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Announcing our CHEERS TO 10 YEARS celebration!

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magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Stories Space was launched 10 years ago, and saw its greatest influx of members when it "went public" on Oct. 12, 2010 — so we're going to have an epic anniversary celebration centered around that date.

The cornerstone of the Cheers to 10 Years celebration will be a new competition.

This contest will open on Oct. 12 and close at the end of October, but we’re announcing it early to allow time for planning and preparation. Members may submit up to 10 entries, one of each word limit listed below. There will be 10 different word limits, based on numbers of significance to Stories Space and/or its upcoming anniversary:

- Word Limit (significance)
- 40 (seasons since Oct. 12, 2010)
- 100 (holidays observed)
- 120 (months)
- 261 (fortnights)
- 522 (weeks)
- 873 (authors on site)
- 1,012 (tenth month, twelfth day - American date format)
- 1,210 (twelfth day of the tenth month - rest of the world date format)
- 2,581 (badges - not counting multiples in the same overarching category)
- 3,653 (days)

Bonuses will be given to individual submissions that are exactly the specified limit (according to the counter on the submission screen), and doubled if a member submits 10 stories, all of the maximum length.

Each submission must include at least one of the following 10 words:
- Celebration
- Achievement
- Stories
- Space
- Camaraderie
- Ten
- Friendly
- Free
- Cozy
- Supportive

More details will be coming soon, but now is the time to put on your thinking caps and start planning your strategy to earn double bonus points. Good luck and have fun!

+ + +

EDIT: Three related Cheers to 10 Years contests are now open! Here are links to the competition pages:

• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-ultra-short.aspx][b]Ultra Short Competition[/url]
• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-flash.aspx][b]Flash Competition[/url]
• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-full-length.aspx][b]Full Length Story Competition[/url]
Connect with Maggie

Like my Facebook fan pages: Maggie Rascal and M.P. Witwer • Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maggierascal • Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maggie1Rascal
Survivor
Primus Omnium
This sounds like quite a challenge for us this time. I've never seen anything like it. Let's see how we can handle it.

Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by Survivor


This sounds like quite a challenge for us this time. I've never seen anything like it. Let's see how we can handle it.



Yeah, I might be able to get into some of the shorter ones, but I can't see me getting 10 stories out that quickly. Not enough writing time.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Quote by magnificent1rascal
This contest will open on Oct. 12 and close 10 days later, but we’re announcing it early to allow time for planning and preparation.


Based on early feedback, we’ll change the closing date to the end of October. The original plan may have been a tad too ambitious.
Connect with Maggie

Like my Facebook fan pages: Maggie Rascal and M.P. Witwer • Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maggierascal • Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maggie1Rascal
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
So we've got our start date. We've got our end date. We've got our rules. Time to get writing.

I have a couple story ideas already that should work. I'm shooting for maybe 3 or 4 (no way I can manage 10 barring I get COVID and have nothing better to do while self-isolating).

Anyone else getting pumped and ready for this?

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
Unknown User
Quote by Mendalla
So we've got our start date. We've got our end date. We've got our rules. Time to get writing.

I have a couple story ideas already that should work. I'm shooting for maybe 3 or 4 (no way I can manage 10 barring I get COVID and have nothing better to do while self-isolating).

Anyone else getting pumped and ready for this?


The later deadline means it now spans half term so I might get one or two done smile But I’ve no time to even think about it right now sad
Survivor
Primus Omnium
Well, I understand the length of the stories. Now I just need to know if there are any kinds of themes or categories we are supposed to be writing about or in. Or is it just anything we please? That would leave it pretty open.

AnnaMayZing
Chasing Dragons
Quote by magnificent1rascal


Bonuses will be given to individual submissions that are exactly the specified limit (according to the counter on the submission screen), and doubled if a member submits 10 stories, all of the maximum length.



Just to be clear, do you mean the maximum length of each category or ten stories each of 3653 words?



"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Quote by magnificent1rascal


Bonuses will be given to individual submissions that are exactly the specified limit (according to the counter on the submission screen), and doubled if a member submits 10 stories, all of the maximum length.



Just to be clear, do you mean the maximum length of each category or ten stories each of 3653 words?


Max of each category. If you look higher up it says


Members may submit up to 10 entries, one of each word limit listed below.



