I made it into the finals for the NYC Midnight Microfiction contest. I’m one of 100 writers vying for the top two spots. I didn’t get here because of votes. I made it as one of two judges picks from my group. I made it on my texts from last night style entry. Here it is again.

(323) did an eight ball with the point break dude. gonna seduce him in the hot tub. thinking of you.

I’m happy this is the one that I moved forward on. It’s my favourite of the seven that I came up with for the word break. The finals is a little less giving of a word: oxygen. Following the #nycmidnight hashtag on Twitter, apparently I’m not the only one that has been struggling with it.

I’ve come up with eleven potential entries. It’s a harsh and limiting word to work with. That said, I have three that I really like. I’ll post all of them here after the midnight submission deadline.

I believe that one is straight up solid. It offers context, history, conflict, hints at a larger story, and manages to kick in a little bit of humour. If think any potential I have of winning is off this entry.

My other two are not quite as clear cut. One is self referential and breaks the traditional narrative (as traditional as one can be in 100 characters). In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if some took it as breaking an unspoken, unenforceable rule and seen as cheating. The other is ripe for misinterpretation. That leaves me with an option. I can be safe by submitting two entries I’m not as keen on, or I can be fearless.

I think it took me writing this out to decide. I’m choosing fearless.

david shute - 18.08.11 @ 22:06 - permalink

Voting on the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Micro Challenges is currently underway. I made the first round cuts and here are some basic, and probably wholly incorrect, numbers.

800 writers (I’m sure this is an approximation) took part. Each writer could submit up to the three pieces. 25 stories from each of the 20 groups was selected past the first round. The top five per group via open voting will move to the next round.

800 writers x 3 stories = 2400 potential submissions

25 selected x 20 groups = 500 first round selections

5 voted x 20 groups = 100 potential finalists

Of these 100 finalist a new challenge will come down and the winners will be chosen from these new stories.

1 jury selected winner

1 open vote selected winner

E-panhandling is not something I’m particularly good at. I’m curious to see if I’ll make it past this next round of cuts. My rambling internet mumblings aside, you can vote for me here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G5Y5ZFH

My two stories, and you can vote for both, are as follows.

(323) did an eight ball with the point break dude. gonna seduce him in the hot tub. thinking of you. // by David Shute

16 covered trucks coming, their lights off. Break quarantine. We need to get the fuck out of here. // by David Shute

If you vote for me, thank you. If you don’t? Good call.

david shute - 17.08.11 @ 11:58 - permalink

The results haven’t been announced yet but the NYC Midnight flash fiction micro challenge first round results should be coming out some time today.

The challenge is 100 character fiction with a predetermined word that must be used. My group’s word was break. I wrote seven entries, you’re only allow three, so here are my four rejects.

No food. No water. No light. No sleep. No clothes. No dignity. Chained to a wall. It will not break.

My father is in love with another woman; the same woman my mother loves. This will break my family.

You don’t want people to know? Break up with me and I will shout it from the fucking rooftops.

It doesn’t work that way. You can choose which weapon I use or which bone I break, but not both.

And my three entries.

The invading aliens can instantly vaporize city a block. How to protect your family after the break.

(323) did an eight ball with the point break dude. gonna seduce him in the hot tub. thinking of you.

16 covered trucks coming, their lights off. Break quarantine. We need to get the fuck out of here.

I’m partial to the txts from last night style entry but I’m a simple lad.

From each group, there are 20, 25 stories will be selected by judges and put up to vote. Five stories from each group’s 25 will win the author entry into the finals where the process will continue.

Should I make top 25 in my group I expect I’ll be panhandling for voting support some time today.

david shute - 15.08.11 @ 12:13 - permalink