Short Story 4 - Micro Fiction
Hello All,
Here is our December short story time. Below is a list of rules I lifted from the Baden's previous thread, with some modifications:
General Rules
1) Your original entries must be PMed to me.
2) Max two submissions per member.
3) Max 200 words (no exceptions). If your short story goes above this count, it will be cut down to size at the bottom.
4) Must fall under the broad category of short story. No poems or plays.
5) No pornography, trolling, or other obviously inappropriate content.
6) Submissions are to be anonymous.
7) Entries will be posted as discussion OPs and may be commented upon.
8) Comments should focus on stories, not authors, and may be moderated.
9) EDIT: WE NOW HAVE TWO ROUNDS: TWO DEADLINES: DEC 15 AND DEC 31.
We will only accept two submissions per participant.
The above rules are not negotiable. This is a micro fiction exhibition. Our emphasis is on creativity and entertainment.
Thank you for participating and have fun, everyone.
The stories are posted here: Short Story Activity Dec 22
Here is our December short story time. Below is a list of rules I lifted from the Baden's previous thread, with some modifications:
General Rules
1) Your original entries must be PMed to me.
2) Max two submissions per member.
3) Max 200 words (no exceptions). If your short story goes above this count, it will be cut down to size at the bottom.
4) Must fall under the broad category of short story. No poems or plays.
5) No pornography, trolling, or other obviously inappropriate content.
6) Submissions are to be anonymous.
7) Entries will be posted as discussion OPs and may be commented upon.
8) Comments should focus on stories, not authors, and may be moderated.
9) EDIT: WE NOW HAVE TWO ROUNDS: TWO DEADLINES: DEC 15 AND DEC 31.
We will only accept two submissions per participant.
The above rules are not negotiable. This is a micro fiction exhibition. Our emphasis is on creativity and entertainment.
Thank you for participating and have fun, everyone.
The stories are posted here: Short Story Activity Dec 22
Comments (486)
:up: :flower:
I understood from @the Baden that there was not going to be a short story competition in December, and it was only going to be once a year, in the summer. When I queried the December one he told me this, and said that it had been discussed in 'the shoutbox'.
As there is so much daily discussion there I have not waited through, searching for it. However, now that you have raised the December competition there probably needs to be some clear clarification. If what you are saying about a micro story of 200 words is what is planned I think that may be good because it won't be too much work to read 200 word entries at a busy time, or to write one although it probably requires a certain art to capture a story of 200 words, with the principle of the less summarising more.
Yes, @Caldwell kindly offered to organize this activity just today. And we are all grateful to her for it!
I think it must be an even greater challenge to crop a story to 200 words.
I wonder if that's more or less fun?
Quoting Caldwell
This seems a bit harsh.
I wasn't even sure what Micro-fiction entailed.
What to look out for as a reader, never mind writer:
Quoting How to Write Micro-fiction
So, how about a leeway of 200 - 300 words?
I've made some short fiction of 50-70 words.
E.g.
"The money is in the bookcase. Hiding in plain site. Between the leaves of a Chomsky tome. I thought that would be ironic. An irony that may be lost on a thief. Unless it is my wife, who is an educated exponent of the craft, a student of politics, and absolutely loyal to the last."
It's all up to @Caldwell. Just saying you might be surprised what you could come up with in 200 words.
I learn something new every day!
https://buildwriting.com/50-word-story-examples/
Quoting The Baden
Understood. I'll be quiet now :zip:
I lie.
Why not half the previous minimum of 500.
Therefore 250?
200-250.
Just kidding @Caldwell. Good Luck :sparkle:
Amity, it is not about words but originality. I really think you can write a good story in just 200 words. Having more words available, doesn't mean more chances to write original stories.
Yes, this is a good skill to practice -- that's the point of writing in a very limited medium, you start thinking of using this word, not that.
Quoting Amity
You will have to switch gears in your brain without blowing a gasket. Fun work.
Go for it! :cool:
:up: :sparkle:
I'm not a writer of short story fiction. Not even close to it. I appreciate it but have insufficient imagination.
Looking forward to reading the entries :sparkle:
Nice one!
This might be a hint into how to figure out which is the Hanoverstory.
Caldwell's I's will be overpulled-woolnot.
Thanks. I should do more of those but somehow got distracted by cartoons. :grin:
Shaddupayaface.
Thanks for organizing this. Sounds fun!
Cool beans.
I think you are a better reader than all of us, so I'm kind of not buying this! My favorite hobbies are things I thought I could never do.
Well, thanks but I doubt that very much indeed.
I have enough imagination to follow the stories, scenes and characters, but that is down to the quality of the writer more than anything else.
Quoting hypericin
You don't buy that people can be consumers but not producers?
Quoting hypericin
What made the difference between the thought and change of heart and action?
Quoting Caldwell
Why is it a 'nice one'?
What should we be looking for when evaluating micro-fiction?
Any particular characteristics or qualities?
What does "... absolutely loyal to the last" mean in this fragment? I am not being funny; I am being stupid.
To the last what? There is a reference that is more idiomatic than grammatical. In this arrangement, does the last refer to being a student of politics, i.e. the last in the immediate preceding list of things? If not, then what does it refer to? And how can the reader figure out what the writer intends to communicate,i.e. how can the reader be sure that his interpretation of the referencing is the correct one? Thanks.
Methinks, anything. If you like it, say what you like about it; if you don't like it, don't say it.
If writers knew what was great to write, AND appealed to readers, there would be no ranking of works. It is an AD ACTA endeavour, not a PRO ACTA one.
Applies generally to all forms of creative art.
I think that's the point. At least, it is how I interpret it because @Caldwell said that we have to practice our skills in a very limited medium.
Yes, it's idiomatic. Your question sounds like it came from the bottom of a bottle of gin. No offense.
You may be missing the potential of micro-fiction by seeing it as 'limited'. It is a specific art form which probably requires an understanding of minimalism. To appreciate it may be like looking at miniaturist art, or even postage stamps as opposed to the large paintings hanging on gallery walls. Of course, short stories are different from novels as different framings of narrative.
It is hard to know what would happen if 'War and Peace' was re-imagined in the form of micro-fiction. However, I am not suggesting that grandiosity should come into consideration of our attempts . If anything, the format of 200 words may allow for the most humble forms of experimental possibilities, even from some who may not have written any stories since the almost forgotten memories of school days.
But I never said a short story lacks of quality.
There are different formats to express literature. War and Peace, Don Quixote or Genji Monogatari are long novels because that's how the authors expressed their art. They are good works because of the quality of the stories, it doesn't matter if they have around 800 - 1,500 pages.
In Praise of Shadows by Tanizaki Jun'ichir? only has 80 pages and it is completely a master piece of literature, for example.
:fire: :up:
Quoting Paine
:wink:
Quoting Amity
The Baden provided a good example.
Quoting god must be atheist
Yes. Although each entry will have a poll so readers can express their likes or dislikes.
tl;dr
Yeah, I understood your exclamation of approval.
I think you know what I meant by the question.
The full quote:
Quoting Amity
So, what made it a good example?
I understand we are not evaluating for the purpose of a competition. Apparently, no votes are to be cast so that a 'winner' can be declared. That's fine.
However, if readers are to make comments/offer feedback of any value, then it might be helpful to understand anything special or unique to micro-fiction, other than being shorter...
If it's just a case of saying "Yay, I like this... :up: " or "Nice!", then of course my questions are not relevant. and can be ignored. I thought I might learn something...so that I could better appreciate the skills.
Writing it at 200 words is the same as a full short story feature.
You will have a plot and all the elements found in a structured short story.
I said "nice one" to the Baden's example because of the elements he included in that very short writing: money, Chomsky, thief, the exponent wife and the irony that's holding them altogether. (Although, of course, it should continue on a bit more to truly have a plot).
Thank you.
I like it
It's okay
and leave out "I don't like it" so that those who don't won't have to leave a vote that can serve no constructive purpose. They can, however, give constructive criticism in the comments.
Also, a dedicated subforum like the ones for the other short stories would be helpful so that the micro fictions don't get lost on the main page and are easier to find.
Just my two bits. :smirk:
Hi Proof, the subforum for the stories has its own place if you go to Symposium and click on the fourth one.
I just let the Baden know about the poll.
Thanks.
Edit: I just cancelled "showing in all discussions". So, you should see it only in the Symposium.
