Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
August 2018 Microstory contest - COMMENTS ONLY

Maybe they were all along and I just wasn't so hypersensitive to all the political everything being shoved down my throat every where I look.
I'm still here, probably not to writ but I still enjoy reading the stories!
Thanks Carrie for speaking your mind. I think people create themes based on what is on their mind, which can lean toward the political. The next time I win, if that happens, I was planning on having a best of round, where stories are pick from each writer over the years.
Also, I'm working on a crossword game for smart phones and am looking to build a website to host this and the contest. Maybe if I can push one, I can push more people toward the other.
Also, I'm working on a crossword game for smart phones and am looking to build a website to host this and the contest. Maybe if I can push one, I can push more people toward the other.

I also don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, I have a hard time participating in prompts that force me to write about something that might offend someone (or will obviously get no votes because my political views don't align with the rest of the group - which is ok).
I write to escape reality and merging fiction with all the preaching and what gets shoved down my throat via the news and social media is impossible.
But that's just me. I just miss the basic sci fi prompts that make you write for the sake of fictional entertainment.
I do however, enjoy reading the stories these talented folks come up with!!
That game sounds really, really cool Jot. The Goodreads app is somewhat buggy so dedicated site would be awesome!!

I also don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, I have a hard time participating in prompts that forc..."
I think that's always a danger with writing about controversial topics. You run the risk of alienating certain readers, especially nowadays. People are so dogmatic and will defend their own positions to a fault, even when their position doesn't make any sense.
That being said, some of the greatest books in history had political undertones, like Animal Farm or 1984. Even Starship Troopers and Dune had political messages. Though some of that could definitely be chalked up to interpretation. So, what to do?
I, for one, would love to see you return to the group, no matter what, even if our opinions were diametrically opposed. It's tough to open a closed mind, and especially so if it's never exposed to other opinions or something new.
:)

Social and political allegory have certainly been prominent in popular science fiction over the years. Star Trek is certainly one example. George Lucas has been accused of it, too.
I say, so what? One thing's for sure: If I worried about offending people, I'd never write at all. No one should ever feel afraid to express whatever they may be thinking or feeling. And, a diversity of viewpoints is always enriching, if not always tranquil.
If you want to write allegorically, the challenge is to avoid being overtly preachy or heavy-handed, but get your message across and be entertaining at the same time. I have issues on my mind, yes, and writing has always been catharsis for me, not escape.
That said, the topic I chose this month was timely, yes, but also wide open. You can use it allegorically or not, as you choose. Your story can take place on the U.S./Mexican border, or at the edge of the Andromeda galaxy, as you wish. Express anger, humor, or anything else.
Above all, just be yourself.

Social and political allegory have certainly been prominent in..."
I also agree that I haven't noticed any sort of political undertone to the topics posted. Then again, that's just my observation. Last month was a family vacation. The month before that, the fall of an empire. And before that was a space opera. Pretty basic topics as far as I can tell.
Even so, I think a lot of science fiction is very political, and there's nothing wrong with that. Everything from Isaac Asimov's Foundation, to 2001, to the Hunger Games has political undertones. And some of the most successful, even poignant, novels ever written reflected current events of the time, most of them political. It made the stories relevant and realistic.
I agree, just be yourself. Write to your comfort level.

Didn't mean to accuse anyone or anything.
Just a feeling I've gotten over the last year or two.
😊

Having been out of the loop here for aeons I've been inspired to try something. So thanks, guys.

People who don't contribute but want to influence the criteria are like people who don't vote but shout at their TV's. : )

People who don't contribute but want to influence the criteria are like people who don't vote but shout at their TV's. : )"
lol I've contributed a ton over the years and never won. That wasn't my point. That's not even my goal. I could give a shit less about winning or influencing criteria.
I'm sorry I even commented my thoughts on the matter.

I think everyone should feel welcome to comment. I hope we can keep this constructive and encourage each other to write, share impressions, make observations. All of it.

:)

All opinions do matter, I'll grant you that. Mine too. But If all the people who value fantasy oriented rather than science oriented "science fiction" stories actually contributed as much as some of the rest of us do, then the science guys would be the ones whining. And that would be just as lame.
I'd like to see more of these contributors add to and change the character of this board because I agree it's become too narrow in focus and players. But complaining won't accomplish this, new stories will. And I've voted for some of these stories myself, even though I'm definitely a Darth Vader devotee.
So roll up your sleeves rather than gather up rocks, and let's get cracking!
Just one opinion among many. : )
-C

All opinions do matter, I'll grant you that. Mine too. But If all the people ..."
Nah I was just commenting, water cooler talk, not complaining per se. I do enjoy reading the stories, I've never claimed to be a true science fiction writer, from the very beginning I've not hidden the fact that I'm a fantasy writer through and through.
But that's why I started participating all the way back in 2014. Literally my favorite memory from this group was when Andrew Gurcak tore me a new one via messenger because my story sucked so bad!
I took everything he said to heart and came out swinging with 7 Deadly Sins.
Instead of insulting me, a simple "No Carrie, I think you're wrong and here's why" like Tom, Jot and Chris did would have sufficed. And they were right, they pointed out that I was being to general, not seeing the forest for the trees.
I like your writing and I like your style (most of the time). I actually prefer directness. But alienating a contest participant by insinuating that I'm just a cheap seat, non contributor really just makes you look like a pompous ass.

