April is the Cruelest Month -- Or Is It?

[Michelle]

April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
~T.S. Eliot

Please Click Here for the New Writer Division Stories

Please Click Here for Experienced Writer Division Stories

My turn again, huh? It's almost like you all want to make me crazy and neurotic for a month, but the joke is on you – because it's no different than any other month! Wait! What?

The premise: Write a story which somehow ties in a theme from the above T.S. Eliot quote. Your tale doesn't have to strictly follow the snippet, but somewhere should be an image, reference, or concept from the quote.

April. Cruelty. Lilacs. Memory. Desire. Spring. Rain. Use all or one, but entertain us. Surprise us. Dare I say, arouse us!

Dali's The Persistence of Memory

Are you with me so far? Because there are a couple new things I want to share.

1. You can win prizes... and people (sort of.)

2. There will be a thread just for newer writers, with its own chances to win stuff (and people.)

An experienced writer is anyone with 3 or more stories posted to Simon. A new writer is anyone with 2 or less stories to any site or first story was posted in 2008

Please note that a newer writer is welcome to post to the You Again Category, but a more experience writer cannot post their story to the New Writer Thread. Because, you know, the latter would defeat the purpose. Think about it.

The main differences between the threads, to give an overview is experience in writing and also a kinder, gentler atmosphere in the comments to new writers.

No roughing up the the new writers, Stanley!

First, Second, and Third Place Prizes in Either Division: A $35.00 credit at Mind Control Theatre (https://www.mindcontroltheatre.com/) good on any download or DVD.

Grand Prize for The Experienced Writer Division: A hypno session with the 'tist of your choice -- Wiseguy or Lady Ru'etha. The details to be settled between the winner and the hypnotist.

Grand Prize for The New Writer Division: An edit by an experienced and respected writer: Archibael. The edit can be as surface or as thorough as the winner would like, but the end result will be a Simon ready story!

In the event that a winner(s) doesn't want his/her prize, we'll have a raffle and anyone with a story in the event, and who has not previously won, will be eligible!

Rules and Details:

Deadline: Stories must be either posted to the board or in my inbox by 11:59 PM (central) on April 30th.

Membership: You must be a member of MCForum. Even if you just sign up in order to post to this event, and then never call or write again. Go ahead, break my heart. What do you care?

Anonymity: I like giving writers the chance to try something new, therefore you have the option  to PM the story to me and have me post if for you.

Your Friend: All stories must be on a first name basis with spell check. Microsoft word has it, Firefox has it as an add on, and Google Documents has it, too. I don't expect a flawless story, but I want the most easily fixable thing out of the way. So we can talk about the actual story.

Length: Stories must be at least 1,500 words and complete. It's not my business if this is to be chapter 1 of a longer story, but I want it to also work as a standalone.

Cross-posting:  It's not my business. You wrote it and can post it wherever you'd like. It has to be posted here to be eligible for the goodies though – or for one of my rambling reviews, and you don't want to miss out on that, do you?

The point is that you can't post elsewhere and just send me a link, because I will ignore you.

Multiple Stories: Allowed, but only the top vote getter among your stories will be allowed to place. (3 Story Max.)

Edits: The story you submit is the one that will be judged -- no major reworkings after comments start coming in. The version you post elsewhere or to Simon can be whatever you like. The comments are here for feedback and to help, but there purpose is not to guide you in winning this event.

Voting: You can't vote for your own story, even though you know it really is the best one. If you do that, I'll just laugh at you. I won't tell, but my giggles will echo.

What you can do is send a PM  during the first week of May to both Michelle and robotunit8 that lists your top three stories for the Experienced Writer Division and your top choice for Newer Writers. (I might also make this top three if there's enough response.) If a writer has more than one story in an event, please only vote for what you consider to be his or her strongest story.

*Please keep in mind that the voting period falls during Mudak's month so consider reading the stories in a timely manner so you can partake of the fun of his event as well. I want the comments and the votes, but I would like it not to encroach on the next event.

After the votes are tallied, we will of course keep the results to ourselves announce them! In the event of a tie, I get to pick!

I also reserve the right to disqualify a story if any conditions are not met. When voting, please pick the stories you liked best, presuming the story satisfies all the above listed rules.

Please note that Firefox Users might have to refresh the page to get all the stories to display.

***

About The Sponsors:

Daphne (www.mindcontroltheatre.com): "We make wonderful videos. Just look. No, closer. Closer."

Wiseguy (http://www.asstr.org/~Wiseguy) is a professional hypnotist and the author of over 50 romantic and hypnoerotic stories, including Busman's Holiday and parts of the Pleasure Cruise series.  He is a frequent contributor to the Realm of Bliss Podcast (www.emcpodcast.com) and has been active in the MC community and related forums since 1999.

