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>>Zaid Val'Roa If a tree falls in a forest, and nobody is around to hear it, who chopped it down, and are they trapped under it?
>>Anon Y Mous
I was gonna say something clever, but then I didn’t have enough coffee. D:
Anyway, I hope to stage a TRIUMPHANT RETURN this round. I’ve had to miss the last few because of heads-down work on my pony novel that wrapped last month, but my desire is and was to keep participating.
I was gonna say something clever, but then I didn’t have enough coffee. D:
Anyway, I hope to stage a TRIUMPHANT RETURN this round. I’ve had to miss the last few because of heads-down work on my pony novel that wrapped last month, but my desire is and was to keep participating.
>>Anon Y Mous
Absolutely not.
>>georg
I did. But don’t send help; I like it under here.
>>CoffeeMinion
Have you written us an opera?
Don Juan, Triumphant!
Absolutely not.
>>georg
I did. But don’t send help; I like it under here.
>>CoffeeMinion
Have you written us an opera?
Don Juan, Triumphant!
Now taking commissions to create an anonymous piece of art for this round. $150 will probably be enough to motivate me. Will accept blank checks.
“Coco Pummel Apples, Twirling and Spinning—”
“LOS CABALLOS ESTÁN LOCOS! Let the Moon Bear Witness!”
“Skies Unknown. Hidden Motives?”
“Poke It With A Stick, Straight Through the Heart.”
“Champagne for Our Real Friends, Real Pain for Our Sham Friends. That Makes Sense!”
“The New Nightmare; Reversal of Fortune.”
“Hollow Day! Happily (N)Ever After?”
“To Everything There Is a Season. I Did My Best Winter Wrap Up… Now, Please Leave your Talent at the Door.”
“Not Exactly an Ideal Scenario.”
“Time’s Up!”
“LOS CABALLOS ESTÁN LOCOS! Let the Moon Bear Witness!”
“Skies Unknown. Hidden Motives?”
“Poke It With A Stick, Straight Through the Heart.”
“Champagne for Our Real Friends, Real Pain for Our Sham Friends. That Makes Sense!”
“The New Nightmare; Reversal of Fortune.”
“Hollow Day! Happily (N)Ever After?”
“To Everything There Is a Season. I Did My Best Winter Wrap Up… Now, Please Leave your Talent at the Door.”
“Not Exactly an Ideal Scenario.”
“Time’s Up!”
Thiz’ gud prompt. I’d love to just write for it as-is. Looking forward to seeing art options. :rainbowdetermined2:
Noooooooo! I missed prompt submissions! rip "Slice of Writeoff." (even though this is technically round 101 and not 100)
Huzzah, a FIM short story round!
…And just in time for the ascended Writeoff commentfic known as You Are What You Wheat to get an extremely unexpected Equestria Daily feature! Maybe that's a sign that we should co-write another commentfic while we're waiting for the art to go live.
…And just in time for the ascended Writeoff commentfic known as You Are What You Wheat to get an extremely unexpected Equestria Daily feature! Maybe that's a sign that we should co-write another commentfic while we're waiting for the art to go live.
>>CoffeeMinion
The night was hot...
No.
The night was humid...
No.
Sultry!
What?
It’s too damn sultry in here!
Throw Mama from the Friendship Express?
The night was hot...
No.
The night was humid...
No.
Sultry!
What?
It’s too damn sultry in here!
Throw Mama from the Friendship Express?
A’ight, if nopony else wants to kick this off, I’ll do so with a bit of self-parody. Anypony who recognizes the two source-fics for this gets +1 Innertube:
Queen Chrysalis leveled a withering glare at the shaggy brown earth pony stallion who stood trussed-up in the sticky green goo lining her bedchamber’s wall. She flicked her tongue out into the air, using it to smell the cloying stench of fear that radiated off her captive like the cheap perfume her agents wore when infiltrating pony retirement communities.
The hangdog-looking creature dared meet her eyes for a moment, before resuming his rightful contemplation of the black-stone cave floor that he hung several heads above by his upraised hooves.
“Glottis told me you were filled with a piquant, almost nutty-tasting love,” she hissed. “I’ll have to have his tongue examined... perhaps after removing it from his empty head.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am,” the stallion drawled, somehow hunching his shoulders even more than they already were, which already seemed to defy the physical possibilities allowed by his upright, locked position.
“You would toy with me, slave?” spat Chrysalis, stalking closer to him. The dirt and grime matting his overgrown coat gave him a darkened, almost changeling-ish appearance in the sickly green light. “Tell me: what name shall we enscribe upon your tombstone, at least if my beautiful little Scrimshaw is still looking for more arts and crafts activities?”
