I'm pretty excited about my entry. It's new. Although, I've had the idea for the main character for some time now.

It's fantasy and titled, Dogs of Dawn.

I'm not sure I have a pitch yet but I tried to write something akin to a log line: Trent De Saber, once a promising Lieutenant, has fallen. Conscription forces him to face his demons as he struggles with his destiny, survival, loyalty, and escape from the Empire.

It's new and I'm pretty much posting it as I finish it. Apparently, I am the absolute worst at commas. I should probably edit it more before I post but I just need to get the words out. You know what I mean?

What's your title and pitch?

Last edited by Adrian Lankford (05-03-2012 22:43:30)

Hey, I totally remember THE HOPE STORE! That was a good one, worldbeat! Fact is, I've entered this contest for the past FIVE years. With largely the same material and to no avail. Still, it's just fun to participate...

Hey World Beat,

This is a nice thread!

I am definitely excited about my entry, "Do Holograms Make Love?"
It's a new story that I have had in my mind for about a year. 
Main characters are Christopher Clousumb, a former space explorer who has become a downright nasty alcoholic after bringing back to earth the information that the universe is finite and Gram, a hologram for Clousumb's starship, who over the years has started to experiment with companionship.

I'm excited about this entry because it should hopefully be a great space adventure with a lot of thought provoking situations.  Hopefully although futuristic, hopefully also timeless.

I agree that my stories are always easy to start - but the hard part for me is maintaining characters throughout.  A story is like a portrait and I have to make sure I "paint" all the character's stories well.  So definitely pushing through will be a great accomplishment for me. 

So win or lose, I am proud of myself for entering.   Good luck to everyone who is entering.

Hello Dwight,

I love a lot of science in my sci fi, but then I'm a bit of a geek that way.

I haven't participated in Strongest Start since 2009.  It's fun to be a part of the contest again.  I always like this time of the year because we tend to get a lot of fresh faces and new stories.  And I like mulling over the puzzle of how best to put together those first 3 chapters -- over and over, with different stories, styles & authors. 

I'm excited about my novel High Maga because I'm almost done with the manuscript (clocking about 115K; looking to finish at about 130K).  So for me, this is the best time to revisit those opening chapters.  There's something about wrapping up the final chapters of a novel that makes it much easier for me to see what I need to set up in chapters one, two and three. 

Mostly I'm enjoying reading people's work and getting some useful feedback on mine.  It's good to be back.

@ Rita, I agree that Strongest Start is always a lot of fun.  I find it really makes me think about the presence of the reader of the other side of the page.  What will keep them turning the pages.  As a result, I also reconfigure my first three chapters.  I think it's a great way for me to look at ALL the chapters in a book.  Because we are always needing to keep the reader engaged since there are so many other things that person could be doing.  Good luck with your new book and your SS entry.

Also, in my next book, I'm going to try to include a bit more science.  I've heard from a few readers of my first book that they are hungry for a bit more science content.

@Raphi, yeah generally I don't try to overdo it with science.  I've probably been underdid it with my first book Prospect of My Arrival.  So I'm looking for a better balance in Hope Store.  I'm gonna take a peek at your first chapter soon.

Thank you for the shout-out, Adrian.   

I must say, I'm excited about your SS entry, too.  There's something about novels set in particularly brutal worlds that has appeal, and yours seems to be going that route.  I'm looking forward to reading more.

I hope I have time to have a look at almost everyone's entries between now and June...Wishful thinking, I know.  But it costs nothing to dream.

Here's a thought.  I think one aspect that is helpful in our reviews of Strongest Start entries is:  How well does the chapter pull the reading forward into the story?  That's something at times I have also forgotten to comment upon in my feedback.  And I think it is most crucial obviously for helping each other do well in the contest -- and do well in engaging our readers.

If anyone wants to comment further on Hope Store in that regard, there is the thread for Continued Feedback.  And if something strikes me about someone's work I've reviewed, I will comment there also!

Hiya I'm new here and I really like the compatition idea
My entry is a novel I'm working on for few years now and its called Atarashi Sekai - The Elemental Warriors.
I also enjoy reading other entries in this compatition, and I wish good luck for everyone

Hey Dwight,
I enjoyed "The Nurse Killer of Prairie Manor."  Glad you had enough credits to post it   I'm entering the contest with Broken.  It's a working title, I haven't decided what to call it yet although I'm nearing the end...  I started it a couple of years ago, put it aside, wrote another novel (that's being read by an editor at a publishing house), several short stories and returned to Broken.  It changed genres - from lit fic to literary suspense. I am very excited about it.

good luck everyone!

I will be peaking at everyone's as time permits!!!

Aaron

Hi fm, yes you do need to publish your 3 chapters.  Have you reviewed other folks chapters to earn enough credits to post?

To make sure that you are entered in SS, make sure that your tag uses underscores:  strongest_start_six. 

I'm pretty sure without the underscores, the computer will not enter you in the contest.  To check this, when you click VIEW ENTRIES for the contest, you should be able to see your book.  I've talked with many people online who say they are entered in the contest, but their work cannot be found under the entry list.  So they probably left out the correct underscored tag and so are not entered.

Good luck in the contest!