July/August 2016 Short Story Contest

TheWriterWithNoName

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May 31, 2016
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So as I'm sat here in the middle of summer, scratching my head on the theme for the next short story contest, the rain is pouring down outside.
Thus, nature has given me the inspiration for the theme; Weather.
Good luck everyone; and may the torrent of writers block hold off and the sun shine on your endeavor.

THEME: Weather
WORD COUNT LIMIT: 5000 Words
DEADLINE: August 31st

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 story
3) Edit story
4) Post story in the Stories sub-forum. (Use these guidelines to title your thread so it is easy for folks to find your entry.)
5) Come back here and let us know that you posted your story and provide a link to that story (makes it easier for me to find your story when it comes time to vote).
6) Read the other entries and offer comments that help the writer both know what they did right and what they did wrong (in your humble opinion)
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.
 
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I need to work on a revision for an upcoming deadline and my NaNoCamp novella but....new story ideas are fun to chase. I think I may have one for this.
 
I have a title "Snowbound" but no story and it would probably only be marginally SFF....hmmm, maybe though.......also a long-time idea about terraforming....maybe...maybe...
 
I have a title "Snowbound" but no story and it would probably only be marginally SFF....hmmm, maybe though.......also a long-time idea about terraforming....maybe...maybe...
I have a working title of Blind Shot and hints of magic realism.
 
I have a working title of Blind Shot and hints of magic realism.

Now this is making me think of a story I read but I'm having trouble placing it.....I think it may have been called "Blindsight" or "Snowblind" or something.....hmmm.....Alzheimer's is Hell! :D

I'll report back if I get a clue....
 
Found it! Whew.....I was getting crazy there for a few hours. :D

It is called Snow Blind by Elizabeth Strout and was selected for the O. Henry prize stories 2015 from The Virginia Quarterly Review and while it does start off with a very vivid image of snow and winter it definitely ends up in a very different place moving from weather to weathering human interactions and hearts with a bit of artistic awareness thrown into the mix. It was that last part (the artistic awareness) that made me enjoy this story as well as identifying with some of the experience in family relations of the main character.
 
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How's everyone getting on with this? I thought I had an idea for a moment the other day, started writing it out and soon realized it was really a load of rubbish. :P
 
I haven't started yet. I'm still trying to finish up other projects.
 
It is now finally summer here in the heart of England... which means the unusual heat has seared all story thoughts from my brain.
 
Oh it has. Am exhausted from trying to find a European to marry so I can keep that goddamned passport and flee this misbegotten place.
haha good to find a a fellow brexit mourner here! Plus this new prime minister is getting worse by the day! And yeah I've been working out in the single day of summer today, feeling a little frazzled :P
 
Kenny, thank you for dealing with last month's short story contest for me. I just wasn't able to keep up with my online habits in the face of family matters and holidays. My apologies for dropping off without even asking (or maybe I did and I have forgotten). Hopefully I can get back to writing soonish [TM]. I sure want to.
 
Hey guys, I'm thinking of maybe slaying two seagulls with one story here, and scribbling up something to submit to both this and the anthology thing simultaneously. Is that an acceptable thing to do here, or is it better to do different stories for each submission? Quite interested in the Anthology, it sounds exciting, but I know I've no chance of getting two stories done in time, as well as a bunch of other stuff I've got to do.
 

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