Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
***FEBRUARY 2016 MICRO STORY CONTEST- COMMENTS ONLY
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I thought I'd try something a little different and offer a writing prompt instead of just a theme. Also, since so many have mentioned they have trouble with story endings, I thought we might try to all write to a common point; lots of different inferences possible. I hope you have fun with this.
That's a synopsis with a tight belt. We are going to have to be inventive to create our usual diversity. I'm sure we will.
I was going to have a rest from the contest for a few months to focus on the memoir project I am working on .... but, this prompt might just be an opportunity for me to experiment with a particular 'literary device' (for want of a better word) that I have in mind that I would like to try and use in that memoir, if I can make it work. So here is a chance for me to tinker with that idea, I think.
I’m not sure who to blame for my story (posted), myself or Sharon. I was once asked why I write. The answer I gave then hasn’t changed: I have all of these things bouncing around in my head. If don’t write them out and move on then I will certainly go nuts.After I read Sharon’s prompts I couldn’t get rid of this idea. I tried, but, you know … For those not familiar with the kid’s game, here you go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrel_...
Oh, and this might help:
http://www.agentsoftheundertow.com/ba...
Well, according to Chinese astrology this is the year of the Red Monkey (I read recently) And the Red Monkey is 'a player' who can provide quite a daunting challenge to overcome, for certain other players. So there's one of life's little coincidences, Jack; that your story is also a reflection of that (astrological system for 2016) ... apart from what/who caused the idea to "bounce around in [your] head" in the first place So why not just shift "the blame" to the beasts of the Chinese mythologies? (But then again, maybe best to just tread gently around Red Monkeys! Even ones who "don't believe in fairy tales" can still possess a, strange-to-some, mythological verity.)
Story posted.No monkey business, I'm afraid :-)
Oh no, Andy, I thought we might get a good Chinese New Year themed story from you! I still think its amazing that Jack wrote about the dominance of the red monkey in his story without even 'knowing' it was this year's animal, except by some sort of gnosis, maybe? (Some sources just call it the Year of The Monkey others of the Red Monkey and others of The Fire Monkey.)
London will apparently have one of the biggest celebrations outside of Asia http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/fes...
The local multi-cultural TV channel here is having a month of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations all through February with lots of Chinese content. There seems to be a bit of a Jackie Chan re-runs festival on as part of that. I've just watched "Chinese Zodiac" on the telly tonight. (He dedicated it to all those who work hard for the return of Chinese antiquities to China.) And the TV dating show "If You Are The One" (or, in Chinese "If Not Sincere Then Don't Bother" - Fei Cheng Wu Rao) which is really more of a marriage matchmaker show than a 'mere' dating show, is teaming up with the multi-cultural channel here (channel SBS) this month to send Aussie 'participants' to that show in China. I don't know how successful they'll be because 'filial piety' seems to be a valued quality in a potential marriage partner on that show and the Chinese participants quite often point out that the Western Cultures are less strong on that.
I'm all for the multi-cultural influence here. When we get it right we get it really right ... but we don't always get it right. (There's a lot on the news lately about more and more people speaking up against refugee children being kept in detention, because of the great damage it does them.) There's an interesting article here http://www.osseointegrationaustralia.... about a British soldier double amputee who had to re mortgage his home to afford to come here for pioneering surgery by Assoc. Prof Munjed Al Muderis. That doctor, who when in his war torn home, Iraq, was inspired by the film Terminator to want to create bionic limbs and now he has created titanium implants onto which a fully functional joint and limb can be attached ... and pateints have full mobility in just a week or two. But Dr Al Muderis was detained here in a detention centre for ages before being permitted to practice his brilliance here. (He had escaped Iraq after he and other doctors were ordered by Saddam Hussein's army to cut off the ears of deserters. He managed to hide and so didn't have to be part of it, but the head doctor who refused was shot dead.) Even a leading Aboriginal Constitutional Recognition campaigner here was on the TV the other day saying we now need a three-way 'recognition': the original inhabitants, the British pioneer settler group and the multi cultural immigrant contributor group which is such a refreshing force in shaping modern Australia.
