Print Page | Close Window

Round 2 is soon!

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=23034
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 12:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Round 2 is soon!
Posted By: Lisel
Subject: Round 2 is soon!
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2019 at 1:04pm
So Round 2 is coming up quickly. Will we have feedback from round 1 before we write the second?



Replies:
Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2019 at 6:31pm
Yes! Usually we get results/feedback 2 or 3 days before the next challenge.

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


Posted By: Trond24
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2019 at 8:16pm
Couple comments:

"Round 2 is coming up ..." 
Remember that challenges 1 and 2 are combined into round 1. Not a big deal at all, just keep in mind round 2 means something different, for NYCMFF.

Results are scheduled to come out 11:59p ET on 11 Sept (Wed night). 
1/4 of the time it's delayed by a few hours, so as the Hitchhiker's button says, Don't Panic. They will email everyone if it s delayed.

Judges' feedback usually comes within a day or so of results. 
They REALLY try to get it out prior to the next prompt drop (11:59p ET on 13 Sept), but it usually works out that it might be anywhere from 12-36 hours prior to the next challenge.

Feedback doesn't always help within the contest, because unless you get the same (or close) genre, you probably won't get the same judges. And often the judges give conflicting feedback. :-P

Good luck!


-------------
"Every time I think I've seen it all, a person comes along and objects to the mistreatment of rubber chickens."


Posted By: Lisel
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2019 at 8:40pm
Awesome thank you! 
I’m keen for the feed back.


Posted By: Alex Grey
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 7:04am
Originally posted by Lisel Lisel wrote:

Awesome thank you! 
I’m keen for the feed back.


The best quality feedback is on here because we tend to have more time to read and consider each other's work :-)

But it's a competition, so I suppose we shouldn't entirely ignore the judges... LOL


-------------
Rhyming R1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/gp-21-i-was-a-dishy-daddy_topic51073.html" rel="nofollow - I was a dishy daddy but I'm allright now



Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 9:26am
Originally posted by Trond24 Trond24 wrote:

Couple comments:

"Round 2 is coming up ..." 
Remember that challenges 1 and 2 are combined into round 1. Not a big deal at all, just keep in mind round 2 means something different, for NYCMFF.


It looks like they actually changed it so that it's Challenge 1, Challenge 2, Challenge 3, and Challenge 4. Which is way less confusing than all that "round" nonsense!! :)


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


Posted By: calksb
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2019 at 4:00pm
Good question. I am wondering the same.

calksb

-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2019 at 9:07pm
Yeah, so I was talking to my dad earlier today, and I told him we get results midweek and then I'll be writing a story that weekend. He said, "Well, yeah, if you assume you'll make it to the next round, Miss High and Mighty," and I was like, "Um. It's a non-elimination round, Mr. Brains." Big smile


Posted By: Lisel
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2019 at 9:29pm
😂 I love it! Dad’s are the best


Posted By: Lisel
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2019 at 9:30pm
semantics 🤷🏻‍♀️ Everyone knew what I meant.  And I know it’s a non elimination. 


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2019 at 10:03pm
We're writers, 'semantics' are the whole game!

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


Posted By: haole
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2019 at 7:24am
Some antics, indeed


Posted By: Lisel
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2019 at 8:21am
 I have now been told. Thank you. 😃


Posted By: ChillyToez
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2019 at 8:27am
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Yeah, so I was talking to my dad earlier today, and I told him we get results midweek and then I'll be writing a story that weekend. He said, "Well, yeah, if you assume you'll make it to the next round, Miss High and Mighty," and I was like, "Um. It's a non-elimination round, Mr. Brains." Big smile

OMG. I just snorted my matcha. It burns. IT BURNS!
LOL


-------------
https://shorturl.at/agG67" rel="nofollow - Micro 250 C1


Posted By: EricM
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2019 at 7:01pm
Okay, after putting this contest out of my mind for over a month, my excitement meter is back to Threat Level Raspberry. 

I've told my readers about this contest and I've promised to disclose my results...but now I'm a bit anxious about having done that! 


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-group30-monster-bakeoff-comedy_topic47855.html" rel="nofollow - C1 (2022) Monster Bake-Off


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2019 at 11:07pm
Thanks for liking my hilarious relationship with Mr. Brains, everyone! He is exceptionally hung up on semantics... go figure. 

To EricM: Oh, don't fret. If you score poorly, always, always, always blame the judges. We've all done it!! (Am I right? Anyone out there who's done it, thank me for this post. I can't thank my own post, but I'll get things started by copping to it.) 


Posted By: Judy
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2019 at 9:34am
Round one results on Wednesday? After not thinking about this competition in a while, I feel suddenly queasy. How does anyone psych themselves up for Friday if they get shredded on Wednesday?

