SSC 2007: Rules and Categories
Mija
From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were - I have not seen
As others saw - I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
~Edgar Allan Poe, 'Alone'
13 summers ago on alt.sex.spanking there was a short story contest.
So there was every year thereafter.
So there shall be again.
The day is coming fast. The 2007 SSC begins on Friday, June 15.
~SSC'07 RULES~
1. SSC stories can be no longer than 500 words. (Headers, titles,
author names, comments, copyright notices and such aren't included in
this word count.) Stories need to be complete in and of themselves.
The challenge here is to write self-contained stories of 500 words or
fewer.
2. Stories need to be about our topic of common interest (that's
spanking in case you've been wondering <g>) in some general sense.
3. Stories shouldn't have been entered in an SSC before.
4. This should go without saying, but SSC stories need to be posted to
soc.sexuality.spanking. They must also be e-mailed to this address,
which will make sure they get reviewed and archived: mijita (at)
thetreehouse (dot) net.
5. SSC stories are archived to the group's website. By entering a story
in the SSC you're giving your permission for it to be included in the
year's archive.
6. Somewhere -- like the subject line, beginning or end of the story --
you need to tell us the category you want it in. Don't make us guess.
We get all cranky when that happens.
7. Entry limits. You may post up to three (3) stories in each category
(except for the Gothic, Picture and First/Last categories).
8. Spanking should be taken seriously <g>. This contest shouldn't.
The point here is to encourage original writing by lots of people,
(especially those who haven't written stories about spanking before!),
not to make anyone feel better or worse than someone else. :) If you
find yourself feeling better or worse than another writer, take a deep
breath, turn off your computer and go outside for a while. After all,
it's summertime!!
oOo
~STORY CATEGORIES~
Here are the categories for this year's contest. When you enter a
story, choose the category that you'd like it to be entered in, and
identify the category clearly somewhere in your post.
**Gothic** A story making use of "the gothic" in some fashion. (no
limit on entries)
**Adult** No one in the story is a child. (up to three (3) entries per
author)
**Beginnings and Endings ** beginnings - stories using a specific, given
first sentence [lines to be posted on contest day].
Endings - stories using a specific, given last sentence. Watch out for
announcements about what first and last sentences are available! To
keep the contest fresh we'll be adding new sentences throughout the
contest. (one (1) entry per quotation per author)
**Child** At least one of the story's characters is under 18. (up to
three (3) entries per author)
**Edge** One cool thing about the SSC is that authors can push their own
writing to the edges of their fantasies. Edge stories should be writing
that, for whatever reason, is edgy to you. Please be sure to add an
author's note explaining why this story is edgy for you. This note is
*required* and does not count toward the word-limit. (up to three (3)
entries per author)
**Missing Scene / FanFiction** -- a missing scene from a book, TV show
or film or a story making use of any fandom for its setting. You must
include a note stating where this is from. Links to Wikis and the like
are really helpful to the reviewers.
**Not My Kink / Someone Else's Kink** A story in which the author writes
about a
(spanking-related) kink or orientation which they *don't* have. Authors
must include a note describing why they chose to write about this kink,
and how it relates to their own. (Such a note is not included in the
word count.)
A variation on the category this year is "someone else's kink" where the
author writes about the kink and/or orientation of another newsgroup
member whose name should be included. Note that permission to write /
post this story should be *explicitly* obtained beforehand. (up to 3
entries per author)
**Object Fetish** stories whose central focus is an object / item. (up
to three (3) entries per author)
**Picture** A story inspired by one of the following pictures [URLs of
pictures to be posted on contest day]. To keep the contest fresh we'll
be adding new pictures throughout the contest. (one (1) entry per
picture per author)
oOo
~HOW TO ENTER A STORY~
So, here's how to enter a story in the SSC:
1. Write the story! (That's the hard part done.)
2. Choose *one* category (from those shown above) to enter the story
in, and mark the story clearly with the category you've chosen at either
the beginning or end (use the end if you think the category would be a
story spoiler). Don't enter the same story in multiple categories.