I think I will take a break from scribbling this month. Just not feeling it.
@Marianne, I had nothing at first - as Richard said it's "a synopsis with a tight belt". Felt like having to write someone else' story (though I do have to do that with some clients anyway...)Then I was looking at something totally different, about certainty, fundamentalism and free thought, and an idea dropped into the parameters. So you never know ...
Marianne, same reaction here and then, like Andy, I happened to think of something that fit right in. See what happens--you may flash on one, all at once. On another subject, how many of us here are working on/finishing/soon-publishing a book/books?
In series one (YA SF), I've got two novels done. Second in series is in edits. Third in series is outlined and partly written. Series two(YA F): Had to take one novel and break it down into two; first is done, second is in edits. There is one prequel and one follow on in this series. Series three(Adult F): In writing book two, I discovered I needed to know more about the characters and what went before- book one is about half done. Third in that series in outlined.I'm still being patient about trying to connect with an agent. I've had a full read on the SF manuscript, but it wasn't right for her list. I'm working on building my platform- FB and website with Blog.
Maybe once I can afford the professional editing, my stories will move forward. I just need to connect with the right agent/editor.
Paula wrote: "Marianne, same reaction here and then, like Andy, I happened to think of something that fit right in. See what happens--you may flash on one, all at once. On another subject, how many of us here a..."
@Paula: I'm not in that major league yet. I am working on two longish short stories. Hope to submit them for contests or publications in the next month.
@Paula "...how many of us here are working on/finishing/soon-publishing a book/books?"I have multiple longer short stories (written and still writing others), one novel I'm writing (and another one planned for when the first is done).
Well, good luck to everyone with the writing - how about you Paula? (Though I know part of the answer to that - have some reading to catch up on :-) )I've lost ground a bit on the fiction writing, through an excess of 'real' work, lol - and that includes quite a lot of writing but business/management writing. And hopefully some more of that on track to be commissioned this year. All about the future of work, and how government works .... or how it could work better. Gameplan: world tour, TED talks and advisory post with No 10 strategy unit, haha
Fictionwise, I've had a collection of short short stories ready for about 6 months (which some kind folk here have beta-read for me), but kind of lost confidence in the project.
Almost thinking that some of the more interesting ones should be worked up into longer short stories, while dropping some of the others. Standing at the crossroads on that one, trying to read the signs ...
I'm working on what I'm now calling a mythical memoir and I'm also story boarding an idea for a graphic novel. They both are presenting me with lots of story-craft issues to ponder and try to resolve but I don't mind that ... although, ironically, I sometimes wish they were both completed so they would give me some peace, not keep hounding me with their issues all the time - but I know that 'peaceful day' is a long way off! I don't think about whether I'm confident or not whilst I'm working on them but I do think about that when I think about taking it to the next level - of the possibility of publication.(Once I finish, or just get a certain way through these 2 specific, and very personal, projects I am currently working on, I think I would like to continue my writing in the direction of using 'real' and/or mythological histories as inspiration for graphic novels ... but such graphic novels will still be (hopefully entertaining) story-essays exploring the thing that just generally obsesses me; individual and universal consciousnesses and the like, across time and place, including future time.)
Its good to have a specific creative problem that my mind is just turning over and looking at from different angles even when I'm not really thinking about it. (Its a bit like some have said here regarding this month's challenge; thinking about/attending to something else entirely and suddenly an idea just turns up {which probably is also an indicator that Sharon's story challenge is a very good one, one a good writing teacher would set, I think}.)