He shivered briefly, but then cleared his throat. “Name’s Dobbin, ma’am... and this is all a big misunderstanding.”
Queen Chrysalis leveled a withering glare at the shaggy brown earth pony stallion who stood trussed-up in the sticky green goo lining her bedchamber’s wall. She flicked her tongue out into the air, using it to smell the cloying stench of fear that radiated off her captive like the cheap perfume her agents wore when infiltrating pony retirement communities.
The hangdog-looking creature dared meet her eyes for a moment, before resuming his rightful contemplation of the black-stone cave floor that he hung several heads above by his upraised hooves.
“Glottis told me you were filled with a piquant, almost nutty-tasting love,” she hissed. “I’ll have to have his tongue examined... perhaps after removing it from his empty head.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am,” the stallion drawled, somehow hunching his shoulders even more than they already were, which already seemed to defy the physical possibilities allowed by his upright, locked position.
“You would toy with me, slave?” spat Chrysalis, stalking closer to him. The dirt and grime matting his overgrown coat gave him a darkened, almost changeling-ish appearance in the sickly green light. “Tell me: what name shall we enscribe upon your tombstone, at least if my beautiful little Scrimshaw is still looking for more arts and crafts activities?”
He shivered briefly, but then cleared his throat. “Name’s Dobbin, ma’am... and this is all a big misunderstanding.”
I had a:
Lovely idea for a piece of artwork, but after spending the last several hours trying to put it together, I've decided that there's no possible way I can manage it. So I'm hoping it's a common enough idea that one of the actual artists will do it...
Mike
Lovely idea for a piece of artwork, but after spending the last several hours trying to put it together, I've decided that there's no possible way I can manage it. So I'm hoping it's a common enough idea that one of the actual artists will do it...
Mike
I’m in, and again I’ve stayed up too late only to arrive at a poor thing indeed, having butchered my original conception. Be it fair or foul, it’s up. Good night, all, and good luck!
>>GroaningGreyAgony
Was that directed at me? I didn't see it until this morning, and it's not marked as a reply, so it's obviously too late for me to beat the deadline, but to answer it, yes, if people want to ask me to look at art before it's submitted, I will. I heard it came up once in the Discord chat whether there would be a mentor-type thing available for the art as well, and if anyone wants to step forward to take that role (or help out on the writing side as well, since there's no rule stating there can be only one (seems like a movie reference in there...)), please do. But if people want to PM me to ask my opinion on art entries, I'm willing, and one person has done so in the past. Just be aware I don't know much about art, so I can't speak to anything technical. I can just say what I liked or didn't like about it.
Was that directed at me? I didn't see it until this morning, and it's not marked as a reply, so it's obviously too late for me to beat the deadline, but to answer it, yes, if people want to ask me to look at art before it's submitted, I will. I heard it came up once in the Discord chat whether there would be a mentor-type thing available for the art as well, and if anyone wants to step forward to take that role (or help out on the writing side as well, since there's no rule stating there can be only one (seems like a movie reference in there...)), please do. But if people want to PM me to ask my opinion on art entries, I'm willing, and one person has done so in the past. Just be aware I don't know much about art, so I can't speak to anything technical. I can just say what I liked or didn't like about it.
So my entry would've been:
A take on the Wheel of Fortune tarot card with Twilight, Celestia, Luna and Cadance as the winged creatures reading books in the corners, Derpy with a sword in place of the sphinx on top of the wheel, Discord as the red creature stretched out along the bottom of the wheel, and the green snake still a green snake 'cause, y'know, snakes're cool. The coloring was taking forever, though: here's as far as I got on it...
Now to see what pictures we actually got!
Mike
A take on the Wheel of Fortune tarot card with Twilight, Celestia, Luna and Cadance as the winged creatures reading books in the corners, Derpy with a sword in place of the sphinx on top of the wheel, Discord as the red creature stretched out along the bottom of the wheel, and the green snake still a green snake 'cause, y'know, snakes're cool. The coloring was taking forever, though: here's as far as I got on it...
Now to see what pictures we actually got!
Mike
>>Moosetasm
Naw:
If I wanted to write a story based on it, I would send it to an actual artist as the concept sketch and commission them do up a finished version that didn't employ my patented "sandpaper for the eyes" style. But thanks!
Mike
Naw:
If I wanted to write a story based on it, I would send it to an actual artist as the concept sketch and commission them do up a finished version that didn't employ my patented "sandpaper for the eyes" style. But thanks!
