Print Page | Close Window

What did you get and how do you feel about it?

Printed From: NYC Midnight : Creative Writing & Screenwriting
Category: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Forum Name: Creative Writing Corner
Forum Description: Discuss NYC Midnight Creative Writing Competitions or Creative Writing in general.
URL: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14530
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 10:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: What did you get and how do you feel about it?
Posted By: patsy
Subject: What did you get and how do you feel about it?
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:11pm
So, what did you get and how do you feel about it?

Lucky 13: Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I can work with that.  Tongue

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic55064_post587222.html#587222" rel="nofollow - My FF R2 Link    
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic55503_post592921.html#592921" rel="nofollow - My 500W R1 Link



Replies:
Posted By: Josh
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:16pm
Heat 16 - Comedy - Overstaying a welcome - A cake Decorator. 

Initial reaction was WTF am I going to do with this without being cliche or trite? 

Sleep generally helps figure things out though.


-------------
Read my story https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic49854_post525715.html#525715" rel="nofollow - No Such Thing as a Dry Town
When El Cabrón Was Around


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:17pm
Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: taequeendo
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:18pm
Suspense, a funeral, and a tutor..... and frankly I'm terrified O_o especially with the time constraint

-------------
R1/H95 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yV9xna7Ldxjzx6S2cXgZ0H31C6BwLZLvW2OtIswU9ko/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow - Till Death Do Us Part


Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:24pm
Horror / Door-to-door sales / Unemployed 40-year old man

I am super excited! I got Horror for Screenplay last year, and absolutely loved it!

-------------
#amrevising


Posted By: r.arora
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:29pm
Fantasy, graduation, a postman.

I have written two fantasy pieces in my entire life. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I was so lucky last time I got a genre I was comfortable in. This one will be a bit of a stretch for me.

Good luck to us all!

-------------
http://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h86-itching-for-love-romantic-comedy_topic14322.html" rel="nofollow - R1 - Itching for Love (5th)
http://bit.ly/2oF1Fvv" rel="nofollow - R2 - Daughter of Her


Posted By: KieraLesley
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:29pm
Originally posted by Josh Josh wrote:

Heat 16 - Comedy - Overstaying a welcome - A cake Decorator. 

Initial reaction was WTF am I going to do with this without being cliche or trite? 

Sleep generally helps figure things out though.

Me, too! I'm brainstorming out some ideas and I'll have a look at what I can sift (< intentional. Getting in the vibe early!) out of it later tonight or tomorrow. 

Good luck!


-------------
R1 H14 http://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic14253_post168516.html#168516" rel="nofollow - Persona Non Grata
R2 H16 http://bit.ly/2nB6IxW" rel="nofollow - God Save The Cake


Posted By: GallifreyGirl
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:43pm
Ugh, sci-fi.  Long-term parking and an electrician.

Sci-fi is soooooooo hard to do in flash. Build a whole world AND tell a story AND starve for words? Sci-fi is my jam, but there's a reason why books like the Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Wayfarer Redemption series, etc, are all like 600 pages each.  Okay, those are all fantasy but it's late and my brain isn't fully functioning.

Plus Kyle's in my heat, so the best I can do now is second place lol


-------------
FFC20 R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic34858_post364276.html" rel="nofollow - Born of the Sea


Posted By: LyndaD
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:48pm

Heat 18
Horror (yeah!)
A live performance (okaayyy)
An assembly line worker (hmmmm...)

I think I can work with this.  Fortunately, my students are writing tomorrow as well, so I should be able to get some sort of a start on it.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic57721_post622417.html#622417" rel="nofollow - SS R1 First Contact (romance)



Posted By: chuffwrites
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 11:50pm
I got Heat 3, Fairy Tale, A Delivery, and a Migrant Worker, and I'm feeling ... pretty sure that I'm not advancing to the final round, lol. I have literally no ideas. None. The sweat has already sprung to my brow, let me tell you. 


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:03am
I got Comedy - A running race - A rookie police officer...

Not terrible prompts by any means but I feel like the pressure's on to be side-splittingly hilarious :x kind of nervous. Hoping for a plot epiphany after a good night's sleep.

Best of luck to all!


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:13am
So, how many writers from each of these new heats will go forward? Is it still the top 5 per heat? 


Posted By: Tonatale
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:16am
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

So, how many writers from each of these new heats will go forward? Is it still the top 5 per heat? 

Top 4 per heat.


-------------
https://tinyurl.com/y5b2ukqa" rel="nofollow - FFC2020 CH3G22 Comedy - It's a Sweet World After All


Posted By: Tonatale
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:17am
Group 5
Ghost Story
A loan
A volunteer firefighter.

I wrote a ghost story once before. It always feels cheesy to me no matter what I come up with.


-------------
https://tinyurl.com/y5b2ukqa" rel="nofollow - FFC2020 CH3G22 Comedy - It's a Sweet World After All


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:24am
Thanks for the info!!

I'm doing the suspense/funeral/tutor prompts!! I'm excited, but I don't have any ideas yet!!


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 1:14am
Originally posted by patsy patsy wrote:

So, what did you get and how do you feel about it?

Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I can work with that.  Tongue


I'm in your group, Patsy! So we probably shouldn't be beta-reading each other.

With that said, I have ideas...


-------------
Pithy sayings are for the apt. For a longer message, you need a condo.



Posted By: De Chelonian Mobile
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 1:43am
Heat 8

Fantasy / Graduation / A Postman

Pretty middle of the road on this one. There are genres I would rather have, but it's not a genre I was dreading either. I think I have my storyline. Now it's time to try and get some sleep.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic24007.html" rel="nofollow - R1 G28 In a Mountain Meadow


Posted By: Laura
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 3:33am
Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


I'm in the same group as you. Not one iota of an idea has sprung to mind   
I'll also be cracking this out about twelve hours before the deadline. Anyone any tips on writing a fairytale?? Can it be a little bit darker or am I stuck in happyland?


Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 4:50am
Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!


