Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRETS Workshop & Challenge!

I like Google Keep, which provides sortable lists with checkboxes. It's more satisfying to check a box than delete a reminder! Then I just use the calendar on my phone when deadlines are involved.

Smoke signals are a viable method for storing information. And once dispersed into the ether, entropy takes care of the encryption.

Smoke signals are a viable method for storing information. And once dispersed into the ether, entropy takes care of the encryption.

There's a man after my own heart. What Super Secret number are we on?

Retro, that must have been an epic sad day, like 9/11 was for me.

Okay, onward!

The next Secret is titled: Protect Your Voice!

And I'm doing up a list of questions on Dave's essay in HOW I GOT PUBLISHED AND WHAT I LEARNED ALONG THE WAY. He's the contest master. We need to study his words.

Don't forget what I told you! Write a story that will make Dave cry! Win this quarter, it's the weakest for subs because of the holidays! Hit him with your very best. You will have two to choose from, so make them count!

All the beast,

Beastmaster Moon

Since I forgot to attend a gig I had a ticket for around 10 years ago, I've kept a list of things I'm supposed to be doing plus important things. The paper list moved to Evernote, so that's where I list my gigs, meetings with friends, appointments, important deadlines etc.

The ending of the first fresh story I'm working on for this quarter has the potential to make Dave cry.

Since I forgot to attend a gig I had a ticket for around 10 years ago, I've kept a list of things I'm supposed to be doing plus important things. The paper list moved to Evernote, so that's where I list my gigs, meetings with friends, appointments, important deadlines etc.

The ending of the first fresh story I'm working on for this quarter has the potential to make Dave cry.

Good. That should be the target this Q.

I submitted by Q1 entry before this sage advice.

My Q4 ending might be viewed as melancholy.

Wulf, Forgive my query – just the way my mind works – but how does one get a teary-eyed ending to Dave if the FIRST READER doesn't green light it past the first two pages?

Best,

Retro

Something I read on the forum not too long ago about the first reader Kary English helped me realize the fact that if you don't get past her, Dave ain't gonna see a word of your story.

After experiencing that epiphany I grabbed my copy of WotF 31 and read Kary's winning entry Poseidon's Eyes. Top quality storytelling from start to finish.

Then I pulled v3 from the shelf and read David Wolverton's On My Way To Paradise to compare the first time winners work.
And I get to call all of this activity work.

I submitted by Q1 entry before this sage advice.

My Q4 ending might be viewed as melancholy.

Wulf, Forgive my query – just the way my mind works – but how does one get a teary-eyed ending to Dave if the FIRST READER doesn't green light it past the first two pages

Retro, you don't. That's why you have to write a moving story from start to finish.

Kary doesn't just read the first two pages, she'll read the last as well if the first two show strong writing skills. Abruptly end your story without a good last line, a successful denouement, and she'll assume the middle has problems and likely won't send it on. You need a great story, start to finish. That's what you have to write.

The cream rises to the top.

Best,

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!

 

Okay, challenge beasties. Results are coming in. Do post in Q4, but also let us know here as well. We are trying to gauge the progress of our challenge members and if the Secrets are helping you to level up!

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

I got a SHM! I couldn’t have done it without this group and Wulf’s critique. Feels good to level up! The email said those stories were in the top 50 out of thousands of entries.

Please join me in congratulating our challenge beastie Crystal Crawford on delivering a real baby boy kraken into this world! I've seen the pictures, he's adorable, and he's got the full set of tentacles. Mom and baby are doing well!

Thank you, Wulf and everyone else! Yes, he's doing great and proving to be a very good natured yet formidable kraken. :). I had some complications a couple days after birth and ended up being admitted to the hospital for treatment but I'm back out and home and recovering again now!

I got my results from Q4... R this time. But I'm not surprised, I know the story had some issues, based on what I've been learning here!

I'm behind on ... Everything. Lol. The assignments, monthly flash, and the 2 fresh stories for the quarter. But now that I'm recovering and feeling better, I'm looking forward to catching up on what I can, with priority on writing a fresh story for WotF. I am supposed to be resting a lot so I should be able to find some in-bed writing time around caring for the baby... theoretically!

Plus, baby kraken was born with the strangest layer of hair on his ears... seriously, if you look close it's like he's got werewolf ears, and now my brain is trying to figure out how to turn baby werewolf ears into a story...

HM for me. Can’t remember if that’s 5 or 6 now. Hoping to take the next step REAL soon.

I was a challenge beastie as of Q4, and my Q4 has made finalist. Regardless of how that turns out, I can definitely say that this challenge helped me get there.

I was a challenge beastie as of Q4, and my Q4 has made finalist. Regardless of how that turns out, I can definitely say that this challenge helped me get there.

GAHHHHHHH! Congratulations Liz! Rooting for you to get ON THAT STAGE!!!!

I'll add my thanks as well (I already mentioned it on the Q4 thread). Yes, my SHM story definitely benefited from Wulf's generous advice and shared talent. Thanks dude. You rock.

Go LIz! Our Champion!

I just found this thread and have begun to read it from the beginning. Awesome stuff! I will most likely have questions.

I was a challenge beastie as of Q4, and my Q4 has made finalist. Regardless of how that turns out, I can definitely say that this challenge helped me get there.

I'm so excited for you!!!

Congratulations!

I use my google calendar to help me stay on task. I put in the date of the deadline, with multiple "reminders" via text and email at least a week or two before such date.

For WOF, though, those dates are ingrained in my head! I am constantly thinking about them!

I got an HM for 4th Quarter! Yippee!

And, yes, I would love to have a higher placement, but just meeting every single deadline this year was a huge accomplishment for me. This group is essential support for me these days. I have been facing some medical issues. Knowing my pack has my "writing back" means so much. If I fade back a bit, please know that I am still rooting for all of you while I concentrate on getting my 2 stories done.

Even in the short time I've been part of this group, I am learning so much!! Most importantly: Write. Write. Write. Submit. Repeat. Victory awaits us all!

HM for me. Can’t remember if that’s 5 or 6 now. Hoping to take the next step REAL soon.

Congratulations Zeeteebeez! I know how you feel, but still take pride in that HM as I do. We are getting so close and being consistent is the signal that we ARE getting there. We just have to take a breath and keep writing.

I will be taking a look at my story (AFTER I finish our required 2 stories) and give it a critical look. With new knowledge from this group, I want to see if I can spot any glaring errors. For example, I know (belatedly) that my ending could have been stronger. Going forward, I won't make that mistake (at least not willingly) again. The ending wasn't terrible, but I know it could have benefited from more emotion.

Best of luck on your next submission!

I got an HM this quarter

Thanks StarReacher, and congrats to you too.
I agree, I think we’re on the right path. It feels close. Happy to be a part of a community focused on putting in the work and supporting each other.

And as always, thanks to Wulf. Obviously this has helped a lot of us and will continue to.

Congrats to all with good news, and condolences to all others. I have plenty of R’s, and they’ve all been just as helpful as my HM’s in teaching me something.

It's a rejection for me. I've already dusted myself off and have been typing away on my 2nd story for this quarter.

Congrats to all those who placed!
& I'm super excited for you, disgruntledpeony! Us forumites are all rootin' for ya!

And to finish, one more HM this quarter.

I got a SHM! I couldn’t have done it without this group and Wulf’s critique. Feels good to level up! The email said those stories were in the top 50 out of thousands of entries.

Glad to help, Becky. So happy to see you level up and get your first SILVER! You are heading in the right direction--you were in the 50 out of the whole WORLD! Thank you for all the critiques you give everyone. Happy I could do one for you, and that your revisions turned out so well. Keep swinging away--you are doing THE RIGHT STUFF.

All the beast,

Beastmaster Moon

I was a challenge beastie as of Q4, and my Q4 has made finalist. Regardless of how that turns out, I can definitely say that this challenge helped me get there.

CONGRATULATIONS! Glad the challenge helped you, Liz. You are a good writer, I could tell that in an instant with your KYD exercise you did. I did these Super Secrets and exercises to help Forumites like you. Sometimes one little thing can make all the difference, but we have to figure out what that one little thing is. I wish you much success with the next call from Joni! May we see you on that stage!

All the beast,

Wulf Moon

I'll add my thanks as well (I already mentioned it on the Q4 thread). Yes, my SHM story definitely benefited from Wulf's generous advice and shared talent. Thanks dude. You rock.

Go LIz! Our Champion!

Proud of you, Chuck. You commited to the Vol. 36 Super Secret challenge, and after a year of hard work writing FRESH stories, you saw your writing place in the TOP 50! SILVER HM! I am really glad the Super Secrets have helped so many--my reward is seeing you guys excel.

When you hit that tier, you know you are writing at a professional level. Keep doing what you're doing. IT'S WORKING!

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

I just read the secret about hooks. This is new to me. I am going to try to find the hooks in the stories I love. In Super Duper Moon girl, I think it was "...because capes are cool, and when you drape them right, they hide the tubes."

This makes me wonder why she has tubes. Did I find the hook in this story?

I just found this thread and have begun to read it from the beginning. Awesome stuff! I will most likely have questions.

Thanks, crlisle! It's probably time to post the TOC with links again. It will help in your reading to locate things. Officer, would you be so kind? I think it got buried again. And that's a good thing!

Happy reading. There's A LOT to go through.

Cheers!

Beastmaster Moon

I just read the secret about hooks. This is new to me. I am going to try to find the hooks in the stories I love. In Super Duper Moon girl, I think it was "...because capes are cool, and when you drape them right, they hide the tubes."

This makes me wonder why she has tubes. Did I find the hook in this story?

This is indeed a hook, one of many throughout the story. Not many twelve-year-old girls have tubes sticking out of them, so you are compelled to read on to figure out why this one does. Additionally, not many twelve-year-old girls wear red capes--it's an odd bit of wardrobe for a kid her age--so you should wonder why she wears it and what wearing a cape tells you about her. The only way to find out? Read on. And that's how hooks work. They pull you in and never let you go.

But you missed the first hook. Try again. : )

Beastmaster Moon