HALLOWEEN IN APRIL CONTEST RESULTS! - The Barcast

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anonpencil #1 · May 1st, 2020 · 8 · 1 ·

APRIL HORROR STORY CONTEST WINNERS!!!!

Okay guys, now that you're good and spooked, here we go...

This was a tough contest. The scores were tight, and high. I don’t think I gave anyone below a 2/5 in any category. There were 55 entries, and I can honestly say none of them was completely horrible. There were creative ideas, spooky concepts, and some really chilling writing. It was so tight that I asked other Barcasters to vote with me on who should win. For some stories, placing and not placing was a matter of less than 0.01 average score (YES REALLY.) So if you didn’t place, rest assured that you still did well, and I really enjoyed reading your story.

Without further ado, here are your winners!

HONORABLE MENTION: Freeze by BronyWriter
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/465313/freeze

This story landed so close to the top, due to a chilling (excuse the pun) groundhog-day like feature… with a gruesome twist. There’s a real sense of dread here, and even if you do figure out where the story is going, that feeling doesn’t go away. Seeing it coming honestly makes it worse. The ending will leave you shivering, for sure. (not sorry that time.)

THIRD PLACE: Winter Heat by Trick Question
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/466518/winter-heat

Vaginas are scary, you guys… but seriously, this story is bound to make you feel more than a little bit uncomfortable. With vague Stepford Wives feelings and a climax that is as skin-crawling as it is compelling, it knows where you bite you to make it hurt. There’s more to the world described here that we don’t see. How did this community start? Why did it become like this? Has anyone ever… well… succeeded in escaping it? Sometimes not getting all the answers just leads to the discomfort factor, and even then, the answers we do get here are deeply unsettling.

SECOND PLACE: Anthropomorphic by PaulAsaran
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/463727/anthropomorphic

This story is going to stick with you. Not only does it subvert that trope of “lol Lyra wants to be human!” but it also presents imagery and a feeling of hopelessness that grows as the story progresses. As one of the tiebreakers put it, this is a story that is uniquely pony. While many other entires could be changed and edited to be outside the fandom, this works with it and uses aspects of it as an advantage. For any shortcomings it has, the story leads to a finale that starts with a very specific sound that really hammered the chills home. I’ll be honest, it was what I thought about first thing the morning after reading it.

FIRST PLACE: There’s a Monster Under The Stairs by Grimm
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/465533/theres-a-monster-under-the-stairs

I confirmed this story with another Barcaster, just to make sure I wasn’t totally crazy in how high I rated this. But they agreed that this was a clear winner. If you want to effectively know how to use character voice and a limited perspective, then take notes. This is how it’s done. The horror in this stems in a big way from the reader understanding far more than the protagonist. So as we watch things happen, we see the peril far more plainly than she does and are helpless as she slowly unravels it for herself. There’s also a deep theme of betrayal of trust here that I know a lot of people can relate to. The idea of a monster under the stairs or bed is so simple, especially through child-like eyes. But the story quickly reveals that in life nothing is as simple as it seems, with terrifying results. It’s all so deliberate and carefully plotted out, and I can’t help but just applaud this work and the author.

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Congratulations to all the winners, and to all who entered! If I had given ties, there would be a LOT more names on this winners list (think seven or eight)! If you are a winner, PLEASE contact me so we can work out how to send you prizes! The prints may have to wait until going out and about is more safe. I can’t speak highly enough of all of you for making April a seriously scary month on Fimfic, and I hope you enjoyed it as well. I encourage you to read all the other entries. I’m certain you can get a lil’ something fun from each and every one of them.

If you disagree with the results or are angry with me… please take a moment to take a deep breath, and think twice before writing a nasty PM or comment at me. Assess if that’s really worth your time here. This was a tough decision, and I stand by it, and no amount of complaining will change it. Be proud of your own work instead. Believe me, you’ve earned it!

Take a moment to give some love to the other story entries if you have the time. They’ve definitely earned it too:

Thanks for entering and reading. I’ll see you next podcast or contest! Stay safe, stay sane, and just do your best. It's all anyone can ask of you

-pencil

Nature Pastel

Nature Pastel #2 · May 1st, 2020 · 1 · ·

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