I love Sword and Planet et al. devoured them in the 80s. Sadly, don't have time to participate but looking forward to what folks come up with. Great project!
I don't know if I'll join, I don't know if I'll have time, I'm thinking about it now though didnt understandwhat it was, but could I use a character for a lead I already have? And what are the settings "rules" exactly?
No settings rules, and sure you can use a character for a lead you already have, the 'rules' are guidelines. and write the best story you can Mr. Ember. X)
"...must have at least one love interest, and she must not be a magic-user, nor must she be a warrior, or be a past lover of the lead."
A question just occurred to me. If we're reversing the roles - which is to say the focal character is female ala Red Sonja - how do you wish to handle this particular aspect? Are we simply flipping the sex switch, or will male love interests to female leads be permitted to fill a warrior's/soldier's role as well given soldiery was a commonly expected duty among men in many of the societies portrayed by the pulps?
I don't mind, if you flip the sexes. I mean I like some of the Red Sonja stories and my one criticism of her is the lack of love-interest and character progression. So if you got an idea go nuts.
Well I'm thinking more in terms of the "can't be a warrior" rule. For a female love interest it makes sense, especially if we're drawing in Howard. What I'm wondering is if we want to maintain that same rule for a male love interest if we flip the switch like that. It's no issue for me in either case, since I likely won't be doing a female lead in this story.
So, to make sure I'm properly following the Warrior Wednesday prompt, here is the idea I'm considering: The female lead is an aspiring warrior--she has not been recognized as a warrior by her people. She ends up adventuring with the male lead, who technically "outranks" her due to his greater experience and official recognition as a warrior.
I promise that I'm writing a brand new story for this; not using an existing one. I want to abide by your preferred rules, but I just think it would be easier for me to write (and you to read) if it was broken up in chapters. And I'll keep track of the word count as I go along.
Alright, chapters it is then, I'm not going into this thinking I'm some chieftain or god or king, I'm just pitching an idea. So if it inspires people but they need creative freedom, creative liberty they must have.
Ah ok let me clarify, if you have stuff already written I'm gonna market your story, and in time review it, and if you want to join in on the prompt or have something that already fits then I fit it in when the time comes.
As it is, I'm annoyed that you only have ten or so subs so come this Wednesday I want to commit towards getting you to twenty, and Tom Hyland to 50 (he's in the 40s).
I know it might be insensitive, it's just that I've found it easy to grow hereon Substack so feel I have an obligation towards you and him, as you both have and are struggling. I do not want to be Kinnard and deny you, the growth you so richly deserve.
Thanks for clarifying. I have lots of stuff written but little published. I'm putting final touches on the 1st of a volume of SF / Fantastical / Eerie stories to send to a couple publishers. (I have enough stories for two more volumes so far and more ideas popping.) The B'raith Chronicles are drafted and await hubby's attention. Ditto for The Wiccan Tales. And 2.9+ million words in the Freelan series drafted but no good place to send them (too conservative in their ideas and tone). When I just checked, I have 67 subscribers, all free. And a bigger issue than someone like Jeff is the Substack algorithm. I just heard from another Substacker that the site doesn't promote people who don't have paid subscriptions set up. I will never do that. I never use credit cards online. Plus I want my articles to benefit everyone. This isn't me feeling "entitled" or in anyway superior. Just spreading some of what I've learned over the past 40+ yrs of writing fiction and non-fiction. As for your prompts, let me give it some thought. And you can read the first story in the B'raith lineup here (I've edited it somewhat since this issue came out), and I did the cover art for the issue (that's me in the hooded cloak): https://tnfff.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ES202306.pdf
Ah ok, I'll take a look at it and you're probably wise to do what you do. I've mine set up out of desperation and resignation, but didn't know that the site promoted those with their cards'/stripe accounts set up.
I find that a good way around the algorithm is to comment on other people's items. When I comment on yours and you on mine, we help promote each other. Thanks much. Have a great day.
Can I submit my novel? It meets your criteria. None of the women are mages. There are no princesses in the story...at least not once they meet the lead.
I love Sword and Planet et al. devoured them in the 80s. Sadly, don't have time to participate but looking forward to what folks come up with. Great project!
I get that, your support is still appreciated mon ami.
I don't know if I'll join, I don't know if I'll have time, I'm thinking about it now though didnt understandwhat it was, but could I use a character for a lead I already have? And what are the settings "rules" exactly?
No settings rules, and sure you can use a character for a lead you already have, the 'rules' are guidelines. and write the best story you can Mr. Ember. X)
Thank you! I'll definitely think about it, and even if I don't participate, I'll still write the story I have in mind.l along with my other projects.
"...must have at least one love interest, and she must not be a magic-user, nor must she be a warrior, or be a past lover of the lead."
