SHORT STORY WRITERS CONTEST for February 2019 - SPRING [SP2019]

This is an official ATS Short Story Contest Thread!

It is open to all members of ATS.

There are prizes to be won in the form of ATS "Applause" and even the opportunity for members to earn official ATS "writer" status!
But it is more about sharing our creative ideas, encouraging & developing new talent and having Fun!

This month's theme is "SPRING"
It was chosen by our current Contest Champion SprocketUK.

"Loosely" paraphrasing Sprocket's own words:

"So Mate, if I just send the big fat brown envelope to the usual address, we'll be sorted?... Eh? what?
Is this thing ON?
It's recording Now?? Ah! Uhmm...

OK, Ahem... With all the crappy weather lately, it might be nice to focus on spring, which is just around the corner... so let's have a SPRING themed contest, I think that might leave enough room for imagination... "

Dude - you just alienated the ENTIRE southern hemisphere....

So, Northerners... there you have it. You are tasked with writing a short story which contains (or relates to) the theme "SPRING".
Southern Hemispherians... Just cast your minds back to a milder season and do the same!
HOW you do that is, of course up to YOU!.

Rules Of Entry:
Original written entries only please.

The contest will run from NOW to Thurs 21st Feb. 2019.
(Any submissions after that date will be disqualified.)

A period of ONE WEEK after the closing of the contest will be provided for reading & voting.

All T&C's Apply.

All entries MUST include [SP2019] in the title. (e.g. "The Lovely, Flowery, Prancing-with-Lambs Springtime" [SP2019] )

All entries must be posted in their own thread within the SHORT STORIES forum HERE, with a link (to your entry) added to a post in this contest thread.

There is no specific word count this time around, but PLEASE bear in mind that it is a SHORT STORY contest.

Also, please END your submission with "THE END" so that everyone is clear that your entry is complete.

One entry per member please.

WINNERS:
There will be 3 winners among members who already have ATS "Writer" status, prizes as follows:

1st Place -- 5 Applause, and selection of the next contest theme (limited to one in a row)
2nd Place -- 3 Applause
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

There will also be 3 winners from the non-writer category who will receive the following:

1st Place -- 3 Applause & Writer Status
2nd Place -- 2 Applause & Writer Status
3rd Place -- 1 Applause


Scoring

Points are awarded by ATS members giving FLAGS to their favourite story threads and STARS to their favourite story posts.
(You can award a Flag and/or star(s) to any stories that you like, but please don't give flags or stars for any other reasons.)

Flags awarded will be worth 2 points each.
Stars will be worth 1 point each.
*Stars for subsequent posts (i.e. additions to the story after the initial story post) will be worth 0.5 points.

If the winner of the "Writers" section is the same person who chose the current theme, then the opportunity to choose the next theme will fall to the runner up.

Our theme creator SprocketUK will be happy to answer any queries or questions relating to this months theme, and I'm happy to answer anything related to the general contest rules etc.

As always, Good Luck and Have Fun! - Now SPRING into action and get those stories written!

G

Alienating the southern hemisphere?
They're still swanning around in shorts and bikinis, moaning about how hot it is.

originally posted by: SprocketUK
Alienating the southern hemisphere?
They're still swanning around in shorts and bikinis, moaning about how hot it is.

True, but I like warm, hot weather. Makes cold beers appreciated. I work outdoors and smother myself in sunscreen. Where I live my favorite month is April. Warm days, cool nights. But that's Autumn kicking in. I'm more productive then. Fishing off the beach is good to. Start before sunrise. Spend early hours casting into the surf and boiling the billy in the sand. Nice to have a hot cuppa after reeling in a Salmon or Taylor. Nothing like sitting on the beach in April drinking a cup of tea and smoking a rolled cigarette while watching the tip of the fishing rod. April is also when we start burning off getting rid of the weeds from the pastures and around the huge gumtrees. Fun times for me and the missus. Beats mowing.

I spend spare time cutting wood for winter and love organizing the veggie garden for that season. Spring is welcome. I carefully watch the blossoms on the fruit trees and enjoy the calls of the magpies and black cockies. Jack frost nips the paddocks sending them white here and may even extend his touch into late September where I ensure I have an extra load of firewood ready for an unexpected change.

Then the heat sets in. Sudden changes in temp. Strip the bed and sleep on sheets. Fan. No aircon. The garden needs extra attention with water pumping from the dam. Fish in the dam start jumping. Appreciate rain. Saves watering.

I guess sprocks, I'm older now and life isn't about board shorts, bikinis, budgie smugglers and beaches. But that's for the younger ones. I know when the the heats on we can go down to the inlet at night, scoop a few prawns (enough for a prawn salad), net some crab and maybe spear a flathead (fish) or flounder or two.

So to put it succinctly, I am guilty of moaning about the constant heat. I will never moan about the cold now after the poor buggers in northern america have put up with the negative temps they have this year.

Good topic, I'll try to get my head around a short story here.

As always,

Kind regards to you,

bally

These will be a pleasure to read. When life starts to breathe deeply again and produces the most wonderful smells, inspiration is sure to follow.

Hi

Here's my entry

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Enjoy!

a reply to: bally001

That post would make the basis of a great entry mate

Writer entry:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

My snippet

Its Not Just a Song SP2019

oooh New Entries! - Thanks Guys!
G

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer


Springtime. That will be a good topic. Good choice Sprocket!

I Winter if some of the stories will make me Fall off my chair. Maybe, if Summer really good.

Thought I would try this again
www.abovetopsecret.com...

For your reading pleasure:
Alone in the Cold

a reply to: pthena

pthena, it's so great to see you!
Can't wait to read your piece

Once again inspired to join the fun
(Writer status)
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Great topic! Hope everyone shares their take.

Here's my entry. Short and not so sweet.

I give you Equinox

2046 (SP2019) www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer


My submission.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

An offering of springtime silliness.

A Low "G" Sprintime Discussion [SP2019]

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Hi Gordi,

As usual I posted my story but still find it a bugger to link it. Could you please link it to this forum please. "This Martian Spring"

If ever you're in Aussie visiting I'll let you shout me an 'ice cold'.

Kind regards,

Bally

originally posted by: bally001
Hi Gordi,
As usual I posted my story but still find it a bugger to link it. Could you please link it to this forum please. "This Martian Spring"
If ever you're in Aussie visiting I'll let you shout me an 'ice cold'.
Kind regards,
Bally

Now you're talking!

Here is bally's entry folks:

This Martian Spring by bally001

G