiate exotic colors like a polished opal.

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

And then Don Maass modernized these concepts with his book Writing the Breakout Novel.

So I went into Audible looking for this book and came out with 'Alien Sex' ... I'm determined to get the Maass book though and didn't feel too bad about the Alien Sex anthology because it's a William Gibson project ... then the first story involved monkeys

And then Don Maass modernized these concepts with his book Writing the Breakout Novel.

So I went into Audible looking for this book and came out with 'Alien Sex' ... I'm determined to get the Maass book though and didn't feel too bad about the Alien Sex anthology because it's a William Gibson project ... then the first story involved monkeys

I am not certain that was done as an audiobook, but you can find it on Amazon in digital or print form. I've also recommended Don's EMOTIONAL CRAFT OF FICTION to the group. When verifying Breakout for you, I noticed his book on emotional writing is on sale for $1.99 in Kindle right now. Essential concepts are covered in that, which are vital in writing breakout stories.

To win this contest, you'll need to write a breakout story. You need to understand the elements that cause escape velocity to occur, breaking your story out from the gravity well of the slush mass and into uncharted space.

Thanks for the book recommendations. Not on sale for me currently, but I added them to my wishlist.

I just ordered a Maass of books 😉

I just ordered a Maass of books 😉

A mass of Maass books? Maass you read so many? I maasst admit, I have amaassed quite a few. Maassterful books, just maassterful!

Just finished reading George R. R. Martin's quintology GOT. It's part of my learning curve, studying you know. Interesting concept keeping the fans waiting for the conclusion of the story.

A mass of Maass books? Maass you read so many? I must admit, I have amaassed quite a few. Maassterful books, just maassterful!

hehe (<== Maass hysteria)

A mass of Maass books? Maass you read so many? I must admit, I have amaassed quite a few. Maassterful books, just maassterful!

hehe (<== Maass hysteria)

Ahr ye ready? Since ye are the ones that signed yer name in blood and swore to Moon's SUPER SECRET Bonus Challenge, BEHOLD! Ye are now locally famous among seafarin' types, or should I say infamous, since the The BLACK SPOT has been served upon ye all! Serves ye right for attracting the attention of 30,000 views upon the secret treasure horde.

There's still time to find it, cursed though ye be. Here be the tattered map, if ye dare enter these uncharted waters...

https://writersofthefuture.com/here-be-dragons/

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

What an impressive tale of finding and maintaining your 'close-hauled tack'!
Congratulations and thanks, as always, for sharing.

~You Fellow Dragon Hunter

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

What an impressive tale of finding and maintaining your 'close-hauled tack'!
Congratulations and thanks, as always, for sharing.

~You Fellow Dragon Hunter

Thank you, Julia. Love that quote!

Don't hunt the dragon. BECOME the dragon! THAT is what I'm trying to teach.

All the beast,

Wulf Moon

Where is Becky when I need her? I scrolled back and I think we're up to SUPER SECRET #33. I know I promised you a codified SECRET on Moon's Kill Your Darlings exercise. I wrote this a few weeks back:

"But if you're trying to follow the Flash exercises and what they're about, I initiated the KILL YOUR DARLINGS: The Economy of Words Flash Exercise on p.22, posted June 1, 2019. And they end here on p. 28. I'll make a SUPER SECRET encapsulating the exercise this week."

Yeah, I'm way late. But there's some huge secrets in that exercise, secrets that helped me win. Kill Your Darlings actually was a term Dave used on one of my semifinalist crtiques from WotF. By applying it to that story, I just officially sold it yesterday to a wonderful market. And I'm developing something new for all forum members, something I got the green light on from John, but I'm saving it for the new contest year. If you want a head start, I'd bone up on the Kill Your Darling's exercises if I were you.

Okay, are we on SUPER SECRET #33? I had to do a rush on a project for John, but that's done now. I should be able to put the summary of this secret and exercise together soon.

Keep working on your BEST STORY EVAH. THIS IS Q4!

Moon

Hey I’m on vacation in Colorado! I’ll post an updated list later.

https://writersofthefuture.com/here-be-dragons/

An energizing read! ty Mr Moon

Hey I’m on vacation in Colorado! I’ll post an updated list later.

No, it was a joke, Becky! Enjoy your vacation!!!

https://writersofthefuture.com/here-be-dragons/

An energizing read! ty Mr Moon

Thanks, Peter! I hope you get a chance to watch the interview as well. There's more in there, and it's meant to encourage people just like you!

Cheers!

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 been 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!

 

I am thoroughly enjoying my vacation. I've been hard at work on a novel while sitting on my folks' back porch in beautiful Colorado weather. Not looking forward to returning to Texas weather!

Here is the updated list. I believe you're right, Wulf, and we're up to #33.

