Halloween 2007

by **Marion** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:59 am

My PC is about to go off line during some essential home maintenance and decorating (sob :cry:

) but I just want to say how much I have enjoyed all the stories so far - including the latest ones.
Its an angst-filled Halloween this year - for Scarlet in particular - Caroline having reduced us all to floods of emotional tears with her wonderful 'Second Sight' story, as did Sage's romantic ghost story, of course. ( :cry:

) and Lydia's NCS story has set a high standard for Halloween tales for that series.
There were some good stories from new authors too - we really are being spoilt this year!
I thought the carved pumpkins were absolutely amazing - (even if they WERE NCS :wink:

) they almost made me want to have a go at one, but being totally cack-handed, I'd probably slice my fingers off in the process!

I happen to know there are yet more goodies to come... I shall be champing at the bit to read them as well :grin:

There is definitely something about Halloween that inspires CS authors! Long may it continue! (classic_s)

Website · by **Sage** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:07 pm

Aww thanks

I totally agree. The quality of stories gets better every year, and such a variety of ideas too.
Hope you're back soon.

by **Skybase Girl** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:45 pm

Totally agree, Marion, it's been great so far, although I'm not sure that I go along with the premise that Halloween seems to be a euphemism for Make Scarlet Suffer ! ( shed so many tears, I had to break open a new pair of contact lenses this morning !)

The pumpkin idea was brilliant, although I got a bit lost off with the instructions - it's been a long time since I was required to be creative at this time of year ! Could be worth a try though - might just frighten off all the little trick or treaters, who will no doubt be beating a path to our door in the hope of having their pockets filled with silver. Beats hiding in the living room with the curtains closed and the lights off !

In the expectation that the Christmas Challenge might provide a little joy and seasonal cheer in Spectrum Land, I will see what I can do to add to the festivities. This could go two ways - I will either come up with the goods, which may just turn out to be a seasonal miracle, or I will fail miserably and curse myself for having opened my big mouth in the first place.

by **Marion** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:29 pm

Go for it, Skybase Girl! Christmas needs some lively stories. I find it easier to do Halloween: suffering and Scarlet go together SO well... :lol:

.
Writing happy CS stories is hard...

I don't think I have ever written a 'proper' Christmas story - just stories set at Christmas - which is rather a cop out on my part!
Take one story - add tinsel - and voila! Sort of. :oops:

IF I get one done this year - it'll be much the same.
I hope other people have more luck!

by **Elentari** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:48 am

I couldn't imagine carving out those pumpkins! (There's no Halloween traditions to speak of in Oz). Fascinating to see all the steps though.

by **Carrie** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:48 pm

Marion, we shall miss you, do hurry back! 'Twilight' was another fine peice of work to add to your very sad 'Deserts'
Connie's pumpkins were SMASHING..a really nice and different idea, as was Gabi Howard' s 'Blogthings's
Sage, a VERY poignant tale, also, I had the hankies out this year too! And I haven't read Chris's yet!

I'd love to write a Christmas story, I haven't done one since I first joined in 2003, but somehow I don't seem capable of doing sweet and nice! (and the take on A Christmas Carol has been done already ...very nicely too!)

Website · by **Sage** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:52 am

Thanks, not sure I'm into this making people cry thing though.

I read twilight last night, and yes it was really good. I'm a sucker for mythology based stories, and Magenta, anyway.

Oh sure you could.

Can't see that they'd have to be sweet and nice (any more than the halloween fics are all scary). I'll take any flavour of Ochre fic(really liked 'Shifting sands'); so you never know.

by **TRK** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:22 am

For what it's worth, I think my Halloween Challenge for 2007 is just about ready for submission.

by **chrisbishop** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:30 am

Kookaburra, the Halloween Challenge is unfortunately finished for this year. Deadline for posting was October 31st. All the available stories for this year are available for reading at the moment.

However, nothing prevents you from submitting your story anyway! And we don't need to wait a full year for it to be posted - it can be posted independantly from the Challenge, AND THEN, be re-posted with proper background for Halloween Challenge for 2008!

Whatever you decide, let me know!

In the meanwhile, everyone, let it be known that the Christmas Challenge is next on the list. Check this forum soon for the official announcement!

by **TRK** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:41 am

Thanks, I guess.

And I've already done a Christmas story.

by **chrisbishop** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:44 am

Indeed! In January 2005:

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

:wink:

Any story from you is welcomed!

by **TRK** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:14 am

Aw, you're just sayin' that! :oops:

Thanks!

by **MMK** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:59 pm

Rabid_Kookaburra wrote:For what it's worth, I think my Halloween Challenge for 2007 is just about ready for submission.

Post it next year... it will just mean that if you have not managed to come up with a story for Halloween 2008, you'll have one waiting for you to post :wink:

... as long as you don't delete/alter/forget about it.
:grin:

Just read Another Nightmare... the twist in the plot was unexpected... an excellent fan fic.
Also seen the pictures of the 'Spectrum Halloween Party, 2007 Edition'... I couldn't help lmao.

Fan fic total: 230 (I've been busy for a while)

by **chrisbishop** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:53 pm

As you're obviously going through every links for the fanfic, MMK - even those taking you to stories outside of the website, if you find dead links, please tell me about it, so I'll be able to repair them - if possible!

Thanks!

by **luvmylops** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:36 pm

although I got a bit lost off with the instructions - it's been a long time since I was required to be creative at this time of year ! Could be worth a try though

Just want to thank you all for your kind words! And to let you know, that if you need ANY extra help with the instructions, just let me know and I will be more than happy to 'lend a hand' I know it is now too late for this year, so make your plans for next year! :-D