Author Topic: Pod Castle Flash Contest - Rules (Read 101147 times)

Varda · **Reply #75 on:** August 20, 2013, 10:47:55 PM

Whoo boy. Just spent 5 minutes hyperventilating before hitting the "Send" button... but my stories are finally in!

Many thanks to everyone for the pep talks here. With such illustrious company also writing for the competition, it was hard not to scare myself out of trying. But when it comes down to it, I had a lot of fun writing and polishing, and at this point I'm just excited to kick back and enjoy reading everyone else's pieces in a couple of weeks.

Now I'm going to have a beer to celebrate. Cheers, everyone!

Windup · **Reply #76 on:** August 20, 2013, 11:46:50 PM

Just got my acknowledgement of receipt -- like Whiskerwing, I really appreciated that touch.

"Game on!"

MokalusOfBorg · **Reply #77 on:** August 21, 2013, 03:51:37 AM

Almost immediately after sending in each of my stories, their awesomeness faded away in my mind. That's not to say other people won't like them, just that I might have rushed a bit in my initial excitement.

Mokalus of Borg

PS - I'm rewriting and expanding the second one already.
PPS - The first version came out almost all tell, no show.

Cutter McKay · **Reply #78 on:** August 21, 2013, 04:07:29 PM

Quote from: MokalusOfBorg on August 21, 2013, 03:51:37 AM

PPS - The first version came out almost all tell, no show.

One of my two submissions suffers from the same issue. I'm desperately trying to find ways to work in some dialogue, inner-monologue, something to break this up before the deadline. In the end, it may just be that this story is too involved to be told in 500 words $:-\$

DoWhileNot · **Reply #79 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:30:34 PM

I was worrying a little because one of mine might be a little more SF instead of F, but with the last couple Podcastle episodes suffering from the same thing I decided not to worry too much about it.

Cutter McKay · **Reply #80 on:** August 21, 2013, 10:46:59 PM

Quote from: DoWhileNot on August 21, 2013, 09:30:34 PM

I was worrying a little because one of mine might be a little more SF instead of F, but with the last couple Podcastle episodes suffering from the same thing I decided not to worry too much about it.

True. But keep in mind, the last couple of PodCastle episodes have specifically been Sci-Fantasy. Months ago Dave called for Sci-Fantasy stories and they're now running the best of what they got. So it's a special program, not the norm. That said, one of mine leans toward sci-fi as well, so I'm in the same boat... $:-\$

DKT · **Reply #81 on:** August 21, 2013, 11:25:12 PM

Oh, cool! Happy to hear people are doing some science fantasy this time out.

flintknapper · **Reply #82 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:37:39 AM

It is kind of interesting that people are latching on to sci-fantasy as a subgenre. It isn't my usual cup of tea, but I have been enjoying the stories on pod castle this month. Maybe I am a closet sci-fantasy fan.

I am more interested to see if there is any "weird west," "historical fiction," or "prehistoric fantasy" in the contest. Of course I am a New Mexico boy with a background in archaeology, so perhaps it is not surprising that I would gravitate towards those subgenres.

I think we will see a ton of urban fantasy, steampunk (which I consider sci fi), and fairy tales, as those appear to be what is big in fantasy literature at the moment. Of course, someone has to do a traditional sword and sorcery. If someone puts out a story which contains an elf with a bow and a dwarf with an axe, I will vote for it just for the novelty of the concept! You are probably not going to win, but you have cojones.

Also I am curious about grimdark. I have recently become fascinated with it as a subgenre. Fantasy that pushes the boundaries of taste is awful and yet oddly appealing. It is to fantasy what splatter punk is to horror... and while I hate to admit it, I love a good gore piece every now and then.

Whiskerwing · **Reply #83 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:51:13 PM

Quote from: flintknapper on August 22, 2013, 01:37:39 AM

I am more interested to see if there is any "weird west," "historical fiction," or "prehistoric fantasy" in the contest.

Those are finally getting enough traction that the setting can be done in a flash fic environment, I suppose. Wasn't too long ago and it'd take half the 500 words just to establish what an "airship" was to the readers. =]

will write for beer · **Reply #84 on:** August 23, 2013, 04:09:45 AM

Against my better judgement (I've never written fantasy) and my wife's pleading (I was totally OCD about the Pseudopod contest), I'm entering at least one, maybe two, in this one.

I can't promise they'll be good, but I CAN promise 100% LESS decapitated zombie face sex this time. So there is that...

flintknapper · **Reply #85 on:** August 26, 2013, 02:56:22 PM

Quote from: will write for beer on August 23, 2013, 04:09:45 AM

Against my better judgement (I've never written fantasy) and my wife's pleading (I was totally OCD about the Pseudopod contest), I'm entering at least one, maybe two, in this one.

