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I wasn't going to sign up for short story

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=38043
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Topic: I wasn't going to sign up for short story
Posted By: Lord Xoon
Subject: I wasn't going to sign up for short story
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 12:17pm
But here it is basically last minute and I can't help myself. I've done FF and SS for 3 years now and I was going to take this one off, but I guess I have some compulsion or something.

Anyway, good luck to you others who are similarly hopeless and addicted.


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



Replies:
Posted By: ophelialit74
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 2:55pm
Originally posted by Lord Xoon Lord Xoon wrote:

But here it is basically last minute and I can't help myself. I've done FF and SS for 3 years now and I was going to take this one off, but I guess I have some compulsion or something.

Anyway, good luck to you others who are similarly hopeless and addicted.

Yessssss...all of that! I figure there's no reason to stop losing now...I've got such a good record going! Big smile
Plus, I genuinely enjoy our little cadre of NYCMidnight nerds. 


Posted By: theinquisitor
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 3:11pm
Yeah, I really couldn't afford it, but NYCM has its hooks in me now!

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https://shorturl.at/flBN6" rel="nofollow - MF250 R2
https://bit.ly/3aRQtG6" rel="nofollow - Archive


Posted By: pennypeaches
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 3:26pm
Originally posted by Lord Xoon Lord Xoon wrote:

But here it is basically last minute and I can't help myself. I've done FF and SS for 3 years now and I was going to take this one off, but I guess I have some compulsion or something.

Anyway, good luck to you others who are similarly hopeless and addicted.

MF250 2020 is my first NYCM comp, and I had so much fun that I also had to sign up for the SS comp. After two rounds of 250 words I'm super excited to see what can be done with 2500!

Good luck to you!


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Posted By: Judy
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 4:47pm
I'm skipping it. I've absolutely decided. Of course, I decided the same thing with the 250 Micro, and entered with 5 minutes to spare. I have a few hours to change my mind.


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MF1 https://bit.ly/3l6XcyC" rel="nofollow - Visitation
MF2 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38099_post402203.html#402203" rel="nofollow - Not My Cat


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 7:23pm
I spent the last week translating a Russian movie into English.  It was a horror movie, so of course NYCM popped into my head, followed shortly by another of their email reminders that it's not too late to sign up.

Of course the same problem exists.  Romance - Leprosy - A Homeless Pigeon...

I might continue my NYCM Vacation...or I might open the door that the audience already knows should be left closed.  Horror...


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Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 8:09pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

I spent the last week translating a Russian movie into English.  It was a horror movie, so of course NYCM popped into my head, followed shortly by another of their email reminders that it's not too late to sign up.

Of course the same problem exists.  Romance - Leprosy - A Homeless Pigeon...

I might continue my NYCM Vacation...or I might open the door that the audience already knows should be left closed.  Horror...

When I inevitably get horror and you inevitably get romance, we could swap prompts and just pretend to be each other for the remainder of the contest?


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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: scottjames
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 8:26pm
When is the precise deadline time for registration, does anyone know?


Posted By: Nimhathuna
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 9:03pm
@scottjames I know the deadline is January 21st, more than likely Midnight. Don't quote me on it though. It could be an earlier time. Perhaps a wiser veteran of these contests will offer a response. I'm fairly new.

Same here, I was adamant that I would not participate. What did I do? Register ages ago. Quelle surprise! I think I don't know myself at all. 


Posted By: Lord Xoon
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2021 at 9:19pm

Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:


When I inevitably get horror and you inevitably get romance, we could swap prompts and just pretend to be each other for the remainder of the contest?
Okay, that's actually genius. I mean I've regularly scored top 3 in sci fi/fantasy, but anything romance I get punched out immediately. Gotta be a way to swap prompts with a romance high-performer who lands a fantasy/sci fi they're not comfortable with.

I mean dishonest, yes, but I'm tired of getting killed by romance.


