December 2006 Holiday Story Contest Entries

Thank you for this contest item.
I think a lot of us, even many who have been more involved with TS and for longer than I have, didn't realize that one could click on
December 2006 Holiday Story Contest Entry
at the top of any of the entries, and find all of the other stories.
You told me in a private email to click on the category, and I looked for the category as something I could select for the left column. It wasn't there!
It was only when I decided to try the categories at the top of a story that things clicked.
This item, which will stay at the top of the 1st page, will make it even easier, and more obvious.
Holly Logan

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness.
It usually comes back to you.

Holly

Quiz

Well, it's been announced, so it won't be a pop quiz. So, I guess it'll be a Mom quiz.

If it's a really short quiz, does that make it a quizzicle?

If you spot someone cheating on the quiz and tell Erin, that'd make you a quizling, I guess.

;-)

Amelia (waiting for her pun-ishment!)

"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas

You asked for it Amelia

It seems, in light of your culinary expertise, to punish you by running you through a quizinart...

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Choose your poison

"It seems, in light of your culinary expertise, to punish you by running you through a quizinart..."

Oh, that's alright. I was afraid you were going to make me eat at Quiznos!

;-)

Amelia

"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas

To quote Socrates ...

"I drank what?"

I'll take mine in a silver goblet - you can put me put of my quizery now.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Additional Contest Rules - Multi-Submissions, Prizes and Voting

The contest ends tomorrow night, and I want to be sure people are clear on some of the rules.

For authors who have made multiple submissions - No one author or story can win more than one prize. So if you have multiple submissions, you may wish to withdraw whichever you think is your weaker entry so that people who want to vote for your writing have a single story to vote for. Withdrawals may be made by removing the Contest category from the story posting up until midnight PST Monday, 8 January 2007. After that, withdrawals may only be made by PM or email to me {Erin}. Withdrawals made after voting begins will effectively void votes cast for the withdrawn stories. Withdrawals of winning entries after winners are announced will be considered donation of prize money to the next BigCloset Story Contest.

Prizes - First (Bragging Rights) Prize is $75, Second (110%) Prize is $50, Third (Contender) Prizes are $25. There will be up to five third prizes given and/or up to two additional prizes at the judges' discretion.

Members of the site will be allowed to vote but judges will make the final decisions - Basically, members will be voting for nomination for the prizes. Members will be able to vote for First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention and nomination points will be assigned 10 for First, 5 for Second, 3 for Third and 1 for Honorable.

The story with the highest points for first and the four other stories with the highest total points will be the nominees for first place. After choosing for First, the judges will consider ten nominees for second from the stories with the highest total points after leaving out stories by the author of the first place winner. Third place nominees will be considered from the stories with point totals in the top 50% of entries but authors who won first or second place cannot win third place nor can an author win multiple third place prizes. After awarding up to three third place prizes, judges will consider all entries (from authors who have not yet been awarded a prize) for two additional prizes which may be awarded as additonal third prizes or as special prizes, judges' discretion. No author who has already won a prize shall be considered eligible for an additonal prize.

Voting for nominees by members will begin no later than 6 pm PST, Thursday, 11 January 2007 and will end midnight PST, Sunday, 21 January 2007. Voting may begin as early as Wednesday morning, 10 January. Members can vote multiple times but later votes VOID earlier ones. You might want to do this if one of the stories you voted for was later withdrawn.

Winners and entrants retain all rights in their stories.

Decision of the judges is final even if errors of procedure were made. Posting an entry in this contest to the BigCloset website constitutes tacit acceptance of these and previous rules and such future rule changes as may be made before announcement of prizes except that no rule changes may be considered to affect authors' rights to their own stories.

Prizes will be announced on or before Wednesday, 14 February 2007.

Why am I limiting voting to members? Mostly to keep the number of votes I have to count down. :) Also makes it easier to allow multiple voting by members without worrying about ballot stuffing too much. Yes, it would be possible to crank the nominating process by having multiple memberships but anyone who would do that probably dresses their dog funny. Besides, the prizes are awarded by the judges and I can detect multiple memberships made on the same machine. Is it really worth the trouble if your dog is going to hate you forever?

