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Local Authors => Reading Excuses => Topic started by: ryos on April 27, 2009, 07:13:12 AM

Title: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on April 27, 2009, 07:13:12 AM
I find that sharing my progress on a project helps motivate me to work on it, so I'm making this thread as a place for any who desire to report on their progress. I also want to be able to keep up with how we, as a writing group, are doing on submitting and *gasp* selling stories, and hope others will join me in reporting that, too.

I have no idea if this will catch on, but it seems like a good idea at the moment.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on April 27, 2009, 07:19:21 AM
Today, I made some edits to Sea of Sand. Working on the ending now. Man, it really is full of suck. I had no idea while I was writing it just how awful it really is. You guys were too kind with your critiques.

I vow to never again write at 5 AM, self-imposed deadline or no.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 27, 2009, 08:26:37 AM
I actually think a thread like this is a really good idea. But, should it be upstairs at the Writing Group forum? Yays and nays, anyone?

Anyway. I'm doing pretty poorly so far for today. Only about 800 words on my novel so far. I blame work.

Going to go write until I pass out from exhaustion now. And hopefully actually get something done this time.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on April 27, 2009, 08:31:59 AM
In my wholesome opinion, this topic should stay in Reading Excuses, as it pertains specifically to this writing group, not TWG in general.

I am midway through Fateless's rewrite. It may be a bit late (late monday, early tuesday) because of my slowness in writing. And a horde of Japanese and physics homework waiting for me tomorrow, which I have completely ignored up until now.

Ideally, if this draft is good, I may do another, less extensive draft. The eventual goal is to send this to Writers of the Future.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Reaves on April 27, 2009, 12:26:11 PM
In my wholesome opinion, this topic should stay in Reading Excuses, as it pertains specifically to this writing group, not TWG in general.
Agreed.
It may be a bit late (late monday, early tuesday) because of my slowness in writing. And a horde of Japanese and physics homework waiting for me tomorrow, which I have completely ignored up until now.
Good, good! We need more like you!
Ideally, if this draft is good, I may do another, less extensive draft. The eventual goal is to send this to Writers of the Future.
absolutely go for it. Let us know what happens, of course!



I had been stuck for a week or two on where to go next for Crystalheart. I knew what needed to happen, I just wasn't sure how to get from point A to point B. Now I know what to do, I just don't know how to make it work.
So, in the meantime, another story attacked. I've written the first chapter in what I am calling a "modern mystery/thriller with fantastical elements"  :P  I think my plan is to be outlining that and working on Crystalheart at the same time.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bookstore Guy on April 27, 2009, 04:05:46 PM
Quote
So, in the meantime, another story attacked. I've written the first chapter in what I am calling a "modern mystery/thriller with fantastical elements" 

You should use the term "Urban Fantasy." It is a genre that sells well.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on April 27, 2009, 07:03:01 PM
Good stuff everyone. I like the updates.

Well, I am still working on editing my eternal project (Queen's). It's not going anywhere fast, but I keep hoping for some major breakthroughs to tie it together once and for all.... yeah, hasn't happened yet, but I can dream. :(

Got another few story ideas floating around that I have been writing sections for, but nothing too exciting yet. Kind of hoping I can get an ending and an outline together on them first so I don't end up with another Queen's type mess, but it is very slow going and has put me a bit behind in critiques. I will try to catch up soon though. :D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Reaves on April 27, 2009, 08:32:15 PM
Quote
So, in the meantime, another story attacked. I've written the first chapter in what I am calling a "modern mystery/thriller with fantastical elements" 

You should use the term "Urban Fantasy." It is a genre that sells well.

I suppose technically I could. However, to me urban fantasy connotates vampires and werewolves and a hidden society of faeries. There is quite literally almost no fantasy in the story I've got in mind, certainly not of the faery variety.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on April 27, 2009, 10:10:50 PM
Blegh.  Been swamped with other things lately, so I haven't done much writing at all.  Or critiquing for that matter.  Instead I've been world building for Junction, as well as working on characters and plot outline for last years NaNo book.  Tell you what, listening to Writing Excuses has been invaluable lately...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 27, 2009, 11:10:47 PM
Despite the perception of it, I think urban fantasy's a lot broader than just vampires, werewolves, and faeries. I'd say you're fine.

Also, urban fantasy is less of a mouthful. :P

Apparently I've written 1487 words so far today.

Hm. It's now 3:10pm and my novel totals 112,182 words. I'll report back in a while and see how far I've gotten :D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on April 29, 2009, 12:57:03 AM
My speculative fiction Novel is 132,563 words (mechanical word count) or 729,308 characters and it's only abut 60% done.  Every time I finish a chapter, it seems like it demands two new ones not in my original outline.  It's kind of like the math proverb:
"How do you exit a room?" 
"You aim for he door and keep cutting the distance to the door in half."
"Then it's impossible to leave the room."
"Why?"
"Because the distance to the door is infinitely divisible by 2."
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 29, 2009, 01:06:39 AM
Heh. Tell me about it.

I'm now at 119,957 words.

Apply nose firmly to grindstone...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on May 16, 2009, 05:52:00 PM
I can dimly recall myself announcing that I'd soon be joining the list of submitters two months or so ago... we-ell, since then I've managed to outline the first act (of three, I hope). Thankfully, that wasn't all I spent those two months on (or rather: I spent next to no time at all being in any way productive in that time), but it'll be at least June before I'll be submitting a prologue. My personal deadline is sometime before my birthday, which is in July, and I'm fairly confident that that's realistic. It has to be, seeing as you'd all be laughing at me if I needed until August. ;)

Anyway, I'm not writing a single word until my plot outline is done. Doing that has never worked before, tempting as it may be.

So if you're having self-doubts because you think you're writing too little, simply think of me, my endless pages of fluff, my third of an outline, and my zero-word manuscript. 8)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 17, 2009, 05:36:27 PM
I knocked down a little over 3k yesterday to end up with a word count of 144,387.

Getting so close.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 17, 2009, 09:06:31 PM
If I could I'd trip you.  You're pulling way ahead of me. Silk. :P

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ErikHolmes on May 17, 2009, 09:13:39 PM
Quote
So, in the meantime, another story attacked. I've written the first chapter in what I am calling a "modern mystery/thriller with fantastical elements" 

You should use the term "Urban Fantasy." It is a genre that sells well.

/me wonders if The Sword of Worlds counts as Urban Fantasy . . .
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 17, 2009, 09:18:14 PM
Rural fantasy given the spot where Kail is lying bleeding to death. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 18, 2009, 06:49:46 AM
Yes, urban fantasy.

Renoard: Next time I trip over something (I'm a klutz, so there will be ample opportunity) I'll make sure I do it for you. Does that help?

Also, I've written a whopping 205 words today, so...

Work and rehearsal done with for another day. Time to see if I can get anything actually accomplished.

Too bad all the violent bits in my book are done with now. ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 18, 2009, 10:50:32 AM
I don't measure in word count as much as completed chapters.  48 chapters outlined, and barring the need to split chapters 17 left to write.  I need a second me.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 21, 2009, 08:03:28 AM
Heh. I'd need three or four mes just to keep up. But that's a terrifying thought, so let's not go there.

I would have no idea how much progress I was making if I measured by chapters, since my chapters range in length from 3-8000 words. ::)

I'm at 154,834 (but I've also written some scenes that replaced older material, needed to be done for plot continuity).

I'll report back tomorrow, since the end of tomorrow is my self-imposed deadline to finish the thing.

Wish me luck. ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 21, 2009, 06:44:40 PM
You didn't specify which kind, but I'll be sporting and wish you good luck. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on May 21, 2009, 07:58:58 PM
Good luck! :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 22, 2009, 11:01:28 PM
You're all heart. :P

Okay, so it's half a day later than I said it would be.

Final draft pulled in at 159, 536.

I've written 73,400 words in the last month.

Geez.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 05:18:58 PM
Congrats on finishing Silk! That's about the same size QO was when I first finished, but than I've been trying to get it way shorter because it's supposed to be YA. You might be okay for adult.

Anyway, I got almost 4k words written this weekend (in another book). I'm a really slow writer, so I'm happy. :D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 26, 2009, 06:00:36 PM
Just to put it in perspective.  I now have 16 chapters out of 48 left to write with 149648 words counting some works done towards those 16 chapters.  It is almost certain I'll have a to add more chapters to t account for character arcs that separate pe0ple geographically for a while.  Looks very likely I'll crest 250K before I'm finished.

And I'm not able to get enough alone time to write a whole chapter per week.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 06:44:55 PM
I'm afraid I'm an agent blog junkie on that kind of thing and figure that I don't want to give them an easy excuse to reject me when I get to querying. My writing just isn't that good. But maybe you'll beat the odds. :)

http://theswivet.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-word-counts-and-novel-length.html
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 26, 2009, 06:56:17 PM
I'm afraid I'm an agent blog junkie on that kind of thing and figure that I don't want to give them an easy excuse to reject me when I get to querying. . .

Ummm. Huh?

What were you referring to? :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 07:21:39 PM
I meant that I'm trying to fit my word counts closer to the guidelines set by blogging agents/publishers like the one I linked to because I think it gives you a better chance of getting published, which was what sparked my first comment to Silk. The count you put up to 'put things in perspective' would be well beyond those guidelines. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 26, 2009, 07:40:21 PM
Ah, but 1 this is the first draft, second it's epic fantasy, and c it's mechanical numbers, using the enormous font I have to use to compensate for my dyslexia.  Using estimated word count and a reasonable font it'll likely clock in closer to 180K.  But push come to shove the story has to be done well, and hacking down just to please corporate types is not necessarily the best choice.  I don't know if I'll actually submit it as my first novel.  I have a couple of other ideas that I might write and submit first.  I was just complaining about the environment I'm working in.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 08:02:35 PM
Look, I'm really not trying to fight you. Just share information. I really don't care how long your book ends up being. It's your book. But I don't believe I was talking about 'hacking it down to just to please corporate types' but books that have been edited well usually do fall into those guidelines and they sell better (even in 'epic' fantasy). It's just a statistical fact.
I'm sorry that you have a poor writing environment.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bookstore Guy on May 26, 2009, 08:15:45 PM
the agents I talked to at worldcon (big-time agents) preferred under 130K for epic fantasy. my good friend pitched a novel to one of the big-guns and the agent told him due to the word count (180K) that he should either look to cut it down significantly (by 40-50K) or to consider splitting it into 2 books and perhaps add a little here and there to make things transition well (2 100K novels rather than 1 180K novel). from a guy who managed a bookstore, I'd rather sell 2 books that were 300 pages for 7.99 each rather than 1 book that is 700 pages for the same price. its a matter of profit margins now days.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 26, 2009, 08:24:51 PM
Thanks Frog!

I'm hoping that when I revise I'll be able to trim some 20k; I don't know if that's going to happen, but we'll see. I'm not really sure mine has a good "splitting point" and at 160k maybe getting shorter, a split might make it too short for adult fantasy.

Anyway, there's not much point in worrying about market trends just now. I figure I'll write my book (and revise it) as long as it needs to be first and then start worrying about whether it's too long, too short, etcetera.

Besides, by the time any of us are ready to shop our manuscripts, the market may well have changed.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 26, 2009, 08:30:42 PM
Frog: I don't know where you got the idea about fighting?  I was just taking the time to explain better what I meant.  I appreciate the post once I realized where you were going with it.

Books, I'm sure you're right.  That's the huge problem that generally creeps in when business majors wrest decision making away from creative types.  Dickens loved to explore it at length.  :)

It's what prompted a book called The Closing of  the American Mind.  Sadly we're dumbing down the reader and the language, and the loss of semantics has a negative effect on critical reason.  Kids who can't express themselves well are more susceptible to intellectual bullying.  That's what prompts the creation of subcultural dialects.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bookstore Guy on May 26, 2009, 09:30:03 PM
the monetary reason is just 1 reason. you also have to consider the reader's mentality. readers tend not to like a long hiatus in between novels. the longer the novel, generally the greater amount of time in between novels. by writing shorter novels (or by releasing pieces of 1 long novel) once a year, you maintain you name in front of the reader's eyes. it was a mentality that prevailed in the thriller genre, but has become more prevalent in the fantasy genre over the past 6 - 8 years. not everyone can be like Brandon and write a TON every year. the buyer has been shown to be generally more faithful to an author or series if a book is coming out every year.

personally, i think it's great. i would much rather have a smaller stream-lined novel than a bloated one that lags at various points. there are plenty of long novels that are excellent, but i dont think people should TRY to make it long. Write your book. when you are done, look at how long it is and decide if you want to cut or add to it. submit it how you want. but just keep in mind, it might be easier to get that shorter novel published first, and then release you longer one later when you have the backing of a publisher.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 09:42:49 PM
Sorry, got a little sensitive and now I'm not sure why. But I'm fine with having a good discussion.
Here is some more fun perspective:

HARRY POTTERS
Philosopher’s Stone....77,325
Chamber of Secrets.....84,799
Prisoner of Azkaban...106,821
Goblet of Fire........190,858
Order of the Phoenix..257,154
Half Blood Prince.....169,441
Deathly Hallows.......198,227

Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe...36,363
Anna Karenina...349,736
War and Peace...587,287
Gone with the Wind...418,053
The English Patient...82,370
A Prayer for Owen Meany...236,061
Crime and Punishment...211,591
The Brothers Karamazov...364,153
Sense and Sensibility...119,394
Great Expectations...183,349
Ender’s Game...100,609
Moby Dick...206,052
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...30,644
Emma...155,887
The Hours...54,243
The Golden Compass...112,815
The Fellowship of the Ring...177,227
The Two Towers...143,436
The Return of the King...134,462
The Lord of the Rings...455,125
The Tenth Circle...114,779
My Sister’s Keeper...119,529
A Tale of Two Cities...135,420
White Teeth...169,389
Atonement...123,378
The Mouse and the Motorcycle...22,416
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...109,571
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...69,066
One Hundred Years of Solitude...144,523
Memoirs of a Geisha...186,418
Snow Falling on Cedars...138,098
Cold Mountain...161,511
Midnight’s Children...208,773
A House for Mr. Biswas...198,901
All the Pretty Horses...99,277
A Suitable Boy...591,554(est.)