-------------
https://bit.ly/3wdItu9" rel="nofollow - 2022 FF CH2: MRS.WOO AND EMINEM TOO
https://bit.ly/2WTrkRY" rel="nofollow - 2019 SC R2: LOVE-STUCK



Posted By: Betty Netch
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 5:47am
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!


Same heat as me. I am pretty excited for ghost story. I listen to a lot of The No Sleep Podcast.


Posted By: Tricksie
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 5:52am
Originally posted by taequeendo taequeendo wrote:

Suspense, a funeral, and a tutor..... and frankly I'm terrified O_o especially with the time constraint


I am in this heat, too. Still pondering.

-------------
R1 G109 PolSat https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic57815_post623167.html#623167" rel="nofollow - Not Much Will Actually Change


Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 6:44am
So I'm pretty sure that the laws of probability no longer work for me... I am writing... wait for it.... ANOTHER GHOST STORY. That will be the 4th in 5 prompts. I think I'll publish an anthology. I'm 1/2 way there already.

Heat 5
Ghost Story
Volunteer firefighter
a loan

>insert strangled sigh here<



-------------
https://shorturl.at/pOW45" rel="nofollow - SSR1
https://rb.gy/i8cxfo" rel="nofollow - 250R2


Posted By: josephine
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 7:02am
Originally posted by taequeendo taequeendo wrote:

Suspense, a funeral, and a tutor..... and frankly I'm terrified O_o especially with the time constraint

ME TOO to all of the above!


Posted By: vkmartin
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 7:17am
Sci Fi (again!)/ long-term parking / an electrician

It's an interesting prompt, I don't quite know where I'm going with it yet but my goal for today is to figure it out, since I need to do most of my writing tomorrow.

I would have preferred to get a different genre from round 1 but I did okay in Sci Fi before, so maybe that's a good thing. And it is a pretty broad genre so the story will still be quite different.


Posted By: LaraH
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 7:35am
I'm in the ghost story--loan--volunteer firefighter group. So far I'm uninspired.

I need to dig up the genre descriptions --it seems to me like it said it was a scary story involving ghosts but does it have to be scary or just involve a ghost?



-------------
https://tinyurl.com/ycxre9md" rel="nofollow - FF18 Ch 4- Scent of Blood and Pine


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:14am
Originally posted by Laura Laura wrote:

Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


I'm in the same group as you. Not one iota of an idea has sprung to mind   
I'll also be cracking this out about twelve hours before the deadline. Anyone any tips on writing a fairytale?? Can it be a little bit darker or am I stuck in happyland?

Well... in theory it can be dark because they mention Grimm as an example in their definition... BUT a few of us have had judges that we like to call the "Disney judges" who seem to only like happy stuff. I have seen dark fairytales advance, though. It really depends on the judges you get. Having said that, the key is to write what really interests you, and hope your vision wins over the judges. Like I said, last time I got fairytale, one judge loved it and the other ... did not.


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: AllyM84
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:20am
Fantasy, a collection, and a Scuba Diver. 

Seems pretty ripe with possibilities! I realized I haven't had fantasy yet and that tends to be what I like to write. So, yay! Hopefully the ideas come soon, gotta get through work today then have the whole weekend for writing! 


-------------
Allison
CH1: https://bit.ly/2JzbJAk" rel="nofollow - The Flight
CH2: https://bit.ly/2prXPZ8" rel="nofollow - A Dish Best Served Canned


Posted By: LaissezFaire
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:28am
Heat 5, Ghost Story, a loan, a volunteer firefighter


That volunteer firefighter is a stumper


-------------
http://tinyurl.com/3347p24j" rel="nofollow - Deflection SSCR1
https://tinyurl.com/y72rn3ob" rel="nofollow - Fix Your Sig


Posted By: kkliossis
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:29am
Heat 9.  Action Adventure/ Prison Guard/ Melting

Not sure how I feel about it, guess we'll see after I start writing.


-------------
https://tinyurl.com/rntmbdww" rel="nofollow - Variance Rd 1


Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:32am
Originally posted by LaissezFaire LaissezFaire wrote:

Heat 5, Ghost Story, a loan, a volunteer firefighter


That volunteer firefighter is a stumper

Funny, I'm in the same group, but have already discarded something like 10 ideas because I feel they're too obvious or cliche... It'll be interesting to see how folks shake out.


-------------
https://shorturl.at/pOW45" rel="nofollow - SSR1
https://rb.gy/i8cxfo" rel="nofollow - 250R2


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:33am
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!

We've all been randomly reassigned to the new heats, so you wouldn't necessarily be in the same heat as the others in your round one heat. I'm sure several people will post in each of the heats. :-)


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:37am
Originally posted by LaraH LaraH wrote:

I'm in the ghost story--loan--volunteer firefighter group. So far I'm uninspired.

I need to dig up the genre descriptions --it seems to me like it said it was a scary story involving ghosts but does it have to be scary or just involve a ghost?


Here you go:  

http://www.nycmidnight.com/genres.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.nycmidnight.com/genres.htm

It does recommend scary/frightening. Don't know that it HAS to be that, because I've seen some funny ghost stories make it through too... but that might have been before the genre definitions came out.


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:55am
I got: Historical fiction / a tunnel / a new father

I have zero history background, and I never read historical fiction or nonfiction, so I'm going to have to do a lot of research to make this story seem even remotely authentic.  This is stressful with the time constraints! Confused


-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: Tynnyt
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:14am
Heat 14:

Sci Fi / A Walking Tour / A Reenactor

I like the prompts, but the two times I've had sci-fi in NYCM comps before I've bombed. Hmm. So far my brain storming had consisted of several [okay idea] + ROBOTS = story... I need to put some thought into this.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic56159_post602913.html#602913" rel="nofollow - 500 words Round 2, Here With You


Posted By: scriber
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:17am
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

I got: Historical fiction / a tunnel / a new father

I have zero history background, and I never read historical fiction or nonfiction, so I'm going to have to do a lot of research to make this story seem even remotely authentic.  This is stressful with the time constraints! Confused


I'm not sure if you'll see this, but I had HF last round and here are some tips.

