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Ready, steady...

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=21192
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 3:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Ready, steady...
Posted By: Holdo
Subject: Ready, steady...
Date Posted: 17 May 2019 at 11:51pm
Okay. The laptop is charging, the coffee is on, the child is heavily sedated. Are we set?

P.S. She's actually painting rainbows, don't worry.


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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



Replies:
Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 17 May 2019 at 11:56pm
I have  3 and 7 year olds, no judgement. 

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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: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:02am
It is 9:02 Pacific time! Where's the prompts???!

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


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:07am
Everyone got them? Side effect (s) and a gravedigger


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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: Seacore
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:18am
Hmmm, last year was undertaker wasn't it? 

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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: Heartstart
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:23am
I've done my civic duty today (ie voted in our federal election), and am hoping to at least brainstorm some ideas before heading off to my friend's election night party. 

Good luck everyone! 






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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g215-romcom-nan-overboard_topic52345.html" rel="nofollow - R1 Nan Overboard


Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:45am
I already have a feeling my entry is gonna be somewhat stupid and snarky with these prompts. Snarky worked for me last round, let's see if I can pull it off again.

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


Posted By: regannoelle
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 1:15am
I told myself I wouldn't start writing tonight, yet here I am! This is my first SSC, and thus my first finals round, so I was wondering - does gravedigger need to be taken literally? Or can you use it as a more metaphorical term, like someone "digging a grave" for themselves or for someone around them? Is that cheatsy, or would that fall under the umbrella of adhering to the prompt?

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https://tinyurl.com/2m3fkkf3" rel="nofollow - 2020 100 Final "The Old Man and the Moon" (2nd Place)
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r4-fissures-drama_topic45147.html" rel="nofollow - 2021 Flash Final "Fissures"


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 1:23am
I have family visiting tomorrow, so basically I have like...tonight and early tomorrow morning to write this.

Gonna make coffee for sure.

Right now I have three ideas I'm trying to choose between. None of them particularly brilliant.


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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: 18 May 2019 at 1:27am
Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

I told myself I wouldn't start writing tonight, yet here I am! This is my first SSC, and thus my first finals round, so I was wondering - does gravedigger need to be taken literally? Or can you use it as a more metaphorical term, like someone "digging a grave" for themselves or for someone around them? Is that cheatsy, or would that fall under the umbrella of adhering to the prompt?

Good question. I'm also wondering about "side effect." Does it have to be of a medication or treatment, which is the strict definition? Otherwise, "side effect" can mean just about anything. I'm inclined to go literal just to be safe, but then again, I don't want to limit myself.


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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: Holdo
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 1:29am
Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

I told myself I wouldn't start writing tonight, yet here I am! This is my first SSC, and thus my first finals round, so I was wondering - does gravedigger need to be taken literally? Or can you use it as a more metaphorical term, like someone "digging a grave" for themselves or for someone around them? Is that cheatsy, or would that fall under the umbrella of adhering to the prompt?


It seems to me that the judges often prefer a less obvious take on the prompts, so everything you've described would definitely pass.


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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: Heartstart
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 3:29am
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

I told myself I wouldn't start writing tonight, yet here I am! This is my first SSC, and thus my first finals round, so I was wondering - does gravedigger need to be taken literally? Or can you use it as a more metaphorical term, like someone "digging a grave" for themselves or for someone around them? Is that cheatsy, or would that fall under the umbrella of adhering to the prompt?


It seems to me that the judges often prefer a less obvious take on the prompts, so everything you've described would definitely pass.

Yeah, in my experience, the judges definitely like more "creative" takes on the prompts, so you definitely don't have to take them literally! 


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g215-romcom-nan-overboard_topic52345.html" rel="nofollow - R1 Nan Overboard


Posted By: NeilWhitfield
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 8:01am
I have to be honest - i'm not feeling these prompts... and the massive countdown clock on the website is doing nothing for my nerves!

