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Post-submission lounge

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=20779
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 5:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Post-submission lounge
Posted By: Seacore
Subject: Post-submission lounge
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 7:29pm
Pull up a seat, dear friend. I've made appletinis.

I'm refusing to look at my story again until I post it on the forum.

I found this round challenging in that I was worried I was both taking a pedestrian approach to the prompts and simultaneously not pulling it off.

How'd you all go?


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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire



Replies:
Posted By: Lisa_Who
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 7:55pm
I've managed to convince myself that I entered the wrong heat number into the submission form, which means that I'm going to have to submit my story again even though absolutely nothing has changed about it, because otherwise I won't be able to go to sleep tonight. :) 

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Edgelords are a bore.


Posted By: alelha
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:00pm
I thought I did that as well. You can check submittable and it shows you all the info under content so you can check.

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https://bit.ly/3xmGCXa" rel="nofollow - SC Ch1 Gr49 Lights Out, Renton






Posted By: crumhorn
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:30pm
Reread just now, fixed one mistake, and resubmitted.  I'm not sure this story is particularly inspired, but I had fun writing it!  Nice to be done and I look forward to the forum. :-)

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FF22R1: https://tinyurl.com/2bavv5rw" rel="nofollow - Stories

SS22R3: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r3-g5-mystery-in-the-locker-room-comedy_topic47632.html" rel="nofollow - Mystery


Posted By: Meggles
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:38pm
I keep submitting and reading and tweaking and resubmitting. Soooo I’ve officially banned myself from my laptop. Pass the appletinis!

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FF 2021: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g13-the-lucky-ones_topic42245.html" rel="nofollow - C1


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:41pm
I'll take one of those appletinis!

That was hard. I'm...happier with how my story turned out than I thought I'd be. No idea what the judges will think, but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.


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SSC 2021 R2: https://tinyurl.com/jt9p568d" rel="nofollow - Complex Fracture
SSC 2021 R1: https://tinyurl.com/4d9bw9uf" rel="nofollow - Before Her Time 2nd


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:41pm
I'm with you on the panic about "did this correctly submit" I'll only check a few more times before close. But I suppose that's why we email it as well.

I found I really struggled on a title, which is not a common thing for me. But I couldn't find an essence to distil my story down into, which worried me. So I ended up changing a piece of dialogue to hang the title from.


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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: manifestlynot
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:41pm
Submitted at 1998 words (took two out just to be safe). Not my best effort, but my husband likes it, which is probably a good indicator of a romance, haha.

Mostly I'm relieved not to have it in my head anymore. I'm one round further than I made it in SSC last year, so that's good enough for me.


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Rhyming R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic51185_post541412.html#541412" rel="nofollow - Lionheart (Hist fic)


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:44pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

Submitted at 1998 words (took two out just to be safe).

LOL I did that too--mine ended up at 1992. I know it's irrational, since I've read numerous times they go with the lower word count between Word and Google Docs, but I keep thinking somehow I miscounted.


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SSC 2021 R2: https://tinyurl.com/jt9p568d" rel="nofollow - Complex Fracture
SSC 2021 R1: https://tinyurl.com/4d9bw9uf" rel="nofollow - Before Her Time 2nd


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:48pm
Originally posted by Cosima Cosima wrote:

but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.

Yes, I think my heat definitely got the more straight forward of the two thriller prompts.




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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 8:55pm
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Originally posted by Cosima Cosima wrote:

but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.

Yes, I think my heat definitely got the more straight forward of the two thriller prompts.




In an hour or two I'll check the assignments and realize I got my eyes crossed and just wrote a story for some other heat...

Big smile


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This sig intentionally blank


Posted By: Ennazus
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:11pm
I still need to cut at least 438 words. Beta readers like the story, and (like me) have a hard time cutting anything. Took a break (Appletinis or equivalent)! About to go kill my darlings. Wish me luck.

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R1FF2020 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic35921_post376970.html#376970.com" rel="nofollow - Father’s Last Act


Posted By: JingleBells
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:11pm
Well mine's in and I can't stay for an Appletini, I'm afraid.  Straight back to work.  It was intense. I pulled mystery for the second time in a row,  and while the prompts were good, it was draining coming up with a new set of clues,  suspects and red herrings.  
How long before they'll let us post to the forum for this round? I've never made it this far before,  so I'm keen to read the stories. 


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic20924.html" rel="nofollow - Read R2 A DEADLY DESCENT


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:12pm
Within 72 hours they'll confirm all the entries have been received and we can start uploading.

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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: LeonaAnn
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:17pm
Where do I go to find the submittable section? I’m worried about this too and I’m new. Thank you

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LeonaAnn


Posted By: patsy
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:19pm
In and done.  I like this story this round, which means the judges will most likely hate it Wink

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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


Posted By: patsy
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:22pm
Originally posted by LeonaAnn LeonaAnn wrote:

Where do I go to find the submittable section? I’m worried about this too and I’m new. Thank you

You set up a submittable account in order to post your story.  Go to their site, log in and you'll find a record of all your submissions.  
https://www.submittable.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.submittable.com/


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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


Posted By: Drib
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:28pm
Damn, that was hard. 

Still, done now.

Appletini? Thanks, but I think I need some straight whiskey.

Bottoms up!Beer


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic52151_post551828.html#551828" rel="nofollow - SS23 The Rake's Progress (RomCom)


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:43pm
I wonder how many will be posted up to read. The ratio seemed low in round 1.

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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: SLK43
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:58pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Originally posted by Cosima Cosima wrote:

but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.