Note the bolded part. If you can only submit one at each word limit, then it must be max of each limit.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by Survivor


Well, I understand the length of the stories. Now I just need to know if there are any kinds of themes or categories we are supposed to be writing about or in. Or is it just anything we please? That would leave it pretty open.



Given that the focus of the announcement is on lengths and the anniversary, I'm not sure there's a specific theme story-wise but I imagine something about celebrating, anniversaries, writing (since that's what the site is about), and such would be welcome. That's kind of where my imagination has gone.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Actually, I have a question about form. Are poems going to be welcome in the shorter categories? I can't really see me writing a 40 word story but some of my poems are in that territory.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Quote by Mendalla
Actually, I have a question about form. Are poems going to be welcome in the shorter categories? I can't really see me writing a 40 word story but some of my poems are in that territory.


Yes, poems will be accepted in the shorter submissions.
Connect with Maggie

Like my Facebook fan pages: Maggie Rascal and M.P. Witwer • Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maggierascal • Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maggie1Rascal
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by magnificent1rascal
Quote by Mendalla
Actually, I have a question about form. Are poems going to be welcome in the shorter categories? I can't really see me writing a 40 word story but some of my poems are in that territory.


Yes, poems will be accepted in the shorter submissions.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by Rumple_deWriter
What will be the procedure for submissions? Clueless minds would like to know. No doubt I've missed this info somewhere along the line, either that or the plan is to wait until 1012 to list all the nuts and bolts type rules and regs?



Maggie talked about more details coming so I assume that will include submission process. She's still got a week and a half to get it up, I guess. I've actually got a first draft of a story I hope to use, assuming there isn't a devil in the details when they come out.

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Quote by Mendalla
Quote by Rumple_deWriter
What will be the procedure for submissions? Clueless minds would like to know. No doubt I've missed this info somewhere along the line, either that or the plan is to wait until 1012 to list all the nuts and bolts type rules and regs?



Maggie talked about more details coming so I assume that will include submission process. She's still got a week and a half to get it up, I guess. I've actually got a first draft of a story I hope to use, assuming there isn't a devil in the details when they come out.


Sorry for the delay in posting more details. Life, y’know?

Don’t worry, there isn’t any devil in these details. Entry will be straightforward, just submit a piece and check the competition box. There is no theme requirement, only the word limits and selection of required words listed in the first post.

I still need to iron out a couple of technical points, but I promise to post more info by Friday.
Connect with Maggie

Like my Facebook fan pages: Maggie Rascal and M.P. Witwer • Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maggierascal • Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maggie1Rascal
Tams
Advanced Wordsmith
I am loving this idea! My brain is already churning.

Me -> "Lets get off that couch and get to work, brain!"

My Brain ->
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Phew, what a week this has been!


In any case, here are some of the Cheers to 10 Years details promised.

We will most likely divide this into three contests based on word count to ensure that we aren't comparing apples and oranges in the judging. I say "most likely" because I'm waiting to hear back if the system will allow multiple competitions to be running simultaneously (that's one of the technical points yet to be ironed out). Whether it turns out to be three contests or one, judging will be done in the following divisions:

• 20-120 words — Entries will be accepted in Micro Fiction, Musings and Poetry. For this event only, entries up to 120 words may be submitted in the Micro Fiction category even if they exceed the usual 100-word limit.

• 121-1,012 words — Entries will be accepted in Flash Fiction or any appropriate category (no Micro Fiction). For this event only, entries up to 1,012 words may be submitted in the Flash Fiction category even if they exceed the usual 1,000-word limit. Submissions in other categories must meet our standard minimum (about 600 words for most categories).

• 1,013-3,653 words — Entries will be accepted in any category except Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction and Poetry.
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Unknown User
Ok, that’s all rather vague. I assume the start date will be pushed back whilst the technical issues are being sorted?
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Quote by Welshdreamer42
Ok, that’s all rather vague. I assume the start date will be pushed back whilst the technical issues are being sorted?


No, the opening date remains Oct. 12.

I'm going to do a trial run now to see how the system handles multiple comps at the same time.

EDIT: It works! Three competitions will be set up to open on Oct. 12.

EDIT 2:
Quote by magnificent1rascal
Phew, what a week this has been!

