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What Counts as Political Satire?

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=21410
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 9:37am
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Topic: What Counts as Political Satire?
Posted By: Littledaylight
Subject: What Counts as Political Satire?
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 12:16pm
I was assigned political satire for this round, and it was a challenge because I've never been into reading polsat nor have I ever formally written it. 

I cranked out my best attempt at a sarcastic look at a specific political idea, but after submitting started to wonder... what exactly qualifies as a polsat, and are there specific rules in the structure of this genre?

How exactly is a polsat written and what defines it? I did read the genre description on the site but I was still left with questions.

I think the genre is an unusually specific one while also being unusually general. 

What are your thoughts?


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



Replies:
Posted By: BarbaraFL
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 12:34pm
I loved the NYC Midnight definition - especially the part about solutions not having to be part of it - because I didn't want to write a morality play, just a slice of someone's life. 

EDIT: Sorry, I missed where you said you'd read the definitions! Oh well, I'll leave this here for context. I just kinda guessed for mine

Political Satire

A story that uses irony and sarcasm to expose human folly and vice in the political arena. Political satires often critique the status quo and, in doing so, offer alternatives and possibilities for improvements. Solutions are not a requirement of political satire. Instead, satire’s job is to reveal problems and contradictions--it is not obligated to solve them. Common elements: wit, irony, sarcasm, parody, exaggeration, juxtaposition, double entendre. Political satire books include George Orwell’s 1984 and James Finn Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. Political satire films include Dr. Strangelove (1964) and Wag the Dog (1997).  In addition, most sketches involving actors playing real-world political characters on sketch comedy shows such as  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SNL+political+skits" rel="nofollow - Saturday Night Live  are considered political satire.




Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 12:55pm
Judging by your synopsis, I think you’re okay. When I got PolSat in the SSC I was terrified because I didn’t think I was qualified to tackle the political landscape. But the truth is that everyone has an opinion about something, and if you can just exaggerate those opinions and sprinkle in a little humor, you’ve got a satire. Can’t wait to read your story :)

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


Posted By: manifestlynot
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 2:09pm
One of the judges for my polisat last year said "With political satire, there has to be a solid punch after the initial sweetness of the sugar-medicine combination. Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance. The goal of political satire is to provoke amusement, recognition and then repulsion and horror." I really liked that comment (even though he/she was saying it as a criticism because I apparently did not pack enough of a punch, lol) and think of it often when it comes to polisat.

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


Posted By: cwayward
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 2:41pm
I wish I'd thought of something more biting for my political satire. It sounds like the feedback is quite helpful which is good. I'm a first-timer so lots to learn!


Posted By: BarbaraFL
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

One of the judges for my polisat last year said "With political satire, there has to be a solid punch after the initial sweetness of the sugar-medicine combination. Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance. The goal of political satire is to provoke amusement, recognition and then repulsion and horror." I really liked that comment (even though he/she was saying it as a criticism because I apparently did not pack enough of a punch, lol) and think of it often when it comes to polisat.

Wow, that's great feedback. I don't think I lived up to it with my entry but this is really great information.

Edited to add: I LOVED Mystic Platypus' A Cure For Living Poorly from the story story comp and I think it does meet these criteria. I still think about that story!


Posted By: fiberopticduck
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 3:07pm
I do not think I am good at political satire (and guess what I got Disapprove), but for a comedy sketch writing course I did in the past we had to do a topical sketch (blergh)... and one of the things I latched onto from that was that you can take your thesis or opinion of the topic - or even exactly what's happening - and wrap it around something else to find the comedy in it. In comedy, it's referred to as mapping (I'm sure it's not just comedy though...). One of my favourite examples is the UCB sketch about the BP oil spill -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM  - (and peep a lil Kate McKinnon!)

ANYWAY, sorry for my rambling interpretation, but I too was saddled with political satire for this one... and so I just did the mapping thing haha


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 4:18pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

"Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance."

I guess where I'm a little confused is that I'm not representing/exaggerating the reality of the political landscape. It's so hard to explain what I've done without spoilers. So I'll put a minor spoiler below in white text... highlight to read.

My story advocates gun rights by making fun of the notion that if guns were banned, the criminals would give them up. So it's an exaggerated version of a world where everyone cares about the law and thus gun banishment really does mean the complete end of gun violence and safety for all. 

That's also the reason I'm pretty sure I'll make people angry. Probably more than half the readers would support gun banishment. 

But does this sound like an effective political satire? I guess it does highlight the revulsion of the political landscape by showing how silly an idea is that many people support... Which goes to show how confused so  many of the people are. 


