Daniel Brophy
from Taunton, MA is reading The Power of OneJuly 4, 2012 - 11:24am
@GaryP Thank you, sir.
.
July 4, 2012 - 1:03pm
The challenge is a bit slow so far, in regards to reviews and such. I can't point fingers though, I'm falling behind on doing reviews. But I can't wait until it starts to pick up a bit.
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 4, 2012 - 4:56pm
I haven't had any real time to read, but will hopefully do a little here and there. Dakota's was the only one I've read thus far.
Finished mine today. Or I think so. Not sure when I'll post it. It's a touch more gratuitous than I'm used to, but I met all the requirements. 3 deaths, in my hometown (El Cerrito, CA, and uses several local landmarks), has several original monster concepts which I adapted from a novel I finished 3/4 of several years ago and then abandoned, and is at about 2,400 words. I think it reads pretty quick, and it doesn't violate my "horror should always have some thought and philosophy behind it" rule despite being fairly gratuitous.
I'm nervous about posting it. I like it, but I got it to where it is in about 3 hours and am afraid I'm still looking at it through rose-colored goggles.
iamsnaggletooth
July 4, 2012 - 5:01pm
Where do you people get your courage?
I need some of it.
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresJuly 4, 2012 - 5:45pm
I strongly recommend everyone getting in there and trying to read at least a few of the stories. Being the new guy, I don't know how these challenges usually go, but everything I've read has been enjoyable in one way or another. Some really good stuff out there, so congrats to everyone who's been brave enough to post so far.
I've never been part of an online writer's group of any kind before, so to me all of this is very exciting!
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 4, 2012 - 6:00pm
Shit. I just read mine again. I kind of hate it.
I knew I should have just posted the bloody thing. Now I'll have to rewrite it 5 times before I'm happy again.
Hector Acosta
from Dallas is reading FletchJuly 5, 2012 - 7:12am
So I think I'm going to go ahead and try to submit something for this. I never written horror(though I'm sure some of my first drafts have scared people..)so this should be a good way to spread my wings. I'm also going to start reading people's stories today.
If I win a cup, do I have to fill it up with coffee?
Flaminia Ferina
from Umbria is reading stuffJuly 5, 2012 - 8:35am
So, my first horror (fiction) is up on Scare Us! Here. A Presidential Stroll. Weird stuff. Now I can read Howie's. And other horrors.
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 5, 2012 - 9:53am
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJuly 5, 2012 - 10:46am
"I hope it doesn't suck. If nothing else, it's got genitals."
So does Utah, that doesn't mean he doesn't suck.
Actually, i have not read your story so it could be masterful. And I have no conclusive proof on the above mentioned genitals, I'm just assuming.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryJuly 5, 2012 - 10:51am
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.July 5, 2012 - 10:53am
I find that, when in doubt, it's always safest to assume genitals.
Chad Stroup
from San Diego is reading Primal Screamer by Nick BlinkoJuly 7, 2012 - 11:37am
I've only had time to read one story, but I hope to get through at least a couple more over the weekend. If anyone's dying to check out another story and has the time, please take a look at "Emaciated Man." I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, but I think only like two people have read it so far.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 7, 2012 - 10:44pm
Here's a question . . . What are the limitations on editing? How much are you allowed to change a story once it's been submitted?
Flaminia Ferina
from Umbria is reading stuffJuly 8, 2012 - 2:46am
@Arlane, oh, don't ask me. I'm basically workshopping my story within the contest. I'm just not good enough to write dry with no feedback at all. Yet.
I'm trying to get some reactions, then I'll upload a more refined version of A Presidential Stroll, when I'm ready. No one bashed me for this reason. Yet.
Jack Campbell Jr.
from Lawrence, KS is reading American Rust by Phillipp MeyerJuly 8, 2012 - 2:46pm
I just uploaded a story titled "Patchwork." I don't normally write creature horror, so I would love to get some feedback on it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories.
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJuly 9, 2012 - 10:33am
So here is the list of the first 7 people to win LitReactor mugs!
szainabwilliams
Joanna Parypinski
Jane Wiseman
sean of the dead
Marc Ferris
lspieller
Michael J. Riser
If your name is on this list, you should be getting an email from me shortly. Congrats, everyone! Thanks to getting Scare Us off to a good start. There are a lot more cool things coming, so keep on reading and writing, people!
szainabwilliams
from Los Angeles is reading Beyond Good and EvilJuly 9, 2012 - 10:51am
Awesome!! Thanks!