Yes, I think my heat definitely got the more straight forward of the two thriller prompts.




In an hour or two I'll check the assignments and realize I got my eyes crossed and just wrote a story for some other heat...

Big smile

Wash your mouth out with appletini! Now you've given me something else to worry about!...Smile


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C2-G52 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c2-g52-the-ultimate-dream-aa_topic49338.html" rel="nofollow - The Ultimate Dream






Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:00pm
I'm on my second glass of wine. And I'm not using a wine glass. I'm using a mug. So... My second MUG of wine. And chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

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MF1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic37526_post393557.html#393557" rel="nofollow - Dirty Fingers


Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:09pm
Submitted at exactly 2000 words. Feeling...God, maybe good? I pushed myself with this one. Did some different things. Wrote in a completely new style and perspective, and dug into some really heavy subject matter. Twas not an easy story to tell.

Now, back to this blueberry Moscato. Can't wait to see what everyone's done this round.

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FFC#1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic42474_post440210.html#440210" rel="nofollow - Accident-Prone
FFC #2 Magic Hour


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:13pm
Submitted for a fourth and final time. Lol. I won’t look at it again or else I’ll keep editing.

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FFC Ch3: https://bit.ly/3jiJjwt" rel="nofollow - There in Treetop Tower


Posted By: taaaylor
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:13pm
I managed to get extremely sick over all 3 days of the contest. Spent-most-of-Saturday-night-at-the-ER sort of sick. My liver is a bit on fire because (most likely) hepatitis A has taken up residency in me. I'm amazed I got a story out at all. Couldn't have done it without my best friend helping me figure it all out, honestly.

Congrats to everyone who has made it across the finish line, and good luck to anyone using these last couple hours to make it <3 It's been such a joy writing with you all


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https://t.ly/JlEAs" rel="nofollow - SSC R1
https://t.ly/XFj6f" rel="nofollow - 250 Micro R2

SSC 2021 winner


Posted By: BarbaraFL
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:16pm
Glad I got it done on time, and I liked it more when I submitted than I did when I started. I don't think it's funny enough, or romantic enough, but I'm not horrified.

I do hate my title though, ha. I have no idea of why I left that as I did. Do they grade us for title ?! Confused


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Scplay https://tinyurl.com/m8hjvcyr" rel="nofollow - Regrettable Hobby
SStory https://bit.ly/4bdTAWN" rel="nofollow - Be a Good Girl


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:18pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Originally posted by Cosima Cosima wrote:

but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.

Yes, I think my heat definitely got the more straight forward of the two thriller prompts.




In an hour or two I'll check the assignments and realize I got my eyes crossed and just wrote a story for some other heat...

Big smile

Not going into how many times I checked the assignments in the last two days to make sure I wasn't doing just that!

It's in. It is what it is. Rom. Don't know if it's com enough. If they don't like it then if I do FFC again and get comedy I'll go full-bore Adams Aebler comedy. (As in jokes about death, crime, shooting birds, shooting cats, mental retardation, guns, armed robbery, terrorism, fetal alcohol syndrome, abortion, rape, electrical fires, God, and baking. I thought I had a dark sense of humor until I saw that movie. I'm now scared to watch Men and Chicken.


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250 R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic56891_post611502.html#611502" rel="nofollow - What Even Is a Mirliton
SSC R1: https://bit.ly/49hAP39" rel="nofollow - Dissolution


Posted By: crumhorn
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:22pm
I'm excited to see folks' titles & synopses once we're able to share!  I know there are at least three of us in heat 3 haunting these boards. :-)

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FF22R1: https://tinyurl.com/2bavv5rw" rel="nofollow - Stories

SS22R3: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r3-g5-mystery-in-the-locker-room-comedy_topic47632.html" rel="nofollow - Mystery


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:22pm
Originally posted by BarbaraFL BarbaraFL wrote:

Glad I got it done on time, and I liked it more when I submitted than I did when I started. I don't think it's funny enough, or romantic enough, but I'm not horrified.

I do hate my title though, ha. I have no idea of why I left that as I did. Do they grade us for title ?! Confused

I don't know if I hope they do or they don't. If they do I hope my judges know Kirkegaard.


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250 R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic56891_post611502.html#611502" rel="nofollow - What Even Is a Mirliton
SSC R1: https://bit.ly/49hAP39" rel="nofollow - Dissolution


Posted By: Lisa_Who
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:31pm
Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:

Originally posted by BarbaraFL BarbaraFL wrote:

Glad I got it done on time, and I liked it more when I submitted than I did when I started. I don't think it's funny enough, or romantic enough, but I'm not horrified.

I do hate my title though, ha. I have no idea of why I left that as I did. Do they grade us for title ?! Confused

I don't know if I hope they do or they don't. If they do I hope my judges know Kirkegaard.

The high point of the day was around 6 pm, when I decided I really liked my story after all.  But I just reread parts of it and now I don't like it anymore but it is SUBMITTED and THAT is THAT.  Done!!!  (I never want to see it again!)  omg, I'm about to go look at it again.  Somebody stop me.


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Edgelords are a bore.


Posted By: Briana Una
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:38pm
I'm done early. I am usually all about tinkering until midnight, but I am TIRED and the thing is DONE. It could certainly be improved, but not tonight. I can't get the perspective I'd need. 

Also? I got suspense/an inspection/an author, and I went meta with it. Like, I don't know how you couldn't. I'm sure everyone did. We're in a WRITING COMPETITION, and you give me that prompt. 

...My point is, I wrote about second-guessing being a writer while I was second-guessing being a writer. I'm exhausted. There's nothing left. 