If anyone here is willing to be a beta reader, please send me a message. I didn’t have any in the first challenge and it really shows.


Posted By: brianosull
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2019 at 8:10pm
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Thanks for liking my hilarious relationship with Mr. Brains, everyone! He is exceptionally hung up on semantics... go figure. 

To EricM: Oh, don't fret. If you score poorly, always, always, always blame the judges. We've all done it!! (Am I right? Anyone out there who's done it, thank me for this post. I can't thank my own post, but I'll get things started by copping to it.) 

Though this is my first time in the contest, I thank you in advance. I'm confident that I will be using this excuse! Tongue


-------------
Flash R2
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic43579_post455426.html#455426" rel="nofollow - An Honest Weapon


Posted By: Lisel
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2019 at 8:51pm
Let me practice that. 
The judges just couldn’t read it properly. Is that how I do it???😂


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2019 at 11:00pm
Yeah, you guys definitely have the hang of it! There are so many fun ways to blame the judges that I can't even begin to count them. My personal favorite (and likeliest one I use) is, "My literary masterpiece rendered the judges so insanely envious that they retaliated by scoring against me." (Although that belief generally flies out the window as soon as the feedback email shows up. Still, though, for one day, I have the great feeling that the judges don't appreciate good fiction when they see it.) Big smile

To Judy: Oddly enough, I didn't use any beta readers for the first round either. If I recall, I was feeling rather unsociable that weekend. But I'll definitely beta-read for you! :-) And I'm sure you'll do better than you think! 


Posted By: Nehasrivi
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 7:13am
Thanks! That was helpful

-------------
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4b9XD8vamvUgZrXzUsABrAgpu9PbR8Ro8G9b8ebyz8/edit" rel="nofollow - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4b9XD8vamvUgZrXzUsABrAgpu9PbR8Ro8G9b8ebyz8/edit


Posted By: Nehasrivi
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 7:17am
Dads are so very precious. Mine was my biggest critique and biggest supporter. Will be doing a story without his opinion for the first time, this round. very lost without him 

-------------
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4b9XD8vamvUgZrXzUsABrAgpu9PbR8Ro8G9b8ebyz8/edit" rel="nofollow - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4b9XD8vamvUgZrXzUsABrAgpu9PbR8Ro8G9b8ebyz8/edit


Posted By: Twerteen
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 3:01pm
I"m both excited and terrified to get my next prompt! And looking forward to feedback! 


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 5:25pm
Originally posted by Judy Judy wrote:

Round one results on Wednesday? After not thinking about this competition in a while, I feel suddenly queasy. How does anyone psych themselves up for Friday if they get shredded on Wednesday?

If anyone here is willing to be a beta reader, please send me a message. I didn’t have any in the first challenge and it really shows.


I give serious thought to not looking at the scores on Wednesday because they don't actually matter in terms of whether or not I need to write something on Saturday.  On the other hand if I get a zero the heat is off because there's no third round at that point, and I can write whatever I want on the weekend. 

Come to think of it, writing whatever I want sounds good no matter what happened on Wednesday...I might ignore those results after all.


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


Posted By: Trond24
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 7:44pm
>>On the other hand if I get a zero the heat is off because there's no third round at that point, and I can write whatever I want on the weekend.

Cue the "every contest, there are a couple people who do make it into round 2 by scoring a 15 on challenge 2, even if they got a zero on challenge 1."

:-)


-------------
"Every time I think I've seen it all, a person comes along and objects to the mistreatment of rubber chickens."


Posted By: calksb
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 7:49pm
I haven't done this NYC Midnight challenge before, so have no idea how the scoring is done and what it would take for the second round to be useful or not in the further rounds. 

Really was intrigued by the event for a few years and finally remembered this year to actually enter. I know that styles and tastes differ so not too concerned about what the judges say. They will either like my writing or they won't. What I will appreciate is seeing what they say and adding it to things I consider when writing.

I entered to stretch myself with the limits, by being forced to get out of my comfort zone. and forced by the money on the line to actually WRITE.

I wish everyone the best of luck, no matter how the judging works, because I have read many very fine stories in the forum, during the past few weeks .

calksb

-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 8:23pm
Originally posted by Trond24 Trond24 wrote:

>>On the other hand if I get a zero the heat is off because there's no third round at that point, and I can write whatever I want on the weekend.

Cue the "every contest, there are a couple people who do make it into round 2 by scoring a 15 on challenge 2, even if they got a zero on challenge 1."

:-)

Yeah yeah.

On my list of Clifton Strengths (the CEO where I work is really big on personality tests so the management team will understand themselves, and in theory (at least) be better able to understand their employees) 'Competition' is 17th out of 34.  These things don't get me too wound up.

