Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
***NOVEMBER 2021 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments Only)***
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Tough requirements, LOL. I think I only had one elite character ever in one of my stories, a galactic emperor. Generally, I find them uninteresting.
J.F. wrote: "Tough requirements, LOL. I think I only had one elite character ever in one of my stories, a galactic emperor. Generally, I find them uninteresting."Me, too. I wanted to see what people came up with under these circumstances.
All sounds very sensible, though I see loopholes there for post-18th century variations--CEOs, space-crew captains, and the like. -----Also, "no one can be killed" by other characters? nor by wars, plagues, colliding planets, runaway horses, A.I.'s,--? by the author? (Just being difficult . . . .)
Really, very nifty new parameters, Jack.
What about implosions?Or people resurrected by other characters?
;)
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Jot wrote: "Heading down to Fort Myers tomorrow for my niece's wedding. Should be fun..."Nice and warm! Have a good trip. I just got to Maine.
Congratulations on your niece's marriage, and best wishes.
Kalifer wrote: "Mine's up! Simple story."I liked the ending.
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Jot wrote: "Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving."Same to you, Jot, and to the whole gang, Happy Thanksgiving!
A very good Thanksgiving to all of you and yours! Stay healthy, eat well, write lots of new stories! I'm trying to get a story in by midnight tonight; it's done but need to do lots of stuff today, hope to find time to type the tale in timely.
Looks like some fine stories this month.
Well, I'm disappointed to say I do not have an entry this month - which is a first for me. I'd like to say it was all the voiceover I was doing, but really, I kept procrastinating. I think you all put in some great stories this month. I'm thankful for all the stories you've created over the years! I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and family/friend-filled Thanksgiving!! Best wishes to all!
Okay, getting the story in now. Just under the wire. I hope.
So sorry about the title collision. I typically don't read any other stories until mine is up. So, if you vote for The Visitor, you'll need to clarify which one.
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On a side note, I seem to be done with the interview process and luckily have a few companies providing competing offers. So crazy.
That's great to hear Jot! Nice to have choices. Good luck!
Oh Jot, that is wonderful! Congratulations!
Hi Jot, glad to hear about the offers. Choose well and be well.
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Machinify is in Palo Alto. Are you coming to the West Coast? If so we should meet. I live in Belmont which is 11 miles north of Palo Alto.
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Congratulations, Jot! Remote work seems to be the trend these days. I know a lot of people who have changed employers and the ability to work remotely was usually a condition they demanded. It makes sense where it's possible because we don't know when working conditions will stabilize, and a lot of people have gotten used to it. I've been working that way since March 2020.
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Jot wrote: "Not relocating, at least in the near future. I'm working remote for them as a Staff Engineer. Hoping to be able to take some business trips there, though."Congratulations and best wishes, Jot.
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Fantastic news Jot!Since I did not write a story, I am not voting.
I hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving!
The December theme is up. (For some reason, an error stopped me from posting the Critique thread, but Stories and Comments are posted for next month.)
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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, and reading each story before 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 you 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.
Jot Russell
Contest Creator/Director
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NOVEMBER REQUIREMENTS
NO Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses or Royalty of any kind. No presidents, autocrats or rulers allowed. Only ordinary people.
NO one can be killed and NO explosions.
Must include an alien life form.