Cafe Doom

Just a reminder that we have a new critique session starting on the 1st of December if anybody's interested in joining the group. Places are limited, and on a first come first served basis, so book early to avoid disappointment :smiley:

I will not be submitting this month--got some writing that I'm focusing--but I will be looking to do some crits...

I shall endeavour to be in - have a backlog of tales that I wrote for the comp that could do with being fine-tuned, polished, and what-have-you!

Derek

Hi Ed,

I am interested in joining for December. I sent a PM but never received a reply. Please let me know if I can participate.

Thanks

I should have a tale for this month, as well.

Bah, having one helluva time getting messages to post...

Is it possible to "sit in" on the critique group? December's a bad month between Christmas and end-of-semester activities with four kids in three different schools, but I'd love to see how it's run in advance of (hopefully) participating in January.

Yep, no problem -- I'll set you up later. Right now I have to go back to work for an hour or two, but I'll sort it out as soon as poss.


Hmm -- dunno what happened there. I changed your member group to 'Critter', so you're able to see inside the crit section. The last session is still in place here -- http://www.cafedoom.com/forum/index.php?board=63.0 so you can see what a typical session is like. I'll send you the rest of the welcome PM istructions later, when I send a set to Shoe. :afro:

I'm in.  But I think you probably already knew that from me bugging you multiple times, lol.  ;) 

I won't have a short in time. Loads of ideas so will have one for Jan.

Geoff

I have a file of story ideas I've collected over the years. I a kind of todo list - about 50 pages long.

Thinking of making time to write one up as a December crit group story I saw I'd written a potential title:

This Space Left Intentionally Blank.

So what is the story? Dunno, the rest is blank. Shortest story I've written.

@Geoff--  a long time ago I read a poem (Sad to say I forgot the author) that struck me as well done.  The poem was called "The Church Is" and the entire poem was a single line: "Slated for destruction"  The power of it was great, the implications unlimited...wonderful use of minimal words...so, your story "This Space Left Intentionally Blank" as it stands ...here is my crit:

Perfect

A flash story is emerging on my screen so maybe December isn't empty from me after all. It is a madcap story and will be disembowelled by critters.

My brain pockets are empty of all but imagination moths. They eat imagination.  :cheesy: I'm still waiting for word on my broken USB stick - it had ALL my new stories on it, and they were ALL grade a material  ;)

I’ll say I’m in. I’ll either look through my backlog and polish one up, or I’ll put my comp story through the rigors. :hidin:

;)

Okay, Ed.  I know I asked if I could just audit the class, but after going over the info you PM'd me I want course credit!  There still room?

I have a story about online gaming/gamers that's given me nothing but grief (it's killed and corpse-camped me repeatedly). The problem is I wanted the language to be authentic, as it's a first-person narrative. But that means lots of acronyms and leetspeak, which I worry makes it impenetrable to the great unwashed masses who actually have lives and don't spend all day smelting ore and smiting orcs.  Could definitely use some outside opinions at this point, and I would love to return the favor.

Yeah, crit away :afro: Now you're in the group you can join in whenever you want to.

Ah, my story, which is freaking me out as it unveils, won't be ready in time. Count me in for January.

Uh my gud... sure. I mean, I have kind of a major move coming up early next year. As for my own lack-luster editing skills, well... this may be a good opportunity to hone my eye. That particular deficiency had hindered me up on more than occasion in the pro markets-- which isn't to imply that I intend to bog the group down with a bunch of my own writing so much, as paying particularly close attention.

Uley

Oops. Thought I'd replied but evidently I hadn't. Sorry - won't be in, probably for the foreseeable future. Trying to work out what to do next and currently thrashing around in several different directions.

I've thrown it in, warts and all.

Just an FYI for others critters.  I'll have crits up tonight it tomorrow for 2 other stories--attack of the crawling hand answer were legend. Read both while out at the doctors. Will try to crit others as well.

Well, obviously my best laid plans to join in this month gang aft agley. Which one is the "I suck" smiley?

Another session beginning on new years day. Anybody feel up for it? :shuh

No new stories here, but I'll try and look in and do some crits.