At the end of the day I write for me.  That's part of my section of the DSM, though, and a completely different topic.


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


Posted By: crumhorn
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 10:31pm
I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile

-------------
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: calksb
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 10:40pm
@crumhorn

you win!


calksb


-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 10:42pm
Originally posted by Nehasrivi Nehasrivi wrote:

Dads are so very precious. Mine was my biggest critique and biggest supporter. Will be doing a story without his opinion for the first time, this round. very lost without him 

I'm so sorry for your loss. Cry


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2019 at 10:44pm
Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile

You're going to make that baby pull his weight, right? If you bottle feed, he should beta read! LOL


Posted By: crumhorn
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 2:33am
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile
You're going to make that baby pull his weight, right? If you bottle feed, he should beta read! LOL

I don't know, this baby doesn't even have a clue how to use a semi colon. It's embarrassing.


-------------
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: amlewi08
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 7:52am
Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:


I don't know, this baby doesn't even have a clue how to use a semi colon. It's embarrassing.

Not even a semi-colon? Just throw the whole thing away and start fresh.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-g92-el-comador-voraz_topic54250.html" rel="nofollow - FF23 R1 El Comedor Voraz


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 8:28am
Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile
You're going to make that baby pull his weight, right? If you bottle feed, he should beta read! LOL

I don't know, this baby doesn't even have a clue how to use a semi colon. It's embarrassing.


I'll bet it's already a professional at colon use, however. 


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


Posted By: riquigley
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 12:06pm
It's not an elimination round, but it is improbable that you would qualify for Round 3 if you didn't score any points in Round 1. Just glancing at last year's results, it looks like out of the 500 contestants that made it through to Round 3, only three of them scored 0 points in the 1st/2nd round, but then scored the maximum points in the other round and eeked by to Round 3 with 15 points total.

That's 0.6% of people who went through to Round 3 without scoring any points in one of the first two rounds. So, it's not impossible, but you'll have your work cut out for you.


-------------
100 Word Final G85: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/final-we-are-lifted_topic48851.html" rel="nofollow - We Are Lifted


Posted By: EricM
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 12:41pm
Originally posted by riquigley riquigley wrote:

It's not an elimination round, but it is improbable that you would qualify for Round 3 if you didn't score any points in Round 1. Just glancing at last year's results, it looks like out of the 500 contestants that made it through to Round 3, only three of them scored 0 points in the 1st/2nd round, but then scored the maximum points in the other round and eeked by to Round 3 with 15 points total.

That's 0.6% of people who went through to Round 3 without scoring any points in one of the first two rounds. So, it's not impossible, but you'll have your work cut out for you.

Data can be such buzz kills!

But if I zero out in Round 1, I'll still try my best to score points this weekend, because I'm in this to learn, grow, and write out of my comfort zone. (I figure this applies to most of us). 

Plus, I may make this an annual thing, so it'd be nice to have a "real" baseline (as opposed to an "off the rails!" score) to compare to subsequent years. 


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-group30-monster-bakeoff-comedy_topic47855.html" rel="nofollow - C1 (2022) Monster Bake-Off


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 1:21pm
Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:


Data can be such buzz kills!

But if I zero out in Round 1, I'll still try my best to score points this weekend, because I'm in this to learn, grow, and write out of my comfort zone. (I figure this applies to most of us). 

Plus, I may make this an annual thing, so it'd be nice to have a "real" baseline (as opposed to an "off the rails!" score) to compare to subsequent years. 


Zero in round one is a license to have fun with round two.  Take it places it never thought about going, use plastic straws, watch hit movies from the 60s that have since become socially unacceptable, wear a fur coat. 

At that point the contest is short, so enjoy it!


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


Posted By: MrLipto
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 2:12pm
Feeling like I've never written anything before, there's no genre I could do well, I'm a hackfraud wasting everyone's time.

This is what happens when too much time goes by without writing.


-------------
https://tinyurl.com/txolfkhn" rel="nofollow - SSC R1: On the Volga


Posted By: Jhill
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 2:27pm
Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile

Congrats! And good luck! :)


Posted By: Jhill
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 2:29pm
Originally posted by MrLipto MrLipto wrote:

Feeling like I've never written anything before, there's no genre I could do well, I'm a hackfraud wasting everyone's time.

This is what happens when too much time goes by without writing.

You need to write more things to keep your momentum going. Cause we all know you're good at this!


Posted By: Lookit There
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 3:16pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:


Zero in round one is a license to have fun with round two.  Take it places it never thought about going, use plastic straws, watch hit movies from the 60s that have since become socially unacceptable, wear a fur coat. 

