Discuss the January/February writing competition here. Please wait until the entry thread is up and linked from this thread before posting here.
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
I remember discussing this MWC theme a few months ago - I'm glad this contest is actually going to happen!
I already have had a few ideas spring to mind - now I just need to find the time to crank it out.
So how do we go about posting this? I'm wondering if we're supposed to post a 20 word story seperate or together or what, because frankly it'd be easy just to write a 20 word summary of a story you already have written or something along those lines and easily do this. Tbh this seems like one of the easier Mwc's if I'm reading correctly.
I was thinking about writing mine in a journal style. I can't really give more details than that because I don't want to give my ideas away.
Anyway, my questions are is this alright to do and if so would the date be considered three words? for example Jan. 26th 2010.
At 1/26/10 10:09 PM, Fro wrote: I was thinking about writing mine in a journal style. I can't really give more details than that because I don't want to give my ideas away.
Anyway, my questions are is this alright to do and if so would the date be considered three words? for example Jan. 26th 2010.
Yeah, there's no reason why you can't write in that style. People have done it in these competitions before. And yes, if you write the date like that it'd be considered three words. Mostly due to the fact that that's how it'd be picked up in word counters, whereas something like 26/01/2010 could pass off as one word.
At 1/26/10 09:58 PM, Ass-Crumb wrote: So how do we go about posting this? I'm wondering if we're supposed to post a 20 word story seperate or together or what, because frankly it'd be easy just to write a 20 word summary of a story you already have written or something along those lines and easily do this. Tbh this seems like one of the easier Mwc's if I'm reading correctly.
If that's what you think, then I doubt you'll be able to succeed with the first story. The twenty word story is not a summary. It is a story in its own right. Judges will be taking into consideration the stories both on an individual basis and a whole. Underestimating a 20 word story could severely damage the quality of your entry. 20 words on the dot and still having a story out of it can be much harder than, say, a 1,000 word or 2,000 word story.
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
This should be interesting... ironically, the 20 world limit to the first story is what troubles me most, otherwise, story-wise, I feel pretty confident.
thanks!
The contest looks great, but I'm slightly confused as to the nature of the 20-word story. Can it be a prologue or epilogue-type thing, or is it closer to a summary? For that matter, where in the overall literary area should the shorter story be?
Okay, extremely confused
At 1/26/10 10:35 PM, Reptyle wrote: The contest looks great, but I'm slightly confused as to the nature of the 20-word story. Can it be a prologue or epilogue-type thing, or is it closer to a summary? For that matter, where in the overall literary area should the shorter story be?
Okay, extremely confused
It has to be linked to the other story. It can be any of those things, providing that it holds up as a short story on its own. That's the simplest way I can put it.
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
At 1/26/10 10:35 PM, Reptyle wrote: The contest looks great, but I'm slightly confused as to the nature of the 20-word story. Can it be a prologue or epilogue-type thing, or is it closer to a summary? For that matter, where in the overall literary area should the shorter story be?
Okay, extremely confused
I'd like to ask a similar question: is it possible to make my 20 word story AFTER my long story? It sounded like the short one had to be first, but it didn't say so explicitly.
I admit, I'm confused a bit myself.
thanks!
Holy shit that sounds dead interesting.
The first story, the 20 word one does it have to be like a summary almost of the longer story you're going to do, or is it more of an opening to the second. I've never seen the style before so can't grasp it well :(
Also I hope there is a rule or something on people submitting their unfinished work in this forum. Obviously it would seem like the ideal place but we don't need half written stories filling up the place do we?
Hope it goes well for everyone.
[I've been wandering round but I still come back to you]
I have a question of my own. As some else said, can it be like a prologue or an epilogue? But it also has to be a short story in it's own right, right? Well that's very hard, as making a full on story beginning, middle, and end will be tough. With just 20 words. And then I must leave a cliff hanger to be picked up by the next real story. By that, I mean I can do that right? End it off in a cliff hanger to be brought up in the beginning of the next?
Well anyways if all these things are true I should start blowing threw ideas for a 20 word prologue.
Even as I walk through the shadow of the Valley of Death, I shall fear no Evil. Semper Fidelis
I'm going to probably give it a miss. Got better things to do.
This too will pass.
Memento mori
A few questions. I understand there are no limits to how we do both of these stories but I still feel compelled to ask if we're meant to make the first story lead in or tie in to the second story. Pretty much the first story could be an introduction to the second or a quote or a phrase from the second. So, the ideal scenario is to write the second story before the first. This is all about word limitations but the second story doesn't specfiy the exact number of words. Just somewhere between 2000 and 5000. The First story does, 20 words exactly. So this contest is much more easier to complete if your first story is done after the second. After all, the first story is only twenty words. And it wouldn't take long to complete especially after you're done the second story. Why? Well, if you're finished the second story you already know how to construct the first.