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R1 https://tinyurl.com/5723ujkr" rel="nofollow - The House of Broken Mirrors
R2 https://tinyurl.com/4jac92ba" rel="nofollow - Lily's Last Day


Posted By: lgeverdell
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 8:29am
Originally posted by NeilWhitfield NeilWhitfield wrote:

I have to be honest - i'm not feeling these prompts... and the massive countdown clock on the website is doing nothing for my nerves!

I agree, on both counts! Hating the time constrains, and finding everything coming out a bit slapstick from these prompts. 


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http://tinyurl.com/ycxcxsnd" rel="nofollow - SSC24 R1 G20 Eighth Deadly Sin (PolSat) http://tinyurl.com/mw4yszsp" rel="nofollow -
Micro24 R2 G25 Remember (Ghost)


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 10:09am
yeah I’m struggling hardcore. Have a few different beginnings that may or may not lead to decent endings. 

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


Posted By: lgeverdell
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 10:49am
I CANNOT get rid of a last 137 words!!!! 

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http://tinyurl.com/ycxcxsnd" rel="nofollow - SSC24 R1 G20 Eighth Deadly Sin (PolSat) http://tinyurl.com/mw4yszsp" rel="nofollow -
Micro24 R2 G25 Remember (Ghost)


Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:00am
Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

I CANNOT get rid of a last 137 words!!!! 

Oooh..that's my favorite part! Happy to help if you need it. :)


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#amrevising


Posted By: lgeverdell
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:02am
Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

I CANNOT get rid of a last 137 words!!!! 

Oooh..that's my favorite part! Happy to help if you need it. :)

For real? I need help!! 


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http://tinyurl.com/ycxcxsnd" rel="nofollow - SSC24 R1 G20 Eighth Deadly Sin (PolSat) http://tinyurl.com/mw4yszsp" rel="nofollow -
Micro24 R2 G25 Remember (Ghost)


Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:03am
Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

I CANNOT get rid of a last 137 words!!!! 

Oooh..that's my favorite part! Happy to help if you need it. :)

For real? I need help!! 

YES! Send a link over via PM!


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#amrevising


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 12:14pm
Wrote most of the night. Have 1500 words on page. They are not all in the order I want them to be in.

Wacko


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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: lgeverdell
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 1:07pm
So, I'm 1000% sure I've seen this on the forums somewhere and I looked for it but couldn't find it. 
Word count where hyphenations are two words, and word count where they count as one... do we know which one they take? 

(It's sci-fi, so there's a deal-breaking number of hyphenations!) 


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http://tinyurl.com/ycxcxsnd" rel="nofollow - SSC24 R1 G20 Eighth Deadly Sin (PolSat) http://tinyurl.com/mw4yszsp" rel="nofollow -
Micro24 R2 G25 Remember (Ghost)


Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 2:04pm
Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

So, I'm 1000% sure I've seen this on the forums somewhere and I looked for it but couldn't find it. 
Word count where hyphenations are two words, and word count where they count as one... do we know which one they take? 

(It's sci-fi, so there's a deal-breaking number of hyphenations!) 

Maybe steer on the side of caution and count em as two?


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


Posted By: lgeverdell
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by roccapia roccapia wrote:

Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

So, I'm 1000% sure I've seen this on the forums somewhere and I looked for it but couldn't find it. 
Word count where hyphenations are two words, and word count where they count as one... do we know which one they take? 

(It's sci-fi, so there's a deal-breaking number of hyphenations!) 

Maybe steer on the side of caution and count em as two?

Good advice, that's what I've gone with :) 


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http://tinyurl.com/ycxcxsnd" rel="nofollow - SSC24 R1 G20 Eighth Deadly Sin (PolSat) http://tinyurl.com/mw4yszsp" rel="nofollow -
Micro24 R2 G25 Remember (Ghost)


Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 6:01pm
OH MY GOD, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO END THIS STUPID PIECE OF DRIVEL!!!

