VOTING IN THE WRITING CHALLENGES

[BigJ]

Isn't part of the challenge to write something that stands on its own within the word limit?

 

[THX1138]

You want to do a blurb.

Maybe.

In short, yes. Thanks Swank! It would be nice to add a blurb to the 300 worders.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Doing a metaphoric reference too can have its draw back. The last 300, my ref to the tower was by way of the seagull in the end. I think that in the 300 worder, it might be to the writer's benefit to be allowed to add a brief 2 short sentence insight into their story. Maybe after the title? We all have seen in the 300-word discussions, 'If I knew that about your story before I voted.' statements. Could give those writes a better chance.

I think that largely defeats the purpose of it as a writing exercise though, maybe? To write a complete story that makes sense?

 

[Pyan]

In short, yes. Thanks Swank! It would be nice to add a blurb to the 300 worders.

Nothing wrong with adding a blurb, as long as you keep the total number of words under 300 (excluding the title). Just put a linespace between the sections:

TITLE (not part of the 300 word limit)

BLURB (say, 20 words?)

STORY (now up to 280 words)​

 

[THX1138]

Isn't part of the challenge to write something that stands on its own within the word limit?

Yes, it is. To my understanding. But just based on some of the comments made in the 300-word discussions.
But! At the same time, it comes down to the readers personal interpretation in the end. though a blurb could help those looking to understand the reasoning behind the story.
I may have gotten in over my head here, but just my view.

Either way, I'll still enter the competitions for my own self-improvement. I enjoy them.

 

[THX1138]

I think that largely defeats the purpose of it as a writing exercise though, maybe? To write a complete story that makes sense?

Just now thinking of it, your right! It is a writing exercise.
Caught up in the moment. I forgot that I'm doing this for myself. Memories of the 'Un fair!' arguments from university come to mind...

 

[THX1138]

Nothing wrong with adding a blurb, as long as you keep the total number of words under 300 (excluding the title). Just put a linespace between the sections:

TITLE (not part of the 300 word limit)

BLURB (say, 20 words?)

STORY (now up to 280 words)​

No, not part of the 300 limit.

 

[THX1138]

You know, responding to this thread IS a writing exercise! Good thought and good crack! I yield.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

No, not part of the 300 limit.

Or just make an incredibly long title

the story of the day I lost my frog and was traumatised for ever….

 

[THX1138]

Yep @Jo Zebedee, and I also realized that some writers do a short explanation of their story in the discussion thread right after they post their work. While others do so during the voting.
Perhaps they provided the answer and examples?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Yep @Jo Zebedee, and I also realized that some writers do a short explanation of their story in the discussion thread right after they post their work. While others do so during the voting.
Perhaps they provided the answer and examples?

They really shouldn’t post an explanation until voting is over,

 

[Pyan]

Or just make an incredibly long title

People have tried that before. It didn't go down well...

They really shouldn’t post an explanation until voting is over.

This is true, it's in the rules.

For reference:
Rules for the Writing Challenges

 

[mosaix]

Yep @Jo Zebedee, and I also realized that some writers do a short explanation of their story in the discussion thread right after they post their work. While others do so during the voting.
Perhaps they provided the answer and examples?

Apart from one or two occurrences a few years back that were spotted immediately I don’t think I’ve seen this happen since.

 

[Elckerlyc]

A story isn't fully understood or appreciated when:

a. the story is too vague or contains references to RL events, persons or literature that aren't as commonly well-known as assumed. - This is the responsibility of the writer. Either take the risk and accept the result or be more specific.
b. the story is based on personal experiences that, once made public, trigger some emotional response. - But that response is based on 'knowing' the writer and his/her personal experience. It should NOT influence the voting; the story should be emotionally charged of itself.

There may be more reasons. Feel free to add.

 

[Ursa major]

For reference:
Rules for the Writing Challenges

To save anyone possibly scarring themselves for life by looking at the rules, here's the relevant text:

Since one of the demanding aspects of the 75-word Challenge is to create a story which is readily comprehensible in so few words, entries for those Challenges may not re-use a story which has previously appeared in a 300-word Challenge. Entries for the 300-word Challenges may re-use stories whereever first appearing, but only when voting in the Challenge in which the story previously appeared has finished.

As the title is not considered as part of the word count and thus not as a part of the story, entries consisting only of a title will be removed.

 

[THX1138]

Apart from one or two occurrences a few years back that were spotted immediately I don’t think I’ve seen this happen since.

Thanks @mosaix for setting me straight! Getting a little out of my league here; still a newbie.

 

[THX1138]

They really shouldn’t post an explanation until voting is over,

Yeah, I'm beginning to understand the importance of that.

 

[Luiglin]

They really shouldn’t post an explanation until voting is over,

I'm stopping doing this. It's becoming a touch embarrassing having to explain my entry. It shows that if I feel that way it's obvious that my entry failed.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I'm stopping doing this. It's becoming a touch embarrassing having to explain my entry. It shows that if I feel that way it's obvious that my entry failed.

I’m the same. I know a lot of my stuff is taken as either waffle or inscrutable, but I realised that’s just the part of being a writer. I’m obsessed with the liminal and pretty much all my stories with a loss/existential element are informed by my experiences and preferences.

Trying not to sound disingenuous, because I don’t do too badly at the 300s, but I wrote the last one as a Lovecraft meets From Here to Eternity but pretty sure I got votes for tone and feel over narrative.

My credo is if I’m happy with it then that’s enough. I only realised that last year or the year before.

 

[Astro Pen]

I'm stopping doing this. It's becoming a touch embarrassing having to explain my entry. It shows that if I feel that way it's obvious that my entry failed.

It's not the 'story' itself that is interesting so much as the personal perspectives and the different approaches to creating a story.
How different writers minds work. The process, not the plot.