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 9, 2012 - 11:16am
Woohoo! Thanks guys.
Jane Wiseman
from living outside of Albuquerque/in Minneapolis is reading Look to Windward by Iain M. BanksJuly 9, 2012 - 12:33pm
Wow! Thanks! I will sip from it proudly!
Bob Pastorella
from Groves, Texas is reading murder books trying to stay hip, I'm thinking of you, and you're out there so Say your prayers, Say your prayers, Say your prayers July 9, 2012 - 1:16pm
I finished my story this afternoon, and will be giving it the MS Word Grammar check once over this evening, hopefully uploading it tonight. I'm looking forward to reading all of the monster goodness inside these walls.
lspieller
from Los Angeles
July 9, 2012 - 3:31pm
thank you! Can I say I'm an award winning author now? ;)
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresJuly 9, 2012 - 3:50pm
I'm super excited about a coffee mug, thank you!
I'm also super excited about the fact that not a single story so far (unless I've missed one or misread one) has used the cop-out of "it was just a dream." There's nothing worse than that, in ANY genre, but especially horror. That being said, to any future story that may have that as it's premise, I'm always open to being proven wrong.
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 9, 2012 - 4:40pm
Got my first bad review! Which I deserve if for no other reason than my personal life has intruded completely on my reading. I really need to put the beer away.
Admin
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJuly 9, 2012 - 7:21pm
I'm happy you guys are all having fun so far! That's what this is all about.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryJuly 9, 2012 - 8:12pm
I thought it was about getting chicks. You lied to me, Kirk!
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJuly 10, 2012 - 8:17am
i'm still trying to get something written for this, when is the deadline to post up again, end of july? ugh, sorry, worked 67 hours last week in six days, exhausted.
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 10, 2012 - 10:02am
Richard, I think you just posted your horror story. Scarier than mine in one sentence. Jesus.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJuly 10, 2012 - 1:45pm
a players gotta get paid, yo
Admin
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJuly 10, 2012 - 1:53pm
Yep, you have till the end of July, Richard. Have a drink and a chill pill, then get snapping!
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryJuly 10, 2012 - 3:21pm
Or smoke some weed and write something happy.
Admin
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJuly 10, 2012 - 3:58pm
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 11, 2012 - 11:25am
Did someone mention weed?
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJuly 11, 2012 - 3:13pm
Jane and Lauren, way to go!!!
Off to submitting my first horror story, so be merciful, people.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJuly 11, 2012 - 3:15pm
thanks, kirk. i have an idea, been flitting around my head for a few weeks, just haven't had time to sit down and flesh it out.
.
July 11, 2012 - 4:02pm
Bob Pastorella and Richard Thomas, I'll do a review on your guy's stories if I can get the favor returned.
Eh? Eh? Yeah. :D
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJuly 11, 2012 - 5:45pm
if i WRITE one, sure.
Charles
from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham JonesJuly 11, 2012 - 7:15pm
oooo *debates joining*
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 11, 2012 - 9:18pm
Blood and red ink everywhere! Anyone care to take a look and the new and improved A Thousand Cuts? (Although most of the ink was really black or pencil. Ah well!)
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 11, 2012 - 9:19pm
@Liana - Hey, if they tear it too shreds, you can always change it ;) Give it a few more teeth, maybe some claws, and then send it out to hunt the nay sayers ;)
Covewriter
from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & SonsJuly 11, 2012 - 10:06pm
I can't believe I'm 1200 words in to a horror story! I like my starting, but I don't know if i will finish because I'm hedging around the horror part. I read the other stories to see how others do it. Is that cheating? If I submit this it will be an accomplishment in itself. Such a new genre for me.
Michael J. Riser
from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino IglesiasJuly 11, 2012 - 10:53pm
Reading is never cheating. Reading is how you learn.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 12, 2012 - 4:23am
stealing art is art if you know how to launder the loot®
XyZy
from New York City is reading Seveneves and Animal MoneyJuly 12, 2012 - 5:53am
stealing laundry is art if you know how to defruit the loom®
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJuly 13, 2012 - 4:46am
stealing hard copies of old computer games is art if you know how to derez the eua®
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 13, 2012 - 8:48am
Okay, I've read a lot of the stories and really like all of them. Everytime I read another I end up editing mine again. I also keep going over 4,000 words and have to cut and cut. Then I end up editing more because of the things I cut out.
