tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post7303517904119147069..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Writing contest results!Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35885975950601156072015-11-08T22:20:54.349-05:002015-11-08T22:20:54.349-05:00Michael's story was really something! It had t...Michael's story was really something! It had the same elegance of that Hemingway (maybe? the internets were unclear if he did it) story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." <br /><br />I like when the negative space is clearer like in Michael's--yes the readers fill in their story but all signs give a sort of unique specificity that wouldn't have existed if everything were spelled out. An editor recently gave me notes on a story that simply highlighted some lines and said "pull back on these" and I didn't really know what they meant, but this story is a great example of how there are times when spareness can provide a fuller experience than spelling everything out. Tony Clavellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16567479168804189982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50000920912827165822015-11-06T00:55:41.685-05:002015-11-06T00:55:41.685-05:00So glad to finally break away from this very busy ...So glad to finally break away from this very busy week and read all the winning flash fiction entries. All the stories are FANTASTIC. <br /><br />Congratulations, Michael Seese, on your compelling story, with imagery that masterfully painted a picture of this poor kid's life. I can still hear his girlfriend screaming through the phone. <br /><br />I loved Jmaggard's story, too. :)Eve Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488394403456097686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56738582471803341862015-11-04T08:49:03.425-05:002015-11-04T08:49:03.425-05:00Result! I made it onto a list, I'm fair chuffe...Result! I made it onto a list, I'm fair chuffed now.DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2141122827627350112015-11-04T03:31:37.831-05:002015-11-04T03:31:37.831-05:00For me, I see a scene in my head (or in this case ...For me, I see a scene in my head (or in this case a snippet) and build on it. This time I saw kids in a classroom where the teacher had just left the room. What I couldn't show in 100 words was the teacher's dilemma - does the teacher risk his job by going against the new stupid rule or does he pose a question and trust his students to come up with a solution? What would kids too young to drive but old enough to recognize tyranny do?CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15224418593283554282015-11-04T03:15:53.087-05:002015-11-04T03:15:53.087-05:00Congrats Michael and everyone.
Tickled to be on t...Congrats Michael and everyone.<br /><br />Tickled to be on the long list - thank you for that. I had a good time with this one. Enjoyed everyone's entries.CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43671065825550196922015-11-03T19:54:06.815-05:002015-11-03T19:54:06.815-05:00Personally, I focus on one key word (in this case,...Personally, I focus on one key word (in this case, the bag of chips) then build the story, fitting the other words where I can.Michael Seesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03694187657718931214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91991899133435520012015-11-03T15:18:39.937-05:002015-11-03T15:18:39.937-05:00Total and utter congrats to Michael and the other ...Total and utter congrats to Michael and the other finalists. I knew these were winners when I read them in the slush pile. <br /><br />All three were spare and elegant. Nothing but a trail of clues that invite inference. Megan V's really really caught me on the first time through. And Michael, all I can say is BOOM! <br /><br />And thanks for my shout out! That's from and old story and it was tough to compress to 100 words. Because we are all in the business of "persistent prevarication" (and I never ever spell persistent right the first time.)<br /><br />And where are Lynn and Colin? Well, duh, they are trapped in the second space after the period that is now some sort of cosmic worm hole. One day it was there and the next day, well, no one wanted to talk about it and averted their eyes when it was mentioned. <br /><br />Superb one and all! Terri Terri Lynn Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290316565247120848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27401772951904241482015-11-03T14:38:44.808-05:002015-11-03T14:38:44.808-05:00Fascinating, Steve. I've tried both ways. Firs...Fascinating, Steve. I've tried both ways. First, writing down all the prompt words and see what they prompt in my mind. Second, tried creating a story by itself and then figure out how to insert the prompt words.<br /><br />Unlike a smart person, I've never followed up with myself for the results. I've had some true groaner entries and some decent ones. But I'm not sure what the different methods have produced. Gotta start testing better.