Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
JUNE 2023 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments only)
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My story's up.I used a character I haven't used in a while:
Jean-Pierre Beaulieu , the Napoleonic soldier turned time-traveler. He first appeared in "Trial by Time" a story published in Carol Fix's "The Future is Short" anthology series.
I use him this month to honor Carol's memory.
Is there a missing n "or" in the list of themes? Or is it an "and"?I was thinking about how to have an anti-hero observe an anomaly using some sort of anachronistic device. Probably Steampunk sci fi.
I, too, have Carol to thank for having stories in an anthology. I'm sure she helped many of us get started.
Tom wrote: "My story's up.I used a character I haven't used in a while:
Jean-Pierre Beaulieu , the Napoleonic soldier turned time-traveler. He first appeared in "Trial by Time" a story published in Carol F..."
Good story Tom, really liked it!
Greg wrote: "Is there a missing n "or" in the list of themes? Or is it an "and"?I was thinking about how to have an anti-hero observe an anomaly using some sort of anachronistic device. Probably Steampunk sci..."
Hi Greg, no missing words. I think your idea is on track.
Justin wrote: "Tom wrote: "My story's up.I used a character I haven't used in a while:
Jean-Pierre Beaulieu , the Napoleonic soldier turned time-traveler. He first appeared in "Trial by Time" a story publishe..."
Thank you, Justin. 'Glad you liked it.
Mod
Sorry 'bout that. We accidentally posted up "No Smoking" signs in English. Should have read, "Pas Le Fumer".
Interdit a fumer, les forets!
Mod
How does everyone feel about the reduced participation in the contest? I know the coming summer always reduces things a bit, but wanted to get a feel for continuing this here, taking action to try to bring more people in, switching over to Carrie's site or to let it phase out?
Welcome back, Jot. Interesting story, though a bit unclear on what actually happened, I thought. Perhaps a 1st person POV in the 2nd segment, as in the first one, might clarify it. (I think it could use a bit of editing as well, sentence structure wise.)The reduced participation is depressing. It's of course your call as moderator to decide what's to be done. It may well be time to move again. If you think something can be done to bring in more participants, that would be great. If not, maybe it's just run its course. It has been a great run, though. Thank you for reaching out on this.
I've got half a story written. I'll see if I can finish it on time.Would be a shame to just stop after all these years!
Mod
Thanks for the feedback, Tom. The last part is in quotes, as spoken from my evil "Torakus" name, as used in other stories. The ending notion is the pending war between the worlds started by the anti-hero through the use of lies, hatred and manipulation.
Sadly, I have a great story but it is simply too long for this format. Perhaps next time. As for ending the group, I do not believe it should end because we have seen it help and expand the capacities of many writers over the decade it has existed. I contend we need an infusion of new creative writers, which I have tried on and off to solicit but have had little success. New blood brings new creativity, expanding both the individual and the group.
Disclaimer: This is sure to be poorly received but I shall say it anyway because I understand there have been folks who have felt this, even if I don't necessarily subscribe to self-selecting away from the group, personally.
I am a contrary individual and the more an environment works to exclude me, intentionally or otherwise, the more likely I am liable to stay, just because.
The nature of our current competitive format means certain story types are more likely to win than others. It is the nature of competition and if a particular story format finds favor, if one wants to win, one writes in the format of the most successful story-forms.
Writers who choose more experimental formats, or story-forms which may not be as popular, may feel this forum is not right for them and self-select away to other storytelling venues.
I am pointing out something most of us can recognize even if we CAN write in the most acceptable story formats, that our most successful writers create stories which most closely resemble a writing block of creators who share creative styles and thus the vote is swayed toward that particular style.
Since these statements are likely to make me persona non grata, let it be said that I have enjoyed my time in this group, have celebrated the writers, past and present and hope that the most successful of us enjoy a career as speculative creatives in the years ahead.
I recognize I am not likely to be one of those celebrated writers, but admire the craft of every person who sits down and brings a story to this forum, are dedicated to the craft and have engaged their creative gift month after month, year after year, whenever their personal lives allow.
Whatever the ultimate decision, I want it to be known, I valued our time together, no matter what the future may bring.
Thaddeus
If you are curious about my story, which totally ran long, you can read it here:
THE CURSED LEMONS OF MAHATMALYA
https://www.facebook.com/thaddeushowz...
Very intriguing story, Thaddeus. Like an Arabian folk tale. Beautiful use of metaphor and sensation.Yes, people have left because they felt their kind of story wasn't welcome. I've felt that way myself and have considered leaving; have left for periods. One win in a very long time seems to keep me around. I'm honestly not sure why.
But, if the goal is to imitate the styles of those doing better, then what's the point? Each writer has to develop his or her own style. If one just can't find a market, then maybe that just has to be accepted, as least for the time being, as one's style evolves. Or, as the market evolves.
