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Show rules for this event
I'm a house wren, hunting for a house
I haven't found one, I'm on the lookout
For a home to call my own
A private residence
Through the grapevine I heard an empty gourd
Is hangin' up somewhere on some old lady's porch
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
To my new humble abode
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
'Cause as far as I know
I am halfway home!
I'm a house wren who needs a summer home
A country farmhouse or a quiet bungalow
Not too big, and not too small
First-rate real estate
I got my eyes peeled for a window box
An old tin can, a boot or a flower pot
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
To my new humble abode
I'm a house wren still hunting for a house
But I got a song and a lot to sing about
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
Because you know
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
I'm on top of the world
And it's a beautiful thing
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
'Cause as far as I know
I am halfway home!
I haven't found one, I'm on the lookout
For a home to call my own
A private residence
Through the grapevine I heard an empty gourd
Is hangin' up somewhere on some old lady's porch
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
To my new humble abode
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
'Cause as far as I know
I am halfway home!
I'm a house wren who needs a summer home
A country farmhouse or a quiet bungalow
Not too big, and not too small
First-rate real estate
I got my eyes peeled for a window box
An old tin can, a boot or a flower pot
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
To my new humble abode
I'm a house wren still hunting for a house
But I got a song and a lot to sing about
I'll pack my bags and off I'll go
Because you know
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
I'm on top of the world
And it's a beautiful thing
I'm gonna sing at the top of my lungs
'Cause it's a beautiful day
I'm gonna spread my wings
'Cause as far as I know
I am halfway home!
I Saw Stars, Long Way Down… Taking the Time, Not Enough Words. Further Tales. Ponies Done Quick.
Red and Black Pony of Interest? Sweet and Sour Ponywocky, We Abandoned You! I’ve Changed My Mind. Up We Go.
Hard Times, Soft Clouds. Softly Spoken Magic Spells, Rainbow Power, Twilight’s Scientific Studies on Sod. A Single Pale Rose, Yellow. The Ultimate in Vanity: Something AndrewRogue can read.
To his daughter, An Uncomfortable Position. Tiger By The Tail.
Roam Wasn’t Built in a Day. History, Built to Last. It Could Have Gone Better.
What is Friendship? All the Hard Choices.
Red and Black Pony of Interest? Sweet and Sour Ponywocky, We Abandoned You! I’ve Changed My Mind. Up We Go.
Hard Times, Soft Clouds. Softly Spoken Magic Spells, Rainbow Power, Twilight’s Scientific Studies on Sod. A Single Pale Rose, Yellow. The Ultimate in Vanity: Something AndrewRogue can read.
To his daughter, An Uncomfortable Position. Tiger By The Tail.
Roam Wasn’t Built in a Day. History, Built to Last. It Could Have Gone Better.
What is Friendship? All the Hard Choices.
So I don't want to stank things up too much with personal stuff, but I guess I'll do a little: I've not been in the best place with my anxiety for the last few of these, which has limited and/or skewed my participation. My goals for this one are (1) just to participate, and (2) to do so from a place of deeper authenticity.
>>CoffeeMinion
Participate! That's a win. I look forward to reading your (anonymous) authenticity.
Participate! That's a win. I look forward to reading your (anonymous) authenticity.
OH MY GOD
My prompt won. It's been several years, and I didn't think it would happen.
Now I have to participate.
My prompt won. It's been several years, and I didn't think it would happen.
Now I have to participate.
Mixed feelings about this prompt. Less gloomy, but also likely to open the floodgates to forced comedy. I felt like the previous one ("Hiding in Plain Sight") was better because it doesn't imply a specific tone in advance.
Drawing a blank at the moment. Still fighting depression so motivation to produce is low... sorry if I miss another one of these.
Why can't every round be poni short story round? :V
Why can't every round be poni short story round? :V
Yeesh, look at all this dust...
Hey all. (Is this thing on? The status light burnt out. Okay, I think we're good.) I figured since I'm going to be speaking to actual, physically present people on flash fiction in the near future (and I can panic about that later,) it might be a good idea to refresh my memory on the Writeoff experience. This should be fun! Hopefully.