Yes, I agree with you about 'I like' or 'I really like' being better than one about not liking, which is more about downvotes. Last time, I just voted for the likes and abstained from a vote for the ones I didn't like because it seemed a bit mean casting a negative one. Then, I had to go back and give the 'Not for me' ones later, when I found out that to not vote for these would skew the votes.
The critical comments may work better for feedback. But there may need to be clarification whether we are meant to vote for them all because if all are voted with only 2 options there may not be any clear winner at all. One other option could be voting for them in order of preference, but it might be complicated to put in place for this time, which is more of a mini competition.
:up:
This is not a competition. There will be a poll. So, someone's work will still get the most "liked".
I am all for it being more like a creative writing workshop with a poll rather than competition as such! The feedback is probably important too.
I can't remember but wasn't the subforum not also stickied to the top of the front page for the duration? So that people could easily see, read and vote...
Probably not. I'm tired...
Carry on with the good work!
Would it help? :wink:
Advice was received this morning at 06.30hrs. Already gone to bed and slept a little, thank you.
Still tired. But mind a bit more active. Enough to leave a comment on the first micro :party:
Glad to see it appearing on the front page as well as in the subforum.
Hopefully more people will join in the discussion :cool:
BTW, I like the pacing of entries with no deadlines to meet. Any readers need not jump to a swift judgement to tick a box but take time to read carefully and think before commenting.
I was surprised at there being 4 votes already but no comments.
People might change their mind. But can the votes...?
I was just ribbing you, really.
I sound like a sourpuss, I know. I never mastered the art of banter, and that puts me in a vulnerable position when ribbing happens.
What exactly does "It's okay" entail?
Does "it's okay" mean:
1. It's good,
2. it's neutral, or
3. it is (neutral or worse).
This is a nuance in meaning that I am not familiar with. And so are most of the users on this site not, who are immigrants like me. Because of this unfortunate choice of wording of the vote, the poll might be misleading in its truly reflecting opinions, as I (and likely some others as well) do not have a clear understanding of the meaning of this idiom.
I would find it more useful if at least in IMPORTANT issues ambiguity was clearly avoided.
I was fat at the time, and I wanted to make it obvious and clear to the readers. My self-describing texts were rejected every time I used the word "fat".
So the philosophy (so to speak) on this non-competition is to make it useful, and probably make it supportive in its criticisms, and therefore we can't have a choice of "I don't like it". But we do have an "it's okay", which probably oppository to "I like", which renders "it's okay" into an "I don't like".
You can't say "fat". You can't say "I don't like". You can only say something that can always be interpreted into something different.
"I don't like" ambiguity to triumph over meaning. In my world ambiguity is not even okay.
In the other hand, the posts would have comments from other users so you would see if it entertained them.
I am not opposing the fact that we can't put "I don't like". You misunderstood my post completely. I OPPOSE AMBIGUITY IN WORDING IN IMPORTANT MATTERS.
In my language Esta bien means nothing.
But if "Esta bien" means "This is good", then it's precisely NOT what "It's okay" means.
You are completely wrong.
And you don't even know it.
That's why I am trying to convince the Power that Be to make it bloody obvious what each choice means. If all users are like you, then "it's okay" will be completely misunderstood, and it renders the data false and useless. And if all users are like me, we'd all be baffled. If all users were native speakers of English, then it would not be a problem.
That said, I am glad you voiced your opinion, because you showed a shining example to the Power that Be that "It's okay" is a poor choice of wording for the vote category.
Another problem with the expression "okay" is that in different uses it has different meanings. "Esta bien" is the proper translation when one is told, "I have attached the garden hose to the garden faucet" then one may say "okay" or "right" or "well done", in which cases it means "esta bien". But when you ask "how was the soup at King's Palace", then "it was okay" does not mean it was good; it means something like "it was acceptable, but not what I would call exceptional or even just good."
These nuances are not easily separated by immigrant minds. To native speakers there is no ambiguity there, but to immigrants, there is a painful, unnoticed ambiguity that can lead to dire errors in the voting we have at hand.
Why is it a problem not being a native speaker? I understand what you say and what the rest of the users post. English derives from latin words so it is not so far from Spanish language. It is clear what Caldwell purposed: just a short story to show our imagination skills. Simple. The ambiguity only exists in your mind. You are not even forced to say this is okay because we are not in a competitive contest.
Quoting god must be atheist
I am curious. What alphabet do you use in your mother tongue? It is interesting that Está bien doesn't mean anything to you.
But you are wrong: está bien doesn't mean "this is good".
This is good = está bueno. The Guinness beer is good = la cerveza Guinness está buena
This is okay = está bien. Autumn weather is okay... = el tiempo otoñal está bien...
Meanwhile good (bueno) refers to a qualitative comment, okay (bien) it is an adverb. To me, it is so different, but I respect that you see it in a different way.
We used 'it's ok' before and it worked fine. So, I don't see a problem. And I don't see it as being an obscure, confusing, or particularly ambiguous phrase either. It means what it means in everyday usage where few phrases escape some shade of ambiguity and where such openness of interpretation is often a feature rather than a bug.
:up:
I can sympathize with the difficulty of not fully appreciating a language's meaning to the level of a native speaker, but I'm not really sympathetic to the idea that we've reached a level of ineffability in this particular case. What it appears has occurred is that there might have been some ambiguity at one point as to what "it's ok" meant, but I do think it's now been clarified. That it will happen in other contexts is inevitable, but when that occurs, again we'll try to offer clarification.
The posting guidelines specifically address this issue:
"1) Language matters:
This is an English language forum on an academic topic. Posts should display an acceptable level of English with regard to grammar, punctuation and layout. This goes for both native and non-native speakers (although we're likely to be more sympathetic when judging the writing of the latter)."
So, we'll truly be sympathetic to your point, and we'll do our best to explain where there is confusion, but it does seem like all that could be done has been done in this instance and now the conversation is an academic one regarding the limits a non-native speaker can intuitively comprehend of another's native language.
The above was a response to Javi.
If you read my posts, really, you'd see that I am not against the type of responses available; I am against AMBIGUITY. If you can't see that in my script, then you are blind to reason. Sorry. Which, according to your post, you are.
I never advocated to be cunts to the authors, like you have insinuated there in your post. That's your opinion, but please don't pull me in it, as I have never said anything to support your opinion.
As people used to say: "Don't look at me in that tone of voice."
Indeed. I hope to read some with a tad less violence in them.
Even something slightly uplifting would do.
If there must be a killing let Miss Marples sort it out... or Angela Lansbury.
Murder mysteries can be fun, no?
When it comes to crime Ill take Raymond Chandler instead, which I guess is cosy in its own way too.
I've been enjoying Agatha Christie's Poirot.
But I guess they all have too much of a plot for a short, short story.
What about the case of the Plum Pudding...?
:rofl: :100:
Quoting Amity
Yeah, mystery novels are interesting... but I am more dramatic, wait for it :eyes: :sparkle:
Murder on the Plum Pudding Express?
Read the script for 'Double Indemnity' recently. Hell of a story. Chandler cowrote it with Billy Wilder, I think.
They can, but in my experience passionate consumers make the best producers.
Quoting Amity
Drive I guess. I was also a passionate consumer, and I wanted to create, even if it turned out terribly. I play guitar and drums, and started both at late ages (25 and 31). Drums will always be a work in progress, but I still have fun playing.
No, it doesn't.
Please, before submission, inspect the spelling and formatting (where you want the break of the line) of your stories as we don't correct these for you.
I can't really keep up and I think there is a danger of giving too much of the story away in my comments. Spoilers.
From now on, I'll keep my comments short. Too much is too much :sparkle:
Thanks. I had been thinking at this rate I'm gonna be knackered by the end of the week, never mind the end of December!
Quoting Jamal
Again, thanks for letting me know I'm getting the balance right-ish. It helps.
'...sometimes not a very good reader' - ach, awa' an' bile yer heid, man!
Or is that 'sometimes' when you've got a hangover :joke:
No, its when Im forcing myself to read the stories of my dastardly adversaries in this competition.
I know I know, its not a competition this time. :halo: :pray:
:smile:
It's always a competition. I can see y'all counting the likes and OK's.
I think my fingers are sometimes too quick at the tick box.
It can take a few reads, at least. Also, reading other comments.
Pretty sure I gave someone a mere OK when it shoulda been a me-likee very much.
