Discussion: Q3 Volume 36

It's not so much a trajectory as a spatter pattern, if we're being honest.

Love that peony!

Glad to amuse.

Nothing like waiting until the last day. But I'm in. Best of luck to everyone!

Final hours of the Q. Good luck everyone.

Just wanted to say to anyone who’s on the fence with whether or not they should be writing or entering the contest because they doubt their abilities or chances to win, well I’m doing it brain damaged and all, and if I’m doing it (and others who are probably worse off than me) then you can too.

My Q3 is in and my Q4 is written and I’m 16k into a book. Writing is it’s own reward since there was a time when I didn’t know what day it was and couldn’t remember what had happened the day before. I guess that’s one of the reasons it took me a year and half to write this year’s Q3.

When you’re in a place where you can’t remember your own phone number or people’s names, rejection slips don’t seem such a bad thing.

And I'm in. It's been so long since I've submitted a story, I've forgotten how good it feels to finish something and get it out in the world.

For those still working on your submissions, there's still time, muse permitting.

I'm loving every minute of it. I'm in and the story is subbed. Good luck everyone.

Nothing like waiting until the last day. But I'm in. Best of luck to everyone!

Been doing that too much.

But I do not know how close we have come to it but maybe this quarter maybe this forum will make a run of it. Enough of you guys are good enough writers. Then again some of the group here when I joined, have already been winners just not all at once.

Just wanted to say to anyone who’s on the fence with whether or not they should be writing or entering the contest because they doubt their abilities or chances to win, well I’m doing it brain damaged and all, and if I’m doing it (and others who are probably worse off than me) then you can too.

When you’re in a place where you can’t remember your own phone number or people’s names, rejection slips don’t seem such a bad thing.

Wow, Corbin. You are a living symbol of encouragement. And productivity, too! Thank you for sending out such great motivation to everyone.

Good luck to you! WOTF2019!!!

--Tracy

Just wanted to say to anyone who’s on the fence with whether or not they should be writing or entering the contest because they doubt their abilities or chances to win, well I’m doing it brain damaged and all, and if I’m doing it (and others who are probably worse off than me) then you can too.

When you’re in a place where you can’t remember your own phone number or people’s names, rejection slips don’t seem such a bad thing.

Wow, Corbin. You are a living symbol of encouragement. And productivity, too! Thank you for sending out such great motivation to everyone.

Good luck to you! WOTF2019!!!

--Tracy

I say good luck to everyone!!

Don’t get too discouraged over a rejection. Consider each paragraph a victory in life. Whether or not you are published, if you’re writing, then you’re living your dream of being a writer.

And since I still am forgetting to come here what podcast?

Search in iTunes or the app you listen to podcasts on for Writers of the Future podcast. They're up to around 10 episodes, but I've found even the illustration episodes inspiring. There's something about seeing all that joy on parade that's extremely exciting.

Episode one with Joni Labaqui is a MUST! Soooo inspirational as is the Topanga Canyon episode. Those two are on repeat for me.

WOW, Corbin!!!
What an amazing recovery!
I wish you continued health and spare writing time.

I am 16K into a rewrite of a book as well, but only have an outline for Q4. I will try to follow your lead and catch up. 

WOW, Corbin!!!
What an amazing recovery!
I wish you continued health and spare writing time.

I am 16K into a rewrite of a book as well, but only have an outline for Q4. I will try to follow your lead and catch up. 

Thank you JV and others for your kind words and support. I'm still in the recovery process, still waiting for the govt to provide the brain therapy that my doctor ordered for me. I would like to say that in comparison to scraping down the freeway on the side of a Ford Explorer at 70 mph (while watching the sparks fly by you like small meteorites and trying to keep your head off the freeway cement only inches away), a rejection slip is nothing. I know it stings, but not so much as an airbag hitting you at the speed of light in the side of the head.

So keep this in mind as the results of Q3 are being sent out. I know I have to. I received two rejection slips in June, and I can almost guarantee a third from WOTF this quarter. It seems my writing style and stories are not what the SF&F venues are looking to publish. But that's okay. I like to write the way I want because the writing is the reward. Still being able to remember the mechanics and the grammar and most of what I've read, seeing as how I could've been killed or seriously maimed, is my trophy. 

Once again, good luck to all. Keep writing, reading, and studying. It takes a lot of courage to write something and send it out for someone's approval or disapproval.

I'm in for Q3!

Good luck everyone 

Today I received confirmation from Joni that I'm officially entered. Now the waiting begins.

On to finishing my story for Q4. I don't plan on missing a quarter until I win or pro out of this thing.

I started my Q4 today. I've had this idea bouncing around my brain for a few weeks now.... I only had my lunch break to write, but managed about 800 words... Just trying to get the voice. A bit difficult. A little frustrating. And completely fun. Woo hoo!

I started my Q4 today. I've had this idea bouncing around my brain for a few weeks now.... I only had my lunch break to write, but managed about 800 words... Just trying to get the voice. A bit difficult. A little frustrating. And completely fun. Woo hoo!

800 is pretty good.

I'm in for Q3!

Good luck everyone

Yay, Alicia! Tim Powers said you can do this, and here you are. Next year, I hope I'll be sitting at YOUR table. Or Brittany's. Or Becky's. Or Kates. Or, or, or...

I have a lot of friends here. That's because...

WINNERS HAPPEN HERE!

Congrats to all that entered! Now go take your cure for twitching. That's right. Go write your Q4.

All the beast,

Moon

800 is pretty good.

Thanks Corbin!

Dave's email for today has a list of things that prompt him to reject a story. My Q3 is on that list.
He does state that if the idea is well written it might still have a chance.

