2017 KUROFAI OLYMPICS - Writers Check-Ins

[flowerspeaks]

Hello all our lovely writers! I hope you have been working hard and studiously on your individual stories!
Since it has been about one week since the start of the writing portion I wanted to do a quick check-in with all the participants. Just wanted to make sure you are all on track and to learn exactly where you all are in the writing process so we can make adjustments if need be.

Also if any of our writers needs any help in the form of research, brain storming or proof-reading just let us know; we mods will take care of the coaching! We are here to help you if need it so please reach out to us!

So on this post comment to let us know if you are still participating, are expected to be ready by our posting week and if you need any coaching assistance! I will do another check-in by the end of next week as well.

Comments

[cloverfield]

Yo! I had an absolute horror of a week doc says I'm going in for surgery in a month and also my contract at work isn't being extended so I'm losing my job as soon as I go on leave to recover from said surgery but I have, stunningly, managed a dot-point draft and 2200~ words.

I'm pretty organised, though obviously not as far ahead as I like to be - that said I'm gonna nose-to-the-grindstone it tomorrow and see if I can't crank out some more. I estimate I'm around 1/4 of the way through, I'm aiming to hit at least 2/3 by the end of the weekend. Dontcha worry about me mods, I'm an old hand and I'll be ready to post on time. [thumbs up emoji] [wink emoji] [typewriter emoji]

That said, I do have a question for our hard-working mod team: do we have a posting schedule drafted up yet?

Thanks for all your hard work, and damn that's a beautiful banner! ♥

[notpotable]

I have my plot figured out and outlined, have been working on research (I decided to have a highly technical setting.... whoops.) and have the first few early scenes written out.

I'm on call tomorrow but I hope to be able to focus on writing more all Sunday and Tuesday (my only day off). I know what I want to do, I just need to get all the words out. I also need a little more expert information on my setting, but I should be able to work with what I do have if necessary.

[animangod]

I'm so sorry about your job and needing surgery but way to be productive in the midst of all that.

[evig_sang]

Been doing research and plot outlining, gotten a little actual writing done. I'm hoping to use this weekend to crank out a significant portion of it.

I could use a little help with sorting out ideas, and mainly I'm not sure what point in the story I should actually begin writing. That's always a challenge for me.

[animangod]

Keep up the good work...

If you do need some help getting information on your setting, feel free to reach out to the mods and we'll do our best to assist.

[animangod]

Research and plot is a good start. Keep up the good work.

[tsubasafan]

Got a decent amount written. Hoping I have created a monster.

[mindlessadri]

First and foremost the banner is FREAKIN adorable!

Second: Perhaps I'm the only one that was surprised by the post, but I am. In the past there has usually been a post to announce that the writing period has begun that 1. refreshes participants on general rules and guidelines 2. discusses formatting and most importantly 3. announces the posting schedule. I don't mind if things have changed this year but it would be helpful to know what has changed and what to expect going forward. Is there a posting schedule? Are we all posting on the same day? Are there still penalties for posting late? ECT.

Needless to say, I haven't started writing, but I'll start today.

Sorry if I'm coming off confrontational, but I really was caught off guard since I've been waiting on that interim post all week. I'm just a creature of habit ;-;

[flowerspeaks]

No thank you for your feed back! I never mod before so I didn't know what or how to move forward. Its good to know what I need to work on! I will make an update with the information you requested. And take into consideration how our lack of clarification had affected you.

Thanks and sorry!

[evig_sang]

Oh, thank God I'm not the only one who was confused. I only realized yesterday that it said in the last post that these were due the 5th, and I should have spent the week writing instead of just research. I'm also confused about the rules and schedule.

[flowerspeaks]

Sorry, I will work on this and further clarification. Any other question please, please feel free to send them to me or the other mods. You can even pm us if you are more comfortable with that.

Working right now getting these things settled.

Thanks and sorry!

[mindlessadri]

I'm just happy that somebody else was feeling the same way. It's disheartening to lose so much writing time but we'll have to recover!

[flowerspeaks]

Do you need a coach's helping hand in sorting out your ideas? I will get a mod to help out!

[evig_sang]

That would be good. I'm pretty happy with the general idea I have, but I could use a sounding board to help figure out pacing, sequence of events, and whether to start in media res or not.

[blue_phoenix_tears]

Hi! I'd love to help you out! You can message me here or on Tumblr @blue-phoenix-tears ^^

[kuroganeattacksquad]

I won't be sure about how much I've done/have left to do until Sunday. I'm more write-first, research-second, and I haven't even gotten to the research stage yet.

That said, if anybody knows anything about (or are willing to direct me to helpful sources regarding) Montreal in the 1980s (specifically a layout of the city and the lingo of the time) or gangs/mobs from the same time period, I'd be grateful!

[animangod]

Here's some lingo for you: https://www.scribd.com/doc/16522367/Canadian-Slang

And this here is the closest I've found to the age you are looking for, however it's 1959: http://www.imtl.org/image/cartes/stmpaa1939_FULL.jpg

[notpotable]

Thank you! I'm hoping to find someone who knows enough about sailing circa the Age of Sail to be able to "proofread" anything I write about things like sail configuration with the wind from a certain direction, or offer feedback on my choice of vessel and sail plan and crew size... ahahaha what have I gotten myself into...