Haha, Andy. Yes, I've some reading to catch up on, too--trying to work it in when I've so-called "free time" :) :] :D (and so on). Following Elizebeth's and Andrew's phenomenal edits/beta reads of my novel of the old Berkeley antiwar movement, I have that mostly ready for its polish-edit and copyedit. Then find an agent and/or publisher, I hope; if not, I need to get a formatter/designer for print and ebook versions, get good blurbs, write a release and versions, booksheet, etc., arrange readings if any, and contact whomever I still know in media. And of course the fb, li, blog, etc. stuff. And tweet, presumably ("What would YOU have done to keep US troops from Vietnam?" "Even as LBJ' attacked Hanoi, she cased the bombs stacked in San Jose" "The midnight phoner hissed again; trembling, pregnant, she lowered the receiver," etc.).
Like Andy, I'm meanwhile inundated with paid work--in my case, editing, including of some remarkable books.
Great to hear how many books everyone is working on. Sharon, 3 at once is cool; 8 at once (did I count right?) is remarquable! And Heather, oh yes a graphic novel (or 2, or 3)--tremendous; I love graphic novels, and they sell well too; great you can do the art for this.
Jack, Ronald---haha, those long stories aren't telling you yet but long stories have (some, but no not all) such a propensity for turning into novellas and novels. Long stories can be great, novels or otherwise!
By the way, Elana Gomel's fantasy novel, Tale of Three Cities, is very worth reading; you'll remember her Cinderella story here last year.
Thanks for starting this topic of conversation Paula. It's nice (to have something writing-related to talk about that isn't about lining up on one side or the other of which way people want something about the group to pan out as).Re the graphic novels and illustrating them myself - which I intend to do - I know I have a lot of brushing up and practicing and filling in gaps in my knowledge of art rules and principles. I have tended to, in the past, wing it where I can (eg I think that composition and perspective are among my drawing strengths but shading values & techniques and use of modern technology are among my weaker points) but to do professional standard illustration those art elements and more are needed at top notch level so I have a lot of practice to do. An artist who I admire very much, Sue Coe, said of herself that she was "very good" at what she did and that she "practices her art everyday."
I did actually once have an art teacher who told me I didn't need teaching I just needed to be left alone (because there were some art principles and rules I just knew, and could use, intuitively.) But, because of certain obligations/choices in my life I didn't have much 'me' time to get on with practicing on my own and I played truant too much to be taught very much. But now the internet is just buzzing with all sorts of resources for learning and guidance (including cheap and free resources) and I like the idea of now immersing myself in a structured attempt to hone my art-craft as well ... which I am beginning to do. I'm both intense and relaxed about it at the same time; intensely interested and and driven, but also, not really under any pressure to do anything other than relax and enjoy the journey and see where it takes me, if anywhere.
The only writing I have currently done is the microstory.
"On another subject, how many of us here are working on/finishing/soon-publishing a book/books?"My current project is a Good vs Evil /good angel vs bad angel 3 part series. I have the first book done and am working on the second currently.
Some sci fi and fantasy elements mixed in, but it really boils down to two sisters and the choices they make which ultimately pit one another against each other.
Ironically in the other writing group I belong too, I've been writing snippets of a prequel to the actual series using the weekly prompts. I've received excellent feedback for the 8 "mini" chapters I've written so far and it will be very amusing if the darned prequel (which I had outlined as a 4th release) is haphazardly finished before the actual series.
I put up my microstory last night."Hi Carrie, I'm two-thirds the way through writing a novel called "Jane." It will probably take me twice as long to finish the last third as it took me for the first two-thirds. That's because I keep going back to fiddle with the first two-thirds..
Kalifer what is Jane about?And that is the writers curse...we can never just leave it alone!!
Hi again Carrie, It's about an android named Jane that in addition to trying to fix the world, she is fighting for her rights as a person. Eventually, these become incompatible goals.
Carrie, sounds like one fascinating series. In fact. Kalifer's too. Both of you with so very serious themes.Just finished reading the latest 3 stories in this month's contest. I'd have never expected the rather spelled-out theme/parametrs would have done such a firstrate job in kickstarting such firstrate stories as many this month. It must be the major themes of loss, of regret, of guilt, of caring and sorrow that these parameters bring forth, but many of these tales are tremendous.
