Discussion: Q3 Volume 36

Heh. I've got to believe results are close, but I couldn't get a peep out of Joni the other day. Sorry. I know this stretch is the hardest. Hang in there!

I wonder how many people come to this forum but never post anything, myself included. I mostly come just to read everyone's posts for encouragement. That said, good luck everyone.

H-R-H

Heh. I've got to believe results are close, but I couldn't get a peep out of Joni the other day. Sorry. I know this stretch is the hardest. Hang in there!

I checked my email for the q3 results from last year. Joni's sent resaults at 9.40 am on friday 5 October. ... this is nz time, so probabily late on Thursday night for y'all. ... there's something to twitch over.

I checked my email for the q3 results from last year. Joni's sent resaults at 9.40 am on friday 5 October. ... this is nz time, so probabily late on Thursday night for y'all. ... there's something to twitch over.

Dude - you live in New Zealand? Je suis envieux!

I checked my email for the q3 results from last year. Joni's sent resaults at 9.40 am on friday 5 October. ... this is nz time, so probabily late on Thursday night for y'all. ... there's something to twitch over.

Dude - you live in New Zealand? Je suis envieux!

Je connais! Droite?

Y'all are killing me posting in the results only thread. Every time I see it go red I think results are coming out!

You know what I hate about this time in the contest cycle? "No Caller ID" calls that get my pulse racing. In the last few years all my spam calls have been faked numbers, and the "No Caller ID" is Joni, so I got really really excited when the Publishers' Clearinghouse guy called this morning....

Y'all are killing me posting in the results only thread. Every time I see it go red I think results are coming out!

Same here. Severely twitching...

The calls I like the least are ones that say LA. It's like they only happen when we're awaiting results.

You know what I hate about this time in the contest cycle? "No Caller ID" calls that get my pulse racing. In the last few years all my spam calls have been faked numbers, and the "No Caller ID" is Joni, so I got really really excited when the Publishers' Clearinghouse guy called this morning....

I hear you. I've had that happen to me a few times.

The calls I like the least are ones that say LA. It's like they only happen when we're awaiting results.

FYI I've only had Joni call me with an unmasked number one time. The other calls - and remember I've had over a dozen from her now between first calls, second calls, "come be a PF" calls, details to do with the workshop calls - have all been from "Unknown Caller" or "No Caller ID". Just in case that helps other people twitch properly.

The calls I like the least are ones that say LA. It's like they only happen when we're awaiting results.

FYI I've only had Joni call me with an unmasked number one time. The other calls - and remember I've had over a dozen from her now between first calls, second calls, "come be a PF" calls, details to do with the workshop calls - have all been from "Unknown Caller" or "No Caller ID". Just in case that helps other people twitch properly.

This is very helpful. Not because I should realistically be expecting a call from her, but because I get many, many calls a day from unknown callers. So I can at least pretend for a few short seconds before I answer. Beautiful glimmers of hope.

I speculate that finalists and winners will have already received a personal phone call by now. For the rest of us, we're waiting on the email to say if our story was rejected or revived an HM, SHM, SF, or WTFs.

I checked my email for the q3 results from last year. Joni's sent resaults at 9.40 am on friday 5 October. ... this is nz time, so probabily late on Thursday night for y'all. ... there's something to twitch over.

Dude - you live in New Zealand? Je suis envieux!

Je connais! Droite?

I was born and raised in West Virginia (the most wonderful place on earth). Then, I ran away. It wasn’t particularly dramatic given that I was 27 at the time and lived by myself.

I headed for Brazil, but missed by half a hemisphere. Woke in Australia. By the time my visa expired, I couldn’t afford to get home. Given that being deported has never been on my life’s to-do list, I scraped together enough money to get to New Zealand. 15 years later, I still don’t have the money to get home. (Think Gilligan trapped on an island).

New Zealand is a great place. I live here now. But West Virginia is home.

Henckel, your life story sounds sounds like something out of a Ken Follett novel. I've heard some amazing tales but you're like the protagonist in an action-oriented movie directed by JJ Abrams.

There is "LOST'" and then there is "HENCKEL LOST." You should pen an autobiography of your life and it could become a bestseller.

I wonder if you ever get to visit the production set of LORD OF THE RINGS known as Hobbiton with the homes at Bag End, Bilbo, and The Shire??

Best,
Retro

Henckel, your life story sounds sounds like something out of a Ken Follett novel. I've heard some amazing tales but you're like the protagonist in an action-oriented movie directed by JJ Abrams.

There is "LOST'" and then there is "HENCKEL LOST." You should pen an autobiography of your life and it could become a bestseller.

I wonder if you ever get to visit the production set of LORD OF THE RINGS known as Hobbiton with the homes at Bag End, Bilbo, and The Shire??

Best,
Retro

Thanks for your kind words. In truth this has accidentally become my the premise for my MC's inner journey in a novel I've just drafted. More than anything, MC wants to go home to Earth. His desire is driven by two core underlining beliefs: a sense of family and a sense of belonging. At the climax of the story (which is an adventure) MC has to chose between these core beliefs, one of which means he will never return home. ... that's the sappy stuff. But the outter journey is a flat out space western where MC navigates life mysteries in space with all the grace of a country boy. ...