Hey all. (Is this thing on? The status light burnt out. Okay, I think we're good.) I figured since I'm going to be speaking to actual, physically present people on flash fiction in the near future (and I can panic about that later,) it might be a good idea to refresh my memory on the Writeoff experience. This should be fun! Hopefully.
Well, I have at least one story written. Apparently I'm in this thing, though not with both rear hooves.
Managed to write one! (Time is never my problem, but actually getting that spark is) Now to force myself to do the reading and evaluating. (the second hardest problem)
Say something nice before tearing into the problems.
Overlook minor grammar errors while concentrating on plot, pacing, characterization, etc...
Be *constructive* in criticism.
But not so much that you're shoving and pushing the author to do something with their story that it isn't.
Ok, I'm ready.
Say something nice before tearing into the problems.
Overlook minor grammar errors while concentrating on plot, pacing, characterization, etc...
Be *constructive* in criticism.
But not so much that you're shoving and pushing the author to do something with their story that it isn't.
Ok, I'm ready.
I'm in. Feeling overall 'meh' about my entry this time, but it was good to write something new.
Good luck, everyone!
Good luck, everyone!
The writing starts. The prompt is voted in,
And tension mounts as authors type away
On subjects tame or rude, on love or sin,
They write on what they have enough to say.
To state in words what once they held within,
Or fiddle with their words–the thing’s the play!
But will it come to cheering, or chagrin?
Will depth or clever writing win the day?
It matters not. We trace a fickle way,
Where voters seek to prick us with a pin
To pop our self-importance, but we may
Take cheer that we can hear amid the din
That quiet voice that tells us when we stray,
And when we hit it home, for gold to win.
And tension mounts as authors type away
On subjects tame or rude, on love or sin,
They write on what they have enough to say.
To state in words what once they held within,
Or fiddle with their words–the thing’s the play!
But will it come to cheering, or chagrin?
Will depth or clever writing win the day?
It matters not. We trace a fickle way,
Where voters seek to prick us with a pin
To pop our self-importance, but we may
Take cheer that we can hear amid the din
That quiet voice that tells us when we stray,
And when we hit it home, for gold to win.
Friends! Family!
For the first time in about five months, I have submitted a story.
Hoo-rah!
For the first time in about five months, I have submitted a story.
Hoo-rah!
I've got one in, and I actually like it quite a bit. Now I just need to come up with a darn title. :P
I submitted the one thing and that's all I got this time. It could have gone better. I don't want it to pass the cut but it'll probably be middle-of-the-road so it might make it.
As consolation, have the last two paras from a Fluttercord story I didn't finish:
As consolation, have the last two paras from a Fluttercord story I didn't finish:
"Fluttershy, this was the craziest, most insane wedding I have ever attended—and I'm including the one where my brother was enslaved by the changeling queen Chrysalis!" said Twilight, the exasperation in her voice carrying throughout the spa. "I will never be able to forget this, not for the rest of my life!"
"Oh, I know," said Fluttershy, smiling serenely. "It was perfect."
All righty, I've submitted mine. It'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Good luck, y'all. Looking at the lineup here, I'm expecting some tough competition. But that's what makes these events so fun.
Good luck, y'all. Looking at the lineup here, I'm expecting some tough competition. But that's what makes these events so fun.
Whoa. 101 reviews, all within the first 12 hours of the launch? This is indisputably the liveliest write-off I've seen so far.
True, I've only been in, like, three others, but still.
You know what? I might just jump in and post some reviews of my own. Not sure though. Not sure...
True, I've only been in, like, three others, but still.
You know what? I might just jump in and post some reviews of my own. Not sure though. Not sure...
>>BlueChameleonVI
do it b.
We're all drowned in caffeine frantically writing our reviews. You should join in. ;)
do it b.
We're all drowned in caffeine frantically writing our reviews. You should join in. ;)
tfw: You reread your story just for the heck of it only to notice the typos that surely weren't there before. [facepalm]
>>DumpsterDweller Quick response, because I keep forgetting to say this:
It's always been my experience that writeoff entries often subvert the obvious interpretations of prompts. I've only read one (1) entry so far, but I don't doubt that there's a pretty wide spectrum of stories.
