Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
***DECEMBER 2021 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments Only)***
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"Do Sedona or Sante Fe count? They're supposed to have paranormal energy. And Sedona I've been to."
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Do these have to be currently famous "hot spots" or can they be fictional? --or places called, at some time in the past (or future), hot spots?
Sorry about posting that on Stories. I guess I thought I was in Comments.
As I see it - If it's a real place with existing folklore or rumors about it, it can be used. No, in my opinion, it should not include other planets or fictional places - unless they're linked to Earth through established urban myth, tabloid favorites, etc. (Maybe, finding Elvis and JFK on Mars?)
Jot wrote: "Tom, the only thing which needs to be posted on the header of these pages is the theme and elements. There is no need to post the rules, as this is always listed as the first page."Sorry, Jot. I just copied the headers as they appeared this month.
So, Atlantis, Garden of Eden, site of Jacob's Ladder, Buddha Tree, are okay, or do they need some "paranormal" appearance/epiphenomena in addition to the known myth/s?
Paula wrote: "So, Atlantis, Garden of Eden, site of Jacob's Ladder, Buddha Tree, are okay, or do they need some "paranormal" appearance/epiphenomena in addition to the known myth/s?"The known myths are quite adequate, Paula. (Along with whatever embellishments you might wish to add.)
Jot wrote: "Thanks for clarifying Tom"No problem, Jot.
Paula wrote: "Indeed, very helpful, Tom."Thank you.
Another great story Tom! You're on a roll! Loved how the Denebian was a friendly.
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Justin wrote: "Another great story Tom! You're on a roll! Loved how the Denebian was a friendly."Thank you, Justin.
Jot wrote: "Okay, mines up. Dang, that took a while to write."Time well spent, Jot. Excellent. Good set-up; great imagery; well paced.
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Jot wrote: "Thanks Tom. I look forward to reading yours and the other stories come the 23rd. Hoping to be celebrating the launch of James Webb the day before."Fingers crossed.
Thank you Paula. First story submission in a long while.
Karl, that is a fantastic short story! Loved it! Nice work!
Welcome back, Karl. Very entertaining story.
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Ditto on the site being down. Goodreads has gone through this a couple times. Funny story, Karl!
Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform. As a history buff, this caught my eye as I was looking for books to audition for. It is well written, and I'll be learning about some fascinating history that eventually led to the US involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Stay tuned and thanks for listening!
Justin wrote: "Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform. As a history buff, this caught my eye as I..."
Very cool.
Justin wrote: "Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform. As a history buff, this caught my eye as I..."
Congratulations, Justin. (Nothing more important than remembering the lessons of history.)
Justin, that sounds like a very valuable book, and congratulations on being selected to narrate and produce it! Impressive.
Justin, it sounds like a fun project. You'll do well.
Thank you Jot, Paula and Kalifer! It is so fun narrating a history book and filling in some of those knowledge gaps. After reading this I'm like - no wonder the Vietnamese embraced communism! Who would blame them?! Anyway, I've also just gotten my final Parkinson's Foundation project, so now I have two audio projects going at the same time. It's going to be a busy vacation!!! Thanks again everyone!
Jack wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform. As a history buff, this cau..."
Now that I'm using iZotope RX 8/9 editing software, it has made mastering so much easier - and of higher quality. It makes me feel bad I took so long with your book when my production rate now is so much faster!
Justin wrote: "Jack wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform. As a history b..."
No worries. It was great. Glad you've found a way to streamline.
Jack wrote: "Justin wrote: "Jack wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hey friends!I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected to narrate and produce a short history book "Rice and Revolution" through Amazon's ACX platform...."
Thank you sir!
Fine story, Kalifer. Tighten the last paragraph or 2, though, and cut last sentence. imao.
Paula wrote: "Fine story, Kalifer. Tighten the last paragraph or 2, though, and cut last sentence. imao."I agree it was a good story. But, I kind of liked the last sentence.
Paula, perhaps I was too subtle but I didn't want to just say the message he got was, "We are in a simulated universe!"
Paula, I also didn't want to put the actual "As You Like It" quote in there either but paraphrase it in a more modern context.
Kalifer, I felt the story was already clear without the last line being stated. Using the actual quote from the play might have worked, btw. But look, these are only my own opinions. Trust your own instincts on the story.
Happy Winter. I wrote a story but it is too long and I don't think I can cut it down. Anyone mind if I post it, knowing it can't win?
Post Away! Call it 'an exhibition entry"
(For enjoyment, not competition)
Mine's up. I'm in the middle of a unscheduled kitchen remodel, so it's been hard to find time to write.
Had a great idea for a story this month, kind of based on the old tale of that lady in ancient Troy who kept warning the city's defenses weren't up to heading off disaster and the guys in the Power seats would keep saying "Hey we got it licked, gal, hey everything's fine." That one. Brought up to modern times. Only, I realized that was just the news heads.
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My favorite part about the start of Winter is knowing the days are now getting longer.
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