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


Posted By: manifestlynot
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 4:31pm
Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:


But does this sound like an effective political satire? I guess it does highlight the revulsion of the political landscape by showing how silly an idea is that many people support... Which goes to show how confused so  many of the people are. 

It sounds effective to me! Airy and light overtones + very dark undertones + absurdity = effective political satire. I'm one of the readers who take the opposite view so if I'm convinced after reading it, you'll know it hit home Wink


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


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 4:33pm
Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:

Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

"Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance."

I guess where I'm a little confused is that I'm not representing/exaggerating the reality of the political landscape. It's so hard to explain what I've done without spoilers. So I'll put a minor spoiler below in white text... highlight to read.

My story advocates gun rights by making fun of the notion that if guns were banned, the criminals would give them up. So it's an exaggerated version of a world where everyone cares about the law and thus gun banishment really does mean the complete end of gun violence and safety for all. 

That's also the reason I'm pretty sure I'll make people angry. Probably more than half the readers would support gun banishment. 

But does this sound like an effective political satire? I guess it does highlight the revulsion of the political landscape by showing how silly an idea is that many people support... Which goes to show how confused so  many of the people are. 

Assuming you execute the idea well, it sounds like political satire to me. The judge is not necessarily correct that it requires any nausea about some current situation. Satire requires a degree of highlighting ABSURDITY, where you take things to their logical most extreme version, whether darkly or comically. I can see where you could easily take your idea to its absurdist extreme and make it work as you're right, the concept DOES lead to absurd ends (I was wondering but now I think I get where you're going.) If the judges are fair (and you're probably right about the majority political persuasion, if you look at the number of variations on 'orange man bad' satires) then they'll look at how well it was satirical, not whether they agree with it or not. 


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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: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:31pm
Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:

Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:

Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

"Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance."

I guess where I'm a little confused is that I'm not representing/exaggerating the reality of the political landscape. It's so hard to explain what I've done without spoilers. So I'll put a minor spoiler below in white text... highlight to read.

My story advocates gun rights by making fun of the notion that if guns were banned, the criminals would give them up. So it's an exaggerated version of a world where everyone cares about the law and thus gun banishment really does mean the complete end of gun violence and safety for all. 

That's also the reason I'm pretty sure I'll make people angry. Probably more than half the readers would support gun banishment. 

But does this sound like an effective political satire? I guess it does highlight the revulsion of the political landscape by showing how silly an idea is that many people support... Which goes to show how confused so  many of the people are. 

Assuming you execute the idea well, it sounds like political satire to me. The judge is not necessarily correct that it requires any nausea about some current situation. Satire requires a degree of highlighting ABSURDITY, where you take things to their logical most extreme version, whether darkly or comically. I can see where you could easily take your idea to its absurdist extreme and make it work as you're right, the concept DOES lead to absurd ends (I was wondering but now I think I get where you're going.) If the judges are fair (and you're probably right about the majority political persuasion, if you look at the number of variations on 'orange man bad' satires) then they'll look at how well it was satirical, not whether they agree with it or not. 
jennifer.quail thank you! I appreciate all the help. Lol... 'orange man bad'... To be fair, it would've been entertaining to write one of those satires myself, although I can't claim to agree with the argument.  


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


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:33pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

Originally posted by Littledaylight Littledaylight wrote:


But does this sound like an effective political satire? I guess it does highlight the revulsion of the political landscape by showing how silly an idea is that many people support... Which goes to show how confused so  many of the people are. 

It sounds effective to me! Airy and light overtones + very dark undertones + absurdity = effective political satire. I'm one of the readers who take the opposite view so if I'm convinced after reading it, you'll know it hit home Wink
Hahaha... Political satire can be fun to read/write no matter which side is taken. Anything can be satirized, after all. Thanks so much for the help! 


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


Posted By: Mystic Platypus
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:52pm
Originally posted by BarbaraFL BarbaraFL wrote:

Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

One of the judges for my polisat last year said "With political satire, there has to be a solid punch after the initial sweetness of the sugar-medicine combination. Powerful examples of this genre lay down the bitterness and the revulsion and even the *nausea* of the reality of the political landscape late in the story, and it knocks you off balance. The goal of political satire is to provoke amusement, recognition and then repulsion and horror." I really liked that comment (even though he/she was saying it as a criticism because I apparently did not pack enough of a punch, lol) and think of it often when it comes to polisat.


Wow, that's great feedback. I don't think I lived up to it with my entry but this is really great information.

Edited to add: I LOVED Mystic Platypus' A Cure For Living Poorly from the story story comp and I think it does meet these criteria. I still think about that story!




Thank you so much! I'm proud of that story. I definitely think it's an example of this comp challenging us to create work we didn't know we had in us!