But, part of what this group is supposed to be about is helping us grow as writers. We can't do that without reviews, and that just hasn't happened much in a long time. Participants in other writing groups I've visited are always asking advice on plot devices, characters, etc. If this group functioned more like a writer's workshop, giving constructive critiques on how to improve stories, maybe that would help draw more people in.
Hi all, I’m sorry but I’ve been traveling. I’m currently sitting in the Detroit airport waiting for my flight (delayed two hours). First I flew to Chicago to visit my dad, who I haven’t seen face to face in four years. Then I popped over here to Detroit to visit my best friend who has been incarcerated for at least the next 20 years. So, a little busy. I hope to get a story up here shortly. I for one enjoy this group and the monthly prompt to force me to keep writing creatively. Honestly, I don’t have much time to write reviews or critiques, which I know I appreciate when someone reviews my work. I hope the group continues but understand if Jot feels it should sunset or merge with someone else’s group. I know I used to be more chatty and engaged here, but most of my free time is used to focus on my voiceover work. I enjoy reading everyone’s stories and seeing how different they are from each other. I hold all of you writers in high esteem and feel lucky to be part of your company!!
Mod
Hi Jot,It will be a shame to close down the forum. I, for one, pushed hard in the past to develop further the idea of an easy to use review platform because I think more people would participate and benefit if they received useful feedback. All I got for my efforts were pot shots and inane arguments for keeping the status quo.
Interestingly, and completely of no surprise to me during that time, all the controversy seemed to intensify forum activity of all kinds: participation, writing skills through greater competition, more diverse story lines, and lots of fun reading on this forum. Remember those days? Remember when we had 10-15 stories every month and some were excellent reading?
Unfortunately, things seem to have been forced into an old, comfortable, slowly dying path of boring regurgitated drivel. (Well, mostly...) There is a very strong minority that doesn't like at all any sort of change, I guess because it is uncomfortable. These are the same people that said airplanes can't fly, horse poo will drown us all, and the earth is definitely flat. All these stupid ideas were comfortable. Comfort is death.
I remember when things were fun and uncomfortable. There were spirited discussions, the sharing of ideas, lots of well thought-out review feedback, and most importantly, a much larger group of contributors, some of whom are quite talented writers, particularly when stimulated with new ideas from others in the group with an entirely different point of view.
Now there doesn't seem to be many new ideas or inspiration to stimulate competition, so no new contributors. All that discomfort back in the day must have delivered outrageous value since that was fun and busy and helpful, This is dull and boring and useless to talented writers, the ones you really want to attract.
Now, there's no new material. No new ideas. No excitement. No controversy. No fun. At least with C, nobody liked my ideas but they had fun saying why. Kind of ironic.
I'd still be around if I felt welcome, but I took one too many pot shots and so now I don't. My only crime was wanting what was best for the group in spite of heavy resistance.
So now it's not a stimulating group anymore and so you are on an apparent death march and have just reached the mortuary.
It'll be sad to see it go. Thank you and everyone else for all your hard work.
-C
Mod
A very unusual and moving story, Justin. The pain sank deep. Good use of metaphor - the turn of history's wheel?A timeless vision of what is immortal in humanity and what is temporary. Societies come and go, but you can't kill an idea. Or, the soul.
Tom wrote: "A very unusual and moving story, Justin. The pain sank deep. Good use of metaphor - the turn of history's wheel?A timeless vision of what is immortal in humanity and what is temporary. Societies ..."
Thanks Tom! It was fun to write this one!
Greg -Really enjoyed your story. Grand sea adventure! Very Ahab-esque. (I was reminded of Gregory Peck as Ahab taking St. Elmo's fire by the tail!)
Tom wrote: "Greg -Really enjoyed your story. Grand sea adventure! Very Ahab-esque. (I was reminded of Gregory Peck as Ahab taking St. Elmo's fire by the tail!)"
There was a little of Ahab in it, but more of a Sea Captain and Scientist becoming unlikely (and, somewhat, unwilling) heroes.
I may develop the personalities more when I use more words.
I often thought that the judging was biased toward dark stories, but proved that wrong as I rarely wrote dark endings.I found that stories to grab a reader and pull them in seem to do the best.
But, my motivation is strictly, well, getting motivated to write. The winning, if is even a consideration, is secondary.
I hope the contest continues. Without competition, I would probably write stories that are less engaging and do it less often.
One last comment, this one to Tom:Do you have a theme in mind?
If not, one that I've thought about was what could we do with our minds alone if we got the right training? Something along the lines of "Unlock the hidden powers of your mind."
Greg wrote: "Tom wrote: "Greg -Really enjoyed your story. Grand sea adventure! Very Ahab-esque. (I was reminded of Gregory Peck as Ahab taking St. Elmo's fire by the tail!)"
There was a little of Ahab in it,..."
Their unlikely team-up was effective. I liked the feel of it.
Greg wrote: "One last comment, this one to Tom:Do you have a theme in mind?
If not, one that I've thought about was what could we do with our minds alone if we got the right training? Something along the lin..."