It's always been my experience that writeoff entries often subvert the obvious interpretations of prompts. I've only read one (1) entry so far, but I don't doubt that there's a pretty wide spectrum of stories.
Man, there are some names active this round that I haven't seen in a while. I kinda regret being out at a cabin without internet or cellular reception all weekend. :(
Oh gods, I don't know if I can review all of these. There's just so many, and I'm struggling to make my points without exploding into long reviews. It's very discouraging.
At the very least, I think I'll take a break for now. I'm mentally exhausted.
At the very least, I think I'll take a break for now. I'm mentally exhausted.
>>BlueChameleonVI
Ya, don't burn out on 'em man. :/ It's fabulous having more people doing more reviews, not to mention all the submissions. But you gotta keep it fun.
Ya, don't burn out on 'em man. :/ It's fabulous having more people doing more reviews, not to mention all the submissions. But you gotta keep it fun.
>>CoffeeMinion
Fair enough. If it starts making my brow sweat, I'll pull the plug. Fun is, like, Pinkie Pie Nirvana, after all. You don't dare blaspheme at that temple, mac.
On the plus side, I've done 20 now, which is more than half. So long as I don't rush it, I suppose I can avoid burnout quite comfortably over the next few days. I do feel that everyone who took part deserves their dues, though. Or else I'm just a compulsive completionist. One or the other.
Fair enough. If it starts making my brow sweat, I'll pull the plug. Fun is, like, Pinkie Pie Nirvana, after all. You don't dare blaspheme at that temple, mac.
On the plus side, I've done 20 now, which is more than half. So long as I don't rush it, I suppose I can avoid burnout quite comfortably over the next few days. I do feel that everyone who took part deserves their dues, though. Or else I'm just a compulsive completionist. One or the other.
Right, that brings me up to 27, leaving 12 to tackle. I think I'll come back later for them.
WEWT, finished reviewing my slate. Actually I had one more that I abstained on that I didn't review because my thoughts were essentially: "This story isn't for me, I'm sorry I don't have anything useful to say otherwise."
Time to go dormant. See y'all in the finals!
Time to go dormant. See y'all in the finals!
(EDITED AS OF... WELL, LATER TODAY)
That brings me up to30 33 now, leaving 9 6. Again, I'll come back later; don't wanna binge-review.
What's left:
https://writeoff.me/fic/7518-Perfect
https://writeoff.me/fic/4507-Only-the-Strong-Survive
https://writeoff.me/fic/3543-As-Perfect-As-It-Could-Be
https://writeoff.me/fic/3905-Friends-Need-Not-Apply
https://writeoff.me/fic/3932-Nostalgic-Utopia
https://writeoff.me/fic/5668-Soft-Stitches
https://writeoff.me/fic/2610-Morning-Palaver-II
https://writeoff.me/fic/3250-Roadtrips-Are-Overrated-Anyway
https://writeoff.me/fic/2656-An-Alchemist-and-his-Boy
That brings me up to
What's left:
https://writeoff.me/fic/7518-Perfect
https://writeoff.me/fic/4507-Only-the-Strong-Survive
https://writeoff.me/fic/5668-Soft-Stitches
https://writeoff.me/fic/2610-Morning-Palaver-II
https://writeoff.me/fic/3250-Roadtrips-Are-Overrated-Anyway
https://writeoff.me/fic/2656-An-Alchemist-and-his-Boy
>>CoffeeMinion
It looks like it. I’m thankful, it means I have a better chance of getting in a drawing or two.
It looks like it. I’m thankful, it means I have a better chance of getting in a drawing or two.
Sorry about the technical difficulties. I was away this weekend and wasn't able to do anything short of hitting the reboot button. The rounds have been extended so there's still 1 day to finish prelim voting and art submissions.
I haven't figured out what the problem is but have setup a debug system up so I'll know what it is when it happens next. It's probably something to do with art submissions.