Mike
Well, didn't think I'd actually make this contest. No ideas until I had one. The judging of the last one was brutal, but the entries are always so good and fun to read. Nevertheless, I sat down and eight hours later, I've submitted my first draft. Yes, I'm going to clean it up and post the edited version, but I've got a completed story should I derp out. Best of luck to everyone (everypony?). I made my best effort to grab your heart; please write something wonderful for me to read in return!
>>scifipony
Congrats! I look forward to reading the entries. Mine’s progress has been slow, but I’m still hoping to make it.
Congrats! I look forward to reading the entries. Mine’s progress has been slow, but I’m still hoping to make it.
>>CoffeeMinion
Good luck back.
My first paragraph stood there the longest time, to be truthful. I had to ask myself, why?
I knew the idea well enough, even where it would go, but zip nothing nada, word constipation despite the deadline. I walked away, came back, walked away... Ridiculous. Write or go watch an anime!
I forced a motivation check. Fear of not finishing?
Well, that was then true already and I was already living the consequences. Fear of the story not being good?
Wouldn't know until I finished it. Fear of a mangling a character in ways a reader might not like?
Could well be. Often's the case and I can't know until it's read, and that means it has to completed and submitted. Was that any reason not to practice?
Would it kill me, maim me, scar me, or otherwise hurt me to let the words flow and stop thinking of why not to write?
Would anybody ever know*?
...Well, I got myself there.
Please find your zen zone.
*As it turned out, yes.
Good luck back.
My first paragraph stood there the longest time, to be truthful. I had to ask myself, why?
I knew the idea well enough, even where it would go, but zip nothing nada, word constipation despite the deadline. I walked away, came back, walked away... Ridiculous. Write or go watch an anime!
I forced a motivation check. Fear of not finishing?
Well, that was then true already and I was already living the consequences. Fear of the story not being good?
Wouldn't know until I finished it. Fear of a mangling a character in ways a reader might not like?
Could well be. Often's the case and I can't know until it's read, and that means it has to completed and submitted. Was that any reason not to practice?
Would it kill me, maim me, scar me, or otherwise hurt me to let the words flow and stop thinking of why not to write?
Would anybody ever know*?
...Well, I got myself there.
Please find your zen zone.
*As it turned out, yes.
I want to contribute this time, but I can't. I'm still unable to concentrate due to depression. I had a Rarity story started that I might finish eventually.
I start ketamine treatments again tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things soon. Good luck to everypony!
I start ketamine treatments again tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things soon. Good luck to everypony!
Just in case I change my mind, I'm not gonna be too specific here, but I've got two premises, neither of which looks like it'll get off the ground for this round. Ground... round... ground... round...
The first is basically an expansion/sequel to something I actually wrote for the last horse round I participated in, and as much I'd like to have this thing be submitted as a short story, it seems too much of a retread. I'd probably be better off writing the full story out-of-competition, so then I can at least expand what I've already done without seeming like a rehash.
Then there's the second premise, which sounds great buuuuuuut I've yet to come up with a proper story for it. Or rather I've yet to come up with a good way to tell this story. Writing scene-to-scene has always been a big challenge of mine, making scenes cohesive enough to form a whole, and that's my big issue here.
If I submit something, good. If I can't, not as good, but I won't cry over it.
I mean, I've contributed to the She-Ra rounds more than Dubs Rewatcher, so I still have that victory at least.
The first is basically an expansion/sequel to something I actually wrote for the last horse round I participated in, and as much I'd like to have this thing be submitted as a short story, it seems too much of a retread. I'd probably be better off writing the full story out-of-competition, so then I can at least expand what I've already done without seeming like a rehash.
Then there's the second premise, which sounds great buuuuuuut I've yet to come up with a proper story for it. Or rather I've yet to come up with a good way to tell this story. Writing scene-to-scene has always been a big challenge of mine, making scenes cohesive enough to form a whole, and that's my big issue here.
If I submit something, good. If I can't, not as good, but I won't cry over it.
I mean, I've contributed to the She-Ra rounds more than Dubs Rewatcher, so I still have that victory at least.
Alas, I better call it now: I’m out. I came up with some good ideas, including a couple of usable outlines that will hopefully translate into future stories. I’ve also started on a story that I think has legs and that could’ve turned out nicely if I wasn’t so bloody slow this time around. The spirit is willing but the fingers and brain ain’t moving fast enough!
