bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.July 17, 2012 - 7:17am
When I revised a post and put up the new version, I got zero new votes. So, I'd put it in a new post.
(edit: I got one new one. A helpful review. But I put it up as a new story, anyway.)
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 17, 2012 - 9:19am
@howie That appears to be what I have been experiencing. I'm a little new here so I don't want to break decorum through ignorance, at least not too badly ;)
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 18, 2012 - 4:21am
I revised my story but I only replaced the current file. Then in the spot for story summary I put in an edit note.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksJuly 19, 2012 - 7:08am
I've managed to, once again, write a story that exceeds the word limit, ha ha, I can't win! Maybe I can make some cuts and post it soon.
Michael J. Riser
from El Cerrito, CA (originally), now Fort Worth, TX is reading The San Veneficio Canon - Michael Cisco, The Croning - Laird Barron, By the Time We Leave Here, We'll Be Friends - J. David OsborneJuly 19, 2012 - 8:11am
Take the knife to it, man! There's always fluff, always bloat. Find it and be merciless!
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 19, 2012 - 3:40pm
I'm going through the same thing - I can't tell the story I want to tell in 4K which is awesome for two reasons:
1) a good exercise in editing
2) to tell the story I really, really, really want to tell and to incorporate the themes that are important to me, I believe I stumbled upon what may become my first novel or novella. It's good to know I have something larger scale at work here.
I'm going to try to edit tonight and hopefully post it to workshop tomorrow or this weekend and then have it submitted by the deadline.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksJuly 19, 2012 - 4:49pm
The first one is at about 4,500, and I think i can cut it down to 4,000 without too much fuss, but the one I just finished is closer to 6,500 and I'd be lucky to cut it down to 5,000, let alone 4,000, otherwise I'd lose way too much story. Arrgghghgh!
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 19, 2012 - 7:22pm
I'm at 4100. Shouldn't be too bad to tighten up. I did some rough editing on a print out. As of right now, I'm ok with the story. When do I get to hating it? Tomorrow morning?
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 20, 2012 - 5:58am
I couldn't get mine under 4,100. After a few edits it sits at 3,500 and could probably be leaner. It's no fun but having a close to finished product feels great.
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 20, 2012 - 6:15am
It's been busy with work and other things but I need to get back to reading as many of the submissions as I can. I've only ready maybe 5 or so but they've been really fun reads. Lawrence, as a fellow over 4,000ander - I'll make sure to read yours when it's up. Just give me a heads up.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksJuly 20, 2012 - 6:45am
Today I submit something and start reading a few scary stories! Finally.
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 20, 2012 - 6:45am
Thanks Otis, I posted a few days ago. The name of the story is HOWL. Let us know when you get yours up as well.
I've been making my way through the submissions as well. I've done about nine. I have a story called Crystal by Emma on my work computer right now to read on my lunch break.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksJuly 20, 2012 - 9:12am
Once again, I cannot get it under 4,000. Blah! Though I did manage to cut 400 words and after all is said and done, I'm very happy with the story. Ah well, there's that at least.
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 20, 2012 - 9:49am
Americantypo, just do what I'm doing. Slash the last couple of paragraphs and write, "but it was all a dream." Readers really love that ending anyway. Give the fans what they want.
Hector Acosta
from Dallas is reading FletchJuly 20, 2012 - 10:07am
And if you add a "OR WAS IT?" at the end, you leave yourself open for a sequel.
Anthony McArthur
from Georgia is reading The TalismanJuly 20, 2012 - 10:18am
Hi everyone! I'm relatively new to the site and this is the first time I've ever written and submitted anything for review, so I'd greatly appreciate any and all help with my story (which is called "Skin & Bones," by the way). Thanks to Jane Wiseman and everyone else who has read/rated/commented.
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJuly 20, 2012 - 10:28am
"Once [the protagonist] was in his car and on the road, one could have seen:
slowly,
very slowly,
almost imperceptibly slowly,
a hand emerged from the loose, shallow earth,
its hellish nails and occult digits grasping at new airy life from the suffocating terrestrial eternity
which [the protagonist] had bestowed upon its owner
and before the deathly dawning of the sun,
The Child moans again..."
lspieller
from Los Angeles
July 20, 2012 - 2:20pm
If anyone has time, I'd love some more feedback on Itch! Any suggestions as to how I can improve it would be greatly appreciated!!
