Christmas Challenge 2010/2011

by **chrisbishop** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:01 pm

The Halloween Challenge is finished!

And now, it's time to officially announce THE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE, 2010/2011 EDITION!

This is our 9th year of the Challenge, folks, so it's leading up to this website TENTH YEAR of existence on the net!

What is the Christmas Challenge? Well, our regular visitors already know it's our way to celebrate the Holidays Season, with asking people to submit new fan fiction to our website! What you need to do is write a Captain Scarlet/Christmas related story.

To know how to participate to the Christmas Challenge - which is nearly as popular as our Halloween Challenge! - go see the following page:

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/christmas.htm

You'll find the full explanation of the challenges, as well as the rules. You can also find our submission guidelines at

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/ar ... elines.htm

But if you need more information you can contact me at scarlet1bishop@hotmail.com

Stories are submitted to spectrum_hq@hotmail.com

Answer the challenge and join us for the fun and celebration!

by **chrisbishop** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 6:37 am

It starts this week-end! The first posting four our Christmas Challenge, for 2010/2011!

We'll start quietly with the re-posting of one of our very first Christmas stories, posted in 2002.

"The Land of White Rivers" by Tiger Jackson. Christmas should be a time of peace and love. But the Mysterons threaten 'the land of white rivers'. Spectrum must discover where it is and act - soon!

Originally posted in 2002, this was the second story submitted Tiger Jackson on the Spectrum HQ website. Tiger became known at the time as one of our website's prolific and talented writers, especially during the time of the Christmas and Halloween Challenges. We highly suggest that you check Tiger's other stories.

"The Land of White Rivers" benefits here of a new presentation for the circumstance.

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... rivers.htm

In the coming weeks, new stories will be posted for the Challenge. And of course, there is always time for you to participate! Check the Christmas Challenge page for further information!

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/christmas.htm

Come back soon!

by **Marion** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 4:51 pm

An excellent presentation of a very good story, Chris. The art work is spectacular!
I am looking forward to seeing the other stories online eventually.

by **lee evens** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:10 pm

Yeah should be really interesting!! :grin:

by **Skybase Girl** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:26 pm

"Land of White Rivers" is lovely - well-crafted, with lots of little emotional nuances. It's a very good story, not just for Christmas.

I agree with Chris's judgement that this is perfect for re-posting, if only to introduce others to Tiger Jackson's stories.

Tiger, all the best for Christmas and the New Year, and please, wherever you are, I hope you are continuing to write!

by **chrisbishop** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:38 am

Brand new story this week. A 'New Captain Story', that is

! Brought to us by Skybase Girl, who had already offered us very good quality New Captain Scarlet. This is another one to add to her credits:

BLOOD AND CANDLE SMOKE, by Skybase Girl. New Captain Scarlet story. December in Mexico - and Captain Ochre finds herself struggling to deal with the aftermath of a Mysteron attack.

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... _smoke.htm

Enjoy and be back soon!

by **Marion** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:36 am

Wow - way to go, Skybase Girl! That's a very impressive story... 8M-M)

I think you captured the confusion, despair and helplessness of the aftermath of a disaster perfectly, and it is an aspect of CS fiction that hasn't been explored often - if at all.
Magnificent! :-;)

by **hazel** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:50 pm

I had the considerable pleasure of beta-ing this one. Well done, indeed, Skybase Girl!

by **Skybase Girl** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:43 pm

Thank you for your kind comments.

I had fun with this one, I must admit. It's the first time I have attempted to write in the first person, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in Elaine McGee's head!

Many thanks also to Colonel Chris for all her hard work on the artwork. It's so beautiful it took my breath away and I couldn't have asked for a nicer presentation.

Looking forward to reading all the stories still to come over the next few weeks.

by **chrisbishop** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 3:32 am

Happy Birthday Captain Scarlet!

It has became a tradition that every year, at the date of Captain Scarlet's birthday (or close to it), a birthday story is posted in tribute to the occasion. This story is regarded as part of the Christmas Challenge, as it is so close to Christmas.

Each year, Marion Woods provides us with this special story. I really can't recall a year where she has not submitted a birthday story. I did present one myself last year, but it came late, and again Marion did present her usual story.

This year is no exception:

PARTY FAVOURS, by Marion Woods. Desperate measures are called for when Scarlet's birthday approaches and he's in Sick Bay.

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... avours.htm

A week left before Christmas! But the Challenge continues until the end of January! Stay tuned for more!

by **Scarlet Lady** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:15 pm

Great story, Marion! I thoroughly enjoyed it. :-;)

by **Marion** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:46 am

Thank you very much, Scarlet Lady.

by **chrisbishop** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:41 pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

We're right in the middle of our Christmas Challenge! Can you believe how fast time flies?!

This week, we have two stories.

The first is from Scarlet Lady. One of our earliest submitters from the very first year of the forum, she produced a bundle of stories for this site and on hers as well. The story posted this year is in fact a re-posting of an earliest piece, that she presented in 2003. It has been given a new presentation for the occasion:

"ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK", by Scarlet Lady. The Mysterons threaten to use a legend against a tradition... what can it mean?

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... s_work.htm

The second story is brand new, and comes from Hazel Köhler. A close collaborator to this website, Hazel has been with us nearly since the very beginning. One of the best writers around, she's also our most expert and best beta-reader, a moderator to this forum, and a very good friend:

"CHRISTMAS PRESENCE", by Hazel Köhler. A lonely evening transforms into a lovely one when Rhapsody receives an unexpected visit on Christmas Eve.

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... esence.htm

Although this is Christmas already, new stories are to be posted in the following weeks. I invite you to come back soon for what we have in store.

In the meantime, have a good Christmas celebration!

by **hazel** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:59 pm

Chris, you've made me blush! But thank you for those nice words.

by **Marion** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 12:43 pm

Two excellent Christnas stories! Thank you to both authors and to Chris for the charming presentation of them.
Can Christmas Day get much better? :grin:

(Still no sign of Captain Blue carrying mistletoe though, but the day is still young and sometimes wishes take a while to materialise... )
(fairy)