3. Post the story to soc.sexuality.spanking. It helps to put 'SSC07'
(without the quotes) at the start of the subject line.
4. At the same time, submit the story to
mijita(at)thetreehouse(dot)net. A story isn't entered *unless* it is
both posted to the newsgroup and submitted to the contest.
o0o
~READERS~
The Readers will be announced Friday.
o0o
It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure.
~ Marquis De Sade
--
I solemnly swear I am up to no good.
Real address is mijita(at)thetreehouse(dot)net
Katharine164
Okay, not that it matters to me personally because you know I barely
ever manage to write anything for the SCC, but why are there limits in
some categories? Just curious.
Katharine
Mija
>
> Okay, not that it matters to me personally because you know I barely
> ever manage to write anything for the SCC, but why are there limits in
> some categories? Just curious.
That a good question and I'm really glad you asked.
Practical reason: It's a way to keep the number of stories to a
managable number for the readers. (It's an alternative I'm trying to
the straight entry cap that was used the past few years). It's also
going to (hopefully) spread stories more evenly between categories.
Personal reason: Personally, I'm hoping that it encourages all of us
who write for the contest to think about entering in categories
outside our comfort zone. In looking back at stories in past SSCs,
some of the very best and most interesting stories come from writers
who are pushing themselves to write in ways they don't usually
write.
That's my thinking anyway.
Peace,
Mija
Mija
> **Missing Scene / FanFiction** -- a missing scene from a book, TV show
> or film or a story making use of any fandom for its setting. You must
> include a note stating where this is from. Links to Wikis and the like
> are really helpful to the reviewers.
Note: This category is also limited to 3 entries per author.
Mija
> >13 summers ago on alt.sex.spanking there was a short story contest.
>
> >So there was every year thereafter.
>
> >So there shall be again.
>
> >The day is coming fast. The 2007 SSC begins on Friday, June 15.
Barrister:
> Sounds like the coming of DOOM!!
"... is as the footsteps of doom"
Bwahahahaha! You have no idea.
~M.
GrumpyOldPapa
> On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:12:19 -0700, c...@signatureline.org (Mija)
> wrote:
>
>
>>> The day is coming fast. The 2007 SSC begins on Friday, June 15.<<<
>> Sounds like the coming of DOOM!!<<
Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated.
Papa
"We sleep safe in our bed because rough men stand ready in the night
to visit violence on those who would do us harm." ...George Orwell
Mija
> Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated.
Hmm... Gothic sci-fi.
Exterminate! Exterminate!
~M.
Jen
>
> 1. SSC stories can be no longer than 500 words. (Headers, titles,
> author names, comments, copyright notices and such aren't included in
> this word count.) Stories need to be complete in and of themselves.
> The challenge here is to write self-contained stories of 500 words or
> fewer.
>
In other years we could overshoot the 500 mark by about ten words. Are
we cutting that out this time? I don't usually have a problem hitting
the target, but I want to know if there's any leeway at all, because
sometimes it's hard to edit out those last ten words.
Jen
Matt Anglen
be hard pressed to get this note down to 500 words, but...
>**Not My Kink / Someone Else's Kink** A story in which the author writes
>about a (spanking-related) kink or orientation which they *don't* have. Authors
>must include a note describing why they chose to write about this kink,
>and how it relates to their own. (Such a note is not included in the
>word count.)
I'm almost afraid to offer any possibilities, so many people are so
easily (and thoroughly) bothered by kinks they don't share, but which
kinks are spanking related? Is this just F/M by M/F writers and
similar permutations? Or are we talking anal play, cross-dressing,
feather fetishes, or pretty much whatever as long as 1) the story also
relates to spanking and 2) it's a kink we don't actually share?