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


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 10:37am
Originally posted by Lord Xoon Lord Xoon wrote:


Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:


When I inevitably get horror and you inevitably get romance, we could swap prompts and just pretend to be each other for the remainder of the contest?
Okay, that's actually genius. I mean I've regularly scored top 3 in sci fi/fantasy, but anything romance I get punched out immediately. Gotta be a way to swap prompts with a romance high-performer who lands a fantasy/sci fi they're not comfortable with.

I mean dishonest, yes, but I'm tired of getting killed by romance.


Jennifer is much, much smarter than the average quail.  On the other hand I'd hate to 'swap prompts' and fall flat on her face.  That would be worse than falling on my own. 

I have to admit to being tempted, but much like Charlie Brown and the football I'm also pretty sure the temptation will end when I see the prompts.

That's what prompted me to take my NYCM vacation in the first place  Big smile


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Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 10:45am

After just completing R2 of Micro 250, hells bells all that time and words are going to feel luxurious. Or overwhelming! 

My favorite part of SS R1 is that I have most of the week to procrastinate... and then panic write on the last 2 days. It's a process.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 


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


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 3:38pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Lord Xoon Lord Xoon wrote:


Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:


When I inevitably get horror and you inevitably get romance, we could swap prompts and just pretend to be each other for the remainder of the contest?
Okay, that's actually genius. I mean I've regularly scored top 3 in sci fi/fantasy, but anything romance I get punched out immediately. Gotta be a way to swap prompts with a romance high-performer who lands a fantasy/sci fi they're not comfortable with.

I mean dishonest, yes, but I'm tired of getting killed by romance.


Jennifer is much, much smarter than the average quail.  On the other hand I'd hate to 'swap prompts' and fall flat on her face.  That would be worse than falling on my own. 

I have to admit to being tempted, but much like Charlie Brown and the football I'm also pretty sure the temptation will end when I see the prompts.

That's what prompted me to take my NYCM vacation in the first place  Big smile

There is SOME remote chance you won't get romance and I won't get horror. I mean, we could both get political satire (at which point I might well quit because I guarantee everyone would hate any poli-sat I wrote.) 


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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: Random
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 3:57pm
Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:


There is SOME remote chance you won't get romance and I won't get horror. I mean, we could both get political satire (at which point I might well quit because I guarantee everyone would hate any poli-sat I wrote.) 


There is a statistically significant probability that if everyone else hates your pol-sat I would love it. 

In 1984 I read 1984 (twice) while *cough* 12 miles or so off the coast of Petropavlovsk chasing Soviet ballistic missile submarines.  The technology is in place, the willingness to use it is coming along nicely, and the Party is mostly there. 

Maybe I'll sign up on the odd chance I don't need to find love for a homeless leprocic pigeon.  I can always skip it, and maybe my luck has changed...

LOL


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Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 9:20pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

I spent the last week translating a Russian movie into English.  It was a horror movie, so of course NYCM popped into my head, followed shortly by another of their email reminders that it's not too late to sign up.

Of course the same problem exists.  Romance - Leprosy - A Homeless Pigeon...

I might continue my NYCM Vacation...or I might open the door that the audience already knows should be left closed.  Horror...

Hey Random, good to see you. You should enter just so we can be entertained by your wit, strong writing and cries from the dark...  Really, enter, its good for you to stretch your legs, so to speak.


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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2021 at 10:20pm
Originally posted by Suave Suave wrote:

Hey Random, good to see you. You should enter just so we can be entertained by your wit, strong writing and cries from the dark...  Really, enter, its good for you to stretch your legs, so to speak.


Hey, you suave devil you!  I'm surprised you still talk to us little people.  You were nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Shortless Feature, I believe?

Whoever does the NYCM web site is certainly not a writer.  "We will be donating..."?  Really?  That line needs to be stuffed into a burlap sack full of rocks and dumped in the ocean.  I'm sure SeaLegacy will understand the need. 

It's difficult to be judged by an organization that allows such as this to exist.

