Topic: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Okay, what can we dream up for the next contest? On other threads, I've put westerns combined with comedy, drama or whatever. I've also suggest poetic horror and comical poetry. Get as wild as you want! Conversely, be as conservative as you wish. Here's another one from me: short stories that are built along the lines of a Stephen King creation or stories with SK as the main character. Length: micro fiction to novelette.

Then too, I'm not trying to boss anyone(I know Sol has mentioned poetry). I'm just trying to stir appetites for another contest.

Mike

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

If we happen to go with the Stephen King idea, the winner/s, in lieu of money, get to meet SK. Kidding:-)

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

There are so many great ideas out there.  The one we just finished with the laundromat photo was the most fun one I've ever participated in.  I loved all the cool stories that came from that one!  Poetry would be out for me, but there are some great writers on here (including YOU, Mike Jackson) who could do justice to that category.   I have a suggestion (since Christmas will be here in 122 days from today).  How about a Christmas tale, any genre??  We could name the M.C. Elroy (or whatever) and have everyone write a story around that name.  We would then see just how naughty or nice little Elroy can be. 

Just a thought!!  Anybody else????

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Hey, MJ, I'd say that's not a bad idea at all. Maybe a combo of Christmas, Elroy, Stephen King, and some possessed reindeer, lol. Have Elroy battle King and his demonic elves and nasty reindeer:-) Have King as Santa(spelled another way, that's Satan:-)So it's M.C. Elroy versus the AntiClause/Stephen Kink! Maybe we could, somehow, blend in the crew of Star Trek to help battle the Kingster.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

There are several talented horror writers on this site, and all the Stephen King talk has me wondering if a straight horror contest would work (with a word count limit but not too many other constraints to limit the creativity or make things too contrived). Not my genre, but I'd love to read those entries. May the creepiest, most disturbing, gut-wrenching yarn win...

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Be nice to have a contest where the minimum word count needs to be 5,000 words. The higher the better! Any genre, just make it nice and long! Who's with me? *crickets*

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7 Reply by mikejackson1127 (edited by mikejackson1127 2017-08-26 08:11:52)

Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

You're right, Gray. A horror story contest with visceral and/or psychological elements would be cool!

5,000 words minimum...well, not impossible, Seabrass, but maybe a bit daunting. Then too, if the story arc is well done and the plot is fairly intricate, then probably it wouldn't be that tough of a task. Hopefully, we'll get many more opinions on word count, genre, etc. But I'd say we're off to a pretty good start.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

So we have a 5000-word creepy Christmas horror story with Elroy as the MC and a battle to the finish with SK.  What fun!!

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

I vote for a horror story,too! To be completed by Halloween, the winner to be announced on October 31.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

I agree with you JP. That's plenty of time to complete it, and the timing is ideal:-)

Another thing we need to ascertain is whether old, pre-posted stories can be entered. That was allowed in the fall, 2015 contest.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

LOL. Good one, MJ! What if Santa wore a black suit with red trim, had only one eye, in his forehead, shot fire out his mouth and backside(his black suit wouldn't be affected), had smaller dragons instead of reindeer, and delivered dug-up corpses in lieu of presents? :-)

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Besides deciding whether pre-posted stories can be entered, I have a few other questions about contests in general. The Flash Fiction one was my first.
If you submit an entry before the deadline, can you edit it? I did this (many times) and worried I was disqualifying myself, but it seems to make sense that, if people can review your submissions, you can edit them.
What are the criteria for judging?
Who are the judges?

I also want to add that a 5,000 word story would take me a long time (I'm a perfectionist) so it would have to become my main writing focus which it won't be. I'm gearing up to working on my first full-length short story, and I already know what I want to write about. It's not horror. But that's ok, I'll enjoy reading what you all post. And there will be other contests.
What would be a challenge for me is to post an un-edited first draft.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Not sure if the site logistics would allow for this, but it would be interesting to have a contest in which members vote for the winning entry(s) -- obviously, one vote per member.  That would take the judging burden off Sol and the editorial board, and make it easy to declare a winner by Halloween, as JP suggested.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

First of all. we're just shooting off our mouths (or keyboards). The decision whether or not to stage a contest is Sol's, not ours, although he does consider our input.  He is the one who arranges for judging, I believe.
Since the main purpose of tnbw is to learn through the process of critique, edit and rewrite, OF COURSE you're allowed to rework your story, right up until the cutoff date.
5,000 words is just a number. I don't know if I can meet that as a minimum, either. I'd like to hear from others about that.
And remember, we're just speculating.  JP

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

mikejackson1127 wrote:

I agree with you JP. That's plenty of time to complete it, and the timing is ideal:-)

Another thing we need to ascertain is whether old, pre-posted stories can be entered. That was allowed in the fall, 2015 contest.

