Yeah, but you're being self-depreciating, so I figured, hey, it's a contest -- I can be even MORE self-depreciating!
Also, wild imagination tends to mean "easily distracted."
Also, wild imagination tends to mean "easily distracted."
The 2011 Horror Hounds Celebration and Contest Guidelines
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I secretly think 15-30 is the upper bounds of the short story range, 40-60 is novella, and 90-120 is novel length.
I know that's not actually true, mind. I suspect too much modern horror novels as a child. King and Koontz and so on. Their books are like bricks.
Very true, Effie. I had a very difficult time with the length. I'm more of a novel person. Once I get rollin' I can't stop myself. I really didn't think I was going to make it. If not for some very helpful people here, I would've never had gotten it in. Over two thousand words had to be cut in order to get it in the word limit, and that was done on the last day of the due date. Thanks to a friend with a 
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Novella length was tough for me, too. I was writing so lean, I only had about 9,000 words and had to go back and flesh it out, add some other POVs, etc. It was tough.
Of course, the minute I sent the email I thought of about a half-dozen things I could have expanded on. Oh, well.
By the way, Haggis is being modest. He deserves thanks for checking that my second send made it through, thereby saving my sanity. And yes, I have some. SOME.
Of course, the minute I sent the email I thought of about a half-dozen things I could have expanded on. Oh, well.
By the way, Haggis is being modest. He deserves thanks for checking that my second send made it through, thereby saving my sanity. And yes, I have some. SOME.
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Morning all. I thought there would be more than 9 entries. Like some of you I thought we would have 15 or so.
But definitely congrats to all of us who wrote. It was definitely an exercise in expansion. On each draft I wrote a little more and a little more so that it stretched to the word count.
And thank you Effie and Haggis for the opportunity.
And the judges.
Thank you so much.
But definitely congrats to all of us who wrote. It was definitely an exercise in expansion. On each draft I wrote a little more and a little more so that it stretched to the word count.
And thank you Effie and Haggis for the opportunity.
And the judges.
Thank you so much.
9? I also thought that number would be higher.
This is the first time I've attempted a novella. I mostly write short stories. I thought I was going to have problems with the word count but managed to barely squeak by the 15K minimum. I doubt I'll win but happy to be apart of this.
Thank you Effie, Haggis and the judges.
This is the first time I've attempted a novella. I mostly write short stories. I thought I was going to have problems with the word count but managed to barely squeak by the 15K minimum. I doubt I'll win but happy to be apart of this.
Thank you Effie, Haggis and the judges.
Thanks to you, Effie, and all involved. I've waited years for novellas to receive proper recognition. Its the format I hope I do best at because its how I wrote and what I read.
I wish I had been able to get mine finished and get it in, but it didn't work out this time. Good Luck to everyone who entered!
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I found the length quite easy to write. I might have found a new niche.
Several of my stories wouldn't fit in shorts but were dragging to become novels. I'm going to try to rewrite them in the under 40k range and see what happens.
If I get nothing else out of this endeavor I've at least learned I can push out 20k words in a month when the incentive is right. Thanks for that Effie.
And best luck to second and third placers.
J/K Winning isn't as important to me as getting quality feed back or just having finished a project...or staying busy for a month.
But I hate waiting.
Hey, speak for yourself, buddy! Everybody knows I've got this one in the bag.
So there.
But seriously, anytime you can learn something about yourself or your craft, it's a good thing.
Trust me. I'm suffering anxiety cuz you're a published author.
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Why be anxious?
All of us have done a great job writing this past month, at least 15,000 words even if we had to slash quite a few. We will all get feedback on our stories. That is a great prize, in my opinion, and we all win.
I'm looking forward to seeing what the judges have to say.
Well, if this goes again next year I would like a little more for warning! I can't do 20k in a month! So a deadline 2-3 months from the start would be great
Well, this was originally announced on 2/28 with a two month deadline. The deadline was then extended a month. Best advice I can give is to check in frequently. Then you won't miss all the good stuff.Well, if this goes again next year I would like a little more for warning! I can't do 20k in a month! So a deadline 2-3 months from the start would be great
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Well, this was originally announced on 2/28 with a two month deadline. The deadline was then extended a month. Best advice I can give is to check in frequently. Then you won't miss all the good stuff.
Or stalk the chihuey mercilessly. Either way works.
I'm with you. My post was a left handed congratulations to Sheila on becoming published.
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Feeding me severed hands works too.
I always keep a good supply...on hand. Get it? Hand? Haha, I kill me.
*runs away from boos and hisses*
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ohhhh... (duha)
So where is the published story at?
(I have one coming out next month
)
ohhhh... (duha)
So where is the published story at?
(I have one coming out next month
THIS JUST IN: Published people are disqualified. Also anyone with a username that doesn't start with the letter 'b' or 'n'.
Blunt - Wouldn't that limit the entrants to me, you and NF? I'm not sure you really want that sort of stiff competition.
Just kidding -- sneaking on at camp to check in on you all, and I couldn't resist dropping in to tease.
Just kidding -- sneaking on at camp to check in on you all, and I couldn't resist dropping in to tease.
Congrats!!!!!
My story ("There's Something About Carol") is in Splatter: An Anthology of Horror, by Sourlane Press; it's on Amazon.
ohhhh... (duha)
So where is the published story at?
(I have one coming out next month
My story ("There's Something About Carol") is in Splatter: An Anthology of Horror, by Sourlane Press; it's on Amazon.
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
No changing the rules in mid-judging.
THIS JUST IN: Published people are disqualified. Also anyone with a username that doesn't start with the letter 'b' or 'n'.
No changing the rules in mid-judging.
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I'll have to put it on my wish list for now. (can't spend anymore money until next month.
)But Congrats!
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