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


Posted By: Nicole622
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 6:06pm
Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

Originally posted by roccapia roccapia wrote:

Originally posted by lgeverdell lgeverdell wrote:

So, I'm 1000% sure I've seen this on the forums somewhere and I looked for it but couldn't find it. 
Word count where hyphenations are two words, and word count where they count as one... do we know which one they take? 

(It's sci-fi, so there's a deal-breaking number of hyphenations!) 

Maybe steer on the side of caution and count em as two?

Good advice, that's what I've gone with :) 

In the rules it says they do a word count in Microsoft Word and one on Google Docs and take the shorter count. Microsoft Word definitely counts hyphenated words as ONE (e.g., sci-fi is one word), so you should be safe. Hope this helps you free up some word count!


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Short Story Contest 2022 5th place
IG: http://www.instagram.com/ncurtiswrites/" rel="nofollow - @ncurtiswrites


Posted By: Nicole622
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 6:08pm
Originally posted by roccapia roccapia wrote:

OH MY GOD, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO END THIS STUPID PIECE OF DRIVEL!!!

Haha! IMO, always the hardest part. I totally suck at endings. Good luck!


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Short Story Contest 2022 5th place
IG: http://www.instagram.com/ncurtiswrites/" rel="nofollow - @ncurtiswrites


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 7:56pm
ok I wrote two stories. Now to decide which sucks less 

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


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 8:09pm
It's not going well here. 1,000 words in and it's just a mean, nasty little story so far, with no point or reason.

However, I'm taking regular breaks and can probably manage a quick beta if anyone needs it. DM me.


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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: 18 May 2019 at 8:11pm
Hey there, awesome final rounders. I'm available to beta if anyone needs/wants it!

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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: 18 May 2019 at 8:16pm
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

It's not going well here. 1,000 words in and it's just a mean, nasty little story so far, with no point or reason.

However, I'm taking regular breaks and can probably manage a quick beta if anyone needs it. DM me.

I feel you Holdo...this is tough. The first two rounds I knew exactly what I wanted to do and say, and these prompts just did not spark anything. Maybe I’m dried out LOL


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


Posted By: Heartstart
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 8:29pm
If it's any consolation, I have only just started writing, with under 4 hours to go! (I blame the election upset last night - which some people are describing as "Australia's Trumpian moment"!)

The good news is that my story is all mapped out in my head, and I know exactly what's going to happen. 

Am super impressed that that rest of you have managed to finish a story (and in some cases, write two!). 


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g215-romcom-nan-overboard_topic52345.html" rel="nofollow - R1 Nan Overboard


Posted By: Holdo
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 8:41pm
Originally posted by Heartstart Heartstart wrote:

If it's any consolation, I have only just started writing, with under 4 hours to go! (I blame the election upset last night - which some people are describing as "Australia's Trumpian moment"!)


Yep, watching the horror unfold cost me most of yesterday evening too. Difficult to write through total existential despair. Could be why my story is so bleak.


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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: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 10:05pm
DONE! Clocked in at 1,496, went with my second story and had no time for betas. But I did it, and that’s that.

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


Posted By: Nicole622
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 10:11pm
Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

DONE! Clocked in at 1,496, went with my second story and had no time for betas. But I did it, and that’s that.

You did 2?! Oh my god. I just finished at 1499 words! Fighting the urge to just read it over and over until midnight.


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Short Story Contest 2022 5th place
IG: http://www.instagram.com/ncurtiswrites/" rel="nofollow - @ncurtiswrites


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 10:27pm
Originally posted by Nicole622 Nicole622 wrote:

Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

DONE! Clocked in at 1,496, went with my second story and had no time for betas. But I did it, and that’s that.

You did 2?! Oh my god. I just finished at 1499 words! Fighting the urge to just read it over and over until midnight.

You got this! Pat yourself on the back and relax. I’m sure it’s been a long day for all of us!


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


Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:26pm
Submitted, by gum. Not at all crazy about it, and my synopsis absolutely sucks, but it's in. Now to obsessively go over the manuscript again in the 1/2 hour I have left, to see if I find any mistakes. Which I won't. Not until tomorrow, when it's too late, will I spot 'em.

