Have a question? Need clarification? Want to offer bribes?
Do so here.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I offer See's candy, straight from the factory. That'll make sure I win, right?
(Looking forward to this.)
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Son of a...
For the "end of the word" challenge (5K long requirement), I could not particpate because the story I had that qualified was too short.
Now I'm just completing what I consider my Halloween appropriate tale (though it has nothing to do with the holiday but is concerned with horror vs. magic and the transformational power of fear) but it is far too LONG for this wee little 1K challenge.
"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"--Joss Whedon, Serenity pilot, Firefly, 2002
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Hah! An idea struck me right between the eyes while I was out doing the grocery shopping. Now I have a rough draft--and it came in at 999 words. That's unbelievable (for me).
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Way to go Meredith! Just make sure that shopping isn't in your first 13 that I post or we'll all know it's yours.
And yes, Trina, See's candy will gain you loads of favor. Send a bunch of boxes to me, and if/when the judges are named, I'll make sure they each get a piece.
(see what I did there?)
Axe
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
You guys are evil, you know that right?
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I've got my idea. Now I just need to make the time.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I had an idea for this. First new idea for a story I've had in months. Literally months.
I forgot to write it down.
Gone.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I've tweaked the original post somewhat. Here's what changed.
Added under Dates Times and Rules:
I can take any extension format. .doc .rtf .etc. Please mention your forum name if different from your real name.
Amended trigger # 3 to: : and then I woke up (or he/she woke up)
To allow for those writing in 3rd person.
Axe
Posted by MrsBrown (Member # 5195) on :
Man, I've been checking off and on to catch a challenge before its submission deadline. Finally hit one, but I don't want to read a bunch of scary stories! (How's that for an excuse? Pitiful...)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I have a good excuse--not sure if it really is "good", it worked for the last few challenges though--but I thought about canceling it this time...that is some prize.
But no, I'm still out.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Sorry to hear it LD, and MrsB.
My story isn't scary, but it does smell like death.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Five up.
Are you scared?
You should be, cause I'm gonna win...
Bwa ha ha *cough* *hack*
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I just noticed the judging is actually 8 days, and the writing is one less day than I'd like.
So - I'm changing things up a little.
Deadline is now OCTOBER 18TH AT MIDNIGHT EASTERN.
The judging will begin the next day, the 19th, and end on the 25th.
That's 7 days for judging. Not 8.
Hope that doesn't cramp anyone's style, and gives folks a little more time if they're still writing.
Axe
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I was definitely looking forward to this, but the current editing project that has fallen in my lap must take precedence.
Sorry axe, looks like I'm out.
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Hey Axe, I presume we'll be critting and voting on smaller groups that you'll devise, but will you send us all the stories to read? I'm so intrigued by the thirteens.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Indeed.
As of now we have 11. So that's 6 for one group and 5 for another. (Unless I get more stories.) If we reach 12, I'll do 3 groups of 4, with 3 finalists.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Also, I'll be sending each story as an attachment. I'd like to send them in the formatting they were sent to me. When I combine them into one doc things go kaboom.
However, I will copy/paste into a new .rtf so it will look as if they are all "created" by me. This way no author info will be in the meta data.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Alrighty folks,
We received a 12th entry 2 hours before the deadline. Thus, we've got 3 groups of 4.
I've sent out all the stories. If you didn't receive them, please let me know.
If you would like to read stories from other groups, please e-mail me. I'm happy to send them, and I'm fairly certain the authors would appreciate add'l feedback.
Or if one particular 13 sounds interesting... you may request just one, or more, etc. etc.
Good luck to everyone!
Axe
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
How do you want the crits? Sent back to you? Or should we just post them ourselves?
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Meredith,
Please send back to me to keep on anon.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I've already received HALF the voting results/crits!
Axe
Posted by Utahute72 (Member # 9057) on :
I didn't see anything Axe.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
MEET THE JUDGES!
If you've seen Shrek, imagine my voice as that of the mirror, and the same music that played during the princess selection process.
JUDGE #1 has been published professionally, is a member of the Codex writers group, and has placed in the top 20 in a previous quarter in the Writers of the Future contest. She's served as a slush reader as well as an assistant-editor for the Triangulation: Morning After anthology.