Do you see a cycle here?
Anyways have to quit being a complainer and post this puppy. I am re-reading once more on my lunch break and then posting. I hate only reading for grammar mistakes but its that time..
Everyone is doing a great job. This has been a lot of fun.
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 13, 2012 - 11:11am
I finally posted my story. I hope you guys like it. It's called HOWL. Thanks!
Wonder Woman
from RI is reading 20th Century GhostsJuly 13, 2012 - 2:17pm
I'm almost 2,000 words into my short story. I'm very excited at how the words are just pouring onto the paper (er, keyboard). This will be my first submission, so I'm anxious, but looking forward to it. Can't wait to read some submissions soon!
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 13, 2012 - 3:55pm
Welcome wonderwoman!
I had the chance to read a few more myself - some really good, fun stuff so far. I have a festival this weekend but hopefully get to read some more when I get home.
As for me, I'm working on my first LitReactor submission as well. I think mine is turning out to be more horror/adventure/satire - a challenge as I've never done something like this before. It's starting to get to be a lot fun. But I'm at about 2700 words and entering into the final scenes. It's gonna be tough. Looks like I'm going to have to hack it up afterwards to make it nice & tight.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 16, 2012 - 7:59pm
Another question. Which is the most appropriate way to post an updated version of a story: in the same slot with edit or as a new post marking it as a later draft?
@GaryP Thank you, sir.
The challenge is a bit slow so far, in regards to reviews and such. I can't point fingers though, I'm falling behind on doing reviews. But I can't wait until it starts to pick up a bit.
I haven't had any real time to read, but will hopefully do a little here and there. Dakota's was the only one I've read thus far.
Finished mine today. Or I think so. Not sure when I'll post it. It's a touch more gratuitous than I'm used to, but I met all the requirements. 3 deaths, in my hometown (El Cerrito, CA, and uses several local landmarks), has several original monster concepts which I adapted from a novel I finished 3/4 of several years ago and then abandoned, and is at about 2,400 words. I think it reads pretty quick, and it doesn't violate my "horror should always have some thought and philosophy behind it" rule despite being fairly gratuitous.
I'm nervous about posting it. I like it, but I got it to where it is in about 3 hours and am afraid I'm still looking at it through rose-colored goggles.
Where do you people get your courage?
I need some of it.
I strongly recommend everyone getting in there and trying to read at least a few of the stories. Being the new guy, I don't know how these challenges usually go, but everything I've read has been enjoyable in one way or another. Some really good stuff out there, so congrats to everyone who's been brave enough to post so far.
I've never been part of an online writer's group of any kind before, so to me all of this is very exciting!
Shit. I just read mine again. I kind of hate it.
I knew I should have just posted the bloody thing. Now I'll have to rewrite it 5 times before I'm happy again.
So I think I'm going to go ahead and try to submit something for this. I never written horror(though I'm sure some of my first drafts have scared people..)so this should be a good way to spread my wings. I'm also going to start reading people's stories today.
If I win a cup, do I have to fill it up with coffee?
So, my first horror (fiction) is up on Scare Us! Here. A Presidential Stroll. Weird stuff. Now I can read Howie's. And other horrors.
Well, I just posted The Pursuit of Love and Labor. I hope it doesn't suck. If nothing else, it's got genitals.
"I hope it doesn't suck. If nothing else, it's got genitals."
So does Utah, that doesn't mean he doesn't suck.
Actually, i have not read your story so it could be masterful. And I have no conclusive proof on the above mentioned genitals, I'm just assuming.
I find that, when in doubt, it's always safest to assume genitals.
I've only had time to read one story, but I hope to get through at least a couple more over the weekend. If anyone's dying to check out another story and has the time, please take a look at "Emaciated Man." I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, but I think only like two people have read it so far.
Here's a question . . . What are the limitations on editing? How much are you allowed to change a story once it's been submitted?
@Arlane, oh, don't ask me. I'm basically workshopping my story within the contest. I'm just not good enough to write dry with no feedback at all. Yet.
