CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 30, 2021 16:36:19 GMT
Anyone else assiduously checking their inbox today, just in case? ;-) Me! All this week.... Me, all month!
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CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 30, 2021 16:44:33 GMT
I submitted mine about two days before the deadline, and I only started working on my submission about five or six days before that! I just totally forgot about the Paul Spragg Competition this year until really late, having sent submissions usually after a month or so of work, with a week to go. Ironically, this submission is the one I've been most confident of. Although, I'm not really sure if the guys at Big Finish will like it, or if they believe I can get everything I promise in the full 5K words if it were to be commissioned. I'm hoping, though... After three or four submissions over previous years, I'm starting to feel like I'm getting nowhere. Hello again fellow wordsmiths, I didn't even get anything completed to send in, so you are one ahead of me, CTxCB. Like you I have submitted most years and after the initial disappointment, you have to relax. First of all lots of fellow hopefuls take part in this opportunity, so you have not, (so far) been successful. There are other opportunities advertised on BBC Writers Room if you see yourself as a potential script writer. Alternatively, if like me, prose is more your scene, there are short story opportunities from time to time. I've found this website an interesting read: www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-magazines.phpYou have to think that every time you submit anything to any competition or submission opportunity you have come up with an idea, you have completed a synopsis which is not an easy task and you completed the work before the deadline. Meeting deadlines is an important part of demonstrating you are a serious writer. As others have said on the very informative threads: tips from the pros and the writing for Big Finish you need to have a focus. What's your aim as a writer?
Mine for 2020/21 was to complete a submnission for a charity Who anthology, finally complete my children's fantasy novel and send submissions to the Big Finish Paul Spragg Oppotunity and the Divergent Wordsmiths Unbound Imaginings anthology. Now, I had a good start to the year and completed the charity anthology submission on time, I just about managed to send an entry to Big Finish but in the middle of the year, I had a major family emergency and was unable to submit to the Wordsmiths. I enjoyed reading their finished anthology and still have the work I did manage to do on the stories ready to fight another day. Now, in November, with the family a bit more settled, I was able to take part in Nanowrimo, a month where you set yourself a word count and try to reach it by the end of the month. To my surprise, I managed to complete my fantasy story. From then, I did a lot of research about how to edit and format a manuscript, how to write a pitch, a letter to an agent and managed to send submissions to 5 agents. Only one replied with a thoughtful and interesting letter which was a polite no, but I will continue to work on the story and try again. I really wish you well CTxCB in all your writing endeavours. There are many of us on the forum who harbour the writing ambition. You will feel discouraged at times but writing well is like any skill, you have to work at it. Keep pushing at doors, always reply politely t oany rejection letters, read, watch and listen to all you can and all my very best.
Although, I'm not really sure if the guys at Big Finish will like it, or if they believe I can get everything I promise in the full 5K words if it were to be commissioned. I'm hoping, though... After three or four submissions over previous years, I'm starting to feel like I'm getting nowhere. Actually, now there's something I can give that's useful: williamsfan had a similar question about writing on Who and, lo and behold, writers on the forum chipped in to help him out with writing and career advice if you'd like some ways forward that go beyond PS: Thanks for the kind words and advice from both of you. I see the Paul Spragg opportunity as the perfect medium to try and start getting noticed by Big Finish. I've tried writing for Doctor Who anthologies, but I struggle to find any way to get into then. So, the only main Doctor Who-related writing thing I enter is the Paul Spragg competition every year, except I think a year or two when I entirely missed it... I don't even mind if I don't win, I would just love to get some critique from the people judging the competition, just to know what I'm doing wrong. Although, I understand, due to the volume of entries, they can't really do that. It's just a shame to pour my time and energy into something like this, and not even get the luxury of getting critique to aid in my development.
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Post by J.A. Prentice on Jul 31, 2021 8:16:59 GMT
Amazing how quickly this month has gone. Good luck to everyone who's entered the competition. Whatever happens next, remember this -- you've done well. Good luck everyone! I suggest those looking for critique either enroll in a small creative writing course if any are offered near you or find a writing group you trust. Big Finish and most literary magazines, agents, etc, unfortunately don't usually have the time to provide critique due to the sheer volume of submissions they get. (It's very frustrating to send off the novel you've been slaving over for years and get just a form letter in response, but such is a writer's life...)
