Category: new post

The First Line

On November 15, 2021

Hey everybody. I recently got into writing following story prompt contests in a big way. I like how they can inspire you to come up with new ideas, take your writing in new directions.

I found this great one that’s been around for a while, The First Line. It’s a literary journal founded in 1999 that holds a quarterly contest. The premise is simple: they give you a first line, and you can write any story you want as long as it begins with that line.

I took that challenge this fall, and I won!

The line was: “What should we do with the body?”

Yep, that hooked me.

The short story I wrote off the prompt is title “Dead in Space” and follows a supply station monitor whose simple day goes very wrong when space pirates show up. It’s just a little story, very light on the sci-fi, but with a big twist.

This is something of a milestone for me, since this is the first time I’ve been published in a for-pay journal, instead of a freely distributed one. Unfortunately for you, my loyal fans, that means you gotta pay to read it, along with all the other winning stories for the year. There’s a lot of good writing in there, so it’s well worth the money.

Anyway, if you’re interested, here’s the link.

https://www.thefirstline.com/

It’s Vol. 23, Issue 3, available in print for $6.oo USD, or PDF download for $3.oo USD. If you feel like reading some great stuff and supporting a journal that helps writers, give it a go.

As always, thanks for reading.

I Love Writers of the Future

By Ian

On August 4, 2020

In craft, new post

It’s as simple as that. For eight years now I’ve been submitting to the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, every quarter, like clockwork. For the last few years, I’ve gotten at least an Honorable Mention for nearly every submission. And each and every time it’s felt like a validation, a confirmation, that I have some talent, and that I just have to keep trying, keep learning, keep writing. One day, I’ll get my ‘break’ and the rest will be a story I’ll tell for the rest of my life. So, I’m happy that once again, I’ve been awarded an Honorable Mention, because someone read my story, and liked it. Not as much as I would have hoped, but enough to let me know they did. I would heartily encourage anyone with any aspirations as a writer of fiction to give the contest a try. You might amaze and astound, win the big prize. Or you might not. At the least, you’ll have done something to move yourself a little closer to your goals. They even have a free workshop, offered by successful authors.

Check it out here: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/

You won’t be disappointed.

In the meantime, check out this snazzy badge they sent me.

Slow and Steady…very slow

By Ian

On July 16, 2020

In craft, new post

Another six months gone by, and sadly not a lot has happened with my glorious writing career. A lot of writing, a lot of knocking on doors–figuratively speaking–but not much…positive progress.

Not that I haven’t had some fun and done some new stuff. I recently completed an online workshop presented by the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest. It featured essays written by Hubbard himself, video presentations by veteran writers Orson Scott Card, Dave Farland, and Tim Powers, and practical writing assignments. The workshop gives a lot of useful information for anyone interested in improving their writing, and I recommend it, whether you’re just starting out or if you have a bit of experience. It is also free, so you can’t beat that.

I’ve been peddling my short fiction to a lot of pulications, both online and print. No takers, but I did manage to get pretty far in some of the submission processes. The e-zine Deep Magic, which proports itself as one of the leading “clean” fantasy and sci-fi publications out there, took one of my stories, Ship of Glass, to the very last stage of consideration…before deciding to pass on it. It was a bummer. I love that publication, and one of its editors and founders is Jeff Wheeler, my favorite fantasy author. I managed to dry my tears with the help of some good advice from the editor’s board, which I will apply to the story before submitting it elsewhere. Of course I’ll sumbit it elsewhere, and I’ll submit to Deep Magic again. And again. And again. Real writers don’t take rejection sitting down…unless they’re sitting at their computers preparing their next submission.

Just a word of advice about rejections, from a writer who gets them a lot. I mean…a lot. Whatever you do, don’t fire off some poorly-thought-out, vitriolic response. On the practical side, that won’t get you published any quicker, and it might even have the opposite effect. Editors do talk to other editors. More importantly, these people are doing their jobs. They’re running businesses. They have to do what their training and experience tells them is best for their business. The least you can do is thank them for their time and accept that rejection doesn’t mean they’re stupid or that they think you’re no good. Then you go and get back to work. Write something.

You’re a writer; it’s what you do.

Or, if you’re not a writer, read something. Check out a few of my older posts, and you’ll find links to awesome, exciting stories that I did manage to get published or posted. Please. And enjoy.

