SGInc Story Workshop 1.8 Poll and Comments

I would not panic at this point over the low turnout. I think there may be several reasons for it. First, several of us were "goofing off" so to speak watching the World Cup. We can't use this excuse for another 4 years so it should not be a problem any time soon.

Second, output is output. Spulo and Argo along with JumperPrime and Ultragirl have easily put 2 long and 2 short workshops worth of material into Tranformatix 4000.

I think that Yags is on target with the deadlines being so close to each other. I do better (IMO) on plot driven stories than I do on being descriptive, so I elected to go with the long story this time and besides,
I have been itching to use that cover scan for a long time and the way the World Cup unfolded, the story just wrote itself.

If we only get two entries for the short story workshop, then we can start to sweat!

I would not panic at this point over the low turnout. I think there may be several reasons for it. First, several of us were "goofing off" so to speak watching the World Cup. We can't use this excuse for another 4 years so it should not be a problem any time soon.

Second, output is output. Spulo and Argo along with JumperPrime and Ultragirl have easily put 2 long and 2 short workshops worth of material into Tranformatix 4000.

I think that Yags is on target with the deadlines being so close to each other. I do better (IMO) on plot driven stories than I do on being descriptive, so I elected to go with the long story this time and besides,
I have been itching to use that cover scan for a long time and the way the World Cup unfolded, the story just wrote itself.

If we only get two entries for the short story workshop, then we can start to sweat!

I agree. Another factor that you didn't mention is that this theme is specialized enough to be difficult. Also, the longer stories take longer than the short ones, which is my excuse for never having participated in one of the longer workshops. I'm just too slow to finish a long story that quickly.

I think it's a safe bet that we'll still have a decent number of entries for the short theme workshop. I know I entered that one, but not this one.

Anyone, thanks for the two authors who did participate here. I haven't had a chance to read them yet, but I'm looking forward to having some time this weekend to sit and read them.

YAGS

Second, output is output. Spulo and Argo along with JumperPrime and Ultragirl have easily put 2 long and 2 short workshops worth of material into Tranformatix 4000.

Not to mention new chapters of "Milena's Diary" (Conceptfan) and "Modifications" (Happiest in Shadows), and the beginning of a highly enjoyable series ("Ascension") by Taliesan.

I agree with YAGS -- I think the theme for Workshop 1.8 might have put off writers who aren't inclined toward comic-book fan-fiction. (But I was hoping it might inspire Lfan to continue his "Zupergirl" saga ) More "generic" themes tend to draw more writers. Whoever gets to pick the theme for the next workshop should bear that in mind.

When will the "short" workshop entries be posted? The original deadline has passed, and I don't see anything on the thread about an extension.

Ace. DKC: Thanks for your stories. I'll try to read them and post feedback before "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" opens!

What we lack in quantity, we've made up for in quality! Two brilliant entries, and it's really hard to pick my favourite. Looks like I'm not alone in that, either, judging by the closeness of the vote so far.

What's the most common 2-word phrase used in posts on this forum? (No, it's not "Conceptfan's wrong")...


S P O I L E R S . A H E A D !!!!!!!!111111!!!111 one one one !!!! uno !!1!




"Supergirl Issue#1" is a fantastic story - the Supergirl origin all sick, twisted pervs like me wanted to see! I thought the carefully controlled overlapping of the Superman/Spiderman realities was a great device. But the way in which Amella is duped into loving Fisk and thinking he's innocent whilst feeling hatred for Capt. America in particular and everyone associated with the trial was really, really clever.

I liked Amella's back-story - seeing her formerly glorious body "head south" for a few years and her career/status go into downfall sets her up to be especially proud (arrogant) of her restored, or rather IMPROVED physical magnificence and her now goddess-like presence, giving her a great 'tude post-transfer.

Congrats also to DKC for the various imaginitive ways Amella uses her powers (and her cocky remarks as she does her stuff) during her attack on the courtroom. The jury-room scene was particularly inventive.

I'm still not clear about why Fisk, or KP (he's nuts, see...) choses Amella rather than himself to receive the powers, despite his explanation, but that's probably because I'm stupid. (Was it that Fisk was worried about the 75% fatality rate?)

There's the odd passage in the story that reads like it might have been written in a bit of a hurry, but that's really petty nit-picking, and hey, at least it got written, which is a lot more than I can say for my 1.8 idea.

Overall, another great tale from the DKC catalogue. Clever and sexy. I'll certainly be "buying" Supergirl Issue#2 when DKC brings it out!

But, I voted for Ace...

"Hell Hath No Fury" (Now where have I seen those words before?...) I can sum up my reaction to this story like this: Fun!