JUDGE #2 is quite possibly the most creative driver of trucks the world has ever known. He's had multiple pro pubs, has served as a judge for On The Premises, and has reviewed hundreds of pro level stories for Daily Science Fiction. He too has placed in the top 20 in WotF.
JUDGE #3 has worked for one of the big six as a slush reader, then as an agent before resigning to write full time. She currently has seven published novels ranging in age from picture books to young adult, as well as a how-to for Writer's Digest.
JUDGE #4 - the tiebreaker judge Our tiebreaker judge has been published professionally multiple times, has placed in the top 20 and the top 8 in WotF, and really, really wanted to participate in this challenge - but couldn't get a story done in time.
So I made her a judge. Bwa ha ha.
She currently has in her possession two stories from group 1.
Axe
[ October 20, 2012, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: axeminister ]
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Crits are now posted for the groups that have their voting completed.
Group 1 - tie for first. Judge #4 will decide the finalist.
Group 2 - half the votes are in.
Group 3 - the finalist is set.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
The finalist is set in group 1.
Only one voter remains.
Tomorrow I'll post the crits for group two, even if I haven't heard from the final voter.
Axe
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
More crits are up.
Stories 1-4 have more crits.
Stories 5-8 need some love.
If anyone has any energy left, feel free to check them out. Even if you just want to read one and fire off a quick e-mail crit.
Let me know!
Axe
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Congratulations to the finalists.
Dr. Bob
Posted by Twiggy (Member # 9209) on :
Congratulations to the top three, especially Anna for getting the win.
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Congratulations to Anna, and to the other finalists for getting that far! Great stories, all. I read each of the entries, and found things to admire in every one.
Posted by rabirch (Member # 9832) on :
Congratulations, Anna! Your story was creepy and I enjoyed it very much.
I was the author of Bonfires, and one of the people who had never written flash before. Thank, Axe, for the challenge. I think you've convinced me that flash is actually possible to write, although incredibly difficult. Congratulations as well for your finalist.
I enjoyed reading all the stories. What a creative bunch we have here. Posted by A Yeatts (Member # 9500) on :
Congratulations to Dustin and Rebecca as well!
Woooo hooo! So excited. Thank you all for the crits (and votes). And big thanks to Axe for running the challenge.
I very much enjoyed the stories I read but didn't get to read them all. So I'm more than happy to read for anyone who wants a more detailed crit. Just shoot me an email.
Do we get to know who wrote what?
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
Congratulations, Anna!
I wrote "Commit to Blood". The idea sat for three years, since I worked in a haunted house. I'm happy that the idea is finally in story form.
Thank you to the person who completed an in-line critique for my story. I agreed with almost every suggestion you made.
Thanks also to everyone else who critiqued "Blood". I've expanded the ending so that it flows better.
This challenge was worth the extra time awake.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Even though I didn't participate, or even read the openings, I want to add my Congrats to Anne.
Obviously good work there.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Congrats, Anna.
I wrote "Unintended Halloween Adventure". Only my second flash ever, so I'm glad that it got some nice comments.
Actually, I think this wants to be a longer story, because I've got some more ideas for things that aren't what they first appear to be.
Oh, and thanks for the comment about the voice. That was what I was really trying for in this one. Posted by Progonoskis (Member # 9948) on :
Congrats, Anna! And to everyone. I enjoyed reading all of the stories I read (not quite all, but most). And I learned a LOT, it being my first time trying flash fiction. FUN STUFF. Thanks for the critiques and responses. They were very helpful!
Carrie/Progonoskis
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Mine was One-Sided Conversation. The setting is based on a real place in a tiny Northern Georgia town. Those little statues creeped me out so much, I knew I had to write about them. Here's a picture I took from the sidewalk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirelesslibrarian/
Thanks to Dustin for putting on this challenge!
Posted by Progonoskis (Member # 9948) on :
Love the photo, wireless. I liked One-Sided Conversation. It was a good read!
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
I'll add my congratulations to Anna, Axe and Rabirch. When I read all the stories, I thought that this was a very close challenge. And judging by the comments, with one exception, others probably agreed. As for that one exception... my story was (embarrassed looking down and mumbles).
[ October 30, 2012, 02:49 AM: Message edited by: Brendan ]
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
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