I've decided to also add some botanical drawing lessons to my schedule of graphic novel storytelling, skill-honing, work. There are some very good free lessons on you tube and with the variety of teachers there I can learn techniques from different angles, by different teachers/illustrators.Before last November's contest's required element (plastic or silk flowers) ... and also Jeremy's story especially, "A Scarlet Blossom, disremembered", I hadn't really thought too consciously about floriography - and just how important flower symbolism can be in stories, including traditional film: eg in "Steel Magnolias", to indicate strength and femininity combined and in anime: eg (as given at http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php... ) the use, sometimes, of hanakotoba (Japanese system of flower symbolism) "especially Cherry Blossoms, white lilies, and sunflowers ... and related genres will have the background break out in unexplained flowers to emphasize a character's beauty, goodness, or emotional state."
Mod
I made a couple of changes to mine. I used their editor which is better than deleting and re-adding per LinkedIn. I wish their editing window were a bit larger. (It doesn't stretch on my computer even though the markings in the lower right corner seem to indicate that it should.) The small window size, I guess, is for mobile devices.Smart spellers and grammarians, if you already read mine and scored it, please reread. :-)
Interesting challenge, Sharon. Posted my contribution so I can start looking at how others approached this one. Just skimmed through all the things people are working on. We are a busy bunch. Along those lines, I've begun to amass several short stories, and not a few micro-stories. I even like a couple of them. I continue to query my first novel, but writing the sequel is in a bit of limbo as I've diverted my energies into a YA Science-Fantasy series.
Finding time to read is my real frustration, complicated by a full-time job and three teen-agers. If only my dear wife didn't have to work as well, we both might find time to finish another book (reading OR writing).
Mod
Please get those votes in...
Apologies for be late. Sinus colds are draining.(Yes, pun intended.) Just posted my vote to Jot.
Mod
Standoff by Chris Nance
The Apostate Revenant by Andy Lake
Brother, Not Mine by S.M. Kraftchak
The Eastern Front by Kalifer Deil
Votes needed from:
Paula Friedman
Greg Krumrey
Carrie Zylka
Mod
Standoff by Chris Nance
The Apostate Revenant by Andy Lake
Brother, Not Mine by S.M. Kraftchak
Votes needed from:
Richard Bunning
Jot Russell
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I've posted the new contest at:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
and
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
Richard Bunning => **Kalifer, Paula, Timothy
Jack McDaniel => **Chris, Greg, Jot, SM
Chris Nance => ***SM
Paula Friedman => Richard, JJ
Andy Lake => Timothy, JJ, Chris, Paula, Jot
S.M. Kraftchak => **Chris, Paula, Greg
Kalifer Deil => **Andy, Timothy, SM
Heather MacGillivray => Jack, Chris, Andy, Jot, Paula, JJ
Jot Russell => **Kalifer
Timothy Paul => ***SM, Greg, Chris
J.J. Alleson => ***SM, Chris, Timothy
Greg Krumrey => JJ
Gary Hanson => **Andy, Greg, Jot
Carrie Zylka => Jot, Paula, Jack, Timothy
First round finalists:
Standoff by Chris Nance
The Apostate Revenant by Andy Lake
Brother, Not Mine by S.M. Kraftchak
The Eastern Front by Kalifer Deil
Second route votes:
Richard Bunning => **Kalifer, Paula, Timothy
Jack McDaniel => ****Chris, Greg, Jot, SM
Chris Nance => ****SM
Paula Friedman => Richard, JJ; #Andy
Andy Lake => Timothy, JJ, ****Chris, Paula, Jot
S.M. Kraftchak => ****Chris, Paula, Greg
Kalifer Deil => #Andy, Timothy, ****SM
Heather MacGillivray => Jack, ****Chris, Andy, Jot, Paula, JJ
Jot Russell => **Kalifer
Timothy Paul => ****SM, Greg, Chris
J.J. Alleson => ****SM, Chris, Timothy
Greg Krumrey => JJ; #Andy
Gary Hanson => #Andy, Greg, Jot
Carrie Zylka => Jot, Paula, Jack, Timothy; #Andy
