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Contest April-May 2020 Short Story Contest, Entries Closed)

Discussion in 'Fluff and Stories' started by Scalenex, Mar 16, 2020.

  1. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    The theme for our 22st seasonal short story contest is upon us. I thought I'd announce the theme a little early this season because a lot of people are stuck inside. The Black Plague indirectly led to the birth of the Renaissance. The Corona Virus will surely lead to an influx of literary brilliance on Lustria-Online. I'm sure a thousand years from now, historians will call this the Second Renaissance and study the biographies of all Lustria-Online's frequent posters. The theme this season is "Rituals and Religious Practices"

    The Rules
    -We would like you to try to keep your story between 500 and 2000 words. I am requiring that entries do not exceed 2400 words. This is counting title, poems, quotes, any add-ons. If I get a submission that exceeds 2400 words, I will trim it till it meets the limit, and you may not like what words I choose to cut. Even prepositions are not safe...
    -Your name must appear nowhere with the story. There is no point in having an anonymous competition based on skill if we know whose entry is whose.
    -You must send your story via private message to Scalenex before midnight (US Central time) on April 30th
    -The story must be new. No dragging up a story you wrote months or years ago.
    -No plagiarism. This means no stealing a story verbatim. You are free to use characters or settings from other works including other writer's fluff pieces and past short story contest entries.
    -The story must involve Lizardmen (or Seraphon or Salamanders or Saurian Ancients), at least a little.
    -The story must stick roughly within the theme, at least a little.
    -No comics or illustrations. This is a short story contest. Visuals are limited to fonts and text colors.
    -Only one entry allowed per person.

    I will do my best to providing proofreading and general advise to writers who ask for it though real life is full of many challenges for me right now. If you wish me to provide a detailed edit, please try to get your draft to me as much before the deadline as possible. You are welcome, nay encouraged, to ask anyone else you wish for help or advice.

    Once again, the winner of this contest has the honor of choosing the next contest theme if they so choose. This time because I do not want to be saddled with coming up with a last minute topic. If the winner does not give me a topic, I will pass this burden honor on to the runner-up.

    If you want to talk about the theme or your eagerness to write or read something. Please do so below!
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2020
  2. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    The last time or two I've won the short story contest, I've gotten someone else to name the theme because I like pawning that burden off.

    This time....



    Admittedly, this is a somewhat narcissistic idea because I am very proud of this thread detailing my thoughts on Lizardmen religious practices. I use this thread a lot to incorporate religious rituals into my short stories and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy when other people do.

    Note, I did word the contest theme vaguely. You could certainly detail religious observances from warm blooded races. You could certainly use "rituals" to cover non-religious things. We are pretty lax on theme adherence. If you have two characters make an off hand comment about a past ritual, that's sufficient.

    Anyway have fun writing. I plan to have fun reading.
     
  3. Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl
    Slann

    Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl Eleventh Spawning

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    Blimey, you've started early on the next contest mate, but then given that I take so long to write pieces, that's probably just as well ;)

    Rituals and religious practices...hmm. Given that I'll most likely be staying at home to avoid catching what everyone's deemed to be Black Death 2.0, I'll have a good amount of time to think about what I'm going to write for this theme. Perhaps a Lizardman ritual to banish Covid-19? :D
     
  4. Carnikang
    Carnasaur

    Carnikang Well-Known Member

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    A great prompt. And for those of us who've received an influx of new lore in AoS, a great chance to reflect the new resource.

    Ill have to ponder on this for a length equal to that of the Coiled One...
     
  5. Imrahil
    Slann

    Imrahil Thirtheenth Spawning

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    Nice theme

    Does CST have months time difference with UTC? ;)

    Grrr, Imrahil
     
  6. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

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    I foresee at least a story with flooding of skaven blood.
    Not mine, but come on… it's an easy call. :D
     
  7. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Well done, I was testing you. You have passed. The deadline is April 30th.
     
  8. Scolenex
    Ripperdactil

    Scolenex Well-Known Member

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    For centuries historians have speculated on the the true nature of the one called "Scolenex." Who was he (or she)? What was Scolenex's connection to the Illuminati?
     
  9. Lizerd
    Skink Priest

    Lizerd Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
     
  10. Lizerd
    Skink Priest

    Lizerd Well-Known Member

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    Anyways I have the time to participate so I probably will write something for this, looks like fun
     
  11. Imrahil
    Slann

    Imrahil Thirtheenth Spawning

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    I have to start researching before thinking of any plot... so... surely I come up with a plot before even reading one bit of information :oops:

    Grrr, Imrahil
     
  12. Lizards of Renown
    Slann

    Lizards of Renown Herald of Creation

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    Come on, EVERYONE knows that Scolenex is the one pulling the strings of the Illuminati and all the rest of them.

    And then, those who have done their research know that Scolenex is also the true power behind Scalenex... ;)

    I like the theme. It doesn't fit with the story I had planned so I'm gonna have a good think about it before starting.

    I'll check out the thread on the Lizardmen Religious Practices, sounds interesting!
     
  13. Lizards of Renown
    Slann

    Lizards of Renown Herald of Creation

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    @Scalenex Phwoah... That thread is an encyclopedia!!! I'll definitely incorporate something of that into my story as there is a lot of fantastic material to do something with!

    Already had a good idea...
     
  14. Infinity Turtle
    Temple Guard

    Infinity Turtle Well-Known Member

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    This sounds like Nigel Marvin commenting on some prehistorice species of dinosaur (this is the highest praise)

    I can't think of anything witty to say, so I shall just detail my geniune immediate response:

    *scroll scroll*
    "oh it's Scolonex for once..."
    *amused snort*


    I gave up on planning ages ago... and thinking...





    But all in, interesting theme. Hopefully a topic like this could bring in some unique perspectives perhaps from those who have not written before. Seeing as many of us will be cooped up with nothing to do over the next few weeks/months and we have a month and a half to write, this has the potential to be one of the best contests so far!

    @Scalenex always does a really good job of organising these (thanks!!!) I would encourage people to have a go. Perhaps a few more religious rituals will be enough to summon @spawning of Bob back here.

    Good luck to all and happy writing!
     
  15. Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl
    Slann

    Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl Eleventh Spawning

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    Well, that’s the first time ever my dialogue on any forum has been called a ‘Marven-ism’, and I thank you for those kind words! Nigel has always been my favourite naturalist since I first saw the awesomeness that was Prehistoric Park when it first came out (I was about 7 or 8 at the time and fully immersed in my ‘dinosaur phase’), and describing my words as being akin to his is just too kind of you! :)
     
  16. Lizards of Renown
    Slann

    Lizards of Renown Herald of Creation

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  17. Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl
    Slann

    Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl Eleventh Spawning

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    By all means go for it, he is an absolute legend in my view. In fact Youtube Prehistoric Park, that's a fantastic series for any fan of prehistoric life
     
    Lizerd, Imrahil and Lizards of Renown like this.
  18. Imrahil
    Slann

    Imrahil Thirtheenth Spawning

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  19. Lizards of Renown
    Slann

    Lizards of Renown Herald of Creation

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    With such illustrious endorsements, I can only bow to the inevitable. :D
     
  20. Lizerd
    Skink Priest

    Lizerd Well-Known Member

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    I have a question, am I allowed to have any proofreading from anyone on the forum or in person?
     

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