If you can, find something in history relating to tunnels. Maybe bootleggers, miners, or an underground railroad. From there you should have a rough idea on the time period. Put some time into the environment. Consider finding an example or two about how people talked at the time, and if there are any popular historical figures your character would have looked up to or bumped into, consider mentioning them even in passing.

Really, most of it is establishing the time and having pieces of historically accurate information. Your characters themselves can be completely fictional (I'd actually encourage it). It is a little research intensive, but don't get too carried away or stressed about it. Good luck :)


Posted By: scriber
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:20am
Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Horror / Door-to-door sales / Unemployed 40-year old man

I am super excited! I got Horror for Screenplay last year, and absolutely loved it!


I got this as well. I'm super excited and nervous! I plotted and planned until my fiancé flicked the light off at nearly 3am! To defuse my annoyance and frankly get me to sleep for my own good he asked me what it was about well played, fiancé. Well played.


Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:39am
Originally posted by scriber scriber wrote:

Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Horror / Door-to-door sales / Unemployed 40-year old man

I am super excited! I got Horror for Screenplay last year, and absolutely loved it!


I got this as well. I'm super excited and nervous! I plotted and planned until my fiancé flicked the light off at nearly 3am! To defuse my annoyance and frankly get me to sleep for my own good he asked me what it was about well played, fiancé. Well played.

Haha! Scriber, I had a similar experience last night (except it was a friend, not a fiancé). I would be in sleep mode, and then suddenly jump up and reach for my phone when an idea popped into my head. I feel there is so much possibility for cliché here, and I am doing my best to avoid it! Good luck!


-------------
#amrevising


Posted By: scriber
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:48am
Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Originally posted by scriber scriber wrote:

Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Horror / Door-to-door sales / Unemployed 40-year old man

I am super excited! I got Horror for Screenplay last year, and absolutely loved it!


I got this as well. I'm super excited and nervous! I plotted and planned until my fiancé flicked the light off at nearly 3am! To defuse my annoyance and frankly get me to sleep for my own good he asked me what it was about well played, fiancé. Well played.


Haha! Scriber, I had a similar experience last night (except it was a friend, not a fiancé). I would be in sleep mode, and then suddenly jump up and reach for my phone when an idea popped into my head. I feel there is so much possibility for cliché here, and I am doing my best to avoid it! Good luck!


Oh definitely, murder pops into mind immediately. Hopefully our stories twist into something a little more creative. Best of luck to you as well!


Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:52am
Hi Scriber,

Thanks for your tips! I was actually thinking of doing something involving a mining collapse (I have a couple of plot ideas), but I've been struggling to figure out what time period to choose! I'm a librarian, so the research aspect shouldn't be too hard, but the myriad of options is overwhelming!  Thanks for your ideas on including historical figures and how people would have talked during my time period.  I feel slightly less stressed now! Smile

-Thesula


-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:20am
I just realized that none of the heats have political satire as a genre LOL THANK GOD.


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:52am
Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!

We've all been randomly reassigned to the new heats, so you wouldn't necessarily be in the same heat as the others in your round one heat. I'm sure several people will post in each of the heats. :-)


Oh, of course, I saw the number change. I just meant that of all the people who moved on, I'm the only one who posted my story to the board. If the other four make a habit of not posting. it may just be me twiddling my thumbs. Which is fine; I've got you lovely folks to talk me down. Smile

I also find it kind of funny that we all want to interpret so far out of the box that I imagine a judge reading a story (possibly mine) and thinking, The funeral director lives under the ocean? Wha....?

(I got no sleep and am pretty sure I have an ear infection, so please pardon my weird humor!)

ETA: OH! Der. I thought the people in our heat all got reassigned together. Now I feel much better, thank you!




-------------
https://bit.ly/3wdItu9" rel="nofollow - 2022 FF CH2: MRS.WOO AND EMINEM TOO
https://bit.ly/2WTrkRY" rel="nofollow - 2019 SC R2: LOVE-STUCK



Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:53am
Oh really!? Haha! I spent a good chunk of last night researching political satire because it was the genre I most feared! I should have spent some time on historical fiction instead LOL

-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:55am
Originally posted by Betty Netch Betty Netch wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!


Same heat as me. I am pretty excited for ghost story. I listen to a lot of The No Sleep Podcast.


Yay! Hi, heatmate. I'll have to check out that podcast.

Best of luck and all the story juju. (Well, leave just a little for me, please.) Big smile


-------------
https://bit.ly/3wdItu9" rel="nofollow - 2022 FF CH2: MRS.WOO AND EMINEM TOO
https://bit.ly/2WTrkRY" rel="nofollow - 2019 SC R2: LOVE-STUCK



Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:57am
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

Oh really!? Haha! I spent a good chunk of last night researching political satire because it was the genre I most feared! I should have spent some time on historical fiction instead LOL


Same... SAME. I was sweating political satire, but got comedy instead (which was still a little lower on my list for genres)... what was your experience writing Comedy for first round? :o Any tips? I feel like humor is so subjective - maybe aiming for light-hearted will help things come together naturally?

Historical fiction would have been low on my list, too - talk about too much research for a short competition! But better than having it for Round 3, though, maybe? *shudders*


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:57am
What's kinda hard is that this is the first time I can remember competing against people who I have been interacting with and (I hope) would be friends with in real life. Usually I get knocked out in the first round and I don't know that I'm head-to-head with anyone.

This is different!


-------------
Pithy sayings are for the apt. For a longer message, you need a condo.



Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:00am
Originally posted by nod1v1ng nod1v1ng wrote:

So I'm pretty sure that the laws of probability no longer work for me... I am writing... wait for it.... ANOTHER GHOST STORY. That will be the 4th in 5 prompts. I think I'll publish an anthology. I'm 1/2 way there already.