Big smile


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Posted By: jasminegeekface
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 2:10am
If you get poli-sat, I would LOVE to throw my body on the line for this whole underground prompt swap situation...

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Fatima
(she/her/hers)
Writer, educator, unpaid emotional laborer
Website: pumpkinspicelassi.com
IG & Twitter: @jasminegeekface


Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 3:11am
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by Suave Suave wrote:

Hey Random, good to see you. You should enter just so we can be entertained by your wit, strong writing and cries from the dark...  Really, enter, its good for you to stretch your legs, so to speak.


Hey, you suave devil you!  I'm surprised you still talk to us little people.  You were nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Shortless Feature, I believe?

Whoever does the NYCM web site is certainly not a writer.  "We will be donating..."?  Really?  That line needs to be stuffed into a burlap sack full of rocks and dumped in the ocean.  I'm sure SeaLegacy will understand the need. 

It's difficult to be judged by an organization that allows such as this to exist.

Big smile

haha, a nomination is not an award....Ah, I gamble they do and vote for anything kids.


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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: LameeseS
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 3:32am
I really don't want political satire or fantasy. 


Posted By: timmytimtimothy
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 6:24am
Can't believe we've gotta muster up the brainpower to write another story this weekend – 10x as long (as the MF)!

How's everyone planning on approaching it? Ideally want to come up with an idea and start writing on Saturday. In reality - given my track record of last-ditching it - I won't do anything until late in the week and will be writing right down to the wire LOL




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M250 R2: https://rb.gy/ist1ff" rel="nofollow - Everything Be Plunderful (Comedy)

M250 R1: https://rb.gy/j7n66u" rel="nofollow - Le Grand Misunderstanding at Bobbinfeather Estate (HF)


Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 10:55am
Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:

How's everyone planning on approaching it? 

If I get HistFic, which I did R1 in 2018, I'll spend the first half of the week researching and then start writing Thursday and hopefully have a draft for beta by Friday so I can spend Saturday editing.

Last year I got comedy in R1. I spent most of the week being salty and pouting, then punched out something ridiculous at the last minute. 

I think my favorite SS R1 piece was a thriller in 2019. I had an idea for that one early and puttered with it right from the get go. It was an odd piece, switching back and forth between a dream and reality, so I was glad I had a lot of time to refine it, sending it out to beta multiple times.

All that to say, it probably depends on the prompts. 

This year submission day is on my birthday, so if it were a normal year I'd consider starting early so as to give myself free time to go out or whatever. But reality check, it's still a pandemic and I'm not going anywhere, so I guess no big deal to stay in and write! LOL


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


Posted By: amlewi08
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 11:27am
Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:

Can't believe we've gotta muster up the brainpower to write another story this weekend – 10x as long (as the MF)!

How's everyone planning on approaching it? Ideally want to come up with an idea and start writing on Saturday. In reality - given my track record of last-ditching it - I won't do anything until late in the week and will be writing right down to the wire LOL



I'm a hopelessly intuitive plotter, so the approach will very likely be:

1. Create outline
2. Begin writing
3. Get 25% in and realize the characters want to do something else
4. Re-outline
5. Adjust what I've already written to match the new ideas I came up with during the second outline
6. repeat steps 3-5 at the 50%, 75%, 85%, and 95% mark.

It's a joy. haha.




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


Posted By: dashesndots2
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 11:27am
I actually took the entire week off this year because I needed a break from work (one of our busiest times is mid-November through mid-January and I'm burnt out), and it also is my birthday week (28th).

That said, despite having zero work or social obligations all week, but knowing my typical patterns, I will probably spend large chunks of that time procrastinating. I hope to get something down in the first 3-4 days and spend the remainder sending it out for beta-ing and editing.  We'll see if that actually happens.

Fingers crossed for a set of prompts that speak to me.  My R2 ones in Flash this year I found incredibly boring, and had a really hard time getting into the process.   


Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 12:15pm
Originally posted by dashesndots2 dashesndots2 wrote:

That said, despite having zero work or social obligations all week, but knowing my typical patterns, I will probably spend large chunks of that time procrastinating. 

Typical Aquarian, distracted by all the other shiny things. Wink


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


Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 2:11pm
Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:


How's everyone planning on approaching it? 


As Nod said, depends heavily on the genre. In the past when I've gotten something I'm personally unfamiliar with, I've spent some time researching and getting a feel for the genre, like with Fairy Tale in my first ever comp. With some more experience under my belt, I plan on using a bit less time planning and a bit more time writing. Last year, I pulled Spy in the first round, and while I still love the idea I came up with, it really wasn't well-suited to 2500 words, and I froze, and could not make it work. I spent so much time mentally rolling the story over, I didn't even try to seriously WRITE anything until Thursday, and my anxiety over making the story work took me down, and I bowed out of the round. (Also had a friend tell me that the MC's motivations made no sense at all, after working on the plot for six days, and I didn't have the mental capacity to bounce back from that.)

All that said - I am planning on approaching this round with a bit more grace and calm, and spend the weekend nailing down an idea, then the week writing and polishing. 


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


Posted By: lisafox10800
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 2:35pm
Originally posted by amlewi08 amlewi08 wrote:

Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:

Can't believe we've gotta muster up the brainpower to write another story this weekend – 10x as long (as the MF)!

How's everyone planning on approaching it? Ideally want to come up with an idea and start writing on Saturday. In reality - given my track record of last-ditching it - I won't do anything until late in the week and will be writing right down to the wire LOL



I'm a hopelessly intuitive plotter, so the approach will very likely be:

1. Create outline
2. Begin writing
3. Get 25% in and realize the characters want to do something else
4. Re-outline
5. Adjust what I've already written to match the new ideas I came up with during the second outline
6. repeat steps 3-5 at the 50%, 75%, 85%, and 95% mark.

It's a joy. haha.



Ugly draft by Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday through several beta iterations. Saturday panic, panic panic, put the final polish on it and beat myself up for days after about the story I "should have" written.

I'm such a creature of habit.


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


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 4:26pm
Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:


Ugly draft by Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday through several beta iterations. Saturday panic, panic panic, put the final polish on it and beat myself up for days after about the story I "should have" written.

I'm such a creature of habit.


You people are so inefficient.  I generally go into panic mode right after the prompts drop.  That gives me a good head start on depression, disenchantment, and self-loathing.

It's all downhill from there.

The worst possible outcome would be prompts I like.  At that point the excuses evaporate and I have to produce a piece that meets my standards.  That's true horror.


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Posted By: dias
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 4:46pm
Signed up just now, incredibly last minute because this is the contest that causes me the most stress LOLEven figuring out the Paypal form was painful!

The longer the deadline, the harder I find it to commit to an idea. My usual process is: wake up early to get the prompts, cycle through four or five different plot ideas over the next week, make a few false starts and forget to turn off my inner editor, panic on the last day and finally complete my first draft, submitting it in the last few seconds of the deadline (5am UK time). I wish I was exaggerating...


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


Posted By: amlewi08
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 5:07pm
Originally posted by Random Random wrote:

Originally posted by lisafox10800 lisafox10800 wrote:


Ugly draft by Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday through several beta iterations. Saturday panic, panic panic, put the final polish on it and beat myself up for days after about the story I "should have" written.

I'm such a creature of habit.


You people are so inefficient.  I generally go into panic mode right after the prompts drop.  That gives me a good head start on depression, disenchantment, and self-loathing.

It's all downhill from there.

The worst possible outcome would be prompts I like.  At that point the excuses evaporate and I have to produce a piece that meets my standards.  That's true horror.


Y'all are my people.


Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 5:13pm
Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:

Can't believe we've gotta muster up the brainpower to write another story this weekend – 10x as long (as the MF)!