Start thinking about what should be the theme of the next BigCloset Story Contest, which will probably be announced in April.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

How about an April Fools Day Theme? Maybe...

April fools joke that is taken seriously instead of as a joke? Anything can happen on April Fools Day! Giggle, giggle.

Huggles Mom
Angel

Be yourself, so easy to say, so hard to live.

"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"

Still sort of a holiday so not exactly different

But April Fools is still a good idea.

But how about one of these themes?

-- Strangers - stories on the theme of strangers, like someone going out in public for the first time and not being recognized by friends, or going home after transitioning and being treated as a stranger by family or a visitor from another planet trying to figure out sexual differences or...

-- Queenship - stories based on the idea of queens, like some medieval sort being transformed by magic, or a straight guy having a lark in drag for just a day, or science fiction aliens land and choose a transsexual to be ruler of the human race, or...

-- Wishes - magical, sci-fi or just mundane desires plenty of room in this theme for lots of stories...

-- If - Harry Turtledove or George Bailey, regrets and recriminations, worlds of difference or the path not taken...

-- Mother - whoa, 'nuff said

-- Donna Lamb, Flack

-- Donna Lamb, ex-Flack

Some of my books and stories are sold through DopplerPress to help support BigCloset. -- Donna

Best of Strangers

I think I like Strangers of those best but John's Renewal is good too.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

I Coulda Been A Contendah

Where do we vote?

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Right cheer

Voting will be through polling software right here on BigCloset.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Amazing

Computers can do that? Next thing you know, you'll tell me they found a way to put the internet on computers.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

No No No

Angela,

the internet is sitting on top of a 1908 oak factory-floor desk in our basement.

I WILL post two stories, FINALLY. One is 5232 words, 9 pages in web view according to MS Word 2002 -- 14+ pages in normal view. The other is 14522 words, 24 pages web, 39+ page normal, if you can call my stuff normal.

Had fun, I hope you all did too. I should post tonight or early tomorrow, you were warned.

Erin, if we are registered here we can vote?

Hum, April proposed contest theme?

Renewal/rejuvination, Easter/Spring magic, smelt fishing?

John in Wauwatosa

I have smelt fishing...

...and it was bad.

I like Renewal as a theme, how about "Brand New Me"?

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Renewal

I think I'd rather see the contest built around a thematic element than a theme. As a reader, I think I'd get tired of story after story all based around the same concept. Around the idea of "holidays" we got some sexy, some silly, some sentimental, some sad stories, and some sweet stories. It would be hard to get that kind of range if they were all addressing the theme of redemption.

Although if you do pick "Renewal" as a theme, my entry will be a story about magazines: "Dear Ms. Jones: You failed to renew your subscription to Men's Health within a timely manner. Please enjoy a free six months of Woman's Day. Should you choose not to renew that subscription after six months, one of our other enjoyable titles like Dog World or American Baby will be sent to you at no additional cost."

Sounds like a Fit-4-U story :)

Good point.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Possible Theme

I know I'm a bit sentimental but how about "Easter Bonnet"? Nothing stands out as being more girlish or more lady like than a new gown and bonnet with all the frils.

Hugs & Giggles
Penny

Hmm?

Easter is another holiday and I'm not sure of how Easter Bonnet would work as a theme. It seems a bit narrow, but I bet some cool stories could be written about it.

"Oh, you may write a sonnet about my Easter bonnet
And of the girl you're taking to the Easter Parade."

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Easter = Rabbits = Toons

Hum,

with bunnies an Easter/spring symbol, what about a rabbit based theme?

A typical story would be a boy wishes for a Bunny -- being 14 he wants a Playboy Bunny and he gets a lession in humilty from Bugs Bunny.

And Erin, there is a perfect theme song, Do Yo Wanna Buy a Bunny?

John in Wauwatosa

Easter = Spring = Flowers

How about a floral theme, where stories should have key images or scenes involving flowers? Then the hypothetical Easter bonnet story could still fit, but it wouldn't be as narrowly focused.

Easter = Holiday = Calendar

The flowers thing is less obviously so but it's still tied to the calendar like the Holiday contest. Maybe we should just have another Holiday contest?

