Winter Holiday 2024 Support Thread

[OffNSFW]

Aside from the usual chores of writing a brief description, selecting tags, etc., I do believe "Gift Givers" is locked and ready for publication.

It must be a good one, because I'm a little in love with my characters. Two girls who would do anything for each other, which results in a Gift of the Magi-esque comedy of errors.

 

[Inkent]

Going back and forth with the editing at the moment, not going to be helped by skulking of to Spain for Europe's biggest Fancy Dress party for a week, writing, editing and a skinful of Mojito's probably don't mix too well

As per usual got completely carried away, it looks like it's going to be just shy of 40k words by time it's edited. What comps next?

 

[vanmyers86]

Missing KeithD - it's still weird to open up a contest support thread and not see him commenting!

I have one I may be able to adapt for Christmas. Like @ChloeTzang, I really need to write at least one story for Lit this year!

 

[ChloeTzang]

Going back and forth with the editing at the moment, not going to be helped by skulking of to Spain for Europe's biggest Fancy Dress party for a week, writing, editing and a skinful of Mojito's probably don't mix too well

As per usual got completely carried away, it looks like it's going to be just shy of 40k words by time it's edited. What comps next?

Blessed Magdalene! I am up to 56k words of torrid incestuous and blasphemous sex. It's fun but I think it's going to offend far too many people to be a serious competition story, so I shall just have fun making it as outrageous as possible. I shall of course suffer a thousand years of unending torment in purgatory as a consequence but it should be worth it for the comments alone. LOL. The bukkake scene on the altar, presided over by Father Auyeung, is completely OTT. Think soapy massage mixed with Catholic ritual and, uh, a replacement for the soap. "You are blessed with the Seed of the Lord..." rotflmao and don't worry, the plot is not at any danger from spoilers. There is no plot. LOL

 

[ChloeTzang]

Missing KeithD - it's still weird to open up a contest support thread and not see him commenting!

I know what you mean. No KeithD, no Ogg and no Tex. Kinda sad. I miss them.

 

[TheLobster]

There is no plot.

And yet you managed 56k words? Impressive. I shall peruse your magnum opus when it drops.

 

[Inkent]

Blessed Magdalene! I am up to 56k words of torrid incestuous and blasphemous sex. It's fun but I think it's going to offend far too many people to be a serious competition story, so I shall just have fun making it as outrageous as possible. I shall of course suffer a thousand years of unending torment in purgatory as a consequence but it should be worth it for the comments alone. LOL. The bukkake scene on the altar, presided over by Father Auyeung, is completely OTT. Think soapy massage mixed with Catholic ritual and, uh, a replacement for the soap. "You are blessed with the Seed of the Lord..." rotflmao and don't worry, the plot is not at any danger from spoilers. There is no plot. LOL

I think I'm going to save my Christmas Cheese Truckles, a couple boxes of Ritz crackers and maybe a bottle (or two) of red wine for this. Who needs crappy Christmas TV

 

[AlexIce]

Really dumb question: When would be the best time to submit a story for the holiday contest so that way the story is right there when it starts? Also, is that even a good idea?

 

[FreyaGersemi]

Really dumb question: When would be the best time to submit a story for the holiday contest so that way the story is right there when it starts? Also, is that even a good idea?

Usually, about three days prior to the start (or more than three days). If you do everything correctly, the story is held until the start date.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Really dumb question: When would be the best time to submit a story for the holiday contest so that way the story is right there when it starts? Also, is that even a good idea?

LOL. Here, there ain't no such thing as a dumb question.

You'll get more eyes on your story if it's there right from the start. Which translates into more votes if you're interested in seriously competing. Also more readers and maybe picking up more followers.

With the competitions, it all depends what you're interested in achieving, but early is good any way you look at it.

On the other hand, if you want to win, write a really good, really long story in an obscure category that only your followers who like your stories will read and enter it at the last minute (three minutes before midnight on the last day works well from experience - just make sure your time is correct - LOL). I could tell you more but then I'd have competition for my last minute entry. LOL

 

[Trionyx]

I have an idea, but that's all it is right now. "Mrs. Clause gets a free pass." I'll work on it and maybe have it ready for next year.

Mrs. S is poly????

 

[Inkent]

Mrs. S is poly????

Oh, it looks like the Christmas feast has nothing to do with food this year. Need to make sure I drag plenty of logs in ready to toss on the fire. Me thinks I'll be sat on my leather Chesterfield with laptop in hand busy reading

 

[Aoife_from_Ulster]

I woke this morning and my toes curled with excitement After a kiss and my coffee. I saw the official announcement for the Winter Holiday Story Contest! Forgive my excitement the holidays are almost here!

My story, The Cruise Companion, is the opening chapter for a new series with a new protagonist. I am giddy with excitement. It is in final editing now and I can't wait!

Happy writing and reading!!

 

[Duleigh]

Thank you for pointing out the Official Notification @Aoife_from_Ulster! Being lost in a la-la land somewhere on Mars I would have missed it

THE OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION IS UP!

We go live in 5 days folks!

 

[OffNSFW]

Thank you for pointing out the Official Notification @Aoife_from_Ulster! Being lost in a la-la land somewhere on Mars I would have missed it

THE OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION IS UP!

We go live in 5 days folks!

I do believe I shall submit this morning.