This is a much "simpler" story-thread - girl is rejected for not being "super" enough, so gets power and takes revenge on those who rejected her. Ace gets the rejection part and the gaining of powers over quickly, so there's plenty of time left for the good part.

And it is good. Straight away we get to the fem dom, with Superman forced to submit to his superior. The picture wasn't really neccessary, Ace, as I could picture the scene perfectly from your words. Very sexy it was, too.

There's the humiliation of the male members of the JLU. I thought Clark helping an old lady across the street was funny and Aquaman unblocking backed-up toilets made me laugh out loud. But Batman "clearing up in ailse 7" was absolutely hysterical.

I love the mischeviousness of the newly-re-empowered super ladies. And the way they chose to use their new "gifts". The shopping scene was wonderfully depicted. I adored the girls' giggling, teasing and intimidating their way through the boutiques - very, very sexy.

The scene in Germany was terrific too. A terribly unfair portrayal of followers of the Three Lions this summer (and a hideously inaccurate depiction of soccer violence) but, who cares? The confidence and cockiness of the girls faced with a big, angry male crowd was (to me) what ubergirls are all about - self-assuredness to the point of arrogance. Great to see that one horrible fan in the foul shirt with the pictures in his pockets get what was coming to him. I hope he wasn't based on anyone you know, Ace...

So much happens in this story but throughout, the sense of fun is very much at the fore. The ending, setting us up perfectly for a sequel, is typical of the high enjoyment factor - the dramatic climax is made light-hearted by the presence of the popcorn-munching Zatanna.

Overall: Fun, sexy, fun, well-told, and, er, fun. Just pips DKC to my vote.


Such a shame there were only 2 entries this time around. I think some of the reasons put forward are valid. Not sure about the World Cup - sure it tied me up for a month (figuratively only, sadly) but I'm a "soccer" lover (and a masochist). 'Fraid it's not every 4 years - it's every 2 for us Eurotrash. But there's plenty people here who don't like soccer at all (and at least one who actively hates it...) so what's their excuse? It's funny to hear Ace mention the World Cup as a distraction, because I know Mr. 191 watched more than his share of the tournament AND had air-conditioning nightmares during a heat-wave just before the deadline but STILL submitted a brilliant story. If SWM did medals, I'd make Admin pin a big one on Ace.

I think summer (it's been unusually hot for a couple of weeks all over the northern hemisphere) might be a factor. Are our antipodean members snowed under? (Or still mourning the Ashes? Or Italian gamesmanship? )

There might be something in the suggestion that the topic for the workshop was (perhaps) a little limiting and/or a tad off-putting for those who don't specialise in fan-fiction type stories. Perhaps we shoud try and make future topics a bit more generic?

I can't cite the topic as the reason for my failure to produce (despite having asked for an extension :oops:) I'd actually taken the plunge and planned a story "inspired/ripped off" by the JL (despite my total ignorance) and a couple of other things. Argo's tried to get me off the hook mentioning a chapter I wrote 6 weeks ago, which is kind of him, but isn't an excuse for not contributing to 1.8. The truth is the boring old "ran out of time". Like I said, I had an idea, but never managed to create the block of time needed to turn it into text - not without losing my job, marriage, respect of my kids, etc. I'll send it to admin whenever I do manage to write it.

Meanwhile, I'd just like to salute Ace191 and DKC for thoroughly enteraining and stimulating me with 2 superb stories. Thanks, guys.

Conceptfan has said just about everything I had to say (and then some!).

Two very different, but equally enjoyable, stories. DKC's stood out for its craftsmanship, its quality prose, and its solid characterization. Ace gave us a free-wheeling Silver-Age-flavored romp, full of entertaining scenes and amusing touches. Bottom line: I thought that DKC's was the better written of the two stories, but Ace's was the one I enjoyed more -- and since we're supposed to vote for our favorite story, I cast my vote for "Hell Hath No Fury."

Supergirl #1 gets my vote. What can I say? That's exactly what I'm looking for when I log into to this joint. Thanks DKC!

Supergirl Issue #1 gets my vote too. I can't wait for issue #2. And I thought that nothing would ever replace"The Project", but I thought that about "JIlly Milly" as well! One favor to ask. Please don't take two years to complete this run!

Thanks guys. Really appreciate it.

For the most part I’d agree with what Concept had to say about Aces story. It certainly was fun. My only complaint was that the descriptions of the girls going from heroes to Super. Especially Barbara’s, somewhat lacked. Still a great story, and after reading Concept fans Contribution it was a shoe in for my vote. Just shittin with ya Concept =)

As for my story.

