Contest Entry Discussion

[Craig Wallwork]

I sense the contract will be fashioned from the parchment of a malformed jackal, and the words which are written upon it scrawled from the blood of a virgin. Whoever wins, tell me that's so.

[mstrom]

You know, writing is inherently a rather personal and solitary undertaking. We form the storylines in our heads, and then isolate ourselves in order to properly create and develop the pieces. Afterwards we are faced with lonely task of editing those carefully crafted words in preparation for submission. Then, and only then, do we finally submit them. And then comes what I feel is the loneliest part of the whole process – waiting. For weeks or months, we wait. Sure many of us have family and friends that offer support, but let’s face it, during that waiting period, the only one who can truly relate is ourselves, so regardless of how many people surround us, we wait alone.

Yet, this contest is an exception and really sets the bar. The fact that while waiting, we can all gather as writers in this forum to discuss our excitement, our doubts, and our apprehensions, makes this contest rather unique and special. And if that wasn’t enough, once the contest concludes we will all have the bonus of reviews by our peers, something that I await with as much anticipation as the contest’s selections. Well, maybe not as much, for there still is that impish voice in my head…um, er,… sorry to cut this short, I suddenly have an overwhelming need to once again check the polls!

[Craig Wallwork]

Great points, Mstrom. I think too, this process has brought a new wave of interesting writers to my attention, and maybe, at the end of this process, the possibility of getting to know some very cool people. I'm part of another writer's forum called, Write Club. Over the two years I've been a member I've met some wonderfully talented people, which I now class as friends. You're right, places like this allow us to share our fears and frustrations. We are all united in doubt and hope.

[RichardThomas]

I'm in Write Club with Craig (he's a great writer BTW, did you check out "13" yet?) and having a network of supporters is so important. Keeps up from going insane. I know a lot of people at The Cult and The Velvet as well, and those are some great places to hang as well. I'd probably have quit by now without those support groups.

[WesleySouthard]

This may have been answered already, but after next Wednesday when the final round starts, how long will those stories but up to vote for? I'm guessing a week?

[Dan Hocker]

This may have been answered already, but after next Wednesday when the final round starts, how long will those stories but up to vote for? I'm guessing a week?

I was thinking a week, but I might leave them up for two as I'll be on vacation the following week and won't be around to do the work that'll need done when the voting is over.

[Draven Ames]

I was thinking a week, but I might leave them up for two as I'll be on vacation the following week and won't be around to do the work that'll need done when the voting is over.

Please only make it one week. I beg you. My ocd nature can't take checking the polls for 2 more weeks. The winners can wait for you to get back, but two weeks will kill my BP.

[WesleySouthard]

Please only make it one week. I beg you. My ocd nature can't take checking the polls for 2 more weeks. The winners can wait for you to get back, but two weeks will kill my BP.

I concur. I think my head will explode if it's two weeks!

[Ben Staad]

I concur. I think my head will explode if it's two weeks!

I love "Scanners"!

[ozmosis7]

I love "Scanners"!

Now we have to make it longer just to see a head explode. Awesome!

[blasko66]

This is a contest, not a contract. Go for it. If you end up winning, but you get into the anthology too, by no means are you obligated to be in the chapbook. At least not until you sign the contract we will send to the winners.

Okay. Good.
I won't have to worry about it, I'm sure. Getting my hind-end handed to me in group 4.

[Draven Ames]

Now we have to make it longer just to see a head explode. Awesome!

You are mean, Ken. I like it.

[Ben Staad]

Okay. Good.
I won't have to worry about it, I'm sure. Getting my hind-end handed to me in group 4.

Did better then me...Congrats. I'm thrilled that someone other then my wife liked my story enough to vote for it.

BTW...Thanks to whomever voted for my story.

[JJ Holden]

Scanners? Exploding heads? You bloodthirsty lot. Anyone would think you were horror writers or something.

[Craig Wallwork]

I love "Scanners"!

2 weeks?! Oh man, every time I log in I adopt that Michael Ironside "Scanner" face, which for those observing is not too far from my sex face. The other day I was checking the polls and my wife walked in, saw my face, and asked, "Are you looking at porn?" 2 weeks. killer.