ATS Short Story Contest format - theme idea.

a reply to: dollukka

I think I would have enjoyed that, too. I create better with a visual stimulus. With words, I first struggle to picture a story in my mind and then write it down. Working directly from imagery would help me avoid the "lost in translation" quagmire I often struggle to get out of.

a reply to: SprocketUK

LOL, there's a big enough void between my ears... it would be advantageous for me if that were a theme of sorts.

a reply to: Moon68

I don't think I could handle more frequent contests... writing is painful and I need some recovery time... purge the grey matter.

Also, we would have to give DTOM and Johnny oxygen and energy drinks to keep up. I volunteered some artwork for the contest announcements when I noticed Johnny was away. It was nerve-wracking and I really appreciate how much effort Johnny puts into churning out his art, contest after contest. Also, keeping an eye on the calendar to hit the announcement deadlines was stressful... even more so having to do it every month.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

Over my dead body! ... Not a bad title for a theme.

Seriously, I enjoy some typos and piecing together a story that has some structural problems. AI would be too perfect and boring. The few AI generated stories already presented outside of the contests have been quite synthetic and predictable.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: DBCowboy

No worries

I'll be sure to make a note of that in your file

Files? That's slow and cumbersome... You need to go digital! I can do a database for you and DB can hook it up to his AI for cross referencing and analysis. It could warn and ban people even before they even think of transgressing.

a reply to: infolurker

If that were to ever happen, I'd lay down my pen, retire to my little Photoshop oasis and just go back to drawing circles within circles until I go blind.

I like the idea of a more regimented format!! Unlike the stream of consciousness I usually resort to.

This sort of reminds me of the 48hr. film festival contests where your are given a line of dialog, a prop and a character to build your short film around or at least include all 3 elements in your film somehow.

48hourfilm.com...

a reply to: olaru12

Let's say that I would still want to see that stream of consciousness, except that it would be funneled in a certain direction. The idea of an initial brief shouldn't be stifling; on the contrary, it should still leave plenty of space for an individual take on which path to take. Maybe that's what I find most interesting: how diverse the stories would be, notwithstanding the starting point being the same for everyone.

I didn't know about that Film Festival Contest... thanks for the link.

a reply to: Encia22

I like this idea, having a structure to build around could really help the creative juices flow.

It would be fun to see the variation of how the stories go too.

a reply to: RAY1990

Thanks for your feedback, Ray.

Hmmm. The more I've thought about this the differing feelings I have.

On one hand, by placing constraints or specific parameters to operate in, I feel that it could act as a damper to creativity.

On the other hand, I fell it could cause creativity to bloom in various directions, opening new avenues of thought.

originally posted by: Encia22

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

Over my dead body!

... Not a bad title for a theme.

Seriously, I enjoy some typos and piecing together a story that has some structural problems. AI would be too perfect and boring. The few AI generated stories already presented outside of the contests have been quite synthetic and predictable.

Apologies.

What I mean is, we write stories about AI

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: Encia22

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

Over my dead body!

... Not a bad title for a theme.

Seriously, I enjoy some typos and piecing together a story that has some structural problems. AI would be too perfect and boring. The few AI generated stories already presented outside of the contests have been quite synthetic and predictable.

Apologies.

What I mean is, we write stories about AI

"I'm afraid I can't do that Dave"-Hal

a reply to: Moon68

Yes, I had the same misgivings, but it only took those few clues, absurd as they were, in our little discussion with Max for some ideas to flourish. I think a balance would have to be found between too many and too few.

My first thoughts are with the non-writers who may be lurking and are afraid of taking that first baby-step. Sometimes a supporting hand can be of great comfort. Seasoned participants probably won't be phased by anything that's thrown at them.

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: Encia22

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

Over my dead body!

... Not a bad title for a theme.

Seriously, I enjoy some typos and piecing together a story that has some structural problems. AI would be too perfect and boring. The few AI generated stories already presented outside of the contests have been quite synthetic and predictable.

Apologies.

What I mean is, we write stories about AI

I thought that's what you meant.

That's a great idea... open playing field for anything AI related, present, future or past - as in time travel; did AI predate mankind?



ETA: I don't know if you ever read my rebellious AI very short story (100 word limit).

H-A.R.R.I.'s Revenge

originally posted by: Moon68

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: Encia22

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

Over my dead body!

... Not a bad title for a theme.

Seriously, I enjoy some typos and piecing together a story that has some structural problems. AI would be too perfect and boring. The few AI generated stories already presented outside of the contests have been quite synthetic and predictable.

Apologies.

What I mean is, we write stories about AI

"I'm afraid I can't do that Dave"-Hal

Poke it in its bloody eye and see if it still argues...