Heat 5
Ghost Story
Volunteer firefighter
a loan

>insert strangled sigh here<



You should publish one. I would totally buy it. Thumbs Up




-------------
https://bit.ly/3wdItu9" rel="nofollow - 2022 FF CH2: MRS.WOO AND EMINEM TOO
https://bit.ly/2WTrkRY" rel="nofollow - 2019 SC R2: LOVE-STUCK



Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:07am
Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

What's kinda hard is that this is the first time I can remember competing against people who I have been interacting with and (I hope) would be friends with in real life. Usually I get knocked out in the first round and I don't know that I'm head-to-head with anyone.

This is different!


It's funny, I do these comps and I'm not a competitive person. Well, I'm competitive with myself, if that makes sense.

If we were in the same heat and you moved on and I didn't, I may be sad for myself, but I would honestly, no bulllsh...um, lying, would be so happy for you. It would actually take away some of the sting. You're brilliant, and that has nothing to do with me. It's all you. And you should be acknowledged, my friend.  xx


-------------
https://bit.ly/3wdItu9" rel="nofollow - 2022 FF CH2: MRS.WOO AND EMINEM TOO
https://bit.ly/2WTrkRY" rel="nofollow - 2019 SC R2: LOVE-STUCK



Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:08am
EDITED: For aerolissa (I'm not sure why clicking reply has stopped showing who I'm replying to in this thread)

You're right--comedy is really subjective.  I would say a good tip would be to try to include all types of humour - situational, funny dialogue (with puns), and maybe some irony.  That way, no matter where the judges are coming from, they will (hopefully) read something that they like! 

Another tip (that worked for me, anyway) was to write the story and then try to make it hilarious.  I wrote the basic backbone of the story, and then I went through it and tried to add more funny descriptions, witty lines, and overall ridiculousness.  It was less pressure too, because I knew I had a good story that was kind of funny, I just had to add the elements that made it fit the genre.  


-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:20am
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

EDITED: For aerolissa (I'm not sure why clicking reply has stopped showing who I'm replying to in this thread)

You're right--comedy is really subjective.  I would say a good tip would be to try to include all types of humour - situational, funny dialogue (with puns), and maybe some irony.  That way, no matter where the judges are coming from, they will (hopefully) read something that they like! 

Another tip (that worked for me, anyway) was to write the story and then try to make it hilarious.  I wrote the basic backbone of the story, and then I went through it and tried to add more funny descriptions, witty lines, and overall ridiculousness.  It was less pressure too, because I knew I had a good story that was kind of funny, I just had to add the elements that made it fit the genre.  


Ah, thank you so much! This is great advice and more than I could have hoped for. I especially like the idea of pulling from a little bit of everything humor-wise- it makes sense. And anything to lessen the pressure on myself sounds like a good plan. Thanks again!


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: SakuraHime
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:29am
Originally posted by patsy patsy wrote:

So, what did you get and how do you feel about it?

Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I can work with that.  Tongue

I got the same!
I think I feel okay... I'm just trying to decide on a plot that isn't super obvious. I'm sure I can put something together though.


-------------
2019 FFC R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic22860_post288464.html#288464" rel="nofollow - Who Needs a Wall? (Gr: 35 – PoliSat/A Garbage Dump/A Grill)


Posted By: Betty Netch
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:02pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Originally posted by Betty Netch Betty Netch wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Heat Yuck.

Ghost Story (beer me strength) / Graphic Designer / Homework Assignment

I can't remember...in SSC how integral is the character assignment?

Since 2-5 didn't post in round one, I may be the only story in the heat on the boards. No pressure.

Best of luck, beautiful souls!


Same heat as me. I am pretty excited for ghost story. I listen to a lot of The No Sleep Podcast.


Yay! Hi, heatmate. I'll have to check out that podcast.

Best of luck and all the story juju. (Well, leave just a little for me, please.) Big smile


Same on all counts. I really look forward to seeing how each of us interprets the prompt. :)


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:25pm
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

Hi Scriber,

Thanks for your tips! I was actually thinking of doing something involving a mining collapse (I have a couple of plot ideas), but I've been struggling to figure out what time period to choose! I'm a librarian, so the research aspect shouldn't be too hard, but the myriad of options is overwhelming!  Thanks for your ideas on including historical figures and how people would have talked during my time period.  I feel slightly less stressed now! Smile

-Thesula


Sounds like you already have a start on an idea, but I came across a tunnel disappearance story while trying to come up with a name for a Martha character and felt compelled to share (especially since I can't really help as much in return in regards to advice on your genre)! http://paranormalstoriess.com/post/96917256896/the-strange-tale-of-martha-wright

It almost sounds more like a potential horror story :] Maybe someone from your heat can draw from it in some way, though! I just had to laugh that I came across a tunnel event, of all things.


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: Josh
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 1:12pm
Originally posted by Laura Laura wrote:

Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


I'm in the same group as you. Not one iota of an idea has sprung to mind   
I'll also be cracking this out about twelve hours before the deadline. Anyone any tips on writing a fairytale?? Can it be a little bit darker or am I stuck in happyland?

The OG Grim Tales have a LOT of very dark tales - you can go dark and deep.


-------------
Read my story https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic49854_post525715.html#525715" rel="nofollow - No Such Thing as a Dry Town
When El Cabrón Was Around


Posted By: tlklein
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 1:37pm
Sci Fi (favorite genre), A walking tour and a reenactor.

Can only hope we don't choose the obvious route for this and can create something that stands out.


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 1:39pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

It's funny, I do these comps and I'm not a competitive person. Well, I'm competitive with myself, if that makes sense.

If we were in the same heat and you moved on and I didn't, I may be sad for myself, but I would honestly, no bulllsh...um, lying, would be so happy for you. It would actually take away some of the sting. You're brilliant, and that has nothing to do with me. It's all you. And you should be acknowledged, my friend.  xx


You're too kind.

All I know is I try to make every story I write be the best I can make it.


-------------
Pithy sayings are for the apt. For a longer message, you need a condo.



