Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company! discussion
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So, I have this idea for a story, it's basiclly centered around a FMC and her journey to get back home and all the revelations she has along the way. Secrets about herself that she has kept from others, secrets about herself that others have kept from her, secrets about the people in her life that they have kept from her, and secrets about the world that have been kept from her. I'm thinking of setting the FMC up as being from a well-to-do/sucessful family, she wants to see the world thru rose-tinted glasses, is very idealistic, and thinks that her family(espically her father) should be using his money and power to try and make the world a better place instead of just trying to make himself richer. She's just graduated from medical school, and as a form of rebellion instead of interning at a private hospital where her father has connections, she has gone to central Africa to intern at an Ebola clinic. Then something happens(I haven't decided completely on what yet, maybe civil war starts) and she has to return home.
The question I have is, does this sound like it could even be remotely interesting? Or has my severe case of writer's block and lack of inspiration left me grasping at straws?
Please be brutally honest.
I'd like to tell you....but, it's a secret ;)
Hey Mandy there's actually an underused thread in the "Brainstorming Help" section called "Story Ideas." You should re-post it there and see what people say.
Okay, I have a question: I am a GoodReads Author and just now started a blog that I would like to update once a week or so. I have lots of friends here but not many "followers". Is there a certain place that I can ask people to friend me or follow me so they can read my blog? I don't want to violate any rules. Thanks so much!
Storm, A moderator will put up a poll and send you a message that the polls are up. It's pretty simple after that. They haven't put the polls up for this week as of yet.
Thank you Melissa :) As for your question, I don't know where to ask for friends/followers. If you want, can you please give me a link of your blog?
Thanks, Leslie. I don't know how to give you a link .. but the blog is on my Author profile. I guess if you just click on my name you can find it that way. (I am not very technologically advanced!) It's not really a big deal. I asked my question almost 6 weeks ago so I assume not many are interested in a blog anyway. Would be nice if a few more people followed but I'm not all that worried about it. I mainly enjoy coming here to the group and writing my poetry and short stories and getting feedback. Doing that is my main (and favorite!) thing! :) I have met so many wonderful people and awesomely talented writers!
Melissa good luck with the blog. If you figure how to get followers many here would love to learn the secret. Me included. For myself I went from hoping for followed to relaxing and simply writing what interested me to the very best if what I could write that day. And then the blog became a source of creative, expressive joy. When I'm not on a 'smart' phone I'll take a peek at your blog.Perhaps the biggest thing with being a blogger is to have fun with it. So, have fun.
Thank you, Guy! I appreciate that! I am always up for more fun!
Bryan wrote: "Do we just enter poems for the contest in the contest place or is there a special way to do this?"I've always just posted mine into the comment section in the Poetry contest section.
Hey Amara, just post it in the comment section of the current story contest thread :) Or if you want to post your other stories/poem, you're allowed to create your own thread under the Your Writing folder.
Question: I know this has nothing to really do with our group, but I have been trying to get into Creative Writing under Explore for two days now and I am unable to access it. Where would I go to ask if this is being worked on or if something else is wrong? Thanks so much!
Try an email to support, Melissa. I've always found them very helpful. support@goodreads.com
Thanks, Ryan! I just checked again and now it's working! Of course I will keep the email address for possible future problems! I appreciate you!
I agree Ryan. I have had good and timely responses from GR support.
Hi, I just joined this group, I wrote something, and I wanted to share in somewhere, it's a scene, not a story with plot. kind of short. Thanks!
Hello, Yu. Welcome. You can start your own folder in the 'Your Writing' thread and share whatever writing you like there. Merry Christmas :)
What is the word limit and is there a particular topic on which we are supposed to write on?I asked those questions in other threads but 'til then I had not come across this thread....
As a new member, and especially considering all of the other recent first-time submissions, would it benefit the short story contest to have some sort of posted guideline regarding formatting and other issues relating to story submission?Perhaps one of the most frustrating things as an author is when your works get critiqued due to formatting issues, or other more "aesthetic" qualities aside and apart from the actual writing itself. I would be happy to help produce said document once everyone has agreed on standards to be followed.
1001001,
Robot
Hi, Robot.Thank you for your offer. In relation to your question - part of the success of this group has always been linked to the lack of too many rules and regulations.
There already exists a folder that contains the guidelines for short story and poetry submissions: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
The first post of the competition thread each week also contains a shorter version of the relevant rules.
I don't think anything further is required. When members fail to format their stories correctly, they run the risk that no one will take the time to read them or vote. This is especially true with the significant increase in membership and weekly submissions - those who take the time to format and edit will have much greater success.
So, can I post a story that is fanfiction or no?
Hi, Jazmyne. Fanfiction is acceptable as long as it meets all the other entry requirements and is clearly labelled as fanfiction and the original book/author are credited. Thanks for the question :)
Question about submitting short stories: I did read the contest rules, but I wondered if it is acceptable to submit a short story as a PDF file or is it better to just submit directly to the thread?
It should be submitted directly to the thread.