(Most of these come from http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_advanced.asp?c=MP+30%3A45%3A9+8002%2F01%2F3. Find a title. Included in the info on the title is the word count.)

And really I don't see length as an indication of dumbing down the reader or the language. Languages are meant to evolve and people are busy. They are going to want to know your worth it before they invest a lot of time in you.

Oh, and just to keep things on topic (kind of) good luck with the editing, Silk! I actually enjoy that more than the initial writing, but then, I have a tendency to overdo it (classic over thinker over here).  :-[
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bookstore Guy on May 26, 2009, 09:58:27 PM
rather than grab a ton of random novels from varied reading levels for their word counts, i would look at the agents you want to submit to and see what they ask for in their submissions. personally i dont think you should compare epic fantasy to russian literature or to harry potter. it does no good.

regardless, write your book the way you want. you can edit or add later. my personal discovery has been that I need to master the art of telling a self-contained, stand-alone story before I add the added difficulty of making a huge series. i think as new writers we tend to get overzealous and overambitious. some people will write a fantastic series on the first try, but i think more will write a passable stand-alone and succeed.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on May 26, 2009, 10:03:57 PM
Yeah that's the other thing.  This novel is intended to be a completed plot arc.  So if it's published ot can be done with.  Or if someone wants to pay for more I have an outline for sequels.

But I have to get those 16+ chapters written and the story completed. ugh.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on May 26, 2009, 10:08:54 PM
Oh, I wasn't just talking about Renoard's book anymore with that list. Just word count and books in general because I thought it was interesting. If it doesn't interest you, please disregard it.
Good luck to both of you! :D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bookstore Guy on May 26, 2009, 10:16:34 PM
word counts are VERY interesting when you categorize them by genre, reading level, and when they were published. for example: I am writing a paranormal horror. I look at the novels published over the last 6-8 years and say "hmm, looks like 80K is the average. guess I'll shoot for that." I throw out the extreme short novels and extreme long novels since they aren't the norm. you could do the same with epic fantasy. match that with a preferred agent, and you give yourself a good goal to reach.

and yes Reonard, writing that last bit can be frustrating. so close, but so far.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on May 27, 2009, 01:48:52 AM
I didn't know Order of the Phoenix was the longest Potter, though I've long maintained that she should have cut 100-200 pages from it. It just dragged on and on with endless teenage angst.  :-\
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: jwdenzel on June 09, 2009, 11:05:50 PM
I'm trying to crawl back out of my cave and get active again...

Status of my novel:
I am still completely hooked on my story. There's a constant, daily urge in my mind to TELL THE DAMN THING.  But I have many, many excuses, and that's just sad.  ("Excuses are the tools of the inept."  Ouch)

Anyway, I 11 chapters written. About 30,000 words, I think.  I have put about half of it up here on RE for feedback.

In order to get back into things, I might start from the prologue and doa  major editing pass:  implement some new ideas I have, address all the awesome feedback I've already received, and then re-send out the pages again to the list, hopefully taking advantage of all the new readers here, or people who missed it before but have more time now.

Hopefully that editing pass will get me back in the flow, and I can sit and get the next 30k down on paper.

(While still having to deal with my excuses....*grumble*)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on June 11, 2009, 08:45:15 AM
Well I've decided to split the novel (again) and with 2 to three chapters and some chunks and segues to write, I'm at about 130K and will likely reach 150ish.  Decided that I had a whole chunk I needed to develop that wouldn't fit in the old outline.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: SomeHackWriter on June 12, 2009, 10:27:54 PM
I don't know how long my latest piece will end up.  It needs a lot of work.  But so far (two parts out of a possible five) I'm at 4,500 words.  It will probably end up in novella range, around 20,000 words or so.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 12, 2009, 10:29:52 PM
I'm working on a new short story, and I've no idea how long it will be by the end of it. But I've done a ridiculous amount of world-building (for me, anyway) and a walloping 310 words of actual prose. I haven't the foggiest idea how long it will end up.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Reaves on June 13, 2009, 11:54:45 PM
I haven't been very active in RE excuses lately, I know. I just want to get this novel finished before I send it out for critiques!

I've set Crystalheart aside for now. It's going to be either two or three books in total. I couldn't tell you which because as of now I have no outline for it! That is why I am setting it aside. It's simply gotten too sprawling and too meandering. I don't want this to be a huge, slowly paced book that never ends; I want it to be tight and focused, because that's the kind of book I like to read. I fully plan to come back to it in the future and make several changes, in some cases drastic ones.

Meanwhile I've been working on a thriller. I was calling it a supernatural thriller, but I think I'm going to take a page out of writerainge's book and call it a paranormal thriller. Really, its almost New Agey.

Anyway, I've got it completely outlined. By that I mean I've got several paragraphs written summarizing each chapter. I plan to have it completely finished by the time school starts up again in September and if all goes well I'll start submitting it then!
(I haven't done anything about it yet, but I keep on promising that I'll drop in and deliver a few critiques every now and then. We'll see what happens! :) )
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 14, 2009, 07:05:41 AM
At 2463 on the short story now. Starting to hope it stays a short story. I've already got one novelette I don't know what to do with. *rolls eyes*
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: SomeHackWriter on June 15, 2009, 08:44:19 PM
Well, if it makes anyone feel better a friend of mine deployed in the Middle East was in town on leave this weekend.  Much Alcohol = no progress on the piece.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on June 15, 2009, 10:55:23 PM
I have words! On a page! And they're actually part of the story! Only 3200 or so of them, but you have to start somewhere, after all.

Next landmark: making the story longer than the outline. Only 10k to go...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: SomeHackWriter on June 15, 2009, 11:38:44 PM
Baby steps are good, lol.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 15, 2009, 11:47:45 PM
That's quite the outline, Flo.

Baby steps are good.

4667 on the cryocano short story. Which I think has evolved from "might be a novelette" to "will be a novelette".
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on June 16, 2009, 01:00:30 AM
I'm new to the group (so HI everyone) and I just started working on a new novel. I've gotten offtrack on several of my other projects; I was just to frustrated with them so I've set them aside for awhile. Since I just started a new work it's barely starting to get some notes to flesh it out. I'm currently trying to decide if I want to write a full outline / chapter by chapter summary  or just outline and summarize a few chapters at a time and then do the actual writing for them. I keep tossing the pros/ cons of each style back and forth but haven't made a decision yet.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: SomeHackWriter on June 16, 2009, 02:05:31 AM
Well, Silk, the good news is knowing is half the battle, right?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 16, 2009, 06:31:23 AM
Haha. True enough.

Unfortunately, selling is the other half. And the market for these guys is a little ... limited. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on June 16, 2009, 09:27:12 AM
That's quite the outline, Flo.
Well I've tried writing with significantly shorter outlines in the past (and none at all), but that just didn't work out. I have to know exactly where I'm going and how I'm going to get there, apparently. Which is quite surprising, because when I started out writing, I was convinced that outlines took all the fun out of it. Silly past-me.

Now if only I could churn out as many words per day as you do...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 16, 2009, 08:03:26 PM
What, barely a thousand? :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on June 16, 2009, 09:30:42 PM
Nah, I'll take those 30k you wrote in a day last NaNoWriMo.  ;D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 16, 2009, 10:05:41 PM
Haha. Actually, it was only (erm, "only") 25k... and I haven't b een able to do it since. Closest I've come in the six months since then is 11k in a day. ::)

Also, 5070 on the cryocano story so far.

No ending in sight.

Argh.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on June 17, 2009, 12:23:04 AM
If it makes you feel any better, Silk, you might find after you've finished that, now that you've done all that explaining and stuff, you can go back and do some of it with fewer words, or with hints instead of actual out-right description.  *shrugs*  Just my two cents, and hope they help!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 17, 2009, 08:32:24 AM
Heh. Thanks.

Perhaps also cut all the wandering, rambling, useless stuff and replace it with something that actually means something.

*headdesk*

6183 words and not a clue how, or when, it ends.

::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: SomeHackWriter on June 17, 2009, 09:14:26 PM
Isn't writing fun? LOL.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 19, 2009, 02:45:19 AM
It's a total party. ::)

7317 words, and I think I know how to fix it.

Hopefully I can actually pull it off.

::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: little wilson on June 27, 2009, 08:39:01 PM
The short story I'm working on is almost halfway done. I need to complete it by Wednesday.....If I succeed, I might even be submitting for the first time in 6 months....
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 29, 2009, 07:53:59 PM
What's on Wednesday?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on June 29, 2009, 08:59:14 PM
I'm guessing a deadline.

*ducks*
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 29, 2009, 09:14:40 PM
GEESE!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on June 29, 2009, 10:03:43 PM
Well, I should have seen that coming. I didn't, but I should have.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: little wilson on June 30, 2009, 07:45:59 AM
Flo's right. Deadline....I told my friend (Frog, actually) that I needed to get my short story done. And therefore we're seeing if a deadline will get my butt into gear and start writing (something I haven't done a lot of in the last 6 months...). So far, it's pretty good....Of course, I also still have a good 10 pages left to write and it's taken me about 3 weeks to write the first 15, so...yeah.

I just need to channel my inner Raethe (Nanowrimo, much?).  ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on July 01, 2009, 08:47:17 PM
Back on track with the Junction... working on it slowly but surely.  The plot's all hashed out, finally.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on July 18, 2009, 05:07:44 AM
Pinned this topic. Silk's critiquing binge put it down a few pages ;)

As for me, I am right now delving into the fourth draft of Fateless. It will be 4k or 5k long, I estimate. I'm... 500 words through it. But hey, that's an eighth!

Yes, I'm going to submit it to Reading Excuses again, but before you throw apples at me, this will be the last time I submit it.  ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on July 18, 2009, 06:51:11 AM
It was linked in one of the other pinned threads, you know. ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on July 18, 2009, 07:41:21 AM
Still, I didn't want it to get too buried.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: little wilson on July 18, 2009, 09:15:41 AM
I'm working on my second short for my class. It's due tomorrow. Well. Technically today....I'm about 3 pages into it...I don't think I'll be going to bed until about 3 or 4 tonight...Fantastic.

Anyway. Once I finish it, and I turn it in, and the semester gets over next week, I'm moving back to Crashers...which makes me happy. I should have something to submit with that fairly soon (maybe a month). Yay!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on July 18, 2009, 07:56:34 PM
Finally into the home stretch on draft one.  A few paragraphs of segue and a bit of afterward and I should be ready to dig into the real work of edits and rewrites.

Should be moving on to that and finishing the outline of my next novel this week.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on July 21, 2009, 11:09:14 AM
Okay, first draft 156K words (mechanical count).
Now for the edits. ugh!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on July 21, 2009, 07:52:49 PM
Congrats on finishing, Renoard! Even if it's only the first draft, it is still a great accomplishment.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on July 22, 2009, 04:13:56 AM
Ditto!