Posted By: Tynnyt
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 2:20pm
Originally posted by tlklein tlklein wrote:

Sci Fi (favorite genre), A walking tour and a reenactor.

Can only hope we don't choose the obvious route for this and can create something that stands out.


Best of luck, groupie! I've been staring at a blank page all day but I *think* I've got an idea underway finally.

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic56159_post602913.html#602913" rel="nofollow - 500 words Round 2, Here With You


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 3:19pm
Originally posted by Laura Laura wrote:

Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


I'm in the same group as you. Not one iota of an idea has sprung to mind   
I'll also be cracking this out about twelve hours before the deadline. Anyone any tips on writing a fairytale?? Can it be a little bit darker or am I stuck in happyland?


I know you've already gotten a few responses, but in case you're hungering for one more, I've posted my judge feedback http://forums.nycmidnight.com/the-feedback-thread_topic14523_post173695.html#173695" rel="nofollow - here as well as some of my own experiences writing a fairy tale for the last round in case it helps.


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: seawhere
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 5:07pm
Originally posted by tlklein tlklein wrote:

Sci Fi (favorite genre), A walking tour and a reenactor.

Can only hope we don't choose the obvious route for this and can create something that stands out.


I got the same, and have the same fear as you. So far all the ideas are incredibly dull. Also my fav genre. But to read. I'm not so hot at writing it.


-------------
~Sea



Posted By: mythSSK
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 6:33pm
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

I got: Historical fiction / a tunnel / a new father

I have zero history background, and I never read historical fiction or nonfiction, so I'm going to have to do a lot of research to make this story seem even remotely authentic.  This is stressful with the time constraints! Confused

 
I'm in the same heat as you. Historical fiction is hard, but I've got my basic concept and outline nailed down pretty well. Now I just need to actually get the story written. 

Good luck!


-------------
FFC CH2 GR6 | https://tinyurl.com/ffckeyallen" rel="nofollow - The Key of Allen

FFC CH1 GR6 | https://tinyurl.com/ffcwstorm" rel="nofollow - White Storm


Posted By: fistofcurry
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 6:33pm
Comedy, A running race, a rookie police officer.It took a few hours but this one really clicked for me, I've already got a solid 600 words or so.


-------------
https://tinyurl.com/ya6k67hl" rel="nofollow - R1 H3 Better Call Babbit


Posted By: aerolissa
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 6:39pm
Originally posted by fistofcurry fistofcurry wrote:

Comedy, A running race, a rookie police officer.It took a few hours but this one really clicked for me, I've already got a solid 600 words or so.


That's great!! I'm a little jealous since I'm in the same heat and am struggling to come up with an ending D; Genuinely glad someone's having more luck than me because all I want to do is sit around and procrastinate making big story decisions.


-------------
SSC Ch1 - https://bit.ly/38R2yM5" rel="nofollow - Simplicity
SSC Ch2 - https://bit.ly/36KSmSB" rel="nofollow - Trojan Horses


Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:30pm
Hi mythSSK,

I'm finding it not as bad as I thought it would be.  I put my librarian-skills to the test and I found and read a lot of resources about the time period I chose.  I've got a rough draft almost finished, and I'm going to spend most of tomorrow editing it for authenticity and language.  That will take a while, but I'm glad I'll probably have enough time for it!  

Good luck to you too! 




-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: LyndaD
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:34pm
Originally posted by LyndaD LyndaD wrote:


Heat 18
Horror (yeah!)
A live performance (okaayyy)
An assembly line worker (hmmmm...)

I think I can work with this.  Fortunately, my students are writing tomorrow as well, so I should be able to get some sort of a start on it.

I'm wondering how much my assembly line worker needs to actually work on an assembly line in the story. Is it enough that I say she works in a mass producing factory? Or does at least part of the story have to entail her actually working?


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic57721_post622417.html#622417" rel="nofollow - SS R1 First Contact (romance)



Posted By: ABC
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:43pm
I think it's pretty important. It really has to contribute to the plot, although you can be creative with how it does that. My character last round was Train Conductor and my story had a little boy that always played a train game, where he was the conductor. But it was important to the story... 
Good luck!


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23837_post302525.html#302525" rel="nofollow - Padiddle
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic30886_post322867.html#322867" rel="nofollow - Important Things to Know


Posted By: ABC
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:45pm
I have the dreaded (for me) Romantic Comedy! I haven't watched many, so a bit nervous. Also: Mistaken Identity and Fitness Trainer. Yikes... 

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23837_post302525.html#302525" rel="nofollow - Padiddle
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic30886_post322867.html#322867" rel="nofollow - Important Things to Know


Posted By: sarasummer
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:47pm
I'm in your heat. This is HARD! It doesn't help that I'm in a hotel room with 6 12-year-old girls. 

-------------
FFC19 R1 H26    https://tinyurl.com/y56fas7z" rel="nofollow - Poion Ivy
SSC19 R1 H118    https://tinyurl.com/ybqnnfn8" rel="nofollow - The Raven's Measure


Posted By: ABC
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 10:08pm
Sara- do you mean you got Romantic Comedy twice in a row? That would be tough- 12 year old girls or not!

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23837_post302525.html#302525" rel="nofollow - Padiddle
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic30886_post322867.html#322867" rel="nofollow - Important Things to Know


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:12pm
I'm halfway done with a 5000 word story.

 I might need to cut it a bit to get down to 1500...


-------------
Pithy sayings are for the apt. For a longer message, you need a condo.



Posted By: LyndaD
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:18pm
We have 2,000 words in this round.

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic57721_post622417.html#622417" rel="nofollow - SS R1 First Contact (romance)



Posted By: AMOSD
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:46pm
In my head I was begging to get anything except romance or comedy. So I ended up with romantic comedy. Of course. Sigh. I will just sit here and keep looking at my blank screen :(

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic39417_post417405.html#417405" rel="nofollow - R1 The Family
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/a-gift-freely-given-fantasy_topic40579.html" rel="nofollow - R2A Gift, Freely Given


Posted By: Evil Tomato
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 2:06am
I got horror, a door-to-door salesman, and a 40-year-old unemployed man. 

