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and greetings.
This thread is for all comments and discussion regarding this years writing contest.
The entries and voting options are HERE
This year we had 7 entries, Allahu Akbar. I thnk that's the most we have ever had.
Please do have a read, vote, and then offer your comments in this thread as I'm sure the writers, having spent time writing their stories for you, would appreciate any feedback you can offer.
Thank you, and get reading and voting and commenting!
Scimi
Last edited by Scimitar; 01-08-2017 at 10:28 PM.
Would be a great idea to extend the poll deadline inshallah
Such a great variety this year mashallah. As I have entered the contest, I will post feedback after voting has ended so as to keep my entry secret inshallah. If you have not already, please do take the time to read and vote (and hopefully leave some constructive feedback, as that's extremely valuable to all entrants)
We have extended the deadline for voting on the poll. Everyone, please share the link far and wide. We need more votes.
First and foremost, well done to those who have entered. I cannot like your composition as it would be Scimi getting the likes Ha ha ha..
Reading is something I really have to be in the mood for…. if not it can be painful.. he he . . . but I have voted (finally, took me long enough to start reading).
Finally, a toast to the Host! Scimi!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by greenhill; 01-20-2017 at 10:39 AM.
Finally got the time to read all the entries., each one of them is unique on its own. I am unable to decide which one to vote for.
As for the review, I cannot say anything better than what brother Scimitar has already written earlier,
I will have to think over them twice or thrice before actually casting a vote.format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar
I really enjoyed Rusty. A Muslimah Deunan Knute - I didn't see that one coming. This story had me gripped from the start, as I am a bit of a sci-fi fan lol, especially the mecha sub genre. If you don't know what I am talking about, check out Appleseed Ex Machina. This story, Rusty, is worthy of another few parts. Yes, I'm left wanting more... those goggles were left blinking faintly. There's more, I know it.
Ghoul was really engrossing, but I'm not a fan of the genre. Having said that, i did read and I did enjoy. The dialogue was dark and full of intent which made me uneasy. I guess that is the desired effect for horror fans though, so in that sense a job well done.
Blank Paper was interesting to read. First person story telling is always hard to pull off. Takes a lot of internalising to know how to paint the scene in when it's just one voice doing everything in the narrative, but I have to say, the attempt was decent and for that, I liked it.
The King without a Crown, as I mentioned, this is classical story telling which is fading fast in this world of film, pop art and pfft... this story has the charm which appeals to all ages, in all times. A triumph in itself, as the story is one I've not actually read before, nor been told before. And one, I will definitely be telling my Nieces and Nephews in sha Allah.
Human Life is Very Precious. I was a little wary reading this, as it is a true story. So when I finished, I sat and had a long think. And in some ways, I haven't stopped. That's a compliment. Thought provoking stories are always welcome sustenance for both, the mind and heart.
Tom. What can I say, as short and silly as this was, I loved it. Like it was written by a seven year old for his five year old sister, a story about their Sunday afternoon playing imagination in the garden... for what it's worth, it's a little gem
Emotional Abyss was very different, not sure what the author intended here but it had a weirdness to it I think some might enjoy.
Scimi
Surely he deserves to get something in return for all the hard workformat_quote Originally Posted by greenhillFirst and foremost, well done to those who have entered. I cannot like your composition as it would be Scimi getting the likes Ha ha ha..
Reading is something I really have to be in the mood for…. if not it can be painful.. he he . . . but I have voted (finally, took me long enough to start reading).
Finally, a toast to the Host! Scimi!!!!!!!!!
Your thanks are enough.
Guys - get voting in the main thread please - time is ticking.
Scimi
We don't do the toast thingformat_quote Originally Posted by greenhill
Scimitar liked this post
Ha ha.. Had a feeling someone might 'pick up' on this…format_quote Originally Posted by piXie
Scimitar liked this post
Assalaam alaikum all,
we are now in the last few days of this competition, and we've only had 11 votes so far.
Now, I know you all love stories, and you're all readers of forums. So why not take a few mins to visit the thread, read The Stories And Vote for your favourite,
Once again, the thread is here: https://www.islamicboard.com/creativ...ng-thread.html
There is a VOTE option at the top of the thread, but know that it is not visible on mobile devices - so use a computer/laptop please.