I'm out. I start butchering editing the novel on the first.

Will make time for a few crits, though. :afro:

 ;)

I have a story ready to go.  So I'm in, although I might be posting it late in the evening since we're off to the in-laws to have their Christmas that day.

Sorry, other projects are intruding.

Doubt I'll have a story ready. I'm feeling a bit rusty though, so I'd like to try for a critique or two if a session get's rolling.

It's not looking like it's going to happen this time around. My new year is going to be very hectic, so I reckon I'll be hard pushed to do anything towards it anyway. Nevermind -- there's always February :afro:

I could always put my CD contest entry in. We haven't heard from fnord, and he usually has something. There's still hope!

 :'( I still haven't found the time to rewrite last month's entry. I have the next chapter 85% through the first draft, but there's no way I'll have it ready. There are other things I could submit, but it's going to depend on whether or not I find a car this week. Stupid transmission!  :hot:

Crazy busy at home and work and side projects, so no story from me this month.

Yep, it's looking like a no go this time around. Who knows, I may even have something ready for February. Doubt it, but you never know :scratch:

Hello Ed, it's been a while! Hope all is well.
What are the rules of your crit group, please, thank you. I have had a bit of a writing itch and think that if I have a little deadline to work towards it might motivate me to get my finger out.
Ta and happy new year.

Hi Missy -- long time no see. Welcome back. Happy new year to you as well.

We do one session per month, beginning on the first of each month. Week one is for crits, and whoever submits a story agrees to crit at least four other stories in the same session (that's rule #1). All crits are done using the template (that's rule #2). Week two is for discussions. Week three is for re-writes, though it's rare that any get posted. Week four is kept free. That's all there is to it.

The stories tend to be genre oriented, rather than literary, but not exclusively horror. You can post any type of story you want to, it's not a problem. If you would like a look around before you commit, let me know and I'll set you up :smiley:

Hi, Ed. Sorry it's taken me a while, back at work now and trying to keep up with everything.  If it's ok, I will take a quick butchers at your crit group. I've written a couple of little flashers and think I might like to extend them (ha ha ha, like that's going to happen...) just to see if I can still do it! There was a time I couldn't stop myself writing, now I feel like every word is being dragged out and agonised over, I'd like to get the joy back but to have some serious feedback and to see if I can still deliver a decent crit.
(Oh, the ambition, I'm laughing at myself, I'm cooking dinner, putting washing away and thinking about what I need to iron for work tomorrow and how many naughty kids I will have to deal with when I get there...)
I hope that some kind of commitment might spur me on, I am walking about writing in my head at the moment.
Thanks, guv!

PS. Is it a template I may or may not have used before? And will have to find in a box buried in my garage!

I'm the same -- I don't write very much these days, but I'm not forcing it. I figure when I'm ready it will flow as it should.


No, it's similar to others, but it's more genre oriented than some, and you don't have to pay for it. :afro:

I'll set you up with the welcome pack tomorrow, that's if I get five minutes to myself before bedtime :yawn:

Hey Ed--first of all it seems that I have dropped off the face of the world for a bit and have been excessively quiet--but seeing as how the Pack just fell out of the playoffs, I found a little extra time during the weeks now...not much more, but some...anywho--I was wondering if we might consider the timing of crit month...we post the stories and then have 1 week to do four crits (if we've posted one of our stories).  Then week two seemed to have lost that discussion mode...was wondering if it would be worth considering giving the crit week to both of those weeks--might allow some to give a more indepth one if there was a little more time...anyway, just a thought...I'll try to be a little more "present" than I have been...

Must admit I prefer the urgency of having only a week to get the crits done, otherwise it can feel quite protracted and lose momentum. Thanks for the suggestion, though. And sorry for taking so long to reply.

On a separate note -- who's up for February? :huh:

I have been writing like madman. I've put out near 20 subs this week alone, which is a lot for me. As a result, though, I have nothing available for a crit.

Good luck on your submissions, Ken!

Thanks! I appreciate that.

I have some great titles for stories but nothing fresh written for Feb. Sorry.