Okay, thank you. One more question that just occurred to me; do I need to be concerned about copyrights and all that jazz? I'd like to think that everyone had enough integrity not to thieve someone else's idea or work, but I guess I have some underlying trust issues. :-)
No offense intended to the group, of course. Just looking for a pleasant idea and story sharing experience.
Check out this link for a pretty in-depth discussion of copyright laws as they pertain to independent authors.http://www.scribophile.com/academy/co...
Great, thank you Robot!
Well that online article certainly enlightened me on copyrights and such. Very informative, thank you again for the help.
so for the due dates...do we have until midnight that day or midnight the day before? like if it's due on the 10th can we turn it in on the 10th, or midnight on the 9th?
Midnight on the last day. So, for your example, you have until the very end of the 10th just before it becomes the 11th. In practice, you have until a moderator posts the polls and the next competition. Sometimes this won't happen until the following day... Just to confuse you ;)
And which time zone should we have as reference?
Why, Goodreads time of course ;)I use the New York time zone on my World Clock ( I'm in Australia) and that seems to be accurate.
Okay, I have a very generalized question that anyone can answer. If anyone has been following my writings I try to post a poem and a story each and every week pertaining to the weekly topic. (I have missed a few here and there though since I joined last March). I have won many of the contests (not bragging, just saying) and it has been a major boost to my self-esteem and confidence. I just recently joined another group - not here on GoodReads but a different site altogether. I have posted many of the stories that have won the contests and received some very, very harsh criticisms. I welcome feedback and try to use it to help hone my writing skills. What I need to know is, do you view me as a good writer? I know I can improve, everyone can improve something in their lives but am I good enough to continue and try to follow through with my dream? I don't want things sugar-coated but I just need to know for myself. I am trying not to let negativity get to me but I need to honestly look beyond the dream and get realistic. Thank you to anyone who answers. Be brutal if you must.
Without a doubt, Melissa.Your commitment and output are phenomenal, I am in awe of your ability to offer both a poem and story week in and week out. The quality of your writing has been very high right from the outset but I can see a strong and steady growth, too. I think your writing has matured and gained far more complexity while your ability to tell a story succinctly and with impact has deepened. You have a very good grasp of language and of the elements that make a poem or story endear themselves to a reader.
Writing involves investing a part of yourself and putting it out into the world to face the scrutiny of others so it is only natural for confidence to waver from time to time. Be bold, be confident and chase your dream with every bit of determination you can muster.
Feedback is important for growth but don't be tricked into thinking that someone else's opinion is always better than your own. It is only natural to put more faith in others, as we are each keenly aware of our own perceived flaws and short comings, but it isn't the case that they are always right.
This group certainly errs on the side of praise rather than harsh criticism (one of the charms, for me) but I think your writing is very good and most enjoyable. I think you can take your writing as far as you choose to take it as long as you step boldly. You are a writer, that is beyond question, and you certainly have the talent to succeed. Ultimately though, if you write for your own pleasure and enjoyment, then you've already won :o)
Ryan, Thank you so, so much for this! You don't know what it means to me! Your high praise has almost made me cry! I consider it an honor to receive such kind words. I do doubt myself from time to time just as anyone would but I just feel jumped on by the writers in this other group. I understand that I may not have a comma in the right place or could use a different word in another (which is still important, don't get me wrong) but what about my overall story? I think some people are so set on crossed t's and dotted i's that they don't read the story for enjoyment. If I am going to send something to a publisher I will fine-tooth comb every single mark on the page, of course. I try to be a stickler for all things perfect but none of us are perfect, right? I need to deal with sensitivity issues I guess and let the harshness of the world roll off my back. Thank goodness for people like you who lift me up instead of bring me down. :)
Hey guys, what's the max word count on a story entered in the contest?
Al, I don't know how I missed your comment to my question but I wanted to thank you (better late than never!) Everyone here boosts my confidence so much! When I am having a bad day or just plain doubting myself I know that I can come hang out here for a while and then I feel so awesome!!!
Ryan wrote: "Hi, Ruth. 3,500 words is the maximum."Thank you!
I have a question about writing a story, not necessarily on this page but on the whole goodreads site, it has a spot for chapter title but I don't know how to start another chapter. Do you have to write a certain amount and it'll offer that option or am I missing something?
Hi Emily, each story/writing on the My Writing folder (Goodreads site) has the Edit/Add Chapter link on the side. I'm not sure if I explained it well, lol! Let me know if you still have trouble with it and sorry for the late response :)
Hi! I just want to know if members of the group are allowed to make polls not related to the weekly contests? For example, a survey about stuff that maybe needed for school or work research, or just personal curiosity?I just need to make a survey to prove a point to a friend of mine, but if it's not allowed, I'm cool with that too. No worries. :)
Thanks!
Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (other topics)The Lost Hero (other topics)
The only rule relating to this is that you don't post a story or poem for the competition that you've already used in previous competitions on this site.
Other than that, it is your writing - use it whenever and wherever you choose.
Hope that makes sense and thanks for asking :)