Discussion: Q3 Volume 39

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Posted by: @axeminister

Beloq? Isn't that the elvish word for friend?

Anyway, I was on board with what you said until I realized, while true Indy secures the items - I imagine they would have eventually been secured without him. So the timeline changes, but not the outcome. (?)

Maybe…? But Indy and Marion had the headpiece. And without the headpiece, the nazis never would have found the correct location for the ark, at least until Dark Helmet ordered them to comb the desert.

It's not just had the headpiece, either. Without Indy, I don't think they can find it. It's not listed for sale, it's not widely known, it's not on display or offered up for anyone, and it's not like they've put up flyers saying "wanted, ancient headpiece" showing what they're looking for--so without Indy, the headpiece and the Nazis never come together. The area they're excavating is huge, so without it, the time they'd need to find it by just digging up absolutely everything is correspondingly long--and set against the backdrop of WWII, they don't have unlimited time. "Eventually" becomes "never" if they take too long.

And if the Nazis ever did track it down--though I can't see how they would--Marion's story would likely have a much more grim ending if Indy isn't around to save her from Evil Nazi in Glasses. Not the core story, but definitely one of the stories. 

There's also the finale. Assuming that they did manage to do everything, without Indy on the scene, the conclusion is the Ark, surrounded by dead Nazis, sitting in the open in the middle of nowhere, waiting for someone else to stumble across it, rather than it being retrieved, boxed, and stored in the depths of some USA vault, effectively "reburied". That is just a detail at the end, but I think it's significant in the story's shape.

Great discussion. You've given a lot of fodder for me to think over on regarding agency and try/fails. 

Posted by: @doctorjest

It's not just had the headpiece, either. Without Indy, I don't think they can find it.

Of course, there's also the fact that Harrison Ford as an actor does a very good job of being the "one done to." He reacts so believably that it's fun to watch him try to work his way out of nasty situations. 

So perhaps, for writing, does that mean there is merit in writing a lack of agency if the character can be interesting in that situation?

Posted by: @ehonour

So perhaps, for writing, does that mean there is merit in writing a lack of agency if the character can be interesting in that situation?

I think Brandon Sanderson once said in an episode of Writing Excuses, “When in doubt, err on the side of what’s awesome.”

Posted by: @ehonour

So perhaps, for writing, does that mean there is merit in writing a lack of agency if the character can be interesting in that situation?

To describe the character of Indiana Jones as one "lacking agency" would seem... off the mark. Is he dragged by a truck? He threw himself under it!
I don't guess "agency" means "success" or stories would be a lot shorter than they are.

Indy's is a try, fail, try, fail, try, fail, TRY, FAIL tale.... Even finally getting to the coveted Ark is a barely survivable moment —and it all goes to Warehouse 13 in the end...

Posted by: @angelslayah

To describe the character of Indiana Jones as one "lacking agency" would seem... off the mark. Is he dragged by a truck? He threw himself under it!
I don't guess "agency" means "success" or stories would be a lot shorter than they are.

Indy's is a try, fail, try, fail, try, fail, TRY, FAIL tale.... Even finally getting to the coveted Ark is a barely survivable moment —and it all goes to Warehouse 13 in the end...

Interesting insight, and I agree.

On the other hand, Indy is almost completely forced by events. He does indeed try/fail repeatedly, because the external events force him to. 

But on the OTHER other hand, Ben Bova's wisdom is to keep throwing external events at your protagonist until it appears he/she will never get out from under.

Anyone know when Q3 results normally come out? Is it still too early?

Based on the last few quarters, I would guess second week of November. I think it's definitely still too early. I'm counting on being able to submit my Q1 for next year before the Q3 results come in. Then I will have 3 in the hopper at once.   

The dates I have for recent quarters are: October 4, September 27, October 6 and December 2. Quarter 4 results usually come out in November because they have to get started working on the book.

It is anyone's guess when results will come out this year.

As much as I'd love to know how my Q3 story fared, I won't be expecting results until around November, yeah.
If they come sooner, it will be a nice surprise.

