Writing Challenge Comments, Questions, Answers

[Ursa major]

You're welcome.

Your story seemed deserving of my vote from the moment I read it, but I had to see whether the good first impression would last and whether the other excellent entries I read might have impressed me enough to switch.


I have to say I'm really looking forward to reading next month's entries, however many votes I have (although my preference is still for one vote per voter).

 

[HoopyFrood]

I voted that for having one vote each and using such hasn't made me change my mind (maybe we should see it as helping us make firm decisions in our lives...). I was reading through each story as they were posted, and then someone posted one that immediately struck...er, something. Anyway, it was the one that stuck and the one I voted for. Not much agonising, at least. So now I just need this to happen every month...

I am also for keeping things stable for a little while. Too much chopping and changing and voting on things may also put people off. But then, you can please some of the people all of the time, but...

It is awesome to have a writing competition like this.

 

[The Judge]

Well, I did it. Didn't take it right to the wire, but near enough.

I found it hard enough to whittle the 42 entries down to the three of the shortlist. After thinking about those three long and hard, I realised the split was between three different aspects of story-telling: smart, fast-paced, with a witty ending; a good solid story with dialogue that moved the plot forward; and touching, limpid beauty. I found it so difficult to choose, but in the end it was beauty wot won it.

(And two people voted for me -- thank you, whoever you are. And thank you Ursa, and Teresa some while ago, for the Honourable Mentions.)

I'd like to add my thanks to Teresa for taking an idle comment and making this contest out of it, to Culhwch for doing the necessary with the voting, and to I, Brian for allowing it to be held. Not long to go now, but whoever wins, I think we all deserve to be congratulated for taking part.

 

[Talysia]

I rather liked only having one vote to give - it really made me think about every element of the stories. That said, I really did have to think hard about where my vote went! (I think there were twelve or so stories on my 'shortlist' at one point) After much deliberation, I whittled it down to seven, then four, and then I was left with my favourite.

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this contest, both taking part and reading the entries, and thanks for letting us take part. Having a challenge like this has boosted my confidence about my other writing projects a little, too.

 

[Culhwch]

The poll is officially closed, and we have a tie...

Actually I think it's a pretty good indication of the quality of the entries to have such a congested leaderboard! I'll be back in a moment with a tiebreaker poll.

 

[Culhwch]

The tiebreaker poll is now up.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Congratulations to Mouse and Boneman!! Excellent stories, both of you.

Now if only we don't have another tie in the run-off poll ...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

And by the way, did anyone else notice how apt are the titles of the stories we must now choose between:

Decisions, Decisions

and

The Dilemma

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Ah, well, my vote wouldn't have won anyway. But, and this was probably my fault, I don't think I ever even knew where to go to vote. (I was going to vote for Hoopy's story.) Maybe next time, maybe next time.



Still disappointed to see mine didn't make the list.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Neither did mine, Karn. I have an idea where I went wrong, however, and I am determined not to make the same mistake next time. Whether the story I write next month gains votes or not, it won't be because I make that particular mistake again.

Take it as a learning experience.

 

[Hilarious Joke]

I voted for Devil's Advocate's Join Me in Death because it was sharply written and drew me in most.

I also really liked:
- Leisha's Seeking Normality, I think that had one of the best last lines in any piece;
- Matty K's Jeff and Graham Explore a Planet because of its excellent comic pacing;
- Dang's The Survivor because I could see it clearly in my mind; and
- Precise Calibre's Slip-Walk because of the evocative second paragraph.

I feel I could have gone through every story and said why I liked it - the effort and skill that went into these pieces is pretty amazing. Congratulations to the finalists, and good luck everyone next month!

 

[Culhwch]

I ended up voting for chopper's story, which grabbed me from the first day, but I thought I'd mention the two that challenged it were two of the most recent efforts - yours, HJ, and chel's. Both very deserving of a vote, and I think if I'd read either one first and lived with it as long as chopper's, I may very well have voted differently...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Hilarious Joke's story literally lost my vote on a coin toss.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, I think my mistake was cutting TOO MUCH out, for one. I was sixteen words short of the maximum limit, after all.

Hmm.....I don't suppose there's yet a winner between the ties? And once there is, I wonder what next month's theme will be.....please not vampire horror, please, please, please....

 

[chopper]

cheers for the vote of confidence, Cul! i ended up voting for Leisha's, which had the biggest impact ending - but the others on my shortlist weren't far behind.

and a good deserved tie too.

and yeah, i'm looking forward to next month too...

 

[Mouse]

Ooooooh! Is there a happy dance smiley?! Thank you to whoever voted for me. And well done to Boneman too, I saw we were tied last night but I figured he'd have overtaken me by the morning!

 

[Erin99]

I voted that for having one vote each and using such hasn't made me change my mind (maybe we should see it as helping us make firm decisions in our lives...). I was reading through each story as they were posted, and then someone posted one that immediately struck...er, something. Anyway, it was the one that stuck and the one I voted for. Not much agonising, at least. So now I just need this to happen every month...

I am also for keeping things stable for a little while. Too much chopping and changing and voting on things may also put people off. But then, you can please some of the people all of the time, but...

It is awesome to have a writing competition like this.

Completely agree. For me, it was Peter Graham's entry, because it has such an emotional impact and the child's voice was spot-on. Very sad!

And... blimey. I don't feel worthy of votes or mentions - Peter's story succeeded where mine failed - but I got them anyway. Thank you.


Oh, and congrats to both winners. Mouse's entry was my second choice, so again, my decision is easy.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Haven't had time to check the forums till now. A tie, huh? Can't say I'm surprised; this is pretty much the reason I had wanted more than one vote. All good, though. For the record, I voted for Boneman's. So congrats to him and Mouse. I shall head on over to the tiebreaker poll now.

I voted for Devil's Advocate's Join Me in Death because it was sharply written and drew me in most.

Wow. That's awfully flattering. Not being a whiner, but I had genuinely resigned myself* to the fact that I wouldn't be getting any votes**. Thanks, HJ. I appreciate it. I question your sanity, but I still appreciate it.


* About 2 minutes after submitting, actually.
** Unless I cheated...

 

[Boneman]

And thanks for those who voted for me. I voted for RC Grant's fridge adventure.

Well done to Mouse - I hadn't checked the poll for 2 days , being a bit preoccupied with other matters, but if it's a draw again, maybe Mouse and I will pm and chose the next title...?

ps: oops, sudden thought - I voted for myself in the tie-breaker - if that wasn't right, could you take it back, please Cul?

 

[Culhwch]

I can't remove votes, but I guess Mouse, if she hasn't done so already, can lodge a vote for herself to even things up, if she so wishes.

I forgot to mention earlier too that the poll will close around midnight on the 5th of May.