A question just occurred to me. If we're reversing the roles - which is to say the focal character is female ala Red Sonja - how do you wish to handle this particular aspect? Are we simply flipping the sex switch, or will male love interests to female leads be permitted to fill a warrior's/soldier's role as well given soldiery was a commonly expected duty among men in many of the societies portrayed by the pulps?
I don't mind, if you flip the sexes. I mean I like some of the Red Sonja stories and my one criticism of her is the lack of love-interest and character progression. So if you got an idea go nuts.
Well I'm thinking more in terms of the "can't be a warrior" rule. For a female love interest it makes sense, especially if we're drawing in Howard. What I'm wondering is if we want to maintain that same rule for a male love interest if we flip the switch like that. It's no issue for me in either case, since I likely won't be doing a female lead in this story.
Hadn't thought of that, I think that a male love interest is different and he can be.
So, to make sure I'm properly following the Warrior Wednesday prompt, here is the idea I'm considering: The female lead is an aspiring warrior--she has not been recognized as a warrior by her people. She ends up adventuring with the male lead, who technically "outranks" her due to his greater experience and official recognition as a warrior.
Sure, sounds cool
I'm eager to get back to work with following these prompts! New Year, new heroic quests!
So glad to hear it!
I have a 3000 word exerpt from a story, the excerpt is Celtic Aos Sidhe warrior women taunting and tormenting Romans for fun...
Would that qualify?
Sure! But as it's Saturday, let's include it in to-day's Saturday collection!
Got a rules question: can we publish in parts, or does it have to be a single post?
Depends on the story I guess, I don't mind either way.
I promise that I'm writing a brand new story for this; not using an existing one. I want to abide by your preferred rules, but I just think it would be easier for me to write (and you to read) if it was broken up in chapters. And I'll keep track of the word count as I go along.
Alright, chapters it is then, I'm not going into this thinking I'm some chieftain or god or king, I'm just pitching an idea. So if it inspires people but they need creative freedom, creative liberty they must have.
I'm sure whatever you do write will be awesome.
Haha, the way I figure it, your prompt, your rules. I do appreciate the vote of confidence, though!
A bit confused. Are you calling for story entries? Not sure if my B'raith series qualifies.
Sure but in Feb, I also want to see if I can market these and get people some more subscribers and readers who aren't writers.
Still confused. But never mind. Hope it works for you.
Ah ok let me clarify, if you have stuff already written I'm gonna market your story, and in time review it, and if you want to join in on the prompt or have something that already fits then I fit it in when the time comes.
As it is, I'm annoyed that you only have ten or so subs so come this Wednesday I want to commit towards getting you to twenty, and Tom Hyland to 50 (he's in the 40s).
I know it might be insensitive, it's just that I've found it easy to grow hereon Substack so feel I have an obligation towards you and him, as you both have and are struggling. I do not want to be Kinnard and deny you, the growth you so richly deserve.
Thanks for clarifying. I have lots of stuff written but little published. I'm putting final touches on the 1st of a volume of SF / Fantastical / Eerie stories to send to a couple publishers. (I have enough stories for two more volumes so far and more ideas popping.) The B'raith Chronicles are drafted and await hubby's attention. Ditto for The Wiccan Tales. And 2.9+ million words in the Freelan series drafted but no good place to send them (too conservative in their ideas and tone). When I just checked, I have 67 subscribers, all free. And a bigger issue than someone like Jeff is the Substack algorithm. I just heard from another Substacker that the site doesn't promote people who don't have paid subscriptions set up. I will never do that. I never use credit cards online. Plus I want my articles to benefit everyone. This isn't me feeling "entitled" or in anyway superior. Just spreading some of what I've learned over the past 40+ yrs of writing fiction and non-fiction. As for your prompts, let me give it some thought. And you can read the first story in the B'raith lineup here (I've edited it somewhat since this issue came out), and I did the cover art for the issue (that's me in the hooded cloak): https://tnfff.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ES202306.pdf
Ah ok, I'll take a look at it and you're probably wise to do what you do. I've mine set up out of desperation and resignation, but didn't know that the site promoted those with their cards'/stripe accounts set up.
I find that a good way around the algorithm is to comment on other people's items. When I comment on yours and you on mine, we help promote each other. Thanks much. Have a great day.
Like Harold, I'm also curious as to the setting rules. Is there any beyond "fantasy"? Or can we even do something that's not fantasy per se?
What do you have in mind?
I'm more thinking if having sci-fi elements might be an issue. Though at the moment, I'm leaning towards a more straight-forward fantasy.
I'm not a fan of mixing the two genres but I refuse to dictate what folks can and cannot do as it is your story.
Can I submit my novel? It meets your criteria. None of the women are mages. There are no princesses in the story...at least not once they meet the lead.
(chuckles)
Or I could submit parts of "the Reve's Tale."