Second round finalists:
Standoff by Chris Nance
The Apostate Revenant by Andy Lake
Brother, Not Mine by S.M. Kraftchak
Second route votes:
Richard Bunning => Kalifer, Paula, Timothy; #*Andy
Jack McDaniel => ****Chris, Greg, Jot, SM
Chris Nance => ****SM
Paula Friedman => Richard, JJ; #*Andy
Andy Lake => Timothy, JJ, ****Chris, Paula, Jot
S.M. Kraftchak => ****Chris, Paula, Greg
Kalifer Deil => #*Andy, Timothy, SM
Heather MacGillivray => Jack, ****Chris, Andy, Jot, Paula, JJ
Jot Russell => Kalifer; ****SM
Timothy Paul => ****SM, Greg, Chris
J.J. Alleson => ****SM, Chris, Timothy
Greg Krumrey => JJ; #*Andy
Gary Hanson => #*Andy, Greg, Jot
Carrie Zylka => Jot, Paula, Jack, Timothy; #*Andy
Winner:
The Apostate Revenant by Andy Lake
** COMMENTS ONLY **
The theme for the month follows this note from the competition's Creator/Director, Jot Russell:
To help polish our skills and present a flavor of our art to other members in the group, I am continuing this friendly contest for those who would like to participate. There is no money involved, but there is also no telling what a little recognition and respect might generate. The rules are simple:
1) The story needs to be your own work and should be posted on the Good Reads Discussion board, which is a public group. You maintain responsibility and ownership of your work to do with as you please. You may withdraw your story at any time.
2) The stories must be 750 words or less.
3) The stories have to be science fiction, follow a specific theme and potentially include reference to items as requested by the prior month's contest winner. The theme for this month is posted below.
4) You have until midnight EST on the 22nd day of the month to post your story to the Good Reads Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion. One story per author per month.
5) After, anyone from the LI Sci-Fi group or the GR Science Fiction Microstory Discussion group has until midnight EST of the 25th day of the month to cast a single private vote to Jot Russell () for a story other than their own. This vote will be made public once voting is closed. Voting is required. If you do not vote, your story will be disqualified from the contest. You don't need a qualifying story to cast a vote, but must offer the reason for your vote if you don’t have an entry.
6) To win, a story needs at least half of the votes, or be the only one left after excluding those with the fewest votes. Runoffs will be run each day until a winner is declared. Stories with vote totals that add up to at least half, discarding those with the fewest votes, will be carried forward to the next runoff election. Prior votes will be carried forward to support runoff stories. If you voted for a story that did not make it into the runoff, you need to vote again before midnight EST of that day. Only people who voted in the initial round may vote in the runoffs.
7) Please have all posts abide by the rules of Good Reads and the LI Sci-Fi group.
8) Professional comments and constructive criticisms are appreciated by any member in either group and should be posted to the separate thread that will be posted at the end of the month and all voting is complete to avoid any influence on the voting. Feel free to describe elements that you do and don't like, as these help us gain a better perspective of our potential readers. Remarks deemed inflammatory or derogatory will be flagged and/ or removed by the moderator.
9) The winner has THREE days after the start of the new month to make a copy of these rules and post a new contest thread using the theme/items of their choosing. Otherwise, the originator of the contest, Jot Russell, will post a new contest thread.
______________________________
For the February 2016 contest:
Writing Prompt:
Siblings separated by a catastrophe meet ten years later, on opposite sides of a conflict.
Required Elements:
1. One is wearing a uniform that doesn't belong to him/her/it.
2. Last Line should be: "I wish it could have been different."