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Two, maybe three contests

Okay, how about this? A Fall/Winter contest (which we just had) and a Spring/Summer contest? Or maybe separate Spring and Summer contests, and the just ended Fall/Winter contest. Stories would have to fall into those seasons. And any stories from the contest just wrapping up that don't fit the Fall/Winter category and don't win this time around could be submitted for the seasonally-appropriate contest.

Hugs,
Karen J.
Change is inevitable, except from vending machines

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Spike Jones - Ya Wanna Buy a Bunny?

Written by Del Porter and Carl Hoefle

"My 'rithmatic is gettin' bad.
I don't know what to do.
I bought a little bunny,
Then I bought another bunny.
Don't one and one make two? "

I've got it on a CD in my car. :) The real crack up is if you saw it performed since the singer is George Rock, Spike's lead trumpet, a man who stood beside Al Hirt (second trumpet) and made Hirt look average size. :)

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

My Old Flame

You made me think of Spikes last album done in the 1960s I think, where he made fun of movie songs and horror films. My Old Flame was first this sappy 40s? ballad then a hilarious Peter Lorie sound-alike love song that even Tom Lehrer with I Hold Your Hand in Mine could barely top.

George Rock was the singer in All I Want for Christmas is My Two front Teeth, I think.

This was fun. Give us a couiple months to recharge our batteries and let our keyboards cooldown and you may have a winner.

Spring with the greening of the Earth -- at least for us Northerners -- and Easter with the Resusrection made me think of renewal/rejuvenation, to which you could probavlyadd redeemption as a theme for the next contest.

Hum, Extreme Makeover taken literally?

John in Wauwatosa

Peter Lorie = Paul Frees = Boris Badenov

A very weird equation. :)

For a TG tie in, Paul Frees dubbed in Tony Curtis's "Josephine" voice in Some Like it Hot.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Peter Lorie = Daws Butler = Huckleberry Hound?

Another website I visited says Daws Butler, Stan Freberg's frequent collaborator, did the Peter Lorie voice on that song. Which makes an even funnier equation.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

wait for me!!

I hate to say it, but I'm relying on the minimum 5 hour time difference to get mine finished. Why am I so lazy? Why am I wasting time here when I should be writing? Well, what time are you on Erin? Please.

a struggling

Geoff

Did I make it?

Your clock seems to be a bit fast. It's still 22.26 on 7 January here in the UK, but my entry seems to be dated 8 January. There's a conspiracy! Infamy infamy, you've all got it in for me :o)

Anyway, Erin, thanks for forcing me out of my self-imposed writing purdah. I did find it hard to get motivated, but at least I had a go. Even though I did it without any external proofing. Bad boy!

Geoff

Time difference

I'm on West Coast USA time, PST. Which is GMT-8. Your browser will show your local time because of how I have BC set up, depending on the settings you choose in |My Account| and possibly your browser preferences and your computer configuration.

But you made it, Geoff. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Yes, you did!

It's showing up here with a post time of 17:22 on the 7th.

Now, I have to go read it.

Amelia

"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas

A story I can't find

I remember reading an excellent story when the competition first opened, but I can't remember the author's name nor the title - shame on me, but I have the excuse of advancing years :). I know I commented on it. I wonder it it was contributed before you set up the Story Contest category?

It was about a she-male prostitute who has various visitors clients/vistors which approximate (vaguely) to the Christmas legend. eg 3 bikers on motor cycles are the magi.

Can anyone help me?

I note that are several very short, but powerful stories in the entry. Do they deserve a special category. Just a thought.

I'd better get reading I guess.

Geoff

A Midnight Clear... by Adonna

Adonna (Donna Lamb) withdrew her stories from the contest yesterday for the stated reason that she is a professional PR writer. This should link to it [A Midnight Clear].

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Thanks Erin ...

.... I wondered where it had gone as I greatly admired it.

Geoff

Hoagy Carmichael

How about stories based on a song written by or collaborated on by Hoagy Carmichael? The list would inspire everyone and no two stories would be remotely alike.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Um, who??

He's not from one of those boy bands is he? I'm not very familiar with that kind of music; I'm more a country/soft rock fan.