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


Posted By: OnyxLily
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 7:02pm
It doesn't have to specifically about politics, more just about a societal issue. I was worried about whether mine fit the genre in SSC R1 last year, and then won my heat! So I wouldn't stress about it too much.


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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: 16 Jul 2019 at 7:54pm
Originally posted by OnyxLily OnyxLily wrote:

It doesn't have to specifically about politics, more just about a societal issue. I was worried about whether mine fit the genre in SSC R1 last year, and then won my heat! So I wouldn't stress about it too much.


Thanks, OnyxLily! I'm trying not to stress:)


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


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 8:14pm
So I’ve gotten pol sat three times here.

The first time I goose-egged with a trump fairy tale mashup.

The second time I just missed short story finals with an hm.

The last time I took first place in my heat.

The latter two stories have since been published. I’m including links here just to give you examples of how you can potentially address polsat.

Hope it’s helpful!

Population Management  (FFC semifinal 2018, published in The Satirist, original prompts were dog biscuit and childbirth center)

https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c" rel="nofollow - https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c

The Twinkie Fitness Aptitude Test (Short Story semifinal 2018, published in Unlikely Stories Mark V, original prompts were cheerleader and junk food, this was for ssc)

http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs" rel="nofollow - http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs


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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: Littledaylight
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 9:06pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

So I’ve gotten pol sat three times here.

The first time I goose-egged with a trump fairy tale mashup.

The second time I just missed short story finals with an hm.

The last time I took first place in my heat.

The latter two stories have since been published. I’m including links here just to give you examples of how you can potentially address polsat.

Hope it’s helpful!

Population Management  (FFC semifinal 2018, published in The Satirist, original prompts were dog biscuit and childbirth center)

https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c" rel="nofollow - https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c

The Twinkie Fitness Aptitude Test (Short Story semifinal 2018, published in Unlikely Stories Mark V, original prompts were cheerleader and junk food, this was for ssc)

http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs" rel="nofollow - http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs

Thanks Lisa!!


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


Posted By: LadyReeseKightkens
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:09pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Population Management  (FFC semifinal 2018, published in The Satirist, original prompts were dog biscuit and childbirth center)

https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c" rel="nofollow - https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c

The Twinkie Fitness Aptitude Test (Short Story semifinal 2018, published in Unlikely Stories Mark V, original prompts were cheerleader and junk food, this was for ssc)

http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs" rel="nofollow - http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs

Just read these two and now I'm more thankful than ever that I didn't get Political Satire for R1. However, now I'm really terrified of what might come my way for R2 Confused


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:11pm
Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Population Management  (FFC semifinal 2018, published in The Satirist, original prompts were dog biscuit and childbirth center)

https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c" rel="nofollow - https://www.thesatirist.com/stories/population-management.html?fbclid=IwAR2ygctzia52tNvLCC--GwAHWR4M64rPy1TF26_Z-hx9hBWQARWrP-1800c

The Twinkie Fitness Aptitude Test (Short Story semifinal 2018, published in Unlikely Stories Mark V, original prompts were cheerleader and junk food, this was for ssc)

http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs" rel="nofollow - http://www.unlikelystories.org/content/the-twinkie-fitness-aptitude-test?fbclid=IwAR39G8HukGNAjm4tq_AVandcDil2jjYbZaqgMUF5DwmMARXkznPp82P3fMs

Just read these two and now I'm more thankful than ever that I didn't get Political Satire for R1. However, now I'm really terrified of what might come my way for R2 Confused

Each genre has its challenges. The one thing I remind myself (And the thing my husband tells me when I’m tearing my hair out) is that this is supposed to be fun!

What did you get in challenge 1?


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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: Schrifty
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:21pm
So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.


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MFC2019: https://cutt.ly/qeiQSvD" rel="nofollow - R1 G4: Cat Got Your Tongue (Fairy Tale) 2nd Place
MFC2019: https://shorturl.at/oyJX9" rel="nofollow - R2 G16: Second Chances (SciFi)


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:23pm
Originally posted by Schrifty Schrifty wrote:

So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.

^^schrifty’s blog posts are gold. She also has a great one, that saved my butt in screenplay, on the difference between suspense and thriller 


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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: LadyReeseKightkens
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:25pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Each genre has its challenges. The one thing I remind myself (And the thing my husband tells me when I’m tearing my hair out) is that this is supposed to be fun!

What did you get in challenge 1?
Group 119: Thriller / log cabin / satellite dish

It seemed too simple, so I tried to take a risk and make it stand out with a twist. However, my twist might get me points deducted from not following the genre close enough Confused


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:26pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Originally posted by Schrifty Schrifty wrote:

So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.

