Hi Brian, I had a hopefully not too cheeky question. I have just finished my prompt quest story and it's, like, 2506 words! And this is after the fourth close-read edit. At a stretch I might be able to remove another 6 words but I really don't want to have to. So my sort-of-cheeky question is whether your 2500 limit is really, really strict, or would you allow me these extra six impudent words and still submit it for my extra entry to the lunar awards?
Not cheeky at all! I've had others ask before as well. Unfortunately, I have to be a stickler about the 2500 word count because it gets into the messy territory of how much is too much over the limit. I hope you can understand and maybe find those six words that must be extricated.
Yeah - I was kind of expecting that answer! Mainly because I totally agree with you about having to set a definite limit. Like if you say, ok, we'll go up to 2525, then people will ask you about 2535, and then 2545, and so on. Then before too long we'll be on 3535, then 4545, and then we'll have a cool cover version of that song.
Well, I've been digesting the story in my head for the afternoon so I reckon now I return to it I shall find those pesky 6 words and send them to the naughty step.
Been needing to write a new short story. I guess now is the perfect time! Also, where do you get your images from? Are they AI generated? If so, what program do you use?
Hi Elliot, both of these are from Copilot in Bing. I told it I needed the images based upon the writing prompt and after a few minor tweaks got the ones I wanted.
I wanted to do both of these. Unfortunately, these two weeks have been some of the busiest of my life and I barely managed one. After I finished editing, it took me an hour to generate something approximately appropriate using AS (artificial stupidity) for the illustration!
Just in time and after a desperate 1000 word purge I submit my entry to prompt quest #3
fantasy is not my thing but its good to try something new!
In the root meadows, strange things are growing; in the skies, the moons are aligning - and the Great Tree is stirring, but not all the omens of the Great Spring are good...
@Brian Reindel - hi Brian I have nearly finished my moon parsnips story (yes ... I know) but whilst there is a word limit for submissions to go forward to the discussion part, is there no word limit for submitting the story to this thread in itself, because I just cannot keep it below 2500
Hey Nick, there is no word count threshold for Prompt Quest, so have fun and write away! The 2500 words is really only if you want to submit it to the Lunar Awards season.
ah... well I slashed 1000 words out of this story and didnt lay out the denouement - I thought there was enough for people to work out an ending for themselves. and I could not get BIng to generate the last image how I wanted... and I need to apologise to any Finnish readers... but and why does fantasy make you talk like you're from the dark ages... why?
I actually started work on a short story yesterday morning that just so happened to be nearly in line with the fantasy prompt. I think I can definitely make it work with just a few small tweaks...
Yes, that's correct. I actually messed up the day on the Lunar Awards and so I extended it by one day. I had it as Wed. Sept. 24, which is not right since Wed. is the 25th. So now you have 24 more hours to make it perfect. 😁
Oooh. OOOH. OK, can I now finish up episode 2 of my new serial that is due out this week AND work on book 3 AND write this story? Well ep 2 is just in need of a polish, so…yes? Probably?
Hi Brian, I had a hopefully not too cheeky question. I have just finished my prompt quest story and it's, like, 2506 words! And this is after the fourth close-read edit. At a stretch I might be able to remove another 6 words but I really don't want to have to. So my sort-of-cheeky question is whether your 2500 limit is really, really strict, or would you allow me these extra six impudent words and still submit it for my extra entry to the lunar awards?
Not cheeky at all! I've had others ask before as well. Unfortunately, I have to be a stickler about the 2500 word count because it gets into the messy territory of how much is too much over the limit. I hope you can understand and maybe find those six words that must be extricated.
Update: I found 9 words! Yes!
Will probably post tomorrow. Got to go image hunting...
Love it! Those poor helpless 3 extra words never saw it coming.
2nd update: I did it with the GIG (Great Image Generator - in the sky, obviously). I'll repost it to the proper place, but here's the link here anyhow: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/the-younger-horus?r=2s9hod
Wonderful!
