In today’s Journal
* Correction
* A final reminder—
* Flash Contest Continues
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Correction
Turns out George Kordonis HAD sent me the story info for this week, and I apparently missed it. He forward the email to me. So he’s officially still in the Challenge:
- George Kordonis, “The Vault in the Other Room 1025 Horror
Thanks, George, and my apologies for not finding your original email yesterday.
A final reminder—
Today is the last day for the sale on Writing Better Fiction. Click the link to get your copy for only $9.
Tomorrow, May 1, the price will increase to $14.
The printed, binder-ready paper copy is still available only through me for $25 (includes shipping). Email me to get your copy.
Frankly, if I were you, I’d order the $9 ebook and print it out myself. (grin)
Flash Contest Continues
Note that this is not a contest for “flash fiction.” It’s a flash (surprise) contest for short stories from 2000 words to 7999 words.
This short story ontest continues through midnight, May 8, 2024.
Considering the Bradbury Challenge, I thought I would have received at least several entries by the time this post went live.
I realize it’s only been five days or so, but thus far, I’ve received only one submission. And it wasn’t also for the Bradbury Challenge.
I’m a little surprised. In fact, with roughly 150 subscribers to the Journal, I’m surprised I haven’t already received at least 300 short story submissions.
Okay, I’m exaggerating. I know not everyone writes short stories. Still….
The contest is open to all READERS of the Journal, not only subscribers.
There is zero downside to entering the contest.
- Literally everyone who reads the Journal is eligible even if you aren’t a subscriber,
- there is no entry fee, and
- there are cash prizes.
- I’m even allowing up to two entries per person.
- Not to mention writing a story for the contest will increase your IP inventory.
So what’s the downside? Please, someone enlighten me.
For The Full Contest Rules, Please Click This Link.
Of course, for me there are upsides either way.
If a lot of folks enter,
- I’ll get to read a lot of good fiction and award some cash prizes and brag about those and the honorable mentions.
- I might put together an anthology.
- I’ll have the warm-fuzzy feeling from congratulating all entrants on believing in themselves enough to enter the contest.
- I’ll also probably have the opportunity to teach various aspects of the craft one-on-one to those whose stories are lacking one or more of those aspects.
And if I don’t receive enough entries to justify an anthology or handing out cash prizes, I’ll save money and time and go back to my own writing.
So c’mon, guys and gals. Put me to work. (grin)
About Kobo Writing Life
If you don’t receive the Kobo Writing Life newsletter, you might want to check it out and sign up.
They often offer up good craft advice on writing fiction. Be careful to unwrap it from the myths they often include.
Because of those myths, I seldom include a link to the articles or videos in Of Interest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t read or view them on your own.
The Novel Wrapped
Shipping it off to my first reader this morning.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
What Is Wattpad? Strategies to Excel on the Popular Storytelling Network
Or Maybe It Just Wasn’t Good Whatever. It was “good” to someone. But a good checklist in this post, mostly.
AuthorsZen Check this out and get in on the ground floor. This is at least part of the future of marketing books.
The Numbers
The Journal………………………………600
Writing of Blackwell Ops 24: Buck Jackson Returns (tentative title)
Day 1…… 3724 words. To date…… 3724
Day 2…… 3706 words. To date…… 7430
Day 3…… 2110 words. To date…… 9540
Day 4…… 3243 words. To date…… 12783
Day 5…… 1606 words. To date…… 14389
Day 6…… 1306 words. To date…… 15695
Day 7…… 3063 words. To date…… 18758
Day 8…… 3743 words. To date…… 22501
Day 9…… 4375 words. To date…… 26876
Day 10…. 3243 words. To date…… 30119
Day 11…. 3394 words. To date…… 33513
Day 12…. 3225 words. To date…… 36738
Day 13…. 3096 words. To date…… 39834
Day 14…. 1898 words. To date…… 41732 (done)
Fiction for April…………………….….… 77993
Fiction for 2024…………………………. 303785
Fiction since October 1………………… 606841
Nonfiction for April……………………… 25620
Nonfiction for 2024……………………… 154340
2024 consumable words……………… 458125
2024 Novels to Date……………………… 7
2024 Novellas to Date…………………… 0
2024 Short Stories to Date……………… 1
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)……………… 89
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)…………… 9
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……… 239
Short story collections…………………… 29
Disclaimer: I am a prolific professional fiction writer. On this blog I teach Writing Into the Dark and adherence to Heinlein’s Rules. Unreasoning fear and the myths of writing are lies, and they will slow your progress as a writer or stop you cold. I will never teach the myths on this blog.
To be sure you continue receiving the Journal after May 31, subscribe free, then click the Donate link at the end of this post and make a recurring donation of $3 per month. In doing that, you’re effectively paying me 5 cents per hour to provide you with the Journal every day. Donate Here.