Also, had an unexpected resurgence of interest in last years NaNo novel (my own- as in, willingness to actually work on it), so I'm taking advantage of that while it lasts, which means any progress on the Junction will have to wait.  I find it difficult to work on more than one story at a time.  Still...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on August 05, 2009, 05:14:29 AM
I'm working on a lot of projects, several of them collaborations but I have been wanting to submit something since I joined. I have an old short I wrote about two years ago that I'd like some feedback on. It's kind of modern fantasy. It's a little over 1600 words. I called it the Golem in the Town of Glass  but I may change it...I'm not sure yet. Particularity I'm concerned with PoV issues and tense issues on this piece but any advice would be welcomed. I'd like to send it around Monday.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 05, 2009, 09:34:49 PM
I'll add you to the list for Monday, Miang. In the future, post on the "Email List/Submissions" thread to make sure we won't miss you. :)

Congrats on finishing, Renoard, and everyone else who has actually been getting things done. =D Scrupulously avoiding talking about what I've accomplished in the last - too long ...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 05, 2009, 10:53:04 PM
Congrats on finishing, Renoard, and everyone else who has actually been getting things done. =D Scrupulously avoiding talking about what I've accomplished in the last - too long ...
Took the words right out of my mouth, sister.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on August 05, 2009, 11:37:31 PM
Ack!!! Sorry about that.  :o That's what I get for replying to topics when I'm zoned out and exhausted. Thanks, Silk.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on August 08, 2009, 06:08:33 AM
Yesterday I started work on a new project I am really loving working on. I'm calling it Thread of Oblivion, although that's a working title and like everything I do it will probably change a zillion times before I'm satisfied its decent. I'm in the earliest pre-writing stages but a lot of the ideas are coming together smoothly in my mind and I'm hoping to be able to start outlining next week. :) It's definitely a project I'm going to work towards submitting. It's a kind of modern epic fantasy hybrid and should be really fun.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 09, 2009, 05:57:25 AM
I have DR fully outlined now and got to the 20,000 word mark and it still doesn't have a name I like. But I suppose if it were published that would be the first thing the evil editors would change, right? And I am pretty happy with how it is coming (which is why I send it to you, must stop all happiness in it's tracks). So much to write more to write though.  :o
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 09, 2009, 06:59:11 AM
I have DR fully outlined now and got to the 20,000 word mark and it still doesn't have a name I like. But I suppose if it were published that would be the first thing the evil editors would change, right? And I am pretty happy with how it is coming (which is why I send it to you, must stop all happiness in it's tracks). So much to write more to write though.  :o

20,000 words, yay! Good job :)

I'm currently outlining my book, Rebirth. The good news: there's plenty of material to work with.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 09, 2009, 07:08:00 AM
Thanks.  ;D

Is Rebirth a completely new project or is it similar to something we've seen before?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 09, 2009, 08:50:32 AM
Completely new! Things are going very well with it. I hope to have the outline totally done by next Saturday--the day I go back to MSU--so I will have motivation to actually write during the semester.

Now, you'll be really lucky when you pass that 30k mark. That's the part I could never get past on my first book...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 09, 2009, 04:35:33 PM
Wow, you’re good. I always have such a hard time coming up with more ideas. I’ll be lucky if I write more than 2 or 3 books out of my main series. I’ll look forward to seeing your stuff though.

My problem was never getting past a certain mark. My first ‘real’ book went on forever (some 170,000 words and some 5, 6 years to write it). I didn’t know where I was going but I just kept writing until something interesting finally happened. Lots of unrelated, unresolved tangents ensued. I am determined to someday go back and fix that thing once and for all, if only for my own satisfaction, but for now my goal is to just focus on this one book. I’m trying to keep it around 80,000 words (it’s a YA… maybe), write 1,000 word everyday (even if it’s all junk I delete the next day) and have it done by Christmas, hopefully beating Little Wilson in the process who also has a book in production (You are SO going down :P).
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 10, 2009, 02:48:05 AM
Wow, you’re good. I always have such a hard time coming up with more ideas. I’ll be lucky if I write more than 2 or 3 books out of my main series. I’ll look forward to seeing your stuff though.

My problem was never getting past a certain mark. My first ‘real’ book went on forever (some 170,000 words and some 5, 6 years to write it). I didn’t know where I was going but I just kept writing until something interesting finally happened. Lots of unrelated, unresolved tangents ensued. I am determined to someday go back and fix that thing once and for all, if only for my own satisfaction, but for now my goal is to just focus on this one book. I’m trying to keep it around 80,000 words (it’s a YA… maybe), write 1,000 word everyday (even if it’s all junk I delete the next day) and have it done by Christmas, hopefully beating Little Wilson in the process who also has a book in production (You are SO going down :P).


This is my first new story idea since I scrapped my first book (well, besides Fateless, I suppose. That's technically newer than Rebirth). I'm very excited. Like you, I'm setting plenty of deadlines so I get stuff done ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 10, 2009, 03:27:17 AM
You might be surprised once you start writing those books from your main series; after a while you start finding story ideas everywhere. Me, I suspect I'll end up with more story ideas than I'll ever have time to write.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 10, 2009, 03:40:56 AM
Chaos: Oh, I thought you had a few more stories on here, but I guess it could have just been the ones you scrapped. Poor stories :(. If you or anyone else wants to join Lil Wilson's and my race to the finish, just let us know and the trash talking encouragement will commence. Though we really haven't picked a prize beyond bragging rights....

Silk: You could be right. Ever since I started my whole 1000 words a day thing (rather than just writing when I felt like it) it seems like my ideas come a bit more often. I could still be writing junk, but at least it is getting done and that makes me happy. Either way, I have more than enough to keep me busy for the time being.

Whatever happened to the book you were submitting?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 10, 2009, 03:53:42 AM
I decided that putting it in its 160,000 word entirety through a writing group with a 4000-word-a-week cap wouldn't be particularly expedient. I think I may just use RE for short stories and the like, and rely on a couple of beta readers for novels.

Now. What's this about a race to the finish?

(Though I suppose I have to decide which novel I'm working on, first...)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 10, 2009, 04:22:30 AM
Oh, well let me know if you need another reader. I like reading full stories and would like to try and pay you back since you've critiqued for me a few times. :)

Wilson and I just figured out that we had books at similar stages of completion (she was at 21k last I heard, though that was a week ago and I'm not sure if she knows how long she wants it to be yet). So we decided we'd race/smack talk a bit and see who finished first. We've been doing progress reports through email to tell each other where we're at (similar to this thread, but a bit more often than we thought all of you would be interested) but could just as easily do it with PM or w/e if you have a story.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 10, 2009, 06:32:55 AM
I keep telling Silk I want to be a beta reader. She doesn't budge :P

I don't know if I can join in a competition. It sure as heck won't be done by Christmas, even if I get two chapters done a week (my goal). From the way my outline is looking, it feels it could be like 200k. So it's not exactly a fair comparison, really.

My outline isn't even finished yet, haha.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 10, 2009, 07:41:04 AM
Thanks, guys. I've got someone reading it already, but I will probably be looking for others once I'm done a round of revisions. Though Frog, I think there'd be a little more work involved than what I've done for you so far. :P

I might join you guys once I've decided which novel-length project to pick up next. I've got one that's a little shy of the 18k mark right now, but I'm seriously debating putting it aside for a while and working on something else.

All that after I've got a few non-novel projects wrapped up, of course... but I may end up joining you, because I really need to be working on another one...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 10, 2009, 03:27:44 PM
Chaos: So basically, you're just afraid because I'd win. :P
No, that does sound a bit daunting. Good luck!

Silk: Well it's never going to be exactly even trade, but at the end of the day, I just like reading stories.... And then ripping them apart. Don't deny me that simple pleasure. :P

Just let us know if you find one! :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 10, 2009, 04:49:43 PM
Chaos: So basically, you're just afraid because I'd win. :P
No, that does sound a bit daunting. Good luck!

Really? I'm not daunted at all, I'm excited! :) Hehehe...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: little wilson on August 10, 2009, 05:32:22 PM
All right...Progress. Crashers is officially put on hold. It's a brilliant idea, and I love it so much, but...it's a brilliant idea. And I haven't yet finished a writing a book, and I really want Crashers to be as good in the written stage as it is in my head. I'm going to give myself time to get better at this whole writing thing before I tackle it. But it WILL be tackled. As soon as I'm able to manage it.

So now. I have picked up a different project--the one I was working on before Crashers came along. It has a full outline with about 23k words written already. It's kind of science-fiction/fantasy (I'm not sure which one. Before it was science fiction, although now I'm getting some ideas that put it more in the fantasy realm than it was, but it still has a fairly science fiction vibe...). Anyway. It's about 1/4 the way complete, if my outline is accurate (which it is). So it should be somewhere between 80k and 90k words when I finish it. Before Christmas.

Yes, Frog. That's what I said. Before Christmas. I may be in Arizona right now, not getting any writing done since I'm on vacation, but oh. When I get back....You're going DOWN. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 11, 2009, 02:50:54 AM
Frog: Well no, but that's rather far from an even trade. :P

Anyway, I'll let you guys know once I've picked up another novel project. Competition is always fun.

Progress... Rewrote the end of a flash fiction story and (hopefully) eliminated the bad writing in it. Whee.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 11, 2009, 06:39:44 AM
Sure, you're on 'vacation.' It's too bad excuses don't write novels or Wilson would beat me every time. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 11, 2009, 06:59:50 AM
Oooh. Ouch!

Looks like the gloves are off, folks!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: little wilson on August 12, 2009, 06:43:44 PM
Hey, don't bash my vacationing. I'm in your hometown, hoss. And can you really blame me for not writing this week? I mean, it's not like I really have a whole lot of downtime to write. I've been hiking and looking at ruins and seeing the Grand Canyon (and hiking down into it) the last three days (And I'll be in Flagstaff all day today, without my laptop). If it makes it any better, I HAVE been thinking about my book, even if I haven't been writing it....

Regardless, I've got a 13-hour drive coming at the end of this week, and I don't intend on spending much of that time reading. My dad brought an inverter with us and it will keep my laptop charged the whole way. Super-duper.

And I guess I have a new name to add to my list. Queen of Excuses...All righty. I can deal.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 12, 2009, 07:41:33 PM
And I guess I have a new name to add to my list. Queen of Excuses...All righty. I can deal.

And your title is Good Politician, hmmm ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 12, 2009, 08:19:12 PM
On second thought, I don't think I want Wilson as the 'Queen of Excuses' when I am currently in a group called 'Reading Excuses.' Is this an elected position or do we have to revolt?  ???
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 12, 2009, 08:30:58 PM
No, Silk and I rule with iron fists. We are your true overlords, not this Wilson pretender ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on August 12, 2009, 09:47:43 PM
Is this an elected position or do we have to revolt?  ???
I have some, lets call them 'connections', to the middle east, I'm sure I could get a hold of a bunch of AKs, maybe even a mercenary or two...

In other news, I've nearly got this here term paper off my plate, and I'll be dedicating this weekend to catching up on the submissions of these last few weeks. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 12, 2009, 10:42:36 PM
Whatever you do, don't read anything by this "Eric Lake" guy. He's a hack.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on August 13, 2009, 08:18:10 AM
Well....I had an unbelievable technical problem tonight. I  finished my plot summary for Thread of Oblivion and saved it to my jump drive. Something came up where I needed some files off of the jump drive moved onto my laptop. I saved my file and took the drive out. I went to put it into the other machine and the back end came off of it. The chipset slipped out. When I got it back together I stuck it in my laptop the only file that was damaged was my pre-writing file. The whole document was erased. So, basically unless my friend can pull of a miracle and recover the document I will be getting up tomorrow morning and starting all over again. :(  I had a lot of material written too -- over 17000 words. Now I have the bare threads of a six chapter outline left. *sigh* Sorry for the complaints -- I'm just a bit down about it.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on August 13, 2009, 09:09:05 AM
Whatever you do, don't read anything by this "Eric Lake" guy. He's a hack.
So I've heard... his blog would have fooled me, though, that looks professional enough.


Well....I had an unbelievable technical problem tonight.
That sucks... makes me want to save my stuff to a fourth drive, to be honest.

But if you had the file on your computer at any point, maybe you can restore it from there. There's software that can do that, maybe even for free.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Miang on August 13, 2009, 09:50:40 AM
I have a friend who works in that industry who spent some time on it tonight and he couldn't do it with private software. I'd have to find a place and pay. No; I'm afraid not. I'm going to skip some 'fun' plans I had for tomorrow, put off a couple of errands and buckle down to work on it again.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 13, 2009, 05:23:36 PM
Well....I had an unbelievable technical problem tonight. I  finished my plot summary for Thread of Oblivion and saved it to my jump drive. Something came up where I needed some files off of the jump drive moved onto my laptop. I saved my file and took the drive out. I went to put it into the other machine and the back end came off of it. The chipset slipped out. When I got it back together I stuck it in my laptop the only file that was damaged was my pre-writing file. The whole document was erased. So, basically unless my friend can pull of a miracle and recover the document I will be getting up tomorrow morning and starting all over again. :(  I had a lot of material written too -- over 17000 words. Now I have the bare threads of a six chapter outline left. *sigh* Sorry for the complaints -- I'm just a bit down about it.

That is terrible, terrible news! I'm so sorry!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 13, 2009, 06:52:44 PM
Ugh. That's awful. Good luck getting all your material rewritten.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 15, 2009, 04:35:38 AM
My friend who moved away told me that if I'm not published when he sees me next (probably January of '11), he will never talk to me again. As such, I have decided to dedicate the hours of 0:00 to 2:00 to novel work, rain or shine. Shine being the less likely of the two, seeing as how that is the middle of the night.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 15, 2009, 04:39:06 AM
You've told him that the "being published" thing is not really something you can control, right? :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 15, 2009, 04:46:39 AM
Well, I can always avoid him while submitting to a self-publisher, but that smells of cheating. He was my brainstorm buddy, so it's sad to lose him, but I guess now I have a goal to work toward, even if it was (I hope) made in jest.