#0: Proper manuscript format for the win.
#1: Enter EVERY quarter. With a fresh story.
#2: DON'T drive to the story
#3: Set the hook!
#4: Pick a major emotion and make your reader FEEL it down to their core!
#5: A story is a PROMISE
#6: Hint in your opening the granda vista of your world
#7: Make your title the COOLEST TITLE EVER/Your first hook is your title
#8: Kill "as you know, Bobs" in your story
#9: Open your story with your protagonist.
#10: Make sure your ending pays the reader a JACKPOT on your opening promise.
#11: Follow submission guidelines
#12: MAGIC UP FRONT!
#13: DON'T OVEREDIT
#14: Do not overthink your story!
#15: Open your story with 1. A CHARACTER, 2. in a SETTING, 3. with a PROBLEM
#16: Read your story out loud.
#17: Know thy judge!
#18: Start your *#&$^ hero's quest! We're on the clock!
#19: Mock-up your story!
#20: Employ the 7 Point Plot model
#21: Take your reader on a deep emotional journey.
#22: THINGS GET WORSE!
#23: READ!
#24: Study your judge!
#25: Avoid first person for WotF
#26: Find your wise reader. Preferably, someone with more pro sales than you.
#27: Make your story come FULL CIRCLE
#28: YOU MUST WRITE.
#29: Help your subconscious to ENGAGE.
#30: Experience life, don't just read about other people's experiences.
#31: Not too long, not too short. Your story needs to be jusssst right.
#32: Deploy your MAGIC SWORD.

Thank you, Becky! Very kind of you! Enjoy your vacation, and success to your novel. And to your Q4! A WotF win gets you a great credit to help you sell a first novel, and/or to get good representation.

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Since you're the SUPER SECRET challenge beasts...I just finished a new interview with John Goodwin on the Writers of the Future Podcast. John said it should be up today. This one features more about what comes after winning Writers of the Future, but I share some workshop points we learned as well. And I might have mentioned this challenge. I'm not telling. : )

Don't miss the HERE BE DRAGONS article in the WotF Blog as well. And there's a video interview in that blog you can watch. I'm trying to help you HOLD FAST AND STAY THE COURSE!

A couple of you took my super bonus challenge of 3 stories in Q4. Don't forget to stay on track. I'll need your pick of the litter in the first week of September or so in order to give you a thorough critique. Sorry to the rest--I'm working with four of you on your Q4s, and won't have time for more. But know this--there will be more SECRETS! So don't sub early! Wait for it...wait for it....

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! (I posted this announcement elsewhere, but you challenge beasts get your own announcement, you've earned it!)

I just got off the phone with Joni. Q3 is going to be awhile yet, so hold that twitching. And no, she doesn't do early release of stories already rejected, because then everyone buries her in emails saying their friend got notice but why haven't they heard on their entry? So those trickles you've been seeing on Grinder are false alarms. The reading and judging process is still ongoing. And if you're one of those people burying Joni in queries, stop that! She's a very busy lady, often working until midnight trying to keep up with everything. Go easy on her.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! AND JONI SAID I CAN NOW ANNOUNCE IT!

Writers of the Future is in the process of bringing you online HOW TO WRITE STORIES lectures and courses! David Farland and Tim Powers have already signed on! You get to learn from the masters, actual WotF workshop instructors, helping you learn the elements of a good story and how to write one! This can really help you soar ahead in your writing, guiding you toward your goal of winning this contest and becoming a professional writer!

Something NEW this way comes!

Stay tuned!

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Ray Bradbury would have been 99 years old today. No one influenced my early writing style more than him. I adore his poetic prose. In memory of the man, I give you this: “Do what you love, and love what you do. Nothing else matters. Love, you see, is everything,” he said. “If you want to paint, or direct, or act, or write, do it. Don’t just think about it, do it! If you do what you love and you love what you do, you won’t fail. Gather your courage and jump off the cliff! You can build your wings on the way down.”

Ray Bradbury would have been 99 years old today. No one influenced my early writing style more than him. I adore his poetic prose. In memory of the man, I give you this: “Do what you love, and love what you do. Nothing else matters. Love, you see, is everything,” he said. “If you want to paint, or direct, or act, or write, do it. Don’t just think about it, do it! If you do what you love and you love what you do, you won’t fail. Gather your courage and jump off the cliff! You can build your wings on the way down.”

My fav Bradbury quote is "writing is poetry" from a youtube video that I can't find (it was from the 70s or 80s ... the one where he was touring his den and showing his paintings).

Peter, I like that quote of Bradbury, and in his case, his writing was poetic. His prose read as if poetry, luscious and rich, swirling like incense with sweet cotton candy scents and hidden mysteries.

To help all of the challenge members in this last quarter of Vol. 36, I'm going to ask that everyone read the article linked below, and then post a comment on what you found meaningful to you. It's from Ray Bradbury's biographer, who worked with him for twelve years and shared this master's secrets. Some of those secrets I discovered echo what I've been sharing with you, and some will open up new dimensions, as one would expect from a giant like Bradbury.

It's not a long article, but it's packed with knowledge about writing (and life) gleaned from one of the greatest writers of our time. So cut and paste this into your browser and have a read. Please do post what you learned. It will help coalesce the concepts into your mindset, and help all here to discuss what we can take away from the words of wisdom of one of the greats. Cheers!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pay-clos ... N73c2KPFqI

Okay, the kinks have gotten worked out and here is the fresh WotF interview I told you about. I posted this to my Facebook account moments ago. Includes some of the best things I learned at the WotF workshop!

https://m.soundcloud.com/writersofthefu ... your-brand

What I found meaningful is the concept of not thinking. Some other advice really pushes to have a complete story from draft one. And while I believe that your writing does get better with time, ideas will be more complete and grammar will be better, I prefer to write down as much as I can, and not worry about plot holes and extra details. He advised to get the story down as fast as you can, and then polish and take your time with it after.