Never mind. It's all in fun...
keep on it! :up:
You too! :up:
I know it might look like I'm fishing for compliments but I'm not (much!).
I do appreciate that wee bit of feedback and look forward to the authors' responses.
Whenever that will be...
Tomorrow is another day :sparkle:
9) The whole month of December is open for this activity.
I think I can speak for everyone in saying that we all *LOVE* your detailed, insightful (and yes, charitable!) feedback. I'm itching to respond to the comments, but for that "guess the author" thing.
Quoting Jamal
Remember you can submit two entries. I'm working myself up to the 2nd.
Oh, didn't see that bit. Cool.
Quoting hypericin
Well. I am really not up for double trouble. Not all the way through December.
Perhaps a cut off point for 1st entries can be midway-ish.
Then, we can guess authors and get some feedback.
If some have already entered 2 and wish to 'come out' and join in the discussion, then why can't they do so?
IMO, it's just too long to wait. Interest, such as it is, will fade.
Edit: if authors wish for their stories to be entered into the guessing game before the end of December, then what about invitations being sent out by Caldwell on their behalf. 'Now open for author's feedback/responses, after a guess ?'
Or something...
If there is a second entry by an author, could you please indicate it as such.
I'd prefer to reply initially to 1st entries of everyone.
Thanks for considering this option.
haha. Our participants are very competitive. :sweat:
Quoting Amity
I prefer to have a clean slate for everyone, so I opted not to give any hint that entries are connected by who wrote them.
Your preference is duly noted.
In that case, here endeth more detailed comments from me.
It's been fun so far but now it's become a bit of a slog, for me anyway.
Thanks to all.
Like I said. It's been enjoyable so far.
The authors have sent lovely gifts. I appreciate them all.
Too much, though, for me to unpack. Never mind.
Also it seems that some authors would love to be able to respond sooner.
Interaction with them would make things more interesting...
Thanks for listening and your feedback.
I suggest we do that anyway, even if it means an author will be able to submit four stories in total by the end of December.
Okay, we could have a deadline by the 15th and 31st so we could just show who wrote what?
Quoting Amity
Okay you got it.
It makes sense, thanks! :up:
We have a new deadline -- December 15th.
You'll have a second chance again at the end of December.
Great! Thanks :up:
I am not trying to be critical because there is probably no 'perfect' way of integrating them amidst a philosophy site. It may be that those people who are interested will find them, and, at least, with this thread at the top it enables awareness of the short stories, especially as some people may be rather perplexed by short pieces of fiction popping up amidst philosophy theory. This in itself may be interesting because it may challenge the idea of philosophy as dry theories.
https://thephilosophyforum.com/categories/42/short-story-activity-dec-22
I've just noticed that the OP still states:
9) The whole month of December is open for this activity.
For newcomers or people by-passing this post, probably best to edit to reflect the change.
Thanks again for all your hard work.
Indeed, deeply grateful :clap:
Only two submissions. So, if you've already submitted two before the Dec 15th, the next round (with a deadline of Dec 31th) you don't have any tries left. Sounds cool? :cool:
:cry:
But I will submit to the rules.
Until reading your post, I was not aware that there was a deadline of 15th December. So, I had been thinking that I had the whole of December to try read and to submit one. I had no idea about rounds, and I don't know whether I will continue participating. That is because I have other pressures and deadlines in front of me.
At one point, I used to spend hours everyday logged into this site but at the moment, I probably only log into the site briefly each day. I thought that the idea of a mini short story workshop was to make it less work and pressure, but as I know that at the moment I have only read 3 of the stories it feels too much to have a immediate deadlines and, without scrolling back this thread, I am not sure if it means all the present stories are going to be closed for voting by 15th or not.
Part of the reason why I am saying this is because I wonder if some others who have got quite a lot going on in their lives may be put off by speedy deadlines and changes introduced from what was decided in the initial outpost. It can be difficult for some if it is necessary to keep following everything constantly. Even though it is nice that stories just pop up it is a bit overwhelming, while last Christmas there were all the bank holidays to find time to read the stories in a leisurely, relaxed way.
That's good because I did wish to take part and having the 'shut down" days was when I was planning to give this more time and focus.
Hopefully the replies by Caldwell and Jamal have clarified and eased your mind.
Perhaps see 'deadline' as a 'mid-way break' to give breathing space. To sit back and enjoy what the authors have to say.
I too felt/feel under pressure to read and respond. But that was because I kicked up such a fuss about the cancellation. Most grateful that @Caldwell took on the challenge to set up and maintain this new and exciting way to share 'competing' stories. It's a work in progress. I admire the flexibility and willingness to listen, change and adapt when necessary.
I was overwhelmed by the amazing daily gifting and wondered if and when it would let up.
Five a day until the end of December? No way, José !
I totally appreciate all those who have risen to the challenge of micro-fiction.
Looking forward to reading your entry, just whenever. No pressure! :wink:
I'll be adapting too. To prioritise time and energy.
Well, that's the plan. Hah.
I always have thought that protected writing time is important and I try to fit it in. When I am was working I used to try and have a day which I almost set aside for writing and other creative activities. The biggest setback I find is when emails come and the phone starts ringing as if being on-call instantly.Preferably, I like to go out somewhere to find some quiet space, in the spirit of what Julia Cameron describes as 'artist dates', and life post-lockdown sometimes feels more pressured than it was before, but creativity can't be squeezed out of life.
In the other hand, Caldwell has opened up a poll for something, anyway...
Phone notifications are a particular curse. I have the luxury of turning almost all of them off. Our phones are essentially attention parasites intent on turning into robotic consumer/workers. I mean that in all seriousness.
I'm in the train right now. I can write about several of the passengers, about what I see outside, how I feel about travelling, the weather, what I'm going to do, etc
Yeah, boring. :yawn: My writing prompt is about a psychotic who kidnaps Dutchmen and makes them into clogs. :party: :fire:
I think that it is unfortunately the case that the number of views/interest in each story is not reflected in votes, even if people don't have the time or inclination to comment. Does it matter?
Will the competition be cancelled next time if this apparent lack of interest continues? Possibly.
It can be disheartening. But I love it and do see it as important. Could we sell it better?
A quick look at the views so far:
1. Moricos - 299
2. Midnight Mouse - 248
3. Lane's Way - 235
It seems that some just aren't interested. Full stop. And resent the stories popping up on the front page. It's not philosophy after all :roll:
It's always been pretty much like that. Voting disappoints. Well, except for the 'winner'!
No reflection on the effort or creativity of the authors. They're all winners in my book :sparkle:
I wouldn't put such a negative spin on it. Only members can vote, anyone can view, and the activity has had enough participation to justify it already. I judge it by entries and comments, primarily, and as I said, the fact it's microfiction has made both much easier. I could definitely see this being fine for twice a year. Or having one full short story and one microfiction activity.
Good to hear :smile:
Quoting Baden
Yup :up:
The full story one being as it was - with about 12 stories - or with more time to spend reading and commenting, less pressure?
I really do think that people are being expected to become more and more like robots. What I find recently is that I get 'official' calls from organisations in the evening and weekends, not just Mon-Fri 9-5. I am not someone who is rigid about business times as I used to work unsocial hours, including most Sundays. But, at the end it was getting worse and worse working in healthcare because it was often about mixing day and night shifts in one week. Since lockdown, in England everything has become so digitalised and machine dependent. I like some forms, like this site, which make interaction with people across the world. But, in other ways, people are being replaced by machines and expected to function like machines.
For example, I went into a library recently and I couldn't even find a member of staff. I was actually wishing to ask about a creative writing group and when I did find a staff member he didn't know. I used to really enjoy creative writing groups, which involved prompts. Sometimes, just writing alone in my room feels difficult but it is great that the forum has these threads because it is far more motivating to write with a potential audience, rather than to just keep notebooks inside drawers of papers.
Absolutely. :up:
I am agree, Amity. But I was not referring to "all the members" as a group but the ones who are commenting in each thread of the story. I don't want to force the members to vote or read the stories. I know this is to have fun and improve our skills. Nevertheless, I think the author would appreciate a brief feedback. At least, he/she would consider that his/her effort on writing the story was worthy.
Although I've been reading and commenting, I haven't voted. I've only got so much time.
Actually, the real reason I haven't voted for all of them so far is because I haven't decided what to vote.