Speaking of publishing, I haven't even submitted once on here. Expect some of that soon. I'm getting close to actual writing on my current project which is kinda my old project revamped to unrecognizability. I finally dumped my old magic system last week, which I think was holding me back. I like it (the old one), but it's a bit conventional in some parts, and it doesn't work well with the tone of the story  want to tell. The new one is fresh and new to me, and I hope it hasn't been done too much already by other authors.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Karl on August 19, 2009, 05:26:22 PM
Don't know if this qualifies as 'progress' or not. Doesn't involve any writing whatsoever.

I made it to GenCon and got to meet Howard. Bought my XDM book that is Thrice Signed and includes a custom illustration of a perplexed dwarf.

Oh, and anybody on Facebook should note that Howard's current profile photo was cropped from the photo of him and me. You can follow his tagged photos and find the uncropped one of Howard and some half-asleep duffus in a Blue Sun T-shirt.

So no writing per se, but some fanboy action.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on August 19, 2009, 10:47:36 PM
Cool!  Keep it for posterity. ;D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Karl on August 20, 2009, 04:47:06 AM
Cool!  Keep it for posterity. ;D

Oddly enough it is a really good read. And the game design theories that the Hickmans espouse actually would work well for designing a good action-pacted novel. I'm not saying every writer needs to run out and buy it (though I'm sure the Tayler Corp wouldn't mind). But it does give a good breakdown of common player motivations which the game master would want to appeal to -- this can also be seen as reader motivations that a writer would want to appeal to.

I'm just sayin'...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on August 20, 2009, 09:21:08 PM
Heh.  I was actually talking about the picture (and the autograph)... but sure!  Mine the book for ideas- that's what it's there for, right? 8) ;)  One of these days I will again have money to spend on things not pertaining to food, shelter, and transportation.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 20, 2009, 10:05:29 PM
One of these days I will again have money to spend on things not pertaining to food, shelter, and transportation.
Ditto, but add education to my list.  >:(
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on August 24, 2009, 08:06:08 PM
So I just put a polished copy of Survivor in the mail today.  It is now well on its way to the Writers of the Future contest.  Anyone have any idea how many authors submit to that?  Just kinda wondering what my odds are.  'Course I know some of you all have entered as well, so it won't be easy.  Best of luck to all who entered!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 24, 2009, 08:43:39 PM
I don't believe in writing short stories, so I can't be much help, but I'm glad you were able to turn your story in. Good luck, let us know how it goes. :D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 24, 2009, 09:17:51 PM
You "don't believe in writing short stories"? What is it, a religion?

Also: Fanboy action is important.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on August 24, 2009, 09:43:01 PM
She doesn't believe in unhappy endings either.  *sigh*  I could never be a convert.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 24, 2009, 10:31:43 PM
I am being misquoted all over the place. I never said I didn't believe in unhappy endings. I said I didn't like purely unhappy endings. There are lots of endings I have liked that were bitter sweet at best. Just as long as it had some impact and wasn't the old 'and then everyone got hit by a train.' And just because I don't write/read something, doesn't mean I don't see a place for it. If you all wrote like me, I would have to get a new hobby.

The reason I don't believe in short stories is that I don't understand how anyone can do that and be satisfied. I always seem to want more after reading a short story, and all my ideas are big scale... if they come at all. Focusing my big scale ideas into detailed scenes is hard for me even in novel writing so  I imagine trying to do a short story would finish me off for good.  Tis better to pretend they don't exist.

It might be fun to start my own religion though.... Such dreams will have to wait for another day as it seems I would have trouble getting converts and I don't know if my insurance covers lightening. In fact, I'm not sure if my insurance covers anything at all.... Oh the joys of being a student.

:P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 24, 2009, 10:38:24 PM
I like short stories. I can write them and be finished with something.

Except for this <censored> cryovolcano story, apparently.

Waaah.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on August 24, 2009, 10:40:00 PM
Ah frog, take it with a lump of sugar.  I wouldn't make fun of you if I didn't like you.  :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 24, 2009, 10:42:13 PM
Silk: oh, sadness. Darn volcanoes!

Cynic: Are you sure you want to give me sugar?  ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on August 24, 2009, 10:54:24 PM
er...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on August 25, 2009, 03:47:20 AM
Blegh.  I was about to send it out when my husband pointed out a glaring error of logic.  No submission this week, sorry. :P  I'll have it fixed by next week, though.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 28, 2009, 10:18:26 AM
Prologue complete. I am quite happy with it. And shockingly enough, I'm way ahead of schedule. Maybe I can get Chapter One during my weekend shifts!

(Which, of course, you wouldn't get to see until the week after)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 29, 2009, 02:01:26 AM
Since I've completely failed to get any new writing done, I've turned to revision.

Elected to re-read my novel and take notes before I actually tried any writing (which turned out to be a good idea). I'm finished the first five chapters (out of ... twenty-eight I think? Or maybe I should say I'm now on page 107 of 561).
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 29, 2009, 09:15:15 PM
Looks like we'll have some really good submissions this week then. Go team RE! And Silk, what you described is my default too. In fact, if I am not careful that is all my 'writing' time turns into. But it is a great exercise in moderation to improve your writing.

I just had a really good brainstorming session with one of my friends. I was hugely stuck on a few of things in my book earlier this week and now I think I know how to plow through some more. Hopefully it will work all work out. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 29, 2009, 09:27:30 PM
It's not my default; I actually hate revision. But I got tired of beating my head against a wall and getting absolutely nowhere, and I want to do at least one major revision pass before classes start anyway.

Now on page 223/561 in my re-read. To entertain myself, I'm giving my chapters goofy captions as I go along.

Chapter Twelve (out of twenty-eight; someone shoot me now) - in which everybody throws a temper tantrum

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 29, 2009, 09:33:00 PM
That sounds like fun (you know, the part without the head banging and shooting). But really it is no fair talking about a book you're not submitting on this thread. Makes me feel like I am missing out on something rather then hearing about all the good stuff I have to look forward to seeing later on. ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 29, 2009, 09:47:22 PM
Well... you're hearing about all the good stuff that you can look forward to later on.

(Page 226. Woo. I am so fast.)

(Other captions include "In which there is an impressive run-on sentence" and "In which the protagonist complains about saddlesores", if that makes you feel better.)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 29, 2009, 11:29:11 PM
Well... you're hearing about all the good stuff that you can look forward to later on.
Does that mean you will be submitting it here, you will be submitting it to a publisher or that I should stop complaining enjoy the updates I am getting?

(Other captions include "In which there is an impressive run-on sentence" and "In which the protagonist complains about saddlesores", if that makes you feel better.)
Sounds like a Patrica Wrede or Diana Wynne Jones novel style of labeling chps. I love those books. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 29, 2009, 11:32:12 PM
It means it's way too long for me to practically put it through RE, but I seem to recall someone offering to be a beta reader for draft two :P

Chapter fourteen - in which the protagonist gains a sense of humour (now on page 274/561)

Interlude - in which the author stops revising to go for a swim

See you later :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on August 29, 2009, 11:37:35 PM
Ah, so you are actually going to take me up on that? I'm so happy and look forward to destroying all your hopes and dreams commenting on your work.

Have a nice swim. I remember when I used to do that. Before I moved to the rain capital of the world. ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 30, 2009, 02:45:37 AM
... I look forward to destroying all your hopes and dreams.

...Yeah, good luck with that.

Many have tried. All have failed.

:P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 30, 2009, 03:05:27 AM
I know a guy who can make all of your hopes and dreams just... disappear. I am either talking about my college counselor or a Mr. John Wayne Cleaver. I guarantee that I could personally destroy your dreams and all aspirations to do anything but wash the images from your mind, but that's generally a last resort. After standard dream crushing and life killing. >_> <_<
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 30, 2009, 03:08:34 AM
Bring it. :P

So!

Chapter Nineteen - In which the author goes to ridiculous lengths to make a bathroom joke.

Now on page 374 of 561. At this rate, I may even start revising tomorrow. Maybe.

And now...

Interlude - in which the author despairingly throws down her pen and hightails it to the bar.

Catch ya'll later. :P

(Did I really just say "ya'll"?)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: sortitus on August 30, 2009, 03:38:39 AM
Here's the handbill, should you wish to pursue this course further.
Quote
sortitus' Mind Destroying Mind Destroyer
Insanity guaranteed in three links or less, GUARANTEED!

Phone: 666
I don't think you want to sign up for that program. I'm pretty sure that it's against forum rules to even name the sites at my disposal.

On the bright side (/on topic side), I'm leaving to go write pen & paper style as per Silk's instructions. Salut!

P.S. Where I live, you can dial 6-6-6 and it will go through to an actual telephone. If you are fortunate enough to have this service in your area, I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on September 15, 2009, 01:42:05 AM
After lots of deleting, writing, than deleting again I am officially at 30,000 words. And since my book is a little YA, that translates to over a third of my outline... a bit closer to half. We'll really have to see. But the point is that the story is moving onward and it makes me happy. I mean, I almost got to part where something interesting actually happens. It's going to be amazing. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on September 25, 2009, 07:06:58 PM
I'm just a quick bridge and final scene away from a complete rough draft. A bit of revision will turn that into a first draft to send off to you fine folk this Monday. I should be able to do that between now and then, right?

Shooting for 4K words. Looks like I'll hit it, too. Yay!

(Avoid schoolwork? ME? I'm insulted, sir; insulted I say! Especially because your accusations are true. Ahem.)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on September 25, 2009, 07:46:10 PM
I'm supposed to be working on my revision of Oathbound before the Writers of the Future deadline on Wednesday. I haven't begun, and I have been proven to write short stories at the pace of a turtle. However, I have worked out an outline for the thing. It looks like it will be even shorter this time, and I'm actually excited to write it.

Turns out, writing dialogue in transcript form really can help you press onward. It also helps you stay short and snappy, which is something I always have trouble with ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Reaves on September 26, 2009, 04:45:13 PM
Urg...I am at about 3/4's through the new novel I mentioned a couple months ago (not crystalheart) and I am completely stuck in neutral. I'm writing from an outline, but I think I'll have to rework these last few chapters...I just don't feel like they are building the tension the way they should.
Anyway, that's where I am. I hope to rejoin RE soon!!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on September 27, 2009, 07:33:42 AM
Rough draft finished and committed to git's protective embrace. I got a little carried away with the bridge, not to mention the final scene. Final word count: 4631.

I tried to have fun with this one and not take myself too seriously. Hopefully the result isn't too silly for ya'll. :)

Edit: Aaaand, did a bit of revision. I am apparently entirely too pleased with myself at the moment, because I found nothing but minor typos wrong with the piece. Well, besides the beginning, which I already knew was weak but wasn't in the mood to tackle.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Jexral on October 02, 2009, 06:39:43 AM
I was typing away earlier today, and suddenly realized that i was 40k into the book I'm writing.  I did a little happy dance (the longest one before this, which I ended up giving up on because it was terrible, was 20k long, so...).  Anyway, just thought I would share.  I'll probably submit this one sometime to be read, but it really needs some revision first... too many changed ideas as I've worked on it.  <grin>
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 02, 2009, 06:53:02 AM
Congratulations! Landmarks are important. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on October 05, 2009, 03:49:10 PM
I've finally reached 20k, too, which means the manuscript is now longer than the outline by a third or so.

Also, I may have accidentally outlined two novels. Oops.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 05, 2009, 07:14:32 PM
...

How long is your outline?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on October 05, 2009, 08:27:06 PM
20,000 * 2 / 3 = 13,333

I know you don't like math, but c'mon. ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 05, 2009, 09:02:58 PM
... you weren't expecting me to put actual effort into that, were you?

Besides, that was mostly a rhetorical question. My little way of saying, "that's a really long outline."

PS: To the eight critiques that are sitting unread in my inbox right now: Sorry. Hoping to get to them this upcoming weekend. Maybe. :/
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on October 05, 2009, 09:09:16 PM
... you weren't expecting me to put actual effort into that, were you?

That depends. Does pushing 9 keys on a calculator count as "effort"?

Also, strike one up for Internet tone deafness. I actually thought it was a serious question.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 05, 2009, 09:10:52 PM
Yes, actually :P

Sorry, I'm in "don't want to" mode right now. Doing about anything counts as effort. ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on October 05, 2009, 09:17:36 PM
My little way of saying, "that's a really long outline."

If I remember correctly, you actually said that already.


Edith adds:  Of course you do, Flo!

That's quite the outline, Flo.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 05, 2009, 09:39:23 PM
Pfft. Please. You're talking to someone who can barely remember what day of the week it is. You don't expect me to remember something I said all the way back in June, do you?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on October 18, 2009, 10:27:03 AM
Got some excellent writing done on chapter two of Rebirth today, and I got the best description of this one form of magic I've ever created this far. Wonderful :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on October 19, 2009, 12:43:55 AM
Quote
I got the best description of this one form of magic I've ever created this far.

 ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on October 19, 2009, 12:52:32 AM
Let me rephrase: this one technique in my magic system I have, I wrote a lot about it in this chapter, and I came up with a very simple explanation for how it works.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on October 22, 2009, 01:44:27 AM
Sorry I haven't critiqued anyone yet.  I had my parents up for a visit this past weekend, and I'm not on top of my critical game at the moment.  Expect some feedback from me around this weekend. 

Also been working on a short story I hope to have at least a completed first draft of before November (because that's when NaNo starts, and I'm fairly sure I'm going to use all my daily allotment of creativity on that).
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Bravesamwise84 on November 06, 2009, 05:02:31 AM
OK I'll send mine this next Monday, I've got so many to read this time that on top of 1700 words per day for Nanowrimo I'm a bit strapped for time and I don't want to make it worse this week.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on November 13, 2009, 12:50:56 PM
So last night I was thinking what happened in my next Medora chapter. Turns out I got at least four scenes out of there. And just now, I looked at my outline, and we're going to be quickly propelled out of part one (and half of Act 1).

Just because I'm ridiculously behind on NaNoWriMo doesn't mean anything...

The point is, I'm very excited to get past Chapter Five, which is where I could never get past on my first book.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Andrew the Great on November 15, 2009, 09:24:29 AM
Just finished another chapter, and this one's a bear (both in terms of size and in terms of how great it was to write). Overall, though, I'm really happy how it came out. It's definitely not perfect, but I think it sets up the new PoV quite nicely.

That, and I knocked another 2,000 words out of my NaNoWriMo deficit. Only 12,000 behind now (I wrote 4k today, but only 2k count toward the deficit)!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on December 03, 2009, 10:02:54 AM
So, I keep kicking around an idea for a novel set in the world (and involving the characters) of my Sep. 28 submission, "Dalrymple, the King, and the Future". At this point I have a vague idea of a plot, a decent stock of characters, and a magic system that uses a simple idea (that some people can alter the strength and/or operation of some of the basic physical forces that govern "the Universe") to allow me to create characters that look an awful lot like superheroes, all set in a Victorian Europe-esqe setting. For some reason, I'm fascinated by the idea of putting superheroes in a world with an 18th-century level of technology.

The trouble is, I really do not want to attempt to write a novel right now, but my brain refuses to let it go. One of these days, I'm just going to start writing, and that little voice that whispers that a project this large is simply beyond the amount of time I can give to it right now (not to mention the fact that I've never attempted anything of the sort before) can just go hang. :\

Anyway, let this post serve as fair warning. Mad Schemes™ are a'brewin', and I plan to subject you to them all!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on December 03, 2009, 03:59:30 PM
Well, don't write it, just outline it.  At least, make sure your brain is convinced that's all you're doing :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Andrew the Great on December 07, 2009, 06:42:41 AM
My story, over the course of my outlining in the past week, has morphed into something far larger and considerably cooler than I had ever planned in the first place. It widened in scope, becoming more epic (well, towards the end, anyway), and it developed some awesome twists that I didn't expect.

I've written the plot out all the way through for two of my viewpoint characters. They have a combined outline total of 17 pages, not double spaced. In the five chapters of one character and three of the other that I wrote for NaNo, I've covered perhaps a half page of the total outline of the two, if that. It should be interesting to see how long this ends up being. I just might have to do some trimming of plot.

Best of all, I now know how my story ends (though granted, that changed four times today. I think it's pretty settled now, though).
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 07, 2009, 08:12:52 AM
I'm jealous. I rarely know how anything I write is going to end until I get there...

Outlines and me = not friends.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 08, 2009, 12:29:51 AM
It's okay, vegas--I'm not friends with outlines either. Well, except for when I am.

I just pitched an article to Cracked.com. (Actually wrote a complete draft of the article, too, about 1700 words.) Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 08, 2009, 05:33:29 AM
Good luck! I didn't know you did humor.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 08, 2009, 05:48:37 AM
Haha. Humour's actually entirely new to me, and so is nonfiction in general, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. But I like their stuff, and any practice is good practice. :)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Karl on December 08, 2009, 06:42:24 AM
What I did on my Summer vacation.

What?! It's flippin' December already?!? Crud!

I have managed to sort through every single box I own, purging much detritus. I have several cases of books to be donated to the library. I have a pile gossa yet to be Free-Cycled. I have become the master of fine home-made furniture in the truest Swedish tradition using only simple hand tools (a la Ikea). The master bedroom is complete, and now to work on the boy's room. The bed will arrive on Friday. I have the frames for the Beatles posters ready. I submitted the application for preschool and am about to register him for a gymnastics class. I have researched that the State of Illinois has no residency time requirement, a $30 fee, and only a 24 hour waiting period after issuing a license. The minister has already been lined up. I still have to get the TV hooked up and order cable. The cellphones will have to wait so I can get a family plan. I have spent money like there's no tomorrow, and count it as a worthy investment. My Christmas present will arrive by Virgin Atlantic Airlines in mid-January.

What does this have to do with writing? Well, nothing.

But that explains my lack of progress on anything literary and absence from this August forum.

Mayhap once it is time for Summer vacation again I will get a chance to touch quill to parchment again...

Y'all have a great Holiday Season! My New Year looks to be truly wonderfull!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 08, 2009, 08:20:32 AM
What I did on my Summer vacation.

What?! It's flippin' December already?!? Crud!


Hah. Story of my life. Fear not; you're not alone.

Ahem. On a serious note: sounds like someone's been very busy. I wish you luck in actually getting around to writing something. But hey, life comes first, and you should be congratulated on actually having one.

I mean, uhh... what?

Good to see you back :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on December 08, 2009, 10:43:46 AM
But that explains my lack of progress on anything literary and absence from this August forum.
Bah, excuses, that's not what we're - oh, wait. ::)

I myself personally am currently just shy of 50k, and will continue to be so for approximately 1.5 weeks. I suppose I could cut back on the nonessentials of life and manage both writing and uni, but that way madness lies. Madness, I say!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 08, 2009, 07:16:42 PM
I just finished my novel, yay. It ends up clocking it at somewhere between 120,000 words and 135,000 words, depending on how you count them. So that's good. I was worried it was going to go 140,000-160,000.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on December 08, 2009, 08:31:26 PM
Congratz Veggie.  What are your plans now?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 08, 2009, 10:33:58 PM
Congrats! This is a momentous thing.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 09, 2009, 06:53:53 AM
I have a NYT best-seller writer friend who promised to help look over it. Hopefully, he's still game. Meanwhile, beta readers!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 09, 2009, 07:00:01 AM
I have a NYT best-seller writer friend who promised to help look over it. Hopefully, he's still game. Meanwhile, beta readers!

I'd just like to put myself out there as a beta reader, if you have any need for more :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 09, 2009, 07:10:06 AM
I'd offer, but honestly I don't know if I could actually get to it with any seriousness before April (end of the school year). This month is not really going to be much of a holiday for me, and I have 43 RE submissions plus a friend's 230k word manuscript to get to (on top of all the stuff that is going to make December not much of a holiday).

But, uh, if that time frame works for you, then I'm game...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 09, 2009, 08:31:58 AM
Cool, Chaos. I appreciate it.

I understand busy schedules, Silk. Maybe I'll make you a 'theta' reader :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 09, 2009, 09:03:09 AM
Haha. Works for me if it works for you. :)

Progress: I ...uh... read a pyschology textbook?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 09, 2009, 09:35:45 AM
Cool, Chaos. I appreciate it.

I understand busy schedules, Silk. Maybe I'll make you a 'theta' reader :)

I think gamma or delta would be more reasonable ;)

But yeah, Jenn, feel free to send me the manuscript whenever. I'll have all of Christmas free, essentially.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on December 09, 2009, 04:00:37 PM
I'm always up for a beta read :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on December 09, 2009, 05:45:22 PM
Oh, pick me, pick me! I love beta reading. :)

Congrats, Veggi. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 09, 2009, 05:59:15 PM
Me too metoo!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on December 09, 2009, 06:23:50 PM
One thing I've been thinking about when it comes to Beta reading, you might want to get a few sets of fresh eyes as well.  If we've work-shopped your book, then we will have some preconceived notions--which aren't necessarily bad--that might skew our perception of the book.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on December 09, 2009, 07:49:28 PM
I wouldn't personally see that as an issue at this point. She hasn't submitted all that much yet... So I guess it all depends on how she wants to do it. One section at a time, or all in one go to those who want it.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 09, 2009, 09:31:36 PM
You ARE my fresh group.

The old group told me

1) I wasn't providing enough information, esp. about terminology and world history.
2) I needed to toss in more description.
3) I needed to slow down the pacing.

So...yeah.

At least I get closer to the happy medium with each swing.  ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 10, 2009, 01:46:09 AM
More description? :P Methinks that is the least of your issues.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Andrew the Great on December 10, 2009, 05:32:24 AM
Yeah, I thought the description was fine.

Vegetathalas, I'd love to beta read it over my Christmas break as well, if you're willing.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on December 10, 2009, 11:38:15 AM
The more the merrier :), Andrew

Well, it was a different draft. Picture the story with no description about ANYTHING. No setting. No physical appearance of characters. No dead bodies or feeding on intestines or anything. It was pretty much straight dialogue.

So, it's much better now :) The question is balance.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on December 10, 2009, 06:19:14 PM
It was pretty much straight dialogue.
Yay! That sounds like my first drafts. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 10, 2009, 07:59:01 PM
Yup, sounds like mine, too. Haha.

Jenn, I'd recommend that you continue to push Godsplay through Reading Excuses and just have a select few alpha read it, to get a balance. There's something to be said for a chapter-by-chapter analysis, in-depth. But that's just my suggestion ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Andrew the Great on December 11, 2009, 02:27:20 AM
I'd say the same thing (though you should pick me to be in the group that gets to read it all at once  ;)), if nothing else, because that way you can have a few people who focus on the book as a whole (ie was there anything in the story itself that really doesn't work?, how was the pacing, Character issues, etc), while some can focus on line edits. As Chaos said, there's definitely something to be said for a chapter by chapter analysis, and it catches a lot of issues that the overall readers will miss.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on December 24, 2009, 02:31:20 AM
I'm working on Dalrymple, the King, and the Future. Rewrote the beginning, and I like it better. It's briefer, more dynamic, and less in awe of its own cleverness. I hope it would pass the Frog test. Beyond that, I've just been tightening up the phrasing, fixing the minor issues people pointed out, and trying my best to cut the brain without killing the tone.

You know what? Revision is hard. I've had little incentive to revise anything I've ever written throughout my life; why should I, when first drafts earn full marks? While I'm sorta getting the hang of it, it's taking me forever and a day. I can't imagine revising a novel-length work, and certainly not multiple times!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 24, 2009, 02:44:08 AM
Poor brain =(

Good luck with your revisions, though. I agree. It's my least favourite part of the process.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on December 24, 2009, 05:54:54 AM
I hope it would pass the Frog test.
There's a Frog test? Awesome. I like any test I don't personally have to take.

Personally, I prefer revising to drafting. I hate staring at blank pages and am a compulsive editor. This becomes a problem as I haven't yet got to a point where I felt I could, you know, actually stop revising, but yeah, at least I am having fun... kinda. ::)

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 24, 2009, 08:09:29 AM
I have finally got off my butt and finished the next Rebirth chapter. I'm getting my momentum back, folks!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 24, 2009, 02:14:44 PM
WOOOT!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on December 24, 2009, 07:43:40 PM
I hope it would pass the Frog test.
There's a Frog test? Awesome. I like any test I don't personally have to take.

You're the one that always calls me on my crappy beginnings, after all.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 25, 2009, 06:47:37 PM
You can tell how pathetic I am, that I wrote 7 chapters over the last three days . . .
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 25, 2009, 09:24:05 PM
Pathetic, LTU? Not in this crowd. Such behavior deserves applause.

*claps*

I don't have that kind of work ethic...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 25, 2009, 09:27:02 PM
It's getting up early in the morning, and staying up until midnight+ every night.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 25, 2009, 09:28:01 PM
That certainly does it. I haven't been nearly as productive, but I've at least produced...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 25, 2009, 09:35:27 PM
Of course that is at the expense of spending time with family and not having any friends . . .  I mean . .. ahh . .. I'm Awesome!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 26, 2009, 12:32:43 AM
This is true. I haven't been very productive today because, well, it's Christmas.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on December 26, 2009, 04:38:34 PM
I haven't done anything over the last week.  I've been driving all over Texas and Oklahoma visiting family.  Seriously, I've had five mini-Christmases this year.  Needless to say, between Christmas and slackerdom, I haven't done anything lately.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on December 28, 2009, 07:44:42 AM
This week I got a whole new idea about a civilization that develops magic when certain numbers in the calendar system meet up, a magical birthday if you will. Gonna be brainstorming further to make sure I'm not writing an homage to Piers Anthony's Xanth stuff, and trying to come up with a half decent idea that's not so cliche I puke in my mouth a little.