The members who participated, spent their time on these stories. They are really really good. MashaAllah, Islamicboard is blessed with so much talent, and it's time we recognised this talent and voted for the story we liked the most.
Less than a week to go now, and closing. So please, please do get reading the stories, they do not take long at all to read. And please, DO VOTE.
Again, here is the thread for voting: https://www.islamicboard.com/creativ...ng-thread.html
If you have any comments or critique - do not post in the main story and vote thread, but do it here instead, in sha Allah.
Thank you for listening/reading, and your votes.
Scimi
Why do we have to vote for only one? I think, next year onward, we can allow multiple selection up to 3 best entries. Because I feel I am not doing justice with the other really good stories by not being able to vote for them. It was a very difficult choice to select one out of the best three that I liked.
I think Ghoul , Rusty and Blank Paper were the best written stories Maa shaa Allaah. Lots of talent, thought and hard work put in there - but the theme wasn't something I'd be as interested in reading. If the story line was more clear or coupled with a moral - or it was about something more relevant to real life - I would have enjoyed reading them more..
least you got a vote.format_quote Originally Posted by AabiruSabeel
I have a favourite, but am not allowed to vote due to being host. That really sucks. lol.
Scimi
I was thinking of starting a writing workshop -to teach creative writing (if the members are interested and administration allows it). It would be a paid service of course, maybe something that VIP members could get or regular members could pay to take part in - and get VIP membership as an added bonus. Let me know if you're interested in something like that.
There are forums where people can learn to better their writing skills, for free. Why would a member pay for something if they can get it for free?
Here, check it out: http://learningpath.org/articles/20_...e_Writers.html <- that's a list of twenty forums where one can join for free and learn how to better their art.
Scimi
not everything free is good enough.format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar
True, but with 20 forums to choose from, and a wealth of experienced writers who are actually published, offering advice for free - makes paying for it, a waste of money.format_quote Originally Posted by Muhaba
I'm reminded of when I wanted to learn how to study "comparatives"... I could have paid as an adult student and gone to university - but instead, I watched loads of youtube lectures and got my nose stuck into case studies which were available online. All that was free.
Today, I can hold my own in comparatives, Allahu Akbar... and I saved a pretty penny too. Our Lord, is Most Generous.
Scimi
I was offeriing it as a favor for the members of this site and because I love this place and have been a longtime member. Not that I have the time for it or it would make me a lot of money.format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar
But because there are people here interested in writing, which is why we have the writing contest, so they might want to learn something from an IB member and it would be fun to do a workshop here together.
I mean that's why we have the contest here too. I'm sure there are other places people can enter writing contests but we have them here for the fun of it. And we could have a writing workshop here to for the fun of it. And the members would love to do a workshop together as opposed to doing something with people they don't know or with nonmuslims. And this could be an IB thing and it would be awesome to have something like that here.
Start a new thread sister, in sha Allah, you may get some interest.format_quote Originally Posted by Muhaba
This thread is for the discussion and critique of the stories in the competition.
Scimi
EDIT: are you published?
format_quote Originally Posted by ardianto
I am really sorry that I am failed to fulfill what I have intended, write reviews for stories in the contest.
Writing review is not easy because it need concentration, and I always failed to concentrate my mind when I tried to write review. Maybe because there are many things that currently need my attention in my daily life.
I apologize if anybody feel disappointed because have waited for my review.
Scimitar liked this post
I change my intention from write review into giving feedback. Might be not for all stories, but I will try to do my best.
Okay, I will start with feedback for Tom
The writer seem like inspired by "Jack and the beanstalk" and he tried to 'Islamize' the story by changing the beanstalk into beard. However, it makes the story difficult to be imagined by the readers. Readers can easily imagine a man climb a plant into the sky. But can they easily imagine a man climb a beard that grown on his own chin?.
In writing a story we are free to use our imagination. But we must also make our imagination easily to be accepted and depicted by the readers mind, because when read a textual story (not comic), readers always make depiction of the story in their minds. That's why we must make our our imagination can easily to be accepted by the readers mind.
"Tom" actually could be a beautiful fairytale if the writer didn't stop the story in which the main part should begin, when the main character meet Tom the giant robot. It would be better if the story continued with friendship between the main character, his brother, and Tom, which they experience adventures on the upper world.
I really appreciate the writer. What he should do is train to improve his imagination. In Shaa Allah, later the writer can create the good beautiful stories.
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