How's everyone planning on approaching it? Ideally want to come up with an idea and start writing on Saturday. In reality - given my track record of last-ditching it - I won't do anything until late in the week and will be writing right down to the wire LOL



I'm assuming I'll do what I always do: gripe about what I got, put it off until the last possible minute, and throw something together that I submit shortly before the midnight deadline. 

Seriously. That's usually what I do. Unless LaurieH sees an incomplete draft it's never beta'd because I don't have time to do more than skim for typos.  When I did a microfic contest I finished a lot sooner and did a lot more editing and I didn't get out of round one, so forget that. 


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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: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 5:15pm
Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:

...gripe about what I got...

Always a critical part of the process. If I don't spend some time WTFing for a bit, I don't feel like I've gotten my money's worth.  LOL


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


Posted By: Draiglas
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 8:15pm
Originally posted by timmytimtimothy timmytimtimothy wrote:

How's everyone planning on approaching it? 

Hoping to have the bulk done over this weekend which I can then edit. This is more out of necessity than good planning - I work such long and unpredictable hours that it's entirely feasible I'll only have the weekends to write it... 


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http://tinyurl.com/yc58xfbf" rel="nofollow - MF250 R2
http://tinyurl.com/exfj9cz6" rel="nofollow - MF250 R1
Others


Posted By: Cosima
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 9:05pm
Planning to try to crank out a very rough draft on Saturday morning, then revise it over the rest of the week. That's the plan, anyway. We'll see how that goes. LOL



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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: roccapia
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 11:51pm
Every year, I almost don't sign up, and every year around Wednesday, I panic and sign up after all.

After last weekend's micro fiction round, I feel a bit burned out, but at least we have a week to complete this round.

Now to await my assignment, which will be horror or ghost story, because that's what I always get first round, it seems...


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


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 12:55am
If I get Ghost Story again there will be things thrown by mysterious forces consumed with rage.


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



Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:05am
I don't care what I get, just looking forward to the writing and creating.

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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: theinquisitor
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:00am
It would be lovely to think I'll have a first draft done by Sunday night, then a relatively stress-free week tinkering and beta-ing. Miracles do happen, right?

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https://shorturl.at/flBN6" rel="nofollow - MF250 R2
https://bit.ly/3aRQtG6" rel="nofollow - Archive


Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:02am
Originally posted by theinquisitor theinquisitor wrote:

It would be lovely to think I'll have a first draft done by Sunday night, then a relatively stress-free week tinkering and beta-ing. Miracles do happen, right?

Hahaha, they do! Just not to me.....


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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: BarbaraFL
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 8:33am
Originally posted by jennifer.quail jennifer.quail wrote:

I'm assuming I'll do what I always do: gripe about what I got, put it off until the last possible minute, and throw something together that I submit shortly before the midnight deadline. 

Seriously. That's usually what I do. Unless LaurieH sees an incomplete draft it's never beta'd because I don't have time to do more than skim for typos.  When I did a microfic contest I finished a lot sooner and did a lot more editing and I didn't get out of round one, so forget that. 

Very much my approach though if I get rom com again I will probably not bother - it would be the fifth time since last year and I'm getting less and less creative with each new rom com assignment...




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


Posted By: timmytimtimothy
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 8:39am
Hahaha I am loving all the different processes! So many ways to end up at the same wonderful destination: a submitted story 😊 

I'm a three-quarter pantser. My routine for the other comps has been to get up excited on the morning of prompts, sigh about at least one of them, write a one-line summary of the first 2-3 ideas that spring to mind, sometimes I'll float them to friends to see what sticks – only to then ignore their advice and write the one I like, which is usually the first one – go about my day until the Saturday afternoon, and then crawl, and I mean crawl, to the finish line. 

@n0d, how exciting that submission day is your birthday - we'll all be right here with you 😊 




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M250 R2: https://rb.gy/ist1ff" rel="nofollow - Everything Be Plunderful (Comedy)

M250 R1: https://rb.gy/j7n66u" rel="nofollow - Le Grand Misunderstanding at Bobbinfeather Estate (HF)


Posted By: Christobelle
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:30am
I couldn't NOT do it....!!