Posted By: OnyxLily
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:41pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Originally posted by Cosima Cosima wrote:

but I did the best I could with a weird set of prompts.

Yes, I think my heat definitely got the more straight forward of the two thriller prompts.




In an hour or two I'll check the assignments and realize I got my eyes crossed and just wrote a story for some other heat...

Big smile

I went back and checked several times for that reason!


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SSR2 https://bit.ly/3MTEqMD" rel="nofollow - House of Whispers
SSR1 https://bit.ly/41oGVuO" rel="nofollow - Memory of bone & blood (1st)


Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:42pm
While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

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FFC#1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic42474_post440210.html#440210" rel="nofollow - Accident-Prone
FFC #2 Magic Hour


Posted By: sarasummer
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:44pm
I submitted, but don’t feel it is my best work. Fairy tale is not a genre I’ve ever done before. But, it’s done. Lol. Congrats to you all!

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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: Briana Una
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:45pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

WOO, CONGRATULATIONS!


Posted By: OnyxLily
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:45pm
Submitted and checked, now I'm going to stop re-reading it and I'll take an appletini, thanks!

Comedy is hard - I can't do lulz and chuckles so I went for a sarcastic protagonist and wrung as much dry humour out of him as I could, to badly mix a metaphor.

I'm glad the wait is shorter this time!


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SSR2 https://bit.ly/3MTEqMD" rel="nofollow - House of Whispers
SSR1 https://bit.ly/41oGVuO" rel="nofollow - Memory of bone & blood (1st)


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:52pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

That's wonderful! Congratulations!!!


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Littledaylight
Round 1 Microfiction
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23907_post302843.html#302843


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:55pm
Finally submitted! Is it bad to say I'm proud of mine? It certainly took me for a ride but it turned into a story I really love. And I absolutely can't wait to read everyone's stories soon! 

Anyone else from heat 10 who wants to share stories, feel free to send me a private message.


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Littledaylight
Round 1 Microfiction
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23907_post302843.html#302843


Posted By: SLK43
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 10:59pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

Congratulations!!


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C2-G52 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/c2-g52-the-ultimate-dream-aa_topic49338.html" rel="nofollow - The Ultimate Dream






Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:02pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

Awesome! Congrats!


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SSC 2021 R2: https://tinyurl.com/jt9p568d" rel="nofollow - Complex Fracture
SSC 2021 R1: https://tinyurl.com/4d9bw9uf" rel="nofollow - Before Her Time 2nd


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:04pm
(On a side note -- damn, I wish I could drink a celebratory glass of something alcoholic right now. Being 7 months pregnant sucks sometimes.) 

I raise a virtual glass to you all Beer


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SSC 2021 R2: https://tinyurl.com/jt9p568d" rel="nofollow - Complex Fracture
SSC 2021 R1: https://tinyurl.com/4d9bw9uf" rel="nofollow - Before Her Time 2nd


Posted By: justmel
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:27pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!
 
Congratulations!  That's so exciting!


Posted By: justmel
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:32pm
Mine's in at 1999 words.  I'm in a Crime Caper heat (18) but wound up with a mashup of that and Political Satire.  My betas were encouraging, but I can't decide if I like the final result or hate it.  It was in and out of the trash so many times . . . I'm just glad I got something submitted, because there were several times this weekend when I was sure it wasn't going to happen.  No idea if I'll wind up posting it.


Posted By: MsVickie
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:34pm
I love everyone talking about checking that they were writing from the correct prompt multiple times. I totally did the same thing and thought I was the only one!

I'm feeling pretty meh about my fairy tale. I pulled off a number one for my round one of historical fiction but I don't think this next one is going to be a winner. Fairy tales are clearly not my forte, or at least not ones with wardens in them. 


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2021 100-word Microfiction: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic41117_post423368.html#423368" rel="nofollow - Surviving Sally


Posted By: alpaca_shearer
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:45pm
Originally posted by justmel justmel wrote:

Mine's in at 1999 words.  I'm in a Crime Caper heat (18) but wound up with a mashup of that and Political Satire.  My betas were encouraging, but I can't decide if I like the final result or hate it.  It was in and out of the trash so many times . . . I'm just glad I got something submitted, because there were several times this weekend when I was sure it wasn't going to happen.  No idea if I'll wind up posting it.

I was in 18 as well and it sounds like we went in completely different directions. I decided to just make it a straight-up Wild West rootin' tootin' shoot-em-up heist story. I don't know if it will play well with the judges, but I had a blast writing it! 


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2FF R3:
" rel="nofollow - - Where the Lilies Bloom


Posted By: Evil Tomato
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:46pm
Holy carp, that was painful. 

After two and a half days of having literally no worthwhile ideas, I finally forced myself to resolve on a basic plot and grind out 1993 uninspired, clumsy and vile words. 

Rather than suspense, it feels more like high concept sci-fi horror comedy, and I'm not sure it actually meets my prompts in any meaningful way, but it is written and submitted and oh god I need whiskey.

Hooray?

Edit: spelilng


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


Posted By: manifestlynot
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:49pm
Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:

Finally submitted! Is it bad to say I'm proud of mine? It certainly took me for a ride but it turned into a story I really love. And I absolutely can't wait to read everyone's stories soon! 

Anyone else from heat 10 who wants to share stories, feel free to send me a private message.

You should be, it’s wonderful!!