I'm in.  :cool:

I'm out. Got a couple of suitable stories but they're not quite 'there' yet and I don't think I'm going to have time to focus properly.

Sorry, nothing from me yet again, but I'm going to make a real effort to write some short stories this year, so something may appear in due course.

Just got a story bounced with a personal reject from an anthology, so I'm in if there's enough people this month.

Won't be putting anything in, but I try to do a few crits...

I really want to submit a story to the crit group, but I just don't have the time.  I'm hoping to join the group later this year.

Doubt what I'm working on will be ready in time, but try to at least do a crit or two.

Sorry - I'm out again.

I can't at the moment, but thanks for the invite. I have too many projects on the go at present!

I'm out, too, I'm afraid!  :'(

Out.  :(

Nothing this month.

In.

My stuff all sucks, so I'm in for Feb, because it needs to stop sucking.  Thanks, Ed, for the email reminder.  I'm sure the beginning of the month would have slipped by unknownced to me otherwise.

I enjoyed your last story -- once the opening was out of the way you hit your stride and it read nicely, I thought. Don't be too down on yourself :afro:

Thanks for all the replies. I think we've just about scraped together enough folks for a crit session. I was a close run thing, though. :scratch:

Out, unfortunately.

I've got nothing to submit, but I'll try and crit if there are enough subs

I'm out.

I'm in after all. Not too late I hope.

Is it on for February??

I thought it was, but week 1 is still full of December stuff. 

Sorry -- will clear it out right now. Feb should still be on, as long as everybody who said they were up for it still is :afro:

Sorry, I missed it. I have been dabbling and have a few ideas rolling about but haven't got my act together enough to commit. But it's half term now so I might be able to wrench something out of myself for next time.

I've been coming up empty for a while, but if April's crit group goes ahead, count me in  :afro:

Is the crit group still around? Have any room left? If not, that's okay, but I've got a ton of stories I'm sitting on. Also, I think critting others' work really helps you grow as a writer. (And by grow, I mean "suck less," in my case.  :grin:)

Only just, judging by the participation level we've had over the past couple of sessions. It's strange how it varies. We should be able to run a session in April, though. Seems like there is enough interest :afro:

Sorry, no new stories here. Hope to be back to critting in a few months' time.

I'm in.

Sorry, I'm away at the beginning of April so I'm an out. I might have something for May...

hm

I'm definitely up for April. Hot dawg!

I'm in.

I'm out. Way too busy, I'm afraid.  :shocked:

Yeah. I'm out too. Good to be busy...but not for writing.

I'm still out I'm afraid.

I'm a strong maybe.

Possibly. Been writing some scenes from what is a larger work. Don't know if I can make any of them stand-alone.

Mark me as a maybe.

Pharo, I know a scene by itself doesn't exactly lend itself to a full critique in relation to the entire crit-template, but it might be worth running a scene through anyway. Good scenes and chapters tend to have the same arc (in miniature) as a good short story. At least you'd find out if anyone would like to contiune reading.  :smiley:

-Jerry

Okay, everyone that said they were in this month, it's time to post! Rev? stark? fnord? Get cracking!  :2funny:

The story I am working on still needs work. Maybe next month.

I can't access it. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.  :cheesy:

Oops, forgot what day it was. I don't have time to format before I go to work, but it'll be up tonight.

Try again. I must have taken you off the Critter group a while back, but I've put you on again, now :afro:

I'm just finishing off my story, and should have it posted by tonight! WOOP!

Oh, okay. Thanks Ed!

Crit question: We have one week to do the crits, and then the next week is for edits and discussion? Is that correct?

Yep, although there was some discussion on doing away with the discussion week and having an extra week to get the crits done instead. I'll go with what the majority want to do, but I think it's generally a good idea to try and get all the crits done in the first week, as it adds some impetus to the whole thing.

Alrighty. My opinion on that is that I like doing the crits in one week. If I had too much time, I'd probably just procrastinate and waste a week. But that's just me.

