drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 8:26am
DUH. She's got a production company that bought the movie options before the book was released. Most exciting? Nick Hornby is writing the screen play.
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 8:27am
and I meant "duh" in the most affectionate way.
H.I.Marcuson
from Toulouse is reading a book on spellingNovember 21, 2012 - 8:30am
You have offended me. I have flagged your comment as offensive. And mine too as it was too near the blast.
What book? Do androids dream of electric sheep?
H.I.Marcuson
from Toulouse is reading a book on spellingNovember 21, 2012 - 8:30am
Oops. I hit post twice. sorry.
SConley
from Texas is reading Coin Locker BabiesNovember 21, 2012 - 8:41am
WAR is different than the workshop. In the workshop, you're putting your story up for criticism and feedback. In WAR, you're not necessarily looking for criticism. You're putting your story up to win or challenge yourself or whatever. I try to never give criticism unless it's asked for, otherwise i'd just be insulting someone.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 8:50am
Dear everybody: When the Big Reveal happens Friday night, feel free to criticize my story. You'll be doing it in the workshop soon enough anyway. If somebody says something that helps me knock off some rough spots before I waste everybody's workshop time, that's just fine. I always want to know what my audience thinks, and I don't get my feelings hurt.
Any longer. I don't get my feelings hurt any longer. Used to be a big ol' criticism-bitch. No more of that.
I still cry, but I close the door first. No witnesses.
If nobody sees, it didn't happen.
SConley
from Texas is reading Coin Locker BabiesNovember 21, 2012 - 8:53am
I definitely want criticism too. Mine's going in the workshop but i need to review some stories first so criticize it here, whatever.
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 8:58am
@H.I.Marcuson, Do I have to come over there and sort this out in person?
@ConMan I didn't criticize publicly. Just in my head. And I still feel bad about it.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 9:03am
Sweet. Drea and H.I. are about to "sort each other out."
As long as it's consensual, guys, I completely support this. Try not to keep the neighbors awake.
H.I.Marcuson
from Toulouse is reading a book on spellingNovember 21, 2012 - 9:07am
Je suis loin de toi ma belle... and I really didn't catch which book/film you were talking about. And sorry about the silliness, I post from the Pub where I tend to do other things Papa would approve of... And you keep out of it Utah or I'll flag you as offensive too. You have been warned.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 9:09am
Definitely not getting in it. I'd like to think you both know what you're doing without my help.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.November 21, 2012 - 9:13am
(Not Utah or Avery...)
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 9:14am
Covewriter
from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & SonsNovember 21, 2012 - 9:18am
I've already revised my war story for the workshop. It reads better now than it does in the contest. Thee night after i turned it in i was like "oh why didn't I take out that dialogue, she woudl have done this no that, etc. Well, that's the fun of writing. I hope people will criticize mine too.
H.I.Marcuson
from Toulouse is reading a book on spellingNovember 21, 2012 - 9:27am
@covewriter I know exacty how you feel. I've decided to re-write mine for workshopping, now I just have to do some crits. Trouble is, I dont really feel qualified.
@drea Looks interesting. If you get a chance try Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Definately the best book I read this year.
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntNovember 21, 2012 - 9:31am
I don't mine getting my story ripped apart here. I plan on posting in the workshop the second I'm able to. I think I may have unofficially placed it somewhere as well, while sending it to friends to critique it.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesNovember 21, 2012 - 9:33am
WILD was amazing. I reviewed it over at TNB, if you want more info:
H.I.Marcuson
from Toulouse is reading a book on spellingNovember 21, 2012 - 9:38am
Gotta go. No Battery. A demain.
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 9:40am
@H.I.Marcuson I wouldn't say Wild was the best book released/read this year, but its success is meteoric and it was a page turner. Couldn't put it down. And the success couldn't have happened to a more deserving writer/person than Cheryl, IMHO. I've noted your recommendation and will give you Faraway Places, by Tom Spanbauer as my reciprocal recommend. It was recently re-released by Hawthorne Books and was one of my favorites brought back from a recent trip to Portland. It's influence is all over my WAR story this round.