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJuly 20, 2012 - 8:51pm
ah, i'm going to blow this deadline. unless i have a day off and genius strikes. i have this idea, just no time to execute it. keep kicking ass, guys and gals.
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 21, 2012 - 5:50am
I'll go read it right now, Ispieller!
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresJuly 21, 2012 - 10:19am
I submitted a story for this challenge, which was the first time I've ever done such a thing. For the most part, anything I've ever written has had a readership of one (me) and has later ended up in a garbage dump somewhere in Northern Illinois. Within the first couple days of posting my initial draft, I had a small handful of comments that really helped me see things I might not have seen with my own critical eyes. Thanks again! I was able to take those ideas and (hopefully) improve my story, posting a new edit. I'm in a place with my writing where I am comfortable with my ideas, but still making sure they are coming across as I see them in my head. So I'd love to hear more critiques, if anyone has the time. My story is 1,000 Steps and if anyone is willing to give it a read and tell me what they like/didn't like I'd greatly appreciate it.
P.S. While you're at it, definitely do check out Ispieller's story The Itch. It's great!
Lawrence
from Dallas, Texas is reading Mr. Mercedes - Stephen KingJuly 21, 2012 - 11:15am
You did a great job on your story Sean I really dug it. Great setting, and a real ending.
If anyone want's to check mine out its called HOWL. I did a re-draft a week ago trying to correct some things people pointed out as well.
I noticed that while I have several comments, all very much appreciated. I think most people don't give the thumbs or thumbs down.
Class Facilitator
Emma C
from Los Angeles is reading The Warehouse by Rob HartJuly 23, 2012 - 10:52am
Hi all! I'm a newbie looking for some more feedback on my story, Crystal. I've gotten three great comments and would like some more before attempting any revisions. I'm stymied right now.
Thanks to those who've checked it out! This is my first time sharing my writing with more than a handful of people.
Brad
from Australia is reading Speculative Fiction QuarterliesJuly 24, 2012 - 1:37am
I'm going to go all starving artist here and request somebody rate and/or review my story http://litreactor.com/events/scare-us/diprotodon . I'm happy to review everyone elses work in return.
@Emma, I'll check out your story if you check out mine?
Flaminia Ferina
from Umbria is reading stuffJuly 24, 2012 - 1:46am
Hell, I'll never make it with a revised version. A week filled with work ahead.
Good luck everybody!
notgump
from Florida is reading Everything I can about writingJuly 24, 2012 - 8:01am
HELLLPPP!!
I can't view stories. Whe I download I get a page of gobbledy-gook, computer symbols I guess. In 20 tries I may get one opportunity to open a Word file. Anyone know what to do?
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..July 24, 2012 - 9:11am
@notgump You might try right clicking on the download link and selecting save as out of the options there. It sounds like your browser is trying to view the file rather than save it. If you save it, you should then be able to open the file like any other word document.
lspieller
from Los Angeles
July 24, 2012 - 9:30am
On the mug front -- I received mine a few weeks ago, and there were 2 tiny plastic monsters in it.
That LitReactor apparently didn't include...
Spooky :)
Michael J. Riser
from El Cerrito, CA (originally), now Fort Worth, TX is reading The San Veneficio Canon - Michael Cisco, The Croning - Laird Barron, By the Time We Leave Here, We'll Be Friends - J. David OsborneJuly 24, 2012 - 8:49pm
Actually, I've had that same problem. Just right-click and choose "save as" from the menu, gump. This doesn't seem to be an issue with workshop stories, just with the Scare Us ones. No clue why.
voodoo_em
from England is reading All the books by Tana French! July 26, 2012 - 1:36am
Finally... I managed to get my story done, its up now :)
Ben Court
from Brighton, England is reading House of the SpiritsJuly 26, 2012 - 2:59am
Was told about this by a friend, so joined the sight and am very excited to be doing this!
Ben Court
from Brighton, England is reading House of the SpiritsJuly 26, 2012 - 2:59am
Was told about this by a friend, so joined the sight and am very excited to be doing this!
lspieller
from Los Angeles
July 26, 2012 - 9:00am
when does the judging begin? aug 1?
