Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
JUNE 2017 MICROSTORY CONTEST - COMMENTS ONLY
date
newest »
newest »
message 51:
by
Chris
(new)
Jun 12, 2017 07:30PM
Anyways, mines up. I hope you like it! :)
reply
|
flag
Paula wrote: "But most tiring are the attempts, every several months on average, of one or another person to impose his (nearly always a "he") limited version of "what science fiction must be" on the group. It's boring, it's repetitive, and it wastes our time."TRUE MOTHER EFFING STORY
I was literally thinking the same thing as I read through the comments.
Bah - who cares. I'll never win in this group, I never have, never will.
Don't care.
I use the prompts to help me curate content.
Which is really what a non -monetary contest is for....."fun"
C. wrote: "I think this sums things up nicely. . .https://youtu.be/394VOfklL9w?t=70
-C"
OMG wtf did I just watch hahahahahaha!
Carrie, well I for one hope you'll continue submitting. This group should be about broadening our creativity, encouraging the ideas of others, and not stifling it according to rigid guidelines. When I first joined this group, I told Jot it was never about winning anything for me either. Granted, the contest aspect encourages me to write my best. I've never published anything, not even self published, but I've won a few times now, so you never know. All the writers in the group should have our full support, not our judgement. Writing can be a tough affair. For what it's worth, you and all the other authors here will have my full support at least. Keep writing. Do it because you love it. And do it without apology. :)
What Chris just said. Basically, this group has always had a majority of authors of the mechano-fiction and violent-conflict areas of sf; not "winning" often indicates simply that one's writing in a non-majority style here. People in this group have often been, however, very supportive of one another; I think it's worth remembering that.Carrie, your writing is excellent and I too want to see more of it!
Chris, I'm amazed you've not published any stories yet; go for it, hey!
I'll pile on Chris and Paula's comments. I hope people will participate, regardless of their own perceived writing ability. I joined so that I would get at least one writing opportunity done per month, to stretch myself and expand my writing beyond the two sci-fi novellas I've put up on Amazon. In that regard I feel successful and anyone who makes the effort to write something and submit it here should feel the same.I want honest criticism of my work. Is it too vanilla? Is it to "been there, done that?" Am I too space guns and space ships without exploring the vast, starlit vistas that sci-fi has to offer? Often the stories that have challenged me to examine my own style are the ones most different than mine, like Marianne, Paula and Heather (who has dropped off for awhile.) I may not understand them, and I may never come close to writing something as layered and multifaceted as their stories often are, but being exposed to them is an education that I need.
So for anyone who is "lurking" or simply observing, I would encourage to jump in and put something up. We all have such unique story-telling perspectives here, and I enjoy them all. From C's shape-shifting super model space ship and tornado suit to Paula's intelligent cats (now totally scared of the cat we inherited on our property.)
I will now put my soapbox away. :)
Best to all.
Mod
If anyone wants to start a debate to see how each writer defines science fiction, that is fine. But please don't single out a story to say that is not.
Thanks, Jot, for the clarification.OK, fine. But it's just those damn cats. If it were about dogs, then THAT would definitely be science fiction.
-C
I agree we could use "new blood" in the group, and I hope we get it. I'm sorry if people feel the stories are getting into a rut. I do remember a time when there were more "free-form" stories, and fewer "tech" stories. Maybe we should consider broadening the field on theme, requiring one month to be traditional "hard science" another to be psychological, another fantasy, etc.I'm also sorry if anyone feels the critique thread is an outlet for people who "like to review." I've never particularly liked to, myself; it's work. But, I thought that's what we were supposed to do (though personally, I should probably try to focus more on style than content when I review.) Everybody can review as much or as little as they like, and anybody who doesn't want to get reviewed can opt out. What's wrong with that? (If there are certain aspects of their writing style that someone wants reviewed, maybe they should request reviews focusing on those specific points.)
I like the idea of having to include one or two sentences with each vote, to explain what we liked about the story. I also think there should be required elements with each theme. It makes for a better writing challenge.