Lady Ru'etha: What can I say? Host of the Realm of Bliss Podcast (www.emcpodcast.com), author under the pen name crystaliss42 (www.mcstories.com/Authors/crystaliss42.html). Oh, and she has a great voice!

Archibael is a wonderful writer (www.mcstories.com/Authors/Archibael.html) and a terrific editor, so says Michelle. He's also been called a Magnificent Bastard by members of this board, so take it all with a grain of salt.

***

Special Thank Yous  Go Out to Stephanie and Mudak!

***
Results:

The Winners for The Experienced Writer Division:

First Place: Bad Penny for Fragments from the Violet Hour Bad Penny.
Second Place: April Ames Presents: The Legs Lawson Chronicles
Episode Three: Whispers of Change
Third Place: Anonymous Dave, M.D. forThe Mindcrime Chronicles

***

The Winners for The New Writer Division:

First Place: Chrystal Wynd for Spring Rain
Second Place: Virginia Plain for Eat The Peach
Third Place: Black Swan for Comic Book Convention

Congratulations!

[lisateez]

Very interesting contest, Michelle.

[ghosthostblue]

We can really place a story in your inbox?

[Michelle]

We can really place a story in your inbox?

Yes, I hope that you do. 

[Chrystal Wynd]

I don't want to drive you crazy with nit-picky questions, Michelle, honest! But I sort of fall in the crack between your definition of "experienced" writer and "new" writer. I only have one half of a story posted with Simon but it has 3 chapters so far and will likely have a fourth this weekend. I only have about 10 days experience, however, so I definitely feel like a "new" writer. Could I get a ruling from the judges?

CW

[lisateez]

And then there's my favorite question. Can I post more than one story?

[Michelle]

I don't want to drive you crazy with nit-picky questions, Michelle, honest! But I sort of fall in the crack between your definition of "experienced" writer and "new" writer. I only have one half of a story posted with Simon but it has 3 chapters so far and will likely have a fourth this weekend. I only have about 10 days experience, however, so I definitely feel like a "new" writer. Could I get a ruling from the judges?

CW

No, good question. Honestly, I wasn't sure if my designation of new was too limiting and I was concerned it was too arbitrary. How about just two or less completed stories on Simon or less than 5 complete chapters/parts total?

Any other suggestions on this? If there are no objections, I'll change the rule tomorrow afternoon, but would welcome opinions.

(In the meanwhile, start writing.  )

[Michelle]

And then there's my favorite question. Can I post more than one story?

Yes, but only one story can place -- the highest vote getter goes into competition for top spot, and the rest fall out of contention. Why? Because if you win all the damned Mind Control Theatre movies then you won't have time to mod, and Lord knows what you'd request from your 'tist. This will also mean that voters should probably give each of their votes to a different writer instead of all three to the same prolific one. 

Will add to the official rules.

Please note that any changes to the rules or clarifications will be added or changed in the first post, so interested people can always refer back there.

[Chrystal Wynd]

I can live with that. Thank you, Michelle...I really didn't relish trying to compete against some of the experienced writers with my 10 days...lol. I was going to ask Simon to delete chapter 3 of my story....

CW

[Michelle]

Thanks. I designed it this way specifically so newer writers wouldn't feel intimidated.

Should I try this format again though, you'll undoubtedly have made the transition to the experienced writer side. 

[Libertine]

What, I'm experienced, now? But I still have so much left to learn!

Between the intriguing, erudite theme, and the prospect of (potentially) a free MCT flick, a hypnosis session with Lady Ru, and one of Michelle's Rambling, Raunchy, Relentless Reviews, I really want to do a story for this one. I'm in! Like Flint.

[lost]

Can I count as a beginner?  I've been around a long time, but I haven't learned anything, honest.

No, seriously, I might give this a try, but I have to wait and see if an idea presents itself. I have been meaning to write a new Salem story, though.

[Michelle]

What, I'm experienced, now? But I still have so much left to learn!

Between the intriguing, erudite theme, and the prospect of (potentially) a free MCT flick, a hypnosis session with Lady Ru, and one of Michelle's Rambling, Raunchy, Relentless Reviews, I really want to do a story for this one. I'm in! Like Flint.

I'd be happy to have you, so to speak

I've only seen a couple MCTs so far, and just the other day saw Employee Orientation with Daphne Rosen. She's a cutie and a better actress than I usually associate with adult movies. Her character went from the secretary from hell, to a sextoy, to a girlfriend, and she did a nice job at all of it. (There's also a bonus feature with Natalia Wood that should interest those with an interest in librarian types.)

I've also seen The Truth About Hypnosis with Natalia Wood, not to be confused with the above bonus feature. There was a sly sense of humor to Employee Orientation, but Truth seemed more openly funny, possibly because Ms. Wood's acting here was a little more broad. I believe that was deliberate, and it was a nice choice for the material. I also find Natalia Wood to be more attractive, but that really can be chalked up to personal preference since both women are quite appealing. (Feel free to insert a cliche about eating crackers in bed.)