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Jul 31, 2021 8:37:38 GMT
Actually, now there's something I can give that's useful: williamsfan had a similar question about writing on Who and, lo and behold, writers on the forum chipped in to help him out with writing and career advice if you'd like some ways forward that go beyond PS: Thanks for the kind words and advice from both of you. I see the Paul Spragg opportunity as the perfect medium to try and start getting noticed by Big Finish. I've tried writing for Doctor Who anthologies, but I struggle to find any way to get into then. So, the only main Doctor Who-related writing thing I enter is the Paul Spragg competition every year, except I think a year or two when I entirely missed it... I don't even mind if I don't win, I would just love to get some critique from the people judging the competition, just to know what I'm doing wrong. Although, I understand, due to the volume of entries, they can't really do that. It's just a shame to pour my time and energy into something like this, and not even get the luxury of getting critique to aid in my development. Glad I could help. I do echo JA here: if you want critique on your work, don't rely on a company. A writing course or writing group (Online or local) is a much better investment. Also like I said in the Writing thread, if you're putting a lot of effort in and it's stressing you out, then I think it's important to ask yourself - What is your goal? If all you want is just to write Who stories, you're better off producing your own audio stories (which has never been easier and cheaper to do) or sticking to fanfiction sites as it takes a lot of the stress out. It may not be canon, but if you enjoy writing in this universe, that shouldn't be the most important thing. A writer writer who has Who as just one goal - that's a different thing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2021 8:38:14 GMT
Amazing how quickly this month has gone. Good luck to everyone who's entered the competition. Whatever happens next, remember this -- you've done well. Good luck everyone! I suggest those looking for critique either enroll in a small creative writing course if any are offered near you or find a writing group you trust. Big Finish and most literary magazines, agents, etc, unfortunately don't usually have the time to provide critique due to the sheer volume of submissions they get. (It's very frustrating to send off the novel you've been slaving over for years and get just a form letter in response, but such is a writer's life...) In that vein, if you are looking for an avenue to develop and find a critique on your creative writing skills, I can recommend Divergent Wordsmiths. We've been running since 2017 with five main releases, a number of essays and a collection of short stories from both aspiring and professional writers. We try to offer at least one solid opportunity for short story writing every year. You can find our website and collected work here.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2021 10:27:56 GMT
Anyone else assiduously checking their inbox today, just in case? ;-) Refreshing every few hours!
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 16:17:00 GMT
BF will tweet when they have emailed the winner right?
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CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 31, 2021 16:19:54 GMT
BF will tweet when they have emailed the winner right? I think so. That's what they've done in previous years, IIRC. The checking email and twitter is now at a point where I'm checking every minute or two!
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 17:24:08 GMT
BF will tweet when they have emailed the winner right? I think so. That's what they've done in previous years, IIRC. The checking email and twitter is now at a point where I'm checking every minute or two! I am surprised that they have not posted on BF’s Twitter yet since it’s evening in the UK right now 🤔
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CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 31, 2021 17:28:51 GMT
I think so. That's what they've done in previous years, IIRC. The checking email and twitter is now at a point where I'm checking every minute or two! I am surprised that they have not posted on BF’s Twitter yet since it’s evening in the UK right now 🤔 Yeah, I would have expected something to be announced by now... Not sure how likely these scenarios are, but they are probably possibilities: A) They're finding it hard to decide upon a winner. B) They're having trouble getting in contact with the winner. C) They've forgot to post an announcement on twitter.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 17:35:30 GMT
I am surprised that they have not posted on BF’s Twitter yet since it’s evening in the UK right now 🤔 Yeah, I would have expected something to be announced by now... Not sure how likely these scenarios are, but they are probably possibilities: A) They're finding it hard to decide upon a winner. B) They're having trouble getting in contact with the winner. C) They've forgot to post an announcement on twitter. Maybe some one with a Twitter account should ask if they still are going to post when they contact the winner?
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CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 31, 2021 17:39:32 GMT
Yeah, I would have expected something to be announced by now... Not sure how likely these scenarios are, but they are probably possibilities: A) They're finding it hard to decide upon a winner. B) They're having trouble getting in contact with the winner. C) They've forgot to post an announcement on twitter. Maybe some one with a Twitter account should ask if they still are going to post when they contact the winner? I'm pretty sure that people have been sporadically sending tweets asking them all day. Typically, they announce that they've contacted the winner to end the slew of tweets from people wondering if they've picked a winner yet!
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Post by Jeedai on Jul 31, 2021 19:24:42 GMT
Maybe they dont send the notice that the winner has been contacted until the winner contacts them back?
I wonder how many requests for the Doctor's aid end up in the Tardis' junkmail filter...
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 20:31:33 GMT
Maybe they dont send the notice that the winner has been contacted until the winner contacts them back?
I wonder how many requests for the Doctor's aid end up in the Tardis' junkmail filter...
I don’t think so because last year the tweet said to check your email to see if you won🤔I wonder what they are waiting for?
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 20:35:09 GMT
Maybe they forgot to post on Twitter or maybe they will send the message out like one minute before midnight for dramatic effect?
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CTxCB
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Post by CTxCB on Jul 31, 2021 20:37:39 GMT
Maybe they forgot to post on Twitter or maybe they will send the message out like one minute before midnight for dramatic effect? They're probably milking it by putting as many advertisements for their Big Finish ranges and sales before they announce to check your emails.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 20:39:43 GMT
Maybe they forgot to post on Twitter or maybe they will send the message out like one minute before midnight for dramatic effect? They're probably milking it by putting as many advertisements for their Big Finish ranges and sales before they announce to check your emails. Very true!😁 I bet it will be like 11:59 UK time when they announce it!
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Post by thelonecenturion on Jul 31, 2021 21:03:12 GMT
It's possible they'll just notify the winner and not Tweet it for a while.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 21:07:50 GMT
It's possible they'll just notify the winner and not Tweet it for a while. That’s true too!🤔
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Post by timegirl on Jul 31, 2021 21:10:03 GMT
It would make sense to email the winner and post on Twitter not long after each other though 🤔
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