Godspeed to the rest of ya. Evidently I need to do some more training to get back into Writeoff-shape again. :rainbowdetermined2:
Godspeed to the rest of ya. Evidently I need to do some more training to get back into Writeoff-shape again. :rainbowdetermined2:
I've decided to pledge to give my critiques without reading anyone else's first.
I feel that what an author needs most is that I as a reader give my unvarnished opinion of what the author's words made me see or feel or think about, without outside influence that might color my native judgement. That way the author will know whether or not their words achieved their desired result in at least one person's mind.
While it's up to everyone to do as they please, I find it dissatisfying to read critiques that essentially say "what he said" before having rendered a clean critique first. I hope, however, that I can influence anyone who reads this to do as I've pledged.
I feel that what an author needs most is that I as a reader give my unvarnished opinion of what the author's words made me see or feel or think about, without outside influence that might color my native judgement. That way the author will know whether or not their words achieved their desired result in at least one person's mind.
While it's up to everyone to do as they please, I find it dissatisfying to read critiques that essentially say "what he said" before having rendered a clean critique first. I hope, however, that I can influence anyone who reads this to do as I've pledged.
Finished my final draft an hour past the deadline last time. Finished an hour before this time. Maybe next time I'll finally submit right as the round finishes.
... honestly, I could use the extra sleep tonight, though. Gotta be in traffic court in seven hours. :P
... honestly, I could use the extra sleep tonight, though. Gotta be in traffic court in seven hours. :P
>>scifipony
Welp, I submitted my story, and I'm a little past the time.
Your comment is what stopped me from giving up. Just so you know. Thanks :Twilightsmile:
I know this might be a little Random. After all, I spent the final 5 hours of the night putting together a fiction last minute. I'm not in the best state of mind right now. >>horizon I feel ya. It's the crazy things writers will do.
Knowing the lack of quality, however, I'll get spotted and destroyed.
Welp, I submitted my story, and I'm a little past the time.
Your comment is what stopped me from giving up. Just so you know. Thanks :Twilightsmile:
I know this might be a little Random. After all, I spent the final 5 hours of the night putting together a fiction last minute. I'm not in the best state of mind right now. >>horizon I feel ya. It's the crazy things writers will do.
Knowing the lack of quality, however, I'll get spotted and destroyed.
spent the final 5 hours of the night putting together a fiction <snip> I'll get spotted and destroyed.
>>PinoyPony
I, for one, will give the benefit of the doubt to most grammatical and spelling issues in an obvious first draft, so long as I can get the sense of it and it isn't that you don't know the basics. (Goes for everybody's work, btw, because, well, deadline.) Of course, story, character, and feeling can override a lot, too. Never hurts to bring it up that you've post a first draft, tho.
Well, I went to see if there was anymore stories to review after reading through my voting slate. None. Not many of us attempting the long form this round, but everyone gave it a good try. Pats on the back. Much to learn, to think about. Interesting reading, provacative images. Well worth the trouble. To those who critiqued my entry, thank you. Back after the voting's done to read what you said about it!
The little back and forth:
With >>Rocket Lawn Chair got me thinking about a fully visual prompt for some future round. Make it a Pony round to give the artists a little direction, but for Monday through Wednesday, they put together any art piece they want to. Thursday the art gallery goes up, and we all give "up thumbs" to the ones we think we can write stories about. Friday, then, the piece that got the most thumbs goes up as the prompt, and we all have the weekend to write a story based on that one image.
That might be fun.
Mike
With >>Rocket Lawn Chair got me thinking about a fully visual prompt for some future round. Make it a Pony round to give the artists a little direction, but for Monday through Wednesday, they put together any art piece they want to. Thursday the art gallery goes up, and we all give "up thumbs" to the ones we think we can write stories about. Friday, then, the piece that got the most thumbs goes up as the prompt, and we all have the weekend to write a story based on that one image.
That might be fun.
Mike
>>Baal Bunny
Hey, that's kind of a neat idea! Essentially it's splitting "Most Inspirational" into its own voting category.
I think if we did that, though, we'd need to have a second round of voting on which piece of art you thought was best, regardless of whether or not it inspired a story. That way we could still get in critiques of quality, concept, and technique for the purpose of helping artists improve.
Still, I'm on board with this suggestion!
Hey, that's kind of a neat idea! Essentially it's splitting "Most Inspirational" into its own voting category.
I think if we did that, though, we'd need to have a second round of voting on which piece of art you thought was best, regardless of whether or not it inspired a story. That way we could still get in critiques of quality, concept, and technique for the purpose of helping artists improve.
Still, I'm on board with this suggestion!