Yes, I realized after my earlier comment the danger of creating controversy out of thin air. It is going well and was well worth doing. I haven't voted for all the stories either. The ones I'm not sure about I will probably just leave alone.
My intention was not to create a controversy. So, I am sorry if this turned on it. Short stories is going well and and so it will continue.
It is going well. But remember the initial decision to cancel and the arguments to keep it!
To no avail, at first.
A few reasons given: questionable levels of interest and it being fresher if only once a year are the ones that spring to mind. A poll was even put up, then removed- for God's sake - to gauge levels of input from authors/readers.
Is it any surprise that this concern lingers on, even in the midst of an apparent success?
The votes are still looked at as an indicator of interest and appraisal by some.
Anyway, I'm sick to death talking about it. Glad it all worked out swimmingly :sparkle:
:up:
Of course. Underneath the currents of the mundane, the earth moves, lava bubbles, and, with time, beautiful islands are born, full of mini-Benkies swinging from the trees. From such evolutions does the greatest of writing spring, the revelation of the magic of everyday life.
I'm partial too. Now, me want banana.
Hehe...
:rofl:
I second that. The participation is going well.
Quoting Benkei
:up: :cool: I love attention-grabbing writers. Thanks to those who feed their egos. Very much appreciated!
Voting did not always disappoint me... However, the ranking will be skewed when stories are not published at the same time. The interest of some will wane, others will tune in just now... The votes of the members do not reflect a comparison and so on. Best to leave this one uncompetitive methinks...
Thanks for all your time and effort at commenting, it is wonderful to read. Thanks to Caldwell for organising the event.
'Ego-feeding'. How delightfully inspiring.
Fiction, facts and farts
Floor us fairly
And squarely meet
Fear and frailties
With Hope and Wonder
Imploding, exploding
Horizons stretched
Unlocking the horns
Of Thought and Emotion
A Festival of Aphrodisia
Sparkling seduction
Soft strokes
Hard bites
Pleasuring the Senses
Sophia rests her case
"Who are you?"
:smile:
The wonderer returns! Where have you been, my friend?
Quoting Tobias
You raise pertinent points. And we could go on at length twisting and turning. But I'm dizzy enough already and need to get off this soap box.
Quoting Tobias
Yes, Caldwell's decision to volunteer for this has made all the difference in the world.
It has meant a continuation of the creative spirit, now exhibited in all its glory...or something like that!
Thanks for your thanks. I find I am inspired by all the stories, some more than others.
Votes don't and can't capture the qualitative experience; comments do.
It's an exchange of gifts; reciprocal strokes, if you like :wink:
Really good to hear from you :sparkle:
I am not suggesting that changes should be made for layout this time at this stage, but with these micro ones having them dotted in between philosophy ones may be a bit complicated. So, when I, and other people, read them it may be important for people to look for ones which are buried. Also, as people are submitting at different stages some will inevitably have more time to get more likes.
This is not meant to be a criticism of what is happening and this is not an 'official competition' and it is all experimental. Anyway, perhaps I should be better spending more time reading the stories rather than thinking and writing about the processes here!
The only change I can imagine helping is for a link to the category to be included in the pinned OP.
https://thephilosophyforum.com/categories/42/short-story-activity-dec-22
And here it is on mobile, in the top-right pop-up menu:
Clicking on "Categories" in that menu leads to the categories screen:
The category is a sub-category of the Symposium, called "Short Story Activity Dec 22".
Thanks, as I wasn't aware of the link!
Yes, it is meant to be enjoyable and it is such freezing weather in England. The summer competition coincided with the hottest ever weather known here and it is if the competition is becoming an antidote for the extremes. However, I am aware that you are used to really cold weather. The best way to enjoy the competition may be to go to bed with a hot water bottle and read in bed! I am going out to buy a hot water bottle...
This is now the officially approved way to access TPF, at least in colder climates. :up:
Apart from hot water bottles and strong coffees in bed, as a recommended mode for participarion in TPF, especially the micro fiction threads, mandatory 'pyjama days' may need to be put into place. 1 hour's exercise and regular music breaks are also advised on such days.
Damn the Supreme Court! Where's Roe v. Wade when I need it??!!
[quote=Frank Zappa]
Some people's hot
Some people's cold
Some people's not very
Swift to behold
Some people do it
Some see right through it
Some wear pyjamas
If only they knew it
The pyjama people are boring me to pieces
Feel like I am wasting my time
They all got flannel up 'n down 'em
A little trap-door back aroun' 'em
An' some cozy little footies on their mind
[/quote]
Jury's out on you. Can't make heads or tails of your phonetic script.
Please pin. Thanks!
Below is a list of all who contributed so far. Feel free to play the guessing game:
Andrew4Handel
Baden
Benj96
Benkei
Bitter Crank
Daniel
god must be atheist
Hanover
hypericin
Jamal
javi2541997
Noble Dust
Tobias
ToothyMaw
Varde
Vera Mont
Thank you to our writers! More stories to come.
50% new authors, unless I'm forgetting someone. Impressive! Might explain why I'm having a tough time at the guessing game this time around.
Butterflies and Good-byes - @Benkei
The Porn Shop - @Bitter Crank
In the Wake of the Moriscos - @Jamal
@Baden is too slippery; could be several.
Impressive list indeed!
I think I only know 3 for pretty sure.
Benkei the Byebye man (2)
Tobias the Curious case of the Silver Pin (2)
Yes, I agree Moriscos is Jamal's.
Yew wot mate?
A good-bye buzz, I reckon.
Clue in the word Goodbye.
Nah. The Buzz is Benkei.
That crossed my mind, but the lack of line breaks put me off the scent.
I just read that one and think it's too literal to be Tobias.
No way.
Two stories by @Tobias
1. Childsplay
2. The hairpin.
I'd stake my heart on it.
So, we've got:
@Benkei sorted then :up:
Yes, way :smile:
I respectfully refer you to my almost 100% accuracy rating on the last guessing session. :joke:
At some point can you post the list of stories as you usually do.
With authors pencilled in besides them...
I'm losing track! :chin:
I noticed. Keep on with the good work! :clap:
I might, although this time around there's too many new authors for me to guess accurately. I don't really know most of their writing styles, so I won't be much use.
Just do it!!! :joke:
It's beautiful but I haven't written a comment yet.
Not me, though coincidentally I am at this moment working on a philosophical treatment of it that interprets it from a Lacanian perspective. I'm not sure I know enough Lacan to make that work though.
My record remains unstained so far.
In that case, "A good-bye buzz" is Vera Mont or Noble Dust.
I have a weird feeling that is by @Hanover.
I know it's not his usual but...
Do you never listen to me?!
@Noble Dust agrees.
The concept of the stain is central to my thesis.
Quoting Jamal
But... the person who wrote that story surely has a social conscience?
Like you :wink:
or Jamal ?
We will see.
Why do you think it's not by Benkei?
So what ?
That might be to throw you off the scent.
Seems to have worked!
'And stuff' :roll:
Quoting Amity
:up:
Great guess. I second.
Wait I take that back. Too obvious!
I thought so too until I saw his comment about it:
That would be oddly narcissistic behaviour, even for him.
I'm honored.
:smile:
Then what about @Hanover.
Possibly.
Do I have time for another entry?
You've got till the end of the month.
I think @god must be atheist wrote The Last Transport.
What ya think?
Andrew4Handel
Baden
Benj96
Benkei
Bitter Crank
Daniel
god must be atheist
Hanover
hypericin
Jamal
javi2541997
Noble Dust
Tobias
ToothyMaw
Varde
Vera Mont
Am I right?
In the Wake of the Moriscos - @Jamal
Three Shittyass Ghosts @Hanover
The Last Transport - @Benkei
Premises and Conclusion - @Vera Mont
Sundae, Bloody Sundae - @god must be atheist
:snicker:
Surely. :up:
The Last Transport is one of the best, I thought.
I have no idea who wrote what.
Bitter Crank, you? Snakey devil!
Edit: Oh, he's not even on the list. :sad:
Nope.
You are not.
Nope! :blush:
I don't want anyone to tell me anything yet.
I think you are right.
I played along but it is a distraction from recent and new stories to come.
I thought it would start after the date given for the midway break, the 15th I think.
I only revealed who contributed. We already lost one -- Varde. Too bad. But it's good to applaud those who took the time to write -- sooner rather than later.
Your compliment is well received by me. :halo:
It is indeed a compliment to you!
So long as you're enjoying it -- that matters.
