Writing Discussion II

[Respubliko de Libereco]

OTOH, a Canadian setting could be original if you do something interesting with the futuristic elements or if you choose a unique place in Canada and really capture the essence of that place. You know, tell us about the poutine and the goofy accents and the different cuisines and languages and cultures and architectural influences that are kicking around.

I remember reading a book that takes place in a steampunk alt-Canada. In particular, a lot of it takes place in Lionsgate CIty, which I initially though was completely made up. However, there were a few familiar references thrown in here and there, and I eventually figured out that it was Vancouver. That sort of clear-but-never-explicitly-stated connection really helped with the familiar-but-different feeling of the setting.

[Nordengrund]

Is there anything wrong with using generators and prompts to spark ideas for writings? On one hand, I find them helpful, but at the same time I feel like it's cheating.

[United Seasonal Osnilian Districts]

Anybody want to see my second part of my story?

[USS Monitor]

Is there anything wrong with using generators and prompts to spark ideas for writings? On one hand, I find them helpful, but at the same time I feel like it's cheating.

If you find it helpful, go ahead. I've never tried them.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

[Zeinbrad]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1n4tP ... JacW8/view

Making progress on that screenplay.

[USS Monitor]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

I'm concerned that if we just start another one, we'll run into the same problems that we've had in the past.

[Not a Bang but a Whimper]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

I'm concerned that if we just start another one, we'll run into the same problems that we've had in the past.

Judging in particular. Actually getting entries isn't all that difficult.

[Shaggai]

I'm concerned that if we just start another one, we'll run into the same problems that we've had in the past.

Judging in particular. Actually getting entries isn't all that difficult.

Maybe set a deadline for judges? That could help get them to actually judge. Although I'm not sure what we would do if they didn't hit the deadline.

[Anywhere Else But Here]

Judging in particular. Actually getting entries isn't all that difficult.

Maybe set a deadline for judges? That could help get them to actually judge. Although I'm not sure what we would do if they didn't hit the deadline.

Strongly worded letter.

[Zeinbrad]

Maybe set a deadline for judges? That could help get them to actually judge. Although I'm not sure what we would do if they didn't hit the deadline.

Strongly worded letter.

Threaten sanctions.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

Strongly worded letter.

Threaten sanctions.

Force each judge to write an elaborate slash fic about a well known ship, barge, or other seafaring craft, and then threaten to post it if they don't finish by the deadline.

Alternately, if we encouraged judges to judge as the stories come in (and hold onto the scores until the end), it would keep them more engaged during the process, and there wouldn't be as much work for them at the end. The downside is that people wouldn't be able to edit as easily, but most contests in other settings don't let you edit a submitted entry anyway.

[Shaggai]

Threaten sanctions.

Force each judge to write an elaborate slash fic about a well known ship, barge, or other seafaring craft, and then threaten to post it if they don't finish by the deadline.

Alternately, if we encouraged judges to judge as the stories come in (and hold onto the scores until the end), it would keep them more engaged during the process, and there wouldn't be as much work for them at the end. The downside is that people wouldn't be able to edit as easily, but most contests in other settings don't let you edit a submitted entry anyway.

That would be a good idea.

[Luminesa]

Force each judge to write an elaborate slash fic about a well known ship, barge, or other seafaring craft, and then threaten to post it if they don't finish by the deadline.

Alternately, if we encouraged judges to judge as the stories come in (and hold onto the scores until the end), it would keep them more engaged during the process, and there wouldn't be as much work for them at the end. The downside is that people wouldn't be able to edit as easily, but most contests in other settings don't let you edit a submitted entry anyway.

That would be a good idea.

"Slash fic."

Oh gosh no...

[Meryuma]

Slowly working on an epic poem for a fictional culture drawing on a wide variety of influences. Might post it on its own topic.

Society has it's flaws, but edgy, dangerous anarchism isn't the answer.

Never read/watched it, but I can confirm that a lot of anarchists hate Fight Club and/or consider the protagonist to have a fascist mindset.

[Shaggai]

Slowly working on an epic poem for a fictional culture drawing on a wide variety of influences. Might post it on its own topic.

Society has it's flaws, but edgy, dangerous anarchism isn't the answer.

Never read/watched it, but I can confirm that a lot of anarchists hate Fight Club and/or consider the protagonist to have a fascist mindset.

Wow, that's an old post.

[Equestria and Griffon]

2 Poems,summaries of famous stories Hamlet and King Lear. Enjoy!


The Poem of King Lear.

Three Siblings,undone,must confess their love for one,the mighty and brave King Lear.
Old and Mad as they spoke,2 of them Woke their love up,the other already knew.Not-
hing,My Lord.Mirroring anger building inside,he abides and turns to the faith,to dis-
enherit the crown to Cordelia.Glower and Kent,the men anew,Protest the Cordelian
Disaster.2 Men of Royalty,come the crown to commit to it. A Duke and a King,ra-
cing for Cordelia's hand.The King of France is now in hand! Oh God, that the ra-
blings of her are lightly traced!Edmund,the son and sum of a Incest,living alternately,and
King Lear announces he will live the life with The Heirs,Regan and Goneril!O'Lear,
You mad man O' the world!The guarding of One-Hundred-Knights,Declaring
the love was just for the territory,Edmund!The man of many resentments
deep inside for his status,disposing of Edgar.Tricking Glouchester,He tricks
him into resenting Edgar.Kent returning,under a name,the name of Gaius.
He acts under the servent's profession,Quarreling with another steward,
Goneril has powers now,at the King resents her.He goes to Regan.An
another comes to bring the news of incoming wars between the factions.
Beat the drums of war.(End of the first Stanza,more coming soon!