Ofcourse, this all comes down to personal preference on how you want to do these stories.
Anyway, I was going to ask a question wasn't I? Oh well, I guess the point is moot. I know what to do. All that's needed in the idea!
Why are people having trouble understanding the whole first story thing and what it should be?
THEME RULES/RESTRICTIONS
1) You MUST submit two stories.
2) First story word limit: 20 words, exactly.
3) Second story minimum: 2,000 words.
4) Second story maximum: 5,000 words.
5) The second story must build upon your first.
I read the last line and I ask myself what should the story be. I answer in my head, "It should be a 20 word story that builds into the second story." And that's the answer lol.
OK, started mine. I haven't had much luck in the past but oh, what the hell.
The Problems of the Future, by Everyone!
I'm thinking of making it kind of a Tarantino kind of deal- Making the 20 word story the middle of a scene, then the rest being a beginning and end to it, or something along those lines. Seems it'll be hard to have any closure on the short one without it ruining the long one though. :/
At 1/27/10 04:38 PM, Ass-Crumb wrote: I'm thinking of making it kind of a Tarantino kind of deal- Making the 20 word story the middle of a scene, then the rest being a beginning and end to it, or something along those lines. Seems it'll be hard to have any closure on the short one without it ruining the long one though. :/
I kinda think they're supposed to be separate stories, which is where the challenge is supposed to come in...
Bu I can't say that for sure.
thanks!
Hey you guys guess who's judging again
It's me
I'm judging now
You're all so fucked
But seriously, I'll be helping out, and I promise to be much more prompt with my judging than I was with the last contest's judging. My finals schedule really threw me off, and that deluge of last minute entries took me by surprise. So yeah, I'll get my shit together earlier.
I'm sorta wanting to get involved with this, but I have a question.
Is the first story allowed to be a quote from a song?
At 1/28/10 03:08 AM, Dr34m3r wrote: I'm sorta wanting to get involved with this, but I have a question.
Is the first story allowed to be a quote from a song?
NO FUCKING WAY. DO THAT AND I WILL KILL YOU.
I mean, boot your ass from the competition.
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
At 1/28/10 03:50 AM, WritersBlock wrote: NO FUCKING WAY. DO THAT AND I WILL KILL YOU.
NO NEED TO GET VIOLENT
At 1/28/10 04:35 AM, Dr34m3r wrote:At 1/28/10 03:50 AM, WritersBlock wrote: NO FUCKING WAY. DO THAT AND I WILL KILL YOU.NO NEED TO GET VIOLENT
No, but seriously, that'd be plagiarism, which is against the law. :3
READ: "A Fear of Great Heights" and other forthcoming adventures right HERE
Signature Picture by: Spartan204
Help me out here. Do I post like this?
Story 1
Story 2
Or do I post it like this
Story 1 - Post it! >
Story 2 - Post it! >
I want to enter, but I can't if I don't know how. :/
I'm gonna enter this for the hopes of getting back my writing mojo. If I lose well at least I can use the entry for school work in the future.
At 1/28/10 05:04 AM, WritersBlock wrote: No, but seriously, that'd be plagiarism, which is against the law. :3
Fair enough. I'll just have to change my idea.
At 1/28/10 02:47 AM, Luxury-Yacht wrote: Hey you guys guess who's judging again
It's me
I'm judging now
You're all so fucked
*screws up page 1 of draft work* Right, I'll start writing the mindfuck story, instead.
At 1/28/10 05:56 AM, Coop83 wrote:At 1/28/10 02:47 AM, Luxury-Yacht wrote: Hey you guys guess who's judging again*screws up page 1 of draft work* Right, I'll start writing the mindfuck story, instead.
It's me
I'm judging now
You're all so fucked
I honestly lol'd when I read this.
After much thought and a couple of failed attempts I have managed to find 20 words that when put together seem to make a story that can tell several 100 words within itself. As long as I get all of my work done like planned I might have a pretty decent rough draft of the second story finished by this weekend.
Then on to the editing it'll be. I'm assuming that will take several weekends as well.
Hooray I have an idea :D Got my 20 worder out of the way. Unsurprisingly for me I found that to be fairly simple and easy. I might change it around once I get into my second story, but for now I'm happy with it. I think it's a good story idea, now just needs me to fuck it up :D
[I've been wandering round but I still come back to you]
