Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRETS Workshop & Challenge!

Swift Potato, I wrote a FLASH PROMPT for December for 'Alien Artifact.' From October's entry prompt, 2 for November, and 1 in December, my Flash Prompt Totals are 4/12.

Submitted my Q1 to WOTF late October 2019; the additional FRESH STORY went off to FSF and didn't resonate.

Finished my Q2 submission and waiting for someone I asked read it to become available. Their schedule is hectic.

Best,

Retro

Got you down as well, Retro. Thanks!

Swift- I wrote 2 stories (and a novel!) this quarter. The one not going to WotF has been out to three places. Now that the darn book is done I might do some of the flash challenges but not formally. At least, until I start another novel.

Best of luck coming up to the deadline folks! I’m available for crits if anyone needs eyes.

I am happy to hear everyone is having better results in sales and even in getting personal rejections. The point of Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRET Bonus Challenge is to write fresh, original, professional stories, and this year, to not only focus on sending them to WotF, but to send others to "respectable markets." If you read the Super Secret Becky just quoted, you get a good idea of what "respectable" means in regard to this challenge. If that fails to ring a bell, please review the suggested market list Leah and I composed for you. We want to be encouraging one another to seek publication credits that will help one another's careers. And while it's nice to get personal rejection letters--and they are a sign we are getting closer with an editor just as HMs and above are signs in WotF--please refrain from posting all these items to the Super Secrets.

Here's why. Challenge members have been commenting to me in private that it is getting very hard for them to keep up with the Secrets and Assignments due to excessive chatter, sometimes having little to do with the challenge itself. I have even been asked to take the group private to reduce the excess so challenge members can keep up with what's relevant. I understand the concerns, but I do want the Super Secrets to be accessible to all on the Forum--they are meant to help all that wish to benefit from them. However, this is also a master class, and for those that signed up during the challenge open call, you are in class, and you have asked me to share instruction to help you master your craft. So if you're posting things in here, they should be related to the topics we are discussing, and hopefully they reinforce the good habits and principles that I have been laying out before you. There are plenty of places to discuss sidebars and personal items in other places on the Forum. And if we aren't officially in the challenge, we really do enjoy relevant comments, but please do recognize the thread is now getting overwhelmed with commentary that needs to be reduced so members can focus on fulfilling their challenge commitments and assignments, as well as being able to make encouraging commentary to their teammates without having to worry they are cluttering up the thread.

Thank you for keeping Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRET Bonus Challenge on topic, and for being judicious in extraneous comments and posts. This will actually allow challenge members to be able to find some 17 members' responses to the Assignments, to comment on their insights into the material at hand...and maybe even get a few more comments from their instructor on their responses to the lessons because he won't be as worried about burying the lessons. You might recall I kept this open to join for a month, only called for ten members to do this new challenge, and when seventeen asked to join, I did not restrict the membership. Still, it's a lot to keep up with for many of us, and some are getting overwhelmed. I'm not singling anyone out here, and thanks for helping keep the Secrets on point!

I am really looking forward to seeing your results from Q1! Inside, and outside the challenge! Don't miss your deadline!

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

Thanks for the update, and nicely done, RSchibler! I've got you on the roster.

Happy Monday before Christmas, for those of us who celebrate! Today's Monday prompt is: UNSTOPPABLE FORCE .

Hi Wulf & Co.,

Just finished my Q1 sub 2nd draft and finally got feedback from a published friend of mine that they think it's ready.
Wish me luck.

Now to get on Q2-Q4 and going to read this thread to see what you have going that I can join in on.

Hi Wulf & Co.,

Just finished my Q1 sub 2nd draft and finally got feedback from a published friend of mine that they think it's ready.
Wish me luck.

Now to get on Q2-Q4 and going to read this thread to see what you have going that I can join in on.

Hey Lazarus!

Very smart to get feedback from a published writer. I highly recommend that. It's not the quantity of the feedback, it's the quality, and I'm glad you recognize that. I hope the Super Secrets give you some good pointers--they focus on things I had to learn before I was able to win Writers of the Future. I designed them to shave off years of trial and error figuring out the specific things one must meet in their stories to satisfy the first reader, coordinating judge, and finalist judges. The Super Secrets have helped many to do just that, including our own new winner from this challenge group, Leah (SwiftPotato). May they help you as well.

For additional help, I recommend studying the Kill Your Darlings flash exercise and trying it out. It's a system I developed to improve my writing and have had great success with it. To help on the flash side, we post thoughtful prompts on Mondays.

It was great meeting you at the workshop at WotF Vol. 35, and again at Norwescon when I was doing signings. Tell your wife Echo she created a gorgeous illustration for the Volume 36 cover!

