For you? Will you be trick or treating tonight, or sweating over your keyboard, trying to save yourself from The Razor Sharp Claws of The Koala? Eat your heart out Freddie - The Koala's here...
Or just for me? Six points for editing/rewriting over 32,000 words, plus a point for a short story submission (accepted too!), plus another for a thirty-word story (see below), has The Koala feeling slightly smug this month.
So, in October, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Bonus points!
This month, The Koala is awarding bonus points for thirty-word stories. Yes, a mere thirty words! Only one point is available for this - but only one point saves you from a shredding!
Allow The Koala to commence the proceedings...
When we married, my husband promised me a gold bangle for every year I remained faithful. Forty years later, his brother helped me bury him. Thirty-nine bangles jangled on my arm.
Allow The Koala to commence the proceedings...
When we married, my husband promised me a gold bangle for every year I remained faithful. Forty years later, his brother helped me bury him. Thirty-nine bangles jangled on my arm.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
September results up!
And I see a shocking lack of names under 'Approved'. The year is not yet over, my honeys. My claws are still sharp... yes, yes, I know I've had to smack myself down this month...but that aside. I think you'll see a big, big jump in my numbers for October. Oh yes. It's all action in the eucalypt.
The Koala lays down the claw-gauntlet. The goal is to get as many of us on Approved for October as possible. Who's with me? C'mon chummies, let's write!
The Koala lays down the claw-gauntlet. The goal is to get as many of us on Approved for October as possible. Who's with me? C'mon chummies, let's write!
Friday, October 08, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
September Statistics!
Is the steam hissing from the end of your pen? Are there blisters on the ends of your poor little fingers? Are the moths the only things left in your wallet after you've spent all your pennies on query stampage? Then the Koala is proud!
So, in September, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
So, in September, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Start scrambling!
The end of the month is nigh! Get those last wise words slapped down on paper; send those last queries wafting out on the breeze of hope... the Koala Countdown is imminent!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
As requested...update from The Eucalypt!
The sun is shining, the weather is warming up...what's that you say? Autumn? Winter? Pah, I spit gumnuts on your seasonal misery! Spring is sprung and the weeds are riz, I know where the birdies iz. Third level of The Eucalypt, fourth branch, right at the end, in their nest.
The little Koalas will shortly start a two-week break from school. They hopped in the pool last weekend, but came out as if on springs, because the water was freezing. Yes, we taped it. Heh heh. Soccer Boy has started summer soccer and will also play Oztag; Princess is happy with gymnastics. She's finally cracked the cartwheel. Mr Koala slaves away daily in his place of slavery, then comes home and grumbles; I slave daily in my place of slavery, then come home and write stuff :-).
The Eucalypt is flourishing, but we are looking forward to a visit from Mr Electrician, who may finally be able to tell us which light connects to which switch and cease the random turning on and off that goes on every night.
This isn't a very exciting update is it? Well, you did ask. I promise you a more thrilling one in the future. In the meantime, I must go and hunt down a hairy haggis, for I have promised to introduce some of the local koalas into the wondrous world of Scotland's finer foods this Saturday...
The little Koalas will shortly start a two-week break from school. They hopped in the pool last weekend, but came out as if on springs, because the water was freezing. Yes, we taped it. Heh heh. Soccer Boy has started summer soccer and will also play Oztag; Princess is happy with gymnastics. She's finally cracked the cartwheel. Mr Koala slaves away daily in his place of slavery, then comes home and grumbles; I slave daily in my place of slavery, then come home and write stuff :-).
The Eucalypt is flourishing, but we are looking forward to a visit from Mr Electrician, who may finally be able to tell us which light connects to which switch and cease the random turning on and off that goes on every night.
This isn't a very exciting update is it? Well, you did ask. I promise you a more thrilling one in the future. In the meantime, I must go and hunt down a hairy haggis, for I have promised to introduce some of the local koalas into the wondrous world of Scotland's finer foods this Saturday...
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Get your critical chops around this
This is a song lyric:
"I've got six things on my mind
You're no longer one of them."
Question 1 - without Googling - name that band! And the song. No googling - I just want to know if anyone is as tragic as I am.
Question 2 - critique this little sentence - why do you think it's so effective? (Because it is, you know. Well, it works on me. Stuck in my head for many years effective.)
"I've got six things on my mind
You're no longer one of them."
Question 1 - without Googling - name that band! And the song. No googling - I just want to know if anyone is as tragic as I am.
Question 2 - critique this little sentence - why do you think it's so effective? (Because it is, you know. Well, it works on me. Stuck in my head for many years effective.)
August stats up!
Travis, PJD, Aerin and Janey - any stats for me? Or it's straight to Smackdown my luvvies.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Whirly winner (and report in below!)
Whirl forgot to let us know that he won Best Use of Prompt at Written's contest! See winners' announcement. Congrats to Whirl, and if you don't read anything else today, at least read his entry. It will cure you of any misery.
Meanwhile, report in, or you will need to read Whirl's entry many, many, many times...
Meanwhile, report in, or you will need to read Whirl's entry many, many, many times...