 

[SimonDoom]

I agree with Chloe that you should try to enter the contest early to maximize the attention your story gets. There's some reason to believe that it's not necessarily the best way to win a contest with the highest rating, if that's your goal. Last year I submitted a story to the Halloween contest on the last day or near the last day of eligibility. It had relatively few votes, but it placed third with a high score. I suspect that's just random luck, but who knows?

 

[AtlantisGuy]

Looking forward! I started posting here less than a year ago, this will be my first contest!

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Working through the final edits on my entry. Should be submitting it over the weekend.

 

[Duleigh]

I agree with Chloe that you should try to enter the contest early to maximize the attention your story gets. There's some reason to believe that it's not necessarily the best way to win a contest with the highest rating, if that's your goal. Last year I submitted a story to the Halloween contest on the last day or near the last day of eligibility. It had relatively few votes, but it placed third with a high score. I suspect that's just random luck, but who knows?

But then it also attracts negative attention also. Once you become an established author with a "fanclub" of dedicated trolls, early doesn't always work. I remember seeing a well known author (I won't mention Chloe's name) enter with maybe a day left and walk away with the prize. However NEW authors definitely, post early and get your name out there, use a snappy title, and enjoy the process of putting the story together.

 

[Fatdog25]

Just submitted "Kiss Me in the Dark." Going in I/T (as usual). It feels pretty good getting something in before the deadline for a change.

It's a much happier story than last year's. The bunnies were too busy raising hell in other stories to get to this one.

 

[SimonDoom]

But then it also attracts negative attention also. Once you become an established author with a "fanclub" of dedicated trolls, early doesn't always work. I remember seeing a well known author (I won't mention Chloe's name) enter with maybe a day left and walk away with the prize. However NEW authors definitely, post early and get your name out there, use a snappy title, and enjoy the process of putting the story together.

It depends on what you mean by "work."

Suppose two hypothetical situations:

Situation A: you post your story early in the process. You get more exposure, more views, and you get 100 favorites by the time the contest ends, but you also get some negative attention, and you get a score of 4.6.

Situation B: you post your story late. You get less exposure, fewer views, and 50 favorites, but you avoid the negative attention and you get a score of 4.85 and place third in the contest.

Which do you prefer?

I prefer A. More appreciative fans in this scenario have read and favorited my story. That's more important to me than the numerical score, which it seems to me does not mean that much if it is influenced by trivial factors like when I happened to post it.

My goal when I publish stories is to have them read by as many appreciative readers as possible. If I pick up unappreciative readers along the way and my scores suffer, I don't care. To me, that seems like something not worth caring about.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

It depends on what you mean by "work."

Suppose two hypothetical situations:

Situation A: you post your story early in the process. You get more exposure, more views, and you get 100 favorites by the time the contest ends, but you also get some negative attention, and you get a score of 4.6.

Situation B: you post your story late. You get less exposure, fewer views, and 50 favorites, but you avoid the negative attention and you get a score of 4.85 and place third in the contest.

Which do you prefer?

I prefer A. More appreciative fans in this scenario have read and favorited my story. That's more important to me than the numerical score, which it seems to me does not mean that much if it is influenced by trivial factors like when I happened to post it.

My goal when I publish stories is to have them read by as many appreciative readers as possible. If I pick up unappreciative readers along the way and my scores suffer, I don't care. To me, that seems like something not worth caring about.

Can neither confirm nor deny that a certain story was entered in the Halloween contest dropped to 4.64 the next day, after the pre-vote sweep it was at 4.86.

Trolls you say . Not a thing. They're fantasy, a figment of your imagination...

I also don't worry about it. (though I do watch) My story "Making the Crew" should get submitted this weekend. Look for it early next week.

 

[SimonDoom]

Can neither confirm nor deny that a certain story was entered in the Halloween contest dropped to 4.64 the next day, after the pre-vote sweep it was at 4.86.

Trolls you say . Not a thing. They're fantasy, a figment of your imagination...

I also don't worry about it. (though I do watch) My story "Making the Crew" should get submitted this weekend. Look for it early next week.

I'm somewhat agnostic on the troll issue. I think they probably exist some of the time, and some of the time people think they see trolls when they don't really exist. It doesn't matter to me much one way or another.

 

[Inkent]

It depends on what you mean by "work."

Suppose two hypothetical situations:

Situation A: you post your story early in the process. You get more exposure, more views, and you get 100 favorites by the time the contest ends, but you also get some negative attention, and you get a score of 4.6.

Situation B: you post your story late. You get less exposure, fewer views, and 50 favorites, but you avoid the negative attention and you get a score of 4.85 and place third in the contest.

Which do you prefer?

I prefer A. More appreciative fans in this scenario have read and favorited my story. That's more important to me than the numerical score, which it seems to me does not mean that much if it is influenced by trivial factors like when I happened to post it.

My goal when I publish stories is to have them read by as many appreciative readers as possible. If I pick up unappreciative readers along the way and my scores suffer, I don't care. To me, that seems like something not worth caring about.

....But I just enjoy writing, really simple for me. Bit of exposure don't hurt which is why I like the contest and it makes me think a little harder to come up with a decent storyline due to the relevant subject matter within the boundaries of some of the contest.

 

[nicksouth]

Man, I am so far behind on this one. I finally have an idea but I'm looking for a new job which is cutting into writing time, and had to complete two draft chapters of another story (for some reason first)

Need to hustle now