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryJuly 26, 2012 - 9:47am
Someone is always judging you.
AssholeAmerican
from America (CO, NE, NC, AK, NY, WA) is reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, Portable Atheist by Hitchens, 20th Century Ghosts by Joe HillJuly 26, 2012 - 10:03am
David Ireland
from London is reading Confessions of an English Opium-EaterJuly 26, 2012 - 12:06pm
Hey guys,
New to the site and just posted my horror story 'The Shadow Man'. Would be great if any of you would take a look. I'm quite conflicted about the story, I tried something different (2nd person perspective) and writing in a really weird, trippy tone, and I'm interested to see if it comes over well.
If you need any more incentive, it's very short!
I'll be reading other stories from tomorrow.
Good luck everyone!
David
lspieller
from Los Angeles
July 27, 2012 - 12:55pm
new comment for you, David. Let me know what you think of mine if you get a chance :)
Chris Johnson
from Burlington NC is reading The Proud HighwayJuly 27, 2012 - 10:35pm
Third draft up for Artificial Disasters. Hope everybody likes it. I tried to incorporate all the suggestions I found here. I considered them at least. Did a total reworking of the whole shebang on the second draft, changed the perspective from second to first. I couldn't make it work, so I cobbled the first and second drafts together and I think it's better now. Reviews will be returned, no joke. Just make it fast so I can get to your stories before Tuesday night. Thanks everybody!
Class Facilitator
Emma C
from Los Angeles is reading The Warehouse by Rob HartJuly 28, 2012 - 6:37pm
@Chris Just read your story for the first time, left a comment there.
Naomi Mesbur
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada is reading Burn Baby Burn Baby by Kevin T. CraigJuly 29, 2012 - 7:47pm
Hi-I posted a story, got very helpful comments, and then reposted my rewrite a couple of days ago as a new entry with (revised and rewritten) in the title. It doesn't look like anyone's taken a look at the new version, so I'm just wondering if someone could, if only so I can feel validated...or at least know if the file I uploaded can be opened by others. Thanks.
David Ireland
from London is reading Confessions of an English Opium-EaterJuly 30, 2012 - 4:54am
Hey Naomi, I read and commented on your story. Consider yourself validated :-)
My story is called The Shadow Man, if you have time to read it.
Shelby Chant
July 30, 2012 - 5:50am
Actually trying to leave work early today to post in time. Will you still accept submissions until midnight tonight (30th)?
Colin Speirs
from Glasgow, UK is reading Heroes (Joe Abercrombie), Russian Faerie Tales, historical Lovecraft, the Sickly Stuarts, SeabiscuitJuly 30, 2012 - 6:05am
Just planked mine in. Mine was written from scratch for this, so it took me a while.
Interested in the answer to Shelby's question as my wife also wants to submit her story.
One problem I am having is with .docx format stories. not having Office 2007+ (We use LibreOffice Writer and my story was written in plain text to be honest) I can't read them. Will have to see about a plug in for the .docx. Kind of annoying
Shelby Chant
July 30, 2012 - 6:08am
Actually trying to leave work early today to post in time. Will you still accept submissions until midnight tonight (30th)?
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceJuly 30, 2012 - 6:22am
Mine was an 11th hour submission as well, so I would love some feedback too!
Noami, David - I'll have a look at yours today.
I just realised mine is a docx file, and this may be problematic for people with older versions of word. I'll upload a doc. file today.
Jess
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJuly 30, 2012 - 7:01am
I'll also be posting up last minute. Deadlines - love being up against them.
Ethan Cooper
from Longview, TX is reading The Kill Room, Heart-Shaped Box, Dr. SleepJuly 30, 2012 - 10:21am
Since this challenge gave me the opportunity to write something (0000911) I had in mind for at least 5 years, writing the story in 4k words ended up being my biggest challenge.
So, keeping that limit in mind the entire time I was writing, I really tried to keep extraneous, overly-long, poetic description out. That helped quite a bit. Here's how it went*:
1. ArlaneEnarla tells me about this challenge and wakes my muse up. Muse won't shut up, keeps reminding me about that idea I had all those years ago...
