Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[Quokka]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Congratulations, HareBrain! A great story!

I don't know who it was that voted for me, but thank you. And a thank you for all the mentions too.

Actually that was me, I liked the story as a whole but I really thought the way it flowed set up the last line brilliantly.

It is a shame that people are not voting who are submitting stories, I know it's not compulsory but maybe a request in the first post that people who submit a story make the effort to if at all possible. It's all part of the game and adds to the fun for everyone .

 

[Sephiroth]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

You're a genius, Digs.

You're in charge of marketing from now on. I expect to see the first video in time for the next challenge -- so you have two or three days.

Leish and I will take care of the kitty pics. Kittens are our raison d'etre.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

I thought Leisha was forbidden kittens on medical grounds. At least her description of trying to befriend a wasp suggested tis. Have they (I sincerely hope) found some remedy for this? (not that wasps don't need friends, but they're remarkably unappreciative).

But I do find it odd that somebeing that would take the time to craft seventy-five words into a readable tale would not follow it up; and it's an anonymous poll, so it can't be fear of upsetting anyone else. Every vote you make statistically reduces your chances of winning (as you can't vote for yourself? Total paralysis in the face of such a plethora of talent?

It would be nice if someone who had written but not voted gave an explanation; it couldn't be something so stupid as not being able to get a vote registered, could it?
(Yes, I know, it's as simple as you could make it; but if somebody didn't know to click on the "Vote now" text, and went off looking for somewhere we were all voting, ashamed to ask because we'd all laugh…)

 

[Hilarious Joke]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

It would be nice if someone who had written but not voted gave an explanation; it couldn't be something so stupid as not being able to get a vote registered, could it?

I fear that such a person would be hesitant to do this for fear of public lampooning and humiliation. No, I'm talking about myself, I voted, I swear. No please NO ARRRGGHHHH!

 

[Erin99]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Alas, no, Chrispy. I'm still allergic to cats. My sister's getting one of those £500 eek hypo-allergenic Syberian kittens that are supposed to be less troublesome. (Photos here.) But can I as heck afford one of those?!

Oh, yes, I'll have ten, please.

I'd love a cat, though. Seph says we'll have two kittens one day, though he says we can't afford the special type. So let's hope that I'm okay with a normal one.

However, a wasp is a good compromise, I have to say, and they seem to like me - and Seph loves them, too. So maybe I'd be better off...

...but if somebody didn't know to click on the "Vote now" text, and went off looking for somewhere we were all voting, ashamed to ask because we'd all laugh…

We should include it in the rules, perhaps, that there'll be a link posted at the end of the thread once all entries are in?

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Mouse got my vote

Thank you!

Mouse: I suppose to make a "football" analogy: you are at least as much of a contender as England was in the World Cup this year.

But... but... England got their arses kicked! So actually, I guess you're right!

Congrats to HareBrain!

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

But... but... England got their arses kicked! So actually, I guess you're right!

My analogy was a bit more subtle than that.

What I meant by that was that 1) they were highly regarded 2) their results for most countries, USA most certainly included, would be good. But the results disappointed in regard to their lofty expectations.

Viola! an analogy to: Mouse ONLY receiving a couple of votes, whereas most of us are lucky to have that many votes in 3 months time. Example: Yours truly.

Parson

 

[TheDustyZebra]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Ok, I give up--I know I found it last month, but now it's lost again. Where, exactly, does the photo challenge live, anyway?

 

[Sephiroth]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

The Photo Challenge can be found in the Technology forum, which is in the General section of the Chrons.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Congratulations HB!!! A deserved win.

And a huge Thank you to Ursa and OneBigPotato for the mentions - I did a little dance with each!

Now, this may be a strange question . . .

My 84yr old dad came to visit last weekend, and seeing as he's been writing stories since I can remember, I showed him last months competition. It peaked his interest, and he wants to know what next months theme is, with, I believe, a view to possibly entering.

Now, being 84, he has just about managed to master a mobile phone, but has very limited chance of managing the internet (and he has no real access anyway)

To enable him to enter, I'm guessing that I would have to create a new member profile? And would there be issues with me managing two profiles? I don't want to step on toes or break rules, but I would love to enable my dad to enter, as anything that he wants to do that keeps his mind active, is worth so much.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Congratulations HB!!! A deserved win.

And a huge Thank you to Ursa and OneBigPotato for the mentions - I did a little dance with each!

Now, this may be a strange question . . .