(as a side note, how many entries can we make of another kink while
continuing to maintain that it's "not my kink?" Just asking...)
Mija, this contest is really great, it's really gotten me excited
about doing some short writing. I'm halfway there on one (about 1,000
words) and have a little further to go on another (maybe 1,400) but
it's been great fun trying. Thanks!
Matt
CrimsnKid6
> I'm almost afraid to offer any possibilities, so many people are so
> easily (and thoroughly) bothered by kinks they don't share, but which
> kinks are spanking related? Is this just F/M by M/F writers and
> similar permutations? Or are we talking anal play, cross-dressing,
> feather fetishes, or pretty much whatever as long as 1) the story also
> relates to spanking and 2) it's a kink we don't actually share?
IIRC that's how it's been interpreted in the past--pretty much any
other kink, as long as there's at least some reference to spanking
too.
(BTW, I don't recall there being many--if any--negative reactions
to non-spanking kinks in past SSC competitions, but if it's something
that you think might offend some people you could always put a warning
note--which presumably wouldn't count as part of the 500-word limit--
at the beginning of your story.)
> (as a side note, how many entries can we make of another kink while
> continuing to maintain that it's "not my kink?" Just asking...)
I'd guess that normally your word that it isn't your personal kink
would be accepted--of course, if you had your own website dedicated
specifically to that kink or there's some other strong indicator that
it IS your kink...
> Mija, this contest is really great, it's really gotten me excited
> about doing some short writing. I'm halfway there on one (about 1,000
> words) and have a little further to go on another (maybe 1,400) but
> it's been great fun trying. Thanks!
Sounds like some really tight editing--but if too much quality
would be lost (IYO) by extreme *cutting down* of the story, you can
always post it as a regular story here...
H.I.A.W.B.,
--C.K.
Matt Anglen
>
> Sounds like some really tight editing--but if too much quality
> would be lost (IYO) by extreme *cutting down* of the story, you can
> always post it as a regular story here...
> H.I.A.W.B.,
> --C.K.
Thanks, Crimson Kid - I think that's where I've ended up...
Mija
> In other years we could overshoot the 500 mark by about ten words. Are
> we cutting that out this time? I don't usually have a problem hitting
> the target, but I want to know if there's any leeway at all, because
> sometimes it's hard to edit out those last ten words.
Oh yes. And some word counters count differently.
We're not going to sweat the small stuff. :)
Peace,
Mija
Mija
> Query (213 words) - You might wonder why I'd ask a question when I'll
> be hard pressed to get this note down to 500 words, but...
Not at all. For what it's worth, my SSC stories usually go from
over 1000 words (sometimes more) down to the 500. Each cut hurts
and I frequently think I'm ruining the story but more than once
the final stories have been a lot better than it was to start with.
>> **Not My Kink / Someone Else's Kink** A story in which the author writes
>> about a (spanking-related) kink or orientation which they *don't* have. Authors
>> must include a note describing why they chose to write about this kink,
>> and how it relates to their own. (Such a note is not included in the
>> word count.)
>
> I'm almost afraid to offer any possibilities, so many people are so
> easily (and thoroughly) bothered by kinks they don't share, but which
> kinks are spanking related? Is this just F/M by M/F writers and
> similar permutations? Or are we talking anal play, cross-dressing,
> feather fetishes, or pretty much whatever as long as 1) the story also
> relates to spanking and 2) it's a kink we don't actually share?
Any kink, any variation -- breath play, school fetish, shoe
fetish, D/s, cross dressing -- all the story has to be is
something that the writer generally doesn't think they share/have.
Heck, even vanilla sex. Though that's just weird. ;)
> (as a side note, how many entries can we make of another kink while
> continuing to maintain that it's "not my kink?" Just asking...)
LOL. Every time I've written a story for this category I've
ended up feeling a sort of "well, maybe..."