Me, too. That's why I'm not guessing and not telling.
Quoting Benkei
Science fiction elitists reject the term sci-fi. The proper term, it seems, is SF. Im not sure this can be justified, but I do follow the convention. I think it comes out of SF writers and editors desire to be seen as literary, and to distinguish themselves from trashy movies (SF can stand for speculative fiction).
The Ineffable is a pretty good title, but Im not sure about Galen Strawsons Basic Argument.
Yes. A far better experience than I anticipated; quite overwhelming in both quantity and quality.
It has helped to have 'new' and knowledgeable participants on board with constructive feedback.
For those that say it is easier to read, I don't find that to be true at all. Perhaps some but those with complex or magical ideas or characters, images and senses - well, they take time.
They are puzzles.
Writers have all my respect, just for trying. It's all about learning and sharing as you go.
It has changed the atmosphere in TPF for the better. Lightened and brightened. Thanks.
Quoting Jamal
I doubt your stories can ever be described as that. If so, then forgiveness will follow a re-write :wink:
Thank you. As it happens I have a rewrite in mind for one of them, though its probably jumping the shark.
:up: Excellent. Which one was that again? :wink:
'Level' with me?
It can't be Moriscos cos that's pretty much brilliant.
I dare someone to write a story with 'Ukraine Crisis' as title :scream:
Yes to both you and Jamal's comments. I have a sort of happy realization which I will post when the exhibition ends. The commenters are detectives with wisdom.
Well, I mean, if it's a dare.... But it will have to wait till this round is over.
Quoting Amity
They needed to generate more inequality to maintain their power, how would they live without it, eh? No one suspected how they would do it; everyone was distracted, if it wasn't themselves, it was their partner, or it was their kids, or their parents, their possessions, their neighbours, their job, celebrities, their favourite team, or maybe something else. There was always something in their minds; they couldn't see what was going on right in front their eyes. Clever strategy, I must say, sometimes I think they deserve their power. In less than five years, they created enough distraction and division to prevent any attempt to constructive, and collective thought. Don't get me wrong, there were some who were aware of the atrocities occurring all around the globe, and to be fair, most people had an idea of how bad everything was; again, they just had something else to think about, and systematic thought concerning the dynamics of power was almost absent in the people; they strived for comfort, or at least a cheap version of it, you know, things. Those who saw it wanted it or were powerless to do anything about it, at least anything useful, permanent; strength is in the numbers, and there were numbers, but they were all around. Society was chaos. Five years, only five years to fool almost 9 billion people, clever snakes! Fall brought with it even more war, but it wasn't until winter that hell descended upon all of us. They talked of hunger, of housing problems, of race, of sex, of gender, of climate, of misery, of violence, of scarcity, of injustice, of freedom, while waging war, of freedom! Their temerity! But we were just too distracted, too far apart, too ignorant. It's been 25 years now and there's no more Ukraine, no more Russia, no more Europe, no more America, no more Africa, no more Asia, no more continents, no more Earth, no more humanity. Now? Now it is just crisis. Crisis all the time.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.
Ukraine Crisis
Crazy Zelenskyy applied to join NATO and crazy Putin launched a crazy war, and everybody got sucked in. Between sanctions and somebody blowing up pipelines, the price of oil went up and all the taxes on gas, so transport costs went up and the grocery chains used the excuse to jack up prices way beyond their cost increase, which is causing inflation, but my wages didn't go up to cover the difference. So I didn't have enough money for groceries and beer. I think there's still some packs of ramen in the cupboard. Want a beer?
If you are buying?
Why?
I want it now!
I want it as an entry so that it pops up on the Front Page.
To confuse and disturb the occupants of the siege of the 'Ukraine Crisis' thread.
Which is as far away from micro as you can imagine.
And keeps on and on; sucking the life out of TPF. (in my opinion)
Not that I've looked in lately.
Is that micro? :chin:
What just happened? :scream:
That'll do nicely. Thank you very much :clap:
If there's more than one entry, they can have numbers attached.
Like in Die Hard.
@Bitter Crank started it. Yes, he did!
There's a kiss'o'death!
You know what. You are not alone.
I think that all the puzzle pieces come together generating even more creativity, fiction or otherwise.
You are a genius and you know I must be right :wink:
Killing myself laughing :rofl:
True.
Fantastico :cool:
Stuck there in an 'it' ('The hairpin') or a 'usual' ('The Inseparable'). Small details distracting.
Not being able to appreciate the story beyond. Or so it seems...
I'm discouraged by the voting system where a good story is valued as an 'OK'.
I've done it myself in a few uncertain cases... so, apologise forthwith. Forgive me :pray:
Understood.
I was looking at it from a different perspective. That of peering at drops of paint and not standing back to appreciate the overall picture. How that might affect votes disproportionally.
All is good :up:
Yeah, it's difficult. I too am guilty of that. Ignoring other aspects. Imperfect beings, whot?! :smile:
Fishing for compliments eh :roll:
You know it :wink:
Nah, I'd rather drink Irn Bru with chips and a deep-fried Mars bar. A slow death :monkey:
Hah! That's actually happened to me, in an exhibit of paintings by someone who was quite a big noise at the time. One picture had a pale track of imperfectly cleaned dribble all the way down edge. It absolutely ruined the painting. That can happen in a story, too - especially these tiny stories. They have to be put together with the precision of a poem. The wrong word in the wrong place; an awkward construction, overburdened alliteration... it doesn't take much to spoil one.
Well yes, it would!
I wonder why they allowed it to be exhibited with such an obvious flaw?
I'm laughing now at the memory of my eagle eyes picking out the wrong direction of a brush stroke.
A small thing. I could have ignored it. It was only a wrought iron gate. But it stood out.
I felt this prickle of anxiety. I had to tell the painter who looked at me in disbelief.
I said it ruined his otherwise quality job, so out came his brush with a quick lick and a promise!
Now, I 'get' what you and others are saying.
I'm now too terrified to write...
I come on here and my thoughts dribble out willy-nilly. Sometimes I return to edit.
Other times I let the clunkiness stand, even if it annoys me.
Seconded as to three classes :up:
I think we have only had a few attempts at revision. By @Baden and possibly @Jamal.
Oh, and @Benkei too :chin:
I haven't gone back to reread, assuming that the original submission was a one-chance deal. I'll go back when I have lots of time: Since I don't know which Is whose, I'd have to read them all.
Sorry, I meant revisions in the previous contests. I'm not even sure I'm right!
I am sure authors and readers appreciate all your constructive feedback.
I certainly do. Thank you :up:
:grin: You have pouting competitions?
We need to see the pics :wink:
You're not married?
You got a citation for that claim?
You can comment in the thread -- which you've already been doing.
Quoting Vera Mont
The voting system works fine because everybody has a chance to comment and say a lot more, i.e. --"It's a masterpiece!" -- in the thread.
The writers are supposed to submit works that they believe are ready to be posted. If a story still needs work, then don't submit it. Work on it some more. Self-editing is a good skill to have.
My opinion.
Edit: I think whatever voting system we have, some ratings don't reflect accurately. I have my own favorites in the line-up, but they're not getting top ratings. :scream:
*sob*
You mean to say it is part of my my highly evocative, path breaking oeuvre of magical realist urban fiction?
I would not misspell ménage à trois...
You cannot be serious!
It's the work of the Cranky One, not so sweet.
Haha interesting that.
MY FUCKING HERO! :lol: :party:
Definitely not. BC is too much of a Methodist to indulge in such whimsy.
Oh whatever. I only have a 0.01% success rate anyway.
Still working on the damned 'Double Helix' story.
Guys, come on help out, please :pray:
It's hard work but I want to give some acknowledgement to each author.
Benj96
I know. I feel the same. Especially to those who have been kinda left behind. The attention is now being turned to guessing the author, again. The midway break is tomorrow.
Each entry is of value. I haven't given the same attention to each one.
The other day I was extremely tired. In fact, I think I only left a one-word response. And not much more to some others. Nevertheless, I did the best I could. That single word was heartfelt and true.
The authors appreciate the feedback. Not all are 'attention-seeking' needing their egos to be fed.
No matter what some might ('jokingly') say.
But still, the self and esteem are very much in play, despite it not being a 'contest'.
Well done to all! :sparkle:
Perish the thought. :blush:
But philosophy is fiction.
Me too.
It's a breath of fresh air. Opening a window to let the claustrophobic stuffiness out.
