Jan-Jun 2017 Novelette/Novella Contest: TANSTAAFL

[Hereford Eye]

THEME: There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (TANSTAAFL)
WORD COUNT LIMIT: 7500-40000
DEADLINE: Jun 30, 2017
READING & VOTING DEADLINE: Jul 10, 2017

If you are new to the contests, here's a general outline of what to do:

1) Think of a story idea that includes speculative fiction elements (fantasy, science fiction, horror elements) and fits the theme stated above
2) Write the story
3) Edit the story to the best of your ability
4) Post story in the Stories sub-forum using this format: June-Nov Novelette/Novella Contest Entry: Title of Story.
5) Come back here and let us know that you posted your story and provide a link to that story.
6) Read the other entries and offer constructive comments aimed at helping the writer improve their chances of getting the story published. Let them know what worked for you, as a reader, and what didn’t.
7) Vote when the voting poll goes up

The winner takes over the next contest and has the honor of picking its theme.

CONTEST GUIDELINES:

PG-13 - generally, the forum restricts its contents to what would be acceptable at the PG-13 rating. However, we are lenient for creative purposes in the writing forum. Please warn readers if your story contains adult situations.

Once you post your contest entry, we discourage writers from altering the original text submitted. While it may be okay to change a few typos here and there, please do not revise your piece substantially. If you would like to respond to feedback, you are encouraged to post your revision within the thread (but not the original post).

Please refrain from voting for your own story.

 

[Luka Datas]

Bewdiful. HerefordEye.
already got my cogs uncloggin'

 

[N. E. White]

That is a great topic! And has my cogs aturnin', too...

 

[kennychaffin]

Robert! Robert! Quick, git over here, look what this guy's done!

 

[Andrew LH]

I could use this too. I've got a novella project to write, part two to a written (but desperately needing rewritten) part one. I know the basic story but couldn't get it to hang together; it's partly a media satire, so a fancy lunch at the fat-cat's expense to impress the poor client and seal the deal could be a key element.

 

[VictorK]

This will be a good opportunity I look forward to wasting.

 

[kennychaffin]

This will be a good opportunity I look forward to wasting.

LOL! Don't you Dare!....of course who am I to speak with the squirrels gnawing at my feet! Worse than alligators in a Washington Swamp I tell you!

 

[Luka Datas]

This will be a good opportunity I look forward to wasting.

eeek.

 

[JonLaidlow]

Robert! Robert! Quick, git over here, look what this guy's done!

Heinlein?

 

[Bodhi]

Hey, haven't been around in a while. Glad to see these longer contests a'going. I looked back on the past 3 contests for how the longer form writing shaped up. I think everyone who participated is awesome!

I truthfully can't stand that acronym for multiple reasons. If I was to write something, it might be about how someone was bullied by someone who kept saying that expression. The reason Heinlein is so often credited for it when it originated so much earlier is beyond me at the moment, but I haven't read Heinlein. This might be the perfect opportunity to pick up The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.

 

[Facing]

Welcome back @Bodhi I look forward to reading your entry.

 

[Bodhi]

Thank you. It made me feel really good when you liked my "Boy who deserved the world" story.
And I look forward to writing again. I am fully proficient in the DVORAK layout now.

 

[Facing]

I am fully proficient in the DVORAK layout now.

I don't think I could make the switch at this point in my life but if it's working for you....I'm happy for you.

 

[Bodhi]

I consider myself a real old dog even though I'm really young. An old soul. I've been through a lot.

 

[Hereford Eye]

Yes, I cheated; had the story well along and just needed to add a couple thousand words. Still, I had a great fun finishing it. Did I solve the problem? Maybe so; Maybe Not With No Probability Either Way.

 

[Luka Datas]

I consider myself a real old dog even though I'm really young. An old soul. I've been through a lot.

I see myself as a relatively young dog who's still taking a leak on almost everything. Wanna swap?

 

[Bodhi]

I see myself as a relatively young dog who's still taking a leak on almost everything. Wanna swap?

I'd have to smell your butt first.

 

[kennychaffin]

Get a room!

 

[Luka Datas]

Get a room!

...a kennel?

 

[R.J.]

From the diary of R.J.

Dammit I have suckered myself into trying out the novella contest. As if I am ready for that challenge..But the little demon on my left shoulder tells me to just do it, because practice is better than stalling. From my right shoulder, the other little demon says I should give up, reminding me of language barriers, how much effort it takes just to write a short story, that I should spend my time on something else. Grinning, it reminds me that I think the theme - TANSTAAFL - is rather hard to wrap my head around. Then the other demon pokes me and says, "Don't worry, man. Even if you miss, you'll build experience. And you like XP, don't you? Can't level without them XP."

Fellow SFFworlders, any advice as I launch into my first attempt at a novella? Pitfalls to warn me about?

I'm googling novella writing but it's difficult to find advice beyond "It's like a shorter novel but a longer short story."

Also, it's Saturday morning so I wish y'all a nice weekend.

Edit: Yes I'm furiously gathering Intel on well regarded novellas to read - today's story is Heart of Darkness.