I’m sorry if this came across as vague. It was my commentary on the uncertainty of the past week in the U.S., not knowing if the occupant of the White House was mildly, moderately or severely ill; breathing on his own or not; and, of course, mortal or magically transformed into a reverse-aging superhero. There’s been a lot to process.
Connect with Maggie

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Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Quote by magnificent1rascal


I'm going to do a trial run now to see how the system handles multiple comps at the same time.

EDIT: It works! Three competitions will be set up to open on Oct. 12.


* joins in the revelry *

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
The three related Cheers to 10 Years contests are now open! Here are links to the competition pages:

• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-ultra-short.aspx][b]Ultra Short Competition[/url]

• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-flash.aspx][b]Flash Competition[/url]

• [url=https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/cheers-to-10-years-full-length.aspx][b]Full Length Story Competition[/url]
Connect with Maggie

Like my Facebook fan pages: Maggie Rascal and M.P. Witwer • Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maggierascal • Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maggie1Rascal
Unknown User
I've just posted a story for the full story category but it said 2581 words in the submission box (which is what I want) which then jumped to 2589 when I checked the submitted piece - a discrepancy of 8 words between submission box and submitted piece

That's going to make getting the numbers right a game of pure chance. Eek!

Anyway, what the heck, it's a Halloween tale and I hope you like it
magnificent1rascal
Divine Rapscallion
Quote by Welshdreamer42
I've just posted a story for the full story category but it said 2581 words in the submission box (which is what I want) which then jumped to 2589 when I checked the submitted piece - a discrepancy of 8 words between submission box and submitted piece

That's going to make getting the numbers right a game of pure chance. Eek!

Anyway, what the heck, it's a Halloween tale and I hope you like it


The submission screen and what’s displayed when a story is posted sometimes end up with a slight discrepancy because of the different algorithms. We’ll go by what the submission screen says.

I’m looking forward to your Halloween-themed entry!
Connect with Maggie

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Mendalla
Crazy old ape
Woo hoo, someone is going to crack the Full Story comp before me. I was afraid I would be the first. Though I am flagging a bit right now. Current draft falls a bit short of 2581. Probably be next week before I have it sorted and ready to post. Then I'll work on some shorter stuff.

Mine is also my "Halloween" story for this year, though it goes into cosmic horror territory rather than traditional All Hallow's Eve spooks.

I see Paperboy has opened up the Flash comp and there's already a raft of entries in Ultra Short (not surprisingly given that you can enter with as few as 40 words).

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry
Unknown User
Quote by magnificent1rascal
Quote by Welshdreamer42
I've just posted a story for the full story category but it said 2581 words in the submission box (which is what I want) which then jumped to 2589 when I checked the submitted piece - a discrepancy of 8 words between submission box and submitted piece

That's going to make getting the numbers right a game of pure chance. Eek!

Anyway, what the heck, it's a Halloween tale and I hope you like it


The submission screen and what’s displayed when a story is posted sometimes end up with a slight discrepancy because of the different algorithms. We’ll go by what the submission screen says.

I’m looking forward to your Halloween-themed entry!


Yay, thank you
Molly
Administration
Just a friendly reminder, could you please list which word(s) you used in the Note to Moderators section of the submission screen. Thank you all in advance!



Also, there are some great stories entered so far. I'm very excited! If you haven't read them you're missing out.
Mendalla
Crazy old ape
So, how's it going anyhow? Here's the stats to date:

Ultra Short - 19 stories entered
Flash - 6 stories entered
Full length - 2 stories entered (I hope to up that to 3 by or on the weekend since I have a full length almost ready for prime time)

No real surprises there. The longest story allowed in Ultra Short is 120 words so even I can get one of those in a day or two while a Full Length can go up to 3653 so requires a lot more effort.

We have 11 unique authors so far (by a manual count could be an +/-1 error bar on that). Love to see that go up regardless of category. I'm sure we have more writers than that wanting to join in the festivities. Still plenty of time to get those stories written and in.

For myself, I have a poem in the 40 word Ultra Short and a story in the 873 word Flash categories. The former is in my sig, the latter linked below (but will get added to my sig in the next day or so)

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/fantasy/-the-goddess-dances-.aspx

Can she find the silence again?

Scream Away The Silence - The Sound of Silence comp entry