Autum 2023 Workshop Feedback Thread

I haven't gotten around to read all the stories yet (as a few of them are something of a long read!) but I'm facinated by the variation that I've seen so far:
A short story of a supernaturally strong student, two romance stories, a revenge fic, etc.

I need to get around to read them all, and try and write some feedback (which might be a bit hard as I've had a hand in more than one of them).

But what are everyone else thinking so far?

Bit of a newcomer here but I liked the stories posted to the workshop so far. In terms of my favorites, I would say "The Power of the Pencil" was really good. I also liked "Back to College". If I were a betting man, I would put my money on one of those two, although some of the other ones make me wanna wish I had more than two votes, haha. As for my own story, I had a lot of fun writing it, but after reading through some of the other submissions I feel like I should have made it more 'superheroine-centric' than it turned out to be. If I ever get around to writing a sequel I'll make sure to keep that in mind. Hope everyone had fun reading and writing the submissions for this workshop!

Long time lurker, first time story submitter. I'm not a big fan of "bad girl" supers, so Syncopa's Revenge and Back to College didn't really do it for me. I agree that Power of the Pencil is probably going to take the crown and deserves to. I also enjoyed In a Town Outside a City for its take on Supergirl and the struggle between a secret identity and romance.

I realistically shouldn't have submitted my story, given that it's my first real piece of fiction writing, and given that the subject matter probably isn't most people's cup of tea. I have another four parts basically done and more in the works, but I probably won't post them. Too much anxiety from all of this, you know?

phantomrenegade wrote:

Long time lurker, first time story submitter. I'm not a big fan of "bad girl" supers, so Syncopa's Revenge and Back to College didn't really do it for me. I agree that Power of the Pencil is probably going to take the crown and deserves to. I also enjoyed In a Town Outside a City for its take on Supergirl and the struggle between a secret identity and romance.

I realistically shouldn't have submitted my story, given that it's my first real piece of fiction writing, and given that the subject matter probably isn't most people's cup of tea. I have another four parts basically done and more in the works, but I probably won't post them. Too much anxiety from all of this, you know?

I can understand you being overwhelmed by it all, but you only learn by doing! We have all tried to be new and publishing our first stories (and realize that they maybe weren’t that good) but we wrote another story, and got better over time. 

My advice is that you try publishing the remaining parts (if they are already done) and try and ask for feedback on how you can improve in the future. 
Sometimes it’s also a good idea to brainstorm with people or know someone that can help you edit your stories (I know for a fact that my stories got better from asking for my friend’s opinions). 

Bit embarrassed to admit that I probably belonged to the first category. At least until I actually read the other workshop entries lol.

Anyway, I too would recommend that you submit the other parts eventually since you've already written them. I am curious to see where the story is going to go, so you at least have one guaranteed reader

Thanks for the kind words. I'll try to work up to submitting the next parts after the workshop is over. Maybe they'll go over better.

My favorite story was Final Exams an New Beginnings and The Power of the Pencil.

Final Exams and New Beginnings left me wanting more, wondering what would come next.

The Power of the Pencil ... I liked the imagery as Ryder turned Lana into the girl of his dreams.

Thank you to all of the authors. I wouldn't want to run in to Syncopa

anonxyzus wrote:

My favorite story was Final Exams an New Beginnings and The Power of the Pencil.

Final Exams and New Beginnings left me wanting more, wondering what would come next.

The Power of the Pencil ... I liked the imagery as Ryder turned Lana into the girl of his dreams.

Thank you to all of the authors. I wouldn't want to run in to Syncopa

I agree with you on “Final Exams”: It leaves one with a want of more as the story is long enough to dangle the mystery of “who is she” but at the same time so short that we want to know more. I do hope a sequel might come in the future! 

Damn, I hadn't expected to win with such a margin! I was almost sure that the gap would have been closed at some point...

But thanks to all that voted!
I'll try and get around with my own thoughts on the different stories in the coming days (you guys definitely deserve some feedback)

As the writer of Final Exams and New Beginnings, I'm amazed that I did as well as I did. I can't believe people want more from me, but I do plan to release the other six parts I have so far.

Congrats, friend.

phantomrenegade wrote:

As the writer of Final Exams and New Beginnings, I'm amazed that I did as well as I did. I can't believe people want more from me, but I do plan to release the other six parts I have so far.

Please do! It was so short, and one can almost feel how much story potential there is in it!