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


Posted By: regannoelle
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:34pm
1,497 words, four cups of coffee, and one sleepless night later - I'm done! I think I've read this story so many times in search of errors that I've begun to hate it. Like, vehemently hate it. Not sure whether that's a good sign, but I'm just happy to have finished.

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https://tinyurl.com/2m3fkkf3" rel="nofollow - 2020 100 Final "The Old Man and the Moon" (2nd Place)
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r4-fissures-drama_topic45147.html" rel="nofollow - 2021 Flash Final "Fissures"


Posted By: SLK43
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:37pm
As Austin Powers said 'And I'm spent'. 


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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: 18 May 2019 at 11:38pm
Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

1,497 words, four cups of coffee, and one sleepless night later - I'm done! I think I've read this story so many times in search of errors that I've begun to hate it. Like, vehemently hate it. Not sure whether that's a good sign, but I'm just happy to have finished.


I'm beginning to hate mine too. It must be a side effect of this contest. Get it??!! Side effect??!! Hahahah...oh bleh. I'm now drinking rum to drown my sorrows :P

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


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:43pm
Yeah I’m learning to hate mine too. Anyone else feeling insecure about sharing on the forum this round?

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


Posted By: roccapia
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:49pm
Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

Yeah I’m learning to hate mine too. Anyone else feeling insecure about sharing on the forum this round?


No. Sounds like we all hate how ours turned out, which means they're probably all wonderful. I can't wait to post mine and read everyone else's.

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


Posted By: Nicole622
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:59pm
Originally posted by roccapia roccapia wrote:

Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

1,497 words, four cups of coffee, and one sleepless night later - I'm done! I think I've read this story so many times in search of errors that I've begun to hate it. Like, vehemently hate it. Not sure whether that's a good sign, but I'm just happy to have finished.


I'm beginning to hate mine too. It must be a side effect of this contest. Get it??!! Side effect??!! Hahahah...oh bleh. I'm now drinking rum to drown my sorrows :P

Hahaha! It is either an indicator of my tiredness or your comedic brilliance that I actually laughed out loud at this. Like, pretty hard. 


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Short Story Contest 2022 5th place
IG: http://www.instagram.com/ncurtiswrites/" rel="nofollow - @ncurtiswrites


Posted By: regannoelle
Date Posted: 18 May 2019 at 11:59pm
Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

Yeah I’m learning to hate mine too. Anyone else feeling insecure about sharing on the forum this round?

Yeah, I definitely am. I'll still share, but I'm really unsure how to feel about what I've created. As silly as it sounds, I've never written anything based on my own personal experiences before (largely due to a fear of becoming Fitzgerald, the man who shared so much that he died feeling like he had nothing left). I'm not sure why I decided to do it for the first time in the finals round of a writing competition, but once I had the idea for the story, I couldn't stop writing it. I don't know. The whole story just felt iffy.
It seems a lot of people are feeling a bit iffy about their stories, but I'm super excited to devour them all once we can post them! I feel like these prompts could go a million different ways, and I'm excited to read some of the ways people took!


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https://tinyurl.com/2m3fkkf3" rel="nofollow - 2020 100 Final "The Old Man and the Moon" (2nd Place)
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r4-fissures-drama_topic45147.html" rel="nofollow - 2021 Flash Final "Fissures"


Posted By: Briana Una
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:01am
I'm shocked to say it, but I actually wrote a story and submitted it. This was my first time in round 3 and, man, writing 1,500 GOOD words in 24 hours is haaaaaaaaard. I kind of like mine, I guess -- I got to write a gothic, which is my specialty, but also feels like the obvious route... (I've also read it too many times and have no perspective/hate it right now.)

What I wonder (now that it's too late, of course) is whether my "side effects" come off more as "symptoms." God, don't let the judges be picky about that.


Posted By: Nicole622
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:01am
Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

Yeah I’m learning to hate mine too. Anyone else feeling insecure about sharing on the forum this round?

