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This was a critique group for writers that entered a story into the first quarter of 2010 in the Writers of the Future contest (27th year).
After the end of the quarter, entries submitted have been responded to as thus:
Honorable Mentions: Snapper JenniferHicks InarticulateBabbler Rick Novy tchernabyelo Kitti
If I have missed anyone that participated in the group during this quarter and got some kind of award, just let me know and I'll add you to the list. These are our Woo-hoos!
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited June 14, 2010).]
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I am hoping to have the alien story I've been cutting down from 29,900 to now at 20, 800 and counting. This has been a bear to cut that much. Not everything on the cutting room floor is bad or unneeded. I'm reaching the point where what gets cut is stuff that is not critical. Some of it is setting details that enriched the milieu of an alien civilization. Sigh. Still, story is more important.
Oh, I'm getting ready to print off Cory. Any more critiques out there for it?
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited September 04, 2009).]
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Well, I'll be in, but I don't know with what yet. I was planning a story, but since I'll be doing NaNoWriMo again, I don't think I'll have time for such a complex story this time around, so it'll probably be something already in the pipeline, or a finished piece I can polish up.
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The story I intend to submit this time around is one I started writing about seven to eight months ago. I've got around 5,500 words and have probably another two or so to write before its done. I read through it the other day, making minor changes to what I have and making sure I still like it, and was happy with it so far. Now, I'm wary of finishing it because it has a certian tone and feeling about it, and since it's been so long since I wrote it, I'm worried that I won't be able to recapture that tone, and end up with two parts of the story that somehow don't have the same feeling. I know where it's going, and where it will end up, I'm just worried it won't be the same.
Has anyone encountered this, and how would you go about trying to join the old with the new seemlessly?
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I can think of a couple of things you might try.
First of all, read and reread the written part and keep doing that until you feel that the tone has seeped back into your brain. Then write the rest of it as quickly as you can. And do the polishing rewrite while you still have the tone.
If that doesn't work (and you can probably tell by having new readers watch for a point where the story feels different as they read it), you might be willing to try something a little more drastic.
Put the current version away somewhere and don't look at it while you write the whole thing all over again. The tone may not be exactly the same, but it will be more consistent, and you will be applying skills and improvements in your writing that you may not have had when you started writing the story all those months ago.
Of course, neither of these may be things you want to do, but I offer them in hopes that they may help, darklight.
A lot of my project end up being stretched across months... years... and I lose the original tone that I had when I began ('cause let's face it, I'm not sixteen anymore!) Oftentimes the re-reading thing works for me and I'd recommend giving it a try; worse thing that happens is you conclude you'll never be able to recapture that tone and you'll know for sure that you need to rewrite the whole thing from start to finish.
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Some good suggestions, thanks. I think I'll try the rereading one first, see how that goes, if not, write the whole thing then go for the rewrite option. I'm not even sure why I never finished it back then, it was going so well, and I just left it hanging. Probably the same reason why I struggle to actually finish any story. For reasons I can only speculate on, when I know I am coming to the last couple of scenes of any story, be it short or novel length, I begin to stall. It’s the hardest part to write for me, not because I don't know how to end it, but because, I think, I don't want to. Does that make sense?
May I suggest that you play a trick on yourself, and write the end as soon as you know what it is? Then sort of sneak up on it by writing what comes just before it, and then what comes just before that, so that your writing actually meets in the middle?
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Hello everyone I'm new to the tree house, and I'd love to submit to WotF, but right now I'm focused on completing my novel for November. I'm vaguely familiar with the contest, and I'd love to participate in it for Q02... but if no one minds, I'd like to offer to help with the reading for the group in the interim. I figure participating now will give me a little better idea of what the process and deadlines are like, so I can get into a rhythm of writing and submitting. Plus, I think it'll help me prepare and feel more confident for next quarter.
Posts: 29 | Registered: Sep 2009
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Kathleen, I really like that idea. I shall give it a try. I've never been one for writing out of order, instead I've always written from start to beginning, as it happens, but the idea of writing the ending as soon as I know it could work for me.
lbdavid98, no problem. We're always happy to have new people on board. You're welcome to participate in anyway.
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I'm writing a new story right now. I'm giving myself till Oct 1 on it, then I'll return to cutting RESCUE MISSION down to 16,000+ words. It's over 20K right now.
I have to cut it down then try and make it make sense.
But this little Mars story that I posted the first 13 of, I'm finding interesting. There's no way I could both write it and polish it in time. Most of my stories require aging to reach any level of quality and this one does most definitely. I don't even know what it's about more than - probably - an escape story. Even the pov is unclear. I have both a file for the story as it's unfolding and a separate one for the background as I invent that.
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I would like to join, because having a deadline like this will force me to finally finish a story!