It provokes creative thought and analysis just as much as the big philosophy questions.
Maybe more so...
In response to @javi2541997's previous post and to any others who feel the same.
Even though I disagreed with him re his evaluation of 'Ukraine Crisis', he made some pertinent points, I've underlined:
I understand @javi2541997's and any other author's disappointment if entries have received little to no
feedback.
I can only reiterate:
Quoting Amity
We all do what we can to make this an enjoyable and constructive experience.
You have led the way in so many discussions :up:
Unfortunately, it's not always possible to make authors 'happy' in the way you expect.
I hope that any negativity felt is soon dispelled.
To all:
The mere fact that people enter this exhibition/contest is what makes it so wonderful.
The creativity of the stories provokes thought, sometimes not visible. But much appreciated.
You might never know but, please, still feel happy in your creation and the sharing of it.
By submitting an entry, you've done more than some, including myself.
Thank you :sparkle:
Edit: @javi2541997 - that is why I said that the more readers attracted to the short-story competition the better. There is a greater chance of entries being read and appreciated.
:naughty:
I'll add @Jamal as the Hairpin to my list.
Told you already. It's @Tobias.
second that! :wink:
You guys are SO needy :razz:
No doubt :smile:
It is flawlessly written, but it's a little weird considering someone took the time to write us a potential Turing test - for whatever reason.
Wait... You mean a human author trying to pass for a machine? That's an inverted Turing test.
We are going to close the first half of the micro story submission on the 15th, and the writers will have a chance to discuss their stories in the ongoing threads.
Second half of the month will open for the next round.
@Jamal, 'just wondering, you suggested allowing additional submissions for the next round. I guess we can do that -- 3 submissions per contributor? If the writers are up for it, it's fine.
I'll do it :up:
That's great. Can you expound on what that means? Do we get an interim winner now? Or are we waiting until the end of the month (or 22nd)?
Good to guess, reveal and discuss all entries up to the 15th.
The votes can be counted; a 'winner' revealed.
The second half can be for pleasure alone.
It's not just about the writers but the readers/interpreters.
Speaking for myself, I've done enough. I've enjoyed so far... but sometimes less is more.
I will read 2nd half but am unwilling to put in the same amount of effort.
For this next round, I think there should be no votes and no winners.
Just my thoughts...
As always, the final decision is yours. Best wishes, whatever :sparkle:
Isn't it @Caldwell's call to indicate whether there will be a winner or not? I do not mind either way...
It means I volunteer to be the winner.
When is the second round starting? On the same day, the 15th?
How much time is being allowed/allocated for guessing [s]and feedback[/s]?
[Edit: I note writers can discuss their stories in the 'ongoing threads'. Fair enough]
We have 30 entries. THIRTY!! (at time of writing). I've reached my limit.
Is there an updated list of authors?
At the last count, there were 16:
Andrew4Handel
Baden
Benj96
Benkei
Bitter Crank
Daniel
god must be atheist
Hanover
hypericin
Jamal
javi2541997
Noble Dust
Tobias
ToothyMaw
Varde
Vera Mont
Abstract Conspiracy?
Quoting Benkei
See Story Discussion.
Not 'Is this a Turing Test'?!
Double Helix.
EDIT: Absolutely loved @ToothyMaw's comment on it.
Yay. Funnily enough that was the only one that received a single-word response from me.
'Hilarious' !
Congratulations :fire:
:rofl: Did you write it? Double Helix?
:up: I think it's by @Vera Mont... maybe not...
I think she is author of 'Cruelty'.
I'm giving it a rest now.
My guesses are usually way off.
But I know 'The hairpin' is by @Tobias. For sure.
We need a list of both authors and stories. Side by side. To tick off as we go.
Where is @Noble Dust when you need him...?
Even though @180 Proof isn't on the previous list.
I think he wrote: 'The Inseparable'...
No, I mean that the test is for a machine or human reading the story. The story seems to intend to expose a machine i.e., a machine that can identify with machines would likely interpret the story differently from a human.
Or the writer was an AI, and it is attempting to pass for a human. Or maybe it is an inverted Turing test.
Those are my theories.
When the writer is revealed maybe we can get some closure.
Yes. That's why I suggested the second part be for fun only; no votes.
Mid-way break for guessing, discussing, votes then counted.
I can't see how it works otherwise :chin:
It just makes more sense to me...
@Caldwell has always been open to suggestions :sparkle:
We don't all think the same way...thankfully.
Perhaps votes can continue. Accumulatively...until the end?
A midway winner and a final one?
Whatever *shrugs*
Or...
A re-set of votes for the second round. Hmmm....
I bet @Caldwell has this all worked out already. We need to chill :cool:
Can't we wait until the end of the month to score to give more time for people to read. I am wanting to read them and type mine onto the site but I have not done so because I am looking for somewhere to live.
I can't believe that everyone else on the site is free to read everything straightaway, especially as there are so many entries. Surely, some of this can wait until there is the time between Christmas and new year which is like the dead time, when everything is closed down.
My guess for the pornshop would be Bitter Crank. And yes, sex is an extremely important subject.
Sorry Amity, life suddenly got crazy this past week. I have the next two days off though; I'll try to get back into the festivities.
Sorry to hear that. Hope things settle down and you can relax.
No need for TPF festivities. At all. Be well.
Take care :pray:
Regardless, it leaves me somewhat flailing in the challenge to attribute X microfiction to Y author, to my abject frustration.
I believe I'm not alone in that sentiment. But I relish the moment when all is revealed.
For what its worth, I love to comeradery. There is great sportsmanship here. Its very nice to see.
I think I will learn a lot about others through this exercise and believe the deeper understanding of one another will only serve to better future philosophizing to come.
I thank those that offered their self expression in these stories, as well as those that facilitated/ co-ordinated the endeavour.
Thanks to all who participated.
It's my understanding that a third story may be permitted in the second half of the month long comp. If so, I look forward to conjuring up a new microfiction for your analysis.
I suspect that the great revealing of who wrote what will not only hone my guessing skills for the second round but will make it ever harder for me to conceal my own identity as an author.
Fun and games indeed.
Quoting Benj96
Ive participated in a few of the short story competitions, once as an author and twice just as a reader. This time, I thought my experience would allow me to easily identify a few of the authors, but Ive actually found it difficult. Their skills are more diverse than I thought.
As a confirmed attention-seeker and egomaniac, Im eager for the authors to be revealed so I can start droning on about my own stories.
Im also looking forward to submitting another story. Ive got one in the pipeline.
Otherwise, Ive been very impressed by the quality of the commentary. You and others have been doing a great job, making me feel better about my own lackadaisicality in that regard.
You and I are much the same in that regard. I itch to converse about my writings out of a certain sense of pride and desire to pick the brains of my commentators and learn more about myself through their commentary.
Quoting Jamal
Well Jamal, I look forward to reading it! The truth through and through. I haven't been so productive as to have any such pipeline in the works but I'm cautiously anticipating a burst of future creativity and inspiration to lead me to produce something.
Quoting Jamal
Yes agreed. It's exciting. There's a certain thrill about having ones work analysed and appreciated and picked apart. Interpreted. I for one have been enlightened greatly by the level of insight applied to my microfictions.
Knowing this I think it only prudent to do my best to offer the same in return. Every submission is owed due consideration. Though taxing, I know my contributions will tickle the fancy of whoever wrote the piece and offer them the same credence they hae patiently given me.
:clap:
I say this because I expect that if I were to tell everyone which stories I had written, I would see a sudden jump in the comments as everyone broke the internet trying to see which were mine.
One things that surprised me was the ambition: so many contributors tackled subject matter that I considered too big for the constraints of the format - and several carried it off! I was really impressed.
The names of the authors are up -- written in the respective titles.
Thank you all for participating!
You can submit anytime -- I'll post them as they come in.
Quoting Tobias
This is not a competition. Members are still voting, I noticed, because the percentages are still shifting.
Quoting Benj96
Thank you.
Quoting Vera Mont
Yes, I was surprised as well. The comments are very, very helpful.
Quoting Jamal
Thank you for letting our shenanigans shine through. :halo:
The reaction by the commenters was an immediate down-vote. I believe that the quality of the stories written by our authors truly separate them from the ones written by an AI.
This time I think Ill wait a few days and polish it.
Yes. :up:
It was in my top 4. Because I liked the sentimentality and felt its very relatable to the human condition of daily life and family dynamics.
