The 2016-2017 Sekrit Solstice Sci-Fi Fantasy Story Swap

-Riv- · Mar 16, 2017

Bobo The Bard said:
Y'all.

We have so much talent here, that I can't help myself. I must do quick reviews just because these stories deserve to be read.

In the Cloud by PastyAlien:

Waverly Wong by griffins:

Murphy's Law by CuddlyClementine:

Thanks for the reviews! Woooo.

J. A. Rama · Mar 16, 2017

Glad to do 'em.

I loved reading the ones Dammy wrote last year.

The Little Lighter Girl by Sue77. Let's just say I figured out what I was in for and was mentally prepared for FEELS - and that in no way lessened the impact. This is a beautifully written modern culture-swapped retelling of an existing tale, and it's translated beautifully, while still keeping the spirit of the tale intact. I guess things change. People don't. I do wonder which prompt she got that led to this idea.

Definitely one to read! You will be in agony by the end, but it's worth it.

Sue77 · Mar 17, 2017

Thank you Bobo! I'm so glad you enjoyed The Little Lighter Girl - I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. Am I allowed to say who gave me my prompt? It was perfect for me and set my mind in motion immediately.

CuddlyClementine · Mar 17, 2017

I gots reviewed? :e2cry:

Thank you Bobo, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :heart:

KateSmash · Mar 17, 2017

Look at Bobo, spreading the love.

I was going to wait until everyone was revealed to order up some hot sisyphus stories, but I can't wait that long. PM attack!

E.F.B. · Mar 17, 2017

I'm waiting until the majority of the stories are guessed to start asking for things to read. The guessing thread itself distracts me so much there wouldn't be much point in asking now.

Also, while I'd love to be able to read all of the awesome stories you guys have written I'll have to stick to the shorter ones because my eyeballs just strain so easily when I read on the computer.

KateSmash · Mar 17, 2017

E.F.B. said:
I'll have to stick to the shorter ones because my eyeballs just strain so easily when I read on the computer.

That's a large part of the reason I shuffle everything off to my old kindle. (Well that and easy text resizing because blind-ish). If you don't have one, there's a number of apps for phones/tablets that will filter out the blue light of your screen to ease strain. I swear by Twilight, personally.

Mary Love · Mar 17, 2017

KateSmash said:
I swear by Twilight, personally.

Flux 2. Don't know how I lived without it. It syncs with your timezone and dims the screen as night falls so slowly you don't realize it. I also put my waking time, so little notices start popping telling me to go to sleep when I stay up too late. If I get three, I know I'm having a good word night!

E.F.B. · Mar 17, 2017

KateSmash said:
That's a large part of the reason I shuffle everything off to my old kindle. (Well that and easy text resizing because blind-ish). If you don't have one, there's a number of apps for phones/tablets that will filter out the blue light of your screen to ease strain. I swear by Twilight, personally.

Mary Love said:
Flux 2. Don't know how I lived without it. It syncs with your timezone and dims the screen as night falls so slowly you don't realize it. I also put my waking time, so little notices start popping telling me to go to sleep when I stay up too late. If I get three, I know I'm having a good word night!

*takes notes*

Damoclian · Mar 17, 2017

KateSmash said:
That's a large part of the reason I shuffle everything off to my old kindle. (Well that and easy text resizing because blind-ish). If you don't have one, there's a number of apps for phones/tablets that will filter out the blue light of your screen to ease strain. I swear by Twilight, personally.

Mary Love said:
Flux 2. Don't know how I lived without it. It syncs with your timezone and dims the screen as night falls so slowly you don't realize it. I also put my waking time, so little notices start popping telling me to go to sleep when I stay up too late. If I get three, I know I'm having a good word night!

E.F.B. said:
*takes notes*

*copies Effby's notes*

CobraMisfit · Mar 17, 2017

For Richard:

Well played, sir!

ETA: Anyone is welcome to read it.

CuddlyClementine · Mar 17, 2017

CobraMisfit said:
For Richard:

Well played, sir.

You could not have chosen a better gif.

Richard White · Mar 17, 2017

Bring 'em back alive ... that's my motto

KateSmash · Mar 17, 2017

I am hoarding guessed stories like a great big story dragon.

