Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Ready for Market Challenge--September

This is topic Ready for Market Challenge--September in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

The Ready for Market Challenge is for stories that have been workshopped and need that final bit of polish to make 'em shine out from the others in the slush pile.

If we get six takers we'll be starting the September challenge at the end of this month, and you'll have a week to post your story's first thirteen.

The detailed rules are here:

http://www.hatrack.com/forums/writers/forum/Forum1/HTML/005010.html

Please don't post stories or first 13s here. I'll start a fresh topic in Challenges at the end of the month for that.

If you want to see how it works, the August Challenge--which attracted an excellent collection of stories--is here:
http://www.hatrack.com/forums/writers/forum/Forum7/HTML/000071.html

We have two takers right now. Can we get to six and make it run again?

If you participated last month and plan to do so again, please do let us know. If you won't, for a reason we should know about, please do tell us.

Zac chimed.

"Yes?" I asked.

" 'Us' being you and me, right?" said Zac.

"If you like."

"You told 'em all that already, in the other thread."

"Yeah, I know, but we talk so much and there's yards of text in the other thread, I'm not sure people get it."

"Belt and braces, huh?"

"Yep."

"Good idea. Would you like some tea?"

"Zac?"

"Yes?"

"We're talking too much."

Cheers,
Pat

[This message has been edited by TaleSpinner (edited August 24, 2008).]

Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :

Hmmm...well, I'd most likely think of my gradings as simply "needs work" "good" and "excellent", not being a fan of the word "better"...but I think I shall give it a try. Just have to decide which story..

Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :

I'm in. I'll be watching for the thread for posting.

Anthony

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

That's grand--welcome, Merlion and Anthony.

Are there just two more Hatrackers out there who'd like to make us up to six?

Cheers,
Pat

Posted by alliedfive (Member # 7811) on :

I am in.

Pat, Thanks for running this.

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

Welcome, alliedfive.

We need just one more taker to bring us up to six ...

Cheers,
Pat

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

Zac chimed, and said, "Your last post got duplicated."

"Can you delete it for me, please?" I asked.

"Consider it done."

[This message has been edited by TaleSpinner (edited August 26, 2008).]

Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :

Well, I've been very timid lately. Just lurking a lot. Time to be brave. I'm throwing my hat in the ring. If it's still open, that is.

Alice

Posted by Tiergan (Member # 7852) on :

I will not be posting a story this time around, as still finishing the query package for my novel, but still would like to offer my thoughts and crit, hopefully more than one piece this time around. I don't want to leave altogether but just havent gotten around to writing a short story yet.

Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :

I picked up the small unit off of TaleSpinners nightstand and shoved it in my ear.

"Zac?"

"UGH! Where did all hair come from?"

"Wow, this is neat, it's like your in my head or something."

"I am in your head, you idiot. Wait, what the hell am I doing in your head, ooo gross."

"I wanted to get this months participants straight."

"God. Look at all the wax. Don't you ever clean these?"

"Lets see there's Talespinner, Snapper, Gardener, A W Sullivan, Allied Five, and Merlion-Emyrs."

"I'm going to suggest to Kat that those Utility Belts need some Qtips."

"Kat? Utility Belts?"

"Long story, different post."

"Oh, then there's Kathyton she may join."

"I like her. Knows enough not put TS's stuff in her ears."

"Okay, I guess that covers it. Now how do I get you out?"

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

"Hi Zac," I said. "I'm back from vacation. What's been happening?"

"Snapper says that Gardener, A W Sullivan, Allied Five, Merlion-Emrys, Kathyton, himself and you are up for for the September RFM."

"Cool," I said.

"He stuck me in his ear," Zac said.

"He stuck you in his ear?" I asked, pulling at my left ear lobe. "Didn't he take you out of your case first?"

Zac shrugged. "Nope. He just rammed me into his ear, case 'n all. I suppose the acorn shape does make my case look like an earbud."

"How'd you talk to him?"

"Loudly. With resonance-induced bone conduction."

"How does that work?"

Zac shrugged. "How should I know? You just invented it, silly."

"Zac, how do you shrug? You're just a nano-electric stud in my left ear lobe."

Zac shrugged. Again.

Tiergan, your thoughts and crits will be more than welcome and we're looking forward to your next story when you get around to it.

Welcome, Gardener and Kathyton, welcome all. And thanks, Snapper, for riding herd during my absence.

I'll start the September RFM in Challenges right now ...

Cheers,
Pat

Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :

*Raises hand timidly* Please explain exactly what "being workshopped" entails and how one can achieve this goal? Process? Badge?

8)
leslie

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

"Being workshopped" means the story has been offered for critique, for example through posting its first 13 in Fragments and Feedback, and that the critique comments have been taken due account of in a revision.

Some people get their stories critiqued (and I lazily treated "workshopped" and "critiqued" as synonyms) at other places like <whispers> Critters or Liberty Halll, and still others have trusted readers. I suppose also there are some talented individuals who just write and revise alone.

The point is that the story should be as ready for market as you can make it, and for most of us that means having at least one person read and crit the story, and a consequent revision.

There's no badge or certificate, so if you think your story's ready for market, please do feel free to contribute it.

Hope that's helpful and okay,
Pat

Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :

Thanks Pat,
I definitely do not have anything ready this month! However, I am close to opening the kimono on a couple of stories so maybe next month.
Leslie

Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :

Zac chimed and said, "Don't."

"Don't what?" I asked.

"Don't make some crack about opening her kimono."

I sighed.

That's great, Leslie. I hope that perhaps the prospect of an October RFM will give you a timeframe to aim for. Personally, I find such goals helpful.

("Except when you go all creative and decide the story is more important than the deadline," muttered Zac.)

Cheers,
Pat

Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :

I like kimonos.

Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :

You guys are just too funny.

hehe.

Leslie