At that point the contest is short, so enjoy it!

The only time (so far) I got zero points in Challenge 1, I felt freed up to write whatever I pleased. I met their zero points with zero f**ks to give, and scored a 15.
Only missed advancing by Challenge 3 by a couple of points, so...very close...it can happen.


-------------
FFC1 https://tinyurl.com/5rm7pz4x" rel="nofollow - 12 Gay-ngry Men


Posted By: JeanlucPIc
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 3:31pm
I am planning to score zero in round one, which will fill me to the tip-top with self-loathing. I will then drunkenly mail in round 2, and score 15. I will unfortunately miss the round 3 cut-off by a point. From there, I shall chug a bottle of self-doubt, followed by tears, and finally unparalleled mayhem. 

-------------
FF20 2, Group 125 https://tinyurl.com/5xc4fu4a" rel="nofollow - The Devil and Pidot ne Mip
FF20 1 The Case of the Pilfered Plate (13pts)


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 6:31pm
Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:


But if I zero out in Round 1, I'll still try my best to score points this weekend, because I'm in this to learn, grow, and write out of my comfort zone. (I figure this applies to most of us). 


Eh, I don't know. My favorite thing about these contests is the competition, the competitiveness!! I have varied interests, but none other than writing are things I can compete in. I love piano, but I can't play Rachmaninoff. I love ice skating, but I can't skate backward (after years of practice). I love psychology, but when I participated in psych bowl in college, we tanked. I played on my then-employer's softball team back in the day, right? The other team hit me a pop fly in the outfield, and I screamed and ran. That was at the beginning of the game, so guess where they kept hitting the ball all night? 

But with writing, I can compete! I'm in it! I feel like an Olympic hopeful who needs the timing to be right, the training to take over, the luck to be on my side, etc., etc. 

But as for the writing itself in this contest, I do appreciate the opportunity to write oddball stories I'd never write without the given assignments!! 


Posted By: hanalyst
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2019 at 10:16pm
Originally posted by Trond24 Trond24 wrote:

>>Cue the "every contest, there are a couple people who do make it into round 2 by scoring a 15 on challenge 2, even if they got a zero on challenge 1."

There are also sometimes people who get 15s in Round 1 and still don't make it to Round 3. Not that I'd know...


-------------
FFR2: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r2g110-the-temptation-of-bart-fantasy_topic49508.html#521354" rel="nofollow - The Temptation of Bart


Posted By: Amanda71
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 3:42am
Originally posted by MrLipto MrLipto wrote:

Feeling like I've never written anything before, there's no genre I could do well, I'm a hackfraud wasting everyone's time.

This is what happens when too much time goes by without writing.

Don't be so hard on yourself! I heard the author Trent Dalton speak (I'm in Australia and his book Boy Swallows Universe has hit all the best seller lists and prizes here) and he said he was at his book launch and actually said to the crowd that he felt like a fraud. An older lady stood up and yelled at him "Don't you say that, you belong here as much as anyone. Don't you speak like that!" 
After he said, "Thanks I needed to hear that" and gave her a big hug. It turns out it was the famous Australian children's author Mem Fox! 

So now I'm yelling at you - you are not wasting anyone's time - you are bringing stories, art and creativity out into the world!


Posted By: Lord Xoon
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 3:16pm
I don't expect to score zero. I guess it's possible. But I do expect to have my worst first round score in the 3 years I've been doing these. I know a lot depends on the strength of your group, but my guess is about 7-9 points. 

-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic49341_post519599.html#519599" rel="nofollow - Flash C2 The Great War - drama


Posted By: TammyB
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 3:45pm
Originally posted by Lisel Lisel wrote:

Let me practice that. 
The judges just couldn’t read it properly. Is that how I do it???😂

That’s one way. My favs?
What do you mean “I didn’t understand X”. Could you not see I was quoting Movie Y, which totally fit in my story?
It was very funny. Everyone said so. You have no sense of humor!
“You needed to develop the characters more” in the ‘do better’ section. Followed by “A and B were very solid characters I could relate to” in the ‘You did good’ section.


-------------
FF19CH1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-gr69-suspense-a-collectors-obsession_topic21545.html" rel="nofollow - A Collector’s Obsession
FF18CH1 BURIED IN LOVE
FF18CH2 DOG-GONE MICROCHIP
WRITE ON!


Posted By: TammyB
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 3:47pm
Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile
Congratulations!


-------------
FF19CH1 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-gr69-suspense-a-collectors-obsession_topic21545.html" rel="nofollow - A Collector’s Obsession
FF18CH1 BURIED IN LOVE
FF18CH2 DOG-GONE MICROCHIP
WRITE ON!