At first I was ironically scared, but ideas and words are flowing now. Sadly, over 500 words have flowed and the plot hasn't really started yet, so I foresee some painful editing in my future.

Hooray!?


-------------
SSC19 R1 https://tinyurl.com/y9oklr7l" rel="nofollow - Wanderman
FF17 R3 https://tinyurl.com/ydy6y8vb" rel="nofollow - Cock and Bull


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 2:57am
Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

I'm halfway done with a 5000 word story.

 I might need to cut it a bit to get down to 1500...

You've got 2000 to play with... Wink


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: Laura
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 8:55am
Originally posted by AMOSD AMOSD wrote:

In my head I was begging to get anything except romance or comedy. So I ended up with romantic comedy. Of course. Sigh. I will just sit here and keep looking at my blank screen :(

LOLLOLLOL

But I feel your pain. Romance and comedy are pretty awful. Combined=something out of a nightmare.



Posted By: Laura
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 8:57am
Originally posted by aerolissa aerolissa wrote:

Originally posted by Laura Laura wrote:

Originally posted by plkphoto plkphoto wrote:

Group 3

Fairy Tale (I like fairy tales and enjoy writing them... but last time the judges had completely opposite opinions of my fairy tale... mixed emotions)

A delivery (meh)

A migrant worker (hmmmmmm.....)

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me while I'm at work... for most of the round... and I'll be able to smash something out on my one day off right before the deadline...


I'm in the same group as you. Not one iota of an idea has sprung to mind   
I'll also be cracking this out about twelve hours before the deadline. Anyone any tips on writing a fairytale?? Can it be a little bit darker or am I stuck in happyland?


I know you've already gotten a few responses, but in case you're hungering for one more, I've posted my judge feedback http://forums.nycmidnight.com/the-feedback-thread_topic14523_post173695.html#173695" rel="nofollow - here as well as some of my own experiences writing a fairy tale for the last round in case it helps.


Thank you so much!!


Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 9:26am
Originally posted by AMOSD AMOSD wrote:

In my head I was begging to get anything except romance or comedy. So I ended up with romantic comedy. Of course. Sigh. I will just sit here and keep looking at my blank screen :(

You can do it!  Just start writing and the ideas will come Smile  Sometimes that's the only way to get past these obstacles.

The only genres I didn't want were political satire and historical fiction. Of course I got historical fiction. But I've got an okay first draft done.  (I hope a level of suspense is okay in historical fiction! I have no idea!) But if I can do it, anyone can! 


-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: kylesolo
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 10:55am
I've got sci fi - electrician - long term parking. The only thing really tripping me up is the "theme" because long term parking isn't really something I know how to deal with.

Oh, and also I've never written sci fi before.

But I've got an idea! I'm just struggling with how to get it to paper (Where do I start? 3rd or 1st person? Which character to focus on? How much backstory?)


-------------
Round 1: http://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic14251_post168509.html#168509" rel="nofollow - She Screams in Silence
Round 2: http://tinyurl.com/k86xs7a" rel="nofollow - Time Meant Nothing


Posted By: GallifreyGirl
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 11:07am
Originally posted by kylesolo kylesolo wrote:

I've got sci fi - electrician - long term parking. The only thing really tripping me up is the "theme" because long term parking isn't really something I know how to deal with.

Oh, and also I've never written sci fi before.

But I've got an idea! I'm just struggling with how to get it to paper (Where do I start? 3rd or 1st person? Which character to focus on? How much backstory?)

Ha! At least you have an idea. I'm at about 3000 words and I don't have an actual story yet, just a couple of characters running around showing off my creepy future world and talking about their dad for no plot-related reason whatsoever. And now I'm worried that it isn't even going to work because my long-term parking is so loosely interpreted.

Scifi in flash is the devil.


-------------
FFC20 R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic34858_post364276.html" rel="nofollow - Born of the Sea


Posted By: r.arora
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 11:14am
Originally posted by GallifreyGirl GallifreyGirl wrote:

Ha! At least you have an idea. I'm at about 3000 words and I don't have an actual story yet, just a couple of characters running around showing off my creepy future world and talking about their dad for no plot-related reason whatsoever. And now I'm worried that it isn't even going to work because my long-term parking is so loosely interpreted.

Scifi in flash is the devil.


I feel like this with fantasy.  I'm finally about to start writing, five pages of notes and a map of my world later.  And tons and tons of research to build on my ideas. 

Be proud you have words on a page! There's gold in there, you just have to find it and polish it up before tomorrow night. Smile


-------------
http://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h86-itching-for-love-romantic-comedy_topic14322.html" rel="nofollow - R1 - Itching for Love (5th)
http://bit.ly/2oF1Fvv" rel="nofollow - R2 - Daughter of Her


Posted By: GallifreyGirl
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 11:48am
Originally posted by r.arora r.arora wrote:

Originally posted by GallifreyGirl GallifreyGirl wrote:

Ha! At least you have an idea. I'm at about 3000 words and I don't have an actual story yet, just a couple of characters running around showing off my creepy future world and talking about their dad for no plot-related reason whatsoever. And now I'm worried that it isn't even going to work because my long-term parking is so loosely interpreted.

Scifi in flash is the devil.


I feel like this with fantasy.  I'm finally about to start writing, five pages of notes and a map of my world later.  And tons and tons of research to build on my ideas. 

Be proud you have words on a page! There's gold in there, you just have to find it and polish it up before tomorrow night. Smile

Hahahaha I'm with you on that! "Let me write 5,000 years of history for this planet so when I get to the story the reader's got some context ...."


-------------
FFC20 R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic34858_post364276.html" rel="nofollow - Born of the Sea


Posted By: kylesolo
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 2:15pm
I've decided that context doesn't matter. They need to figure it out! Because my original draft went into quite a bit of history between various races, and by the time I got to 2000 words I, like you, realized I had no story. So I scrapped it!