Mod
Other tables were lined up in front of Rescue-4 with various supplies donated from one source or another ; including water bottles, sports drinks, food and more of those hospital masks.
Other tables were lined up in front of Rescue-4 with various supplies donated from one source or another , including water bottles, sports drinks, food and more of those hospital masks.
In this example, I'm actually not sure. From what I know, you should use a semicolon if the first half is a complete sentence and the second half is not and needs to be a part of the first half. However, if this example, it feels like a comma should be fine.
The correct use of a semicolon is to connect two or more independent clauses into a single sentence, when one wants to indicate these clauses are more closely related to one another than they are to the other sentences in the piece. It is like a period, not like a comma. If you are connecting an independent clause with a phrase or dependent clause, in most cases (not all), you use a comma. A colon is used to introduce a list, primarily (it has other uses, but learn the uses of commas, periods, and semicolons first).I would suggest to anyone curious about grammar questions to buy (you can find it practically free at any bookstore or online) a copy of Strunk and White's old and still excellent short book The Elements of Style. Buy it and start reading it. You can look up these matters there. It is an excellent resource.
Paula,I think there's also a time to use semicolons instead of commas when you have a list of things that include commas themselves. Perhaps this was partly what Jot was asking about.
So if you have a list of zip codes, it might look like this:
The zip codes you asked about are: 80059, 80027, and 80054.
But with commas included in the listed items such as full addresses, it might look like this:
The addresses you asked about are: 147 Main street, Tulsa, OK 20554; 400 Whiele street, Kansas City, MO, 62245; and 205 Prosperity Court, Dallas, TX, 80552.
This is to reduce confusion about which items are which. Did I get that right?
-C
That is correct, C. I thought best to set out only the main uses, but there are others too. Seriously suggest that anyone who feels uncertain in their grammar, punctuation, etc. usage pick up a copy of Elements of Style.
Yes, Paula, I picked up a copy months ago when you first mentioned it on this site. It's an affordable, quick access resource while you're in the heat of battle, or a quick read if you're just curiously browsing for gems of wisdom--a great recommendation!-C
Oh, and one more little tidbit, everyone:Elements of Style is definitely not science fiction.
: P
-C
And here I thought my online AP Style Guide was a portal to groundbreaking science fiction...
Justin wrote: "And here I thought my online AP Style Guide was a portal to groundbreaking science fiction..."Don't feel bad...all this time I've been living and dying by the rules of The Grammar Girl.....
Her sci fi is apparently weak....... ;)
Originally posted in the critique section but moving the comment here.My apologies if the critique was posted before the whole "what is and what is not" sci fi discussion and I'm just late to the party.
In response to Paula's story:
C. wrote: "Sounds like kitty litter to me. ; )
Now if there were a mention of bio genetic engineering then no problem. Or maybe someone brandished a ray gun and let the human have it. . ."
Considering my cats don't generally talk to me... The sci fi element is implied.
I assumed bio hacking or other some such.
She "showed" me, not "told" me.
:)
Mod
That's great to hear Jot. Thanks for the update. I'm excited to see the end result!
Oh very good. Thanks, Jot. And---thank you, Carrol!!!
Was the editing for the new anthology already done, Jot?Do not honestly recall if that was done. Will fill out contract, but I am basically donating my stories to the anthology as before :)
Marianne, this time Carrol said she would handle the editing--which I believe was/is mostly copyediting. She was concerned that the book get out timely and has also become skilled and quick at the work.
Paula: fine by me :) Thanks for the update, Been traveling & somewhat out of the loop, so that is why I asked.
Is the July thread up yet? I'm not seeing it.
Mod
All stories will go through an edit process. The edited versions will be sent to the authors at the same time as the contract. The author may decline to sign the contract, if one or more of the stories don’t meet their approval. Signing the contract indicates approval. I will, of course, rewrite the contract for the stories that are approved, if the author requests it.
Good to know. I am usually cool with just signing. I will note on contract that my stories are donated to the anthology as I have no business standing currently.
Justin wrote: "Is the July thread up yet? I'm not seeing it."The July thread is now up.