Previews can be found at: http://www.mindcontroltheatre.com/ for those of you who want to shop ahead. 

Can I count as a beginner?  I've been around a long time, but I haven't learned anything, honest.

No, seriously, I might give this a try, but I have to wait and see if an idea presents itself. I have been meaning to write a new Salem story, though.

No, whatever else you are, a beginner you aint. 

I also think you've not only learned plenty, but could also teach some of us a few things!

Hope you come up with an idea.

[king_wesley]

Maybe you could have as the requirements for being new to have EITHER 2 stories or less on the Archive OR First story posted on EMSCA was in 2008?

Or something like that, It could account for somebody who has only ever written once but it was a little while ago as well as somebody who has written thousands of words in the last month or so but is still new and raw.


As for me? well, Jake the Peg only has one contest story to his name, maybe he will enter the newbie contest

[flibinite]

Can I turn in the story I didn't get finished for Steph's contest if I add the word "lilacs" to it?  Just wondering... 

            Jo

[Michelle]

Maybe you could have as the requirements for being new to have EITHER 2 stories or less on the Archive OR First story posted on EMSCA was in 2008?

You go around goofballing up the forum, and then you say something brilliant. Amazing! 

It's also come to my attention that I need to consider that someone might have posted a lot to other sites, but be a Simon virgin, so how about 2 or less stories to any site or first story posted in 2008? And, of course, some of this is the honor system.

Can I turn in the story I didn't get finished for Steph's contest if I add the word "lilacs" to it?  Just wondering... 

            Jo

Hmmm, let  me consider it. No way. Well ... mayb ... no!!

Well, technically I wouldn't know, but if you post a story filled to the brim with transportation... 

[Chrystal Wynd]

It has my vote! ::covering all my bases:::

[king_wesley]

Maybe you could have as the requirements for being new to have EITHER 2 stories or less on the Archive OR First story posted on EMSCA was in 2008?

You go around goofballing up the forum, and then you say something brilliant. Amazing! 

What can I say, I am an eccentric genius.

[Michelle]

Maybe you could have as the requirements for being new to have EITHER 2 stories or less on the Archive OR First story posted on EMSCA was in 2008?

You go around goofballing up the forum, and then you say something brilliant. Amazing! 

What can I say, I am an eccentric genius.

That must be it.

Go write a story. 

[flibinite]

What... haven't you ever heard of the, um, Lilac Train, the one just out of Cocaine, that had better watch its speed, because, well... of all the cruel MC'ing going on aboard it?

           Jo  (who will drop this now and move along...)

[Michelle]

Okay, since there are no objections, new writer will be defined as 2 or less stories to any site or first story posted in 2008.

[Chase the Wind]

Woohoo! I'm in. But posting my story by way of Michelle's "in"box.   

[Michelle]

Woohoo! I'm in. But posting my story by way of Michelle's "in"box.   

My inbox awaits you.

[Michelle]

Just a few brief notes about commenting.

I know people don't need to want a lot of strong arming to comment, but I do want to make a point of saying feedback matters tremendously to the writers here. They don't get paid, of course, and it's a lot of work to send your story out into the void and then to hear nothing back means that good stories don't get finished and your favorite writers go away.

One of the draws of events like this is a chance for comments and an opportunity to have their stories showcased. I've offered prizes, but that's not the point to writing contests and events.

Of course I adore the people who comment on all the stories, but you don't have to make a commitment to doing that, but if a story or two stands out to you, please mention those. It matters and it helps.

Even if you have an issue with a story, most writers are okay with knowing this -- they'd better be if they submit to one of my events and know me at all. So you really can politely mention issues you have with a story. It's a positive thing, believe it or not!

In fact, I'm thinking of having another prize for the person with the most thoughtful reviews, and will be announcing it in the next day or two. The decision on winner would be mine, mine, all mine! Let me know if people are interested in that! Also, writers, how do you feel about anonymous reviews? They can send it to me, and as long as I don't perceive it as a drive-by, I'll post. Again, let me know!

As a general piece of advice, if you're planning on reading and commenting or just reading (I guess just commenting wouldn't be a logical thing, huh?) not only is it good to start early, but it also thanks Mudak. He has next month's event and is okay with the wind-up of the event happening at the beginning of his month, but I want to impact him as little as possible, of course. I don't want it to be a case of no good deed goes unpunished.

[robotunit8]

I've been a bit busy at work to say the least, but I'm hoping to get to the posted stories at the weekend at some point.

Prizes for reviews, I can take or leave, I'll do them anyway once I get chance to get some reading done is all I can say. Thats the only reason I havent reviewed so far, a matter of time.