I like that idea. The theme I had in mind was the struggle against the tyranny of intolerance and ignorance.
I think the two themes combine perfectly.
How about: "Those who dare develop the power of the mind in a world terrified of it" - ?
Does that work for you?
Greg wrote: "I often thought that the judging was biased toward dark stories, but proved that wrong as I rarely wrote dark endings.I found that stories to grab a reader and pull them in seem to do the best.
..."
Well said.
Mod
Tom: Yes. I like your "Those who dare develop the power of the mind in a world terrified of it"Any interesting elements?
I'm game for any elements you imagine.
Re participation the past couple of months, 1. don't minimize the factor of contingencies, such as people's busy-ness, schedule issues, illnesses/injuries (my hand, e.g., not up to more than one post anywhere per day, or so, since this injury 5 weeks ago, and probably for a few weeks more); 2. there may be too much similarity in the tastes/aesthetics of the majority of the group's regulars, so that those of other tastes likely tend to wander off---I'm not sure bringing in more participants, unless enough to better balance out/widen the aesthetic range, will solve this, but it might; 3. joining another/ongoing group would need to challenge this group's authors if the move is to be of any use (and also would the move also benefit the other group too?); 4.--important--whether this group dissolves, enters a merger-group, or continues as is, it needs not to just dissolve but, first, to put out some final publication---either an all-the group's authors (since 2012) anthology, OR a "Since 2015" (or whenever it was when TFIS 4 came out and when, soon after, this group changed so much). Either way, the anthology needs a dedication to those members who have passed on, especially those, like Carrol and Andrew, who gave so very, very much to the group's development.Anyhow, there's my 2 cents. After which I must tend to the hand.
Oh, and congratulations to the June winners, both of you!
Greg wrote: "Tom: Yes. I like your "Those who dare develop the power of the mind in a world terrified of it"Any interesting elements?
I'm game for any elements you imagine."
One element I suggest is: "escape"
I suggest you select the second element.
Paula wrote: "Re participation the past couple of months, 1. don't minimize the factor of contingencies, such as people's busy-ness, schedule issues, illnesses/injuries (my hand, e.g., not up to more than one po..."Thank you, Paula, as always for your input. And, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Regarding participation, I always try to come up with a story but sometimes I just have nothing by the 22nd. I have dry spells. And I think we need to be more aggressive with critiquing because that draws interest. Maybe people should come out and ask for it, like "Could someone please review this? Be merciless if you feel you need to." I was on a group, Authonomy, years ago where the critiquing was just expected to be brutal and everyone was fine with it because everyone wanted the raw criticism, which was preferable to getting rejection letters that gave no indication why the work was rejected. Silence to them was worse than the most scathing criticism. It was finally shut down by corporate fiat and not from lack of interest. That's not to say we need to be discourteous. Just saying what parts of a story you liked and what you didn't is very helpful to writers.
Mod
I certainly understand that things are busy for all, especially given the state of the world, though the decline is more than that. Believe it comes down to us not being able to draw in new writers, and without that excitement to read something from a fresh perspective, people don't make the time.
So the discussion I leave open is how to bring in more people?
* Social media publications
* A new type of reward system, beyond next month's theme selection
* Migration of the contest to a social media page
* Migration to a commercial website
* Population of more anthologies
* ???
And the second element is:Altruism
So the entire theme is
Those who dare develop the power of the mind in a world terrified of it
Elements: Escape and Altruism
Mod
Mod
Jot wrote: "If you want, I can post it. Will at day's end unless one of you guys do it."I will do it.
I guess Greg and I both posted it. You have your pick, Jot.
Re: participationI know I'm late to the party on this discussion, the site I've been moderating has declined in participation as well. I will tell you though, that we get way more people chiming in when I send a newsletter letting folks know that a new prompt is available.
Personally part of my problem, that I'm just not on Goodreads enough so I don't get the notifications. I try to stay off social media period. But I do always check my email.
My site compared to Goodreads is beneficial only because it comes up in Google searches. I don't think a goodreads group does, so discoverability is minimal.
I'm not sure moving over to a public forum website like what I have going on will help all that much, although it might, I have about 500 people on the newsletter list. I could start sending out newsletter blasts on the 5th of each month promoting this contest.
I know I don't contribute very often, I probably haven't in a couple of years, the pandemic beat my family and I up pretty good, and I'm not sure that I have recovered creatively, lately I don't seem to have a whole lot of mojo for life, much less for super complex stories that have to be told in 750 words!
BUT I do come on here at least once a month and I read the stories. I should probably comment more, because I do read them all, they are always so fantastic, the talent in this group is always amazing.
Side note, you know I've always offered the use of the fiction writers group website, but to Paula's point, it would still need to be its own separate entity. The biggest benefit might be discoverability. But It still needs to be a standalone contest since it's a specific genre and 25 days long.
Mod
Required elements: Writer’s choice within the categories above!