Typically a story can be entered in a contest if it has only been posted a very short time before the contest starts; otherwise the story can be reposted (using appropriate publishing credits) within the timeframe of the contest to be a valid entry. Take care. Vern

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Karen van Kriedt wrote:

I also want to add that a 5,000 word story would take me a long time (I'm a perfectionist) so it would have to become my main writing focus which it won't be. I'm gearing up to working on my first full-length short story, and I already know what I want to write about. It's not horror. But that's ok, I'll enjoy reading what you all post. And there will be other contests.
What would be a challenge for me is to post an un-edited first draft.

You can edit it anytime between the time you post it and the deadline for the contest to end.  It does nothing to what you've posted because the judges don't start until all of them are in.

As for length, we could say it has to be something like 'no less than 3000 words, no more than 5000 words.'  Some folks like long stories; others may not want to make it their primary writing project.

I personally don't write horror stories, and the majority of them I don't like to read.  But I think we have some great writers on here who would excel in it.  I don't mind reading some for the contest, and believe it would be a hoot!!

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Much thanks, Vern.

I think you have a very fine idea, Gray. Maybe allow for a set period of time for people on this site to vote. In just one week there'd likely be MANY votes!

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Here's an idea, just an idea, but hows about the next contest be about speech-writing? (Lord knows our President would do well to stick to the teleprompter, right?) Fictional of course. Meaning your treatise could be patterned after the Gettysburg Address or Marc Antony or I Have A Dream or... Perhaps it's coming from the mayoral candidate of a small town (or big city) giving a political speech in the now, the ancient past, or the near future. Or it could be an Oscar/Grammy/Tony acceptance speech. Or a coach's speech to the team before the big game. Or a Best Man's wedding toast. Or... Well, y'all get the picture. Pick an occasion/subject and then orate your balls off!

Personally, I was kinda inspired by Conor McGregor's ringside interview tonight. After he lost the big fight to Floyd Mayweather. His words were extemporaneous, articulate, and gracious in defeat, yet not defeatist. If that makes any sense. Anyway... Compose a 3000 word long speech. That's my idea. Would that be a good contest? Or am I just full of hot air?

Cheers

John

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

John Hamler wrote:

(Lord knows our President would do well to stick to the teleprompter, right?)

Or learn he doesn't have to turn his whole body when he looks to the one on the other side.

I like your idea, too, John!  'Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth ...'

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

I Have a Dream! That we as a nation rouse our sleeping common sense and shout at the top of our lungs, "No more. No more." No more of the incompetent political juggernaut which is destroying the hope which gave birth to this great country. No more political acquiescence to the lies and hatred emanating from what should be a bright and shining light beckoning the rest of the world to follow our path to freedom and tolerance. No more threats to any who would question a would be god who dresses in self glorification demanding loyalty when none is due or given in return. No more ....

Take care. Vern

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Interesting ideas. I'm going to continue following this thread and we'll launch a new contest by the beginning of next week.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

vern wrote:

I Have a Dream! That we as a nation rouse our sleeping common sense and shout at the top of our lungs, "No more. No more." No more of the incompetent political juggernaut which is destroying the hope which gave birth to this great country. No more political acquiescence to the lies and hatred emanating from what should be a bright and shining light beckoning the rest of the world to follow our path to freedom and tolerance. No more threats to any who would question a would be god who dresses in self glorification demanding loyalty when none is due or given in return. No more ....

Take care. Vern

Hear, hear!!!
Memphis Trace

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

j p lundstrom wrote:

I vote for a horror story, too! To be completed by Halloween, the winner to be announced on October 31.

I like that idea, J P.  Maybe relax the genre a little to include ghost story and/or horror since Halloween is approaching.  I think if we make the genre reach out further, we may have more entries.  I look forward to reading some great stories.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

Seabrass wrote:

Be nice to have a contest where the minimum word count needs to be 5,000 words. The higher the better! Any genre, just make it nice and long! Who's with me? *crickets*

I'm with you!
God knows I'm verbose.

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Re: WANTED: grist for the next contest mill.

SolN wrote:

Interesting ideas. I'm going to continue following this thread and we'll launch a new contest by the beginning of next week.

Yippee! Thanks, Sol.  JP

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