... ok. I'll stop now. ... I'm really passionate about this book.

Thanks for your kind words. In truth this has accidentally become my the premise for my MC's inner journey in a novel I've just drafted. More than anything, MC wants to go home to Earth. His desire is driven by two core underlining beliefs: a sense of family and a sense of belonging. At the climax of the story (which is an adventure) MC has to chose between these core beliefs, one of which means he will never return home. ... that's the sappy stuff. But the outter journey is a flat out space western where MC navigates life mysteries in space with all the grace of a country boy. ...

... ok. I'll stop now. ... I'm really passionate about this book.

I would def read it, my brother.

On a different note...I live in Maryland. Been to WV many times. Truth be told, I think you are better off there given the current state of affairs here in the states. Extremely precarious. I was actually on my way to NZ back in '95 but only managed to come back to MD and get married... and raise five awesome kids. But my heart still wants to be there, has been wanting this since before LOTR was even thought of as a movie.

This one's for JVAshley:
Love, I think you meant to say...Je sais, n'est ce pas?

This one's for JVAshley:
Love, I think you meant to say...Je sais, n'est ce pas?

Your quote is correct. I was trying to be silly and say, "I know! Right?" like the teens around my house say, but using broken French. I amused myself, at least.

My teens assure me that my jokes only amuse me. Their recent conversation in front of me.
Younger to me:
You always laugh at your own jokes. You know they're not funny, right?
The older to the younger about me:
Yeah, but it makes her happy. So, I just let her have it.
Mighty gracious of her.

Henkel,
Do we need to start a Go Fund Me to "Bring Henkel Home?"

New Zealand is near the top of my bucket list for places to visit. If I ever get there I'll look you up Henckel.

All speculation that predicted Thursday results: DISPROVED.

All speculation that predicted Thursday results: DISPROVED.
But every day is Thursday.

If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
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4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback

 

All speculation that predicted Thursday results: DISPROVED.
But every day is Thursday.

Maybe if you live in Asgard, lol.

 

This quarter is the one I'm strapping in to expect my first straight R for. I have so many issues with the opening that I really don't expect the readers to stick with it long enough.

On the up side, prime candidate for an edit or a rewrite...

Ha ha ha. I'm going to start saving to get home for a visit. I got a new job yesterday (woo hoo) and it pays a little better. So, maybe in another 5 years I can go back home to visit. Still, I'd rather go back to live. ..

The working title of the book is Galatic Roads, Take me Home. ...

If I'm completely honest, this was my initial motivation for entering the contest. Because if WOTF could get me to CA, then I'd find my way to WV. ...

I could realistically afford the tickets anytime, but I feel that family come first, thus I spend anything I'd otherwise save on my 2 kids.

Re WV, yes it the poorest state in the US and it certainly has its share of problems. But for all its problems, its my home. It's the place I belong. I may have NZ citizenship now, but I feel like I've lived the last 15 years as a house guest.

Re NZ, yes the landscape is genuinely all that. People are mostly friendly, but the media cast Americana as the biggest bafoons on the planet. That bothers me. An during election time its safer to claim in Canadian.

... that's all true, but I'd feel unfair leaving it at that. Because the truth us that NZ has also been good to me. Its provided me with opportunities I would not have had in WV.

.. these are the sorts things I've put in my book.

Okay I'll stop now. Nothing but happy positivity. Its spring. Who knows, I might mow my lawn.

Question:
How many times can you hit refresh on your email looking for your R notice?

Answer:
ALL the Times!

PS. Henkel, sounds like enough of us want to come to New Zealand that we could probably divvy you up and smuggle you back in parts and pieces in our luggage to be reassembled in the US. It's just a thought.

Advance notice, there are some parts I'll refuse to smuggle. Don't want the customs guy looking at me funny.

Henkel, the idea should make for an interesting novel – A Wizard Of Oz set in space. Dorothy, tired of life in the dust bowl in Depression Kansas, yearns for an escape; has to protect Toto from Emily Gulch on the bicycle, and yearns for somewhere over the rainbow. When she lands on Oz, she wishes nothing more than to go home, but needs to bring The Great Oz the broom of the Wicked Witch. That's the A story. But Dorothy also learns that Kansas has never left her – despite the glamor and glitz of Oz, she misses her family, her aunt and uncle and their farmhands. And no matter how far she goes, there is no place like home, nor will there ever be. That's the B story, the emotional arc Dorothy goes through.

Just one question: Are you determined to set the genre as science fiction, or would it work better as action/adventure? Honestly, I don't know.
You're the writer.

Good luck with this project of yours, whatever you decide.

Best,

Retro

Ha ha ha. We have a solid plan.

Oh yeah, if any of you are coming to NZ for the World Con 2020, it's right here in town. Let me know. Will be great to meet some y'all in person.

Re the book, I've already got full draft. In revision stage now.

Ha ha ha. We have a solid plan.

Oh yeah, if any of you are coming to NZ for the World Con 2020, it's right here in town. Let me know. Will be great to meet some y'all in person.

Re the book, I've already got full draft. In revision stage now.

That would be cool!