ATS Short Story Contest format - theme idea.

Hello ATS Writing Community and Visitors.

Earlier on, Maxmars, myself and others notable members had a light-hearted discussion about the next Contest theme. This took place in the post-contest "green room" of the last contest:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I'm sworn to secrecy regarding the next contest theme, so instead of revealing real clues, I gave an example of a storyline that wouldn't fit the theme.

Well, the end result was that even the most absurd keywords stimulated creativity in a way I hadn't expected. In fact, I realised that many stories could be created from those few clues and still somehow fit the yet undisclosed theme.

So, I'm just spitballing an idea for an occasional short story contest that doesn't start with a theme, but rather a set of keywords. They could include a person, animal, object, particular setting - location or time wise, tagline, etc.

For the story to be eligible, it has to contain all the elements... the genre is up to the writer.

I'm not knocking the current format. I'm perfectly happy with how the contests are organised and theme-based. I wouldn't want that to end. This alternate format could be an occasional thing, like when we did the 100 word limit one, that attracted a lot of participants.

Maybe it would attract those that normally shy away because they think the theme is too specific, even if I don't recall a story being rejected for being off topic, no matter how distant, theme-wise. Having a blueprint or brief may make it easier for people to share their ideas, notwithstanding how oblique it is.

The downside is that we risk many stories being very similar... Would it get boring, especially for the readers, I don't know? What I do know is that the spectrum of the ATS Writing Community is massive. I'm more inclined to trust in their creativity to make the stories compelling, entertaining and diverse.

Finally, not having a defined theme would require a special acronym to add to each story title. My first thought was:
DIY/mm/yy = Do It Yourself/month/year

Ok, I'd be interested to know how many members, especially non-writers, would be more inclined to submit stories if they had a brief overview / clues / blueprint to get you started.

Thanks for reading and any feedback you'd like to afford us.

Cheers

a reply to: Encia22

I kinda think of the Theme description as being the keywords anyway.
BUT, using "When Science Fails" as key words to include in a short story, well, I see the difference.

a reply to: BeNotAfraid

Yes, the last contest locked the writer into a science theme. The words on their own give more scope.

Also, there would also be a few other mandatory words or criteria to build the story around.

a reply to: Encia22

I remember ages ago we did one based on a series of pictures. it was fun weaving those into a narrative.

a reply to: SprocketUK

Thanks for the information. I was wondering if anything like that had been tried.

Stories based on pictures sounds fun and probably even better than keywords.

a reply to: Encia22

Hey, at least you realized you won.

And I kinda like that idea. You can try to loophole it and just make the theme "Keywords" like "KW2023". Then provide the keywords to use. Which can include a list of an animal, vegetable, and mineral. May not really change format much?

I really don't care, just give me a new contest theme. I only place when it's someone else's theme anyway.

a reply to: Encia22

The theme is always up to the Contest Winner.
So, if you want to do a Key Word Contest, that option is open.

It's good to have different format, we have had contest that limit words with varying success.
We've have no theme contests, and who know what else that was before my time with these contests.
And the traditional format....but why nor key words?

a reply to: SprocketUK
I loved that one it was easy at least for me, it was PIC2016

Just dont make us write without letters I dont want to try and do my own version of A Void

What if…

There were differing contests on alternating months? That would mean new stories every month rather than every other.

Okay, maybe I’m just being greedy

a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

a reply to: Moon68

They already are every other month.
Greater frequency isn't doable, and could really be overkill.

a reply to: DBCowboy

ORLY??
So, are you saying this or is it your AI has taken over?

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: DBCowboy

ORLY??
So, are you saying this or is it your AI has taken over?

Easy way to tell if it's an AI or myself.

An AI won't be stupid and say dorky things.

a reply to: DBCowboy

No worries

I'll be sure to make a note of that in your file

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: DBCowboy

No worries

I'll be sure to make a note of that in your file

ProTip#14 AI's don't make fart jokes.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Encia22

AI

We need to do AI stories.

We need to have AI write the stories... LOL

a reply to: Degradation33

Yep, I like that title acronym.

I hear you, same here with doing better with surprise themes, rather than my own. In fact, I'm shooting myself in the foot because I don't usually have a story already lined up. The themes I've provided are only because they sound interesting or are based on some movie I recently watched or song I've heard.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Cheers, I didn't know that. I thought the format and presentation had been established by you and Johnny and the winner just had to choose the theme.

It's good that there is some leeway and that there's been some experimenting in the past.