I am also surprised that there is no entry from @180 Proof, so I hope that he is okay. It was good to see so many people have joined in, especially @Banno", as a change from the logic of philosophy.
Congratulations! :fire:
I wrote this in a reply to Olivier but I think I'll spread my joy here :wink:
Addendum: also big :up: to all those working behind the scenes @Baden @Jamal et al.
You can submit them anytime. The allowed number of submissions now is 3 (it was changed from 2 submissions).
Quoting Jack Cummins
I'm pretty sure he's preparing.
Quoting Baden
You deserve a break -- 13.8K posts!!
Thank you to all who contributed stories and wrote comments in the threads. Well worth the time. :heart:
@Jamal, we might need to separate the second round from the first. I pm'ed Baden.
:yikes:
Then we're good. No need to separate. :up:
So the new stories are the anonymous ones? There's just one I can see at the moment, Borderline Love Lost.
Honestly, I was surprised people weren't totally turned off by the blood details, even though they were a metaphor for the cyclical nature of cruelty and self-inflicted cruelty.
Or maybe that was me trying to sneak neoliberal values into a story about a tortured physicist. :razz:
I had noticed that it had faded out and I was waiting until it picks up again to be involved. It will be a shame if it drifts away because likes have already been cast mid way. Amity and others may be busy, especially as it is Christmas week which is a time when many people meet up with friends etc.. There are so many entries to read and I am certainly hoping to have the time in between Christmas and New Year to read them properly. I also was planning to submit my own in the next few days but don't want to do so if people have lost all interest.
I have been doing philosophy in my what is creativity thread because thinking/philosophy is my default mode, often done in bed. To get into a creative mode I have to go out and find somewhere pleasant to do it and get into the right frame of mind. This is probably why I started the thread. Even hot water bottles in bed leave me in a grungy state of uninspiration.
I'm actually afraid we have many of them within our ranks...
Then we should probably stop torturing them. At least for the holy season.
I've been giving likes to the new submissions, but withholding comment, because I felt a bit contrite about having been overly critical last round. I'll see to reviewing when I've decided whether my second attempt turns into anything.
I'd never resort to torturing physicists.... Geographers perhaps or those pesky biologists, but not physicists, they elicit a deep compassion within my soul.
Quoting Vera Mont
Were you critical? I feel I was, but I am much more critical then you, or at least more vocal about it. These days manners get softer and softer and we handle each other with silken gloves as they say in the Netherlands. A country known for its rather blunt populace.
For the record, you're not overly critical -- I read your comments. Also, I'm doing the same, hitting the like button, but not saying anything.
Basically, it's their fault. They made the participation voluntary. That was a big mistake, if you want oodles of critiquing. You must make membership contingent on an increasing number of daily critical analyses about everything that appears here, including other critiques; failure will be punished by exclusion from the forums for x number of days, which X increases with each new breach of this rule.
:grimace:
:lol:
:rofl:
It would be ridiculous to make demands that in order to participate in the contest people have to make a number of critiques or be punished. It would be worse than being at the strictest school or institution. Even then, schools have holidays and free time. It is good that the forum is available for all at the times they need it but it is also meant to be enjoyable.
Fiction in particular probably needs to be approached and appreciated in a more relaxed way than the hardcore problems of philosophy. I am not wishing to trivialise fiction because it is an art. I am also aware that you have your own thread on philosophy as fiction and I have one on creativity. These may be important but some of it can become incredibly tense and heavy. I certainly wish to read and try to appreciate the stories for what they are, which I am hoping to do in the holiday period when life may be a little less pressured hopefully. It is important that everyone can participate on their own terms.
By the way, there are no sub-forums, because there is just one forum, which is the site itself. What you call sub-forums are actually categories. Forgive my pedantry; the sub-forum business on old PF always annoyed me.
Even if I did that, nobody need worry that Id abandon TPF, if thats a concern to anyone. I dont think my empire would be overextended with a mere two sites.
I agree. I said that in jest. A man or a woman or a person of any gender needs to recognize jest once it / she / he sees it.
By-the-by, I intended to show that the post was in jest by showing these at the end:
:grimace:
:lol:
:rofl:
Hurray! What's the URL? Is joining contingent on recommendation by existing members?
I love a radical idea - especially if it has to do with fiction. Beam me up, Captain.
Concerns in the beginning would be getting enough paying subscribers to cover the cost and whether to open it up to the unregulated registration of new members. And there are already several forums that do the same thing, so what would be the point? (I think there would be a point but it's worth asking what it is).
Also, the Elders of the Internet have been saying for years that online forums are dying. I'm sceptical about that, though. Social media and Reddit don't quite cover what a forum does, in my opinion. Discord, I'm not sure how that fits in.
However, @Banno's problem is solved so there's no longer a pressing need for anything else.
As I say, it's just an idea. I like it, though.
The solution to Banno's problem, or, how to hide a category from the main page
Also, never take Banno seriously.
:eyes: :up:
:up:
Many of the posters were aspiring authors with backgrounds in creative writing. Finding those folks is always helpful.
It's a curious thing why an interest in creative writing and philosophy correlates.
Anyway, radical new projects always hold my interest and will help however I can.
Radical indeed. Quite the stretch from the initial decision of only having the contest once a year.
It sounds good in theory. The challenge of hosting another site will inevitably mean another stretch; the danger of spreading yourself and others too thin. But might just be worth it. Nothing ventured...
Quoting Jamal
What/where are the other forums that do the same thing? How do they operate - free or by subscription?
What would you offer that others don't? What is your motivation? What can you do there that you can't do here?
Quoting Benkei
I agree. Writing/reading/analysing in any form can only stimulate the thought process.
There is much overlap.
Quoting Hanover
Not really. What makes you think so?
In my opinion, I think it would be a fine thing if this site could be improved to accommodate both easily.
Quoting Hanover
Excellent.
The key being 'for a short time'. Also, the feedback - what type and from whom. Did you have to pay for this - how much? Did you re-write the story? How was it improved - can we read the new version of it here?
~~~
The short story contest and the feedback have made me realise my shortcomings in literature.
I am considering starting this course on 16th January. That is, if my weary brain is up for it - there are 4 novels to read...
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/how-to-read-a-novel
The four novels explored for this course are:
Week 1 (Plot): Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge
Week 2 (Characterisation): Memorial by Bryan Washington
Week 3 ( Dialogue): A Shock by Keith Ridgway
Week 4 (Setting): English Magic by Uschi Gatward
~~~
It might stretch me a little too much but apparently, you can return to try again.
A free 4-week course is worth a shot...?
Wishing everyone the very best in the coming year. Good luck with all your various projects!
Looks good. I don't know the novels but the presentation of the course fills one with confidence. University of Edinburgh too. :up:
Quoting Amity
Good questions.
Greetings of the season!
It was site like this one, where you post your stories, asked questions, debated whatever,, and the posters there were active, so they commented on your story. It didn't cost anything.
You can Google "creative wring forums" and find them.
Them fr'ing wr'ing forums.
Yep :up:
Quoting Jamal
Happy thoughts and good vibes sent your way :cool: :victory:
Where are you again?
Quoting Hanover
Yeah, so it would be interesting to see what extra @Jamal's proposed new site would bring... apart from the need to subscribe :chin:
Doesn't TPF already have the facility to do all this? If not, then participants can be re-directed to one of the better 'creative writing forums'.
Quoting Hanover
:lol: Yes indeed I could...
I was hoping any advice would lead me to your chosen one. Never mind.
I agree.
Denia in Spain. I wrote a story about it. Forgettable, it seems. :cry:
I'm in denial :razz:
This is the one I landed on.
https://www.writingforums.org/
Someone wants to submit a fourth story. So, let's relax the rule -- make it 4 submissions total. (Like what Jamal had suggested before).
Thanks.
Thank you :pray:
I'm hooked. Just spent an hour browsing...threads like:
'[b]Do you think there's an equivalent to practising scales in terms of writing?'
'The power of telling and exposition when done right'.[/b]
from Creative Writing Forums - Writing Help, Writing Workshops, & Writing Community
And then there is the Lounge:
https://www.writingforums.org/the-lounge/
'What are you doing?...continued'
Fun responses with Christmas cooking :cool:
TPF eat your heart out...this is one majorly organised site.
But I guess with income from adverts...and so on...