Posted By: Kathi
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 6:23pm
Does the feedback from Challenge 1 come in an email?


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 6:41pm
Originally posted by Kathi Kathi wrote:

Does the feedback from Challenge 1 come in an email?

Yes, it does! :-) You'll get a private email with feedback for your story from three judges! 


Posted By: GaleGirl
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 10:04pm
Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:

Okay, after putting this contest out of my mind for over a month, my excitement meter is back to Threat Level Raspberry.  

I feel you, EricM. Threat Level Raspberry.


-------------
https://bit.ly/3IBcMPa" rel="nofollow - 2022 SSC1 Once and Future Fungus


Posted By: GaleGirl
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 10:07pm
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile

You're going to make that baby pull his weight, right? If you bottle feed, he should beta read! LOL

Jeez, that was hilarious. God bless you, crumhorn, I was a total vegetable for the first two months of my daughter's life. Total vegetable drawer in the fridge.


-------------
https://bit.ly/3IBcMPa" rel="nofollow - 2022 SSC1 Once and Future Fungus


Posted By: GaleGirl
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2019 at 10:10pm
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:


But if I zero out in Round 1, I'll still try my best to score points this weekend, because I'm in this to learn, grow, and write out of my comfort zone. (I figure this applies to most of us). 


Eh, I don't know. My favorite thing about these contests is the competition, the competitiveness!! I have varied interests, but none other than writing are things I can compete in. I love piano, but I can't play Rachmaninoff. I love ice skating, but I can't skate backward (after years of practice). I love psychology, but when I participated in psych bowl in college, we tanked. I played on my then-employer's softball team back in the day, right? The other team hit me a pop fly in the outfield, and I screamed and ran. That was at the beginning of the game, so guess where they kept hitting the ball all night? 

But with writing, I can compete! I'm in it! I feel like an Olympic hopeful who needs the timing to be right, the training to take over, the luck to be on my side, etc., etc. 

Beautifully said, Zelda. You're who I want to be when I grow up.


But as for the writing itself in this contest, I do appreciate the opportunity to write oddball stories I'd never write without the given assignments!! 


-------------
https://bit.ly/3IBcMPa" rel="nofollow - 2022 SSC1 Once and Future Fungus


Posted By: Michellecrystal
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 1:39am
So, I’m new to the flash fiction arena, do they add up points from round one and two to see who gets eliminated for round three?


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:13am
Originally posted by JeanlucPIc JeanlucPIc wrote:

I am planning to score zero in round one, which will fill me to the tip-top with self-loathing. I will then drunkenly mail in round 2, and score 15. I will unfortunately miss the round 3 cut-off by a point. From there, I shall chug a bottle of self-doubt, followed by tears, and finally unparalleled mayhem. 

That's actually EXACTLY what happened to me last year! (It may have been a couple points off, but still!)

Good luck to you!

-Alex


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


Posted By: northernwriter
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:14am
Originally posted by Lookit There Lookit There wrote:

Originally posted by Random Random wrote:


Zero in round one is a license to have fun with round two.  Take it places it never thought about going, use plastic straws, watch hit movies from the 60s that have since become socially unacceptable, wear a fur coat. 

At that point the contest is short, so enjoy it!

The only time (so far) I got zero points in Challenge 1, I felt freed up to write whatever I pleased. I met their zero points with zero f**ks to give, and scored a 15.
Only missed advancing by Challenge 3 by a couple of points, so...very close...it can happen.

Same!



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


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:20am
Originally posted by Michellecrystal Michellecrystal wrote:

So, I’m new to the flash fiction arena, do they add up points from round one and two to see who gets eliminated for round three?

That's precisely what they do. Scores from Challenge 1 and Challenge 2 are added together. The top five combined point scorers from each group go into challenge 3 (which can also be considered Round 2, but I believe they've dropped that terminology).


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


Posted By: Judy
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:50am
Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Yeah, you guys definitely have the hang of it! There are so many fun ways to blame the judges that I can't even begin to count them. My personal favorite (and likeliest one I use) is, "My literary masterpiece rendered the judges so insanely envious that they retaliated by scoring against me." (Although that belief generally flies out the window as soon as the feedback email shows up. Still, though, for one day, I have the great feeling that the judges don't appreciate good fiction when they see it.) Big smile

To Judy: Oddly enough, I didn't use any beta readers for the first round either. If I recall, I was feeling rather unsociable that weekend. But I'll definitely beta-read for you! :-) And I'm sure you'll do better than you think! 

I’m taking you up on that offer!
Results today = fear of email. 


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 12:02pm
Before our scores (if we score!) come in, may we all take a moment to revel in our last few hours of believing any one of us can win.  These are the glorious hours of writing,  the ones we can equally enjoy, the ones before self-doubt slam us and we pour a scotch and question our reasons for existing.