Honorable mentions

By Ian

On January 3, 2019

In craft, new post

It’s not always easy being a fiction writer. Coming up with new ideas, or at least a new spin on an old idea, can take a lot of effort. That’s why it’s great that often when you go through the trouble, someone meets you halfway with a bit of recognition. It can be a word of praise, a like on your post, or even something more… impacting.

That’s one of the reasons I love the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest. It’s a very prestigious contest, running for more than thirty years now, and strives to provide aspiring writers with the encouragement they need to keep doing what they do.

I have personally been honored to receive multiple Honorable Mentions from this esteemed contest, the most recent of which was for the fourth quarter of last years contest. It was for a little story I wrote about the use of transplanted memories as a means of punishing criminals. I was so pleased when it received the recognition of the contest judges. It wasn’t everything I’d hoped for, but it was more than enough to keep me writing.

I’d like to thank the contest coordinator Joni Labaqui, the contest judges, and all the people who work so hard to provide this opportunity for writers like myself.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to writing.

I’m a writer. It’s what I do.

The Wonderful Reedsy

By Ian

On August 17, 2018

In likes, new post, story

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m very appreciative of Reedsy. It’s run by a great bunch of people, people who are willing to provide a forum not just for entertainment, but to help writers get there work published. They provide a wide variety of services to help aspiring authors, services like tutorials and editing, not to mention the huge shot-in-the-arm of their weekly writing contest.

The talented editors at Reedsy throw out a list of prompts every Friday, challenging and encouraging writers to come up with original, imaginative stories. Each week, they pick a winner, whom they gift with a monetary prize and the invaluable benefit of publication on the Reedsy Blog.

I recently had the honor of winning the weekly contest, one of the few times I’ve been able to see my work published. It was gratifying. So a huge shout out to the folks at Reedsy!

If you have any interest in reading my prize-winning piece about one time when a dog actually did eat someone’s homework–and then followed them to school–check it out at the link below.

https://medium.com/reedsy/hounded-a85140c63945

Another heartfelt thank to the talented staff at Reedsy, and please, as always, enjoy your reading.

Getting Better

By Ian

On July 27, 2017

In craft, favorite things, new post

As a writer, I’m not content to be just “good”. I don’t want to still be writing the way I was ten or even five years ago. I always want to get better. And better. There are any number of ways to do this, ranging from simple practice to taking classes. One of my favorite ways to get better is by attending writing conferences. These conferences are an excellent way to expand my knowledge and understanding of the craft of writing, in an environment shared with other writers. This also provides numerous opportunities to meet and connect with others whose passion and desires mirror my own. I love the workshops and group exercises, and I especially enjoy getting to know my fellow writers.

One of the best conferences I’ve attended is one that takes place in my own neck of the woods, the annual Write on the Sound Conference, held in Edmonds, Washington, on the first weekend of each October. Not only is this a convenient location for me, as I live only a short ways away, but it is also an incredibly well-coordinated event. There are sections covering just about everything concerning writing, including both the process of writing and the business of writing. The staff are organized and professional, friendly and helpful, making it such a smooth, carefree experience that is a joy to attend. The presenters–carefully selected for each conference–are always knowledgeable and approachable, running their workshops and presentations in a way that makes learning a fun and memorable experience.

The added bonus to this conference is that it features a concurrent writing contest, with categories for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. A new theme is chosen each year, typically a single word meant to guide and inspire the participants. All works are judged by an independent panel, and cash prizes are awarded for all winners. I’ve submitted to the contest myself three times, and managed to win a couple times, too. Here’s a picture of the winners from the 2016 contest.

In case you can’t tell, I’m the sexy one. Well, one of the sexy ones at least…

Moving on…

Write on the Sound is a great conference, and I recommend it to anyone interested in bettering their skills as a writer, or seeking to learn more about the sometimes confusing and intimidating world of writing.

Learn more here: http://www.writeonthesound.com/

It’s always a struggle to get better, at anything. Fortunately, there are always things that can help with the process. For me, as a writer, conferences, and Write on the Sound in particular, have been an enormous help. I can’t say that they’ve instantly turned my into a perfect writer, but thanks to them, I’m getting better.

What I Do With November

By Ian

On November 7, 2016

In new post

I fancy myself a writer. Sometimes, I even think of myself as a prolific writer. One thing that helps me justify that claim is the month of November, and the National Novel Writing Month challenge.

I hope that many of my readers are familiar with this annual activity. It’s a challenge, monitored and assisted by a staff of selfless, devoted individuals, to write a fifty-thousand word novel within thirty days.