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Rhyming R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic51185_post541412.html#541412" rel="nofollow - Lionheart (Hist fic)


Posted By: GallifreyGirl
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:54pm
I'm honestly shocked as hell that I submitted this round. "Thriller" has now joined "mystery" as the categories I never, ever want again. It is legit impossible for me to do in 2k words. I cut so much I'm pretty sure the story doesn't even have enough left to make sense.

But.

I'm f**king done, let the chips fall where they may.


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


Posted By: AngofWords
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:55pm
I seem to be in the minority here in that I really love my story. That's not to say I expect it to get me to the next round, but I really enjoyed writing it, even with the stress of the whole endeavor.  I can't wait to read some of the others (particularly my heat - #3) once we're allowed to post them. 

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R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g127-the-wedding-guest-drama_topic52064.html" rel="nofollow - The Wedding Guest


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:58pm
I spent days writing a story I didn’t love. Then I scrapped the whole thing last night, started fresh, and love my new one! I don’t know how it will do. It’s a little odd. But I loved it and learned to trust my own voice.

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Microfiction 2021: 4th place overall
Flash Fiction 2020: 8th place overall


Posted By: AngofWords
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:58pm
Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:

Finally submitted! Is it bad to say I'm proud of mine? It certainly took me for a ride but it turned into a story I really love. 

Good for you!! I love it when artists can love their own work! ❤


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R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g127-the-wedding-guest-drama_topic52064.html" rel="nofollow - The Wedding Guest


Posted By: ludakitty
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 11:59pm
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

I wonder how many will be posted up to read. The ratio seemed low in round 1.

I think we are in the same heat (17?) and I'm planning on posting mine! I wasn't on the forums the first time around and missed the "feedback" frenzy. Looking forward to it this time!

I agree with your post upthread, I thought the prompts were not bad to work with. Thriller was challenging for me for other reasons but I didn't have trouble shaping the story around the other two!


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MF250 R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g53-clever-girls-a-a_topic37067.html" rel="nofollow - Clever Girls


Posted By: ludakitty
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:00am
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

While drinking my post-submission glass of wine, I received an email letting me know the issue of WINK: Writers in the Know magazine with my first round flash fic "Once in a Millennial" is out! Now it's a post-submission, finally-published glass of wine!

This is awesome and totally toast-worthy. Congrats!!


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MF250 R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g53-clever-girls-a-a_topic37067.html" rel="nofollow - Clever Girls


Posted By: ueberbill
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:03am
Action/Adventure - Ballerina - An Obligation (G25). I am so happy to have made it to the second round. Hoping I do more peer review than I did the last go-round. The forum is worth the price of admission.

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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic20184_post260330.html" rel="nofollow - SSC R1 H9: Red Lacquer

https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic20834_post270837.html#270837" rel="nofollow - SSC R2 H25: The Understudy


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:03am
Originally posted by AngofWords AngofWords wrote:

I seem to be in the minority here in that I really love my story. That's not to say I expect it to get me to the next round, but I really enjoyed writing it, even with the stress of the whole endeavor.  I can't wait to read some of the others (particularly my heat - #3) once we're allowed to post them. 

I LIKE mine, but I am going to need the right judges in the right mood for them to think this is romcom. Doesn't help their genre description is pure movie-related and suggests they want "When Harry Met Sally" shlock. Which I don't do. 


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250 R1: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic56891_post611502.html#611502" rel="nofollow - What Even Is a Mirliton
SSC R1: https://bit.ly/49hAP39" rel="nofollow - Dissolution


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:03am
Originally posted by ueberbill ueberbill wrote:

Action/Adventure - Ballerina - An Obligation (G25). I am so happy to have made it to the second round. Hoping I do more peer review than I did the last go-round. The forum is worth the price of admission.

Hi there, heatmate! I haven't seen a lot of us from group 25 here this weekend! Good luck to you!

-Alex


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Microfiction 2021: 4th place overall
Flash Fiction 2020: 8th place overall


Posted By: Bookworm33
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:06am
That was a mad dash to finish on time. I wanted to rework my ending a bit, but got so wrapped up in revising the beginning that I ran out of time--and words! The judges will probably be able to point to one particular spot on the fourth page and say "That's where she started to panic!" because it goes from all polished and pretty to "I have no time to explain, but here's the ending, okay? Okay!"

I just finished everything up as best I could and submitted with 10 minutes to spare...now to try to forget about it all so I can catch up on sleep tonight!

I did enjoy this round--just wish I hadn't had so much going on this weekend so I could have worked on my story more!


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SSC R1: https://bit.ly/36gf5JB" rel="nofollow - Hard Lessons


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:06am
Does anyone know when we can post loglines and titles? I can't remember if it's tonight or in a few days. (I know we can't post stories for a few days.) I'm excited to see what everyone came up with!

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Microfiction 2021: 4th place overall
Flash Fiction 2020: 8th place overall


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:07am
Aaaand closed.


Heat 17 - Thriller/Territorialitiy/Bus Driver

The Perfect Weirdo
"A local outcast seeks to protect his neighbourhood from an unknown threat."




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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:08am
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Aaaand closed.


Heat 17 - Thriller/Territorialitiy/Bus Driver

The Perfect Weirdo
"A local outcast seeks to protect his neighbourhood from an unknown threat."



Should we start a separate thread for these?


