Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company! discussion

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message 2351: by Arun (new)

Arun Iyer (aruniyer) | 370 comments My +1 for the poem too :-) Congrats!


message 2352: by Connie (new)

Connie D. | 656 comments Congrats Ryan! I read all the poems and can honestly say I like yours the most.


message 2353: by Ryan (new)

Ryan | 5334 comments Thank you, Arun. Thank you, Connie. I'm so grateful for all the support and nice feedback.


message 2354: by Angie (new)

Angie Pangan | 4795 comments Hey guys! I don't know where else to put this, but I learned something really cool in school this week. Did you know that ants don't actually eat the crumbs/plant bits we see them carry away? They actually take it back to their ant hills to feed to their "gardens" of fungi, which they then eat. I just thought that was the coolest thing :)


message 2355: by Guy (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Indeed it is! I did not know that and thank you for sharing it.


message 2356: by Ryan (new)

Ryan | 5334 comments Very cool, Angie! I love stuff like that. Thanks :)


message 2357: by Connie (new)

Connie D. | 656 comments Really? How interesting.


message 2358: by Edward (new)

Edward (edwardtheresejr) | 2434 comments For those of y'all interesting, I've started a new group called the Writers' Training Field, which is basically just an assortment of word and story games. One could use it a bit like Brain Age - a mental work out to flex your wordplay and similar intellectual muscles before cracking down on writing. It's also just a lot of fun.

It's public, so anyone can join wherever they like and jump right in. Some games are classics, some are lesser known, and a few are outright experimental.


message 2359: by Guy (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Sounds like fun, Edward.


message 2360: by Ruthie (last edited May 27, 2015 01:19AM) (new)

Ruthie (bluephoenix20) | 129 comments Hi.. I was just browsing some of the activities in this group, especially the Games section. I kind of want to suggest this game I have in mind. I don't know if you've seen one like this before, so tell me if my idea is not so original, after all.

Anyway, the game goes like this:

1) One person will write a paragraph that is a beginning of a story. She/He cannot say the genre, plot or anything about the story - just one paragraph.
2) The next person will continue the story with another paragraph, and so on and so forth. They can add twists, subplots and other characters if they wish, as long as it's contained in one paragraph.
3) This will continue on and on. If one person decides to end the story, she/he must write a new paragraph for a new story. And the games will continue.
4) Plot twist: all paragraphs must end in a cliffhanger (...), except the ending paragraph.

No word limit - just something to stir the minds, and keep the creative juices flowing.

So, what do you think?


message 2361: by [deleted user] (new)

Hi Ruthie! Thank you for your suggestion. I like the cliffhanger part haha I'll let the other mods know, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible :)


message 2362: by Ruthie (new)

Ruthie (bluephoenix20) | 129 comments Thanks, Leslie. Hope they like it too. :)


message 2363: by Ryan (new)

Ryan | 5334 comments Cool idea, Ruthie. I'm in :)


message 2364: by Nadia (new)

Nadia | 690 comments That sounds like a lot of fun.


message 2365: by Guy (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments This sounds like fun! I would be a participant too. Or would that be better expressed as a 'player'?


message 2366: by Connie (new)

Connie D. | 656 comments I've done this before (informally) in other face-to-face writing groups and it is really fun!


message 2367: by Guy (last edited May 27, 2015 10:35PM) (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Congratulations to M on his being on Amy King's poetry competion for June! Excellent poem, M. :-)


message 2368: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Excellent poem indeed, M! I hope you win the whole contest! :)


message 2369: by Ruthie (new)

Ruthie (bluephoenix20) | 129 comments Congrats, M! I wish I could vote, but I am not a member of that group. But if I could, I'd definitely vote for you. Good luck! :)


message 2370: by Garrison (last edited Jun 02, 2015 08:48PM) (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments I'm about to post this blog entry on my Deviant Art account and thought it'd be nice to post it here as well:



***MY 30TH BIRTHDAY***

Even though my mother jokingly says it’s June 3rd in Greenwich, England, I still have one night of being 29 years old left. Tomorrow (in Port Orchard, Washington), I hit the big 3-0. Three decades of weird stuff has all culminated into this moment, whatever that may be. People have asked me if I’m worried about growing older or if I’m going to be traumatized by my new age.

The answer is no. The number 30 is just that: a number. It’s no different from 25 or 18 or even 60. I’m still going to be Garrison Haines-Temons, or Garrison Kelly for those of you who read my work on a consistent basis. I used to think turning 21 was a big deal until I remembered that I don’t like alcoholic beverages. Turning 18 was a big deal too until I remembered that I hate cigarettes even more. Being in my 30’s is going to be met with the same modesty as any other year.

In hindsight, it’s a good thing I already chose my career path of becoming a professional author. When you’re trying to be a singer or an actor, making it big while you’re young is essential to the success of your career. If you’re an author and you haven’t made it big yet, don’t sweat it, because a lot of authors don’t get published until well into their middle ages.

While it is true that my only published work is through vanity presses and those works were published prematurely, I’m not bitter about not yet being traditionally published at age 30. Even with all of this writing and reading experience under my belt, I’m still not ready for the limelight. Occupy Wrestling has only seen one pair of critical eyes and I need more in order to make it 100% sharpened. Same thing with my contemporary drama short story collection American Darkness.