Yeah - I was kind of expecting that answer! Mainly because I totally agree with you about having to set a definite limit. Like if you say, ok, we'll go up to 2525, then people will ask you about 2535, and then 2545, and so on. Then before too long we'll be on 3535, then 4545, and then we'll have a cool cover version of that song.
Well, I've been digesting the story in my head for the afternoon so I reckon now I return to it I shall find those pesky 6 words and send them to the naughty step.
Bear with me...
Phew! Managed to write this in a day (a personal record) but not as quick as Michael S. Atkinson, of course!
https://kanwarpsplaha.substack.com/p/goodbye-world-hello-world
I really like these prompt quests! I had fun with this one.
https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/evacuations
I'm calling you Mr. Speedy!
That's a cool story, Michael.
ooooh... is this destiny? Hannah Delaney inspired me to dreaming up moon parsnips just yesterday... and now there's a prompt about strange crops...
It's fate, Nick! Magical parsnips... on the moon? Sounds delicious 😋
im actually struggling to find time... but ive got the bones of a story worked out... might just get it done...
Definitely a sign. I had a similar one (but not moon parsnips)
Been needing to write a new short story. I guess now is the perfect time! Also, where do you get your images from? Are they AI generated? If so, what program do you use?
Hi Elliot, both of these are from Copilot in Bing. I told it I needed the images based upon the writing prompt and after a few minor tweaks got the ones I wanted.
Gotcha. Thanks!
I wanted to do both of these. Unfortunately, these two weeks have been some of the busiest of my life and I barely managed one. After I finished editing, it took me an hour to generate something approximately appropriate using AS (artificial stupidity) for the illustration!
https://myscribblings.substack.com/p/edgewood
But you still managed, Virginia, and that's something to be proud of!
Just in time and after a desperate 1000 word purge I submit my entry to prompt quest #3
fantasy is not my thing but its good to try something new!
In the root meadows, strange things are growing; in the skies, the moons are aligning - and the Great Tree is stirring, but not all the omens of the Great Spring are good...
https://open.substack.com/pub/nickwinney/p/omens-of-the-great-spring?r=2fhpll&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I'm thrilled you stretched those creative muscles, Nick!
@Brian Reindel - hi Brian I have nearly finished my moon parsnips story (yes ... I know) but whilst there is a word limit for submissions to go forward to the discussion part, is there no word limit for submitting the story to this thread in itself, because I just cannot keep it below 2500
Hey Nick, there is no word count threshold for Prompt Quest, so have fun and write away! The 2500 words is really only if you want to submit it to the Lunar Awards season.
ah... well I slashed 1000 words out of this story and didnt lay out the denouement - I thought there was enough for people to work out an ending for themselves. and I could not get BIng to generate the last image how I wanted... and I need to apologise to any Finnish readers... but and why does fantasy make you talk like you're from the dark ages... why?
I wrote my latest story from the Scifi Prompt Quest. So much fun, but took a while to write.
https://armacleod.substack.com/p/tachyons-and-me-just-dont-do-it
I actually started work on a short story yesterday morning that just so happened to be nearly in line with the fantasy prompt. I think I can definitely make it work with just a few small tweaks...
Tweak away!
Hi Brian. Just wanted to confirm that the deadlines for Prompt Quest #3 and Lunar Awards S8 are the same date: 25th September? Thanks!
Yes, that's correct. I actually messed up the day on the Lunar Awards and so I extended it by one day. I had it as Wed. Sept. 24, which is not right since Wed. is the 25th. So now you have 24 more hours to make it perfect. 😁
Perfect?? 👀🤯
Great job with the prompts, Brian! 👏
Thanks, Claudia! I'm going to try my best to do both! 😱
Good luck! 💪
Wow. I like the sci-fi prompt. Hoping to whip something up.
Thanks, Kanwar! I look forward to your contribution. 👍
Oooh. OOOH. OK, can I now finish up episode 2 of my new serial that is due out this week AND work on book 3 AND write this story? Well ep 2 is just in need of a polish, so…yes? Probably?
You definitely need more to do. 😉
My first entry to any kind of writing competition. Here's my sci-fi short story 'Binary Dwarf'
https://substack.com/@wordsbyvin/p-149388178