Halloween Short Story Contest 2 (HSSC2)

reply to post by intrepid


Yeah I drifted back in a couple weeks ago.

A friend was curious when I mentioned the Bunker stories, so I came back to get links for her. Then I got the urge to drop in an epilogue as I re-read it. Then I was pulled into the Paranormal forums, then the chat, then ancient civilizations. I've bounced around in there for a bit the past couple weeks, working up sketches of TDH and Lindsey from the story since my interest was rekindled. So I'm back again for a bit it looks like.

Good to see you and DE are still here! I've been running into some of the older crowd in chat as well.

Originally posted by DeusEx
The mixture of the normal and the horrific, in other words. Splatter is not the objective. Normal people in horrific situations is.

DE

That makes it a little tougher, but not too bad. I took off work at noon today just so I could sit quietly and write awhile. 2000 words in one afternoon and most of it is even within the T&C's of the board.

The bad thing about taking a break from writing is getting the ball rolling again is an uphill challenge.

Still, I hope to have my submission in sometime this weekend.

So tell us DE, do you have the judges yet? I'm putting in allot of work and I don't want to find out the contest has been canceled.

wupy

We're short one judge.

DE

We have our judges. Write on!

DE

reply to post by DeusEx


Thsweet.

Now just to be clear. Gore is okay, but the "psychological" aspect should be focused on. I have a cannibal story in mind, but it's not about going into all the minute graphic detail of butchery and such.

I also have a murder story in mind in which the method of dispatchment is rather brutal, but again, it is more about the characters, setting, etc.

Originally posted by jackinthebox
Now just to be clear. Gore is okay, but the "psychological" aspect should be focused on. I have a cannibal story in mind, but it's not about going into all the minute graphic detail of butchery and such.

I also have a murder story in mind in which the method of dispatchment is rather brutal, but again, it is more about the characters, setting, etc.

The focus of your stories shouldn't be the gore. It should be the characters. Like I said, emphasis on normal. I see any American Psycho grade gore come up, I'll do my best to have your writer status revoked and personally tear your story off the forum. That isn't to say that gore doesn't have its place, but try not to let it go over the top.

DE

reply to post by DeusEx


Well, someone already yanked my "writer" title for not participating last time. So I guess I'll take my chances.

American Psycho, really? I thought that was more about the character than the gore, though I didn't particualrly care for it anyway.

I think I might just focus on one story idea over another for now.

I hated that novel. But the book aside, I'm sure you get the idea. Please, no more than a moderate level of gore. You read at least some of the book, I'm sure you get what I'm trying to say. No torture, no splatterporn.

DE

I plan on entering this competition, and will offer my services to anyone else entering as a possible proof reader.

If you are interested, simply send your story to me by U2U and I would be happy to read it before you submit it and help with anything.

Originally posted by DeusEx

Originally posted by jackinthebox
Now just to be clear. Gore is okay, but the "psychological" aspect should be focused on. I have a cannibal story in mind, but it's not about going into all the minute graphic detail of butchery and such.

I also have a murder story in mind in which the method of dispatchment is rather brutal, but again, it is more about the characters, setting, etc.

The focus of your stories shouldn't be the gore. It should be the characters. Like I said, emphasis on normal. I see any American Psycho grade gore come up, I'll do my best to have your writer status revoked and personally tear your story off the forum. That isn't to say that gore doesn't have its place, but try not to let it go over the top.

DE

Dude, I understand what you are trying to do here. However, those are some pretty strong threats and interesting word choice.



Gore can be very much a part of the personal and 'normal' person story (however subjective that term is anyway, I'll let it go because it's colloquial). If a strong gore aspect is something central to the theme of the normal person in extraordinary circumstances, I don't see how you can 'revoke writer status' and 'personally tear the story from the forum'.

Every instance of 'hyper realism' or extreme gore should be taken on a case by case basis depending on how it is used to fit into the rules of the competition. You sound like a book burner.

I'm totally in. I've had a couple of story ideas knocking around in my head I've just been waiting for an excuse to put to paper.

I look forward to reading some of the entries.

Originally posted by Enrikez
Gore can be very much a part of the personal and 'normal' person story (however subjective that term is anyway, I'll let it go because it's colloquial). If a strong gore aspect is something central to the theme of the normal person in extraordinary circumstances, I don't see how you can 'revoke writer status' and 'personally tear the story from the forum'.

Every instance of 'hyper realism' or extreme gore should be taken on a case by case basis depending on how it is used to fit into the rules of the competition. You sound like a book burner.

Those two famous letters, T & C. A strong gore aspect may fly other places, just like 'strong language'. Or, perhaps, racial epithets. We are governed by the T&C, and as such, that sort of content is restricted. We let some things slide, but I'm not budging on this one. Yes, I used strong words. The rules here are relaxed, not gone altogether.

DE

I'm not entering but will members have the opportunity to read all entries or just the winners.
Is there any kind of member voting?

Originally posted by Humphrey
I'm not entering but will members have the opportunity to read all entries or just the winners.
Is there any kind of member voting?

You can read all stories and a few thousand more in the Short Stories Forum

reply to post by Humphrey


In one contest I entered, there was a "member's choice" award for the one that had the most flags, or stars, or something like that.

reply to post by DeusEx


So it's the graphic depiction that would be most frowned upon, as opposed to concept. I'll keep it PG-13.

reply to post by Skyfloating

Thanks for the link, that should keep me busy for awhile.
Looking forward to the entries

Originally posted by jackinthebox
reply to post by DeusEx

 

So it's the graphic depiction that would be most frowned upon, as opposed to concept. I'll keep it PG-13.

Bingo. Psychological horror was never about torture and gore. Just look at Lovecraft.

And yes, there will probably be a member's choice award. So, continue writing.

DE

My story submission, please rate: Drunken Wager

I shan't be writing a story this time. I decided after I read through the 'psychological horror' wiki pages, I cant write stories in that style, but I am working on something else...



Roswell.