I'm quite excited not only at the prospect of having a whole week and some change to weave the tale, but so many words at our disposal!!!!  

This level of excitement will remain right up until the time of submission, unless I get political satire, in which case I may well just go on a visit to Dan Murphy's or Costco and pick up an industrial sized bottle of gin and go and rock in a corner somewhere lol. 

Seriously though, I'm massively excited to have so many words to work with and such a long time to put them together into something to be proud of. 

Hopefully.... !

@n0d, we shall all raise a toast to you on your birthday/submission day! Well, I will at least.. can't speak for everyone, but I'll gladly raise at least a few for you!


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https://tinyurl.com/542asfdp" rel="nofollow - R2 500 2023 Violet and the Fly

https://tinyurl.com/mr2ye9f6" rel="nofollow - Christobelle's tales in NYC Midnight



Posted By: ophelialit74
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:36am
Originally posted by Christobelle Christobelle wrote:

I couldn't NOT do it....!!

I'm quite excited not only at the prospect of having a whole week and some change to weave the tale, but so many words at our disposal!!!!  

This level of excitement will remain right up until the time of submission, unless I get political satire, in which case I may well just go on a visit to Dan Murphy's or Costco and pick up an industrial sized bottle of gin and go and rock in a corner somewhere lol. 

Seriously though, I'm massively excited to have so many words to work with and such a long time to put them together into something to be proud of. 

Hopefully.... !

@n0d, we shall all raise a toast to you on your birthday/submission day! Well, I will at least.. can't speak for everyone, but I'll gladly raise at least a few for you!

The genre hysteria is strong this time; I just got booted from the 250 MF contest after the first round because I was given the hideous rom-com genre. This marks the first time I haven't made it past the first challenge, and I wasn't even surprised...I'm definitely not funny, and I'm apparently not romantic, either...hoping for some yummy drama, thriller, horror, fairy tale or similar...hell, I'd even take spy at this point! Good luck to us all! 


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:50am
My writing process is usually the same.

I look at the prompt and let myself free-associate w/o being at my computer. I spend a few hours on and off thinking of ways to explore the idea and what kind of issue I want to center on.

Then I write a summary of what I want the story to look like, sketch out characters and their places in the story, and think of things I want to mention. It very often doesn't look more than 30% like that when I'm done, but it's a jumping off place--and as I develop the story I start seeing what my mind was really trying to create.

In most cases the work is hard because it is work. My first drafts are just that, and gradually the story shapes itself.

But a few cycles ago I got my short story idea in a flash--a fairy tale/fantasy involving a runner and a young child left alone, IIRC, and what came out was a national myth. I did a little editing to shape it, but it was essentially done in the first draft.

It earned me 15 points and gave me a chance to flame out in the next round. :)

Sometimes the story just comes. Sometimes it is a stubborn thing and must be coaxed out. And more than I want it hasn't come at all and I don't turn anything in.


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



Posted By: jennifer.quail
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:05pm
Originally posted by Christobelle Christobelle wrote:


This level of excitement will remain right up until the time of submission, unless I get political satire, in which case I may well just go on a visit to Dan Murphy's or Costco and pick up an industrial sized bottle of gin and go and rock in a corner somewhere lol. 

This is why I can't get polisat, I just can't. I'm on blood thinners and the doctors would REALLY like me not to drink at all or at least keep it at one drink a day or less, at least until the first round of drugs is over...about three months from now.


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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: sgspeed
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 2:25pm
Originally posted by nod1v1ng nod1v1ng wrote:


After just completing R2 of Micro 250, hells bells all that time and words are going to feel luxurious. Or overwhelming! 

My favorite part of SS R1 is that I have most of the week to procrastinate... and then panic write on the last 2 days. It's a process.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 


Hey, thatʻs my process! 


