DISCUSSION -- January 2016 300-word Writing Challenge (#20)

Well my story's in. Its not my best, I would have liked to have spent more time on it, I'm about ten days late entering as it is, but I just don't have the writing words to spare from my WIP this month. But I also didn't want to miss a challenge :)
 
Bowler1 said:
Which reminds me, has anyone complied the stats from all the 75 word entries for last year? It's the boring accountant in me, but I enjoyed the very lllllooonnnnngggg list numbers last year.
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I run the stats on the Chrons year which is April to March**, so you've a while to wait yet for mine.

For newbies who weren't around last April who are interested, here's the stats thread and the figures to March 2015 Writing Challenge Statistics with Moonbat's incredible graphs.



** just like a tax year, so you should be used to it (and no excuse for forgetting!)
 
Not often I find myself in this position of having to ask a question before I post but...

300 words - when we use contractions - can't for can not or don't for do not, the contraction counts as one word. However if you were writing a piece where the character speaks with a dialect/voice in which a lot of artificial contractions are used, y'know ;) is it okay to count the contractions as one word or is it going be viewed as a way to get a lot more than 300 words used? :D
 
@Tim James I would say they aren't one word. Isn't it obvious or general use contractions, can't/don't etc, that are the accepted ones? But of course wait for someone with more powers than just a little star :)
 
Tim James said:
Not often I find myself in this position of having to ask a question before I post but...

300 words - when we use contractions - can't for can not or don't for do not, the contraction counts as one word. However if you were writing a piece where the character speaks with a dialect/voice in which a lot of artificial contractions are used, y'know ;) is it okay to count the contractions as one word or is it going be viewed as a way to get a lot more than 300 words used? :D
Click to expand...

Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, the contraction issue is mentioned on the rules to the writing challenges - it mentions some examples, it may include yours.
 
Tim James said:
Not often I find myself in this position of having to ask a question before I post but...

300 words - when we use contractions - can't for can not or don't for do not, the contraction counts as one word. However if you were writing a piece where the character speaks with a dialect/voice in which a lot of artificial contractions are used, y'know ;) is it okay to count the contractions as one word or is it going be viewed as a way to get a lot more than 300 words used? :D
Click to expand...

Send it to a mod and check? I've used contractions in the past and no one has said anything, though.
 
I'd let it through, I think, for a limited number of cases. If it was obvious it was done to gain a few words, I might not be so definite, but should a 'wanna' be changed to a 'do you want to', assuming the conversationalist (be {s}he dialogue or narrator) when natural speech rhythms would indicate the short form?
 
interesting question @Tim James, and one that isn't actually covered in the rules - that seems to mostly be about compound words. but,using the same rules for contractions, as y'know is not a commonly used contraction, i would say it's two words. but then, i'm not a moderator, so what do i know.

might be worth having a clarification for this in the rules
 
Tim James said:
Not often I find myself in this position of having to ask a question before I post but...

300 words - when we use contractions - can't for can not or don't for do not, the contraction counts as one word. However if you were writing a piece where the character speaks with a dialect/voice in which a lot of artificial contractions are used, y'know ;) is it okay to count the contractions as one word or is it going be viewed as a way to get a lot more than 300 words used? :D
Click to expand...

If it's dialect / voice, especially if that dialect / voice is in keeping with the theme and genre, then I don't think the contraction is artificial and should be counted as one word.

I seem to remember one of the 300s was a picture of an island and there was a lot of pirate talk (especially in my entry) that was quite acceptable. If the thing reads naturally then I can't see any objection.
 
300.20​


@Rafellin Excellent post apocalyptic drama.

@Cat's Cradle Outrageous behind the scenes chaos.

@Juliana Frightening sea monsters story.

@J5V Wonderful surreal drama.

@Dorf Powerfully emotional science fiction.

@Serge Alexandr Terrific high tech tale.

@Ken Zulu Out of the ordinary sci-fi story.

@I_Punch_Ghosts Creepy creature coolness.

@Victoria Silverwolf Make a good Twilight Zone episode.

@War.Earth Reads like the first page from an epic story.

@J D Foster An incredible tale of a man battling to live.

@Jo Zebedee A hunter with a heart. Delightful fantasy.

@Inca_UK Superb survivalist story.
 
So many great great stories.

Ratsy - Despite the clue in the title I didn't see the end coming :)

Alex Darion - your story had me hooked, it had a cinematic feel. Really impressed how much flesh you got on the Raven girls character with so few words.

Mr Orange - So clever, so well done, I wish my mind worked like that.

Johnnyjet - Eye stalks for clothes pegs, great detail.
 
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