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, everyone. So interesting...John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54572497785089374352015-11-03T07:34:12.073-05:002015-11-03T07:34:12.073-05:00@Angie - no worries, I've been called far wors...@Angie - no worries, I've been called far worse!<br /><br />@John - For me, I write down the prompt words, then let them noodle through my head for a few hours. I jot down any creative uses of them I can think of to see which spark something. One of them will always trigger either a funny phrase, or an interesting structure, and I just build from there. The most important things I've learned over the years doing these entries is how to make a true story vs a vignette, and how to make every single word count. The 100 word limit has really helped me tighten my prose elsewhere.Steve Fortihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06027977543853683231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15765122375841575222015-11-03T06:55:12.449-05:002015-11-03T06:55:12.449-05:00Congratulations everyone! Flash fiction is more fu...Congratulations everyone! Flash fiction is more fun than I though. Thank you, Janet Reid, for this opportunity.<br />SummerS.V. Farnsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859573984010439828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11263439752046800202015-11-03T06:39:44.106-05:002015-11-03T06:39:44.106-05:00@Steve, I'm so sorry I mispelled your name. Hi...@Steve, I'm so sorry I mispelled your name. Hides under rock.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73041478064698762502015-11-03T05:02:12.007-05:002015-11-03T05:02:12.007-05:00Congratulations, Michael, short listers, long list...Congratulations, Michael, short listers, long listers, and mentionables - your writing is so incredibly inspiring!<br /><br />And reading the comments of the QOTKU on the entries is BY FAR the most illuminating, the most educational, scene of my entire week. Every week. Without fail. <br />Thank you, thank you, thank you Janet, for running these contests and for sharing your thoughts with us! Sharks RULE!!!<br /><br />(and coming from an Aussie, this is very very very true...) Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55863281276648429242015-11-03T00:33:34.817-05:002015-11-03T00:33:34.817-05:00Haha, BJ, I'm so with you on that. Never even ...Haha, BJ, I'm so with you on that. Never even crossed my mind to go anywhere but lighthearted.<br /><br />Thanks for the attempt at distraction, but I've been hardly working. I mean hard at work. Darn, you caught me. Now, off to Colin's blog...John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59127979373019764862015-11-02T21:52:41.335-05:002015-11-02T21:52:41.335-05:00Well, John, I'm afraid that the first thing th...Well, John, I'm afraid that the first thing that hits my neural synapses when working with a prompt (especially a flash one) is: humour. Just about any prompt brings out the little absurdities in my brain.<br /><br />I have tried, at times, to write more serious flash pieces for these contests. But these last two, with Colin and Lynn's future in my hands... I couldn't help it. I decided to have fun.<br /><br />Now get to work. :PBJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59988153292063677242015-11-02T21:51:39.154-05:002015-11-02T21:51:39.154-05:00John: The last time I won was over a year ago, and...John: The last time I won was over a year ago, and it was only the second time I've won in over four years now--and I've been entering pretty regularly since 2011. That's why it's a thrill to even get a mention: the competition gets fiercer every time. Anyway, anticipating that this probably won't happen again anytime soon, I wrote a somewhat lengthy dissection of how I wrote that piece of flash fiction. As I've said before, I don't like posting links to my own blog (save for the "how to hyperlink" one because that's actually useful to people), but if you go to my blog (address in the List of Links on the top right) it's the October 31, 2014 post.<br /><br />Mark: I'm honored... I think...! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89636787082882998492015-11-02T20:46:32.234-05:002015-11-02T20:46:32.234-05:00Hey Michael Seese,
Thanks for sharing that. Makes...Hey Michael Seese,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing that. Makes the writing even more interesting to get the behind-the-scenes look. Great stuff. And great effort. The story really pulled me in.<br /><br />Can someone else step up and talk about how they put their story together. Otherwise, I have to quit procrastinating and get back to another 642 words (about!) for the day's Nano output.<br /><br />Thanking y'all in advance...John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3377168584776143232015-11-02T20:16:45.403-05:002015-11-02T20:16:45.403-05:00Congratulations to everyone!