(Sorry, I just washed my hands and can't do a thing with them.}

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Stardust

He wrote Stardust, THE most recorded song of all time, may still be.

Not to be confused with the most excellent sandwich.

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. The Hoagy that is

John in Wauwatosa

Uh, Stardust

Isn't that one of those new designer drugs they do at raves?

I think my parents have some Hoagy Charmichael albums. They're 78's, I believe.

Karen J.

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Hoagy, Hoagy Carmichael

As an aside, Hoagy Carmichael is who Ian Fleming thought James Bond should look like. :)

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Karen, Don't be dissin' Hoagy....

He'd be a legend even if the only thing he'd ever written was "Georgia On My Mind" :)

Never let it be said that I don't enjoy the occasional delusion of grandeur

Had to Google

I Googled his name, not who I thought. I was thinking he was one of the early black jazz musicians from the 20's, but obviously not.

Dissin' him? Moi? Diss somebody who wrote a song titled "Chirp, Chirp, the Baby Burped"? How could I ever! (snicker!)

KJT

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

I had to look him up too Karen

He died the year I graduated from high school, so maybe that explains my ignorance. I was more into Heart, Boston and REO Speedwagon in those days.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Heart and Soul

You were into Heart when you should have been into "Heart and Soul."

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/heartsoul.htm

Gee - do you think maybe a few people have played that Hoagy Carmichael song? Stardust - the most recorded song. Heart and Soul - probably the most played song ever. Remember the scene in "Big"? "Georgia on My Mind" simply one of the best songs ever. The list is long and surprising.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Y'know

"Heart and Soul" sounds like a good theme for the contest. Then we'd even have a theme-song. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

How About Carole King

She actually is my favorite songwriter. If someone says they haven't heard of her I'll scream.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Tapestry

And of course, the song (You make me feel like) A Natural Woman.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Get ready to scream

I'm kidding! Yes I have heard of Carole King.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Contest Idea

Instead of a theme, maybe we could try something like this. A title and brief synopsis is provided, and all entrants would write a story based on that. For example:

The Road Less Traveled

Four friends learn the true strength of their friendship when one of them undergoes an amazing transformation.

If the synopsis is kept sufficiently vague, a story could be built on any theme, and yet there would be a common thread throughout all the entries. Additionally, before the contest you could have people suggest a title and synopsis, and then either select one or put it to a vote.

This type of contest could also be done with just a predetermined synopsis and the author could choose their own title.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Hmmm

I kind of like the idea but I'd want several people say they'd be willing to try it.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Synopsis first

I like the idea in principle, but all would depend on whether the synopsis 'grabbed' me and sparked something in my head.

Been There - Done That

Scott - I've already written "Friends Four Life."

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Hoagy Carmichael

Hoagy Carmichael also wrote "Hong Kong Blues." It was featured in the movie "To Have and Have Not" staring Bogey and Bacall. Interesting point is that ex Beatle George Harrison did a cover version of it. It's on the same album as "Cracker Box Palace" which I think was written by Lord Buckley. I have a vague recollection of a song from that album being made into a video and George did a backflip in it.

Dimelza

Two ideas

With all the song references above, how about a contest where each story has to be based on the title or lyrics of a song?

Or, a "Contest Contest" - each story has to be about a contest of some sort?

Amelia

"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas

I think songs

I like the song theme best. I think there's a lot more diversity there than a contest theme - not that a contest theme would be bad. I even have a couple of songs I've thought about using as the basis for stories.

What? No, I'm not gonna tell you what they are. It's a secret!

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

I like the song idea, too

Stories based on the title or lyrics to a song. Oddly, I'm actually working on such a story. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

White Rabbit?

Not White Rabbit by the Jefferson Airplane -- Lewis Carol did that one.

Louie Louie with it's indecypherable lyics is wide open for interpretation.

Of course there is a danger in such stories, remember the one about the kid who finds a genie. The genie grants him health and money, then the poor kid listens to an ad on the radio and can't help singing,

~~OKAY EVERYONE ALL TOGETHER~~

"Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer weiner,"

--POOF --

This could work, hum?

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. My cousins torchered us for years banging out Heart and Soul on my grandmother's piano. Mind you the gitaur playing sister in Heart, whoa momma!