2. First draft: 4,300 words.
3. Edited it down to 4,000. (Muse did not appreciate my persistent word assassinations.)
4. Gave to friend to read. He made some really good suggestions.
5. Based on this, realized that I needed to adjust the plot a little, plus revise many sections for clarity.
6. Second draft: 4,200 words.
7. UGH. Edited back down to 4,000. (Muse invented new swear words to desribe what I was doing to ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL METAPHORS.)
8. Submitted to LitReactor
9. Friend immediately tells me that maybe I should not spell "through" as "though" in the first paragraph of story. (I invent new swear word then talk walk of shame around the block.)
10. Muse laughs, as if she did that on purpose.
11. Add "r" to document.
12. Sigh loudly. Resubmit.
Anyway, having written at least 4,500 words and editing 500 of them out, I feel good about finally passing King's "On Writing" rule of thumb about 2nd draft = first draft - 10%. So, yay me.
*There were several copyediting read-throughs in addition to what's described above, but nobody finds copyediting funny. Well, except maybe my wife. I'm sure when she reads it she'll laugh at all the its/it's I missed. Hm, probably should have had her read it before I submitted...
Schant
July 30, 2012 - 11:49am
Hi all! Any word from anyone on how late we can submit today? What time?
Schant
July 30, 2012 - 11:49am
Hi all! Any word from anyone on how late we can submit today? What time?
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresJuly 30, 2012 - 2:33pm
Holy last minute Batman!
I was proud, a couple of days ago, to be able to say I had read every story that got posted in this challenge. I certainly don't have the time to review every one, but I had been keeping up. Until now...
40 new stories in the last 3 days...
I hope all the new folks are also taking some time to read some of the older stories that have been sitting around. I'm not saying this to get new reviews for my story, and I'm not in any way "employed" by this website. There are just some really good ones that you can find by going to around page 3 or 4 and working your way backwards. I don't want to come across biased and name names (Crystal, Howl, The Pickwick Horror, Driving After Dark, Hatch, A Presidential Stroll, The Tupperware Party, Itch, The Second Plague, Anchorstone, the list goes on and on...), but there's a lot of good stuff out there that deserves to be read, if not reviewed and given thumbs up.
I'm just saying, I've had as much fund reading other stories as I did writing my own.
When I revised a post and put up the new version, I got zero new votes. So, I'd put it in a new post.
(edit: I got one new one. A helpful review. But I put it up as a new story, anyway.)
@howie That appears to be what I have been experiencing. I'm a little new here so I don't want to break decorum through ignorance, at least not too badly ;)
I revised my story but I only replaced the current file. Then in the spot for story summary I put in an edit note.
I've managed to, once again, write a story that exceeds the word limit, ha ha, I can't win! Maybe I can make some cuts and post it soon.
Take the knife to it, man! There's always fluff, always bloat. Find it and be merciless!
I'm going through the same thing - I can't tell the story I want to tell in 4K which is awesome for two reasons:
1) a good exercise in editing
2) to tell the story I really, really, really want to tell and to incorporate the themes that are important to me, I believe I stumbled upon what may become my first novel or novella. It's good to know I have something larger scale at work here.
I'm going to try to edit tonight and hopefully post it to workshop tomorrow or this weekend and then have it submitted by the deadline.
The first one is at about 4,500, and I think i can cut it down to 4,000 without too much fuss, but the one I just finished is closer to 6,500 and I'd be lucky to cut it down to 5,000, let alone 4,000, otherwise I'd lose way too much story. Arrgghghgh!
I'm at 4100. Shouldn't be too bad to tighten up. I did some rough editing on a print out. As of right now, I'm ok with the story. When do I get to hating it? Tomorrow morning?
I couldn't get mine under 4,100. After a few edits it sits at 3,500 and could probably be leaner. It's no fun but having a close to finished product feels great.
It's been busy with work and other things but I need to get back to reading as many of the submissions as I can. I've only ready maybe 5 or so but they've been really fun reads. Lawrence, as a fellow over 4,000ander - I'll make sure to read yours when it's up. Just give me a heads up.
Today I submit something and start reading a few scary stories! Finally.
Thanks Otis, I posted a few days ago. The name of the story is HOWL. Let us know when you get yours up as well.
I've been making my way through the submissions as well. I've done about nine. I have a story called Crystal by Emma on my work computer right now to read on my lunch break.