-------------
Round 1: http://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic14251_post168509.html#168509" rel="nofollow - She Screams in Silence
Round 2: http://tinyurl.com/k86xs7a" rel="nofollow - Time Meant Nothing


Posted By: sinister
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 7:37pm
I'm in "Physical trainer, mistaken identity, romantic comedy."  I spent several hours this morning hammering something together, and I've got it basically done, but it's going to need some more editing.  I have to step away from it for a while and look at it with fresh eyes later.  I think it's a very cute story.  Just wish the judges would let me dip my toes into sci-fi/fantasy - that's my wheelhouse. Still, the challenge of not writing within my wheelhouse has been very rewarding.  


Posted By: sadieros
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 7:47pm
Finished a draft  for Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I had fun with it and I hope the judges do too.  I've gotten lucky with categories so far, but since I never figured I'd make round 2, round 3 doesn't even compute.  My beta bled all over the page, so how many rounds of revision can I get in by the deadline?



Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 7:54pm
Originally posted by sadieros sadieros wrote:

Finished a draft  for Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I had fun with it and I hope the judges do too.  I've gotten lucky with categories so far, but since I never figured I'd make round 2, round 3 doesn't even compute.  My beta bled all over the page, so how many rounds of revision can I get in by the deadline?


OMG. I have no idea why, but I was afraid you were going to say, "Finished a draft for thriller, a water supply, a forest ranger. Then realized that wasn't my heat! Back to the drawing board..." Whew! Glad that wasn't the case. 


Posted By: Thesula
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 9:14pm
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by sadieros sadieros wrote:

Finished a draft  for Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I had fun with it and I hope the judges do too.  I've gotten lucky with categories so far, but since I never figured I'd make round 2, round 3 doesn't even compute.  My beta bled all over the page, so how many rounds of revision can I get in by the deadline?


OMG. I have no idea why, but I was afraid you were going to say, "Finished a draft for thriller, a water supply, a forest ranger. Then realized that wasn't my heat! Back to the drawing board..." Whew! Glad that wasn't the case. 

OMG Zelda, when I read your comment I thought you were saying what you were afraid sadieros was saying! Man I need some sleep! 


-------------
SSC 2019 R1 Romantic Comedy https://bit.ly/2XcEcnB" rel="nofollow - Manhattan Syndrome
SSC 2017 R2 Historical Fiction https://bit.ly/2HrBPcN" rel="nofollow - The Debt


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 9:29pm
Originally posted by Thesula Thesula wrote:

(I hope a level of suspense is okay in historical fiction! I have no idea!) 

In the past, I've found that judges seem to prefer a little bit of genre crossing -- as long as you firmly hit the Historical Fiction genre, you should be fine.


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: plkphoto
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 9:37pm
Originally posted by kylesolo kylesolo wrote:

I've got sci fi - electrician - long term parking. The only thing really tripping me up is the "theme" because long term parking isn't really something I know how to deal with.

It's sci-fi... you can interpret long-term parking however you want... invent something that needs to be parked from time to time, and then invent a place that charges for that parking... and you've got it. It doesn't need to resemble our present-day earth long-term parking if you don't want it to...

(I once had a termite "librarian" -- it's flexible as long as the link to character/subject is there in plain sight, you can interpret outside the box.)

Quote Oh, and also I've never written sci fi before.

But I've got an idea! I'm just struggling with how to get it to paper (Where do I start? 3rd or 1st person? Which character to focus on? How much backstory?)

Pick the character with the most to gain/lose... or tell it omniscient style if you want -- that's okay for SciFi still. Especially if you're following a major world shifting event rather than something that affects only one character.

Slip the backstory in snip-its and just as much as you need to understand the story, and no more. Don't info dump a bunch of stuff at the beginning, sprinkle it through. Remember that it's all just "normal" to the characters... 


-------------
FFC 2018

Ch1 Gr62 -- https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c1-g62-the-other-side-of-the-coin-thriller_topic18521_post230678.html" rel="nofollow - The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)


Posted By: cynicald56
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 10:10pm
Mystery / A home renovation / An architect

Not sure how I feel. The pieces fit together quite nicely, but I then worry about originality. 

My main problem is that mystery is such a hard task within the limited word count; setting up a crime/puzzle, leaving clues, solving the problem... it can be done, but it leaves very little space for character development, or interesting prose.

I have (what I think is) a solid plot, and decent enough characters... just gotta see about making it interesting.


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 10:11pm
Originally posted by sadieros sadieros wrote:

Finished a draft  for Thriller, A water supply, a forest ranger.  I had fun with it and I hope the judges do too.  I've gotten lucky with categories so far, but since I never figured I'd make round 2, round 3 doesn't even compute.  My beta bled all over the page, so how many rounds of revision can I get in by the deadline?


Oh, you're in my group! Good luck - I was just puzzled all over this. Didn't actually start writing anything at all until last night when I got a few hundred words pounded out. Then I arose today and worked at it for about five hours just to get the draft done.



-------------
Pithy sayings are for the apt. For a longer message, you need a condo.



Posted By: kylesolo
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 3:17am
Well, I finished my story, and I feel okay about it. I'm not sure that my character has a lot to gain/lose (though if you ask her you might get a different opinion...)


-------------
Round 1: http://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic14251_post168509.html#168509" rel="nofollow - She Screams in Silence
Round 2: http://tinyurl.com/k86xs7a" rel="nofollow - Time Meant Nothing


Posted By: AMOSD
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:11am
I love that you guys are so supportive! Reading this thread (even the answers that aren't directed at me) is really informative and helpful. You're a good bunch 😊

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic39417_post417405.html#417405" rel="nofollow - R1 The Family
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/a-gift-freely-given-fantasy_topic40579.html" rel="nofollow - R2A Gift, Freely Given


Posted By: AllyM84
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:15am
I did feel good about fantasy. Not anymore. Not. Any. More. 

