Writing Challenge Comments, Questions, Answers

[chrispenycate]

Why would anyone want to cheat? Particularly on something that's so easy to check.

If the prize were a publishing contract, or even a signed copy of one of Theresa's books, I could picture acrimonious comments like "It's is a contraction of 'it is', and 'can't' of 'can not' so you've used two words too many." But here we're competing against ourselves as much as each other, so it'd be cheating at solitaire; only a politician could enjoy it.

Finding creative ways round limitations, that's like making the final rhyme in a limerick really strained; a cause for admiration, not admonishment.

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

No worries, Seph my man. And it's good to see you again.



There already seems to be plenty of entries, and this is only day two.....I think it'll shape up to be another April.

[Culhwch]

Writing my story this morning, I was wishing I could use two or three more words. I never thought about trying to sneak them in, though... But it is as Chris says - all about finding creative ways around limitations. And in the end, having to go back and pluck words out actually prompted and inspired me to change things for, I think, the better.

I'm enjoying this exercise a lot, and not finding it nearly so hard as I would have imagined.

[Teresa Edgerton]

I've been working on one for two days, and I can't get it the way I want it to be. And I've been thinking the idea might make a very good short story. So I might not use it.

Meanwhile, I've started another one. I like it, too, so may go with that one.

The problem is, if you post it too soon, you may later think of a better way that you could have written it. (I did that last time.) If you wait too long, someone might post a story that is much too similar to yours and you won't be able to use it.

I suppose if that happens I will have to write a third story.

[chrispenycate]

Did you notice how the voting went last time Some very promising late entries overlooked, probably because people (and I know I'm guilty) had been mulling over possibilities for days, and perhaps didn't give the newcomers quite the attention they deserved. It pays to get in fast.

And I now have three prepared, just in case anyone should choose the right theme… (actually, training exercises.)

I could take two words out of this last one, without crying about it; I know because I put them in when I'd finished and done a word count.

I still maintain it's impossible for me. So's the voting.

[Parson]

I see the post monster struck my previous post here. Here goes again.

Congrats Boneman! You were my choice of a winner from the very beginning.

I have already had one person find what I'd hidden in this month's entry.

[Teresa Edgerton]

I don't think your post disappeared, Parson -- it looks like you put it in the Favorite Stories thread.

We may have too many threads on this contest going ...

[Boneman]

Thank you all for the congrats that have been posted in various places - for those who don't know, it was tie between Mouse and I, until the last voter couldn't choose between them and flipped a coin. It came down my way, and I think equal congrats should go to Mouse, it could just as easily have fallen her way.

You'd think, haven chosen the theme, that I'd be straining for the starter's gun to post a story I'd honed in the last week or so, wouldn't you? Well, I keep reading excellent entries in the May entry - the bar has definitely been raised - and I haven't got a clue what to do!

[Mouse]

Boneman, I guess you're feeling the same as me this time? Got to make the story even better!

I was going to do what some people have done and write a few, then enter the one I thought best. But I sat down, wrote one (it was quite late at night) and then thought bugger it, I'll post it. And that was that. I had words to spare this time so added some in! The thing I deliberated most over was the title of the bloody thing. I still don't like it now!

I think with voting, a lot of the stories are too clever for me and I don't quite 'get' them. I'm nought but a humble pirate.

Thanks everyone for the congrats too, by the way.

[Chel]

First of all, groweling admiration and big grats to both Boneman and Mouse for the excellent stories in the April challenge.

***

I personally found May's challenge harder than April's - maybe because I got my idea for the April challenge as soon as I saw the topic. But "Escape", while every bit as inspiring, had me go through a myriad of options in my mind. When I decided not to use Amilia again (she's a character I played in an epic roleplaying campaign) I found myself with a completely different story in mind than what I had originally thought.

Where I spent maybe 20 minutes on my "Epitaph" for April's challenge, I actually spent hours on "By Chance", tweaking and changing and considering almost every word and exclamation mark.

I have to say, I'm already looking forward to the June challenge - more than I'm looking forward to the poll of this month!

[Culhwch]

Well I believe we've just seen our shortest entry. Robin evidently scoffed at our ludicrously high 75-word limit....

[Devil's Advocate]

Quite right.

I had considered a 'suicide' story, as well. I imagine a lot of us did; the 'Escape' theme lends itself to such macabre ideas, I think. But Robin's got the point across in only... *checking* ... 19 words. Nineteen words!

Maybe she should start her own "20-words or less" competition. Who else will take part, I wonder?

[Parson]

And managed to tell a tale at that. Left me wanting to know more. Perhaps another 20 words or so.

No really, good job.

[Leisha]

Well, I finally made it! I've been away at a wedding for a few days with no internet access - but it gave me time to try several variations on my idea before posting.

I went with the suicide theme, as many others did, working on the idea of "escaping the past" and "escaping memories". I'd considered making the ending happy, and having the man finally accept his past and make peace with himself... but it didn't have as much impact. Meh.

[Robin Goodfellow]

Why thanks guys. I actually wrote it in my head in the shower, but on paper it seemed way to short. So I wrote a longer version. But the first version was much better so I posted it anyway.