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Microfiction 2021: 4th place overall
Flash Fiction 2020: 8th place overall


Posted By: RocketSob
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:08am
DOWN TO THE WIRE. Am I correct in remembering they take the lower word count from either google docs or word doc? If not, I'm out, catch ya later. Tongue

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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic52180_post552247.html#552247" rel="nofollow - SSR1 I'll Be Seeing You


Posted By: td333777
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:09am
Yeah, someone needs to start a new thread called "Round Two titles/synopses"


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FF '17 - 1st, SSC '18 - 2nd, FF '20 - 7th


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:09am
Originally posted by northernwriter northernwriter wrote:

Does anyone know when we can post loglines and titles? I can't remember if it's tonight or in a few days. (I know we can't post stories for a few days.) I'm excited to see what everyone came up with!

We can now that the deadline has passed. (At least, I *hope* we can, as I just started such a thread! In the past, we've been able to as soon as the deadline hits.)


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RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:11am
Originally posted by td333777 td333777 wrote:

Yeah, someone needs to start a new thread called "Round Two titles/synopses"

Done.

https://forums.nycmidnight.com/round-2-titles-and-synopses_topic20781.html" rel="nofollow - https://forums.nycmidnight.com/round-2-titles-and-synopses_topic20781.html


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RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.


Posted By: justmel
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:12am
Originally posted by alpaca_shearer alpaca_shearer wrote:

Originally posted by justmel justmel wrote:

Mine's in at 1999 words.  I'm in a Crime Caper heat (18) but wound up with a mashup of that and Political Satire.  My betas were encouraging, but I can't decide if I like the final result or hate it.  It was in and out of the trash so many times . . . I'm just glad I got something submitted, because there were several times this weekend when I was sure it wasn't going to happen.  No idea if I'll wind up posting it.
 
I was in 18 as well and it sounds like we went in completely different directions. I decided to just make it a straight-up Wild West rootin' tootin' shoot-em-up heist story. I don't know if it will play well with the judges, but I had a blast writing it! 
 
I'm so glad one of us had fun!  LOL!  This round was just about the death of me.  I almost hope I don't get into R3 because it might seriously do me in.  Dead  Best of luck to you!


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:19am
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:

Finally submitted! Is it bad to say I'm proud of mine? It certainly took me for a ride but it turned into a story I really love. And I absolutely can't wait to read everyone's stories soon! 

Anyone else from heat 10 who wants to share stories, feel free to send me a private message.

You should be, it’s wonderful!!

You're too sweet:)


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Littledaylight
Round 1 Microfiction
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic23907_post302843.html#302843


Posted By: maggiess
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:24am
Hey guys, I submitted mine with a handful of typos that are driving me crazy. I noticed the submissions are actually still open until 1 AM EST. Do you think I'd be able to reupload a corrected version or would it be considered late and therefore not accepted?


Posted By: Cassalass
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:54am
me: I'm going to submit this story to a contest. Do you want to give it a read for me?
(Abases herself to read it)
My sister: Don't expect to win with this.
Me: ok anything specific?
My sister: like your specific odds of winning? They are not good.




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R1,H55,Historical Fiction http://tinyurl.com/y6yrlchd" rel="nofollow - The Rat Merchant
R2,H11,Romance http://tinyurl.com/y5lkpyjm" rel="nofollow - On Your Left


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:55am
Originally posted by Cassalass Cassalass wrote:

me: I'm going to submit this story to a contest. Do you want to give it a read for me?
(Abases herself to read it)
My sister: Don't expect to win with this.
Me: ok anything specific?
My sister: like your specific odds of winning? They are not good.



I'm stealing this for future dialogue.


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SSC R2 H2 - https://bit.ly/2Rpm2Od" rel="nofollow - Jetsam
SSC R1 H128 - https://bit.ly/2RAsItk" rel="nofollow - Truth and Fire


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:58am
1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.


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



Posted By: Cassalass
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:58am
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

Originally posted by Cassalass Cassalass wrote:

me: I'm going to submit this story to a contest. Do you want to give it a read for me?
(Abases herself to read it)
My sister: Don't expect to win with this.
Me: ok anything specific?
My sister: like your specific odds of winning? They are not good.



I'm stealing this for future dialogue.
At least someone likes something I wrote


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R1,H55,Historical Fiction http://tinyurl.com/y6yrlchd" rel="nofollow - The Rat Merchant
R2,H11,Romance http://tinyurl.com/y5lkpyjm" rel="nofollow - On Your Left


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:21am
Okay. So I feel like some sort of mama's boy now, because I declared myself out of the running a couple of times and actually, honestly gave up. But I put on my big boy pants this morning (Monday Australia time) and bashed out a new second half and somehow got it in with three minutes to spare. It's not good, but it's also not completely horrible, and there are a few lines in it that give me quiet satisfaction even if no one else likes them.

Had a hell of a time with the prompts, and some real-life hurdles including a house coated in 2mm of plaster dust and a three year-old who decided she would never sleep again because monsters, but hey, it's all part of the fun, right? I actually feel like giving up the second time was an essential part of my process, because it allowed me to get a worry-free sleep before the final push. Or is that wishful thinking?

Anyway, I'll take an appletini thanks, or a G&T if one's going.

Congrats to all who submitted, especially those who are happy with what they did.


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SSC 2019: https://tinyurl.com/y3rtxc2x" rel="nofollow - R1 http://tinyurl.com/y254h9ue" rel="nofollow - R2 https://tinyurl.com/yycxuf96" rel="nofollow - R3


Posted By: redhart
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:30am
Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.

Yay!! Glad you submitted! ClapClapClap


Posted By: Coups
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:36am
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

Okay. So I feel like some sort of mama's boy now, because I declared myself out of the running a couple of times and actually, honestly gave up. But I put on my big boy pants this morning (Monday Australia time) and bashed out a new second half and somehow got it in with three minutes to spare. It's not good, but it's also not completely horrible, and there are a few lines in it that give me quiet satisfaction even if no one else likes them.
This was me too... thank goodness it's just gone school holidays in QLD and I had the day to finish up this morning! My sleep was fretful last night with all the possible ideas that I just couldn't write anything... we'll see how I feel tomorrow after having slept on it!