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Start totting up your August points...
You still have a few days to save yourselves! Then come here and let me know if in August you have...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Off you go and vote!
While I ended up missing Written's contest, some of my more diligent (or concerned) victims have earned their point. Pay the contest a little visit here to read or vote!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Bonus point competition now open!
Drift by Writtenwyrdd's place to see the prompt. Deadline is 22 August, so get thinking!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Even teddy bears will hate you
That title will mean something to some of you! Just taking a moment to say a fond farewell to the quiz that I've been doing almost every day for the past two? three? years.
A thank you to Paca, who organised the quiz and kept on organising the quiz, despite only winning, um, was it once? in all that time. A thank you to Blogless and Sarah for being so smart and winning so often. And an even bigger thank you to all those who let me win sometimes!
Memories... The literature section, with every ten questions including at least one about Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, which none of us had ever read. The questions that all of us disagreed with (ever heard of a 'shot' of coffee, anyone, because I have!). The dodgy Scottish ones. The dodgy Aussie ones.
Ah, good times.
A thank you to Paca, who organised the quiz and kept on organising the quiz, despite only winning, um, was it once? in all that time. A thank you to Blogless and Sarah for being so smart and winning so often. And an even bigger thank you to all those who let me win sometimes!
Memories... The literature section, with every ten questions including at least one about Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, which none of us had ever read. The questions that all of us disagreed with (ever heard of a 'shot' of coffee, anyone, because I have!). The dodgy Scottish ones. The dodgy Aussie ones.
Ah, good times.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Bonus points from August!
Sarah's pointed me in the direction of a competition that I should have already known about, serves me right for being such a blogging slacker. Anyway, our worthy Written has just the thing lined up for us - a flash contest, entries due by 28 August.
Flash fiction is a great writing exercise. The intensity of holding together a complete story in just a few words, with theme, character, plot and progress, plus adding in description and hopefully some imagery, not to mention character development, is a novel in miniature.
Take a look at this introductory post - and I'll post an update when full entry details are available -
http://writtenwyrdd.typepad.com/writtenwyrdd/2010/08/a-moment-of-greed-and-a-contest-prep-plea.html#comment-6a00e54ef251c588330133f2f17e1d970b
As per Clarity of Night, one point for submitting - no points for writing and not submitting!
Flash fiction is a great writing exercise. The intensity of holding together a complete story in just a few words, with theme, character, plot and progress, plus adding in description and hopefully some imagery, not to mention character development, is a novel in miniature.
Take a look at this introductory post - and I'll post an update when full entry details are available -
http://writtenwyrdd.typepad.com/writtenwyrdd/2010/08/a-moment-of-greed-and-a-contest-prep-plea.html#comment-6a00e54ef251c588330133f2f17e1d970b
As per Clarity of Night, one point for submitting - no points for writing and not submitting!
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Results up - and a new bonus?
Chris, mdames60, any word from you two? Chris, can't remember what you've been up to this month, go on and remind me. Mdame, I've already sent the Goblin your way, want another visit?!
OK, I like the bonus point system, particularly as it saved my furry butt last week. No, really, I like it because it pushes us to write and submit something we may not otherwise have written. And it saved my furry butt. Which may need saving again. No, really, it's all about the writing.
Anyway, I haven't stumbled across anything for this month yet. Does anyone have any suggestions?
OK, I like the bonus point system, particularly as it saved my furry butt last week. No, really, I like it because it pushes us to write and submit something we may not otherwise have written. And it saved my furry butt. Which may need saving again. No, really, it's all about the writing.
Anyway, I haven't stumbled across anything for this month yet. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Report in for July!
Yanno, chaps and chapesses, I'm flipping glad that I allowed one point for entry to Clarity of Night, because this month, I have...one point.
How about the rest of you? In July have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
How about the rest of you? In July have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The McKoala Month
The end is coming... I'll be putting up the reporting post in a few days, so I hope you're ready... *checks back through own memory* ooops
Remember, one point for entering Clarity of Night! Don't care whether or not you made the 40s club, just that you made the effort!
Remember, one point for entering Clarity of Night! Don't care whether or not you made the 40s club, just that you made the effort!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Claritisers
I passed the first test and I'm #43 under The Other Name. If you're also through, please let us know here so that my other victims can go and read if they wish.
You qualify for the point whether or not you made the cut. The Koala is proud of anyone who submits, because she knows how hairy scary that can be!
The competition is here.
You qualify for the point whether or not you made the cut. The Koala is proud of anyone who submits, because she knows how hairy scary that can be!
The competition is here.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
June is up!
But I think you all knew your status anyway. A bonus point for this month can be achieved by entering this little competition: http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2010/07/uncovered-short-fiction-contest-is.html. You'll find many familiar faces there.
Rules reminder: a novel submission always takes you up on to approves. This is the Year of the Submission! A mere twelve submissions this year will keep you in the Koala's good books. How easy is that?
Rules reminder: a novel submission always takes you up on to approves. This is the Year of the Submission! A mere twelve submissions this year will keep you in the Koala's good books. How easy is that?
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