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MF250 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-gr-79-the-mother_topic57105.html" rel="nofollow - The Mother
250 MF RD.2 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic58184_post627978.html#627978" rel="nofollow - Hush Little Baby


Posted By: sgspeed
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 2:31pm
Iʻm actually looking forward to it. Itʻs going to rain here all weekend, so the only place I could go - riding my horse in the great outdoors, isnʻt in the picture, my husband has to work, so isnʻt in the picture (or football playing nonstop in background) and Iʻm kind of fired up from Micro Fiction and my first ever 15 points or Short Screenplay. That all being said, Iʻll probably get a genre I hate, and impossible prompts. 

The good news is Iʻve had my fave, Historical Fiction, a lot lately so maybe I wonʻt spend the whole week trying to turn whatever genre I get into HF. 

Bring it, Iʻm ready and then we can all drink at Noddyʻs Bar!!


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MF250 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r1-gr-79-the-mother_topic57105.html" rel="nofollow - The Mother
250 MF RD.2 https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic58184_post627978.html#627978" rel="nofollow - Hush Little Baby


Posted By: WoodyGS
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 3:49pm
2021's kickoff crept up quiiiiickly; 2020's final round seems such a short time ago that i forgot how early in the year the whole shebang starts. i just had to sign up again, the result of coming away from the contest with so much written work is too good to pass up. last year was my first go around and it was the most i'd written in years.

excited to read everyone's awesome work, lurk a little less, and participate in the forums more this time around. :)


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gunter s.

SSC R1 H69: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic38569_post407283.html#407283" rel="nofollow - Bound (Horror)


Posted By: catnamedeaster
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 6:07pm
Originally posted by nod1v1ng nod1v1ng wrote:

Originally posted by dashesndots2 dashesndots2 wrote:

That said, despite having zero work or social obligations all week, but knowing my typical patterns, I will probably spend large chunks of that time procrastinating. 

Typical Aquarian, distracted by all the other shiny things. Wink

My birthday is also this week (the 26th). At least there will be cake to drown my anxieties in.


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https://bit.ly/3IVNptw" rel="nofollow - Screenwriting R1
https://bit.ly/49gboP8" rel="nofollow - Short Story R1


Posted By: LizMS
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 6:14pm
This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)


Posted By: wisemel
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 6:39pm
Another newbie jumping in to say hi! It's been a very long time since I've written much of anything, so this is my kick in the pants to jump back in! 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread, and your comments on process. Very much looking forward to reading everyone's work!


Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 6:42pm
Originally posted by catnamedeaster catnamedeaster wrote:

My birthday is also this week (the 26th). At least there will be cake to drown my anxieties in.

Woot! You & me & dash should get extra birthday points! 




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


Posted By: dashesndots2
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 9:36pm
Originally posted by nod1v1ng nod1v1ng wrote:

Originally posted by catnamedeaster catnamedeaster wrote:

My birthday is also this week (the 26th). At least there will be cake to drown my anxieties in.

Woot! You & me & dash should get extra birthday points! 



Aquarians unite!  And yes please on the extra points, haha!




Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 9:44pm
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)


Ignore all the overly dramatic tales of panic and procrastination. 

Relax and have fun with it.  If this is work you're not doing it right. 

That doesn't mean it won't take some effort  Wink


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Posted By: nod1v1ng
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:00pm
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)

Don't freak out trying to figure out what the judges want. Write a story that resonates with you and you've succeeded. 

Don't try an emulate anyone else's process. Do what works for you. 

Have fun, create something new. Again, if you do so, you've succeeded. 

When the all clear comes through, post your story in the forums and participate in the peer review. That's where the real value is at - it's essentially the cheapest workshopping seminar on the interwebs.

Did I say, have fun?


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


Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:09pm
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)

Write what pleases you, then if you achieve what you were aiming at, 
you will do well!


