APRIL 2017 MICROSTORY CONTEST - COMMENTS ONLY

[Paula]

The story topic is: In 2042.
This story should have at least one human protagonist and deal with something of importance to you.
(General contest rules are posted in Jot's separate topic post.)

[Justin]

C,

I'm rolling on the floor laughing!!

[C.]

Justin,

Yeah, decided to try something a bit different this month. : )

-C

[Dean]

Hi, gang. Haven't been around in a while but I've put in my entry. Hope you enjoy.

[Jot]

Cool, I beat C to the punch this month.

[Justin]

Good story Dean!

[C.]

Jot,

Yeah, by about an hour and a half!

-C

Ps. Good story. I liked the data analytics not being as boring as in real life!

[Paula]

Dean, what a beautifully done grabber of a story! And unfortunately too likely again. Very well done--and, I'd guess, very magazine-publishable.
Jeremy, lol---no kidding! Really well done--I simply enjoyed it. And yes, the . . . clearly follow.
Jot, very clever indeed. A cynical and original take on "first contact."
C., a very cute tale.

[Paula]

And wow, Thaddeus.
Yeah, I've been wondering about that.
And "what did we think was going to happen? Shakespeare?"---best line on the net tonight.

[Richard]

I have a little story in mind but thought I should ask first: are we expected to use family-friendly language here, or can we curse up a blue streak? It's not for me, it's for a couple of my characters...

[Dean]

Paula, thanks for the compliment. The original piece was well over the word limit and I had to edit a lot but I think it does stand on its own. Can you suggest a magazine that it might be suited for? I'm not very knowledgeable in that area. Thanks!

[C.]

Richard,

I think the answer is that you must follow the Goodreads forum rules and that's about it when it comes to the color blue.

-C

[Paula]

And. . .you might check with Jot, Richard. I certainly don't mind what the language. . .

[Jot]

C is right that you have to follow any rules published by goodreads. For me, the contest has never been restricted to a G rating and some have certainly pushed the edge of X, back in the linkedin days.

[C.]

X-rated Sci-Fi?

Wow--just think of the possibilities: fusion-powered personal devices that make light saber sounds!! ; )

Maybe I'll submit a new story this month: Sex kittens from the planet "Meow-Me."

-C

[Justin]

Oh the humanity!!!!!

[Justin]

C,

Your reviews are as fun to read as your stories!

[C.]

Thanks Justin,

Harry Harrison was one of my personal Sci-Fi novelist heroes. I try to emulate his humorous tongue-in-cheek style whenever the opportunity presents itself.

This does make me look ridiculous in the mirror, however.

-C

[Justin]

Good story Chris! I was on the edge of my seat!

[Chris]

Thanks Justin! :)

[Matthew]

Hey, I'm pretty new to writing, hopefully you like my submission.

[Paula]

You're NEW to writing, Matthew?! Well, that was quite a start--wow, good story.

[C.]

Indeed! Great story, Matthew.

Are you interested in seeing critiques of your story? We have a separate thread for that and you can opt out if you'd rather not participate. Simply indicate this at the top of your story (for future reference.)

-C

[Tom]

Mine's up. Better late than never. Lot of good stories this month. I've got a lot of catching up to do on reviews.

[Justin]

Good one Tom. The end gave me shivers!

[Tom]

Thanks, Justin. As usual, I liked yours, too. Nice blend of tradition and futurism, family and military SF.

[Justin]

I appreciate that Tom!

I was just realizing that this month marks my one year anniversary since joining the group.

I'd like to say to everyone what a pleasure it is reading your different styles and seeing the different ideas you come up with. No two are remotely alike, which is really a testament to the pool of creativity you've created here.

[Jot]

Welcome Matthew! Where did you hear about us?

[Tom]

Justin wrote: "I appreciate that Tom!

I was just realizing that this month marks my one year anniversary since joining the group.

I'd like to say to everyone what a pleasure it is reading your different styles ..."

Happy Anniversary, Justin. You've contributed a lot.

[Justin]

Thanks Tom. I definitely feel like everyone here encourages each other on to better and better writing. It's a good place to be!

[Matthew]

I was playing board games with Marianne, and she told me about you guys.

And critiques are fine.

[Jot]

Good to hear it, Matthew. Marianne has been an excellent and long time contributor to the contest.

Happy Anniversary, Justin! I created the contest to help myself and others learn how to write and understand better how readers value their work. Happy it has done so.

[Ink]

Matthew wrote a very interesting story without a title. Very, very well done Matthew. You and Justin have both written some fantastic stories.

[Justin]

Funny story Greg! Great twist!

[Paula]

Nice one, Greg!

[Gary]

Greg, somewhat funny but from the point of view of 2045 I wonder if the twist would have worked better with the scientific community, Liberals, MSMedia and Pres. Obama being the aliens. They represent a more a realistic ultimate conspiracy, Pres. Trump is too obvious.

[Tom]

Gary wrote: "Greg, somewhat funny but from the point of view of 2045 I wonder if the twist would have worked better with the scientific community, Liberals, MSMedia and Pres. Obama being the aliens. They repres..."

Obvious perhaps, but he gets the job done. I mean, if you're trying to wipe out humanity...

[Paula]

Tom wrote: "Gary wrote: "Greg, somewhat funny but from the point of view of 2045 I wonder if the twist would have worked better with the scientific community, Liberals, MSMedia and Pres. Obama being the aliens..."

LOL, Tom. Indeed yes.

[Ink]

I submitted my votes and wonder who we should be congratulating this month. Does anyone have any ideas?

John

[Jot]

I do :) Check the top post in a minute.