Short Story Contest #9 Theme

Arcisal · May 22, 2012

It's been awhile since we had a short story contest and just to get the ball rolling. Here are some ideas I had in mind.

A Curious Case: Writers are to depict an unusual or unexpected event that occurred. It can be fictional or simply retelling a past tale.
Macabre Classics: Contestents are required to twist any classic fairy tale of their choice into a grim somber version whilst keeping with the classic fairy tale elements.
Story Noir: Writers must come up with a story that clearly displays noir-like elements. However, the story simply doesn't have to be all about sex drugs and the mafia, it can also be a simple tale but retold in a sort of "incognito" way.
Tales of Azeroth: Participants must come up with a story that shows an event set in Azeroth, or the Universe of Warcraft. The story can either be fictional or a retelling of events but must be set in the Warcraft Universe.
Surrealism: Contestants are required to create and weave a fictional surrealistic world using pen and paper through the eyes of another. The world can simply be a strange new land through the eyes of a foreigner, or as surreal as Alice in Wonderland.

Thoughts, ideas?

kari0003 · May 22, 2012

Im not clear about the themes used before, but the idea I'd like to share is:
Finish a base story. Everyone have a base story, and contestants have to create an unexpectable ending for it.

It may not be a good idea for the contest, I found it interesting, so I shared it.

Pharaoh_ · May 22, 2012

I'd like some creation of lore for a character/location in a fantasy universe.

Skycraft · May 22, 2012

I don't want any of that 'knife-edge' stuff we had last time, or anything similar to it. It was too confusing.

Arcisal · May 23, 2012

Writing lore would be more of a "documentation" rather than a short story, unless you can show the world through something like through the eyes of another.

And yeah, nobody understood that knife-edge stuff.

Giving a pre-set scenario would probably give an unfair advantage to others. Unless you generalize it enough before letting it become to vague.

Really guys, let's drift away from that swords, guns and mythical creatures kind of thing. I was thinking more peculiar events set in the 1930's. Don't really know what to call it, but very akin to most of Roald Dahl's short stories.

HammerFist132 · May 23, 2012

I have idea about theme named: Betrayed - man is betrayed and you should make it like how his life looks after that

Arcisal · May 25, 2012

Really? Nobody is interested?

Just in case this does get approved, might as well mention it. I suggest submitting anonymously, with only the names of the writer available to the Host and the Judge. And the names of the writers will not be shown on the poll, instead only their story names. This is to prevent anyone from judging biasly or voting based on the users themselves instead of the story itself. I believe this method was mentioned by Apheraz Lucent? WIPs will also be hidden from the users.

-Peper- · May 25, 2012

Actually, the ones that catched my mind were only Tales of Azeroth and Macabre Classics.

Amargaard · May 25, 2012

Whatever.. I'm in a contest-mood, so I might enter the contest no matter the theme :b

However, I'm not a fan of the anonymity-idea. That way, you can't get feedback from the community.

Grey Nightmare · May 25, 2012

I'll enter if we enforce the anonymous rule, I'm sure you'll be able to get feedback after the contest ends.
Which in my opinion, is exactly how it should be.
The twisted Fairy Tale sounds like it could be very interesting.

Arcisal · May 29, 2012

Anybody else? I see nobody is interested in becoming a judge, which to be honest, neither am I.

GunSlinger · May 30, 2012

The Macabre classics should be nice

Grey Nightmare · May 30, 2012

I judged one... Was it #8? or #7? I think it may have been the one before Knife-Edge (I said that theme was bad, right from the start), in which case I'm not elgible to be a judge, I'm sure it says somewhere you can't have judged the last contest.

If we can ignore that or if it was the one before it, I'll happily judge again.

Arcisal · May 30, 2012

I think everyone sort of enjoys the Macabre Classsics theme. But we have four or five contestants right now? And, fortunately, a judge.

Would you think we would need two judges? Or do we continue to wait for people to respond?

Grey Nightmare · Jun 5, 2012

Two would help, if there's enough interest, that is...

Wolfe · Jun 7, 2012

Macabre Classics... ah, the joys of the Grimm Brothers.

LETS DO IT

Skycraft · Jun 7, 2012

Macabre sounds good to me.

Arcisal · Jun 9, 2012

Holy shit. Activity.

So we all agree on Macabre Classics?

We may need a second judge though.

Amargaard · Jun 9, 2012

What exactly do you mean by "Macabre Classics"? Do we have to rewrite a good old classic fairytale in a macabre way?

Arcisal · Jun 9, 2012

Amargaard said:
What exactly do you mean by "Macabre Classics"? Do we have to rewrite a good old classic fairytale in a macabre way?

That, in a nutshell. Just select any classic fairy tale (eg. Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio etc.) and twist it to give it a dark somber sort of storyline, while retaining the main qualities of the fairy tale itself.

Arcisal · Jul 9, 2012

Ultra BUMP.

Are any of those who previously posted still interested in this?

Apheraz Lucent · Jul 15, 2012

Don't mind the silly number.
Oh, and +1 For Macabre Classic.

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/...3/short-story-contest-1-confrontation-209051/

Arcisal said:
I suggest submitting anonymously, with only the names of the writer available to the Host and the Judge. And the names of the writers will not be shown on the poll, instead only their story names. This is to prevent anyone from judging biasly or voting based on the users themselves instead of the story itself. I believe this method was mentioned by Apheraz Lucent? WIPs will also be hidden from the users.

It was my early idea, but since judges hold usually around 70% of total score, those 1-5 points for pool can be tolerated, even with bias.

Squads · Jul 16, 2012

Edited fairy tale? Sounds good to me. 1 more vote for that.

Arcisal · Jul 16, 2012

Considering two of the original intended participants have left the Hive, or at least won't be coming back for a considerable amount of time, I think we may have to find more participants AGAIN.

Wolfe · Jul 16, 2012

o no

Apheraz Lucent · Jul 16, 2012

The contest can be executed: there's no point in waiting for judges to start it, as the judges can be found (or they will appear) during the process of submission/poll.

However, keep in mind the "Frozen Arena" event, which will also affect the newly executed contests and can block you from finishing it.

If I'm not participating, I'm joining as a judge.
Have you decided who do you want as a contest host?

Sorceress · Jul 16, 2012

I'd like the surrealism one to get a chance.

Apheraz Lucent · Jul 16, 2012

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/contest-submission-233/short-story-contest-9-idea-poll-219390/

Grey Nightmare · Jul 16, 2012

I'm still happy to lend a hand judging, if necessary.

Short Story Contest #9 Theme

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