Writing Challenge Discussion — MARCH 2011

[Ursa major]

I suspect that this will have to be another bubble-sort month....

 

[mosaix]

That's cutting it fine, Imp.

 

[No One]

Wow. When Imp said he'd try his hand at the challenge I didn't expect one in the remaining hour! (do I get honours for adding to the competitions contributors?)

I should say it's a great piece, but given how quickly Imp put that together I fear he'll be diverting votes from my own masterpiece. So I'll say it's a terrible, terrible story and I suggest that Imp doesn't bother contributing next month...

Ahem.

 

[Ursa major]

Good to see you over in this part of the Chrons, Imp.


And yes, that was fast, and with not a single "Hodor" in sight (in spite of the impressive entry...).

 

[The Imp]

Wow. When Imp said he'd try his hand at the challenge I didn't expect one in the remaining hour! (do I get honours for adding to the competitions contributors?)

I should say it's a great piece, but given how quickly Imp put that together I fear he'll be diverting votes from my own masterpiece. So I'll say it's a terrible, terrible story and I suggest that Imp doesn't bother contributing next month...

Ahem.

Thanks for nothing No One

I didn't realize what the dealine was. The idea for a "melting" weapon had always been kicking around in my head, so the story fell into place fairly easily. The word count was tough.

 

[The Imp]

Good to see you over in this part of the Chrons, Imp.


And yes, that was fast, and with not a single "Hodor" in sight (in spite of the impressive entry...).

Hodor?

HODOR!!!

 

[Culhwch]

Ah, yes, the word count. Actually this month was the first time ever that my first draft came in under seventy-five words.

Entries are now closed and the poll is up: http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/531018-march-writing-challenge-crime-and-punishment-poll.html

As you can see there has been a change with the poll this month - Brian performed some behind-the-scenes trickery, allowing us to host the poll here. Please do remember to keep any discussion in here, though, rather than in the poll thread.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Hey Cul: Much prefer the new system :- a lot less messy and keeps it in the family as it were.

 

[mosaix]

So, according to my calculations, we have 48 entries for March (shame about the other 3). How does this compare with other months?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

That makes it about an average month. With the other entries, it would have been a good month.

 

[Culhwch]

I'm shocked that two hours have passed without a single vote. We usually have at least some early action...

 

[The Imp]

I'm shocked that two hours have passed without a single vote. We usually have at least some early action...

I'm just about done reading all of them. I'm going to go back and read a couple again.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Karn is the one who usually votes within minutes of the poll closing. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him about the place for a few days.

 

[Culhwch]

Yeah, it was Karn I was thinking of. I'm sure I saw him about just recently, though.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

At least he hasn't been posting in this thread as often as he usually does.

My long list has 17 names, including some that have not, I think, appeared on any of my lists before. A number of people went in surprising new directions this month (yes, Ursa, I'm looking at you, among others), which may partly account for it. Not entirely, though. I'm still considering which stories will go on my short list, and a second reading may lengthen my long list instead, although I hope not.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Normally I would post my comments on the last few stories this morning, but am off across country in a few mins, so promise I will do it just a bit later than is usual - as to short lists it goes without saying (as always) that everyone makes the first list, superb stories write across the board.

 

[cornelius]

I've tried to make a shortlist, but I'll have to reconsider. I don't think (reluctantly) scrapping out 7 entries makes it a valid shortlist

 

[Moonbat]

Oh No! I forgot to enter. Dagnammit!
I was so busy last night I forgot to post, that'll teach me to wait until the last moment.
I can't believe it, I've ruined my perfect record of entering everytime. I have loads of stories and one that I was ready to enter, and I've missed it.
Stupid, Stupid Moonbat!

 

[Allanon]

Not surprisingly my list started at 47 (omitting my own of course), and I have had no end of arguments with myself trying to whittle it down. I have finally gotten it down to 7 and then my winner has come from these.

The Magnificent Seven are:

Onebigpotato
Mouse
Alchemist
TE
Heck Tate
TEIN
The Judge

All fantastic and varying stories, I only wish I could vote for them all.

My winner comes this month just from the depth of emotion it evoked in me and how I would feel in that same situation, my vote goes to Alchemist, Well Done!!!

 

[Boneman]

Thanks for nothing No One

So that double negative makes it a positive...?

The only time it was easier to choose, was when we had three votes. At the anniversary of the competition, should we now reconsider? (I keep trying...)

There's no such thing as a short list anymore - it's just a long list that gets longer each month.