On the front of the "Part Time Angel" novel....nothing. I've been at a wall for about two weeks, not really caring to keep going. I think I need to start outlining my scenes more thoroughly before I write, just to make sure I've got a point A to B to keep me typing.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on December 29, 2009, 01:11:18 AM
Draft 2 of Dalrymple, the King, and the Future is now complete and emailed to my unsuspecting close family, who I never told about it until now. Hopefully they'll have something useful to say. ;D

The next group I send this to will be editors. That's freaky. D:
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on December 29, 2009, 01:42:36 AM
Good luck!

Progress...  I got my RE inbox down to four unread emails?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on December 29, 2009, 10:37:46 AM
Progress...  I got my RE inbox down to four unread emails?

Hey, same here! Only I recently reinstalled Windows and all the other unread submissions are still backed up somewhere...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on December 30, 2009, 11:20:10 PM
I solved a main problem with my next two chapters, but in doing so, Act Two completely changes.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on December 31, 2009, 12:23:06 AM
Oh don't feel bad.  I started adjusting time lines to make things fit better, and thusly double the book size.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on January 01, 2010, 10:18:40 AM
Started Editing the first two chapters of Part Time Angel based on the feedback it received (thanks again, than was amazingly helpful!).

I need someone with a good head for numbers to help me figure out a percentage of people in the world that would be affected by certain combinations of calendar dates. If there's anyone out there that would like to help, PM me and I'll give you the lowdown on the story behind the story problem :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on January 03, 2010, 12:54:25 PM
Created a new prologue for Part Time Angel, and edited chapters 3 and 4 so that they'd jive with the new story. I'm going for a world where an organization from the time of christ has special powers and tries to do the will of god by receiving prophecy that points them to the people they need to help, rather than a group that works for god directly. They could be misguided, or have their own agenda. I felt the story would go over better with this, rather than an organization directly under god. Of course, you have to read my submission for that to make ANY sense.

On the Deathday Magic front, I still need someone who's a number cruncher to help me out with some math for the novel. I don't really NEED this information, but it'd still be nice to know.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on January 03, 2010, 08:11:01 PM
Congratulations.

I, uh, read some stuff and wrote about 500 words for my honour's thesis?

Hey, it's writing! It's not, you know... fiction... but it counts, yes? :P

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on January 10, 2010, 02:33:31 PM
This week: Nothing. Not a word written. I've spent the week mostly trying to focus on eating healthier and doing better with portion control. I'm a fat man, and I've gotta lose some weight so I can stick around this old world for a while. I've also spent a fair amount of time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, which I love.

The commentary from the group has been fantastic on Part Time Angel. I've got to admit it's bummed me out a little, just seeing how many things I have to work on. Gotta get back into the writing before I really lose focus.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on January 10, 2010, 09:43:33 PM
I wrote a 600 word short story on Thursday night...

Yeah, don't get fixated on all the things you have to work on right now. Personally, I never let myself edit before I'm done a draft, unless the problem is so huge that I feel I absolutely cannot go forward. It's a draft, it doesn't have to be perfect. The critiques will make your future writing better and once you've got the draft laid out, you can go back and fix the rest of it. :)

That's what works for me, anyways...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on January 18, 2010, 12:44:55 PM
Good advice.

This week, I finally figured out a little bit of where I want to go with Part Time Angel. I was struggling to find what I felt was a believable motivation for my villain, but NBC and the whole Conan and Jay scandal finally gave me the ideas I needed. It feels good, so I'm going with it. YAY, I can finally move forward!

I also discovered YWriter, a nifty little piece of software. I like it because it lets me keep all my stuff in one place, and has some nice features to remind me what I'm doing and where I'm going. I tried it a long time ago, didn't like it. But now it's at version 5.0 and it's matured quite a bit.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on January 18, 2010, 05:39:39 PM
So I thought of this horrible, horrible thing I could do in the climax of Rebirth. I'm a cruel, cruel man. It changes quite a lot, and I have no flippin' clue how it is going to happen.

But I might just do it.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Andrew the Great on January 19, 2010, 01:59:59 AM
Oh, I hope you do. Of course, it's partially my goal for lawless for all of you to hate at least part of my ending. Of course, that would entail me writing more than about 10 words a day......

It's really kind of sad. I haven't finished a chapter in more than a month. And that might be ok if I were struggling with writing it, or if I didn't know what was going to happen, but it's one of my favorite characters to write, and I now have the entire plot outlined (though of course, that will probably last for about 3 chapters until I change my mind and come up with something amazing that results in my rewriting the entire rest of my book. But I digress.....

I am determined to finish Chapter 4 of Lawless by the end of the night, and I'll try to get at least one review cranked out, but we'll see how that goes.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on January 20, 2010, 08:16:39 PM
I wote a pome.  ;D

I may not be very good at poetry, but the muses kissed me, so I cut back on sleep and rhymed instead.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on January 28, 2010, 11:15:38 AM
I just sent Dalrymple, the King, and the Future off to Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show (or OSCIGMS, as the cool kids say). :o My fingers are crossed, but I'm trying very hard to keep my expectations low. My hopes, on the other hand...If you don't have hope then what do you have, right?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on January 28, 2010, 06:14:51 PM
Best of luck.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on January 28, 2010, 11:18:47 PM
Today's progress...  I joined this site and wrote an introductory post. Currently thinking about an idea I had for a magic system, and wondering, yet again, if I want to redesign the world map. Also thinking of ordering a pizza.

...I've only been awake about three hours...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on February 02, 2010, 02:14:49 AM
Progress report, hmmm... Well, I finished Mass Effect 2! That doesn't really count, but that does mean I can get back to writing. I've sort of had the "screw everything else, it can wait" plan with this game.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 02, 2010, 03:16:15 AM
That good huh?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 02, 2010, 03:27:32 AM
Let's see... I wrote out five paragraphs on the backstory of Squirrel-Man, for one of my classes (which arguably turned out better than a vast majority of the backstories in the class). In regards to more personal projects, I've finally finished the prologue to the book I'm working on now (as of now untitled, as I suck at titles. Anyone who might have some ability in this area, I welcome advice!) and may - may have it ready for submission by Monday.

I say 'may' above, because I've been given an assignment for this same class to do a sculpture by Wednesday morning. As my hands will be covered with clay for much of now until then, I'm not sure if I'll find the time to write...  :'(

Update: That took much, much less time than I thought it would. Apparently - and stay with me on this, as it's a little complicated - getting your homework done right away leaves you with time afterwards to do stuff, without worrying about finishing it in time. This is huge... we have to spread the word! XD
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on February 02, 2010, 07:48:53 AM
Holy crap. That discovery could make you rich! You'd better patent it right away.

Wait, no, don't do that. I need to try it and I couldn't afford the liscence fees otherwise.

Progress: I did two graduate applications and one performer's application. This involved writing stuff. Heck, it was even fiction! (These things require one to go on about how awesome one is. See? Fiction.)

Also, I did limited line edits for a novella that I did not end up submitting as a portfolio! And totally missed the Malahat Review's novella contest deadline! Hooray!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 04, 2010, 09:28:46 AM
Prologue's finished, along with being almost entirely rewritten from the halfway point. Chapter one is outlined and actually started, believe it or not. I've been more productive today than I have in months...

May be ready for submission come Monday, if I can just decide on a bloody title...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on February 04, 2010, 05:21:35 PM
I just finished my second draft of Discharge.  I think I did much better on the ending this time.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on February 05, 2010, 07:04:41 AM
Cynic: You gonna submit the second draft to us? You don't have to, I'm just wondering if I should hold off on critting the current draft you have.

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on February 05, 2010, 04:04:12 PM
Yeah, I will, so hold off on critting the current draft.  I want a fresh set of eyes.  This goes for anyone who hasn't read the old version. 

I may not submit it this Monday though.  I want to let it sit for a bit then revise.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 06, 2010, 09:13:42 PM
Finished another chapter last night. About 4,700 words. Now I just need to figure out what happens next. This is always the hardest part of the story for me - figuring out how to bridge the beginning with the middle. Middles and ends are easy for me, but this part never has been...

Speaking of, can I submit both the prologue and the chapter i just finished, or am I only allowed to submit one per submission day?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on February 07, 2010, 12:06:11 AM
As long as it's not too much over 4000 words, go ahead and submit both. In fact, we've never really been crazy about enforcing word limits--we have had people submit really long stuff several times and it hasn't ended in tears yet. Just know that you might not get as many critiques if you submit something really long.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 07, 2010, 09:09:08 AM
I was planning on two separate files, actually, and two threads, one for each. If that's too much, or disagreeable, I have no problem just submitting the prologue.

The single chapter itself is over 4,000, though, and the prologue a little over 3,000.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on February 10, 2010, 06:33:55 PM
I'm back from winter break. I'm working on a new novel, but I'm not all that crazy about it. I may submit chapters, I may not.

I suspect critiquing everything that's passed while I've been gone would give me an aneurysm, so I'll start fresh with this week's stuff. But if there's a past submission you really want my input on, just let me know and I'll do my best to find time for it.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 10, 2010, 07:56:09 PM
I was wondering where you went.  I missed you.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on February 10, 2010, 08:18:29 PM
My brother comes back from law school once a year, so I try to maximize my time with him. Everything else gets set aside when I'm with my family.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 10, 2010, 08:25:04 PM
Ahhh good for you.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on February 10, 2010, 08:27:40 PM
Yeah... law school.  Hope he wasn't too traumatized.  I managed to get and only be mildly mentally disturbed.  I think the violence in my stories might be a symptom.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 11, 2010, 09:19:20 AM
Chapter 2 isn't working so far. I've written and deleted the opening scene half a dozen times now. I know what I want to happen by the end, what needs to happen by the end, but getting there is proving difficult. Not to mention I've had at least three different directions to take the entire novel in, only one of which would lead to my planned ending in a manner that feels natural. Then again, this planned ending is constrained by the fact that this is intended as the first book of a series - as it is currently, I don't think it could stand on it's own if it had to. I'm certain I can still make it work, but it's going to require some re-plotting.

So tomorrow, I'm going to scrap the chapter outline and make an attempt at discovery writing. I don't know where it's going to take me or the story, but I ain't got nothing to lose.

EDIT: Amazing what writing out the problem can do for you. About ten minutes after I wrote the above, I managed to think of a solution to the ending issue. Needs some fine-tuning, but I think it'll work... now I just need to solve the issue of chapter 2. XD
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: vegetathalas on February 11, 2010, 02:10:52 PM
He was fairly traumatized, but also excited because he got straight A's and good feedback on his winter internship. He listened to law podcasts the whole time and would randomly go off on tangents about contracts. Stupid contacts.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 11, 2010, 02:21:47 PM
Wow.  And here I thought we nerdy geek types went nuts about things . ..
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on February 11, 2010, 03:47:56 PM
LTU, you don't understand, all lawyers are nerds; they are just the nerds who decided to put on suits.  And the random tangents about weird aspects of the law?  That is 100% normal for a law student.  Freakishly normal, especially right before/after finals when you have bits of law leaking out your ears because you just got done memorizing an entire semester's worth of information. 

Ah, those were the days . . . that sucked . . .
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 11, 2010, 03:52:11 PM
I'm so glad I was a dancer.  You law people sound like your finals were WAY harder then my finals.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 25, 2010, 04:08:01 AM
Yay!  the compy is fixed!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on February 25, 2010, 04:42:53 AM
Yay! Are you gonna send the chapter out late, or wait until Monday?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on February 25, 2010, 06:01:00 AM
I'm pump it late if I'm allowed.  Since I have several chapters in reserve I could do it both late and Monday . . . he he.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on February 25, 2010, 07:06:55 AM
Feel free to shoot it out. There wasn't too many submissions, and you have a buffer, so its kind of a win-win.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on February 26, 2010, 05:03:30 AM
Dalrymple, the King, and the Future just got rejected from Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. That's progress, right?

Where should I send it next? Any ideas?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on February 26, 2010, 06:48:45 AM
Have you sent it to Writers of the Future?

Hmm. There's also Science Fiction and Fantasy, and one of Asimov's or Analog takes fantasy as well as sci-fi, though I don't remember which...

How many words did the ms turn out to be?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on March 02, 2010, 08:23:22 PM
Quote
How many words did the ms turn out to be?

~4400.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on March 05, 2010, 11:30:32 PM
hehe, I've got 5 new chapters done this week so far.  I expect to get two more done by Sunday.  Cool huh?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 05, 2010, 11:44:02 PM
hehe, I've got 5 new chapters done this week so far.  I expect to get two more done by Sunday.  Cool huh?