Once again, I cannot get it under 4,000. Blah! Though I did manage to cut 400 words and after all is said and done, I'm very happy with the story. Ah well, there's that at least.
Americantypo, just do what I'm doing. Slash the last couple of paragraphs and write, "but it was all a dream." Readers really love that ending anyway. Give the fans what they want.
And if you add a "OR WAS IT?" at the end, you leave yourself open for a sequel.
Hi everyone! I'm relatively new to the site and this is the first time I've ever written and submitted anything for review, so I'd greatly appreciate any and all help with my story (which is called "Skin & Bones," by the way). Thanks to Jane Wiseman and everyone else who has read/rated/commented.
"Once [the protagonist] was in his car and on the road, one could have seen:
slowly,
very slowly,
almost imperceptibly slowly,
a hand emerged from the loose, shallow earth,
its hellish nails and occult digits grasping at new airy life from the suffocating terrestrial eternity
which [the protagonist] had bestowed upon its owner
and before the deathly dawning of the sun,
The Child moans again..."
If anyone has time, I'd love some more feedback on Itch! Any suggestions as to how I can improve it would be greatly appreciated!!
ah, i'm going to blow this deadline. unless i have a day off and genius strikes. i have this idea, just no time to execute it. keep kicking ass, guys and gals.
I'll go read it right now, Ispieller!
I submitted a story for this challenge, which was the first time I've ever done such a thing. For the most part, anything I've ever written has had a readership of one (me) and has later ended up in a garbage dump somewhere in Northern Illinois. Within the first couple days of posting my initial draft, I had a small handful of comments that really helped me see things I might not have seen with my own critical eyes. Thanks again! I was able to take those ideas and (hopefully) improve my story, posting a new edit. I'm in a place with my writing where I am comfortable with my ideas, but still making sure they are coming across as I see them in my head. So I'd love to hear more critiques, if anyone has the time. My story is 1,000 Steps and if anyone is willing to give it a read and tell me what they like/didn't like I'd greatly appreciate it.
P.S. While you're at it, definitely do check out Ispieller's story The Itch. It's great!
You did a great job on your story Sean I really dug it. Great setting, and a real ending.
If anyone want's to check mine out its called HOWL. I did a re-draft a week ago trying to correct some things people pointed out as well.
I noticed that while I have several comments, all very much appreciated. I think most people don't give the thumbs or thumbs down.
Hi all! I'm a newbie looking for some more feedback on my story, Crystal. I've gotten three great comments and would like some more before attempting any revisions. I'm stymied right now.
Thanks to those who've checked it out! This is my first time sharing my writing with more than a handful of people.
I'm going to go all starving artist here and request somebody rate and/or review my story http://litreactor.com/events/scare-us/diprotodon . I'm happy to review everyone elses work in return.
@Emma, I'll check out your story if you check out mine?
Hell, I'll never make it with a revised version. A week filled with work ahead.
Good luck everybody!
I can't view stories. Whe I download I get a page of gobbledy-gook, computer symbols I guess. In 20 tries I may get one opportunity to open a Word file. Anyone know what to do?
@notgump You might try right clicking on the download link and selecting save as out of the options there. It sounds like your browser is trying to view the file rather than save it. If you save it, you should then be able to open the file like any other word document.
On the mug front -- I received mine a few weeks ago, and there were 2 tiny plastic monsters in it.
That LitReactor apparently didn't include...
Spooky :)
Actually, I've had that same problem. Just right-click and choose "save as" from the menu, gump. This doesn't seem to be an issue with workshop stories, just with the Scare Us ones. No clue why.
Finally... I managed to get my story done, its up now :)
Was told about this by a friend, so joined the sight and am very excited to be doing this!
Was told about this by a friend, so joined the sight and am very excited to be doing this!
when does the judging begin? aug 1?
Someone is always judging you.
Sometime in September...
Hey guys,
New to the site and just posted my horror story 'The Shadow Man'. Would be great if any of you would take a look. I'm quite conflicted about the story, I tried something different (2nd person perspective) and writing in a really weird, trippy tone, and I'm interested to see if it comes over well.
If you need any more incentive, it's very short!
I'll be reading other stories from tomorrow.
Good luck everyone!
David
new comment for you, David. Let me know what you think of mine if you get a chance :)
Third draft up for Artificial Disasters. Hope everybody likes it. I tried to incorporate all the suggestions I found here. I considered them at least. Did a total reworking of the whole shebang on the second draft, changed the perspective from second to first. I couldn't make it work, so I cobbled the first and second drafts together and I think it's better now. Reviews will be returned, no joke. Just make it fast so I can get to your stories before Tuesday night. Thanks everybody!
@Chris Just read your story for the first time, left a comment there.
Hi-I posted a story, got very helpful comments, and then reposted my rewrite a couple of days ago as a new entry with (revised and rewritten) in the title. It doesn't look like anyone's taken a look at the new version, so I'm just wondering if someone could, if only so I can feel validated...or at least know if the file I uploaded can be opened by others. Thanks.
Hey Naomi, I read and commented on your story. Consider yourself validated :-)
My story is called The Shadow Man, if you have time to read it.
Actually trying to leave work early today to post in time. Will you still accept submissions until midnight tonight (30th)?
Just planked mine in. Mine was written from scratch for this, so it took me a while.
Interested in the answer to Shelby's question as my wife also wants to submit her story.
One problem I am having is with .docx format stories. not having Office 2007+ (We use LibreOffice Writer and my story was written in plain text to be honest) I can't read them. Will have to see about a plug in for the .docx. Kind of annoying
Actually trying to leave work early today to post in time. Will you still accept submissions until midnight tonight (30th)?
Mine was an 11th hour submission as well, so I would love some feedback too!
Noami, David - I'll have a look at yours today.
I just realised mine is a docx file, and this may be problematic for people with older versions of word. I'll upload a doc. file today.
Jess
I'll also be posting up last minute. Deadlines - love being up against them.
Since this challenge gave me the opportunity to write something (0000911) I had in mind for at least 5 years, writing the story in 4k words ended up being my biggest challenge.
So, keeping that limit in mind the entire time I was writing, I really tried to keep extraneous, overly-long, poetic description out. That helped quite a bit. Here's how it went*:
1. ArlaneEnarla tells me about this challenge and wakes my muse up. Muse won't shut up, keeps reminding me about that idea I had all those years ago...
2. First draft: 4,300 words.
3. Edited it down to 4,000. (Muse did not appreciate my persistent word assassinations.)
4. Gave to friend to read. He made some really good suggestions.
5. Based on this, realized that I needed to adjust the plot a little, plus revise many sections for clarity.
6. Second draft: 4,200 words.
7. UGH. Edited back down to 4,000. (Muse invented new swear words to desribe what I was doing to ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL METAPHORS.)
8. Submitted to LitReactor
9. Friend immediately tells me that maybe I should not spell "through" as "though" in the first paragraph of story. (I invent new swear word then talk walk of shame around the block.)
10. Muse laughs, as if she did that on purpose.
11. Add "r" to document.
12. Sigh loudly. Resubmit.
Anyway, having written at least 4,500 words and editing 500 of them out, I feel good about finally passing King's "On Writing" rule of thumb about 2nd draft = first draft - 10%. So, yay me.
*There were several copyediting read-throughs in addition to what's described above, but nobody finds copyediting funny. Well, except maybe my wife. I'm sure when she reads it she'll laugh at all the its/it's I missed. Hm, probably should have had her read it before I submitted...
Hi all! Any word from anyone on how late we can submit today? What time?
Hi all! Any word from anyone on how late we can submit today? What time?
Holy last minute Batman!
I was proud, a couple of days ago, to be able to say I had read every story that got posted in this challenge. I certainly don't have the time to review every one, but I had been keeping up. Until now...
40 new stories in the last 3 days...
I hope all the new folks are also taking some time to read some of the older stories that have been sitting around. I'm not saying this to get new reviews for my story, and I'm not in any way "employed" by this website. There are just some really good ones that you can find by going to around page 3 or 4 and working your way backwards. I don't want to come across biased and name names (Crystal, Howl, The Pickwick Horror, Driving After Dark, Hatch, A Presidential Stroll, The Tupperware Party, Itch, The Second Plague, Anchorstone, the list goes on and on...), but there's a lot of good stuff out there that deserves to be read, if not reviewed and given thumbs up.
I'm just saying, I've had as much fund reading other stories as I did writing my own.