My 84yr old dad came to visit last weekend, and seeing as he's been writing stories since I can remember, I showed him last months competition. It peaked his interest, and he wants to know what next months theme is, with, I believe, a view to possibly entering.

Now, being 84, he has just about managed to master a mobile phone, but has very limited chance of managing the internet (and he has no real access anyway)

To enable him to enter, I'm guessing that I would have to create a new member profile? And would there be issues with me managing two profiles? I don't want to step on toes or break rules, but I would love to enable my dad to enter, as anything that he wants to do that keeps his mind active, is worth so much.

Now, this is only me, but if his details were true, and you're not just using him to get another vote on the challenge, he would be just another infrequent visitor (unless you could get him an old computer and set it up with the SFFChronicles as his homepage; old dogs can learn new tricks, albeit slowly The problem I see is that he presumably has no E-mail address, so would come up as a duplicate you, which is not permitted.

PM http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=6136 or http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=1 and request instructions, I'd say; better than getting classed under nuisance.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Now, this is only me, but if his details were true, and you're not just using him to get another vote on the challenge

Definitely not, although now you mention it . . .

No seriously, Dad has only ever manage to finish short stories and I think he's really interested in having a go

he would be just another infrequent visitor (unless you could get him an old computer and set it up with the SFFChronicles as his homepage; old dogs can learn new tricks, albeit slowly The problem I see is that he presumably has no E-mail address, so would come up as a duplicate you, which is not permitted.

You are quite correct - he has no computer, and therefore no email, although there might be a possibility of getting something set up for him, I guess.

But thank you for the links - I shall look into it a bit further.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

There are plenty of places on the internet that offer free email accounts I believe. Your IP would come up the same, but we've sometimes had family members participate who were using the same computer, and so long as we know it's on the up-and-up (and we can usually tell if it isn't -- we have our little ways) then it's allowed.

If the Writing Challenge attracts more writers to the forums, I would say that's a positive outcome.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Gives Teresa a quick hug
"There" to SF "with her on your side it's practically won already. I'd still contact the computer savvy crew, but that's practically a formality."

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Give both Chrispy and Teresa a hug

Thank you. I think I'll wait to see how he goes when I tell him the new theme. If it gets him going, I'll take this further.

 

[Culhwch]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

(Yes, I know, it's as simple as you could make it; but if somebody didn't know to click on the "Vote now" text, and went off looking for somewhere we were all voting, ashamed to ask because we'd all laugh…)

We should include it in the rules, perhaps, that there'll be a link posted at the end of the thread once all entries are in?

This is a good point - I'll be sure to amend the voting post next time to make it clearer. Click HERE To Vote, or somesuch.

 

[J Riff]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Some good challenges came in late, but Hairbrainesque will now be added to the dictionary..) How or where do you look at the votes ?

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

You need to find one of the posts where you were asked to vote. On such isthis one:

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/1400647-post234.html
​

If you click on Vote! in that post you will be taken straight to the results. (The same redirection occurs before voting is closed for those who have already voted.)

 

[Boneman]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Congrats to harebrain! He rabbitted on, just the right amount, and the tortoise wasn't even off the starting line, this time.

Incredibly, there wasn't a story that wasn't worthy of mention this month, I had so many on my shortlist it was almost impossible to separate them, but this was it:
Karn
Mouse
Teresa
Dusty Zebra
Mosaix (that has to be expanded into a 'full' short story)
Parson
The Judge
Digs
Harebrain
Stormfeather
Hilarious Joke

I told you it was almost impossible to separate them, didn't I? In the end I chose Karn's for the simplicity, the unexpectedness and the poignant ending!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- June & July

Well, thank you, Boneman -- and everyone else who mentioned my story. (And those mysterious individuals who voted for it.)

While we are waiting for the next Challenge, I have a few questions about the stories this month.

reiver33's story was on my short list, but I really have no idea what was happening. An explanation would probably make me feel very stupid for not figuring it out myself, but I am willing to look foolish in return for enlightenment.

And I voted for ColdBurn's, so I obviously think I know what it's about. But maybe I am wrong and I would like to learn more.

I came very, very close to voting for mygoditsraining's story. Very close. I disqualified it only because it could just as easily have been part of a historical epic as a fantasy story. But the story was powerful and, like ColdBurn's, haunted me from the moment I read it.

Culhwch, I look forward to reading the rest of your continuing story.

Finally, I believe some people said they were working on more than one story before they chose which one to post. I have a story that I didn't use, but I don't want to be the first one to share mine this month. Is anybody else willing to share theirs?