O_O Five in a week? I'm lucky to get one a week... care to share your secret?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on March 05, 2010, 11:51:37 PM
Waking up at 5 am and writing, playing with my daughter/going to work, then coming home at night to put her to bed, and writing from 8 until midnight.  Every day.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 05, 2010, 11:54:34 PM
Yeah, that looks like it would do it. Would also help me if I closed the internet for a while... but, without fail, the moment I do, I'll come across something I need to research...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on March 05, 2010, 11:57:42 PM
Research is important too.  Just because you're not making word to page progress doesn't mean you're not advancing your work.  I've been lucky to know most of what I needed already or have already finished the research I needed.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 06, 2010, 12:09:08 AM
I thought I had to, but I'm slowly making the realization that I'm more of a discovery than I initially thought I was. This is leading to ideas that I find better than those in my outlines, but involving stuff I hadn't yet researched.

Plus I think my brain is still convinced I'm an outline writer...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on March 06, 2010, 12:11:21 AM
Hahahahahaha.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 17, 2010, 07:18:13 AM
Okay, I need some help. I'm stuck on an aspect of the story, which admittedly doesn't happen for a chapter or two but is bogging me down now. Anyone willing to be a sounding board for me?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on March 17, 2010, 11:44:59 AM
Sure.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on March 22, 2010, 03:43:45 PM
FYI: First Round of Writer's of the Future First Quarter Honorable Mentions are up for anyone who submitted.  Here's the link: http://wotfblog.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on March 22, 2010, 10:05:01 PM
Sorry I've been blatantly inactive around here. There's a crapload of submissions of stuff that I regularly read, and a true to goodness metric crapload of the other stuff. Like LTU. I may just have to be like Silk and push through and critique a huge chunk all at one time.

But as for progress, Rebirth is slowing to a crawl, so I think that means I better just randomly switch into writing Act 3 to build up some momentum. This however means that none of you get to see it ;)

Perhaps more pertinent to actual submissions from me, I have an idea for a short story. They appear to be jelling together in a very weird, but interesting way. I should probably do some research on Islam, as well as Europa for this. It's going to be science fiction, and will most assuredly be one of the strangest things I've written.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 24, 2010, 06:11:55 PM
Looks like I'm going to have some bulk reading and responding to do as well. This project for Concept Development has been taking every moment of time I've had for the last two weeks. It's finally done, though, and I have Spring Break next week (actually starting today) in which I can write and respond to submissions.

...unfortunately, I can't remember all of them.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on March 25, 2010, 11:21:50 AM
It lives! That is to say, I live!

I had an epiphany of sorts (multiple ones, actually): I realised that the first draft of Concord was rubbish, would always be rubbish, and that any attempt at de-rubbish-ifying parts of it (say, in order to submit them to an entirely hypothetical writing group on the intertubes) would only cost time. Time I could also employ to make wild changes from scene to scene (or within paragraphs, even), without having to go back and edit stuff for you guys.

This, it would appear, is what first drafts are for. Seeing as my first draft is nearing completion now (~97k words, I guesstimate that I should be done before the end of April) and I intend to start submitting again once I've started the second one, I thought I'd let you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth entirely. Yet.

Don't get your hopes up, though, I'll have a ton of research and revising and whatnot to do before I can start writing draft numero dos. On the upside, I now know not only how to salvage my horrible prologue (which hopefully nobody here remembers), but also how to fix the middle, the beginning, and the ending of the story. Well, maybe not the ending, but I haven't written that yet anyhow.

Also, Chekov's gun will actually be fired in the second draft, instead of merely hanging decoratively on the wall.

I may also actually read one of the many submissions in my inbox in the near future.  ;)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: lethalfalcon on March 25, 2010, 07:20:28 PM
Progress on Mortal Divinity has pretty much stopped, not for a lack of content (I have about 10 chapters ready to write), but for lack of my co-author's time to contribute the other half of the story (he has the other viewpoints).

So I started on another of my dream ideas, Heartglass, which I pushed out the prologue for the group to be too busy to read already. :)

And then I stopped. Apparently, I now need to build three races' civilizations (at least one for chapter 1) because I got stuck on a word. Yes, a word. The name of the building that the main character is looking at. It's a government building, but without knowing the government, it's kinda hard to name the building. So... I get to stew for awhile. Yes, I could skip it and just insert a random building name to get chapter 1 done, but that'll just come back to bite me later when I need to know even more about the government.

And then there's my mouth, which looks like a train wreck after they pulled my abscessing tooth in preparation for an implant. Doesn't hurt, thankfully, but it's swollen like crazy, and I can't eat much because it's my front tooth they pulled. I eat donuts with a knife and fork. :(

And work just won't leave me alone. Rather, the bills won't leave me alone, and my money tree is apparently not getting enough nutrients to flourish.

So, you might get chapter 1 of Heartglass in a month. Hopefully I have more reviews of the prologue by then to help shape it. *nudge nudge*
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on March 26, 2010, 09:30:07 PM
I sent off Discharge to Writers of the Future yesterday.  *crosses fingers*
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on March 27, 2010, 03:46:43 AM
I sent off Discharge to Writers of the Future yesterday.  *crosses fingers*

Best of luck, Cynic! ^_^
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Argas on March 30, 2010, 01:17:41 AM
Been busy the last few weeks between school work and life. Once April is done with, I'll probably get a good chance to go through the submissions.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 03, 2010, 03:22:31 AM
I sent off Discharge to Writers of the Future yesterday.  *crosses fingers*

Crap, I was hoping I'd have the chance to critique it before you did. I feel guilty now.

(I'll still critique it when I have the chance, of course.)

Anyway, best of luck.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on April 03, 2010, 04:18:57 AM
Don't worry Silk.  The version you have is completely obsolete now anyway.  Of the fifty or so people who have read it (or a draft of it) I think only two didn't like it, and those two stopped reading after five pages, so my faith in them only goes so far.  What I'm saying is, if you'd like to read the polished version, I can send it to you.  Most people have loved the story.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 03, 2010, 04:46:42 AM
Yeah, send it my way! I'm curious if nothing else. :)

Though it goes without saying that I probably won't get to it right away. ::)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on April 03, 2010, 05:40:19 AM
What Silk said applies to me as well :) I'd love to see it.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on April 24, 2010, 12:22:49 AM
Hey all. I have some time to critique this coming week but so much back log that I don't think I will be trying to do all of them since I'm not sure who is still active and still looking for critiques for older stuff. So, let me know if there is one you still waiting for more feedback on if you have an updated version of a submit you want some fresh eyes on. Otherwise I'll just pick out a few to do and let the pieces fall where they may.... :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on April 24, 2010, 04:06:31 AM
Yeah, I'm in the same boat as Frog.  I have two months worth of stories to read.  If you want someone to a take another look at your story, pipe up now or forever hold your peace.  Otherwise, I'm just going to pick and choose...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on April 24, 2010, 04:09:18 AM
*raises his hand* Oooh! Oooh! Me me me!

...wait... have you commented on mine yet? I can't actually remember...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: lethalfalcon on April 24, 2010, 04:31:02 AM
Apparently I need to write more since all of you have time now.  Off to try not to butcher my next chapter.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on April 24, 2010, 02:05:11 PM
Well, I know I haven't Shivertongue. I'll do your two chapters next (that is all there is, right?). Anyone else?
And yes, falcon. This week would be the week to do it. Get moving.  >:(
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on April 24, 2010, 04:04:13 PM
Hey all. I have some time to critique this coming week but so much back log that I don't think I will be trying to do all of them since I'm not sure who is still active and still looking for critiques for older stuff. So, let me know if there is one you still waiting for more feedback on if you have an updated version of a submit you want some fresh eyes on. Otherwise I'll just pick out a few to do and let the pieces fall where they may.... :P

I also will be doing this. FYI, I only got two critiques on "To Wish Upon a Dragon", so I'm definitely interested in more if you have the time. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on April 24, 2010, 10:21:17 PM
Er... wasn't I one of those critiquers? 
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on April 25, 2010, 07:44:07 AM
Yes, I believe you were. Thanks for  that, by the way.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Frog on April 28, 2010, 07:50:01 PM
You're next Ryos (Muhahahaha!)   


Edit: And done. Anyone else? I think I could probably do at least 2-3 more....
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on April 29, 2010, 07:21:52 AM
Making probably-final edits on an older manuscript right now. Most of what I've got for it will be easy stuff to fix. As for the biggest problem with the ms, I've finally figured out WHAT I do in order to fix it, just not how. It's looking kind of unlikely that I will have this ready by Friday. Oh well. ::)

Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on May 20, 2010, 04:36:08 PM
LTU is very surprised at how fast he is moving through Six Stones.  It must be because everyone gave him good idea that worked.  That must be it.  That means this success is your faults.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on May 22, 2010, 08:27:43 PM
We're happy to take the--ah, blame--for your success. :P

In other news: My major project (the band website) is almost done. I'm reading a friend's manuscript now, and then I'll start getting caught up on all you lovely peoples' submissions.

(Why am I doing my friend's ms first? Well, because I'm all caught up on your submissions as far as January. I've had this manuscript since September. Fair's fair. :P)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Dark_Prophecy on May 30, 2010, 02:05:49 AM
I've been ever so quiet for several months now, but I'm back! I've been busy working, taking care of my 1 year old son, and generally just trying to live life. I haven't had too much time for writing, but LTUE got me excited again, and then I really got motivated when I won a flash fiction contest (albeit a very very small one) on a favorite website of mine. After that, I got the idea to maybe start a serial novel on my book review blog, but in the end I think I've decided to just go through the critique process and write it as a novel, because it's just too cool an idea not to be published in the traditional way.

And yes, being published, as always, is the goal. I love writing because I enjoy it, but if I can get paid to do it as well, then why not?

The new story is called Last Call.

The status of Part Time Angel is....well, mostly dead. I've finally got an idea that excites me, a real plan for the whole novel that I can work with, and will. I'm just liking writing Last Call so much that I just can't make myself get to it.

So, if there's not too many people submitting this Monday, I'd love to shoot you guys the first little bit of Last Call. Eventually I'll get back into Part Time Angel as well, but it's all about the Last Call right now :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: lethalfalcon on June 15, 2010, 06:02:11 AM
So... okay, apparently, while having another of my wonderful (not) restful naps (I don't really sleep, merely nap, considering they don't last, and I'm such a light sleeper that pin drops awaken me), my mind decided to add a huge chunk of flesh to the skeleton of a story. Is it one I was already working on? Of *course* not!

And what do I do? Write? Foolish mortal, how boring that would be. No no no, instead, I spend upteen hours *modeling* one of the characters. So, I give you, in its mostly complete rough form, T'Garin.
(http://www.endlessrealities.com/images/modeling/dragon_with_wings_sm.jpg)

His real name is Tarynissigarin, which roughly translates to "the sky's reflection" (literally, "sky's clone of color"). His mate, Aramel (Arameldrith), will come later, once I get wings and more features on T'Garin. They're about lion-sized, so pretty much unable to ride (I suppose a small child could do so, but they don't and won't; the added weight would make it very difficult besides).

I'm very slowly progressing on Heartglass. The next chapter would probably be done if I actually sat down and worked on it for more than 10 minutes at a time. But DRAGONS!  (it's my oooh-shiny). I'm a bit torn, because this new story would be far more... exciting to me, but honestly, I'm a little scared of actually writing it. Dragons are also a very touchy subject around me; if they aren't done right, they absolutely suck, and I don't want my precious imaginary animals sullied. So, am I up to it? Dunno. Heartglass I have a lot more of the actual story down, too. With this other one, it's more like a lot of scenes, and one main arc.

And then there's my work. Ever present, and very needy. If only I could count code, I'd be a published author in no time. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on June 19, 2010, 08:02:29 AM
Some line edits on the current manuscript and a bit closer to nailing the timeline. Other than that though... I'm starting to despair of ever getting this thing done. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on June 19, 2010, 10:11:35 AM
Started the first chapter of Wavepainter tonight. With luck, should have something to submit on Monday.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on June 20, 2010, 03:50:52 AM
I was sick with a really high fever about 3 months ago and I lost all momentum.  Ugh, I hate trying to reengage with a novel that has been on the shelf for a while.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on June 30, 2010, 02:01:27 AM
I've been writing Mistborn fanfic. V_V

Okay, that requires some background: I'm doing a Mistborn forum RP, and I wrote a new prologue for the setting. One of the scenes in said prologue turned out extremely well. It's sort of sad, actually. It's essentially fanfic, and yet that scene was the first scene in a long time where I thought "Holy crap, I nailed it." I would've much preferred to get the same effect doing my own work.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Comatose on June 30, 2010, 06:30:26 AM
I am almost finished the second part.  I thought I was moving into the last scene, but it was too much, so I split it and half.  I also spread the very busy scene before it into two parts, and now I like both a lot better.
That being said, it's kind of frustrating to have done so much writing today, and still have the whole last scene left to write.  It feels like I didn't get anywhere, even though I did.

PS: Chaos, your prologue is really great.  I liked it a lot.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on July 01, 2010, 01:00:01 AM
1100 new words on Fall, Stars, Fall today. Probably 2500 new words over all, and deleted, I dunno, 2000 or something of the old stuff?