Dave's email for today has a list of things that prompt him to reject a story. My Q3 is on that list.
He does state that if the idea is well written it might still have a chance.

My most recent 2 weren't there, but glory above if a good swath of my other stories weren't. Tarnation. Ah well, I'll just have to make sure my Q4 is none of those. Or, as Clarkesworld always cautions against, maybe I'll do one with ALL of them!

I started my Q4 today. I've had this idea bouncing around my brain for a few weeks now.... I only had my lunch break to write, but managed about 800 words... Just trying to get the voice. A bit difficult. A little frustrating. And completely fun. Woo hoo!

800 on a lunchtime - wow! It's rare I manage 800 in a week.

Reading Dave's reasons for rejection always bothers me. If I'm not careful I end up looking for an excuse to self reject.

I received two rejection slips in June, and I can almost guarantee a third from WOTF this quarter. It seems my writing style and stories are not what the SF&F venues are looking to publish. But that's okay. I like to write the way I want because the writing is the reward.

I got three the last couple of weeks. Yet, it defin is soul-crushing. Don't swing a cat around here or you'll hit four writers that went through the same thing.

I received two rejection slips in June, and I can almost guarantee a third from WOTF this quarter. It seems my writing style and stories are not what the SF&F venues are looking to publish. But that's okay. I like to write the way I want because the writing is the reward.

I got three the last couple of weeks. Yet, it defin is soul-crushing. Don't swing a cat around here or you'll hit four writers that went through the same thing.

You have to put things in perspective. Think back to the time when you first set story words to paper and how much that meant to you and then finishing it and the value of that.

If you put your soul into your writing, and you know that you’ve done you’re best, then the rejection slip shouldn’t matter. Don’t let a rejection slip crush you. Let the writing enhance your soul, make it one of the reasons you live. Write because it makes you happy regardless of editors and the chance of getting published.

If you put your soul into your writing, and you know that you’ve done you’re best, then the rejection slip shouldn’t matter. Don’t let a rejection slip crush you. Let the writing enhance your soul, make it one of the reasons you live. Write because it makes you happy regardless of editors and the chance of getting published.

I aim for 100 rejections a year - because publishing is a dream of mine and a goal I am working hard towards. Last year I ended up with 95, I think. Maybe 5 of those upset me. The more you get, the more perspective you get on them. Stephen King used to stick them on a nail, other writers have different approaches. Rejection is part of the process, but it is a small part. Write for you! Rejections can sting, especially when I get a personal that says "you were close" or I made it to the editor's desk out of the slushpile. But that's not why I'm writing. I write because I love stories.

Well said, Corbin.

I started my Q4 today. I've had this idea bouncing around my brain for a few weeks now.... I only had my lunch break to write, but managed about 800 words... Just trying to get the voice. A bit difficult. A little frustrating. And completely fun. Woo hoo!

800 on a lunchtime - wow! It's rare I manage 800 in a week.

Reading Dave's reasons for rejection always bothers me. If I'm not careful I end up looking for an excuse to self reject.

1,700 yesterday. Sometimes I get as much as 2,000. But it takes hours and wears me out. It sure feels good though.

I suggest you stop reading reasons for rejection and long lists of rules. It’s going to suck all the fun out of writing. There’s some really good writing books out there. Buy them, read them, put them away, and then start reading everything you believe to be great writing.

Just sit down and give it your best paragraph.

I'm in for Q3! Finished the first draft for my Q4 story last week. Q2 still pending. If I submit Q4 this week I'll have 3 stories pending at the same time. First time for everything I guess.

I started my Q4 today. I've had this idea bouncing around my brain for a few weeks now.... I only had my lunch break to write, but managed about 800 words... Just trying to get the voice. A bit difficult. A little frustrating. And completely fun. Woo hoo!

800 on a lunchtime - wow! It's rare I manage 800 in a week.

Reading Dave's reasons for rejection always bothers me. If I'm not careful I end up looking for an excuse to self reject.

1,700 yesterday. Sometimes I get as much as 2,000. But it takes hours and wears me out. It sure feels good though.

I suggest you stop reading reasons for rejection and long lists of rules. It’s going to suck all the fun out of writing. There’s some really good writing books out there. Buy them, read them, put them away, and then start reading everything you believe to be great writing.

Just sit down and give it your best paragraph.

I've got loads of books on writing. Re-reading a couple this week. Also just finished Sawyer's Wake, reading the 2nd in the Dune series and picked up a Sanderson today. Reading's a lot easier than writing!

Rejection is the nature of the beast if you desire to be professionally published. And it will go on being the nature of the beast, even if you become the 800 pound gorilla. At each professional venue, your story is battling for the attention of the editor against other good stories, and the best of those stories have most likely been written by seasoned pros. Some of those pro writers have been writing for decades, they are very good at what they do, and they have won the major awards to prove it. It is tough competition, just like it is in here, but at least you're not competing against Hugo and Nebula and World Fantasy winners in here. You have a fighting chance here if you work hard and work smart.

Hubbard knew how tough it was out there. That's why he made this contest. For YOU.

Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep sending. Keep believing.

Every pro out there started from zero and worked their way up.

You can too.

Congratulations to all that wrote a story for Q3 and made their writing deadline. May the Force be with you, but may you force yourself to keep pushing your boundaries. Q4 awaits you, and someone out there is pushing their hardest, just like you.

Push harder. : )

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Don't you hate it when, in the days following your submission, you think of several improvements to you story?

I almost hope it gets rejected so I can fix it.

Remember, there was a time when even Stephen King couldn't write his way out of a wet paper bag. But through the grace of cocain and looming poverty, he persevered.

... Yeah, that didn't come off as encouraging as I'd intended....