I can't wait to learn who wrote what. I think the voting preferences will be more apparent once we see the writing.
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresNovember 21, 2012 - 9:42am
I've decided to re-write mine for workshopping, now I just have to do some crits. Trouble is, I dont really feel qualified.
@H.I. - disagree. You wrote a story for WAR, and I assume it got at least 2 votes, which means you must at least somewhat know what you're doing. That means you are most definitely as qualified as most others here. It's been said before to others, but most people would strongly suggest that you go into the workshop and find some reviews by R Moon & BryanHowie. They are widely considered to be the 2 "best" reviewers we've got, so take a look at how they do things. Aside from that, I'm sure you've got opinions, which also qualify you as a reviewer.
Just get in there, have fun, be constructive with your criticisms, and hopefully read something that you like. You'll do just fine.
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 9:44am
@Richard, I studied with Cheryl for a week this summer and have a few essays in various stages of assembly as a result of the experience. Humbled, humbled, humbled.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigNovember 21, 2012 - 9:46am
Arrgghhhh I can't wait for the big reveal. I feel like it goes without saying, but yeah, when we can actually talk about the stories I'd love to hear what people thought of mine.
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceNovember 21, 2012 - 9:49am
Me too, I'm really excited for the big reveal. I thought we had to wait until the end of WAR entirely to talk about who wrote what, so this is great news!
I had one glaring error in mine, and I am positive Drea and Sound noticed it. If I'm right, I really want their feedback on fixing it.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland November 21, 2012 - 9:52am
I thought they all sucked. :)
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersNovember 21, 2012 - 9:51am
Big Reveal - The issue here, for me, is that I don't plan to actually be online this weekend, except for the mandatory prompt drop on Friday. So I won't be telling anyone anything. And I expect other people will be offline as well, what with the holiday.
I don't remember the point of me saying this...
When are we sending out the prompts?
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigNovember 21, 2012 - 9:52am
I'll be checking in via phone, drunk.
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceNovember 21, 2012 - 9:54am
I thought they all sucked. :)
Ah, you make me smile J.R. :)
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland November 21, 2012 - 9:55am
Once the new prompts drop means the first round is over correct? May we then discuss who wrote what amongst ourselves or should we wait until monday?
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntNovember 21, 2012 - 9:57am
@Mess_Jess: I think I know what you're talking about, and I'm pretty sure I didn't notice. I actually thought Drea was mentioning something in my story...
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersNovember 21, 2012 - 9:58am
Voting ends Friday - so you may talk Friday night. I know a couple of you must be pretty excited to talk.
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntNovember 21, 2012 - 9:59am
Once the new prompts drop means the first round is over correct? May we then discuss who wrote what amongst ourselves or should we wait until monday?
Yeah, I think once the new prompts drop, there will nothing stopping us from talking about the first round all we like.
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresNovember 21, 2012 - 10:04am
I will be letting everyone know my every move for the entire holiday weekend because I know how important everything I do is.
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceNovember 21, 2012 - 10:05am
@Sound - Ah, I was positive it was mine. Perhaps not. The plot thickens!
drea
from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the linesNovember 21, 2012 - 10:05am
You guys mean the "egrigious error" I referred to in Round 1? The geographical impossibility? If it is of any consolation, a major marketing company has made the same mistake in a popular holiday advertisement series. We can chalk it up to suspension of disbelief here.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.November 21, 2012 - 10:05am
I wish somebody would make a WAR anthology. There are gonna be so many good stories coming out of this. Already, one run through the workshop and nearly half the WAR stories would be publishable. Two trips throught he workshop, and most of them would be publishable. By the end, we'll have so many great stories that it's ridiculous.
