SHORT STORY WRITERS CONTEST for April 2019 - "SNEAKING SUSPICIONS" [SS2019]

originally posted by: Gordi The Drummer
Hi guys,
Nice to see some constructive debates going on!

Just to clarify...
I didn't start this whole thing off, or set the ground rules for the writers' contests.
(Although I have tweaked the rules slightly in response to comments, criticisms and suggestions from participants.)

I actually started off (like most people here) as a timid, nervous participant who'd never really written anything for other people to read before.

The contests gave me an opportunity to explore and develop my own writing in a "safe" forum of like-minded people who enjoyed writing (and reading) the stories.
I benefited greatly from the comments and criticisms that I received (AND from reading all of the OTHER entries & comments) and over time my confidence grew and my writing actually improved to the point where I was regularly featuring on podiums and such. (And I am NOT popular by any stretch!!! LOL)

I got involved in the running of the contests by volunteering to help out behind the scenes because I wanted to try and thank ATS by putting something back in when things were faltering a wee bit (with the contests) back then.
Believe it or not - it does take a lot of hard work to run these things!
After a while, I was invited to run one of the contests on my own and it worked out well, so I was asked to carry on.


As I say in the rules every month - the contest is not just about "winning".
It's about encouraging and developing new writers, getting creative, sharing knowledge & skills, providing feedback and constructive criticism and having FUN.
The contest is just a vehicle to provide the opportunity for that to happen.
It should not be taken too seriously, and I've tried very hard to keep things simple and light-hearted where possible, not interfering or being too heavy-handed with the rules etc.

As soon as you introduce a "judge" (especially one who is providing feedback and criticism) you are automatically passing "judgement" on the entries. It becomes more serious and I'm not sure if that would be healthy or encouraging for new writers.
Who chooses the judge? What criteria would be used? How does having a single judge make the contest fairer? Couldn't they just choose one of their popular friends entries each time? How do you prevent personal affronts and disputes from arising? How do you deal with "Why her and not me??" "How come I never get to judge?" etc
It opens up a whole big can of worms IMHO.

I reckon that the current contest format isn't actually that bad.

There can be an element of "popularity" on occasion, but I believe that true talent usually wins the day.
btw - For those who think that it's "just a popularity contest"... did you know that we've had 8 different winners from the last 8 contests?
(Maybe take a wee moment to let that sink in?)

I really enjoy these contests, for all of the reasons that I outlined earlier and more.
I appreciate all of the entries and all of the comments, feedback and debate - because it shows that you care too!

It is obviously impossible to please all of the people all of the time, so we just "do our best" and hope that we get it right most of the time. I genuinely feel that we've done not to bad on that score...

But, I've decided that I'm going to be taking a bit of a break at the end of this contest.
I think I need a wee bit of time to "re-charge" the old batteries and get my enthusiasm back up to par!

Will keep you all posted.

cheers,

G

To me it's sad to read what you have posted here. You were doing a fine volunteer job throughout all the contests. Take a break and have a think.

I only say this, "No matter what the rules are there will be rule breakers, those opposed to the rules, those wanting to change the rules, those who can't abide by the rules set, others complaining ect ect". I could go on.

You've always been a great help to me, i.e. linking (my worst subject) and accepting me into the fold.

Popularity or Subject Title, who cares. I mean I think I've submitted 11 entries into this comp and haven't won Jack! I entered because I like this forum and the way it's run.

By all means have a break Gordi. Whatever the rules set after this comp I'll abide by. If I don't like the rules I'll simply not enter or comment/complain.