I haven't figured out what the problem is but have setup a debug system up so I'll know what it is when it happens next. It's probably something to do with art submissions.
>>RogerDodger
So I guess what you’re saying is that, between the combination of technical difficulties and being away, this Writeoff—
*puts on sunglasses*
—could have gone better
So I guess what you’re saying is that, between the combination of technical difficulties and being away, this Writeoff—
*puts on sunglasses*
—could have gone better
Mashups incoming in 3... 2... 1...
Thank You For Imported Marital Aids: A merry mix-up (and significant property damage) ensues when Sunset and Starlight are summoned to bring "new and unusual toys" to Shiny and Cady's chambers. After first surviving, and then firing their new communications director, the royal couple give Twilight the bad news: they don't have bandwidth to help put together Horse-MENSA welcome bags after all.
The Catsitter of Hoofholt: In a world... where dragons rule the land... one mare... and an army of Daedric cats... make with the Fus! Roh! Dah!
This Is The Big Important Wizard: After Cherry strikes out with Sunburst, Raindrops steps up to bat, and rolls a natural 20 on her Flirt check...
Summer Palaver 1008: All Starlight wanted was a nice cup of tea with princess Luna. All she got was a masquerading Discord calling her a "retard." And all she could do, in the end, was leave him a bad Yelp review.
Thank You For Imported Marital Aids: A merry mix-up (and significant property damage) ensues when Sunset and Starlight are summoned to bring "new and unusual toys" to Shiny and Cady's chambers. After first surviving, and then firing their new communications director, the royal couple give Twilight the bad news: they don't have bandwidth to help put together Horse-MENSA welcome bags after all.
The Catsitter of Hoofholt: In a world... where dragons rule the land... one mare... and an army of Daedric cats... make with the Fus! Roh! Dah!
This Is The Big Important Wizard: After Cherry strikes out with Sunburst, Raindrops steps up to bat, and rolls a natural 20 on her Flirt check...
Summer Palaver 1008: All Starlight wanted was a nice cup of tea with princess Luna. All she got was a masquerading Discord calling her a "retard." And all she could do, in the end, was leave him a bad Yelp review.
>>CoffeeMinion
Mashups!!
As Perfect as Diplomacy Could Be: Twilight and Rarity's wedding almost goes off without a hitch until Celestia vomits on the happy couple.
A- Guidance Services: In the magical and horsey land of Equestria, if little foals don't get 100% on their tests, they're fucking institutionalized.
Soft Catsitter: When Opal the eldritch nightmare unleashes her fantastic and terrifying might, Spike the Undaunted laughs, for he feels nothing at all.
Giswielda's Ecstasy: "Hocus Pocus, it's another Alicorn Princess!"
Mashups!!
As Perfect as Diplomacy Could Be: Twilight and Rarity's wedding almost goes off without a hitch until Celestia vomits on the happy couple.
A- Guidance Services: In the magical and horsey land of Equestria, if little foals don't get 100% on their tests, they're fucking institutionalized.
Soft Catsitter: When Opal the eldritch nightmare unleashes her fantastic and terrifying might, Spike the Undaunted laughs, for he feels nothing at all.
Giswielda's Ecstasy: "Hocus Pocus, it's another Alicorn Princess!"
Everybody please go and give all of the art at least one review. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out.
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
>>Anon Y Mous
I am confused about the art thing, do I vote on the art even though I didn't submit art?
I am confused about the art thing, do I vote on the art even though I didn't submit art?
>>Anon Y Mous
*Looks back*
Sigh. That’s what I get for insta replying without looking through the 400 other posts.
Speaking of 400 other posts...
O_O the art, so... much... art.
*Looks back*
Sigh. That’s what I get for insta replying without looking through the 400 other posts.
Speaking of 400 other posts...
O_O the art, so... much... art.
Well, I'm done. I reviewed all the finalists, commented on a couple of favorite art pieces... time to kick back and practice my Jedi mind tricks for influencing vote outcomes(*) wait for results to roll in. Best of fortune to all! This was a darn good Writeoff overall, with a strong bunch of stories and art.
