Excellent work, Garen! I knew it would be difficult to beat from the moment I read it. And you had some tough competition. I'll get in touch with Joshua and get you the link for your downloads. I'm sure you'll enjoy his series. 😁
Obviously I shouldn't comment on my own story (thank you for the HM! - two in a row means I must be doing something right), but I would totally concur with your decision for the winner - I thought Garen's story was immaculate and beautiful. And I love Bridget's one too. That must've been a very difficult decision.
I haven't read all of the entries yet, though, maybe half of them. So now I get to make my way through the other half...
This is a really great competition - thank you for all the hard work, Brian. It is well appreciated.
Oh, you should definitely comment on your own story, Evelyn! We're our own worst critics and it's good to acknowledge you're absolutely doing something right.
There were a lot of original stories this season, and it was hard to choose. We had fewer submissions, but that didn't make it any easier.
Also, thanks for encouraging me to add another ranking category. It makes total sense the more I look at it. So thank you!
Yeah - the extra ranking category really works. I like that!
I did a fair amount of commenting on my story in the notes to it on the post page (so I'll not do so here). It is true though that the idea was originally a movie idea from Katrina (my main character) in her other world. Called 'the penitent', which is a homage to one of our favourite genres namely the SF dystopia - so I was really excited when I read your prompt! There's a link to her journal entry about it in the story notes. I should really write it all up as a long-form, as I've seen it in my head already and it would make a great film. Except obviously everyone who's read my story now knows the twist. My bad...
Ah - I did like what you said about layers - that really makes sense. I haven't really thought of it in terms of the word 'layers' though, more in terms of 'subtext' perhaps. Likewise I wanted to do the alternating time zones as well, from present to past. I like that kind of narrative switching and it sort of forces the reader to do some thinking, at which point they themselves start adding the subtext. Not that I was permanently mindful of that at the time so much (that might seem a little pretentious), so it does work organically. The more one writes the more organic it gets.
I think subtext is another great term. It's very similar to layers, and jokingly, I sometimes refer to that scene from Shrek, where he talks about ogres having layers like an onion. Ogres have layers, as do stories. 🤣 Conceptually, I think it's the same, and when you throw in conflict as a result of those layers, then you've got the makings of a great story.
It sounds like you've got a wonderful world building up with your story, and I hope it gets more exposure!
'conflict as a result of the layers' - that's a very good way of describing it. Conflict obviously requires a protagonist and forces of antagonism, which could be a person or non-human circumstances (or inner character traits). It's a human nature thing as well - humans are not only social animals, but they live in an ecosystem and they have a spectrum of needs. So it's kind of logically inevitable that they see the world through stories of protagonist and antagonist.
I'm reminded of a nice little quote from (playwright/screenwriter) David Mamet, which goes something like a story consists of 'a character wants something and has trouble getting it'. It's that simple.
But of course that's where the creative fun begins. I sometimes think us writers need to have a serious cruel streak to them, if we delight in tormenting our main characters with antagonistic forces all the time!
Mind you, you could have a bad guy as your main character who is constantly tormented by the good guys thwarting him.
lol. It's also quite a good writing exercise for getting to know your characters. Simply conjure up a scene in which they are in a serious spot of bother and imagine how they would react. Like they're given the restaurant bill and suddenly realise they don't have any money on them.
Great job, Bridget! You're among the greats with more than one honorable mention. So, so, so close this time... I have no doubt they'll be a win in your future somewhere. 🏅
What a great selection of stories and congrats to all!
Thanks, Brian. Love what you are doing in this space to bring attention to these unique and talented voices. I'm humbled by the recognition to be amongst them.
Thanks, Derek! Excellent work on "Discount Interstellar, Inc.". It's nice to see you already creating a backlog of fantastic fiction. "The Confectioner's Taffy" is still one of my favorites.
Ahhhhh!!!! Thank you SO much for this amazing honor! I just turned my phone off of airplane mode after a flight and was so happy to read this news!
I’m very grateful, Brian, that you’ve created this wonderful fiction community and offer writers your time and consideration for this award.
Congratulations to Evelyn and Bridget! I’m thrilled to be in their company.
Excellent work, Garen! I knew it would be difficult to beat from the moment I read it. And you had some tough competition. I'll get in touch with Joshua and get you the link for your downloads. I'm sure you'll enjoy his series. 😁
I’m excited to dig in to the books!