You're doing a fine job,

My kind regards as always,

bally

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

I am the one who brought up the popularity issue here.I didn't mean
to start any problems with the contests.I was just shocked to see
so many flags for a single word repeated 50 times.This causes some
members to feel discouraged in whatever they try to write.I knew
that I would never win anything maybe one day get 3rd place.I am
an average writer and there are members who can write a better
story then I can.
I am also taking a break from writing for now.I am kept busy taking
care of my husband who has been bed-ridden since last november.
I come here to get away from my very hectic life.

a reply to: mamabeth

I will admit that I actually flagged, starred, and commented on that single word submission. It was not because of who the author was, it was because I found it to actually to be amazingly creative in it's simplicity and use of punctuation to carry the momentum of thought.

I laughed to myself when I envisioned and remembered the commercial of the beggin strips dog as I reread it more times. It was one word, but creatively applied for the contest sneaky suspicions and paranoia 50 word limit, I thought based on it's ability to evoke that memory.

I enjoyed being able to read so many different styles of writing in one contest. It is inspiring to recognize out of the box writing styles that I discovered whether poetic, lyrical, comic, etc...made me want to explore a more creative edge to my own writing.

originally posted by: mamabeth
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

I am the one who brought up the popularity issue here.I didn't mean
to start any problems with the contests.I was just shocked to see
so many flags for a single word repeated 50 times.This causes some
members to feel discouraged in whatever they try to write.I knew
that I would never win anything maybe one day get 3rd place.I am
an average writer and there are members who can write a better
story then I can.
I am also taking a break from writing for now.I am kept busy taking
care of my husband who has been bed-ridden since last november.
I come here to get away from my very hectic life.

Hi mamabeth,

Doesn't real life suck sometimes?
These contests can indeed be a good distraction from all of that.
Big Hugs for you and yours.

I believe that I've actually already covered much of what you mention here in our previous private conversations?

Some entries are done purely in jest and can be very funny, BUT could not really be interpreted as being a "short story", never mind one that fitted our contest theme.

I know that I've explained to you that I monitor and vet ALL of the entries BEFORE tallying up the scores, and that any invalid entries are REMOVED at that stage of the process (Before tallying up the scores).

***Unless they breach ATS T&C's in which case they are reported to the mods and dealt with swiftly and accordingly.***

That allows everyone the opportunity to join in the FUN and enjoy the jest without it actually affecting the final scores!

I can't promise that I won't let "jest" entries stand in the thread (if they don't breach T&C's), but I can promise you that I am extremely vigilant when it comes to ensuring that all entries (which qualify for contesting the podium) are both validated and scored correctly.

"Jest" entries do not have any real effect on the final podium positions in the contests and should be seen for what they are... just a bit of FUN!

With this in mind, I hope that you are not too discouraged from entering future contests. (I enjoy reading your contributions!)


G

Thanks Pthena and bally,
much appreciated.
G

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

As soon as you introduce a "judge" (especially one who is providing feedback and criticism) you are automatically passing "judgement" on the entries. It becomes more serious and I'm not sure if that would be healthy or encouraging for new writers.
Who chooses the judge? What criteria would be used? How does having a single judge make the contest fairer? Couldn't they just choose one of their popular friends entries each time? How do you prevent personal affronts and disputes from arising? How do you deal with "Why her and not me??" "How come I never get to judge?" etc
It opens up a whole big can of worms IMHO.

I have to say I agree with this whole heartedly.

Keep things as they are. You are doing a fine job.

a reply to: mamabeth

Sorry to hear that your Husband is bed ridden mambeth.

I hope you keep entering stories and giving yourself a break.

First, I want to say that I love the contests. I have been a struggling writer most of my life with few things I'd written that ever saw the light of day. Contests like this give me an outlet, a place for my work, where others can offer their opinions and hopefully their approval. While I may not always agree, I do appreciate all the feedback I receive.

As for the format of the contests, there is a way to accommodate all the aforementioned concerns. It involves a little behind the scenes voodoo, but it would work:

Entrants in the contest submit their work via PM to a general mailbox from which they are posted with artificial names. Only after the contest has ended are the real names of the writers revealed.