(*)Tricks backed by Trixie's Totally Legit Magic Insurance LLC
(*)Tricks backed by Trixie's Totally Legit Magic Insurance LLC
Hey guys! It's been a great Writeoff, but some stories are behind on review counts.
Can we get all the finalists up to 10 reviews before tomorrow?
Can we get all the finalists up to 10 reviews before tomorrow?
>>CoffeeMinion
I've reviewed them all now, so I've played my part, CM. That said, I don't think I'll ever try reviewing like that again. Too many fics. :( Anyway, I should've finished this sooner, but I haven't been 100% the last few days. Nothing serious, but enough to keep me occupied.
I've reviewed them all now, so I've played my part, CM. That said, I don't think I'll ever try reviewing like that again. Too many fics. :( Anyway, I should've finished this sooner, but I haven't been 100% the last few days. Nothing serious, but enough to keep me occupied.
Did anypony ask for some...
...no? Well, I got stuck dealing with middle-of-the-night server issues, and just happened to have Inkscape handy while I reboot things...
(1) Trouble Brewing
(2) In Space, Nopony Can Hear If You've A Moment To Talk
(3) Offensively Hot
(4) I Asked For Their Strongest. They Brought Me This.
Art Mashups?!
...no? Well, I got stuck dealing with middle-of-the-night server issues, and just happened to have Inkscape handy while I reboot things...
(1) Trouble Brewing
(2) In Space, Nopony Can Hear If You've A Moment To Talk
(3) Offensively Hot
(4) I Asked For Their Strongest. They Brought Me This.
>>CoffeeMinion
You all started Art Mashups without me? This shall not stand!
Peer Pressure
To the Victor Belong the Spoils
You all started Art Mashups without me? This shall not stand!
Peer Pressure
To the Victor Belong the Spoils
Well, "It Could Have Gone Better" sure could have... gone worse. YEEEAAAHHHH
Thanks for reading my silly little story. There was no shame in losing to "Dragon of Hoofholt" and honestly the line between second and third was so narrow it was practically a tie. I'm not a "new" entrant, whatever that little graduation cap says; I think my attempts to capitalize my username ended up creating an alias account, in which case the 10% penalty for a returning contributor would easily have put me in third. I'm afraid I don't understand how the scoring works at all, though, so correct me if I'm wrong? I don't want to falsely claim a rank I didn't earn.
Laws, I'm so bad at the technology.
Thanks for reading my silly little story. There was no shame in losing to "Dragon of Hoofholt" and honestly the line between second and third was so narrow it was practically a tie. I'm not a "new" entrant, whatever that little graduation cap says; I think my attempts to capitalize my username ended up creating an alias account, in which case the 10% penalty for a returning contributor would easily have put me in third. I'm afraid I don't understand how the scoring works at all, though, so correct me if I'm wrong? I don't want to falsely claim a rank I didn't earn.
Laws, I'm so bad at the technology.
>>Skywriter
I don't think there's any penalty for being a returning author. You're deserving of your place.
But if you're offering...
I don't think there's any penalty for being a returning author. You're deserving of your place.
But if you're offering...
(uhoh, 165 notifications)
I just felt like doing one for everybody. Most people usually get none in these rounds, while a few get multiple.
Time budgeting meant I had an average of 30 minutes per fic, assuming I wanted to eat and sleep and do other things. And some of that time was also spent reading all of them and trying to brainstorm ideas, which gets exhausting after a while. I knew I wouldn't win anything as long as 3 other people entered. I would just aim for quantity, while trying to see what was possible with only a pen (Pilot Precise V5 / V7) and moleskine journal paper, so there was a lot of experimenting along the way.
SUPER COP-OUT EXCUSE: they're just quick pen sketches, what do you expect?
MORE HONEST: I'm not that good, a better artist would be able to do better sketches, more consistently.
So I apologize that not all of them are of equal creativity. Or equal execution. Or sometimes I misinterpreted a fic. And for some, I tried to avoid revealing the fic's punchline, because not everyone had read everything, but some people commented they would've preferred to see the punchline drawn instead. Oh well.
and I kinda wanted to quit halfway since not all of them would turn out amazing, they'd just get ridiculed, so it seemed like a fool's quest. finished it anyway, just barely within the time limit, with the hopes that everyone would figure out the intent.