The title was changed from “Marvel Presents SuperGirl #1” to just SuperGirl #1. For obvious reasons I’m sure hehehehe. Also KP believed that it was possible that Lex sent him over as a means of assassination but I edited that part. And speaking of edditing The most enjoyable part of the story to write was when Amella fights Spider Man. Amella is still unaccustomed to her powers and destroys everything but spider man. I didn’t have time to edit that part so I cut it along with a few other things. I have no idea if there will be a #2. Maybe, if I get back around to it.


PS. Ace, I submitted Part 15….I hope you enjoy it

Part 15? In the words of Homer J. Simpson WHOO HOOO!!!!

I was really pressed for time on my story so I let several things go and I took many, many short cuts like "let's go round up the rest of your buddies" instead of describing the much more enjoyable actual encounters as my self imposed 1am deadline was fast approaching. I still can't believe I knocked out 4,700 + words in a week, a record for me.

As usual, more ideas than time to do a complete job with them.

P.S. Before we open the thread for Topic suggestions for the next Workshop, I'd like to ask all the SWM authors who didn't take part in Workshop 1.8 to discuss why, so we can see if the low turnout was a co-incidence or something we're doing wrong. Please post your thoughts / suggestions / excuses / etc. on this thread. Thanks!

Personally, I didn't enter this one because I just didn't have time to finish my story. I do have a story idea about the most powerful woman in my 21st Century Magic world, but given the importance of that story on the overall ongoing universe I created, I didn't want to do it half-assed. I want to take my time and write a long, detailed story, and I'm just too busy and too slow a writer to do that in the time span of these workshops. For that matter, that's pretty much the reason I haven't entered any other long format workshops in the past, as well, but I have entered 2 short theme workshops (and had an honorary entry in a third).

As for writing something shorter and easier in the mean time, I don't like writing fan fiction in other people's universes (ie DC Comics). It's not that I'm totally opposed to it, and I certainly don't disapprove when others do it, but it's just not a type of writing that I feel comfortable with myself. I'm not sure why, but I looked at my one story idea for that type of thing and thought "That's just not my style".

What about the rest of you? This theme should have been right up the alley of ConceptFan and some others, so I was very surprised by the low turnout. Any comments anyone?

YAGS

What about the rest of you? This theme should have been right up the alley of ConceptFan and some others, so I was very surprised by the low turnout. Any comments anyone?

As I've been singled out and named, I suppose I have to comment. Truth is, I got as far as planning out a story, but simply did not have the time or opportunity to take it any further. I've kept the plan, and I'll write the story at some point in the future. I've got to say, however, that contrary to what YAGS suggests, the theme was not up my alley, but rather on the other side of town. "In a world of supers" etc. - how many of my stories have such a setting? Answer: 0. Every single story I've ever written has been about one, two or three supergirls in a world of absolutely no other supers. That's kinda my "thing", you see, the vast contrast between the feeble, fragile world and the all-powerful ubergoddess.

We were asked to set the story in a world of heroes/heroines or one in which some people had powers, and that's something I've never done before. I don't know if the fact that the topic smelt a bit of fan-fiction put some people off (it certainly made me unsure at first). It's probably fair to say we're on safer ground with more generic topics. It's hard to strike a balance between trying not to be bland and making workshop topics as accessible as possible, but we've got to keep trying. There has to be a middle-ground between "Ubergirl says/thinks/does a thing/things" and "Blonde Ubergirl battles one of the creatures from Star Trek episode 8,334 on a Tuesday afternoon"

No doubt the low turnout/response was also due to seasonal factors ('cos we all take 2 month summer holidays, right... Oh, and it's really hard to think about girls when the sun comes out because there's no "inspiration" to be seen...)

Perhaps "workshop fatigue" played a part? Anyone else feel they need a break or is it just my age catching up with me? One thing's for sure: if not enough people say why they didn't take part, we won't know and we won't be able to do anything about it.

At least the stories we DID get were terrific.

ConceptFan,

I was thinking in terms of it being an ubergirl who was much more powerful than anyone else when I said it seemed to be right up your alley. I wasn't thinking in terms of the fact that you've never written about an ubergirl dominating other powerful people, only mere mortals.

I also wasn't trying to single you out specifically. There are plenty of others around here who might have participated and didn't, myself included. I would like to know why so many sat out both of the recent workshops, though. The second step in solving any problem (after identifying that there is a problem, which in this case is low participation) is identifying the cause of that problem. Help us out here, writers! We've had lots of great stories in the past, so lets see if we can get back on a roll and get some more in the future workshops.

YAGS