Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I'd never heard of the Leda story before so I looked it up. These challenges are educational as well as fun.

I've just written my story. Actually, I've written two. But one is super silly. Gah! I'm tempted to post quickly before someone else nips in with a similar idea...

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Um... er... *blushes* Thank you, Teresa.

In fact, as I understand it, the original stories make it more of a seduction than a rape, but that always struck me as, well, somewhat perverse. And yes, a swan is quite capable of breaking a man's arm with a blow of its wing -- you don't want to get on the wrong side of them. Oddly enough, I couldn't remember any pictures of the legend so I went hunting for them, which turned up some hellenistic images which are distinctly un-dreamy, including one with the swan's beak around her neck forcing her head down. But as I said before, my effort was a terrible rip-off of Yeats: William Butler Yeats: Leda and the Swan


PS Thanks for the further congratulations, guys.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Yours, however, is more powerful by far than the poem by Yeats, and in fewer words. You may have borrowed some of his ideas, but in the process you created a memorable work of your own.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Sheesh - this competition is full of ridiculously talented people!

Kind of intimidating

Still, I have a few ideas in the pipeline. Just can't quite get them to where I want them, but looking at the seven responses so far, I know this month is going to be very, very tough.

BTW - Congratulations Judge - very deserved!!

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I'm sure there must be a version where sympathy for unfortunate animals plays a crucial rôle, perhaps one going under the title:

Leda Stray
​

*cough*

 

[badjoke]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Congrats, Judge. I especially liked the 'male but not a man' part.

Are we allowed to edit after we post? I want to change one of the words in my title because I'm anal like that.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

No, there is a time limit on editing. Normally, it's a measure that helps keep the peace in the forums, because people mostly learn not to say anything that will make them blush later. But during the Writing Challenge, it is frustrating.

 

[Deathfrommassive]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Re-reading The Judge's poem now knowing the reference makes it all the more... WOW! Congrats on a well deserved win

 

[badjoke]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

No, there is a time limit on editing. Normally, it's a measure that helps keep the peace in the forums, because people mostly learn not to say anything that will make them blush later. But during the Writing Challenge, it is frustrating.

Boo. lol. My current title is making me think of the candy.

(here is where I would post a picture of now and later candies if my post count were 15 or greater)

mmm...candy.

 

[mygoditsraining]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Grats to The Judge on winning last month's competition.

I've written a couple of things for this month's theme but neither is overtly science fiction or fantasy and I'd rather not spark off a discussion over what exactly satisfies a genre convention. I'll see if something pops into my head later in the month.

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Well, we haven't yet disqualified anyone for not adhering to the genres, mgir, though I do recall we had a bit of a conversation about it before. I'm too lazy to go back and see exactly what (if anything) was agreed, though I know myth and legend were definitely included, but SFF does tend to be in the eyes of the beholder. For myself it's a factor which I'll take into account when I'm voting, so even if a story is well-written, if I think it falls outside the boundaries it will get marked down. The same goes if I don't feel someone has really written to the theme. (At this rate, I think I'm going to have to borrow Chris's fancy marking sheet...)

And, again, thanks for the congratulations, everyone. They mean a great deal coming from such excellent writers.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

StormFeather's a clever one... Me likes.

 

[Precise Calibre]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I've tried a different approach to writing this month - I haven't read any of the entries yet, will do once I get home, now that I've entered.

Congrats to TJ and to Theresa for coming close.

Thanks to anyone who mentioned/voted for me.

 

[paranoid marvin]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Some great entries to this point , with many more to come I'm sure. Chronos' entry rings too many familiar bells, lessons to be learned there regarding life priorities methinks!

 

[Deathfrommassive]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

HareBrain and crystal haven I love your entries.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

StormFeather's a clever one... Me likes.

From you, Mouse, that's praise indeed!

 

[crystal haven]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Thank you for the mentions, Mosaix and Deathfrommassive.

 

[Culhwch]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Well, we haven't yet disqualified anyone for not adhering to the genres, mgir, though I do recall we had a bit of a conversation about it before. I'm too lazy to go back and see exactly what (if anything) was agreed, though I know myth and legend were definitely included, but SFF does tend to be in the eyes of the beholder. For myself it's a factor which I'll take into account when I'm voting, so even if a story is well-written, if I think it falls outside the boundaries it will get marked down. The same goes if I don't feel someone has really written to the theme. (At this rate, I think I'm going to have to borrow Chris's fancy marking sheet...)

Who are you and what have you done with The Judge?

From memory, I believe we decided it would fall to the good voting public to decide if a given story adheres to theme and/or genre. I certainly don't think any of us want to be censuring entries, except if they break the cardinal rule of length. I know I always keep the theme and genre at the forefront of my mind when voting.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I agree.

I don't think we should be 'disqualifying' any entries. Whatever someone has entered is what they've entered. But we should at least keep the theme/genre in mind when short-listing our candidates.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Yes, that was the gist of our previous discussion on the topic: it would be up to each writer to submit a story they thought qualified as to theme and genre, and up to each voter to decide, before casting a vote, if they thought that it did.

As always, I enjoy seeing so many different interpretations.

And since I was sitting anxiously in a waiting room just yesterday, I particularly appreciated PC's treatment of the theme.