I do miss a lot of the old participants and their particular flare.
But more than that I miss a lot of the water cooler talk that would go on!
.....but I sure don't miss the knock down drag out fights that would go on I promise you that!! :) :)

I like most of your stuff too. And I appreciate directness also. Seems you just couldn't help but throw that last rock, eh? Lol
I'm sorry that's the best you can come up with right now, but you do have about 11 more days to show something a bit more creative!
-C.


Here, here! Go for it!



If anyone does not wish their story critiqued, please indicate that on the comments thread between now and then.
P.S.: I hope other people choose to post some critiques this month.

Good to see you back in the SF saddle.
-C"
Thanks C.
I'll try to do some critiques this month as well, Tom.

I'd say this has been an unusually helpful, germinative, and valuable group for many of us. And Jot and many others deserve much credit for this.

"Germnative?" : )
If you contributed a story once a quarter like your mind-blowing little tale "Dem Bones" a couple of years back, the entire SF profile of this board would swing around to point towards fantasy, and our group writing bar would be raised about a mile-and-a-half. All Darth Vader devotees would head for the hills or whimper in their lairs, trying their best to contribute something worthy.
Who else has the power to influence events like this? Darth Vader? Compared to your writing skills, he's wimpnative. : )
-C

Nicely done people!

Great suggestion. An example of where another set of eyes makes for a better story.
Thanks for your critique and suggestion.
-C


"Bring it, don't sing it!" Lol
(I had a sales manager years ago that used to say that about purchase orders.)
-C

"Bring it, don't sing it!" Lol
(I had a sales manager years ago that used to say that about purchase orders.)
Purchase order fulfilled.

Hi Jot! I wish! My illustrious military career was one quarter of Air Force ROTC at the University of Washington back in 1990. My eyesight was only 20/70 uncorrected and the Air Force wanted 20/20 to start. So I did not continue pursuing a military career. I work at the Boeing Everett Delivery Center doing internal communications. I'm also their go to event guy so I was responsible for a large piece of Boeing Family Day. I just got to direct the Growler off of Paine Field and to its parking spot so we could hook it up to a tug and tow it into position. Besides... I get air sick... :)

Here's a little reminder: "You have until midnight EST on the 22nd day of the month to post your story to the GR Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion. One story per author per month."
Did it turn into a novel? : )
-C

Great suggestion. An example of where another set of eyes makes for a better story.
Thanks for your critique and suggestion.
-C"
You're welcome, C. I liked your modification to your story; well-placed and to the point.

Oh, I forgot the vices. Well, I see a very nasty vice there, though unstated as such. Okay, rubbed/slipped the vice indicator in there now.


I commend both Jot and Paula for keeping things going on their respective groups which I'd like to keep supporting as much as I'm able. Superb job, guys.

Oh--and thanks--spelling error is now fixed!
C. wrote: "Paula,
"Germnative?" : )
If you contributed a story once a quarter like your mind-blowing little tale "Dem Bones" a couple of years back, the entire SF profile of this board would swing around to..."

Bout dam time.
Your story is fine wine for the palate, haunting perfume for the nose.
Well done.
-C

To help polish our skills and present a flavour 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 goodreads (GR) 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.
4) You have until midnight EST on the 22nd day of the month to post your story to the GR 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 send me a single private vote (via GR or to author.jotrussell@gmail.com) 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 GR and the LI Sci-Fi group.
8) For each month, there will be three discussion threads:
a) Stories - For the stories and the contest results only.
b) Comments - For discussions about the stories and contest. Constructive criticism is okay, but please avoid any spoilers about the stories or degrading comments directed towards any individuals. If you want to suggest a change to the contest, feel free to start a discussion about the idea before making a formal motion. If another member seconds a motion, a vote can be held. I will abstain from voting, but will require a strong two-thirds majority to override my veto.
c) Critiques - Each member can provide at most one critique per story, with a single rebuttal by the author to thank the critic and/or comment to offer the readers the mind set of the story to account for issues raised by the critique. Critiques should be of a professional and constructive manner. 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, I will post the new contest threads.
**********
Theme: Illegal Aliens
Required elements:
1) Families shattered
2) Vices indulged