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2020 SSC R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic32143_post331622.html#331622" rel="nofollow - THE QUIET


Posted By: redhart
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:37am
Originally posted by Evil Tomato Evil Tomato wrote:

Holy carp, that was painful. 

After two and a half days of having literally no worthwhile ideas, I finally forced myself to resolve on a basic plot and grind out 1993 uninspired, clumsy and vile words. 

Rather than suspense, it feels more like high concept sci-fi horror comedy, and I'm not sure it actually meets my prompts in any meaningful way, but it is written and submitted and oh god I need whiskey.

Hooray?

Edit: spelilng

What suspense group are you in?
I’m in 1, and I sort of threw in a bit of comedy in the first half.
Now if I’d have been assigned comedy, I would have freaked out.
LOLLOL


Posted By: redhart
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:38am
Originally posted by sarasummer sarasummer wrote:

I submitted, but don’t feel it is my best work. Fairy tale is not a genre I’ve ever done before. But, it’s done. Lol. Congrats to you all!

Maybe you’ll have a unique take on it that will impress the judges. WinkWinkWink


Posted By: redhart
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:44am
Originally posted by JingleBells JingleBells wrote:

Well mine's in and I can't stay for an Appletini, I'm afraid.  Straight back to work.  It was intense. I pulled mystery for the second time in a row,  and while the prompts were good, it was draining coming up with a new set of clues,  suspects and red herrings.  
How long before they'll let us post to the forum for this round? I've never made it this far before,  so I'm keen to read the stories. 

From memory, it’s a couple of days (?)


Posted By: Coups
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:45am
Originally posted by AngofWords AngofWords wrote:

I seem to be in the minority here in that I really love my story. That's not to say I expect it to get me to the next round, but I really enjoyed writing it, even with the stress of the whole endeavor.  I can't wait to read some of the others (particularly my heat - #3) once we're allowed to post them. 
Hi heat buddy... I am so jealous! I totally balked at the prompts and then spent about 60 hours procrastinating and complaining... (to be fair, this seems to be part of my writing process as I went through this in round 1 as well but for 6 days *sigh*).  Finally managed to get something down and ended up not too displeased, but by no means do I think I'll advance either! Good luck! :D


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2020 SSC R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic32143_post331622.html#331622" rel="nofollow - THE QUIET


Posted By: Evil Tomato
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:48am
Originally posted by redhart redhart wrote:

What suspense group are you in?
I’m in 1, and I sort of threw in a bit of comedy in the first half.
Now if I’d have been assigned comedy, I would have freaked out.

I'm in group 26 - Suspense / an author / an inspection.

Comedy I can do, but suspense? How do you even suspend? Argh!

I feel like suspense is like deliberately not advancing the plot to create an emotional effect, but with only 2000 words it's damn hard to let things unfold at a deliberate pace and not just chuck all of the plot points at the screen while crying 'FEEL SUSPENSE WORD SLAVES!!!1!' My instincts were sabotaging me a bit, I think.

I've got a lot of respect for anyone who can write a really good suspense short story, but I don't think I'm one of them yet.


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


Posted By: redhart
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 1:58am
Originally posted by Evil Tomato Evil Tomato wrote:

Originally posted by redhart redhart wrote:

What suspense group are you in?
I’m in 1, and I sort of threw in a bit of comedy in the first half.
Now if I’d have been assigned comedy, I would have freaked out.

I'm in group 26 - Suspense / an author / an inspection.

Comedy I can do, but suspense? How do you even suspend? Argh!

I feel like suspense is like deliberately not advancing the plot to create an emotional effect, but with only 2000 words it's damn hard to let things unfold at a deliberate pace and not just chuck all of the plot points at the screen while crying 'FEEL SUSPENSE WORD SLAVES!!!1!' My instincts were sabotaging me a bit, I think.

I've got a lot of respect for anyone who can write a really good suspense short story, but I don't think I'm one of them yet.

Yes, I feel with my suspense stories (3rd time) I write enough suspense in, but then go ‘and...there’s your ending’. Last time I wrote the end and then faffed on for another half a page. 
Oh well, at least I didn’t get Spy!


Posted By: Paula-Jane
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 3:37am
Good morning from Switzerland!
Chocolate anyone?

Submitted last night, and feeling very unsure about it. Had fun writing the story, but had a hard time coming up with the right kind of idea to make it fit with the subject (a test of strength). 
Also, I now wonder if it was smart or very stupid to include a Trump quote... :-)

Seacore: Big news! You're a dad!!! Congratulations!
It was pretty much because your Pinocchio scare the holy spider out of me that I had the silly idea of re-writing a fairy-tale myself. Please consider yourself responsible, and expect a letter from my lawyer about child support payments.

Congrats to everybody, can't wait to read your stories!!! 




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FF 19: R1 - 37
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-h37-horror-the-first-time_topic22383.html" rel="nofollow - The first time


Posted By: Tim G
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 4:30am
Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.

KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!

Bravo that man.


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Rhyming Story R2: https://shorturl.at/ozDEZ" rel="nofollow - Flying On Empty (Thriller)


Posted By: Tim G
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 4:32am
Originally posted by taaaylor taaaylor wrote:

I managed to get extremely sick over all 3 days of the contest. Spent-most-of-Saturday-night-at-the-ER sort of sick. My liver is a bit on fire because (most likely) hepatitis A has taken up residency in me. I'm amazed I got a story out at all. Couldn't have done it without my best friend helping me figure it all out, honestly.