> Mija, this contest is really great, it's really gotten me excited
> about doing some short writing. I'm halfway there on one (about 1,000
> words) and have a little further to go on another (maybe 1,400) but
> it's been great fun trying. Thanks!
Oo... very cool. Looking forward to reading what you come up with.
Peace,
Mija
Kate James
>
> Peace,
>
> Mija
Don't sweat the petty stuff...and well you can pet the sweaty stuff if
you like :)
Kate who just couldn't resist
Matt Anglen
> Don't sweat the petty stuff...and well you can pet the sweaty stuff if
> you like :)
>
> Kate who just couldn't resist
Too cute... -x-
Matt
Y. Lee Coyote
The rules state:
>**Child** At least one of the story's characters is under 18.
I wonder if this is really what is wanted rather than something like:
> **Child** At least one of the story's characters INVOLVED WITH THE SPANKING is under 18.
As stated the rule would convert an ADULT story in a CHILD story just
by the mention of the kids in the family. I doubt that is what most
would want to do. E.g., suppose a story starts: <<Normally all the
kids are out of the house by 9 but not this morning. Johnny hung
about watching the tape of a TV show that was past his bedtime. Sally
just had to wash and iron her favorite outfit just to go to the park.
It was past 11 by the time that ....>>
I will note that 'involved' has some ambiguity. What if the story is
about the kids talking about hearing/seeing their parents spanking
each other. Is that a CHILD or ADULT story?
If not for the three stories/category this would not be so important.
Y.
Posted and e-mailed.
Valid return address is <YLeeCoyote (at) mail.com>
(Posting address is for the spammers)
See my stories at http://www.asstr.org/~YLeeCoyote/
See Goldilocks stories at http://www.geocities.com/goldilocks1938/
Mija
> The rules state:
>> **Child** At least one of the story's characters is under 18.
>
> I wonder if this is really what is wanted rather than something like:
>> **Child** At least one of the story's characters INVOLVED WITH THE SPANKING is under 18.
>
> As stated the rule would convert an ADULT story in a CHILD story just
> by the mention of the kids in the family. I doubt that is what most
> would want to do. E.g., suppose a story starts: <<Normally all the
> kids are out of the house by 9 but not this morning. Johnny hung
> about watching the tape of a TV show that was past his bedtime. Sally
> just had to wash and iron her favorite outfit just to go to the park.
> It was past 11 by the time that ....>>
>
> I will note that 'involved' has some ambiguity. What if the story is
> about the kids talking about hearing/seeing their parents spanking
> each other. Is that a CHILD or ADULT story?
>
> If not for the three stories/category this would not be so important.
[sorry, I replied to this first via email because I didn't
realize it was also a post. My mistake.]
Hi Y. Lee,
Your point is well taken.
However, I'm going to leave it as it stands (which was the
wording used for several other years) and let the authors decide
how to interpret whether or not they have child characters in the
story. If there's a problem with one story / author, it can be
resolved individually.
The rule exists as is because I have some readers who can't read
stories involving children and spanking. Personally, as an
author, given how squicked some readers are by children in
stories, if a story has children in it as characters (not just
mentioned -- those aren't characters), I'd find a category other
than ADULT for it. I'd like to keep stories involving children
out of the ADULT category.
Given that ADULT generally has more entries than any other one
anyway, I don't think it's going to lack entries even with the
tighter restrictions.
Best,
Mija
Y. Lee Coyote
>[sorry, I replied to this first via email because I didn't
>realize it was also a post. My mistake.]
glad I did NOT point it out to you.
>Your point is well taken.
Thanks.
>The rule exists as is because I have some readers who can't read
>stories involving children and spanking.
Not a new problem at all. I had not considered the problem of
reviewers being troubled by non-spanked children as active characters.
>Given that ADULT generally has more entries than any other one
>anyway, I don't think it's going to lack entries even with the
>tighter restrictions.
True -- and if not for the three entry rule and that I write stories
with active children I would not have talked about it.