-------------
Allison
CH1: https://bit.ly/2JzbJAk" rel="nofollow - The Flight
CH2: https://bit.ly/2prXPZ8" rel="nofollow - A Dish Best Served Canned


Posted By: r.arora
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:22am
Originally posted by AllyM84 AllyM84 wrote:

I did feel good about fantasy. Not anymore. Not. Any. More. 


Same! I dreaded it, then was in love with my idea despite the difficulties of getting it on the page, and now I'm having a hard time reading it because I'm afraid what I thought was great, is in reality, pure crap.

Good News/Bad News: We're almost there.  Just have to get something on the plate by midnight!


-------------
http://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h86-itching-for-love-romantic-comedy_topic14322.html" rel="nofollow - R1 - Itching for Love (5th)
http://bit.ly/2oF1Fvv" rel="nofollow - R2 - Daughter of Her


Posted By: writeright
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:42am
Originally posted by r.arora r.arora wrote:

Originally posted by AllyM84 AllyM84 wrote:

I did feel good about fantasy. Not anymore. Not. Any. More. 


Same! I dreaded it, then was in love with my idea despite the difficulties of getting it on the page, and now I'm having a hard time reading it because I'm afraid what I thought was great, is in reality, pure crap.

Good News/Bad News: We're almost there.  Just have to get something on the plate by midnight!

Oof, can I join the fantasy regret train? I thought it was great because I could make stuff up, but it turns out i also have to explain of all that stuff. I long for the sweet simplicity of realism.


Posted By: r.arora
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:50am
Originally posted by writeright writeright wrote:


Oof, can I join the fantasy regret train? I thought it was great because I could make stuff up, but it turns out i also have to explain of all that stuff. I long for the sweet simplicity of realism.


Ha!  Right!?  I think that's why I'm dreading my first read-through and edit.  I KNOW its too "tell-y", but with only 2000 words, I'm not sure I can make it work without just telling you what these things are.


-------------
http://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h86-itching-for-love-romantic-comedy_topic14322.html" rel="nofollow - R1 - Itching for Love (5th)
http://bit.ly/2oF1Fvv" rel="nofollow - R2 - Daughter of Her


Posted By: AllyM84
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:59am
Originally posted by r.arora r.arora wrote:

[QUOTE=writeright]

Oof, can I join the fantasy regret train? I thought it was great because I could make stuff up, but it turns out i also have to explain of all that stuff. I long for the sweet simplicity of realism.


I may be cheating, but I am simply inserting fantastical elements into our world. Less to explain and creates an interesting contrast. Buuuutt....hopefully the judges agree. Also, I am still not sure how I'm going to tell what I want to tell in 2,000 words. 

-------------
Allison
CH1: https://bit.ly/2JzbJAk" rel="nofollow - The Flight
CH2: https://bit.ly/2prXPZ8" rel="nofollow - A Dish Best Served Canned


Posted By: writeright
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 12:24pm
Originally posted by r.arora r.arora wrote:

Originally posted by writeright writeright wrote:


Oof, can I join the fantasy regret train? I thought it was great because I could make stuff up, but it turns out i also have to explain of all that stuff. I long for the sweet simplicity of realism.


Ha!  Right!?  I think that's why I'm dreading my first read-through and edit.  I KNOW its too "tell-y", but with only 2000 words, I'm not sure I can make it work without just telling you what these things are.


I think I may have gone too far in the opposite direction, and now everything is a confusing mess. Or at least, that's what my inner critic is yelling unhelpfully.


Posted By: Charlotte Taylor
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 4:37pm
I'm in a similar "telling because I don't have enough in the word count to show" boat, but with sci fi... It's really tricky, isn't it?!


Posted By: r.arora
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 4:41pm
Originally posted by Charlotte Taylor Charlotte Taylor wrote:

I'm in a similar "telling because I don't have enough in the word count to show" boat, but with sci fi... It's really tricky, isn't it?!


Yes! I'm hoping to at least have a healthy balance, but there's just no telling now.


-------------
http://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h86-itching-for-love-romantic-comedy_topic14322.html" rel="nofollow - R1 - Itching for Love (5th)
http://bit.ly/2oF1Fvv" rel="nofollow - R2 - Daughter of Her


Posted By: TiggersGirl
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 4:42pm
I got Thriller, A Forest Ranger, and a water supply. I've never written a thriller before. I sure hope it's a thriller. That was hard.
I just sent it in because I have to leave the house and I'm always afraid I will be detained (hopefully not jail) and not be able to get back and submit it. Apparently I have trust issues. LOL
Technically I could use my phone, but I haven't tried that yet. Anyway, it's gone through three beta readers, and I've tinkered with it enough.
 
Best of luck to everyone.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic32234_post332879.html#332879?KW=#286774" rel="nofollow - Second Time Around


Posted By: MayMightCanCould
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 6:17pm
Originally posted by AllyM84 AllyM84 wrote:

Originally posted by r.arora r.arora wrote:

[QUOTE=writeright]

Oof, can I join the fantasy regret train? I thought it was great because I could make stuff up, but it turns out i also have to explain of all that stuff. I long for the sweet simplicity of realism.


I may be cheating, but I am simply inserting fantastical elements into our world. Less to explain and creates an interesting contrast. Buuuutt....hopefully the judges agree. Also, I am still not sure how I'm going to tell what I want to tell in 2,000 words. 

Not cheating at all! If you look in the genre descriptions, they list a few examples of Fantasy, and Harry Potter and Willy Wonka are listed. That is certainly fantasy set into our world.

I also am in the fantasy genre, and it is all about world building, it is hard to build a whole (and believable) world with only 2,000 words. 

Good luck to us all!


-------------
1st Round http://bit.ly/2keD8wl" rel="nofollow - THE SKY'S THE LIMIT , 2nd Round http://bit.ly/2oAuER9" rel="nofollow - DELLA AT THE RIVERSIDE



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2022 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net