Yeah, I definitely am. I'll still share, but I'm really unsure how to feel about what I've created. As silly as it sounds, I've never written anything based on my own personal experiences before (largely due to a fear of becoming Fitzgerald, the man who shared so much that he died feeling like he had nothing left). I'm not sure why I decided to do it for the first time in the finals round of a writing competition, but once I had the idea for the story, I couldn't stop writing it. I don't know. The whole story just felt iffy.
It seems a lot of people are feeling a bit iffy about their stories, but I'm super excited to devour them all once we can post them! I feel like these prompts could go a million different ways, and I'm excited to read some of the ways people took!

Seconded! So excited to be done (OFFICIALLY, as I just looked at the clock and it's MIDNIGHT!!!). Feeling very honored to be part of this final round with so many wonderful writers!

Also--does anyone know when results will be in? Mid-late June maybe?


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Short Story Contest 2022 5th place
IG: http://www.instagram.com/ncurtiswrites/" rel="nofollow - @ncurtiswrites


Posted By: Heartstart
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:03am
Got my story in with seconds to spare! Clocked in at 1339 words. (Note to self, not a great idea to start writing less than four hours before the deadline closes!)

Well done everyone! I'm sure our stories aren't as bad as we think, and I'll look forward to reading any that are posted here on the forums.


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g215-romcom-nan-overboard_topic52345.html" rel="nofollow - R1 Nan Overboard


Posted By: JBone3000
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:10am
Honestly, I liked mine. Not perfect, but it is what it is, and I'm happy with the effort. I'm sure everyone second-guessing their own stories in post-writing delirium will feel better about them tomorrow.

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2019 - R3 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r3-after-the-masquerade_topic21203.html" rel="nofollow - After the Masquerade


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:12am
Submitted! Wow, that was weird. 

Idea #1: Had an idea I loved. Got about 250 words in. Still loved the idea, but wasn't sure I could fit it in 1,500 words, and the prompts, though usable, could be easily excised. 

Idea #2: Came up with another idea. Abandoned after one sentence.

Idea #3: Came up with a third idea, inspired slightly by the second idea. (Though oddly, very different use of the prompts.) Wrote diligently for a few hours. Took a nap. Woke to found out I somehow hadn't saved it. Struggled. Panicked. Finally found what I'd written (*phew*!). Finished it. Didn't love it. Sent it out to beta. 

Back to Idea #1: Meanwhile, went back to idea #1, and got to about 1,000 words. Still not sure it \would fit in 1,500 words but still liked it better than idea #3. 

Hooray, betas: But my betas who'd been reading #3 like it and gave some great feedback that made me like it quite a bit more. So, I rolled with that one. 

And now, I have #3 submitted and a good start on #1 if I want to use it for anything else. (Hello, betas?) 

Thanks, all! :D 

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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: SLK43
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 1:05am
I feel like when I post mine I should add a caveat. This story comes with no illusions and no expectations. I've decided I'm never going to read it again 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: Holdo
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 1:15am
I mean, I don't HATE mine. I just know it won't win. It's not 'neat' enough, not clever enough, not surprising enough by half. It's entirely predictable, in fact, from the very first sentence. So I will downgrade my expectations dramatically and hope to maybe somehow just get on the leaderboard. But probably not.

Having experienced the 24-hour limit now, I really marvel at some of the winning stories from previous years. A couple of them are so neat and so polished. How?


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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: SLK43
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 1:24am
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

I mean, I don't HATE mine. I just know it won't win. It's not 'neat' enough, not clever enough, not surprising enough by half. It's entirely predictable, in fact, from the very first sentence. So I will downgrade my expectations dramatically and hope to maybe somehow just get on the leaderboard. But probably not.

Having experienced the 24-hour limit now, I really marvel at some of the winning stories from previous years. A couple of them are so neat and so polished. How?

I concur.


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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: 19 May 2019 at 1:48am
I basically had no time this weekend, and am not that happy with what I turned in. But I did the best I could. It is what it is.