Best of success on your Q1! Cheers!

Wulf Moon

Home Stretch Encouragement,

First, a note to Wulf: A special end of the year thanks for your dedication and support (both public and private). We appreciate everything that you are doing for us in this group. And I wish you and all my fellow Wulf Pack an awesome holiday season, however you and your loved ones celebrate. And may we all have a year filled with tons of writing and success.

As I type this it is only a couple of hours here on the East Coast away from Christmas Eve. For me, that means a little bit more work before I call it a night. And I plan to return the day after Christmas. Part of tonight's task is to find a good market fit for one of my stories . . . still not sure which will be going where. I have rough drafts of a spanking new 7,000-ish draft story and a 4,000-ish draft story. So um. . . yes, down to the wire. Both still need lots of polish.

For those who need a refresher on some of the top markets (Wulf recommended), I found this article: http://www.rocketstackrank.com/2019/01/ ... azine.html

Please compare with Wolf's recommendations before submitting, but the article provides a nice summary of what kinds of stories (with some percentages like how much fantasy versus sci fi each publishes). There are also links to sample stories in case the magazine is new to you. Also, for those who have some stories that are a bit darker, there are notes and percentages on that as well. I know I've seen a couple of comments on folks wondering about some darker materials that might not be as good fits for WoF contest but might find better home elsewhere.

Okay, back to my Writing Cave! Best of luck everyone!! Let's finish this year strong!

I hope the Super Secrets give you some good pointers--they focus on things I had to learn before I was able to win Writers of the Future. I designed them to shave off years of trial and error figuring out the specific things one must meet in their stories to satisfy the first reader, coordinating judge, and finalist judges.

That's what it is all about - paying it forward.

Lazarus

Hey, hey, challenge beasties! See the excellent essay by our own Becky (RSchibbler) that just went up on the Writers of the Future Blog!

Enjoy her special brew! Congratulations, Becky!

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/brew ... he-future/

Way to go Becky. Everyone who reads this thread should take the time to read your essay on the blog. Well done.

That's a fantastic post, Becky! Nice job!

Hey, hey, challenge beasties! See the excellent essay by our own Becky (RSchibbler) that just went up on the Writers of the Future Blog!

Enjoy her special brew! Congratulations, Becky!

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/brew ... he-future/

Wow, Becky. Just wow! Congratulations!

Also, what a great essay! This is the kind of motivation the Wulf Pack needs while wrapping up our 1st Qtr entries and 2nd story for the challenge.

BTW, I wish I had had the foresight to count my own "words written" but I estimate I am probably around the million mark myself. Such a simple concept, but I remember how hard it was at the beginning (and frustrating) so many years ago. This forum is definitely one of the best resources I've encountered.

I’ve been quiet lately, putting every extra second into finishing both stories for the quarter.

Just popping in to say happy holidays to everyone.

Also, great essay Becky!

Well done, Becky!

Read your excellent essay and enjoyed it immensely.

The cauldron photo was attractive, creative and fun. Your words spoke to inner emotion, determination and resilience.

The violin/viola is a tough instrument to learn. Your violin/viola mastery speaks volumes in itself.

Best,

Retro

Finished writing the Flash for UNSTOPPABLE FORCE.

Really fun exercise. Do we share them? Crit them? Or is it just for ourselves?

Finished writing the Flash for UNSTOPPABLE FORCE.

Really fun exercise. Do we share them? Crit them? Or is it just for ourselves?

Glad you enjoyed, Lazarus. If you do the Kill Your Darlings exercise on these, you will end up with a 250 word vignette that should represent the beating heart within your story. Let that beating heart sit for a bit, and next Monday when the prompt rolls around, create another. You will never run out of story ideas if you build your collection of beating hearts to build your krakens with. I've always found these compressed vignettes keep calling to me, demanding I release them from their holds and let them run.

They are just for you. But if you keep training with them, they do teach one how to write to the point, ridding your stories of those darlings that may indeed be beautiful, but clutter up the tale.

All the beast,

Beastmaster Moon P.S.: Nice avatar pic of you, Lazarus! And this following message is to Swift. Would you please post the SUPER SECRETS' TOC? It's time again. Also, if you could point out where Lazarus can see our exercises on KYD in Year 1 and Year 2, I would be very appreciative. This will allow me to focus on getting those Hidden Secrets to those of you that qualifiy! Thank you, SwiftPotato, oh speediest of root vegetables!

Sure thing, Moon.

All pages are for ascending order in the forum. Links will take you directly to the comments explaining each secret.

