Discussion: Q1 Volume 39

All of this has sucked the energy out of my Q2 like some kind of evil vampiric leech. I think because David was part of what I was aiming for--to earn a chance to meet him and learn from him in this setting--it's kind of like I've gone from shooting at a target, to feeling like I'm firing arrows into the dark. Not that I don't want to hit the target any more, but...it's a different target. I just don't feel so emotionally invested in it any more.

But I still want to write. So I'm throwing my effort at other pieces, mostly more throw-away ideas, or exercises. I've picked up a couple of Wulf's KYD exercises (listed out a couple of dozen of the prompts, then picked from them by rolling a pair of dice with ducks in)--one I did full KYD, the other one ended up giving me an idea for a story that I've just drafted out to completion for now. I'll roll dice and pick another one soon.

But I want to get back to that Q2 soon as well, before it sits long enough to turn stagnant on me. It just feels...well, with all this, it feels like it already went stagnant, like milk going sour overnight.

I didn't know him, save through his lessons--and even so, it's a miserable feeling.

(And I didn't even post this in the right thread, in the end. Sigh.)

@doctorjest I feel for you, Dr Jest. We all had our connections to Dave in various ways. Losing Dave has left a big hole in our hearts. But he’d want you to keep writing. So when you do, you’re remembering him. Take care.

And I’m glad the KYD prompts are giving you ideas to work with. 

Posted by: @wulfmoon

And I’m glad the KYD prompts are giving you ideas to work with. 

They have! I took a couple of rapid swings with the first stories, but they felt rewarding. For the third prompt I rolled, though, I'm drawing a blank at the moment--I'm going to have to let it ferment and see what strikes me. I often have more interesting ideas when I'm dozing, either getting tired or just waking up, when my mind doesn't seem quite so stuck to the familiar rails. Hopefully something interesting will come to me then.

I know things are probably all over the place at the moment but has anything been said about q1 certificates?  Or has mine been lost in the post?

@wulfmoon

@pdblake,

Joni sent me an email on Dec. 26 to apologize for the lateness of the certs. She advised to give it a month and the certs should be out the door. However, that was pre-passing.

There are still a great many crushed hearts trying to heal. I think patience is a must at this time, as we bow our heads in a long moment of silence for our fallen leader.

I'll ping her again in a couple of weeks as a reminder if they haven't been sent out by that time.

Peace, my fellow writer!

Your friend,

Dragonchef

Ammendment: Sorry @pdblake, that was for Q4 (I didn't think of the date) as we still haven't received certs for that quarter either. That being said, perhaps February we should get them for both quarters.   Not to mention that they'll still need to find a new coordinating judge to sign them.

I just spoke with Joni a few days ago. She’s been busy with completing the WotF expenses to turn in for 2021. That takes priority, and she also had David Wolverton’s funeral to attend in Utah. Messaging her won’t speed up getting your certificates, it just gives her hundreds more emails to respond to. Please be patient, which allows Joni to take care of priorities. They have a lot on their plate right now. Thank you.

To follow up on this, I got my Q3 and Q4 certificates today, and added them to my Folder of Certs. So they have at least begun their journey outward, and I imagine other folks will start to receive them soon, if they have not already.

Posted by: @doctorjest

To follow up on this, I got my Q3 and Q4 certificates today, and added them to my Folder of Certs. So they have at least begun their journey outward, and I imagine other folks will start to receive them soon, if they have not already.

Great...now I get to start checking the mail every day and worrying about mine getting lost...

@doctorjest Thank you for the status update.  This is my first HM and I'm hanging it on the wall for motivation.  

Posted by: @toddjones

@doctorjest Thank you for the status update.  This is my first HM and I'm hanging on the wall to motivate me.  

Exactly what I did with my faves from each era of the Contest. They give you validation you can do this. Cheers!

Posted by: @doctorjest

All of this has sucked the energy out of my Q2 like some kind of evil vampiric leech. I think because David was part of what I was aiming for--to earn a chance to meet him and learn from him in this setting--it's kind of like I've gone from shooting at a target, to feeling like I'm firing arrows into the dark. Not that I don't want to hit the target any more, but...it's a different target. I just don't feel so emotionally invested in it any more.