Congrats to everyone who has made it across the finish line, and good luck to anyone using these last couple hours to make it <3 It's been such a joy writing with you all

Oh my goodness! I'm sorry, but well the hell done.

I'm not going to complain about my weekend. You win the suck.


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Rhyming Story R2: https://shorturl.at/ozDEZ" rel="nofollow - Flying On Empty (Thriller)


Posted By: Tim G
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 4:33am
All done. I seem to live a blessed life with prompts; I'm never a fan of 'mystery' but 'noise pollution' and 'reading teacher' gave me an easy way in.

Looking forward to seeing what you all make of it. As always, I don't really know how I feel yet. I hope I like it!


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Rhyming Story R2: https://shorturl.at/ozDEZ" rel="nofollow - Flying On Empty (Thriller)


Posted By: uglypantsuit
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 5:56am
I am now wracked with panic that I haven't utilised the subject enough. I think in terms of quality, it's the best piece I've ever written for NYC, and I'm actually extremely proud of it, but I think that's going to cost me. 

Think I need more wine. Please, somebody tell me about the time you were light on a subject on SSC and still got through... please?


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 6:12am
Originally posted by uglypantsuit uglypantsuit wrote:

I am now wracked with panic that I haven't utilised the subject enough. I think in terms of quality, it's the best piece I've ever written for NYC, and I'm actually extremely proud of it, but I think that's going to cost me. 

Think I need more wine. Please, somebody tell me about the time you were light on a subject on SSC and still got through... please?


Don't panic. All the judges are different, obviously, but my feeling is that they are primarily judging the quality of your story, not your adherence to the prompts. Plus, your subject was handicap, right? So open to interpretation! Could just mean a weakness or shortcoming, which I'm sure your MC exhibits.


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SSC 2019: https://tinyurl.com/y3rtxc2x" rel="nofollow - R1 http://tinyurl.com/y254h9ue" rel="nofollow - R2 https://tinyurl.com/yycxuf96" rel="nofollow - R3


Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 6:17am
Originally posted by uglypantsuit uglypantsuit wrote:

I am now wracked with panic that I haven't utilised the subject enough. I think in terms of quality, it's the best piece I've ever written for NYC, and I'm actually extremely proud of it, but I think that's going to cost me. 

Think I need more wine. Please, somebody tell me about the time you were light on a subject on SSC and still got through... please?

My second round story last year, a judge literally said I didn’t do much to incorporate the assigned subject (which is true, it was basically a line of dialogue) and I got through to the finals with it. If I’m remembering correctly, plot and character development count for like 70% of the score. Don’t fret! And definitely don’t fret for the next five weeks until we get the results!


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FFC#1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic42474_post440210.html#440210" rel="nofollow - Accident-Prone
FFC #2 Magic Hour


Posted By: dias
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 8:08am
My subject for Round 1 this year was “funeral” but I really didn’t want to write about a real one. So I wrote about Romeo & Juliet and just referenced the funeral scene, but it was maybe a couple of paragraphs out of the whole story. And one of the judges seemed to miss that scene completely - but it still got me through to Round 2.

So don’t sweat it! I think subject is a much more woolly concept than character/object (where it’s clear if you have or haven’t incorporated it) and that can work in your favour, as long as you’ve not ignored it completely.


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All my stories are https://tinyurl.com/3uvvk4s2" rel="nofollow - here!


Posted By: kcraven
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 8:14am
So I had the flu, and at one point Sunday afternoon, I'd convinced myself not to bother finishing. Then I did it, and it's done, and I won't be going on to round 3, but that's okay, because I didn't give up, and I didn't puke, so it's all good.
No apple-tinis for me. Pass the Gravol.


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 8:23am
Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.


But you did it!  Way to go!


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This sig intentionally blank


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 8:25am
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

Okay. So I feel like some sort of mama's boy now, because I declared myself out of the running a couple of times and actually, honestly gave up. But I put on my big boy pants this morning (Monday Australia time) and bashed out a new second half and somehow got it in with three minutes to spare. It's not good, but it's also not completely horrible, and there are a few lines in it that give me quiet satisfaction even if no one else likes them.

Had a hell of a time with the prompts, and some real-life hurdles including a house coated in 2mm of plaster dust and a three year-old who decided she would never sleep again because monsters, but hey, it's all part of the fun, right? I actually feel like giving up the second time was an essential part of my process, because it allowed me to get a worry-free sleep before the final push. Or is that wishful thinking?

Anyway, I'll take an appletini thanks, or a G&T if one's going.

Congrats to all who submitted, especially those who are happy with what they did.


Well done!  We're all proud of you for sticking it out (and anyone who isn't doesn't count Big smile)


-------------
This sig intentionally blank


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 8:38am
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

Okay. So I feel like some sort of mama's boy now, because I declared myself out of the running a couple of times and actually, honestly gave up. But I put on my big boy pants this morning (Monday Australia time) and bashed out a new second half and somehow got it in with three minutes to spare. It's not good, but it's also not completely horrible, and there are a few lines in it that give me quiet satisfaction even if no one else likes them.


Well done!  We're all proud of you for sticking it out (and anyone who isn't doesn't count Big smile)


Aw, thanks! Embarrassed Sounds like a few people prevailed against some genuinely hard life stuff this round, including serious illness, so I'm not sure I qualify for too much praise, but still -- thanks.