Moon's SUPER SECRETS copyright 2019 by Wulf Moon.

Moon's SUPER SECRET Bonus Challenge, Vol. 36

BOOK ONE
Moon's SUPER SECRETS: How to Write a Winning Story

SUPER SECRET #0: Proper manuscript format for the win! Improper manuscript format for the lose! - p.8
SUPER SECRET #1: Enter EVERY quarter. - p.2
SUPER SECRET #2: DON'T drive to the story! - p.2
SUPER SECRET #3: Set the hook! - p.2
SUPER SECRET #4: Pick a major emotion and make your reader FEEL it down to their core! - p.2
SUPER SECRET #5: A story is a PROMISE. - p.3
SUPER SECRET #6: Hint in your opening the grand vista of your world. - p.3
SUPER SECRET #7: Private message for challenge members only. - p.3
SUPER SECRET #8: Kill "as you know, Bobs" in your story! - p.3
SUPER SECRET #9: Open your story with your protagonist. - p.3
SUPER SECRET #10: Private message for challenge members only. - p.3
SUPER SECRET #11: Triple check that your name is OFF your manuscript!!! - p.3
SUPER SECRET #12: MAGIC UP FRONT! - p.3
SUPER SECRET #13: DON’T OVEREDIT! - p.4
SUPER SECRET #14: Do not overthink your story! - p.4
SUPER SECRET #15: Open your short story with 1. A CHARACTER, 2. in a SETTING, 3. with a PROBLEM. - p.5
SUPER SECRET #16: Read your story out loud. - p.6
SUPER SECRET #17: Know thy judge! - p.7
SUPER SECRET #18: Start your #%$@#%!& hero’s quest! We’re on the clock! - p.7
SUPER SECRET #19: Mock-up your story! - p.8
SUPER SECRET #20: Employ the 7 Point Plot model. - p.9
SUPER SECRET #21: KISS. - p.10
SUPER-DUPER SECRET #1: Take your reader on a *deep* emotional journey. - p.11
SUPER SECRET #22: THINGS GET WORSE! - p.12 and p.14
SUPER SECRET #23: READ! - p.15
SUPER SECRET #24: Study your judge! - p.15
SUPER SECRET #25: For WotF, DON'T write a story in first person narrative! - p.17
SUPER SECRET #26: Find your wise reader! Preferably, someone with more pro sales than you! - p.18
SUPER SECRET #27: Private message for challenge members only. - p.18
SUPER SECRET #28: YOU MUST WRITE. - p.20
SUPER SECRET #29: Help your subconscious to ENGAGE. - p.21
SUPER SECRET #30: Experience life, don't just read about other people's experiences. - p.22
SUPER SECRET #31: Not too long, not too short. Your story needs to be jusssst right. - p.23
SUPER SECRET #32: Deploy your MAGIC SWORD. - p.30
SUPER SECRET #33: KILL YOUR DARLINGS: The Economy of Words Flash Exercise - p.33 for summary and tip; p.22-28 for exercise and critiques
SUPER SECRET #34: A Climax Goes Big Badda Boom - p.34
SUPER SECRET #35: "Who was that masked man?" - p.36

BOOK TWO
Moon's SUPER SECRETS: How to Get Professionally Published

SUPER SECRET #36: RELEASE THE KRAKEN! - p.47
SUPER SECRET #37: Aim Your Baby Kraken at a Ship it Can Take Down! - p.51
SUPER SECRET #38: Cover letters--how you dress to kill - p.54
SUPER SECRET #39: Protect your voice - p.63

Link to the first KYD exercise (last year's challenge) can be found in the line for super secret #33.

This year's KYD exercise starts on page 37 (ascending order). It's the same exercise, so here is the link to the first exercise submission (from officer). If you continue flipping through the pages you should be able to see everyone else, but if it's difficult to read through, let me know and I'm happy to post the list of links to each person's writing sample. I haven't read through that bit of the thread in a while and can't remember how close together those comments were

Thank you!

Happy holidays, y'all!

Here's my Going Pro assignment:

1. What lesson did David learn about the path to success?
There are many paths to success.

2. What advice--and you might have heard this before somewhere :)--did he give about researching your markets?
No em’ inside and out.

3. How can you apply that advice to the WotF contest?
Read the anthologies along with the works of Kary English and Dave Farland.

4. How did Dave struggle for excellence in his writing? (Please ignore the paper and cologne stuff--that world is gone.)

He strove for excellence in every facet of creation from cradle to success.

5. What advice did he give about seizing opportunities? How does this relate to a change I did in this year's challenge?

Seize em’ before they go away. We’re writing two stories a quarter so we can send one to WOTF and another to other markets.

