Thread: [Story Challenge Feb/Mar] Voting now open! Winning Topic Announcement, Ongoing Discussion.

My story might be quite short. I wonder how it'll turn out? I'm finally settling upon an idea.

My previous idea was an allegory starring rats in a basement. The first rat would represent rashness and greed, while the other would represent caution and conservation. The first dies in a mouse trap shortly after whiffing the alluring scent of cheese. The second rat smells the blood on the reset trap, and contemplates whether to grab the cheese until it starves. The more I thought about it, the cornier it sounded. I might still write it, but not for this contest.

Originally Posted by Abra

My story might be quite short. I wonder how it'll turn out? I'm finally settling upon an idea.

My previous idea was an allegory starring rats in a basement. The first rat would represent rashness and greed, while the other would represent caution and conservation. The first dies in a mouse trap shortly after whiffing the alluring scent of cheese. The second rat smells the blood on the reset trap, and contemplates whether to grab the cheese until it starves. The more I thought about it, the cornier it sounded. I might still write it, but not for this contest.

And after that all you have to do is rewrite the Bible with shrews.

Originally Posted by Identity X

And after that all you have to do is rewrite the Bible with shrews.

Exactly what I was thinking.

heh, mine may be a little late

I'm writing my other three pages tonight...

This confirms that mine without doubt will be the shortest...

-feels like a man with his head under the guillotine-

Woo! I've got almost two pages done!

Now for that other page-ish. The main event.

Mine will be late, if in at all.

Yah, I have a way to go on mine... Still haven't figured out exactly what's going to happen to them.

I thought about submitting my (good-sized) fan fic if I finished it (and yes, there's death involved)... or at least the second part, but I figured that would just be a cop-out. This deserves more than a five year-old fan fic.

I decided to finish the last page or so of mine today. So it may be Saturday before I get it actually submitted. Still got the editing to do.


I've been told by family members that it's pretty good so far, at least.

Mine's turning out pretty short as well. Four pages, tops. I know how it'll end, and the beginning rocks, but I don't want the middle to be too rushed. On the other hand, I can't stretch it too far, either. I think a total of four pages should get me where I want.

Aw crap, DV strikes again. I'm trying to work on my story, but here I am at DV. Someone kick me off!

Since mine is the start of something much bigger (I may go up to as much as 40 pages with the final piece) it starts a bit slow. The first two pages are ramping up, describing the events leading up to the main object briefly. The last three pages, though, will be action-packed and awesome, if I do say so myself. Off to write that last page and a bit now.

Originally Posted by GestaltAlteration

Mine will be late, if in at all.

Same here

Originally Posted by Elis D.

Same here

Due to a dissertation, small matters regarding finding a career, and a cold mine may be too (and yes I know I was the one who set this deadline ha ha).

Still, I'll put the submission thread up. Mine won't appear there until Monday I think. Maybe a short bit tonight, maybe not.

This is the first (hopefully not last) challenge, and although late submissions will always be very welcome, I think this challenge deserves a grace period more than subsequent ones.

Originally Posted by Abra

Mine's turning out pretty short as well. Four pages, tops. I know how it'll end, and the beginning rocks, but I don't want the middle to be too rushed. On the other hand, I can't stretch it too far, either. I think a total of four pages should get me where I want.

ROLF. Complaining about FOUR pages and saying its short. Mine doesn't fill one page XD you guys need to stop worrying.

And as for the beginning and end... its scientifically proven that is what people remember most ^_^ so you're doing good.

I'm finished! Where's the topic?

Awesome story MoS, I loved the imagery and word choices.

I was kind of expecting a twist at the end, but a great story nonetheless.

Edit: I see this is only a part in a series, I'm looking forward to the rest.

Originally Posted by Grod

Awesome story MoS, I loved the imagery and word choices.

I was kind of expecting a twist at the end, but a great story nonetheless.

Edit: I see this is only a part in a series, I'm looking forward to the rest.

Thanks, man! Yeah, it's just sort of the Prologue chapter, as it were, to a much longer storyline. If it had been a stand-alone story, there would've indeed been a twist.

I have an idea for next Month's contest

I have PMed Identity about this, but I don't think he got it. Anyways, I've talked this over with Ame, and feel its a pretty good idea to do...

I'm not saying that the people of DVs are biased... however, it is proven and widely known by the psychology community that some bias is impossible to avoid. Some of it is unconscious, and we really aren't in control of it.

To avoid this, I suggest the next contest have stories submitted... without names behind them. Keep your time limits, your vote for the subject (a GREAT touch I might add. Kudos to whoever came up with that idea), but instead of submitting like we have, all pieces will be given to Identity X (or someone else in charge) and we'll trust him not to vote in the poll.

This would not only avoid bias, but it would have a very streamlined system. Someone will have to find a good host or host the files themselves... but it will all be centralized this way, and that'll do better for the voting as well.

You can even have submissions that are submitted early in view of the public (you later entering contestants cannot deny that it has motivated you someway or another xP).

My point is, that people will be voting solely based upon content. Voters will choose by title, not by author.

I hope you don't mind that I moved this here, Aspiration. I figured the other thread was more for discussion of the submissions.

I got it in my head at first that this was a competition, but it's just a "challenge." It's a chance for all of us writers to make ourselves write and share what we end up with with everyone else. I also consider it practice in providing constructive criticism to the other authors. I think that we sometimes need to take the time to figure out what we like or dislike about a piece and why. Discovering those things make us better writers, I believe.

Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

I hope you don't mind that I moved this here, Aspiration. I figured the other thread was more for discussion of the submissions.

I got it in my head at first that this was a competition, but it's just a "challenge." It's a chance for all of us writers to make ourselves write and share what we end up with with everyone else. I also consider it practice in providing constructive criticism to the other authors. I think that we sometimes need to take the time to figure out what we like or dislike about a piece and why. Discovering those things make us better writers, I believe.

You're right. Sorry 'bout that.

Originally Posted by AspirationRealized

I have an idea for next Month's contest

I have PMed Identity about this, but I don't think he got it. Anyways, I've talked this over with Ame, and feel its a pretty good idea to do...

I'm not saying that the people of DVs are biased... however, it is proven and widely known by the psychology community that some bias is impossible to avoid. Some of it is unconscious, and we really aren't in control of it.

To avoid this, I suggest the next contest have stories submitted... without names behind them. Keep your time limits, your vote for the subject (a GREAT touch I might add. Kudos to whoever came up with that idea), but instead of submitting like we have, all pieces will be given to Identity X (or someone else in charge) and we'll trust him not to vote in the poll.

This would not only avoid bias, but it would have a very streamlined system. Someone will have to find a good host or host the files themselves... but it will all be centralized this way, and that'll do better for the voting as well.

You can even have submissions that are submitted early in view of the public (you later entering contestants cannot deny that it has motivated you someway or another xP).

My point is, that people will be voting solely based upon content. Voters will choose by title, not by author.

There will be no such competition/vote so therefore no vote on which to place bias.

Originally Posted by Identity X

There will be no such competition/vote so therefore no vote on which to place bias.

Yeah. I misunderstood this whole thing.

Always the last to know >.> but its my own fault.