Right then -- no session in May, but is there any interest in running a session during June? I haven't been able to give much time to the cafe lately due to work commitments, and I can't see it getting better any time soon, but there's nothing stopping the rest of you carrying on as normal, if you're able. :afro:

So who is likely to be up for it in June? I ask because we have another member interested in joining the group. :smiley:

I'm in! I have about eight stories that no eyes have seen but mine. Would love a little input.  :smitten:

I should have a little something-something for June  ;)

I'm in for June.

My PC is in the shop (any by shop I mean the Homewood PD), but I should be good to go by then.

Somebody nicked it? :scratch:

Hoping to have something finished for the After Death antho before May finishes up. If I do, I'm in for June.

Anyone else trying for this one?

http://ericjguignard.blogspot.com/2012/04/open-submissions-new-fiction-anthology.html

-Jerry

I've been writing something for just about every anthology on duotrope.  :grin: They're not all submitted, but it's good practice.

Hi, I'm in for June!

I'm the new kid in class. My name's Chad. I've been a radio journalist for about ten years and an unpublished dark fiction noodler since about third grade. I hope to earn a sheaf of rejection letters by the end of this year. I also hope the social pressure of this group will help increase my output, and I'm looking forward to reading and critting other critters' work!

Catch up with you all soon,
Chad

Chad, the new kid has to bring the snacks for the rest of the group.

Can we have a change from brain fritters please?

 :afro:

No and yes. I bought an amazon local certificate for 2 hours of computer repair from 280 PC. I then came to find out that 280 PC is a side business run by a Homewood Policeman. I had to drop it off with him at the station because he doesn't have a storefront. I thought that was kind of odd, but I went through with it because it was paid for and I wanted my computer fixed. He left me a message Thursday saying it was done, but I've called him a bunch of times since and he never picks up or returns my call. I miss my computer. I wrote a short story using the memo pad on my phone.  :buck:

Truth really is stranger than fiction sometimes, isn't it :scratch:

Definitely (and finally!) in for June. :cheers:

Who's up for July? Sorry I haven't had my finger on the pulse of late. I've had a lot going on. more than ususal. Still, enough of my excuses -- who wants a bash at a crit session this month? :smiley:

Alas, I have galley edits for 'Sons of Angels' and a publisher requested re-write of 'White Lies' scheduled for July.

Sorry, re-writing an old novel to a publisher's deadline at the moment. Unlikely to be crit grouping for a while yet.

Not me, I'm afraid. I'm almost literally suffocating under a heavy workload  :'(  :cheesy: aaaaiiiieeeee  :buck:

Hi all--

Here's my excuse:

I start a new job http://gps.stevenson.edu/graduate-studies/healthcare-management/faculty/ as Program Coordinator for the MS in HCM Program at Stevenson University on July 9th after being on vacation from July 2 to 8th.

Sorry.

Sharon

I'm out as I'm not writing at all at the moment, got a Universe to build and that takes a lot of time. :afro:

I’m out. Too much eating into my writing time, already, I'm afraid.

 ;)

I'm in! First time since, well, the first time.  :smiley:

I'll have it posted sometime this evening.

I'm out. Getting all my work wrapped up this week so I can take a much needed vacation next week.

Ah, you're all crap! Except William, that is :afro: Good luck with the new post, Sharon :smiley:

And don't take the crap remark personally -- it's me that's crap, really. Haven't written anything in ages ::)

I'm in, but I won't be able to post until tonight. 

Unfortunately I'm really up to my neck in all sorts... but I'm in anyway  :idiot:

Good man -- that's the spirit :afro:

 :idiot:

Sorry - just moved house and relying on mobile phone tethering until broadband is installed, so comms are a bit dodgy to say the least.

I am also crap. Was working up a submission for this month, but it's just not in share-able shape yet. Excuses: cats, power outages, and the US Supreme Court.

I had every intention of doing it, but there's no way I can.  :( We had a huge storm here Friday, been without electricity since (in 90+ temps no less), and I'm still not at my own home. There's power where we're at now, but I have to focus on catching up on my homework instead of my writing-play. Sorry!

Next month! Promise! (Barring any more natural disasters.)