*dig into - I’m typing too fast! ☺️
Obviously I shouldn't comment on my own story (thank you for the HM! - two in a row means I must be doing something right), but I would totally concur with your decision for the winner - I thought Garen's story was immaculate and beautiful. And I love Bridget's one too. That must've been a very difficult decision.
I haven't read all of the entries yet, though, maybe half of them. So now I get to make my way through the other half...
This is a really great competition - thank you for all the hard work, Brian. It is well appreciated.
Oh, you should definitely comment on your own story, Evelyn! We're our own worst critics and it's good to acknowledge you're absolutely doing something right.
There were a lot of original stories this season, and it was hard to choose. We had fewer submissions, but that didn't make it any easier.
Also, thanks for encouraging me to add another ranking category. It makes total sense the more I look at it. So thank you!
Yeah - the extra ranking category really works. I like that!
I did a fair amount of commenting on my story in the notes to it on the post page (so I'll not do so here). It is true though that the idea was originally a movie idea from Katrina (my main character) in her other world. Called 'the penitent', which is a homage to one of our favourite genres namely the SF dystopia - so I was really excited when I read your prompt! There's a link to her journal entry about it in the story notes. I should really write it all up as a long-form, as I've seen it in my head already and it would make a great film. Except obviously everyone who's read my story now knows the twist. My bad...
Ah - I did like what you said about layers - that really makes sense. I haven't really thought of it in terms of the word 'layers' though, more in terms of 'subtext' perhaps. Likewise I wanted to do the alternating time zones as well, from present to past. I like that kind of narrative switching and it sort of forces the reader to do some thinking, at which point they themselves start adding the subtext. Not that I was permanently mindful of that at the time so much (that might seem a little pretentious), so it does work organically. The more one writes the more organic it gets.
I think subtext is another great term. It's very similar to layers, and jokingly, I sometimes refer to that scene from Shrek, where he talks about ogres having layers like an onion. Ogres have layers, as do stories. 🤣 Conceptually, I think it's the same, and when you throw in conflict as a result of those layers, then you've got the makings of a great story.
It sounds like you've got a wonderful world building up with your story, and I hope it gets more exposure!
'conflict as a result of the layers' - that's a very good way of describing it. Conflict obviously requires a protagonist and forces of antagonism, which could be a person or non-human circumstances (or inner character traits). It's a human nature thing as well - humans are not only social animals, but they live in an ecosystem and they have a spectrum of needs. So it's kind of logically inevitable that they see the world through stories of protagonist and antagonist.
I'm reminded of a nice little quote from (playwright/screenwriter) David Mamet, which goes something like a story consists of 'a character wants something and has trouble getting it'. It's that simple.
But of course that's where the creative fun begins. I sometimes think us writers need to have a serious cruel streak to them, if we delight in tormenting our main characters with antagonistic forces all the time!
Mind you, you could have a bad guy as your main character who is constantly tormented by the good guys thwarting him.
I feel like I have not tormented my characters enough. I should start. 😜
lol. It's also quite a good writing exercise for getting to know your characters. Simply conjure up a scene in which they are in a serious spot of bother and imagine how they would react. Like they're given the restaurant bill and suddenly realise they don't have any money on them.
Any anxiety dream will do!
Thank you for the honorable mention, Brian! I love to see all that the Lunar Awards do for fiction on Substack!
Congratulations Garen and Evelyn! I absolutely adore both your stories!
Great job, Bridget! You're among the greats with more than one honorable mention. So, so, so close this time... I have no doubt they'll be a win in your future somewhere. 🏅
What a great selection of stories and congrats to all!
Thanks, Brian. Love what you are doing in this space to bring attention to these unique and talented voices. I'm humbled by the recognition to be amongst them.
Thanks, Derek! Excellent work on "Discount Interstellar, Inc.". It's nice to see you already creating a backlog of fantastic fiction. "The Confectioner's Taffy" is still one of my favorites.
Great stories on the winner side. I'll have to work hard for my next submission. 😉
I'm looking forward to it, Andrew! Thank you for submitting, and I look forward to seeing more of you around the Lunar Awards.
i very much enjoyed Garen's story and its a worthy winner! well done!
I look forward to something from you next time around, Nick!
always working on something Brian!