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 1:19pm
Question.  So are judges assigned by genre (therefore changing each round) or are judges assigned by group (therefore we'd have the same judges for rounds one and two).  Anyone know?


Posted By: crumhorn
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 1:24pm
Originally posted by GaleGirl GaleGirl wrote:

Originally posted by Zelda Zelda wrote:

Originally posted by crumhorn crumhorn wrote:

I had a baby in between challenge 1 & 2, so I'm excited to see how extreme sleep deprivation affects my writing style. Big smile

You're going to make that baby pull his weight, right? If you bottle feed, he should beta read! LOL

Jeez, that was hilarious. God bless you, crumhorn, I was a total vegetable for the first two months of my daughter's life. Total vegetable drawer in the fridge.

This is my second kid. I'm way more Zen this time around! I was there with you in the crisper drawer last time. Tongue



-------------
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: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 1:34pm
Originally posted by Mowens Mowens wrote:

Before our scores (if we score!) come in, may we all take a moment to revel in our last few hours of believing any one of us can win.  These are the glorious hours of writing,  the ones we can equally enjoy, the ones before self-doubt slam us and we pour a scotch and question our reasons for existing.


I read your post aloud to my husband -- he is totally in favor of your sentiments and has already purchased an array of choices of alcohol for me to either, as you say, question my reason for existing or to celebrate till dawn. 




-------------
https://shorturl.at/frKM9" rel="nofollow - The Newbie


Posted By: calksb
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 1:35pm
I don't know, but I believe I read that unless you get the same genre again, you won't get the same judges.

When do the scores get released? Today sometime or before midnight?

calksb


-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:05pm
Originally posted by Mowens Mowens wrote:

Question.  So are judges assigned by genre (therefore changing each round) or are judges assigned by group (therefore we'd have the same judges for rounds one and two).  Anyone know?

I think they tell NYC Midnight which genres they prefer to read, so they'd change from round to round. But I'm not 100% certain. 


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:06pm
Originally posted by calksb calksb wrote:

I don't know, but I believe I read that unless you get the same genre again, you won't get the same judges.

When do the scores get released? Today sometime or before midnight?

calksb

Either way, but in general, you can plan on NYC Midnight to cut it close to the wire. On the other hand, I've seen times when the results came out unexpectedly early (by hours). But that usually happens later in the contest when the number of competitors has already been cut. 


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:08pm
Originally posted by calksb calksb wrote:

I don't know, but I believe I read that unless you get the same genre again, you won't get the same judges.



Yeah, and presumably, no one will get the same genre this weekend. Since we're still in our same assigned groups, they'll give us all new genres. Now, after this upcoming round, they reassign everyone, and you could wind up with a repeat genre from the last round or this upcoming weekend's round. 


Posted By: EricM
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:22pm
All I can think about today is this contest!!!

...and my fantasy football team.

...and the time I touched Hulk Hogan's arm.

...and the whole driving on a parkway/parking on a driveway thing.

I'm being very productive at work.


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-group30-monster-bakeoff-comedy_topic47855.html" rel="nofollow - C1 (2022) Monster Bake-Off


Posted By: Lisa_Who
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 2:43pm
Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:

All I can think about today is this contest!!!

...and my fantasy football team.

ME TOOO.  I scored 210 points in Week 1 Big smile that'll never maintain but still!


-------------
Edgelords are a bore.


Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 3:08pm
Originally posted by Lisa_Who Lisa_Who wrote:

Originally posted by EricM EricM wrote:

All I can think about today is this contest!!!

...and my fantasy football team.


ME TOOO.  I scored 210 points in Week 1 Big smile that'll never maintain but still!


I had 67 points between two players ON MY BENCH. But still pulled out the win. Phew.

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


Posted By: Michellecrystal
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 5:15pm
You’re hilarious! I wish you the best of luck! Is 15 points the highest you can get?


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 6:01pm
Originally posted by Michellecrystal Michellecrystal wrote:

You’re hilarious! I wish you the best of luck! Is 15 points the highest you can get?

We're a bunch of comedians! LOL

Fifteen is the highest you can get, yes; but when you factor in the second part of this round (happening this upcoming weekend), you could in theory get fifteen for both stories and max out at thirty. (I've only experienced this in my dreams.) But for the results tonight, yeah, fifteen means you took first in your group!! Woo hoo!! 


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 6:04pm
Oh, hey! Let's all play a game tonight called Strength. Here's how you play: 

  1. Get a stopwatch, timer, or timepiece. 
  2. Wait for the results to show up via the email to your inbox. 
  3. Challenge yourself to see how long you can wait without checking the results (including on the forum, word of mouth, etc.) 
  4. Report back, and we will praise you!! Clap
I'd wager no one lasts more than five seconds. 


