Best of the Science Fiction Microstory Contest - Comments Only

[Jeremy]

I find that I'm simply not good at critiquing.

I know what I like and what I don't like. Occasionally I have a notion as to why a story works or doesn't.

I just don't have the ability to put all that into useful and objective words though.

[Jot]

I struggle with it as well, Jeremy. One of the reasons I don't post critiques very often.

[Justin]

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed "Infinity" this month, I sincerely appreciate it!!! I'm a bit overwhelmed with the mass of stories, but I'll get my votes in. Thanks again!

[Andy]

On critiquing/commenting - well, I last posted a story or comment in mid-2015, so perhaps I'm making up for lost time.

What I'm also doing, if I'm honest, is putting off doing some technical writing by doing something more fun. Deadlines are looming now, though ..

[Paula]

Oh, I didn't mean critiquing should be required--just that even doing a line or two of shared-out-there critiquing of a piece makes one focus on that piece more clearly.

[Jot]

Seven sets of votes cast so far.

[Chris]

Just remember, when you're voting, there are 2 pages of stories. The last one is by Rejoice.

[Jot]

2.5 days left to vote. Please read all the stories and cast your vote.

[Justin]

Chris wrote: "Just remember, when you're voting, there are 2 pages of stories. The last one is by Rejoice."

I voted for Chris eight times. :)

Just kidding!

[Jot]

Nine votes have been cast. Good thing for the extra two days. Great idea Paula.

[Paula]

Thank you, Jot. And we on the West Coast get to 11:59pm tomorrow PST, I hope. Since it's gonna be needed. . . .

[Jot]

We can extend it to PST.

[Ink]

Andy wrote: "One week to go - I'm going to need all that to read the all stories and doing them justice always takes at least a second reading if not a third at voting time.
Commenting on 40+ stories - now the..."

Thanks for your critique on my story.

[Jot]

Can someone please remind Dean to vote. Goodreads is blocking me from sending out anymore messages. I seem to still be getting messages, but if anyone has an issue, you can send the votes to my email: author.jotrussell@gmail.com

[Dorthe]

So after several readings there were seven stories I really really wanted to vote for. I've picked one. Doesn't mean I don't love the other six and like quite a few more.

[Tom]

Dorthe wrote: "So after several readings there were seven stories I really really wanted to vote for. I've picked one. Doesn't mean I don't love the other six and like quite a few more."

I had seven favorites, too. I only managed to narrow it down to four.

[Jot]

18 votes cast out of 56 stories. Only another 12 or so hours to go to qualify your story.

[Andy]

I narrowed my choice of finalists down to 7. Since I figure there will be multiple rounds of voting, I arranged them in order, so I may be able to avoid one-or-two-day turnarounds on subsequent rounds.
I also included several others that I felt deserved recognition.
Fun contest, and thanks for your considerable efforts, Jot.

[Kalifer]

Jot, thanks for putting this together. I know it took a good bit of effort on your part and it is well appreciated by all. This contest has made me a better writer and self editor. That's not to say that I have arrived. I will continue writing stories for this forum as long as it lasts (or I last).

[Jot]

It has been my pleasure.

[C.]

Yeah Jot. You da man.

[Jot]

No, you da man!

22 votes cast and counting...

[G.C.]

This is very very hard.

Edit: My votes are in. I'll be at the bar if anyone needs me.

[Sharon]

Took some time to finish with lots of interruptions, but thoroughly enjoyed reading all the stories. Sent my vote in via GR. Placing one story over another was quite difficult. Each had it's own flavor and unique charm.

[Jot]

Nice, 26 votes cast. Will check back for the last of them in the morning. Good luck to all!

[Ink]

Paula wrote: "Well, I've actually started, read 3 this morning; we've a nice weekend for a good start. And maybe Jot could add a couple of days more for the reading and voting."

Thanks so much for your comment Paula. It´s very nice.

[Andy]

Interesting. 3 of the 6 into the next round were in my top 5. And 2 of them were amongst the 'honourable mentions' bubbling under.

I'm betting now it will be the remaining one that's not in my lists that wins ...

[Paula]

LOL. 2 of the 6 (or 7?) were in my top 3. And I'm pretty sure the "champion" won't be one of those in my top 12 list.
Andy wrote: "Interesting. 3 of the 6 into the next round were in my top 5. And 2 of them were amongst the 'honourable mentions' bubbling under.

I'm betting now it will be the remaining one that's not in my lis..."

[C.]

2 of my top 6 were in the 3 I thought were honorable mentions. And 3 of the remaining 20 that were not on my radar were highly rated in the critiques.

So if you take the first 2 of 6, divide by 3 of 20 and then round up to the nearest whole number, you end up with a shot glass filled right to the rim and ready to be deployed for medicinal purposes.

-C

[Justin]

C! Thanks for your vote! I hope you enjoyed your drink!

[C.]

Thanks Justin!

I always liked that little yarn.

-C