John in Wauwatosa

And then there's the song about

I'm in a perverse mood tonight. How about "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks? I was waiting tables at the bar the first night he played in public. His best song that night was "American Pie". Probably one of his more requested songs when he played in the bars.

Karen J.

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

You Missed Your Chance

Had you asked Garth, he could have told you all about Hoagy Carmichael.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Nope!

Maybe he could now, but I doubt it in those days. You had to be there. ;)

Karen J.

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

I like the song idea also.

Although the possibilties might be TOO endless. Then again, what's wrong with that?

Jamie

Jump starting muses

Rachel has a very good point. I know for me and I suspect for some of the other NEWer authors, are very dependent on that spark as Rachel called it. I would love to try my hand at another contest, but if the idea doesn't jump start those pesky muses.... Well, you get the idea I hope!The Holiday contest had a very board theme. The more specific the criteria the more difficult it will be to come up with ideas. Just some thoughts from the peanut gallery!
Hugs!
grover

Contest as a tool

Ultimately, it depends on what the you see as the purpose of writing contests like the one we just completed. For me, I see contests like this as an exercise in writing. Writing to a deadline helps us learn to develop, refine and execute a story in a set period of time. Writing within a specific story size helps us learn to be concise - okay I really need work on that one.

The idea I proposed regarding a set synopsis comes from the directed writing exercises I remember from creative writing class. Directed writing helps us learn to write even though the muse may not be whispering to us.

We all write and post here for a lot of reasons. All of us have stories we want to tell, and we want others to hear them. I believe for the most part we would like to develop our skills as well, so that we can tell our stories better. That is what I see as the ultimate beauty of a place like BC, and a good purpose for having story contests - so that we can learn not to be servants of our muses, but rather masters of them.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Do I Detect A Teutonic Tone

Craves order. Wants to be the master of his universe. Quotes Heinlein.

Another plate of sauerkraut and a half gallon mug of beer?

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

I'll take the beer

Sauerkraut is really gross though. Being master of my universe isn't bad - it is my universe after all. :)

As for order, I may crave it but I seem to thrive on chaos.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

A misspelling?

You sure that wasn't quaffs a Heineken?

Kraut is good with weiners, um I mean on sausages, um, oh fiddlesticks! At this rate I'll never get a decent shower, all the soap will be used up washing out my mouth.

The idea of some size limit and a general theme appeal to me as I have trouble picking one idea out of many, sometimes. Some limits help me to focus.

There could be different contests at times, one page stories or stories that must use a cerain phrase in some creative manner. The mind boggles, and that is really painful.

John in Wauwatosa

Weeellll...

I prefer yagerschnitzel myself. Directed writing is fine, but the more specific the direction you narrow the parameters and have less freedom. I mean look at this contest we just finished. It was a lot of fun. We had Halloween, Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day and I might have missed one. A lot of choices gave a lot of lea way to be creative. All I saying here is keep an eye how strict the "direction" is.
Hugs
grover

Where do we vote for the story we choose?

Is there a link or something I am missing?

Huggles
Angel

Be yourself, so easy to say, so hard to live.

"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"

Voting starts Wednesday at noon

The voting booth will open Wednesday at noon. I'm taking some time to be sure I've got it all set up right and no one wants to withdraw any stories.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Ok, Wednesday is voting day! Or, at least the start. Giggle.

I'll have to re-read the voting rules, one vote per person for one story for the mebership.

The fun begins after that! Those POOR judges! My heart goes out to all of you and I thank you all for what you are doing for all of us.

Huggles
Angel

Be yourself, so easy to say, so hard to live.

"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"

Who be "us" ?

Angel,
You have your issues, but you are true to yourself and I admire that. No, I honor that. You are "yourself"! So easy to say and so...all that stuff..

I just don't feel comfortable with you proclaiming thanks for all of "us". You are unique, not "us". You can't have it both ways hon.

Gwen

Gwen Lavyril

This is probably a big mistake but I can't help myself

You should reread what Angel said Gewn:

"I thank you all for what you are doing for all of us."

Nothing in that sentence suggests that Angel is proclaiming thanks for 'all of us'. It very specifically states that Angel is thanking the judges for what they are doing for 'all of us'.