Posted By: DementdUnicorn
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 6:34pm
Thank you ~ most helpful for this newbie. Best Luck to all 🍀


Posted By: ImprintedPrincess
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 7:00pm
I'm kind of freaking out now. I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor. Hope to God I didn't blow it. Unhappy


Posted By: sinister
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 7:09pm
I've got a drinking game: Drink every time you impulsively check your email between now and midnight just IN CASE they somehow release the scores early.

I died of alcohol poisoning around noon.  :)


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 7:10pm
Originally posted by ImprintedPrincess ImprintedPrincess wrote:

I'm kind of freaking out now. I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor. Hope to God I didn't blow it. Unhappy


If that's all that's freaking you out life is good.  Take a breath and don't worry about it; someone else can worry about what the genre definitions mean.

On the other hand if you're freaking out because your satire wasn't funny AND the Grue is about to eat you then by all means continue freaking.


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


Posted By: jpronovost523
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 7:51pm
Five hours to go! I'm really excited about the results, but at the same time I'm looking forward to sleep soon- the struggle is real! 

-------------
http://bit.ly/2LsD0Kl" rel="nofollow - FFC CH1 GR93 4th Place: Coordinates
http://bit.ly/2kmtUCM" rel="nofollow - FFC CH2 GR 93


Posted By: mallorysuzanne
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:08pm
Originally posted by Trond24 Trond24 wrote:

>>On the other hand if I get a zero the heat is off because there's no third round at that point, and I can write whatever I want on the weekend.

Cue the "every contest, there are a couple people who do make it into round 2 by scoring a 15 on challenge 2, even if they got a zero on challenge 1."

:-)

I’m one of those people! It happened during my first competition! It can happen to anyone!


-------------
CH2 GR44 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic57624_post621984.html#621984" rel="nofollow - The Plan


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:17pm
Originally posted by ImprintedPrincess ImprintedPrincess wrote:

I'm kind of freaking out now. I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor. Hope to God I didn't blow it. Unhappy

Satire definitely doesn't need to be comedic. One of the examples they give is 1984.

That being said, I remember a judge in this year's SSC disagreeing with that, but I believe a complaint was made about that, so that shouldn't happen again.


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


Posted By: JimmieBJr
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:48pm
Am I the only person in this whole contest who completely forgot there'd be a second round until about Monday when their boss came in and said, "Are you ready to compete this weekend?"

And they replied (hypothetically, of course), "Compete?"

And their boss looked at them much like King Solomon might have looked at the champion of the Most Idiotest Village Idiotlympics and said, "Your writing contest? The one you couldn't stop talking about a few weeks ago?"

And the person in question, who is most definitely not me, no sirree, not even the tiniest bit, said "HOLY CRAP IS THAT THIS WEEKEND???"

Might something similar have happened to anyone else?

Asking for a friend. Who is an Idiotlympic Gold Medalist.




-------------
https://tinyurl.com/y48yqrs7" rel="nofollow - FFC1: The Box
https://tinyurl.com/y33yjjwo" rel="nofollow - FFC2: The Witches of Washington


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:51pm
You've got yourself a wise wise man :)


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:52pm
Thanks!


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:52pm
Thank you!




Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:53pm
I would reply but I'm comatose from playing...


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:55pm
Hahaha


Posted By: Mowens
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 8:57pm
Holy crap.  So NOW I get a should quote instead of reply when I'm replying to a comment.  Let's hope I understood the rules of flash fiction better. 5000 words, right????Confused


Posted By: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:15pm
Originally posted by ImprintedPrincess ImprintedPrincess wrote:

I'm kind of freaking out now. I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor. Hope to God I didn't blow it. Unhappy


I am of the opinion that satire doesn't have to be ha ha funny.  Quite often it is dry and sarcastic.  But everyone who sticks with this, or any, comp long enough learns that satire, or any defining factor, means what the judges say it means.  

Which is why a person should feel glad to score high but merely shrug if they don't.  Write the story that makes you happy, and everything else is gravy...


-------------
https://shorturl.at/frKM9" rel="nofollow - The Newbie


Posted By: Lookit There
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:20pm
Originally posted by sootfoot5 sootfoot5 wrote:

Originally posted by ImprintedPrincess ImprintedPrincess wrote:

I'm kind of freaking out now. I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor. Hope to God I didn't blow it. Unhappy


I am of the opinion that satire doesn't have to be ha ha funny.  Quite often it is dry and sarcastic.  But everyone who sticks with this, or any, comp long enough learns that satire, or any defining factor, means what the judges say it means.  

