# Doper Writers - the Logistics Thread for the Sept. 2010 edition of the SDMB Short Fiction Contest. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601 "2010-09-04T17:00:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/21 "2010-09-10T13:11:41Z")
Hello, everyone. As of the posting of this thread, Doper authors will have 60 hours to write a story of 2,000 words (or less) based on the following three words - **Auroras Habitually Cherish** and the following [photograph](http://www.flickr.com/photos/25207695@N07/4957453074/). Please send your completed stories (preferrably in a .doc compatible format) to sdmbpoetrysweatshop at gmail dot com. **Please include your SDMB username.** (You may receive an out-of-office auto-reply with the above information; having said I’d do that earlier in this thread, I had to set that up.) I will start an Anthology Thread sometime tomorrow, when I’ve received a few submissions. At the close of the contest, Sunday, Sept. 12th at 9 PM EDT, I will establish a poll to determine the favourite story. Wishing all writers great inspiration this weekend, Le Ministre de l’au-delà ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/22 "2010-09-10T20:09:29Z")
Thanks, **Le Ministre**. Interesting words and photo! I’ll give this a bump so hopefully others who wish to participate will see it. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/23 "2010-09-10T23:26:49Z")
Interesting photo. Anyone know what year that is? I guessed 56 at first glance, but it could be from 1951-57 according [to this.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hornet). Anyway, I’m in. No werewolves this time, I promise. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/24 "2010-09-10T23:40:40Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Interesting photo. Anyone know what year that is? I guessed 56 at first glance, but it could be from 1951-57 according [to this.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hornet). > . '56 looks to be the only year with that distinctive dip in the trim behind the door handle that you see in the pictures below…good guess! I have a busy weekend, but really hope to get to this. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/25 "2010-09-11T00:25:42Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > > [@elfkin477](#): > > > > Interesting photo. Anyone know what year that is? I guessed 56 at first glance, but it could be from 1951-57 according [to this.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hornet). > > . > > '56 looks to be the only year with that distinctive dip in the trim behind the door handle that you see in the pictures below…good guess! Heh. I’ve never even heard of that type of car before, so it was a really good guess, then. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/26 "2010-09-11T00:46:47Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > > > '56 looks to be the only year with that distinctive dip in the trim behind the door handle that you see in the pictures below…good guess! > > Heh. I’ve never even heard of that type of car before, so it was a really good guess, then. Paul Newman’s last role was playing a Hudson Hornet in “Cars” . There’s some trivia for ya. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/27 "2010-09-11T00:58:38Z")
I guess this is a stupid question, but in general terms, how do you tell if a story is “about” the 3 words and the picture? Do they have to be central themes? I assume you have to do a bit more than mention them. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/28 "2010-09-11T01:05:19Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > I guess this is a stupid question, but in general terms, how do you tell if a story is “about” the 3 words and the picture? Do they have to be central themes? I assume you have to do a bit more than mention them. Why not have a look at the results from the [last contest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563348)? ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/29 "2010-09-11T01:17:38Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > I guess this is a stupid question, but in general terms, how do you tell if a story is “about” the 3 words and the picture? Do they have to be central themes? I assume you have to do a bit more than mention them. > > Why not have a look at the results from the [last contest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563348)? So, I should read every story and then synthesis my own answer? Nice to see y’all being so helpful to the newbie. Appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/30 "2010-09-11T02:30:22Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > I guess this is a stupid question, but in general terms, how do you tell if a story is “about” the 3 words and the picture? Do they have to be central themes? I assume you have to do a bit more than mention them. **dzero** - Not a stupid question at all, just not one with a single definitive answer - everybody is going to have a different approach to this. What works for me (and therefore, what I’d suggest that you try) is to take each word and think about it for a few minutes. Remember, you won’t necessarily have to use each word in the form that it appears in. In other words, ‘cherish’ could become ‘cherished’, ‘cherishing’; ‘habitually’ could become ‘out of habit’, ‘habitual’, "Auroras’ wouldn’t necessarily have to remain in the plural (though that’s a fascinating challenge.) So what can you think of that involves those three words and the photo? I don’t want to go into much more depth on the specifics of this month’s contest because everyone is busy forming their own ideas. If you do look at the [Logistics Thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=561981) from the last one, I had proposed a photo and three words as example (post #22) and then in post #45, I gave some advice as to how I’d go about using those elements to inspire a story. I hope it might give you some ideas that will get you started. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/31 "2010-09-11T06:25:34Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > … “Auroras” wouldn’t necessarily have to remain in the plural (though that’s a fascinating challenge.) Oh, I’ve got some ideas… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/32 "2010-09-11T06:41:01Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > > [@elfkin477](#): > > > > Why not have a look at the results from the [last contest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563348)? > > So, I should read every story and then synthesis my own answer? > > Nice to see y’all being so helpful to the newbie. Appreciate it. Well, gee, maybe I should have gone with “suck it newbie, wing it like we did last time when there were no examples” rather than give you a link to a page that showed what other people did with the same sort of stimuluses. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/33 "2010-09-11T06:45:40Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > So, I should read every story and then synthesis my own answer? > > > > Nice to see y’all being so helpful to the newbie. Appreciate it. > > Well, gee, maybe I should have gone with “suck it newbie, wing it like we did last time when there were no examples” rather than give you a link to a page that showed what other people did with the same sort of stimuluses. :dubious: Apparently some guidance was in fact given - see post 30 above. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/34 "2010-09-11T06:57:13Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > > [@elfkin477](#): > > > > Well, gee, maybe I should have gone with “suck it newbie, wing it like we did last time when there were no examples” rather than give you a link to a page that showed what other people did with the same sort of stimuluses. :dubious: > > Apparently some guidance was in fact given - see post 30 above. And then it was argued with and disagreed with for two more pages in that thread. But hey, if you find that easier to wade through than seeing what people ultimately did… ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/35 "2010-09-11T07:01:44Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > Apparently some guidance was in fact given - see post 30 above. > > And then it was argued with and disagreed with for two more pages in that thread. But hey, if you find that easier to wade through than seeing what people ultimately did… I was proceeding under the assumption that our poet laureate wouldn’t mislead me, but now that I think about it, he does have a shifty sounding French name. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/36 "2010-09-11T11:39:08Z")
**dzero** - Never let a poet give you directions unless you want to waste your time searching for the luminous in the mundane. Shouldn’t you guys be writing? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/37 "2010-09-12T12:05:12Z")
I have started the [Anthology Thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577967), and I will continue adding stories to it as I receive them. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/38 "2010-09-12T13:14:36Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > **dzero** - > Never let a poet give you directions > unless you want to waste your time > searching for the luminous in the mundane. > Shouldn’t you guys be writing? 😃 Thanks LM. I feel awful so I don’t think it’s going to happen this time. Good luck to everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/39 "2010-09-12T14:10:23Z")
I’ve just got too much on my plate too ☹ My only time to sit down and do it is between now and the deadline, and there’s just too much other stuff to do. I will be reading though! ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601/40 "2010-09-12T15:14:07Z")
Well, we’ll miss your input. On the other hand, there is a certain ‘warts and all’ charm to these, so I’d encourage you to submit whatever you’ve got, even if the central character’s name changes every couple of paragraphs. That’s part of what makes time-limited contests and improv fun! Of course, I should talk - I have yet to finish my first draft. Later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-writers-the-logistics-thread-for-the-sept-2010-edition-of-the-sdmb-short-fiction-contest/552601.md?page=3)