A 99 cent anthology on Kindle is what I'm thinking of. Let the editor keep the proceeds to fund their other projects (hint hint). Then all the writers do the promotions (social media, WAR readings in bigger cities, posters, etc.)
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceNovember 21, 2012 - 10:07am
@Sean - Avery may want some say in that!
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.November 21, 2012 - 10:09am
Happy Birthday! I got you a surprise.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersNovember 21, 2012 - 10:11am
The flowers were nice.
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazNovember 21, 2012 - 10:21am
A 99 cent anthology on Kindle is what I'm thinking of. Let the editor keep the proceeds to fund their other projects (hint hint). Then all the writers do the promotions (social media, WAR readings in bigger cities, posters, etc.)
I think this would be great and I'd be all for the editor keeping proceeds for his/her hard work. And if there's any other writers near Boston (am I really the only one?) I'd love to get together for a reading.
Question on pricing though - isn't that too underpriced? I know from a musician standpoint, there's always somewhat of a debate about devaluing your albums too much and nobody taking it seriously if you make it too cheap. There's a line between making it a good deal vs making it seem desperate.
I have no hard line either way, just curious of people's thoughts on a completely hypothetical situation. I'm also a fan of a "pay what you want" model, I know some musicians who've had success and most people seem to pay market value or just under while a handful will pay a buck or whatever.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.November 21, 2012 - 10:21am
Well, the pricing is up to the editor as far as I'm concerned. I just mean 'charge for it and keep the profits to fund more projects'.
SConley
from Texas is reading Coin Locker BabiesNovember 21, 2012 - 10:25am
I'll be checking in via phone, drunk.
I second this sentiment.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 10:29am
Just so everyone knows, Friday is going to be a mess for me. Travelling, in-laws, etc. I will try to get everything done as fast as I can some time Friday afternoon, but there is a chance that I won't get my half of the polls closed / send out new prompts before late evening. AD and I are pretty well going to post the updated bracket whichever one of us get to it first, so be aware that even if the polls don't get closed at the right time, when the Round 2 Thread goes up and the updated bracket is posted, Round 1 is over. You should feel free to discuss anything you want about all the stories after that. Identities will be revealed.
You'll all love the autoplay song I have planned for the Round 2 Thread.
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntNovember 21, 2012 - 11:23am
I'll help you out with that, Utah. You can send me my prompt now.
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntNovember 21, 2012 - 11:25am
And I also love the idea for a WAR anthology, regardless of price. If we could somehow get it in print, even better. It'd be an awesome book to have on the shelf.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 11:48am
If you send me $1000, I will email you everybody's stories after the rounds are over.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersNovember 21, 2012 - 11:49am
I get a cut on that, right?
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryNovember 21, 2012 - 11:51am
Thought that went without saying.
Covewriter
from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & SonsNovember 21, 2012 - 12:00pm
I know there is still voting time, but it looks like we lost a lot of voters for round two. Round one had 50 plus votes, and round is getting 30ish. Maybe some people are waiting for holiday time off to read? Possibly? It's awesome to have even 30ish reads though.
@Utah have a peacful Friday. My life is crazy that day too.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigNovember 21, 2012 - 12:03pm
I really do imagine that the holidays are taking their toll, as well as people taking more time to vote because there isn't the rush of "OMG IT'S STAAARRRRTEEDDD".
Reese Witherspoon writes? Reese Witherspoon reads!?!
DUH. She's got a production company that bought the movie options before the book was released. Most exciting? Nick Hornby is writing the screen play.
and I meant "duh" in the most affectionate way.
You have offended me. I have flagged your comment as offensive. And mine too as it was too near the blast.
What book? Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Oops. I hit post twice. sorry.
WAR is different than the workshop. In the workshop, you're putting your story up for criticism and feedback. In WAR, you're not necessarily looking for criticism. You're putting your story up to win or challenge yourself or whatever. I try to never give criticism unless it's asked for, otherwise i'd just be insulting someone.
Dear everybody: When the Big Reveal happens Friday night, feel free to criticize my story. You'll be doing it in the workshop soon enough anyway. If somebody says something that helps me knock off some rough spots before I waste everybody's workshop time, that's just fine. I always want to know what my audience thinks, and I don't get my feelings hurt.
Any longer. I don't get my feelings hurt any longer. Used to be a big ol' criticism-bitch. No more of that.
I still cry, but I close the door first. No witnesses.
If nobody sees, it didn't happen.
I definitely want criticism too. Mine's going in the workshop but i need to review some stories first so criticize it here, whatever.
@H.I.Marcuson, Do I have to come over there and sort this out in person?
@ConMan I didn't criticize publicly. Just in my head. And I still feel bad about it.
Sweet. Drea and H.I. are about to "sort each other out."
As long as it's consensual, guys, I completely support this. Try not to keep the neighbors awake.
Je suis loin de toi ma belle... and I really didn't catch which book/film you were talking about. And sorry about the silliness, I post from the Pub where I tend to do other things Papa would approve of... And you keep out of it Utah or I'll flag you as offensive too. You have been warned.
Definitely not getting in it. I'd like to think you both know what you're doing without my help.
(Not Utah or Avery...)
Pas de problème, H.I.
The book is Wild http://www.cherylstrayed.com/wild_108676.htm
I've already revised my war story for the workshop. It reads better now than it does in the contest. Thee night after i turned it in i was like "oh why didn't I take out that dialogue, she woudl have done this no that, etc. Well, that's the fun of writing. I hope people will criticize mine too.
@covewriter I know exacty how you feel. I've decided to re-write mine for workshopping, now I just have to do some crits. Trouble is, I dont really feel qualified.
@drea Looks interesting. If you get a chance try Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Definately the best book I read this year.
I don't mine getting my story ripped apart here. I plan on posting in the workshop the second I'm able to. I think I may have unofficially placed it somewhere as well, while sending it to friends to critique it.
WILD was amazing. I reviewed it over at TNB, if you want more info:
http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/rthomas/2012/04/review-of-wild-by-che...
Gotta go. No Battery. A demain.
@H.I.Marcuson I wouldn't say Wild was the best book released/read this year, but its success is meteoric and it was a page turner. Couldn't put it down. And the success couldn't have happened to a more deserving writer/person than Cheryl, IMHO. I've noted your recommendation and will give you Faraway Places, by Tom Spanbauer as my reciprocal recommend. It was recently re-released by Hawthorne Books and was one of my favorites brought back from a recent trip to Portland. It's influence is all over my WAR story this round.
I can't wait to learn who wrote what. I think the voting preferences will be more apparent once we see the writing.
@H.I. - disagree. You wrote a story for WAR, and I assume it got at least 2 votes, which means you must at least somewhat know what you're doing. That means you are most definitely as qualified as most others here. It's been said before to others, but most people would strongly suggest that you go into the workshop and find some reviews by R Moon & BryanHowie. They are widely considered to be the 2 "best" reviewers we've got, so take a look at how they do things. Aside from that, I'm sure you've got opinions, which also qualify you as a reviewer.
Just get in there, have fun, be constructive with your criticisms, and hopefully read something that you like. You'll do just fine.
@Richard, I studied with Cheryl for a week this summer and have a few essays in various stages of assembly as a result of the experience. Humbled, humbled, humbled.
Arrgghhhh I can't wait for the big reveal. I feel like it goes without saying, but yeah, when we can actually talk about the stories I'd love to hear what people thought of mine.
Me too, I'm really excited for the big reveal. I thought we had to wait until the end of WAR entirely to talk about who wrote what, so this is great news!
I had one glaring error in mine, and I am positive Drea and Sound noticed it. If I'm right, I really want their feedback on fixing it.