Which is why a person should feel glad to score high but merely shrug if they don't.  Write the story that makes you happy, and everything else is gravy...
1984 is political satire, and that's about as far from funny as one can get...


-------------
FFC1 https://tinyurl.com/5rm7pz4x" rel="nofollow - 12 Gay-ngry Men


Posted By: Trond24
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:21pm
>>I was given the worst genre possible (political satire), and I just saw somebody else's post on here about how it's supposed to be comedic. I never saw that in the genre description, and my story isn't funny at all! It's satirical, but doesn't really possess elements of humor.


Please breathe. :-)

PolSat sucks - I got it for the first time two years ago and it AIN'T fun. But doable.
And there are two flavors of political satire: satirical and comedic. They can be separate or they can be combined - but it does, absolutely, 100%, not HAVE to be comedic.

What about A Modest Proposal made you laugh? Pretty much nothing. But that was polsat at its finest.

If you followed the genre description, you'll be fine. (and you can even stretch that! My first ghost story for NYCMFF wasn't scary in the slightest and I scored a 14.)

Relax. :-)


-------------
"Every time I think I've seen it all, a person comes along and objects to the mistreatment of rubber chickens."


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:28pm
I'd still take Pol Sat over comedy or rom com any day. 

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


Posted By: ImprintedPrincess
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:33pm
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

I'd still take Pol Sat over comedy or rom com any day. 

Come to think of it, same. 


Posted By: Qatra
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:43pm
Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

I'd still take Pol Sat over comedy or rom com any day. 

Are you broken?!? :) 

Just kidding, to each their own. But I'm terribly happy with rom com and tremble in fear at polsat. I'm also one of those who cannot comprehend why anyone would be scared of fairy tale. So *shrug.*


-------------
Group 24, round 1: https://bit.ly/2y7mCWQ" rel="nofollow - ”On Balance”


Posted By: Seacore
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 9:57pm
Originally posted by Qatra Qatra wrote:

Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

I'd still take Pol Sat over comedy or rom com any day. 

Are you broken?!? :) 

Just kidding, to each their own. But I'm terribly happy with rom com and tremble in fear at polsat. I'm also one of those who cannot comprehend why anyone would be scared of fairy tale. So *shrug.*

Rom Com is just a genre I don't enjoy reading, so it makes it hard to write it.

Comedy I find difficult because, while I enjoy putting the funny into my writing, it's a lot of pressure for funny to be the point.




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


Posted By: Dvmason
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 10:00pm
Originally posted by Qatra Qatra wrote:

Originally posted by Seacore Seacore wrote:

I'd still take Pol Sat over comedy or rom com any day. 

Are you broken?!? :) 


I for one definitely am broken! The idea of having to be funny is terrifying for me. More than any other genre, hands down! Any tips or bandaids to fix my broken funny bone welcome !


-------------
H213 https://tinyurl.com/t4t4hbam" rel="nofollow - "In Between & Through"
Suspense [Adventure/ Fantasy]


Posted By: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 10:00pm
If you can write plot and you can write characters, you can write anything.  

That being said, I'd prefer to not write suspense or action adventure.  


-------------
https://shorturl.at/frKM9" rel="nofollow - The Newbie


Posted By: calksb
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 10:05pm
The trouble with Political Satire these days id that you have to fact check to be sure. It's ALL BELIEVABLE. 

calksb

-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 10:15pm
Originally posted by calksb calksb wrote:

The trouble with Political Satire these days id that you have to fact check to be sure. It's ALL BELIEVABLE. 

calksb


The problem with PolSat is people fail to realize nothing happening today hasn't happened already, only worse.

That's the part of history I like the best.  It's cyclical. 

Or, as one of my favorite people once said, 'the longer you can look back the farther you can look forward'.


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


Posted By: calksb
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 10:19pm
Of course it has, but not in my lifetime, in this country (US)m and I am old.

calksb

-------------
I like to read others' stories. Will read and comment as I can.



Posted By: ROS
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 11:00pm


[/QUOTE] 

That's the part of history I like the best.  It's cyclical. 

[/QUOTE]

I would love to see 100 random people on the street be asked to pronounce ‘cyclical’. LOL

One of the words in my head I know I read and understand but don’t recall anyone ever saying it out loud.

Shocked


-------------
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic33381_post343881.html#343881" rel="nofollow - MiR1:A Chilling Symphony


Posted By: Charlie72
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2019 at 11:46pm
Originally posted by ROS ROS wrote:




I would love to see 100 random people on the street be asked to pronounce ‘cyclical’. LOL

Sick. Lick. Ull.

Yeah, it’s a favorite.



Print Page | Close Window

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