*Breathes big sigh of relief that it's over.*


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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: SEHBicycle
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 10:22am
Originally posted by roccapia roccapia wrote:

Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

1,497 words, four cups of coffee, and one sleepless night later - I'm done! I think I've read this story so many times in search of errors that I've begun to hate it. Like, vehemently hate it. Not sure whether that's a good sign, but I'm just happy to have finished.


I'm beginning to hate mine too. It must be a side effect of this contest. Get it??!! Side effect??!! Hahahah...oh bleh. I'm now drinking rum to drown my sorrows :P


Hah! My side effect of writing all day: tunnel vision. Though I took breaks to run, water plants, I had tunnel vision on whatever "break task" I had. This morning I looked out the kitchen window, next to the garden where I watered the plants, and thought, "well, iris, you clearly opened yesterday. Aren't you beautiful."

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Shari
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38934_post410894.html#410894" rel="nofollow - Passing Through the Fire, 2021 SSC R1GR132


Posted By: SEHBicycle
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 10:25am
Originally posted by regannoelle regannoelle wrote:

Originally posted by Mystic Platypus Mystic Platypus wrote:

Yeah I’m learning to hate mine too. Anyone else feeling insecure about sharing on the forum this round?


Yeah, I definitely am. I'll still share, but I'm really unsure how to feel about what I've created. As silly as it sounds, I've never written anything based on my own personal experiences before (largely due to a fear of becoming Fitzgerald, the man who shared so much that he died feeling like he had nothing left). I'm not sure why I decided to do it for the first time in the finals round of a writing competition, but once I had the idea for the story, I couldn't stop writing it. I don't know. The whole story just felt iffy.
It seems a lot of people are feeling a bit iffy about their stories, but I'm super excited to devour them all once we can post them! I feel like these prompts could go a million different ways, and I'm excited to read some of the ways people took!


Stories from the heart resonate when we pour our emotion into it. It's helped me advance with stories last year and this year. Good job with this round. I concur, lots of good titles and loglines in that other thread.

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Shari
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38934_post410894.html#410894" rel="nofollow - Passing Through the Fire, 2021 SSC R1GR132


Posted By: SEHBicycle
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 10:27am
Originally posted by Briana Una Briana Una wrote:

I'm shocked to say it, but I actually wrote a story and submitted it. This was my first time in round 3 and, man, writing 1,500 GOOD words in 24 hours is haaaaaaaaard. I kind of like mine, I guess -- I got to write a gothic, which is my specialty, but also feels like the obvious route... (I've also read it too many times and have no perspective/hate it right now.)

What I wonder (now that it's too late, of course) is whether my "side effects" come off more as "symptoms." God, don't let the judges be picky about that.


I'm swimming that lake of terror with you. I did the heavy-handed "call this out as side effects, cuz its your character's point of view" at the start and end of the piece.


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Shari
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38934_post410894.html#410894" rel="nofollow - Passing Through the Fire, 2021 SSC R1GR132


Posted By: SEHBicycle
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 10:34am
Originally posted by Holdo Holdo wrote:

I mean, I don't HATE mine. I just know it won't win. It's not 'neat' enough, not clever enough, not surprising enough by half. It's entirely predictable, in fact, from the very first sentence. So I will downgrade my expectations dramatically and hope to maybe somehow just get on the leaderboard. But probably not.

Having experienced the 24-hour limit now, I really marvel at some of the winning stories from previous years. A couple of them are so neat and so polished. How?


Probably a rhetorical questions, but I think part of the answer is the right friends to beta read, plus a prompt that hits your sweet spot. I like my story, but as others have said above, I don't feel I have the depth yet that I see in those winning stories. My betas (drafts 2 and 4) asked questions, poked at the character, and said when I'd failed to give them the payoff, and left a plot thread dangling. On my own, I'd have figured out some of that, but certainly not in the constraint of the contest.


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Shari
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38934_post410894.html#410894" rel="nofollow - Passing Through the Fire, 2021 SSC R1GR132



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