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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: Sara.E.Tall
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:41pm
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)

Have you see the beta sign-up sheet? It's a chance to swap stories with others throughout the competition and get some great feedback.


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic32080_post330961.html#330961" rel="nofollow - SSC R1 Seventh Singer
https://forums.nycmidnight.com/r2-h25-the-purpose-of-dreams_topic32541.html" rel="nofollow - SSC R2


Posted By: Heartstart
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 10:55pm
I've signed up for the 2021 Short Story contest, after taking last year off (I was actually judging a different short story contest, so it was interesting to see things from the other side of the fence, so to speak!). 

My tips for newbies are:

1. Don't stress if an idea doesn't come to you immediately. 

2. Brainstorm all possible ideas. Get a piece of paper and scribble down whatever comes to mind, no matter how naff it seems. 

3. Do something else. Take a break. Go for a walk. Cook a meal. Do chores even. But keep your prompts at the forefront of your mind. I find this helps me generate ideas, when I'm doing something else, away from my writing space.  

4. Try to come up with a creative take on your prompts. This will help your story stand out from the pack. 

5. Make something happen in your story. Include sufficient conflict. Let your main character have a goal. I say this, because I've read many stories which were proficiently written, with wonderful descriptions of settings and characters, but with non-existent plots. 

6. Leave yourself some time (preferably a day or two) for editing. 

7. Have fun and don't be too hard on yourself! Make sure you submit something, no matter how lame you think it is. The very fact that you've written and completed a short story is something to be proud of! 


Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 11:03pm


PS - besides writing to please myself during these longer contests,
I will just stop everything an clean my bathroom top to bottom. Honestly.
If nothing else happens I get a good feeling from having a clean bathroom.


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https://shorturl.at/oFHX0" rel="nofollow - SP Butterflies and Bumblebees
https://shorturl.at/sxQU6" rel="nofollow - SS Drama/ A Touch of Humanity


Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 12:27am
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)


1. Sign up for the beta spreadsheet. It will be invaluable to find people to give you insight. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NIJzSsCzs6e-rr46FHuDIBQRLdsI131AYKlBOUb4AIQ/edit#gid=0" rel="nofollow - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NIJzSsCzs6e-rr46FHuDIBQRLdsI131AYKlBOUb4AIQ/edit#gid=0
2. Get to work right away in some form. Even if you just spend the next 18 hours doodling or walking or having a cuppa, have at the back of your mind that you need to get something out the door to your publisher by Sunday.
3. Relax, though. This is a contest, and it's under pressure, but the joy is in the journey. Share on this forum, read others to let off steam, yell at your computer, be willing to write pure unadulterated trash in your first few drafts. GET THE STORY OUT so you can start shaping it.

And remember, when you're done, you'll have a story never told before!

Good luck!


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



Posted By: theinquisitor
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 3:20am
A few practical suggestions to help avoid any last-minute panic:

1. Familiarise yourself with the formatting rules now.
2. Remember that you need a title page with a synopsis.
3. Open a Submittable account, if you don't have one already. You need it to submit.


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https://shorturl.at/flBN6" rel="nofollow - MF250 R2
https://bit.ly/3aRQtG6" rel="nofollow - Archive


Posted By: wisemel
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 3:30am
You all are awesome! Great tips and support, thank you! 


Posted By: BarbaraFL
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 6:17am
Originally posted by LizMS LizMS wrote:

This is my first time!  Any tips for a newbie??  :-)

It's totally ok to entirely change your idea if you feel like it's just not working or you're really laboring to write something. Sometimes the first or second (or even third) idea just isn't the one...


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


Posted By: MysTori
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 5:08pm
I watched this challenge come and go for too many years before jumping in.  This is my third year, and yes ... I'm hooked.  :)

Have a great day!


Posted By: Lord Xoon
Date Posted: 11 May 2021 at 3:32pm
I've never done 100 word before and really had no intention of signing up this time around either. But then I did. 

I really have a problem.


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



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