.... and then technical problems extended the deadline by several days, but to me it felt like cheating to take advantage of the extra time. I wasn't even sure if it would be allowed.
(no, it wasn't my uploads that caused the crash. that happened before I even started)
well, there it is. yay. I hope it made things interesting. I'm never doing that again.
I just felt like doing one for everybody. Most people usually get none in these rounds, while a few get multiple.
Time budgeting meant I had an average of 30 minutes per fic, assuming I wanted to eat and sleep and do other things. And some of that time was also spent reading all of them and trying to brainstorm ideas, which gets exhausting after a while. I knew I wouldn't win anything as long as 3 other people entered. I would just aim for quantity, while trying to see what was possible with only a pen (Pilot Precise V5 / V7) and moleskine journal paper, so there was a lot of experimenting along the way.
SUPER COP-OUT EXCUSE: they're just quick pen sketches, what do you expect?
MORE HONEST: I'm not that good, a better artist would be able to do better sketches, more consistently.
So I apologize that not all of them are of equal creativity. Or equal execution. Or sometimes I misinterpreted a fic. And for some, I tried to avoid revealing the fic's punchline, because not everyone had read everything, but some people commented they would've preferred to see the punchline drawn instead. Oh well.
and I kinda wanted to quit halfway since not all of them would turn out amazing, they'd just get ridiculed, so it seemed like a fool's quest. finished it anyway, just barely within the time limit, with the hopes that everyone would figure out the intent.
.... and then technical problems extended the deadline by several days, but to me it felt like cheating to take advantage of the extra time. I wasn't even sure if it would be allowed.
(no, it wasn't my uploads that caused the crash. that happened before I even started)
well, there it is. yay. I hope it made things interesting. I'm never doing that again.
>>Haze
Apologize??? For what?? All of these fics got fanart and were most likely pleasantly surprised.
Thanks for doing this. <3
So I apologize
Apologize??? For what?? All of these fics got fanart and were most likely pleasantly surprised.
Thanks for doing this. <3
>>Haze
Haze man, that was really cool of you to do pics for everyone! Thank you. I bet that took a lot of time and energy.
...so uhh, can I use the Octavia one as the cover of my fic? ^^
Haze man, that was really cool of you to do pics for everyone! Thank you. I bet that took a lot of time and energy.
...so uhh, can I use the Octavia one as the cover of my fic? ^^
>>CoffeeMinion
Sure, I don't mind!
Though it's a shame it doesn't have color to attract readers... b&w covers might get overlooked.
Sure, I don't mind!
Though it's a shame it doesn't have color to attract readers... b&w covers might get overlooked.
Hey, folks! It's been a busy summer for me, and I apologize for forgetting to do this earlier. But I've created a folder in the FIMFiction Writeoff Association group for stories published there which originated from this Writeoff round.
If you took a Writeoff submission (or something inspired specifically by this prompt) and edited it into a standalone >1000-word story which was published by itself, add it to the appropriate folder there! (There's a separate folder for anthologies containing Writeoff minifics.)
Standard disclaimer: A long while back, The Writeoff Association group locked story addition privileges on its folders to "Contributors" due to frequent drive-by story spam. Anyone who has even submitted a story to the Writeoffs should have "Contributor" privileges. If you don't, reply to this message or PM me on FIMFiction and I'll fix things for you.
If you took a Writeoff submission (or something inspired specifically by this prompt) and edited it into a standalone >1000-word story which was published by itself, add it to the appropriate folder there! (There's a separate folder for anthologies containing Writeoff minifics.)
Standard disclaimer: A long while back, The Writeoff Association group locked story addition privileges on its folders to "Contributors" due to frequent drive-by story spam. Anyone who has even submitted a story to the Writeoffs should have "Contributor" privileges. If you don't, reply to this message or PM me on FIMFiction and I'll fix things for you.