But I still want to write. So I'm throwing my effort at other pieces, mostly more throw-away ideas, or exercises. I've picked up a couple of Wulf's KYD exercises (listed out a couple of dozen of the prompts, then picked from them by rolling a pair of dice with ducks in)--one I did full KYD, the other one ended up giving me an idea for a story that I've just drafted out to completion for now. I'll roll dice and pick another one soon.

But I want to get back to that Q2 soon as well, before it sits long enough to turn stagnant on me. It just feels...well, with all this, it feels like it already went stagnant, like milk going sour overnight.

I didn't know him, save through his lessons--and even so, it's a miserable feeling.

(And I didn't even post this in the right thread, in the end. Sigh.)

Hey, @doctorjest. Reading your post felt eerily like someone reading my own thoughts/emotions to me. It's been a couple weeks since your post, so I hope things are on the up, and your Q2 story is progressing along well. You got this. We all got this. I don't want to say, 'do it for Dave', but I'm certain he'd be heartbroken if even one of us stopped writing because of his passing.

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Posted by: @doctorjest

To follow up on this, I got my Q3 and Q4 certificates today, and added them to my Folder of Certs. So they have at least begun their journey outward, and I imagine other folks will start to receive them soon, if they have not already.

Great...now I get to start checking the mail every day and worrying about mine getting lost...

 

What? You haven't been doing that since January 1st! My mailman likely suspects that I'm part dog by the way I watch for him each day.

@ease 

Ha ha! No. Got an email from Joni saying they’d be late and not to expect it for several more weeks. It’s all good. 

@doctorjest I got mine as well and added them to the folder. I’m sure everyone else’s are in transit or will be soon. I’m over here in sunny California so the envelope didn’t have far to travel.

Posted by: @ease

Hey, @doctorjest. Reading your post felt eerily like someone reading my own thoughts/emotions to me. It's been a couple weeks since your post, so I hope things are on the up, and your Q2 story is progressing along well. You got this. We all got this. I don't want to say, 'do it for Dave', but I'm certain he'd be heartbroken if even one of us stopped writing because of his passing.

My writing did settle back down again--I have a Q2 draft zero finished, and an alternate currently at about 90% draft zero-point-five complete. I'm fairly sure that the first one is the one I'll be entering, but I really love the second one too. Both need many, many edits... 

I haven't got mine, but I know it will get here soon. No worry, be happy, and most of all, write on!

Mine came today in the mail today. Whoop whoop. Getting at least one framed to hang on wall.

Posted by: @craydimensional

Mine came today in the mail today. Whoop whoop. Getting at least one framed to hang on wall.

Those are precious, and extra special because they have Dave’s signature on them. Hang it on your wall with pride. Cheers!

My certificate came in yesterday. I guess it's appropriate that it came on Thursday.

Nothing here yet but I'm on the other side of the pond  

Still nothing so far here in Ohio...

My first HM certificate came in the mail today (Michigan).  Already hung on the wall.

SHM here we come...

Posted by: @toddjones

SHM here we come...

Congrats on the wall hanger Todd. SHM is a worthy goal, good luck.

Mine arrived today.

Got mine yesterday. - While great to have, I sure miss the blue ones though.

Posted by: @dragonchef

Got mine yesterday. - While great to have, I sure miss the blue ones though.

Yeah did Wotf run out of ink or something? 

@pdblake - Less expensive, I'm sure. The number of HMs and SHMs seems to have tripled or more. The cost of blue certificates would be astronomical.

They could do them in outline and provide some crayons 😊 

@pdblake  

Posted by: @dragonchef

Got mine yesterday. - While great to have, I sure miss the blue ones though.

I agree. The ones from AJ’s day when the contest was smaller are blue with stars, and had actual hand painted gold calligraphy. No way they could do such labor intensive work now. But the white look great in black frames. Cray Dimensional, can you please post yours? You did a lovely job of framing your first HM. And congratulations again! They don’t give those out lightly; we just make it look easy here!😁

The thing I studied the most was the last sig from Dave. A melancholy moment for sure.

I do like the blue ones better though. The colors really pop.