6. How does our subconscious speak to us? Also, while not in the essay, how can we get our subconscious to speak to us without sleeping?

In dreams. Let the mind explore during activities that do not require our full attention, then be ready to jot down anything cool at a moment’s notice.

7. Why is it good to dream big, but not spend all our time dreaming?

If all you’re doing is dreaming, you’re not doing.

8. When you start making money in writing, according to Dave (and Moon!) what do you want to do with it?

Invest it in your writing.

9. When we write a novel, do we desperately send it to anyone who handed us their card? Just like with our short stories, what do we want to do?

Nope, research, research, research. Make sure the agent is right for you. Make sure the agent is proven, respectable, and legit.

10. How can you target a good agent? In sales, my objective was always to get face to face with the decision-maker, never take no from their gatekeepers. With big agents, face to face is just as important. How can you make that happen? (Again, don't look for this in the essay.)

Attend a con and be ready to make a pitch (not in the bathroom! I’ve heard from agents this actually happens.) Be friendly, kind, and professional. The worse they can say is no, which would be the answer if you hadn’t taken the shot.

11. How can you become a "proven author" so that publishers will take your career and novel seriously?

Win WOTF and get some credits from reputable markets.

12. Why is winning Writers of the Future such an important step in this process if you achieve it?

It’s a stamp of approval from many respected luminaries of spec fic.

13. How else can you make yourself into a "proven author"?

Pro out.

14. Why is it really important to have some noteworthy credits before you pursue an agent or publishing house with your novel?

They know other respected gatekeepers have given your work a nod of approval. Agents and publishers are swamped with novel pitches. Getting credits will bump your work to the top of the slush, then given serious consideration.

15. What writing goals did David set for his first novel? What did he do with each scene?

He wanted it to be deep and powerful and had this in mind with every scene.

16. What does every writer have? Why is it good to have a wise reader?

Blind spots. A wise reader can help spot them.

17. What are readers and publishers always looking for? How should you capitalize on this with your very first novel?

New talent. Make it memorable and unique.

18. True or False. To have a successful writing career, all you need to do is write. Explain.

False. A professional writer is a small business. As such, you need to market your work. This involves attending cons, having an online presence, book tours, press relations, etc…

19. Which of David Farland's "Lessons Learned" hit home for you?

Struggle for excellence & Make time to succeed.

Good morning, Wulf Pack! I hope you're all having a lovely holiday!

This is your reminder: there are FIVE DAYS left in Q1. Get those submissions in! Don't forget to post here that you've done so in order to get rostered!

Additionally, I may have missed some posts that were toward the beginning or middle of the quarter since that was when we had the most activity in this thread. So if I post the roster on January 1 and it doesn't count submissions or extra credit flash pieces that you already posted about, it will be easiest to PM me via the forum (it doesn't seem to actually send me email) and let me know so that we don't flood the thread with book keeping activities.

To be clear: notifications of NEW submissions for the quarter go IN THREAD. OLD submissions that I missed your post on go in PMs.

As always, Moon, let me know if you'd like this handled differently. I'm trying this method in order to try to cut the clutter and double posts, per your earlier comment.

Officially voted for Wulf's magnificent story in the Critters Readers' Poll at 9:48 A.M.

I enjoyed reading it. I meant what I said at the time, and I still do – the best first-person science-fiction short story I've read in decades. Intriguing POV told from a female tween's perspective who has suffered severe physical trauma and copes with the help of her ever-faithful companion, an AI life-supporting canine. Original mind-bending idea, creativity, obstacles and believable bittersweet conclusion. i could see it as a television movie.

Best,

Retro

Officially voted for Wulf's magnificent story in the Critters Readers' Poll at 9:48 A.M.

I enjoyed reading it. I meant what I said at the time, and I still do – the best first-person science-fiction short story I've read in decades. Intriguing POV told from a female tween's perspective who has suffered severe physical trauma and copes with the help of her ever-faithful companion, an AI life-supporting canine. Original mind-bending idea, creativity, obstacles and believable bittersweet conclusion. i could see it as a television movie.

Best,

Retro

First, thanks to Leah--SwiftPotato--for grabbing the bull by the horns and keeping the thread organized and uncluttered! Couldn't do it without you, Swift!

Second, WHAT SHE SAID. FIVE DAYS TO CHANGE YOUR DESTINY! Always view it like that, but especially this quarter. There are fewer entries Q1 because of the holidays, and because I believe people that like to rework a single story to perfection usually spend the entire year doing so, and don't submit until Q4. You've got your best chance right here against the competition. Don't miss the deadline. Be true to your blood oath. And that means I want to hear you sent out your spare to a respectable market as well this quarter! Bah, ram, ewe! To Moon's SUPER SECRET Challenge be true!