Angel may have issues, I know I do, but I really don't feel it is fair to berate her for an expression of gratitude, expecially when you are objecting to something she didn't even say.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Why Not??????????

It truly bothers me that on a site dedicated to transgendered stories you say "You can't have it both ways hon."

Isn't that the point of much of this . . . having it both ways?

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Voting goes how?

I know you are working on the rules, Erin.

As I understand it -- and that may be highly divergent from the truth -- the registered BC members each get ONE vote to nominate a story then the judges will read and evaluate the nomenies to determin the winners?

Am I in the ballbark on this? -- make that ball park --

John in Wauwatosa

Voting

Erin's post below says:

Members of the site will be allowed to vote but judges will make the final decisions - Basically, members will be voting for nomination for the prizes. Members will be able to vote for First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention and nomination points will be assigned 10 for First, 5 for Second, 3 for Third and 1 for Honorable.

My interpretation of that is that each member will be voting four times: once fore their First Place choice, once for Second, once for Third and once for Honorable Mention. I could be mistaken of course - it's a rare occurence but it does happen from time to time. :D

Don't worry, though. Erin has the finest technology available. I sent her some surplus voting equipment from here in Florida.

Scott

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Lazarus Long
Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enoough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Hank N. Chad, consultant

The voting process will be clearer tomorrow but Scott is essentially correct. :)

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Wait! Wait!

We haven't had the parties yet! How can you have an election without having a party to vote for?

{Ties on apron and bustles around setting out trays of chips and dips, crackers and cheeses, and hot hors d'oeuvres. Hauls out a cooler of good beer, sets up a table with bottles of wine and assorted other beverages. Sets out a variety of CDs with good, danceable music by the stereo. Dims the lights.}

Party time!

;-)

Amelia

"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas

Party at my place!

Um, let me be careful in the way I word this...give me a second okay?...I am a blond you know...giggle, giggle...Um, I think I have it now!

ALL human beings that are registered members of the Big Closet Top Shelf site are welcome!

(No aliens of other worlds allowed. Sorry, I have to draw the line somewhere. Even if you are a registered member and I know by reading the comments from some of you, you are aliens from other worlds! I'm an angel you know, so even if you try changing your names and shape shifting it won't work!)

I can hear the protests already! Yupper, some of you, especially the aliens from other worlds, are saying; 'How can an angel exclude aliens from other worlds?' Easy, IT'S MY HOME! Giggle, giggle.

Amelia R is already hard at work in her kitchen making some of the goodies, so stop at her place first, grab some goodies and grab Amelia too! Giggle, giggle...

Topics for conversation are open, but if they get heated the participants will have to go out on the deck. My home is climate controlled and doesn't handle temperature spikes at all. Oh, as an added bonus for those out on the deck, I'll let you feed the bears. They come by twice a day. I do warn you though, they do not like to be angered. Giggle, giggle. PS, the four big bowls on the far end of the picnic table are for the bears. I know the honey coated goodies will look especially enticing to you, but please, remember, the bears do not like to be angered and will leave you with a lasting impression that no matter how you try and talk your way around this issue, they will win! They always do. I have a three inch scar on my right thigh, and that was just from playing with a cub! They play a tiny bit rough you know!

I do have an endless supply of coffee's at my place and an Espresso machine. I also have all the adulterous concoctions to add to said coffee's and Espresso. My specialty is called Angel's Chocolate Espresso Supreme. Be warned it has four times the amount of caffeine in it than a regular coffee and is very sweet, just like me! Giggle, giggle.

I think that covers it all, at least I hope it does!

Oh yeah, almost forgot! Individual blogs will be provided just for those who really want to start a debate everyone knows will get heated, and heated they always do get. That way you can still debate on said topics and others can freely join in if they so choose. You will find them in the gazebo down front near the waterfall and stream. I will have a "PORTO-POTTY" set up behind the Rhododendron thicket. You will need it, every time I go to enjoy the running stream and waterfall, I have to pee within minutes! It always happens that way. Giggle, giggle.

Hope to see you all soon!
Huggles and Giggles
Angel

Be yourself, so easy to say, so hard to live.

"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"

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