I like the 'Contests', 'Resources' etc...as part of the top menu. Easy to access.
Edit:
More generally, the Welcome - Quick Start Guide with its Guides and Map.
So well done; informative and funny:
https://www.writingforums.org/threads/new-member-quick-start-guide.132102/
So again, if you want to relax the rules, then the OP should be edited accordingly.
Quoting Caldwell
Quoting Caldwell
Quoting Caldwell
It would be good if the submissions were numbered 1 to 4.
Given time limits, I would pay more attention to 1st and 2nd entries.
As things stand...it seems unfair...
I'm about to bow out. It's become too much to keep track of and comment.
Thanks to all authors for your fantastic gifts :clap: :heart: :sparkle:
Have a Happy New Year :party:
I think we should all be thanking you for your fantastic detail of reviews. I am trying to read them but there are just so many popping up. I do think that it seems unfair if changes are being made as things go along because unless people log in very regularly and read this thread it is possible to not be aware of such changes. Also, with the evaluation of likes, my understanding was that this time the emphasis was more upon it being a workshop activity rather than as a competition.
Happy New Year, and I hope that you enjoy your literature course,
Jack
Thank you, Jack, for your kind words and own generous spirit. I don't necessarily want to drown in heaps of thanks :wink: but authors' feedback in their story discussions is good for the soul.
Looking forward to the course and have started reading as preparation. I need to focus on that now.
Take care and hope the New Year brings all that you hope for :sparkle:
The gratitude, the flexibility, the patience and more already communicated and still appreciated.
Without @Caldwell none of this would have happened :sparkle: Thank you again :clap: :100:
Quoting Baden
Of course but that is not what was being discussed.
It was the pleasing of a 'someone' at a very late stage in the game and the 'let's relax the rule'.
As if 'we' had any say in the matter when it seemed to be @Caldwell's decision, alone.
Who was she talking to? Behind the scenes... you?
Anyway, it no longer matters. It's done. Keep having fun, everyone :pray:
No.
Quoting Amity
It never did as far as I'm concerned.
Quoting Baden
So, why this apparent need to step in to defend and protect after some critical points made?
We have all thanked @Caldwell for volunteering and learning on the job which others didn't want.
Not an easy task, for sure, and the mutual feedback has been excellent.
Can we leave it there, then? Or you can have the last word...
The names of the writers have been listed in the stories.
Lots of thanks to everyone who participated -- both the writers and commenters.
For the second round, I'll list them here, in no particular order:
@unenlightened
@Benj96
@0 thru 9
@Jack Cummins
@180 Proof
@god must be atheist
@hypericin
@Tobias
@Hanover
@Jamal
@Janus
@Noble Dust
@New2K2
@Benkei
@Ciceronianus
@Vera Mont
@Daniel
@TheMadMan
@Olivier5
Thank you all for sharing your stories. Good job! :heart:
PS: we have one writer who wanted to remain anonymous. I still would like to thank him for a wonderful effort.
A new staff will be coming on board to man the fiction category. It's our very own @hypericin. Thank you for volunteering your time to this activity. Be good to the Baden. He's our big boss.
Thanks and well done! Really appreciate you stepping up for this. :clap:
And Happy New Year to all our authors and readers!
With this wish I may solve the global warming crisis and the overpopulation crisis. Only members on this site could survive because the rest of humanity dies of depression, exposure, and of excruciating boredom.
Thanks for your hard work Caldwell!
Happy New Year to all!
Well. I've decided never to play the guessing game again. I only got 2 and a half right.
The story that threw me most was 'Frozen Bodies, Warm Hearts' by @0 thru 9.
My interpretation went all to hell cos I was convinced it was by @180 Proof :yikes:
I hope there's some feedback on it...or do I? :chin:
I think that shows the versatility of TPF authors. So many different styles. Brilliant lot :clap:
Yes it puzzled me as well. I always seem to guess wrong. I pinpointed @Benkei for about Face and it is @180 Proof. I thought Penelope was 180 Proof and it was you. As for Gentle Reader, I would not think of writing that. Not that I do not like it, but it would be inconceivable for me to write a story in that kind of language and that subject matter. And yet, you pinpointed me, which also says something about perception and self perception. Here we dwell, we interact, talk, sometimes quite candidly. We only know each other by our words. Yet, we cannot recognize each of us by the words they speak. You have your own Tobias, as I have my own Jamal or 180 Proof. In here, in the forum, it is no big deal, just a funny determination. We accept it easily because indeed we recognize we have far from full information.
I wonder though to what extent this forum is different from real life and if it is so, if in real life the same misconceptions do not happen, what than is the key to knowing the other? If the forum is not different and if we have only more information in real life, but no qualitative jump towards real knowledge of each other, than we live in a Leibnizian world. in this world we monadically bounce of against one another, without any means to penetrate, for lack of a better word, the other's 'essence', as Hanover put it.
Incdentally, that is what all my stories are about, except maybe The Hairpin.
It didnt strike me as a work of yours, because I see your work as more sensuous and emotive, but among the writers I thought were taking part, I settled on you, because the author seemed to be well-read in both philosophy and fiction.
Quoting Tobias
Yes, he is a gnome-like fellow whom I force to wear yellow dungarees and a lime green hat on the rare occasions I let him out of his cage.
Yes. I think that we all hope to understand and be understood by what we say and how we interact.
If there has been a close connection, then we feel we know the person, even when we really don't.
It might not be a big deal but it can be disappointing when misread or misrepresented.
The authors hope to please and be recognised, I think, one way or another.
However, they have only themselves to blame if we guess their fiction wrong.
It shows their versatility in all kinds of style, subject matter and language :clap: :sparkle:
Gosh, we can form an accurate picture of a person through his words!
Quoting Amity
For me personally, I like all interpretations of my story. Even if they were not the way I thought of it. I see myself as pone interpreter, maybe with a bit more intimate knowledge of the characters. However, things others see in them are also there. The story is not 'mine', it acquires a life of its own.
Quoting Amity Certainly, they are a vain bunch. Every recognition though is also misrecognition, as we never recognize who he or she is, but our idea of them. That is not bad though. We never truly establish our focus right which forces us to focus again, reinterpret and rerecognize. I think that is what keeps the game alive.
Quoting Amity
Well, it takes two to tango. The reader can also be lazy or have had a bad day. Also, for me there is no 'right or wrong', there is a more or less thoughtful reading. Every thoughtful reading adds to my understanding of the story, also as an author. I do not have all the answers too. \Quoting Amity
And that is really cool! :cool: And again... good writing needs good reading. We see what happens when you do not comment. The interest and productivity decreases. Thank you Amity :sparkle:
Or to dance the Gay Gordon. Och aye! :cool:
It's more fun (when drunk) at a Hogmanay Ceilidh :party:
It looks like a lot of fun. I hope for you a Ceilidh is where you were for New Year's Eve! I love dancing, The problem is I am a talentless hack with no coordination. But hey still love it.
edit: Thanks by the way @Jamal :smile:
Likewise. I've come to solve the problem of needing to satisfy two oppositionary forces (need to create i.e. need to get a lot of sheisse off of my chest, and need to be short, i.e. lack of focus) by writing poetry these days. It's sheisse all the way, but it keeps me off the streets.
By-the-by, is there a chance, or need, or popular demand, for a poetry extravaganza?
I volunteered to run the next one of these "activities",, it is something to consider if there is interest.
:clap: :up:
Thanks, meant to PM you about that actually. Happy to have you on board, particularly as you wrote what was probably my favourite story this time round. :up:
Just like in T Ball, we were all winners this time around.
Hey, your story "In the Way of the Burritos" was pretty cool too. Unforgettable, really. :up:
Be that as it may, I will put aside my ego and name my favourites, according to my own particular and possibly weird taste:
A goodbye buzz
Buried Treasure
Penelope
Nightmare in D Minor
The hairpin
Gentle Reader
In the Wake of the Moriscos
The Porn Shop
Waiting for the Midnight Mouse
Several others I thought were good but I didnt get on with so much.
I could vote down "Penelope" if that would help?
My stories were not very impactful, so I hope to alleviate my pain by spreading it around. :up:
Quoting Jamal
No, that was a good one. Don't spoil my cremation! :halo:
Thanks! I knew at least one fellow weirdo would appreciate it.
That I am. :up:
Quoting Baden
:smile:
Quoting Benkei
They couldn't allow you to be too big.
.