I had planned on getting a story in for this current quarter, but its coming right down to the end now. The only story I have completed is a 1000 word flash, which I have not had critiqued yet but I feel is good enough to submit, although not first place quality I know. Is a flash story even a good idea to submit? What does everyone think?
I am going to buckle down and flesh out my mars story I have posted the 13 lines for already...
Even if I can't meet the deadlines of completion, I will be happy to participate with reviewing others stories.
Current List: WriterDan arriki darklight Kitti JenniferHicks Owasm LlessurNire
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I'm a new writer, so I don't have much to share right now. I would like to offer to critique for this quarter with the hopes of having something ready for the next one. I will follow the critique samples posted on the board.
PS-lbdavid98, thanks for giving me this idea for getting started with the hatrack WotF group.
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@JVirgil: No problems, glad to see you on board. I have a great feeling about this forum, now I just need to get back to writing!
Posts: 29 | Registered: Sep 2009
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I just passed the 20,000 word mark on cutting my alien story. Only 3,000 more words to go. The closer I get to the 17,000 maximum, the harder it's getting to cut stuff out.
I have a goal of 100 words a day. Can I make it? Will the story be worth reading when I do?
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Snapper, I'm ready to read whenever you're done. That goes for everyone else too. Not to put pressure on anyone, but if I can get the first round of crits done by the end of this month, it would take a huge amount of pressure of, since I'm going to be working hard all November on my NaNo novel. As usual, I'll be taking some vacation time in November, so will have more time for NaNo, crits, and polishing my story. Think I'll be needing it! (I like how I manage to get more days off in November than days at work.)
I'm going to get my story finished up these next few days, so if you're ready to crit now, let us know.
Here's a ready to crit now list, not to be confused with the participating list:
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Ummm...do you mean have a story to be critiqued or are willing to critique other people's stories?
I still have almost 3000 more words to cut out of my story. But I really need someone unfamiliar with it to read the present version and see if it still makes sense. Perhaps point out some stuff that could be cut without damaging the story.
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What I would like to solicit is one person to read the story as it is at present. I have cut 10,000 words out already and I need to know if the story still makes sense.
Posts: 1580 | Registered: Dec 2005
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arriki, if you're not in an immediate rush to get the story back, I can take a look. I'm working today and Sunday, then I'm at home most of next week. Once I've critted snapper's story, I can take a look at yours if you want to send it over.
Posts: 626 | Registered: Mar 2007
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Thanks, but I finally got a reader for this stage. I'd rather save you guys - if it works out with the other fellow - for when the story is a trim 16,000+ words and merely needs fixing rather than this butchering. Don't worry. It's going to land in your mailbox eventually (I hope).
I do have a backup story I could switch to if this proves too difficult.
Doesn't mean I'm finished though. Grumble, grumble...
Got a good portion of the re-draft finished, but still a bunch to go. I need to get better at this. Still going to push to get it off early though. Gotta get ahead of the game.
Anyone looking to throw their story out to the critique-gators, go for it. No need for an extra list now. We're all committed.
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I just sent out my story. Please let me know if you didn't get it or have trouble opening or reading the file. I'm ready to critique, so feel free to send me your fantastic tales.
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2008
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I am not done with my story yet...my constant stuggle is finishing what I thought was a great concept at the beginning, and losing my focus along the way. As I write I keep thinking of different variations or alternative scenes and start questioning what I have already written.
I hope to finish in another week, but I am open to start critiquing others so feel free to send your story to me as well
I came back to my computer yesterday and started in slicing more words out of this story. I paused to save and BAM! I get this message that I can't and it lists three possible reasons none which can possibly fit! Then it erases not just this version. Oh, no. It erases EVERY X#%@%@ VERSION OF THIS FILE. Fortunately, I have changed the file name a few times. I didn't lose them all - just 1000+ words of cutting this down, ARGH!!!!
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I sent my version to darklight and reworking it because of some comments that I must agree with. I am considering sending it to another anthology that it fits so I amy not be sending it to anyone else (haven't decided yet)
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Is it too late to get in on this group? New to forums but was planning on a 1st guarter WOTF submission. I have a story started but not sure if I will make the critique deadlines in time.
Posts: 710 | Registered: Oct 2009
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One reason why you probably haven't received any entries yet, arriki and Jennifer, is because you haven't placed your name on the ready to crit list.
Just add your name to teh list, Dark Warrior. Pleasure to have you aboard.
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I'm new to the tree house, and I'd love to submit to WotF, but right now I'm focused on completing my novel for November. I'm vaguely familiar with the contest, and I'd love to participate in it for Q02... but if no one minds, I'd like to offer to help with the reading for the group in the interim. I figure participating now will give me a little better idea of what the process and deadlines are like, so I can get into a rhythm of writing and submitting. Plus, I think it'll help me prepare and feel more confident for next quarter.