Now If only I could hoard some correct guesses. :tongue

EnzoC · Mar 17, 2017

I think I'm hoarding the title of "most incorrect guesses" lol

Mary Love · Mar 17, 2017

How are you guys without spreadsheets keeping up? I can't keep combing through 13 pages to see if someone has already asked my guess. :flag:

griffins · Mar 17, 2017

Bobo The Bard said:
Waverly Wong by griffins: You guys. I love our narcissistic self-loathing ass-kicking double-parking heroine. Action/comedy + Lovecraftian existentialism! All the characters and world are overly bright and leap off the page with realism and a sense of hidden sadness - and the words themselves FEEL that way. Though the story itself is in-your-face, fast-paced, hilarious, and urgent, there's a sense that the world is infinitely and unknowable, which hits just the right note of aforementioned Lovecraftian existentialism that I absolutely love. It's freaking impressive how many layers of world, mood, and characterization griffins managed to pack into one tale, while still actually telling one damn good story that never lets up. Not to mention, there are other killer bits that I won't reveal! Read it, read it, read it! (And PLEASE tell me this will have a sequel.)

Whoaaaa, permission to frame this and store it in a hermetically-sealed trophy case so I can keep this feeling with me forever?

E.F.B. said:
I'm waiting until the majority of the stories are guessed to start asking for things to read. The guessing thread itself distracts me so much there wouldn't be much point in asking now. Also, while I'd love to be able to read all of the awesome stories you guys have written I'll have to stick to the shorter ones because my eyeballs just strain so easily when I read on the computer.

Oh shoot, is it St. Paddy's day already? I'm inherently pincheable, and is without green attire, please send help!

Damoclian said:
*copies Effby's notes*

*copies Damoclian's notes*

PastyAlien · Mar 17, 2017

Mary Love said:
How are you guys without spreadsheets keeping up? I can't keep combing through 13 pages to see if someone has already asked my guess.

Before I make a guess, I do a thread search on the title and/or name of the person I want to guess. You still have to look at a few posts, but not thirteen pages of them.

PastyAlien · Mar 17, 2017

Still in the process of requesting stories; there are so many I want to read! I plan to download them to my tablet and savour them over the next couple of weeks (currently my reading time is limited to thirty seconds before bed--that's how long it takes for my eyes to slam shut). So I will reply to/thank everyone who sent me their story, but it might take me a while . . .

Friendly Frog · Mar 17, 2017

I is guessed.

In case anyone wants to know whether it is a space ship from the excerpt of The Sound of the Stars, feel free to send me a rep and I'll send a copy your way. It's a about 5100 words.

Mary Love said:
How are you guys without spreadsheets keeping up? I can't keep combing through 13 pages to see if someone has already asked my guess.

Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't call it 'keeping up'. :roll:

I just go with something, whether it has been guessed or not.

Mary Love · Mar 17, 2017

PastyAlien said:
a thread search

Will I ever stop learning tricks to this forum? Thanks for the tip!

Aggy B. · Mar 17, 2017

Btw, I've sent my story out to everyone that asked for it. I think. If you wanted to read it and haven't gotten it yet, don't hesitate to nudge. I'm not the best organized under the best of circumstances and the flu really threw me for a loop.

Jaymz Connelly · Mar 17, 2017

I've been sending out requests the minute a story I want to read gets guessed.

(well, maybe not exactly a minute) I've read a couple - and sent my applause to the author's of stories I've read. If I requested a story from you - you WILL get applause and rep for your story once I've read it!

But I do have to say - I could read Tiddly's stories ALL DAY! Such good fun with Jane and Az and Prince Ted.

paddismac · Mar 17, 2017

Jaymz Connelly said:
But I do have to say - I could read Tiddly's stories ALL DAY! Such good fun with Jane and Az and Prince Ted.

That was my gift this year, and I have to agree! It was FAB!!! (And if you haven't read the others in the series, you gotta do it NOW!)

Jaymz Connelly · Mar 17, 2017

paddismac said:
That was my gift this year, and I have to agree! It was FAB!!! (And if you haven't read the others in the series, you gotta do it NOW!)

Tiddly was kind enough to send me the other two as well. I agree. They're ALL awesome! I had a very enjoyable evening last night.

The 2016-2017 Sekrit Solstice Sci-Fi Fantasy Story Swap

The much appreciated

Master Plot Hydra Conqueror

.

this was a triumph

Stories, stories everywhere

this was a triumph

Stories, stories everywhere

Fragile Bunny

I want to be Comic Sans.

.

Stealthy Plot Bunny Peddler

this was a triumph

Space butthole

Space butthole

Snarkenfaugister

Not as sweet as you think

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree

Parasite free since '09

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree