Robinski

Not peeking at the comments, just a quick note to say I've started reading this, finally

Hi folks, Wow, I had pretty much forgottwn how to do this. Do let me know if you don't get the emaikl, of course. My novel TMM has been through here before some time ago. I'm going into a major edit as I have the prospect of it being published in the next few months, all going well. Actually, it was Reading Excuses that prompted me to review and revise the beginning, which I have significant doubts about in terms of being strong enough, or maybe rather tight enough with respect to what constitutes an engaging opening. So, here are three versions of the original opening, each taking its cue from one of the three styles of opening discussed by Dong Won Son on Reading Excuses. I would love to hear your thoughts and preferences. As noted, if you have something specific that you’d like me to read other than just your last submission, do let me know, otherwise I will browse through the recent subs, and maybe go back to the first in the project, or cover a few recent ones. Cheers, Robinski p.s. Gentle reminder, please do not use any original names in the comments. Thanks!

So, heh, I would like a slot for Monday, please. Given that I have a backlog longer than the old Mississippi, and assuming I get a slot, if y'all want to tell me what you'd like me to read that would be fine, else I'll skim through previous subs and critiques then on the latest

One tentative spot, coming up

Five slots still free

Looks like @Ace of Hearts and @C_Vallion for tomorrow. Three spots remain available

Thank you One of the most satisfying things about the project is how much of a collaborative team effort it was. Immensely satisfying.

Ha-ha, remember this thread? Well, here is an excellent, and thought-provoking article that plays directly into what we do here*. https://harpers.org/archive/2014/11/spare-the-darling/ (* Yes, I know I haven't critiqued in a while. I think I'm about to dive back in soon.)

Heh, so here's a bit of a squee moment. If you want to read me taking about my experiences with Reading Excuses, flowing into the Distant Gardens anthology (thanks to @Mandamon for setting this up, and endorsing the topic), there is a link on Writing Excuses to Mary Robinette's site and My Favourite Bit...(squee). https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-favorite-bit-robin-c-m-duncan-talks-about-distant-gardens/

Check. One for Monday, August, 9th

Thanks, oh Dwarfy one :O)

Yes, please go ahead and submit, @C_Vallion, @RedBlue, and @Moonsilver. So sorry to hear about your loss, Moonsilver.

Often the best kind. Good to hear from you

Two up for Monday so far.

I don't see any other takers, so you are in pole position, CV.

And you, CV, would be the second up for Monday, 26th July

Sorry I never got to this, and many congratulations! When can new get the book again?

Sorry this is way late for the prompt, and that I wasn't present for the first one. I still like this idea I know it's Wednesday now, but how about this, in honour of the hugely environmentally and pandemic-ally irresponsible Olympic Games starting on 23rd July in Tokyo. Write something around a future, futuristic, fantasy, alternative reality, or just generally weird sporting event.

It was going to be another hot one. Jag could feel the morning cool, burning off already at 6:43 a.m. He hoped for another run out today. It was only eighteen hours since his last, but it had been short, no more than 28.5 minutes, and not exceeding 43 miles per hour, which was a bit lame, and runs were few and far between now. But that was the way of things these days. These days since his owner got sick. Used to be they would go out on long drives, really got some speed up. An hour, longer sometimes, and every day, topping a hundred on the motorway sometimes (when safe to do so, of course), or zipping away from the lights, passing buses, trucks and slow coaches. That's what Jag was built to do, and for everyone to have fun doing it. But then his owner had got sick. He saw the man each day, struggling up the driveway on a walker, sometimes on crutches. Managing a minute or two along the road before he hobbled back again with his lady mechanic looking on, anxious that he would fall again. His legs didn't work anymore. Jag could see that plainly, even though he had four tyres. The man's engine was okay. It would be like Jag revving his 3.0 Litre supercharged V6 engine, and his wheels just spinning. He felt sorry for the man, and he related, being trapped in the slow lane, in the driveway, with nowhere to go. But he had hope. The man seemed to be able to walk a bit further, a bit longer each day. Maybe the day would come when Jag and the man would go out again, go out every day and let loose again. But only when safe to do so, of course.

This is excellent. The first I've read of your writing--and a very small sample--but this is clever, and direct, very entertaining, nice character beats, and gentle humour

Eh...no. But we are fortunate to have secured the talents of Lynn Norris. https://www.voicedbylynn.com

Go for it, if you get any interest. The worst that can happen is no one bites, I guess. I don't have time to critique at the moment (which is disappointing, because I used to critique everything), but I might be able to spend a little time on a prompt. It's always interesting to spitball ideas. So, that's my longwinded way of saying 'Yes, I would try and participate.'

Hail and well met, Master Fox. How doth the road treat you?

Another thing to consider is to go in knowing that there will be stuff that is 'wrong', or not working, or inconsistent. This is not meant to be defeatist, but no one writes a good first draft. I think Brandon says that he generally writes three drafts, if I remember correctly, and that is someone at the top of his game, very experienced, and very talented to begin with. Judging what feedback to take is another tricky thing, but to some extent can be dealt with logically. If ten people read your stuff and nine mention pacing (for example), then pacing would pretty much certainly be an issue, but if only one person mention pacing then maybe just need to set that comment aside and stick to your guns. However, if only one person mentions something, but you agree with the comment then change it by all means, because it's your work, and needs to work for you.