Discussion: Q3 Volume 39

I finally finished my story. I had a beginning and an ending, but the middle left me puzzled for weeks. I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't make it happen. Now that it's finished, I'm in the 'change the to a' stage. How do you all shut off the editor and let go?

@sandy If you're confident you've corrected any grammatical or spelling errors, just give it a quick read and only change things that strike you as wrong or awkward. If you read it too closely once you have it substantively there, you're as likely to hurt the work as improve it. 

That's my approach, anyway. Or you can just let the clock dictate to you - your choice! And best of luck!

Posted by: @sandy

I finally finished my story. I had a beginning and an ending, but the middle left me puzzled for weeks. I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't make it happen. Now that it's finished, I'm in the 'change the to a' stage. How do you all shut off the editor and let go?

When I get to a point where I'm telling myself, "You know what would really make this sentence pop? A freaking semi-colon, baby. Right there!"

Or I look at a word and spend ten minutes scouring my thesaurus.

Or I move a word up in the sentence, then back again, then no no no...back up again. No, back!

Then it's time to step away and just push the SUBMIT button.

@sandy when you get to the point you know you're just moving the deck chairs about, it's done. 

I'm in for Q3. Good luck everyone who has entered or is about to. 

I'm in for Q3. May the best story be written by forumites, fingers crossed anyway.

Posted by: @sandy

I finally finished my story. I had a beginning and an ending, but the middle left me puzzled for weeks. I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't make it happen. Now that it's finished, I'm in the 'change the to a' stage. How do you all shut off the editor and let go?

Mostly, I shut off the editor by moving on to the next new writing.

Posted by: @ehonour

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Despite my insistence that I'll wait until the very last minute to submit, I'm now officially IN for Q3!

Ha, Morgan! Got you beat by a day

And now mine is in also. And it occurs to me, Morgan, that we don't really want to create a competition to be last to submit. I can too easily picture waiting until the VERY LAST MINUTE, and then accidentally watching the second hand tick past for a big oops.

I'm in for Q3. Good luck to everyone here on the forums!

& I'm in!

I'm proud of this one! It was one of my first submissions to WotF and earned an R. The story had promise. My abilities at the time just weren't up to snuff. I've learned a lot about the craft since and decided to go back and fix it up. Fingers crossed my efforts did the trick!

Many thanks to @ceciblack & @AliciaCay for their thoughtful critiques. You pushed me to craft a much better story.

Good luck, all!

For those finishing up entries, you can do it. But you might want to get back to work.  

Okay, I'm in for Q3. Phew!

in with almost 2 hours to spare...a new PR!

good luck everyone. 

So, did everyone make it?

I'm in with another last minute submission! Phew. Good luck, everyone!

I made it in around quittin' time EST yesterday.

Onward!  

Phwew. Got my story in just under the wire last night.  It's a rework of my story from Q1 that got the new rejected with comments category. I sped up the pace a little and got the story moving much sooner from the start. I threw in what I hope is a cool hook. Hopefully that does the trick! I need a nap.

Congratulations to everyone who submitted!

Posted by: @jeschleicher

& I'm in!

I'm proud of this one! It was one of my first submissions to WotF and earned an R. The story had promise. My abilities at the time just weren't up to snuff. I've learned a lot about the craft since and decided to go back and fix it up. Fingers crossed my efforts did the trick!

Many thanks to @ceciblack & @AliciaCay for their thoughtful critiques. You pushed me to craft a much better story.

Good luck, all!

@jeschleicher 

You are such a talented writer, John Eric. The absolute best of luck to you! 

~a.

I submitted to Q3 a few days ago, but forgot to check in here  

I just realized I put the word count on my Q3 submission (top right of the first page). Is that a DQ?

@writhmic

My last two SHMs had the word count on. 

@writhmic Standard manuscript format requests word count. Identifying information would be a DQ.

Posted by: @writhmic

I just realized I put the word count on my Q3 submission (top right of the first page). Is that a DQ?

Hello, word count on the manuscript is not a problem, in fact it is good to have this. Good luck with your story!

Ok phew. Thank you!

Now that results from Q2 have been announced, just wanted to get this post back in the spotlight. Hoping to hear results by Thanksgiving!

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Now that results from Q2 have been announced, just wanted to get this post back in the spotlight. Hoping to hear results by Thanksgiving!

Well it is Thursday tomorrow 🤣

Sadly, I don't have high hopes for my Q3.

Bowstring drawn, target Silver.

My Q3 is an odd one for me. I really want it to do well--I think it's one of the better stories I've written and it's very different to most of the rest. But I'm not certain that it's a perfect Contest fit. That being said, it is entirely without any of the big fat no-no details that might get a story disqualified, which is a good thing at least...

I'll just cross my fingers and hope, same as usual. I have a lousy track record at guessing how well any story of mine will perform once it's been entered...

It's a wonder I got anything in for Q3 at all so at least no twitching for me when results are near at hand for this quarter.