Michael—I am speech...Congratulations to everyone! <br /><br />Michael—I am speechless. The way used the negative space...beautiful. Just beautiful. <br /><br />Susan—That you were moved by the words means a lot to me. Thanks!<br /><br />E.M. I read this like a poem. I couldn't help it, it was so well written. In a way, the rhythm reminded me of 'The Highwayman." Well done.<br /><br /><br />QOTKU—thanks much for the mention! I am adding "<i>This has the beauty of a desert or a prairie. Not much to see, except everything.</i>" to my wall of motivation. I have to, in part, because my home is literally surrounded by desert.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40039586143808146022015-11-02T20:13:51.779-05:002015-11-02T20:13:51.779-05:00Congratulations, Michael. Brilliant writing! And t...Congratulations, Michael. Brilliant writing! And to the finalists, what fierce competition. And a shout out to the mentionables and all who entered. This was a great contest amongst the great contests of this year. Thank you, Ms. Janet, this incredible opportunity to learn and grow.Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17335923263777449916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7833877879699009932015-11-02T18:59:02.536-05:002015-11-02T18:59:02.536-05:00A very talented group indeed. I would like to pers...A very talented group indeed. I would like to personally thank Colin, who inspired my entry, and made possible my first post-contest mention. Mark Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262292085318047939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43622591630672173772015-11-02T18:57:13.299-05:002015-11-02T18:57:13.299-05:00Michael, yours was the only story I couldn't r...Michael, yours was the only story I couldn't read twice. Didn't need to. It absolutely gutted me the first time. Damn good writing.<br /><br />So much talent over here. Thank you, all who entered, for letting us see a glimpse of it. I'm looking forward to the day I recognize all these names on book covers.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57032314629375479862015-11-02T17:16:08.035-05:002015-11-02T17:16:08.035-05:00First, thanks to Janet for picking it.
Second, th...First, thanks to Janet for picking it.<br /><br />Second, thanks to everyone for your kind comments. FWIW, my money was on E. M. Goldsmith. I agree with Janet... "speechless."<br /><br />Since this a community, I thought I'd share my thoughts as to why it wasn't "not quite a story," because originally it was not.<br /><br />The first draft opened with "An empty snack bag of potato chips" then proceeded to list the items. A notebook... A shoe...<br /><br />Note the absence of the "and" at the beginning.<br /><br />Likewise, the final paragraph began, "The scattered remains..."<br /><br />I knew it wasn't a story because there was no unifying element. Then I came up with the can. (Incidentally, if it's not obvious from the "negative space," the can was an empty beer can the kid had been drinking while driving.)<br /><br />Now I had a beginning (the can in motion), a middle (it rolls past the items, now connected by "and"), and an ending (silence falls as it comes to rest).<br /><br /><br />Michael Seesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03694187657718931214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70069295279764350302015-11-02T14:06:23.770-05:002015-11-02T14:06:23.770-05:00Oh my. Some amazing entries. There might be harder...Oh my. Some amazing entries. There might be harder things to judge, but nothing comes to mind quickly. <br /><br />Congrats, Michael, on your haunting entry. Also, EM, that one moved me as well.<br /><br />And through all the reading I kept laughing inside and repeating <i>Septic Hank</i>. That was the cleverest part of a clever entry.John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87809530221701210112015-11-02T13:48:01.338-05:002015-11-02T13:48:01.338-05:00Great entries! I was sincerely hoping Colin and Ly...Great entries! I was sincerely hoping Colin and Lynn might be allowed at least a brief layover in Paradise, but that "yea, right" sounded pretty final. Oh, well.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20068814213753236082015-11-02T13:28:07.436-05:002015-11-02T13:28:07.436-05:00Congrats to everyone; notables, finalists, and Mic...Congrats to everyone; notables, finalists, and Michael Seese! What incredible writing, and the Shark's analysis made me see how much story can be in "between the lines". I am in awe.<br /><br />Last contest I learned my lesson. This time I learned that good writing takes provocative thought, not just writing a "story" to fit a criteria. And great writing is taking it to a whole new level the way Michael did. So much to learn, and practice. These contests with your comments afterwards really aid us writers in seeing the difference - Thank you for having these! Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88643340107105301442015-11-02T12:26:23.434-05:002015-11-02T12:26:23.434-05:00Congratulations everyone! Such great stories. I ...Congratulations everyone! Such great stories. I am in awe...Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.com