I can't promise they'll be good, but I CAN promise 100% LESS decapitated zombie face sex this time. So there is that...

I don't know. A lot of people today argue that zombie stories are more fantasy or sci fi than horror. I am not kidding. You can google it. It is a legitimate debate. Well legitimate is a strong word...

In any event, you could make the case that you have always been writing fantasy. However by that benchmark, people could reject it because it was too sci-fi!

will write for beer · **Reply #86 on:** August 26, 2013, 05:38:07 PM

Quote from: flintknapper on August 26, 2013, 02:56:22 PM

Quote from: will write for beer on August 23, 2013, 04:09:45 AM
Against my better judgement (I've never written fantasy) and my wife's pleading (I was totally OCD about the Pseudopod contest), I'm entering at least one, maybe two, in this one.

I can't promise they'll be good, but I CAN promise 100% LESS decapitated zombie face sex this time. So there is that...

I don't know. A lot of people today argue that zombie stories are more fantasy or sci fi than horror. I am not kidding. You can google it. It is a legitimate debate. Well legitimate is a strong word...

In any event, you could make the case that you have always been writing fantasy. However by that benchmark, people could reject it because it was too sci-fi!

six of one...

Cutter McKay · **Reply #87 on:** August 26, 2013, 06:45:12 PM

Quote from: will write for beer on August 23, 2013, 04:09:45 AM

I can't promise they'll be good, but I CAN promise 100% LESS decapitated zombie face sex this time. So there is that...

And you see this as a good thing?

will write for beer · **Reply #88 on:** August 26, 2013, 07:43:17 PM

Quote from: Cutter McKay on August 26, 2013, 06:45:12 PM

Quote from: will write for beer on August 23, 2013, 04:09:45 AM
I can't promise they'll be good, but I CAN promise 100% LESS decapitated zombie face sex this time. So there is that...

And you see this as a good thing?

according to the readers of the pseudopod flash contest, it's a very good thing.

Xart · **Reply #89 on:** August 27, 2013, 10:49:57 PM

Are acknowledgements being sent out? It's been a week and I haven't heard anything. Just wondering if I have to send my stories again.

Portrait in Flesh · **Reply #90 on:** August 28, 2013, 02:01:08 AM

Well, I got somethin' somethin' stewing on the back burner...hope to get something out of it before it boils over and makes a mess.

MissLyn · **Reply #91 on:** August 29, 2013, 04:03:45 AM

I'll be submitting one! (Why, yes... I AM a new member posting for the sole purpose of not getting deleted.

)

Moritz · **Reply #92 on:** August 29, 2013, 08:24:27 AM

With that summer school going on and me getting ready for my honeymoon, I almost forgot that I haven't sent my story yet - still need to do some final adjustments after a betareader went through it.

edit: OMG, so many mistakes still in the text...

Eanor · **Reply #93 on:** August 29, 2013, 01:24:01 PM

I have two stories written. They're with a beta reader now who will hopefully catch all grammar and spelling mistakes (English is not my native language). I must say I'm very, very excited to actually participate in this contest!

Cantor · **Reply #94 on:** August 29, 2013, 02:04:54 PM

I just made an account, solely to submit a story to this contest. I'm super nervous.

flintknapper · **Reply #95 on:** August 29, 2013, 02:28:36 PM

It is cool to see a bunch of people just come on board for the contest. Only two more days to get stories in too!

Also good to hear that Portrait is back in the saddle writing.

Ocicat, is this contest going to be like the last one where a group of stories is let for judging every 5 days or so in the preliminary voting rounds?

Ocicat · **Reply #96 on:** August 29, 2013, 04:37:54 PM

Schedule is yet to be determined, and depends on how many stories / groups we end up with. But yes, basically there will be a new group up every x days, where values for x may range from 2-6. Once I've arranged the groups I'll post a schedule.

Portrait in Flesh · **Reply #97 on:** August 29, 2013, 05:58:40 PM

Quote from: flintknapper on August 29, 2013, 02:28:36 PM

Also good to hear that Portrait is back in the saddle writing.

Perhaps. Or maybe I'm just thinking of chaps and how they don't really fit this weather.

Moritz · **Reply #98 on:** August 30, 2013, 07:01:40 AM

aaand.... sent!

Scattercat · **Reply #99 on:** August 30, 2013, 04:00:35 PM

I managed to talk Angela into one story, at least. She says she can't think of anything for her second one. :-/

(Hardcore contest junkies might recall her "Destructo-Bot".)