I'm trying to get some reactions, then I'll upload a more refined version of A Presidential Stroll, when I'm ready. No one bashed me for this reason. Yet.
I just uploaded a story titled "Patchwork." I don't normally write creature horror, so I would love to get some feedback on it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories.
http://litreactor.com/events/scare-us/patchwork
So here is the list of the first 7 people to win LitReactor mugs!
If your name is on this list, you should be getting an email from me shortly. Congrats, everyone! Thanks to getting Scare Us off to a good start. There are a lot more cool things coming, so keep on reading and writing, people!
Awesome!! Thanks!
Woohoo! Thanks guys.
Wow! Thanks! I will sip from it proudly!
I finished my story this afternoon, and will be giving it the MS Word Grammar check once over this evening, hopefully uploading it tonight. I'm looking forward to reading all of the monster goodness inside these walls.
thank you! Can I say I'm an award winning author now? ;)
I'm super excited about a coffee mug, thank you!
I'm also super excited about the fact that not a single story so far (unless I've missed one or misread one) has used the cop-out of "it was just a dream." There's nothing worse than that, in ANY genre, but especially horror. That being said, to any future story that may have that as it's premise, I'm always open to being proven wrong.
Got my first bad review! Which I deserve if for no other reason than my personal life has intruded completely on my reading. I really need to put the beer away.
I'm happy you guys are all having fun so far! That's what this is all about.
I thought it was about getting chicks. You lied to me, Kirk!
i'm still trying to get something written for this, when is the deadline to post up again, end of july? ugh, sorry, worked 67 hours last week in six days, exhausted.
Richard, I think you just posted your horror story. Scarier than mine in one sentence. Jesus.
a players gotta get paid, yo
Yep, you have till the end of July, Richard. Have a drink and a chill pill, then get snapping!
Or smoke some weed and write something happy.
Did someone mention weed?
Jane and Lauren, way to go!!!
Off to submitting my first horror story, so be merciful, people.
thanks, kirk. i have an idea, been flitting around my head for a few weeks, just haven't had time to sit down and flesh it out.
Bob Pastorella and Richard Thomas, I'll do a review on your guy's stories if I can get the favor returned.
Eh? Eh? Yeah. :D
if i WRITE one, sure.
oooo *debates joining*
Blood and red ink everywhere! Anyone care to take a look and the new and improved A Thousand Cuts? (Although most of the ink was really black or pencil. Ah well!)
@Liana - Hey, if they tear it too shreds, you can always change it ;) Give it a few more teeth, maybe some claws, and then send it out to hunt the nay sayers ;)
I can't believe I'm 1200 words in to a horror story! I like my starting, but I don't know if i will finish because I'm hedging around the horror part. I read the other stories to see how others do it. Is that cheating? If I submit this it will be an accomplishment in itself. Such a new genre for me.
Reading is never cheating. Reading is how you learn.
stealing art is art if you know how to launder the loot®
stealing laundry is art if you know how to defruit the loom®
stealing hard copies of old computer games is art if you know how to derez the eua®
Okay, I've read a lot of the stories and really like all of them. Everytime I read another I end up editing mine again. I also keep going over 4,000 words and have to cut and cut. Then I end up editing more because of the things I cut out.
Do you see a cycle here?
Anyways have to quit being a complainer and post this puppy. I am re-reading once more on my lunch break and then posting. I hate only reading for grammar mistakes but its that time..
Everyone is doing a great job. This has been a lot of fun.
I finally posted my story. I hope you guys like it. It's called HOWL. Thanks!
I'm almost 2,000 words into my short story. I'm very excited at how the words are just pouring onto the paper (er, keyboard). This will be my first submission, so I'm anxious, but looking forward to it. Can't wait to read some submissions soon!
Welcome wonderwoman!
I had the chance to read a few more myself - some really good, fun stuff so far. I have a festival this weekend but hopefully get to read some more when I get home.
As for me, I'm working on my first LitReactor submission as well. I think mine is turning out to be more horror/adventure/satire - a challenge as I've never done something like this before. It's starting to get to be a lot fun. But I'm at about 2700 words and entering into the final scenes. It's gonna be tough. Looks like I'm going to have to hack it up afterwards to make it nice & tight.
Another question. Which is the most appropriate way to post an updated version of a story: in the same slot with edit or as a new post marking it as a later draft?