Third, thanks for the vote, Retro! Dixie and Moonie appreciate the love! I wish you guys were in SFWA as well--"Super-Duper Moongirl..." has six recommends on the Nebula Recommended Reading List, and the top contenders have twelve. The list helps you get exposure, but you have to have at least one pro sale to join SFWA. When you do, you can vote on the Nebula Awards, you actually get to nominate and change the history of science fiction and fantasy. Another reason to work on those pro sales!

In the meantime, since Retro brought it up, the Critters Readers' Choice Awards are just that--awards by all readers of speculative fiction for the best stories published in 2019. All you have to do is vote for your fave, respond to their email to make sure you're not a bot (check your spam--if you don't respond your vote will not count), and in about twenty days the winners are announced. Two thousand readers voted last year from around the world, so it's a nice honor. If you feel as Retro does about my Moongirl story (thanks, Retro, you're the best!), it could use the love, and so could I, it's in the biggest category. So below are the instructions to cast a vote if you loved "Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler."

Here's the link. Scroll down a bit to see the voting box--"Moongirl..." is listed if that's your choice. After you vote, they send you an email to confirm. Please check your junk email file if you don't see it. It won't register your vote if you don't click on the reply code. Thanks for casting your votes for the year's best, you have lots of wonderful choices, challenge beasties and Forumites!

http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstorysf.shtml

Also, if you wish to vote for your favorite 2019 published authors, here's that link: http://critters.org/predpoll/author.shtml

UPDATE: I just clicked on the comment box next to my ballot at Critters on Moongirl. Normally, you don't get any comments, people just vote. It's been less than 24 hours and I've got a STACK of heartwarming comments!!! Thanks to all--I'm sure many of those were from you guys! Each one feels like a present. THANK YOU!

I voted for your story this morning Wulf. We all hope you win the prize, you deserve it for writing an excellent story.
The exercises we've been doing have me sitting with two fresh stories to choose from earlier than I've ever had one.
It's a done deal. The super secret email is spot on. Thanks for the help.

I voted for your story this morning Wulf. We all hope you win the prize, you deserve it for writing an excellent story.
The exercises we've been doing have me sitting with two fresh stories to choose from earlier than I've ever had one.
It's a done deal. The super secret email is spot on. Thanks for the help.

Thank you, Storysinger. I am happy Moon's SUPER SECRETS have been helping all of you. It's why I designed them, why I set up this challenge.

May all of you see your writing improve with each fresh, original story. As your writing hits professional level, you're going to see the ultimate results. Even now you can see the short term results. You wrote more words, you created more fresh stories, and you have more stories to choose from, both to attempt to win this contest, and to send out to other respectable markets.

Fortune favor the brave...and the diligent!

All the beast!

Beastmaster Moon

Status update for Leah:

My v37 Q1 entry is submitted! (A huge thank you to Becky for her very helpful feedback!)

I have part of a second story written that I hope to finish up and submit to another market... I'm not sure I'll finish it before the end of the month but I'm going to try! I haven't hit the bonus flash challenge yet but if I somehow manage to finish up the second story by the deadline, I'll give one of the flash prompts a whirl, too. I'm doing all I can! But the contest entry was my priority. I'm so happy to have my story in!

Nice job, CCrawford! Thanks for the update. Your baby kraken takes priority. For now, I put down on the roster that you have a baby exemption, but if you do happen to finish your second story, you know where to find me.

Status update for Leah:

My v37 Q1 entry is submitted! (A huge thank you to Becky for her very helpful feedback!)

I have part of a second story written that I hope to finish up and submit to another market... I'm not sure I'll finish it before the end of the month but I'm going to try! I haven't hit the bonus flash challenge yet but if I somehow manage to finish up the second story by the deadline, I'll give one of the flash prompts a whirl, too. I'm doing all I can! But the contest entry was my priority. I'm so happy to have my story in!

Crystal, you told me at the start the baby might throw a monkey wrench in your plans, but you still wanted to participate to the best of your ability. No worries, you have done your best! Glad you got your Q1 in--that is your priority, and by the way, rumor has it you wrote a good one!

Best of success with your Q1! And with your real baby kraken!

For everyone else...get kraken! December 31st is almost here!

Beastmaster Moon

My v37 Q1 is also in
Having thought on it for a while, my second story for the quarter will require some re-work before I send it out.

Good luck to everyone for Q1 and Happy New Year!