Gonna spend some time tightening and smoothing out rough edges (again!) later today, but really I think that's about it for this piece. Phew.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Comatose on July 05, 2010, 05:54:11 PM
I could use some more feed back on the scene I submitted before I get too much into revisions.  It's really short, so it shouldn't take you long to read at all.
I'm not ignoring the things you guys have been telling me about my work, I'm looking forward to making working on the changes you suggested.  I just wanted your opininion on something a little more recently written before I got deep into my revisions, so I know if there are still any major problems with my current writing style.

I've started listening to the Writing Excuses Podcasts, and some of them have been really helpful.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on July 06, 2010, 04:40:54 AM
Not to worry. Personally, I find that the easiest way to kill a project is to go revision-crazy before I finish a draft of it. You don't have to immediately jump on revisions just because people thought you should make some changes. :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Asmodemon on July 07, 2010, 10:24:11 PM
I wouldn’t recommend doing revisions either until you’ve completely written the first draft. Anything you edit now will need further editing and revisions once you’re done anyway, so you risk just wasting time now. You can’t successfully revise a piece until it’s done – only then will you have all the pieces in front of you and you can edit things to fit the bigger picture.

Remember this is your first draft, it’s not supposed to be perfect and neither will your revised chapters be perfect when we get to read them. You’ll get new critiques and you’ll want to revise things again, which will put you in the same position as you are now. But if you finish your first draft you can hold up the critiques against the bigger picture and more successfully decide your story’s path.

Speaking for myself, I know I’ve given you a lot of suggestions already, which may have discouraged you from continuing your first draft. That’s never been my intent; I think you should continue your first draft. What I suggest is that you make notes of what has been pointed out so far, think on it a bit, and then continue to write the remainder of your story with those points in mind. If you’ve already got changes in mind, write those down, and continue as if you’ve already made the changes in the earlier chapters.

It’s your decision of course, but that’s what I think.

Also:

Quote
I am almost finished the second part.  I thought I was moving into the last scene, but it was too much, so I split it and half.

I don't know how many parts you want to write, but it sounds to me you're already pretty far under way. Just press on, you're almost there.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Comatose on July 08, 2010, 02:25:27 AM
Don't worry, your critiques haven't discouraged me (my job has, but that's another story).  I'm actually am noticing my writing improving in the more recent chapters.  Please keep them coming!  Let me know what I'm doing good or bad.  Like I said before, this is the first advice I've really ever gotten on my writing, so anything an everything helps!

I'll take this latest advice to heart though... I do really want to see that first draft done.  Maybe I'll make July and August my own personal NaNoWriMo's, and just push through to the end ;).

As for progress... I've had none the last week.  Bogged down at work (ugh), I've got to learn to write when tired and sleep deprived!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Asmodemon on July 08, 2010, 09:34:44 PM
I hear you, it's been a busy few months for me at work as well - deadlines after deadlines after deadlines.

I've got a pretty long commute every day coming and going to work so I've taken to write on the train to get my writing time. It's a hard thing because trains and busses never fail to make me sleepy, but on good days I can type a a few hundred words and that's progress. Not lately though, too tired to do anything but sleep or read :(
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on July 09, 2010, 08:29:06 AM
For those of you who remember that flash fiction piece I sent out a while back, Cobwebs and Silhouettes, I've done some revisions on it in the last little while. Not quite as much as I'd like (that unexpected trip out of town really threw me) but some, and I know more or less where I want to go with the rest of the revisions.

I've also been making decent headway on some background stuff for a novel in the same setting. Maybe I'll make that novel my next big project. (It appears to be ousting several other contenders.)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: LongTimeUnderdog on July 22, 2010, 02:20:12 AM
2nd draft of "The Name of God," renamed "The Canticle and the Forge."  1/8th done.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Comatose on July 23, 2010, 02:45:12 AM
Silk, I'm still trying to get around to reading "Fall Stars Fall."  I've just been procrastinating.  I haven't forgotten about it though!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Shivertongue on July 23, 2010, 04:30:02 AM
The good news: I've been getting a lot more hours at work, which means I should be able to get a new computer in about a month.

The bad news: I've barely written a word of Wavepainter in the last few weeks. Chapter two is currently paused at 522 words, and has been there for about two weeks now. The ideas are flowing fine, I'm just two exhausted to think them through when I sit down to write. Also, webcomics are a distraction..
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on July 23, 2010, 04:48:50 AM
Comatose: Thanks--there's no hurry. Whenever you can get around to it is good. :)

Did some more revisions on the Cobwebs and Silhouettes story and got most of what I wanted to done. That said, I suspect it isn't quite done yet.  (I sent a copy out to a writer friend of mine; guess I'll see what he has to say about it.) Also been working on some world/plot/character building for a novel in the same setting, which is a slow and painful part of the process for me. And I haven't gotten anything at all done in the last few days. -.- I blame my immune system for that one.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: lethalfalcon on July 23, 2010, 06:59:46 AM
Well, I got chapter 2 of Heartglass done and posted, but I'm going to shelve that one until I get more critiques on it. I'm not quite sure how the tone is going.

Mortal Divinity is making very slow progress; I have a lot more I could write, but I want to make sure the person I'm co-authoring with is on the same page. He's a bit slower than even me.

So I wrote about half of the first chapter of Gods' Deceit. The one that has dragons. I figured out a lot more about how the plot arc is going to pan out, as well as the reason for The Way Things Are (tm). So I can actually write it now. I think I'll enjoy it the most.

But of course I waste my time modeling T'Garin, instead. See?

(http://www.endlessrealities.com/images/modeling/dragon_with_wings2_sm.jpg)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: ryos on August 03, 2010, 07:45:14 PM
I'm currently annoyed at Inception. See, I wrote (poorly) a short story based on similar concepts (creating through shared dreaming) some 10-odd years ago. I was planning on reworking it at some point. Now I'm not sure I will, because Inception was so incredibly awesome and deep and complex that I just don't know if I can do the idea justice after that without looking like a cheap hack.

Oh well. Some day I'll get around to critting all you guys. Sorry to fall so far behind!
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Recovering_Cynic on August 09, 2010, 03:25:11 PM
So a few weeks ago I started perusing Native American mythology, and it stirred some ideas in my head.  They stuck, and over the past few weeks I have started outlining the first book in what I hope will be a trilogy.  I finished a rough sketch of the first book's outline last night.  I still have some worldbuilding to do before I can fully complete the outline, but I hope to start on the first few chapters  by the end of the week.

The highlights:
Urban Fantasy
Steampunkishness (only with modern technology)
The undermining of nearly everything in our current reality
 :)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 09, 2010, 11:11:44 PM
Whee! Good luck with it.

I've been working on worldbuilding/outlining for a new project too. Maybe I should set the same goal as you have, and try to start actually writing by the end of the week. =)
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Valkynphyre on August 10, 2010, 02:40:54 AM
I've been doing a bit of writing, but not on my story. It's for the mistborn forum rpg (http://mistbornrpg.17thshard.com/index.php?). I figure it all counts toward the million or so practice words I need, no?
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 10, 2010, 09:44:17 AM
I've been doing a bit of writing, but not on my story. It's for the mistborn forum rpg (http://mistbornrpg.17thshard.com/index.php?). I figure it all counts toward the million or so practice words I need, no?

That's kind of what I'm banking on.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 10, 2010, 10:57:52 PM
Heh. I did forum RP for years. In my experience... yes and no. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on August 12, 2010, 12:24:46 AM
It lives! That is to say, I live!

[snip]

I may also actually read one of the many submissions in my inbox in the near future.  ;)

This. Only for real, this time. Did I say my first draft would be finished in April? I misspoke. I meant August. I mean October. Later this year, at any rate. I hope.

I'm definitely counting forum RP, by the way. Heck, I'll even count regular RP. Maybe not videogames, though.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on August 12, 2010, 03:31:54 AM
Hello from the depths of your memory!  Yes, I'm still around, no, I haven't been reading anyone's submissions, and yes, I will eventually get around to critiquing all of them.  They are still in my in-box (I sometimes go through, download them all and shunt them to their own separate folder).

Anyway, the past... however long it's been, I've been reworking my first nano novel.  Got that straightened out, so hopefully I will begin submitting chapters of it sometime in September. 

If you'll still have me, that is.  *makes bambi eyes*
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Comatose on August 12, 2010, 06:17:56 AM
You know you've been reading too much WOT when:

All your female characters suddenly start smoothing their dresses and arching their eyebrows before doing anything.  I saw the joke in Brandon's forum, but I still keep catching myself.  At least NO ONE is tugging their braid...
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: lethalfalcon on August 12, 2010, 06:29:06 AM
I don't think telling the game your character's name is going to add much word count to your repertoire. :)

And get out of the depths of my memories, Ravenstar. It's dangerous down there!

I'm writing, too. GMing  a campaign. That definitely counts. :D And I get instant critiques in the form of "Oh man!" and "You suck!" when I slaughter characters who didn't move fast enough. Ah, the joys.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on August 12, 2010, 07:18:01 AM
Rocks fall, everybody dies, death comes raining from the skies...

:D
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on August 14, 2010, 12:47:07 AM
I wrote 2800 words on Rebirth. Holy crap, you're amazed.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Flo_the_G on October 03, 2010, 05:09:36 PM
I just finished the first draft of Concord. Yay! Now I have 409 pages (almost 130k words) worth of confusion, deliberate inconsistencies and irrelevant subplots, not to mention a plot that sort of shifts focus towards the middle, and then completely derails towards the end.

Mind you, I have pages upon pages of notes, and a fairly good idea of how to fix this. I'm confident I could get a second draft to work, to a point where one could actually read it without scratching holes into one's head.

Alas, I also have at least one other idea that is developed enough that I could realistically pursue it, laying the basis for which would probably be only slightly more work than making an outline for a rewrite of Concord. Besides, I could immediately put all the nifty things I learnt to work, now that I know what doesn't.

I tried asking myself what Jesus would do, but I don't particularly like wine, so I thought I'd ask you folks instead. Do I give Concord a well-earned rest and leave it to gestate in my subconscious while I do something else, or do I press on until its done before I allow myself to embark to new shores?

Now that the initial elation has worn off, my mind is paralysed by indecision while the rest of me is listening to wartime songs and eating a bag of crisps. This does not bode well.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Silk on October 03, 2010, 08:11:50 PM
Congratulations!

Personally, I would lean more towards finishing another book first. (This is what I did after finishing the Ringing Horn. Of course, I haven't finished a second book yet...) You learn a whole lot from finishing that first book, and time away from a draft is definitely helpful.

Then again, if you already have some specific things in mind to change in Concord, time away might not be that essential now; you can always fix the things that you already know are wrong with it, then come back to it later and see if you can find other things wrong with it.

And of course, if you wake up one day with a deep-burning desire to work on one or the other, you should do that. :P
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Stormblessed on October 10, 2010, 04:09:43 AM
I have started work on what will hopefully be my first completed piece. I have several partially written stories, and many more ideas which lack substantial plot to turn into a story, but hopefully this is about to change.  :-\

The working title of my story will be Perfection. No, this is not a comment on how good I think my story is (in fact at the moment I think it is quite bad). The story is in fact a fantasy murder mystery, and the original idea for the story was based around a serial killer searching for the perfect murder. Of course, this story has changed drastically from the original idea, but the murderer is still a perfectionist, and seeks perfection, so I thought I would keep the name.

Well, here goes. About to start Perfection  V2 (Version 2. I didn't like version 1, so I am doing a re-write, but I like to keep all past versions just in case I decide to reuse an idea).
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Renoard on December 29, 2010, 05:26:17 PM
I've had a lot going on. My dad got very ill, and I was one of two full time caregivers. Previously I had been part time mostly offering adult daycare etcetera. But he had a fall and was severely abused while in hospital. We caught it an pulled him out so we could care for him at home, but not before the damage was unrecoverable. He passed on a few weeks ago and I've been decompressing. In the middle of this my laptop that I use as my main home computer died an unnatural death and I have been trying to rebuild my life from scraps left hither and yon.

I submitted my first novel El Shaddu over the threshold at a major publisher and when I didn't hear back from then within the time they allot for that, I resubmitted with a free-lance acquisitions editor at another house.

In all that I finished a short story set in the world on my novel El Shaddu. It's not ready for PG audiences, a bit violent etc.

And I've written 30% of a new novel (the rest is in outline format).

Started a new blog about the foibles of trying to get published.

I've also written a couple of short "faerie tales." I maintain that real people have fantasy lives. Just because characters live in a fantasy world doesn't mean they won't fantasize themselves, so I have written these tales from the perspective of the characters in my new novel. It helps me characterize them more strongly and the tales aren't a bad read from our perspective either.
Title: Re: Progress and Submission Reports
Post by: Chaos on January 08, 2011, 08:55:28 AM
Hey guys and gals. Here's my progress report: I'm alive! Isn't that thrilling? Apologies for my absence. I'm busy with schoolwork, doing 17th Shard and its Mistborn RP. Wee, fan fiction.

On my novel's front, Rebirth has become my honors thesis, which means I'll actually have to complete it now. It's fairly exciting stuff! My new outline is making the book much more solid.