Yes, it is more work for the people running the show but it would resolve the issue of voting based on name recognition. However, I say that with the understanding that anyone who wanted to could easily overcome that system by simply pm'ing people and telling them which story to vote for. If 'winning' is that important to them, there will always be a way to influence the voting process. Fortunately, I don't believe we have much of an issue with that here at ATS.

Gordi, you are doing an outstanding job. I know it is entirely voluntary, which makes me appreciate it that much more. Contests and creative arts are always problematic in that the beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. One person hears rap music and wonders how anyone can listen to 'that nonsense'. The next person hears it and thinks it should be album of the year. Is either one right?

I will leave you with this thought: a philosophy class was given the assignment of writing an essay in response to the question, "Why?"

The highest grade for that assignment went to the shortest essay which follows in its entirety:

"Why not?"

I am very thankful to the people that run these things and I enjoyed reading all your entries. Whatever we decide to do with voting is fine with me. The important thing is this is a nice easy/casual outlet to share writing without a lot of stress.

The Reading/Voting Period is now at an end

Please don't add any Stars or Flags to the contest entries until after the Results are announced!

cheers!
G

The RESULTS for "Sneaking Suspicions" [SS2019] are IN!

Our winners podiums are as follows:

And... For those of you using a Potato to check the results...

WRITER SECTION
1st The Three Idiots... by AugustusMasonicus
2nd Coincidences by Lumenari
3rd The Attic Door by Skid Mark

NON-WRITER SECTION
1st Semblance by elgaz
2nd Skinhead Invasion by IgnoranceIsn'tBlisss
3rd Striving for recognition by CynConcepts


Congratulations to Augie (who now gets to choose the next theme - pm me Augie!) and to all of our podium finishers - you did GREAT!

WELCOME to our newest ATS WRITERS: elgaz and IgnoranceIsn'tBlisss.
And Huge thanks to all of our entrants, readers, voters, mods and especially DTOM for all the unseen assistance in the darkest bowels of the thread!

I am absolutely exhausted!
As mentioned in a previous post, I'm going to be taking a short break to re-charge my batteries now, but I will hopefully be back hosting the next contest in a few weeks time.

regards,
G

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer


Thanks Gordi, let the new writer Elgaz take the pick for me, they earned some fun.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Wow. That's a shocker. Thanks. Now go take a nap. You look pooped.

Congrats to all the writers in this amazing contest! Cannot wait to see what the next SSC will be...

originally posted by: bally001

originally posted by: InTheLight

originally posted by: chris_stibrany
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

I don't think there is really a way to regulate it bc of the way forums work in general. It is pretty much the honour system when it comes to why someone is voting, be it based on actual quality or bc they recognise/personally like the poster.

Why not choose rotating judges for each contest and ignore the S&F? I would also like the judges to provide constructive criticism as well as mentoring.

Good luck writers.

I would really really like you as a judge.

Nice regards,

bally

Thanks but I am not worthy.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

I was just offering alternative ideas because the popularity contest aspect might dissuade some budding writers from joining in and that would be a shame, as well some contestants seem to have a problem with it.

By all means keep it the way it is, it makes no difference to me because I use this contest only as a creative outlet.

Keep well Gordi and congratulations to the winners.

Congratulations one and all, some excellent and unique contributions this time around!

a reply to: jadedANDcynical

Thank you J&C and Gordi for this month's topic. It was fun and inspired me to give writing here a try again. Surprised that out of all the amazing entries, one of mine was recognized too.

Looking forward to next month's contest now.

I'm chuffed! Thanks for the votes.

So I'm new to this writing area of the forum, what do I need to do now?

originally posted by: elgaz
I'm chuffed! Thanks for the votes.

So I'm new to this writing area of the forum, what do I need to do now?

The winner of this contest will choose a new topic and perhaps format of the entry, so keep a lookout on the 'Short Story' forum for the next contest. Good luck and have fun. Did you know for some entries you can add music, graphics and video? All accepted formats will be in the rules.