DISCUSSION -- APRIL 2017 300-word Writing Challenge (#25)

Cathbad said:
I have always been confused by the term "speculative fiction".

Isn't all fiction speculative?
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It was added to the "Science Fiction or Fantasy" option so as to include stories which were, for example, myth-based or had a fairy tale component or were horror-type-ish, in case anyone worried that "fantasy" alone didn't cover those topics. It's always been the case that we expect entries for the 300 Worder to fit into the SFF category as broadly defined since the original prize for winning was to appear on the-then front page of the forums, giving more exposure to the story and author while keeping within the SFF atmosphere Brian wanted there.

Having said that,

RJM Corbet said:
However, like an idiot, I didn't even read the 'genre' choice for this challenge -- or even realize there was a 'genre' setting -- I just looked at the picture. I was too rushed. So I can only hope my story slips under the wire as 'speculative fiction'.

If not the mods are invited to take it off before the vote. The error was inadvertant. No disrespect was intended to members who carefully tailored their tales to meet the genre bracket. Sorry.
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We don't police the genre requirement, so no story would ever be removed for that reason, so don't worry. We do ask members to take the genre into consideration when voting, and I for one wouldn't vote for a story, no matter how well written, if it didn't meet the genre as I define it, but I know from experience that either other members couldn't care less, or they define "speculative" more broadly than do I (so broadly sometimes as to make a nonsense of having a stipulated genre at all in my view).
 
Huh. I always took it to mean that the stories must contain some sort of fantastical or speculative element. I think that letting my mind run wild in that way has worked wonders for my creativity. I also have a hard time figuring out how science fiction and fantasy are related if not for that 'speculative' element. Space operas and goblins with swords don't seem to have a lot in common, except for the fact that we all just like to think of the wildest things possible and make stories out of them.

At least, that was the great vibe and spirit I thought I perceived here.
 
I started reading these stories and they are entertaining. Each and every one of them. If only. . .
 
Almost entirely convinced that I was going to have to miss this one. But luckily, I managed to find some... thing... or another... to pull out of my brain in relative coherency. With a few hours to spare too :cool:
 
The Judge said:
... We don't police the genre requirement, so no story would ever be removed for that reason, so don't worry. We do ask members to take the genre into consideration when voting, and I for one wouldn't vote for a story, no matter how well written, if it didn't meet the genre as I define it, but I know from experience that either other members couldn't care less, or they define "speculative" more broadly than do I (so broadly sometimes as to make a nonsense of having a stipulated genre at all in my view).
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Thanks, Judge.
I've been out of touch with Chrons, but what a good writers' site. The best!

I could tweak my story around, to fit the bracket, but it wouldn't have the meaning?

Me: swords, dragons and goblins bore me senseless -- unless very well written :)

Thanks again
 
@HazelRah
That absolutely terrified me! Not kidding, it really did.
I will never, ever, ever tell that story to grandkids again. Hopefully it'll fade out of my mind one day but I know tonight will be sleepless.
True, not kidding, really not!
 
The Challenge is now closed to new entries.

The poll will be allowing shortly.
 
A vote already! Thanks, Cathbad -- cake is on the way. :D

I have another insane shortlist, painfully pared down because I always try to keep it to sixteen or fewer (no particular reason for that number, just that's where it generally starts feeling ridiculously long) -- and nearly every story was on the longlist. I see we hit our normal level of horror this time around. Dark bunch, we are. :)

AlexH -- Stay Away from the Red Coats
Wruter -- Jerusalem
Victoria -- The Awakening
Cory Swanson -- Brown and Sticky
*CC -- The Robe and the Arrowhead* (I knew this one was a vote the first time I saw it.)
Luiglin -- Bashcobbler
*Hoopy -- In Town for One Night Only* (Very Bradbury. Much awesome.)
Stuart Suffel -- Speak My Name
Perp -- Epiphany
Alex Darion -- The End
Peter V -- (Im)Personal Portal
Chrispy -- The Beginning of the End
Joshua Jones -- The Silver Sunset
Phyrebrat -- She Always Gets Her Teeth
HazelRah -- Halja in a Handbasket
*TJ -- The Crimson Coat*
 
First, a big thanks to ChrisG for the wonderful photo! Hope you will enjoy the many stories it's inspired.

Tough culling this month...happy, though, to see Dusty's long list, as I feel empowered now to post my own lengthy roll call:

Honorables:
farntfar, Victoria, Luiglin, Peter V, ErikB, Shyrka, Phyrebrat, Ursa major

Shortlist:
Cory Swanson, Jo Zebedee, HoopyFrood, TDZ

Votes:
Stable
HazelRah
The Judge

I loved the atmosphere of each of these, and thought they had a punch that stayed with me long after reading.

Finally, huge thanks to TDZ and Stable for the votes! I think I would have been thrilled to have two votes in total, but to have two the opening morning is amazing. Thanks so much. :)
 
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