[cloverfield]

Thank you so much. It's actually good to have a distraction to keep me from thinking about the bad stuff too much at the moment.

Um, in regards to surgery and stuff, I do have one request for the posting schedule, if that's alright? I'm not sure yet what days we are posting on but as I'm going into hospital on the 21st of August West Australian time (which is like, the 20th of August US-time) I'd really appreciate it if my assigned posting day for my prompt (out of the frying pan, into the fire) was before the 20th August? Because after that point I'll be in surgery and then recovering so I probably won't be lucid enough to post anything for a few days at least.

I'm definitely going to be finished and ready to post by then, and I really want to stay in the event even after getting the bad news, but if the mods could please take that into account on my behalf when thinking up the posting schedule that would be wonderful.

[arisprite]

Hello mods! I have had a completely crazy week and guests over but I'm hoping on making some progress this weekend anyway. After that i will definitly buckle down too. Right now i have a point by point plot and 2000 words roughly, so i should be good. When is the posting date?

Thank you kind souls!

[animangod]

We'll definitely do what we can to accommodate you so you're lucid when you post. Best wishes to you.

[animangod]

Is it a scary monster? Is it a friendly monster? Does this monster remember to do its chores and manners?

All joking aside, happy writing.

[blue_phoenix_tears]

Ok this is a subject I'm unfamiliar with but I did have this post saved, it has a ton of resources for writers including search engines that can be used for research, and maybe you and the other writers know about these as you are way more experienced than me when it comes to writing, but I'm leaving it here just in case^^ Let me know if there's anything else you need though!^^

https://brynprocrastinates.tumblr.com/post/161971691013/60-awesome-search-engines-for-serious-writers

[kuroganeattacksquad]

Thanks! The slang guide has been super helpful so far! And I'll definitely be needing that map when I start planning locations!!!

[blue_phoenix_tears]

I shared a link in an above comment with resources about useful search engines but I'm afraid that's the best I can do for today. Best of luck!

[tsubasafan]

Thank you~

It's very stressful, not sure if I'm nailing Fai/others pov or just being an audience pov

[(Anonymous)]

Silverservererror:

So, anyone who could be like, a Japanese sensitivity reader? Especially in the area of cooking?

[animangod]

I will not claim to be an expert but I do have a few books on the subject and have researched some part about Japanese cuisine.

[animangod]

I'm glad it has been useful. All the best to you

[animangod]

I am sure you are doing your best! And it will show :3

[animangod]

I've got a few books at home I can reference regarding sailing and ships if you want a 'proofreader'.

[atomherrerin]

I don't know if the understudies are supposed to check in or not, but I'm still here if anyone needs me. Good luck you guys! Have fun!

[animangod]

Nice to see you.

[blue_phoenix_tears]

Me too, I'm far from an expert but I have acquired a bit of knowledge in similar ways. Also (and take this with a grain of salt as I'm not sure I can make it happen) I might be able to ask a friend of a friend who is Japanese a couple of questions.

[pokechan]

My plot is 95% figured out and I've started writing. I'd never say no to an extension especially since I'm used to longer writing periods, but push come to shove I'll be ready, whether my muse likes it or not. >:T

[tropewars]

sorry sorry!! totally didnt see this until now! im on my way to getting stuff done, and i expect i'll be ready by the post date! uni's just getting started this week, so my weekend was pretty hectic getting last minute stuff sorted out ":I

[animangod]

Understand about hectic weekends...

[xfourleafcloverx]

Sorry I am late to the check in party! I am well on my way in drafting my story and with the way I write that is on track for me haha. With work not giving a day off last week it was hard to make progress but I can write all weekend so I should be fine.

Keep up the good work guys!

[animangod]

But you MADE it, and that's what counts...


Work, work, give the lucky charm a day off.

[xfourleafcloverx]

Thank you for the charm!

[animangod]

Did it work? Did they say you've earned a break?

[xfourleafcloverx]

Not that I can tell XD I work at McDonald's and the schedule comes out only a few days before the next week. Probably won't get one because I took the weekend off to visit family/write like a fiend.

[cutiepietro]

Checking in late but my first draft is done, I just have to edit a ton!

[sotongsotong]

Comes in a bit late! A general idea has been pinned down and I'll get to writing after I'm done with another fandom deadline next week. So, things are okay so far!

[animangod]

Will the pins be strong enough to hold? Maybe a magically reinforced cage would work better at holding them inside...

Joking aside, good luck with your writing.

[animangod]

And the first draft is perfect because it's whole purpose is to exist...

Keep on with your editing until you reach the final stage.

[animangod]

Drats! Well good luck anyway.

[xfourleafcloverx]

Update: Schedule for next week came out and I am off Monday and Tuesday and Thursday. So yes, your charm worked. Thank you all mighty animangod.

[animangod]

Magic is a powerful tool. Especially when used for good.

Take care, and enjoy your days off :3