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SSC 2019: https://tinyurl.com/y3rtxc2x" rel="nofollow - R1 http://tinyurl.com/y254h9ue" rel="nofollow - R2 https://tinyurl.com/yycxuf96" rel="nofollow - R3


Posted By: Briana Una
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 9:11am
Originally posted by Evil Tomato Evil Tomato wrote:

Originally posted by redhart redhart wrote:

What suspense group are you in?
I’m in 1, and I sort of threw in a bit of comedy in the first half.
Now if I’d have been assigned comedy, I would have freaked out.

I'm in group 26 - Suspense / an author / an inspection.

I feel like suspense is like deliberately not advancing the plot to create an emotional effect... My instincts were sabotaging me a bit, I think.

I've got a lot of respect for anyone who can write a really good suspense short story, but I don't think I'm one of them yet.

I'm in your heat, and I feel you on being sabotaged by your instincts! Writing this, I felt like on my first pass through I refused to foreshadow anything, because I'm so used to cutting out bad, false suspense from my usual writing. What ended up working was just writing the whole story without regard to dread, anxiety, etc., and then going back once it was done to add foreshadowing statements here and there. 

It felt like being naughty -- you know, in a writerly way. Doing a thing you have been trained out of doing and, better still, doing it because the situation demands it for your success.


Posted By: Tricksie
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 9:52am
Originally posted by taaaylor taaaylor wrote:

I managed to get extremely sick over all 3 days of the contest. Spent-most-of-Saturday-night-at-the-ER sort of sick. My liver is a bit on fire because (most likely) hepatitis A has taken up residency in me. I'm amazed I got a story out at all. Couldn't have done it without my best friend helping me figure it all out, honestly.

Congrats to everyone who has made it across the finish line, and good luck to anyone using these last couple hours to make it <3 It's been such a joy writing with you all

OMG, that's horrible. I hope you start feeling better soon and you're a total miracle for even getting it done!!! 


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


Posted By: ajacunski
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 10:03am
I was incredibly sick this weekend -- struggled through the story for days, got it done at 10:30pm after two full days on the damn thing, submitted, and.... 

Woke up this morning and realized that I hadn't formatted the damn thing. :(

I had almost no chance making it into the final as it was, but now I think it's totally impossible.

Sigh. 


Posted By: pipartuuli
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:01pm
I'm still not sure if I regret not reworking the story more. I completed the majority of it Friday evening, then tweaked it minimally on Saturday (mostly because I had family drop in on me fairly unexpectedly... yaaaay) and submitted it that afternoon. Then decided that, while I loved the concept I'd come up with, my execution had been terrible, so I rewrote the entire thing Sunday morning and submitted the final version then and haven't looked at it since.

I definitely don't like it as much as my round 1 entry. I think my interpretation of the topic (Heat 12 - Historical fiction/A thief/A journey) was as best I could do in the time allotted. I really struggled because, honestly, I could already think of SO MANY stories that use those elements that I found it hard to come up with something original. I also am afraid that I didn't add enough "historical flavor" to it; I think I mention lanterns and wood torches and Plague miasmas, but that was about it.  Eek.

If anything gets me through to the next round, it'll have to be my spin on the topic assigned because I certainly don't feel as though it'll be my raw wordsmithing abilities alone.

Still, even if I don't make it, I'm tickled to bits to have come in first place in round 1 as someone who has not only never participated in this competition before, but who has never participated in any writing competition before, so advancing at this point would have just been icing on an already delicious cake! 


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Round 1, Heat 141 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17-W8VTgvEjnrA-4TsLKmpGDeTZN-RXIaT05CdHGPvNo" rel="nofollow - Gumballs


Posted By: DeLynn
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:08pm
Ouch I had so much fun with mine I had to kill 500+ words worth of "darlings."Cry I decided to save the lengthier version for future use.Fortunately, I like both. The longer one provides the reader greater visual detail. The short one is snappy.

Best of luck!


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'23 SS R1 G54 http://bit.ly/3IeWy0V" rel="nofollow - Bitter_Harvest

'19 SS R1 1st Place: http://bit.ly/40OuiJw" rel="nofollow - Smack
R2 Tilly's Run



Posted By: DeLynn
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:19pm
I'm in H18 with you. Can't wait to see what you came up with; I loved "Caligula's Horse". Clap


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'23 SS R1 G54 http://bit.ly/3IeWy0V" rel="nofollow - Bitter_Harvest

'19 SS R1 1st Place: http://bit.ly/40OuiJw" rel="nofollow - Smack
R2 Tilly's Run



Posted By: Ennazus
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:26pm
Same. I had to cut 440 words. It was tough. Thankful for beta readers. Still in this case, the story was stronger just a little longer. 

Ugh, but I realized I modified a really effective line Inshould have left alone. Oh well. At this point, it’s the best kind of story... a finished one! 


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R1FF2020 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic35921_post376970.html#376970.com" rel="nofollow - Father’s Last Act


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:29pm
Originally posted by redhart redhart wrote:

Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.

Yay!! Glad you submitted! ClapClapClap


Thanks to SootFoot5 who pestered me to GIT ER DONE. She is my best ever mentor and advisor.


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



Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 12:30pm
Originally posted by Tim G Tim G wrote:

Originally posted by stephenmatlock stephenmatlock wrote:

1990 words, 1600 written in the last 90 minutes. One edit pass, and that's that.

KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!

Bravo that man.


Sigh. We'll see. There's a much better story in it, but it was a grind to get it out. I did everything *but* this story.

And thanks.


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




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