Summer Contest – Aquamarine comment thread.

[Tau]

This is thread is for all comments and question related to the Summer contest.

[Michael D]

So - can we makes noms for anyone? For anything? (other than poetry, which seems to have a stand-alone category).

M

[Tau]

Noms?

[Ilseum]

Nominations, I think.

All entries will be put into a poll once the contest is over, and members can vote for their favourite (or favourites, if there are a lot of entries)

[Tau]

Ah, I see. Though I am still la little confused by Michael D’s question.

In the prose category you can enter a written piece up to 2000 words long that is somehow connected to or inspired by the theme. The only limitation is that the material must be suitable for the open forum (so not anything that would otherwise be in the Adult content section).

The poetry category follows the same idea except that it is for Poetry and is limited to 24 lines instead of 2000 words.

[FX Lord]

Aquamarine? Who came up with that?

FX sighs.

Oh well, will do my best.

[Tau]

Me, unfortunately; I am sure you can rise to the challenge.

[Nacia]

hi Tau glad this is back.
much missed.
will see what we can come up with

[Bagit]

Contest!

I'd love to see many entries . . . just which two are going to strut around here for three months crowned WINNER! Now that, my friends, will leave a legacy!

[Michael D]

I sincerely hope that we will see more entries.

M

[FX Lord]

Originally Posted by Michael D

I sincerely hope that we will see more entries.

M

No worries. There's at least mine to go (the moment I come up with one that is).

[Michael D]

C'mon FX... don't leave me hangin'.

[FX Lord]

Originally Posted by Michael D

C'mon FX... don't leave me hangin'.

Hey man, I can't rush it.

Ideas gestate for weeks or months in my mind, when I eventually sit down to write them I tend to do it in one sitting. Almost all my work is first draft as the earlier drafts were worked out in my head.

I have a good idea, I think, so it shouldn't be long now.

From the looks of it, it could just be a case of you versus me - may the best man win

[FX Lord]

Finally, my entry is up.

I have never written a first person story before - I detest such a form generally - but felt this story needed it.

Hope you enjoy it, those who read it.

Now on that very subject, looking back at the voting thread of the last competition, I get the feeling that not very many people do read these. Last time we had six entries and six votes, implying that only those who participate actually read the stories and vote.

I did ask, if I recall, if I could spam the other threads with invitations but never received any response from a moderator, thus I didn't.

Such a thing needs advertising surely.

[Tau]

Thank you for entering.

Well I made a forum wide announcement a couple of days ago, so hopefully a few more people have seen the contest and are gearing up to post. You are right however, entries and participation has gone down over the last two years or so.

As I always read and vote then last time not even all who entered voted. Sadly.

By all means direct people to the contest, but spamming is not allowed. Rather if you see a situation where it is appropriate then do tell members. I often tell new members in introduction if their introduction indicates that they are looking for inspiration rather than just help with their current work.

[Michael D]

Nice work, FX. Fishy... but nice. ; )

M

[FX Lord]

I was pleasantly surprised by Gloria's piece. At 479 words and with only one line of dialogue, I presumed it was lacklustre to say the least.

Then I read it and felt quite touched, this work did manage - with an efficiency of words - to evoke emotion, which is the whole point of storytelling after all.

Of course, I must remember that 'The Hiding Place' was only 600-odd words - although my reason for that was it was told from a young child's point-of-view - so that does go to show that the number of words is irrelevant. It is what you capture in those words that matters.

Good job, Gloria.

[Michael D]

And the views are tied up!!!

[Michael D]

Surely (as well as Shirley) there are more entries waiting to be presented?

[max crash]

just posted, as usual the machine wadded it up, I asked tau permission to edit and put some spacing back in it- so please ignore he wall of words -a work order has been submitted.

Max

[Michael D]

It is a shame that there were so few entries, especially considering the sheer number of people that are part of the site, and the number of those that are equipped to make a contribution.
I will assume that there is more at play here than a mere lack of inspiration? Ah, well.

M

[max crash]

It does seem like a very small turn out, but I guess you can't tell who the real players are without a contest.

Max

[Michael D]

Well, I don't consider myself a "real player", Max... unless you're silly enough to be opposite of me on a paintball field.

M

[max crash]

never tried paint ball, it sound like fun but...

although I don't move as well as I used to and I'm for sure a larger target.

I was trained as a sniper, back in the 70s. I would need a better scope these today. Do they have snipers in paintball?

I guess I'm a real player, I'll try anything, I religiously buy lottery tickets even though the odds of winning are non existent. I'll talk about my story in the contest after the voting.

why don't more people enter? Do they think they are to 'good a writer' or... what?

in my not so understated opinion, we should be supporting the community so it can grow, even if our stories are not so good.

that's just the way I see it.

Max

[Tau]

Voting thread is coming as soon as I have enough brainpower to think straight, or enough ibuprofen to override the headacheSilence the interstellar war in my skull.

[Michael D]

Take your time, Cookie Man. It's not as if this is going to be an event to remember.

M

[Michael D]

"It's not a tuma!"

[Ilseum]

Cookie Man

Hehe, I like that. I may just start calling Tau that from now on

Good luck to all those who entered!

[Michael D]

Is he alright? I sympathize with migraine sufferers.

[Michael D]

Tao - perhaps if you were giving away Top Gear studio tickets to voters?