I thought they all sucked. :)
Big Reveal - The issue here, for me, is that I don't plan to actually be online this weekend, except for the mandatory prompt drop on Friday. So I won't be telling anyone anything. And I expect other people will be offline as well, what with the holiday.
I don't remember the point of me saying this...
When are we sending out the prompts?
I'll be checking in via phone, drunk.
Ah, you make me smile J.R. :)
Once the new prompts drop means the first round is over correct? May we then discuss who wrote what amongst ourselves or should we wait until monday?
@Mess_Jess: I think I know what you're talking about, and I'm pretty sure I didn't notice. I actually thought Drea was mentioning something in my story...
Voting ends Friday - so you may talk Friday night. I know a couple of you must be pretty excited to talk.
Yeah, I think once the new prompts drop, there will nothing stopping us from talking about the first round all we like.
I will be letting everyone know my every move for the entire holiday weekend because I know how important everything I do is.
@Sound - Ah, I was positive it was mine. Perhaps not. The plot thickens!
You guys mean the "egrigious error" I referred to in Round 1? The geographical impossibility? If it is of any consolation, a major marketing company has made the same mistake in a popular holiday advertisement series. We can chalk it up to suspension of disbelief here.
I wish somebody would make a WAR anthology. There are gonna be so many good stories coming out of this. Already, one run through the workshop and nearly half the WAR stories would be publishable. Two trips throught he workshop, and most of them would be publishable. By the end, we'll have so many great stories that it's ridiculous.
A 99 cent anthology on Kindle is what I'm thinking of. Let the editor keep the proceeds to fund their other projects (hint hint). Then all the writers do the promotions (social media, WAR readings in bigger cities, posters, etc.)
@Sean - Avery may want some say in that!
Happy Birthday! I got you a surprise.
The flowers were nice.
I think this would be great and I'd be all for the editor keeping proceeds for his/her hard work. And if there's any other writers near Boston (am I really the only one?) I'd love to get together for a reading.
Question on pricing though - isn't that too underpriced? I know from a musician standpoint, there's always somewhat of a debate about devaluing your albums too much and nobody taking it seriously if you make it too cheap. There's a line between making it a good deal vs making it seem desperate.
I have no hard line either way, just curious of people's thoughts on a completely hypothetical situation. I'm also a fan of a "pay what you want" model, I know some musicians who've had success and most people seem to pay market value or just under while a handful will pay a buck or whatever.
Well, the pricing is up to the editor as far as I'm concerned. I just mean 'charge for it and keep the profits to fund more projects'.
I second this sentiment.
Just so everyone knows, Friday is going to be a mess for me. Travelling, in-laws, etc. I will try to get everything done as fast as I can some time Friday afternoon, but there is a chance that I won't get my half of the polls closed / send out new prompts before late evening. AD and I are pretty well going to post the updated bracket whichever one of us get to it first, so be aware that even if the polls don't get closed at the right time, when the Round 2 Thread goes up and the updated bracket is posted, Round 1 is over. You should feel free to discuss anything you want about all the stories after that. Identities will be revealed.
You'll all love the autoplay song I have planned for the Round 2 Thread.
I'll help you out with that, Utah. You can send me my prompt now.
And I also love the idea for a WAR anthology, regardless of price. If we could somehow get it in print, even better. It'd be an awesome book to have on the shelf.
If you send me $1000, I will email you everybody's stories after the rounds are over.
I get a cut on that, right?
Thought that went without saying.
I know there is still voting time, but it looks like we lost a lot of voters for round two. Round one had 50 plus votes, and round is getting 30ish. Maybe some people are waiting for holiday time off to read? Possibly? It's awesome to have even 30ish reads though.
@Utah have a peacful Friday. My life is crazy that day too.
I really do imagine that the holidays are taking their toll, as well as people taking more time to vote because there isn't the rush of "OMG IT'S STAAARRRRTEEDDD".