[Forsher]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

I have secretly been stockpiling judgements in order to reveal them as the saviour of the contest, whilst simultaneously withdrawing my own entry (naturally), but I got sidetracked for six months or so, which means I still actually have one left to do. Also, it turns out that my entry wasn't the only one with just the one existing judgement (incidentally, thanks again Respubliko for reading it) so even if I did finish this one I had left, several more would be needed from someone else (three).

And that's assuming even withdrawing my entry sufficiently resolved any conflict of interest in the judging.

[Shaggai]

That would be a good idea.

"Slash fic."

Oh gosh no...

It's happened before, multiple times (arguably). Although I don't think it was used as blackmail. People in this thread really like boats, apparently.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

I have secretly been stockpiling judgements in order to reveal them as the saviour of the contest, whilst simultaneously withdrawing my own entry (naturally), but I got sidetracked for six months or so, which means I still actually have one left to do. Also, it turns out that my entry wasn't the only one with just the one existing judgement (incidentally, thanks again Respubliko for reading it) so even if I did finish this one I had left, several more would be needed from someone else (three).

And that's assuming even withdrawing my entry sufficiently resolved any conflict of interest in the judging.

Withdrawing your entry would probably be sufficient, and I think that at this point people would probably accept declaring a winner with just two judges reporting in, since the odds of getting three are slim to none.

"Slash fic."

Oh gosh no...

It's happened before, multiple times (arguably). Although I don't think it was used as blackmail. People in this thread really like boats, apparently.

I think it's 75% me, and that's just because I can't get over the "shipping" pun.
The other 25% is USS Monitor, who is literally a ship.
Y'all're welcome to join in, though.

[Shaggai]

I have secretly been stockpiling judgements in order to reveal them as the saviour of the contest, whilst simultaneously withdrawing my own entry (naturally), but I got sidetracked for six months or so, which means I still actually have one left to do. Also, it turns out that my entry wasn't the only one with just the one existing judgement (incidentally, thanks again Respubliko for reading it) so even if I did finish this one I had left, several more would be needed from someone else (three).

And that's assuming even withdrawing my entry sufficiently resolved any conflict of interest in the judging.

Withdrawing your entry would probably be sufficient, and I think that at this point people would probably accept declaring a winner with just two judges reporting in, since the odds of getting three are slim to none.

It's happened before, multiple times (arguably). Although I don't think it was used as blackmail. People in this thread really like boats, apparently.

I think it's 75% me, and that's just because I can't get over the "shipping" pun.
The other 25% is USS Monitor, who is literally a ship.
Y'all're welcome to join in, though.

I may be a chaos god of pure evil from beyond reality, but there are some heights of degeneracy to which I will not rise. Which is not to say that I disapprove, or that I don't admire those who can reach such pinnacles of decadence, but there are limits to my depravity.

[USS Monitor]

So, it's been over a year since the start of last year's Summer Short Story Contest, which is still not scored. Do we try to revive it, or start another one, or just give up on short story contests?

I have secretly been stockpiling judgements in order to reveal them as the saviour of the contest, whilst simultaneously withdrawing my own entry (naturally), but I got sidetracked for six months or so, which means I still actually have one left to do. Also, it turns out that my entry wasn't the only one with just the one existing judgement (incidentally, thanks again Respubliko for reading it) so even if I did finish this one I had left, several more would be needed from someone else (three).

And that's assuming even withdrawing my entry sufficiently resolved any conflict of interest in the judging.

Withdrawing your entry and judging would be fine.

In case you didn't know by now, I am NFP. I made a new nation because I was tired of being "Nazi," even as a gag.

[USS Monitor]

"Slash fic."

Oh gosh no...

It's happened before, multiple times (arguably). Although I don't think it was used as blackmail. People in this thread really like boats, apparently.

Of course I like boats. Can you fault me for having pride in my own race?

[Respubliko de Libereco]

I think it's 75% me, and that's just because I can't get over the "shipping" pun.
The other 25% is USS Monitor, who is literally a ship.
Y'all're welcome to join in, though.

I may be a chaos god of pure evil from beyond reality, but there are some heights of degeneracy to which I will not rise. Which is not to say that I disapprove, or that I don't admire those who can reach such pinnacles of decadence, but there are limits to my depravity.

But as your spectral form hangs beneath the waters, half-caught in the memory of that tenebrous primordial world where water, air, and darkness were one and the same, do you not feel the heat of the engines above you, and hear the frantic pulse of the propellers, beating as if with a powerful arousal unconstrained by the feeble bodies of living beings? Do you not feel the desire, perhaps the urge, to reach up with your wraithlike tendrils and grasp their elegant yet powerful frames?

Surely, while their crews may wither at the very thought of your touch, no ship can be repelled by your horrible antediluvian essence; they are unthinking, unfeeling, and have no need to fear death. And yet, they are strangely animate, unfeeling but not unmoving. In a way, they bridge that uncertain chasm between life and death, the selfsame abyss which you yourself have known for aeons upon countless aeons. It is no wonder, then, that you feel an unnatural, unsettling, and yet unmistakable - dare I say it - love for these manmade leviathans of steel and steam, a love that you deny but cannot truly abandon...

[Benomia 3]

Never read/watched it, but I can confirm that a lot of anarchists hate Fight Club and/or consider the protagonist to have a fascist mindset.

I mean literally the entire purpose of Fight Club was to demonstrate the silliness of pure ideological idealism in addition to all the attacks on modern culture.

I mean there's no denying that Tyler acted very dictatorishly near the end of the story but you weren't supposed to take that at face value.