The day will come when other beta readers will give me their true opinions. Until then, I’m happy with being 30, because there’s so much more ahead of me now that I’ve accomplished the little things I have. And if I’m still feeling bad about being an “old man”, I can just remember that I have a baby face and I still make birthday present lists every year for my loving parents. Even at the age of 30, I’m still just a big kid at heart and that’s the way I like it. We’ve got ears, say cheers!


message 2371: by Ryan (new)

Ryan | 5334 comments Well Garrison, my dear friend - it is also the 3rd down under in the land of Oz, so I'll take the opportunity to be the first pirate to wish you a very merry 30th birthday!

Mate, I admire your positive outlook on life and agree with you whole-heartedly! I have no doubt you will have publishing success in the future - your perseverance guarantees it. Thirty is a great year - enjoy it with careless abandon ;)


message 2372: by [deleted user] (new)

Happy Birthday, Garrison! May your life be filled with so much joy, peace and love :) Welcome to the 30s club :P


message 2373: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments You two have been awesome to me ever since I joined the group in late 2013. Thank you so much! :)


message 2374: by Arun (new)

Arun Iyer (aruniyer) | 370 comments Whoa! Happy Birthday! Welcome to the club of 30s :-)


message 2375: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Thank you very much, Arun! :)


message 2376: by Guy (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Thirty, eh? Congratulations on having made it this far! ;-)


message 2377: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Thanks, guy! I hope to make it much further. :)


message 2378: by [deleted user] (new)

Yes, Al :) Though chat has been free-flowing, can't say the same for the cookies. I want brownies, by the way :)


message 2379: by Guy (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Cookie or kookie?


message 2380: by Connie (new)

Connie D. | 656 comments Happy Birthday Garrison I hope your loving parents get you a super awesome gift. I think with your eclectic interests it would be fun shopping for you!


message 2381: by Ruthie (new)

Ruthie (bluephoenix20) | 129 comments Happy Birthday, Garrison!! 5 more years and I'll see you in club 30's.. :)

I wish you happiness and good health. Cheers to your 30 years and for the next 30 years!!


message 2382: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Aww! You guys are awesome! Thank you all so much! :)


message 2383: by C. J., Cool yet firm like ice (new)

C. J. Scurria (goodreadscomcj_scurria) | 4483 comments Happy Birthday Garrison! My brother knows what you are talking about as he is in the same boat (he turns 30 in July!). Hope you have a wonderful day and keep on shining, buddy!


message 2384: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Thanks, CJ! Thirty is a magical time of life and should be enjoyed to the fullest extent. :)


message 2385: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Hey, everyone! From this coming Monday until the Wednesday after, I’m going to be on vacation with my best friend Susan to Long Beach, Washington. If Long Beach sounds familiar to everyone, it’s because I went there last year and did a whole bunch of fun stuff like play on the beach and drive go-karts. This year, I’m going to do all of that again.

The reason I’m telling everyone this is not to brag, but because it has implications on that week’s story contest. Due to my vacation time, I might be able to pump out something that week, but I also might not. The only days I have to work with that week would be Sunday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday will probably be used preparing for the vacation and the last three days will probably be spent in recovery mode. If I don’t submit an entry for next week, it’s because I’m out in Long Beach having a good time for my 30th birthday. See you all soon!


message 2386: by Angie (new)

Angie Pangan | 4795 comments Have fun on your vacation, Garrison! Make sure to stay safe, too :)


message 2387: by Angie (new)

Angie Pangan | 4795 comments My SAT and ACT are now behind me for the summer, so I fully intend to submit something for this week's short story contest. If I haven't gotten anything up by Thursday, will someone bug me to get it done? I really want to get back into the swing of things :)


message 2388: by Guy (last edited Jun 13, 2015 08:37PM) (new)

Guy (egajd) | 11249 comments Congratulations! No bugging from me, sorry. But it is so much fun to write here that you will not need to be bugged. (Odd. 'Bugged' fits the next word transformation.)


message 2389: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Thanks, Angie! And congratulations on passing those tests! :)


message 2390: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments There's been a change of plans regarding the three-day vacation. It's been cancelled altogether. But when one door closes, another one opens. I'm definitely competing in next week's contest.


message 2391: by Marie (new)

Marie (naturechild02) Too bad Garrison, I know you were looking forward to it.


message 2392: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments I was, Marie. Oh well.


message 2393: by Angie (new)

Angie Pangan | 4795 comments Thanks everyone :) And maybe you can write a vacation themed story this week, Garrison?


message 2394: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments It's a nice thought, Angela, but I have an idea of what I want to do already. :)


message 2395: by Angie (new)

Angie Pangan | 4795 comments Can't wait to read it, Garrison :)


message 2396: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments I'm getting ready to post it right now. :)


message 2397: by Marie (new)

Marie (naturechild02) Oh, I need to go check out the new topic!

Ooooh, that's a good one. Hmm, what to write about? Tough decision, I have so many story ideas that have a metaphorical or a physical knife in the back that it's hard to decide.


message 2398: by Garrison (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Why not have both? Hehehehehe!


message 2399: by Marie (new)

Marie (naturechild02) Perhaps my friend. Perhaps...


message 2400: by Garrison (last edited Jun 14, 2015 10:57PM) (new)

Garrison Kelly (cybador) | 10136 comments Whichever you choose, don't forget to splash a little blood on your canvas. Like the heavy metal group Hellyeah always says, "Sangre por Sangre, Blood for Blood"! Hehehehehe!


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