And to date, I don't think I've ever had three stories in at once. Came close. Maybe this time 

Hey, all!

Quick update on Q3.  I'm finished my side a few weeks ago, Jody has finished with the Hold pile, and now she's working on sifting the possible finalist pile for those final 8 stories. I don't know precisely how long it will take her or when results will come yet, but we should probably have finalists by the end of the month. Probably (tm)!

I've already started on Q4 and I'm several hundred in.

Quick note about a trend I'm seeing. Please don't use racial or ethnic slurs in your stories. We won't print the n-word, full stop. It doesn't matter if the Big Bad says it, or if a bully says it, or if it's historically accurate in your setting, or if peace and tolerance triumph in the end. Ditto for other strong racial / ethnic slurs. Find some other way to show that your villain is a villain.

Cheers!

Kary

@karyenglish Thanks for the update, and this good counsel to our writers, Kary!

Best of success to all of you! Another round begins!

@karyenglish You hand out Twitches like candy on Halloween!

Not a complaint. Twitching over incoming results is my favorite part. It's more than half the reason I submit. Call me a glutton for punishment. I can take it. I'm snug under here in my pillow fort with my coco.
   
Bring on the judgement!

@karyenglish . Thanks for the update.

[sees the tent over there]

[a line of food and beverage delivery trucks are heading towards it]

[no, too early to go in]

[still have a lot of work to do on my Q4 story]

[best get back to it]

Thanks for the update Kary. I will have no problem following your advice. 

Geez, I'll have to stop using the word nitwit in my stories...

In all seriousness though, that it is actually a trend is a little unsettling.

@physa We can't go in until we turn in Q4?  

<sets down coco>
<crawls back out>

Be back soon...I hope 

You’re the best, Kary. Thanks for keeping us informed. 

Posted by: @doctorjest

that it is actually a trend is a little unsettling

Are you referring to the trend of others using the inappropriate 'n' word, or you using the 'nitwit' word?

Just curious, Jest. 

Thank you, Kary. You're updates are really helpful (even ball park figures).

You're advice is also appreciated.

Many thanks!

Posted by: @scott_m_sands

Posted by: @doctorjest

that it is actually a trend is a little unsettling

Are you referring to the trend of others using the inappropriate 'n' word, or you using the 'nitwit' word?

Just curious, Jest. 

Really, the N word I use the most is probably nucklehead.

(...waitaminnit...)

Posted by: @doctorjest

Really, the N word I use the most is probably nucklehead.

(...waitaminnit...)

Doc, clean up your language.
There are children here!
Geeze, Louise!

@karyenglish Thanks Kary for the update and words of advice around racial and ethnic slurs.

Just got my rejection! So I think things are moving.

Posted by: @wahlquistj

Just got my rejection! So I think things are moving.

What? So sorry to hear @walhquistj about your rejection. Maybe it's a mistake? 

[enters tent]

[grabs a hot chocolate]

[it spills all over my shirt, great--just great]

[I'm still working on my Q4]

[wonders at all the people I see and hear]

[lots of overlapping conversations]

[did the finalists calls go out already?]

[ ]

[Just in case, good luck to all!]

Posted by: @physa

Posted by: @wahlquistj

Just got my rejection! So I think things are moving.

What? So sorry to hear @walhquistj about your rejection. Maybe it's a mistake? 

[enters tent]

[grabs a hot chocolate]

[it spills all over my shirt, great--just great]

[I'm still working on my Q4]

[wonders at all the people I see and hear]

[lots of overlapping conversations]

[did the finalists calls go out already?]

[ ]

[Just in case, good luck to all!]

Update... wahlquistj is right. Watch out everyone... incoming!

[ ]

Fifth in a row. Wish I could work out how to add a splash of silver to that sign!

Congrats @physa, and commiserations @wahlquistj. Better luck for all of us next quarter! 😁

My second in a row! And my second ever. Something is happening...could a semi be on the horizon? Fingers crossed for Q4!

HM