^^schrifty’s blog posts are gold. She also has a great one, that saved my butt in screenplay, on the difference between suspense and thriller 


Added to my list of writing resources.  Thanks!


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This sig intentionally blank


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:29pm
Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Each genre has its challenges. The one thing I remind myself (And the thing my husband tells me when I’m tearing my hair out) is that this is supposed to be fun!

What did you get in challenge 1?
Group 119: Thriller / log cabin / satellite dish

It seemed too simple, so I tried to take a risk and make it stand out with a twist. However, my twist might get me points deducted from not following the genre close enough Confused

The trick with thriller is to keep it moving fast. Judges are generally ok with mashups (I’ve done actionadventure/hist fiction mashups, suspense/sci fi, etc). As long as the primary tone hits the mark you should be fine. I will look for you when we get the all clear to post!


-------------
lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: LadyReeseKightkens
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:35pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Each genre has its challenges. The one thing I remind myself (And the thing my husband tells me when I’m tearing my hair out) is that this is supposed to be fun!

What did you get in challenge 1?
Group 119: Thriller / log cabin / satellite dish

It seemed too simple, so I tried to take a risk and make it stand out with a twist. However, my twist might get me points deducted from not following the genre close enough Confused

The trick with thriller is to keep it moving fast. Judges are generally ok with mashups (I’ve done actionadventure/hist fiction mashups, suspense/sci fi, etc). As long as the primary tone hits the mark you should be fine. I will look for you when we get the all clear to post!
Here's to hoping



I'm blushing at the thought of other people reading it.


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:39pm
Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:

Each genre has its challenges. The one thing I remind myself (And the thing my husband tells me when I’m tearing my hair out) is that this is supposed to be fun!

What did you get in challenge 1?
Group 119: Thriller / log cabin / satellite dish

It seemed too simple, so I tried to take a risk and make it stand out with a twist. However, my twist might get me points deducted from not following the genre close enough Confused

The trick with thriller is to keep it moving fast. Judges are generally ok with mashups (I’ve done actionadventure/hist fiction mashups, suspense/sci fi, etc). As long as the primary tone hits the mark you should be fine. I will look for you when we get the all clear to post!
Here's to hoping



I'm blushing at the thought of other people reading it.

Always toughest the first go around. I hadn’t written creatively in 20 years when I did my first nycm in 2016. Was nervous as hell to post. But so glad I did. It literally changed my life. (Spoken like a true infomercial...) :)


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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: LadyReeseKightkens
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:44pm
Lol, it is tough. This is obviously my first year and I've never entered any contest like this. I play on a gaming site that does writing contests, but this is a whole different level. Then again, how do you grow as a writer if you don't try new things, right?


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:49pm
Originally posted by LadyReeseKightkens LadyReeseKightkens wrote:

Lol, it is tough. This is obviously my first year and I've never entered any contest like this. I play on a gaming site that does writing contests, but this is a whole different level. Then again, how do you grow as a writer if you don't try new things, right?

This is one of the best writers workshops you’ll find! 


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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold.


Posted By: OnyxLily
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 11:02pm
Originally posted by Schrifty Schrifty wrote:

So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.

OMG, this was *so* helpful when I landed PolSat as my first ever NYCM genre for SSC last year. Thank you for writing this; it really helped!


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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: 17 Jul 2019 at 12:21am
Originally posted by Schrifty Schrifty wrote:

So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.

Thanks, I'll take a look at this! :) And thanks to everyone for your helpful comments!


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


Posted By: Andrea
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2019 at 3:06pm
Originally posted by Schrifty Schrifty wrote:

So, no idea if this helps, but this is the post I wrote a couple years back on the subject.  There's usually a ping in views this time of year so I doubt you're the only one who has trouble with it:

https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/" rel="nofollow - https://lizschriftsteller.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/political-satire-comedic-writing-part-two/

To sum up, you basically want to use a humorous situation to make a broader point about a political topic.  There's lots of ways to do it, and I don't know that it matters what stance you take on what topic as long as it functions as commentary.

Humor does seem to be what the judges always look for.  Therefore, I wish NYC would remove 1984 as an example from their site. I think 1984 is satire, but I feel like it wouldn't be considered so by some of the judges. It's one of my peeves here at NYC. I'd like the judges to find a common ground on which they determine what makes something satire. I am definitely reading your blog post and also posting the dictionary definition below. 

satire

1.) the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding

vice, folly,etc.

2.) a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn,derision, or ridicule.

3.) a literary genre comprising such compositions.




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https://tinyurl.com/yekeup4a" rel="nofollow - FF-To-Save-Her-Daughter



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