Ieshwar

I really liked the interactions between the characters. They were funny but also real. Especially the introduction part which was brilliant. The characters were well written. I felt for each one of them despite their flaws. Thank you for sharing this nice story.

So happy that you are continuing the story. I felt like the SA story ended too quickly. Especially when you compared the first half that was very detailed and the last part who stopped right when things got interesting. This third chapter gives us more details about the Star Cruiser and its dwellers. I feel like Brett is taking everything in stride and is pretty composed about all of this. A really nice story with loads of promise.

What a twist! I was so absorbed in the story and then, bam! There were probes on Clay’s forehead. I had to re-read that part several times. I loved the first part (especially the whole Rachel thing). For the second part, I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi but I found it interesting. Overall, it’s a story that I enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing.

I loved this and it was one of my favourites from the contest. Carver is such a compelling character. Yes, he’s eccentric but it’s the undertones of loneliness that tugs at your heartstrings. Even when he found someone, he lost him. It could be just me but I feel like we have an unreliable narrator here. He’s looking at Carver through these rose-tinted glasses. When he says that he’s the only one who knew Carver, I wonder if that’s true. For me the beauty of the story is not just in the said but also in the unsaid. Of course, it’s just an interpretation. A huge thank you for sharing this amazing story.

First of all, I’m Team Owen ATW! He wasn’t there the whole story (sad) but whenever he was present, it was just magical. I really liked Tim as well. In fact, you have a great set of characters here - all very distinct with their own mannerisms and voice. It’s very difficult to pull off dialogue in such settings and you did this wonderfully. But the most important question - since the characters are based on your own friends, is Jason the MC actually Jason Rimbaud? Did you actually lock yourself in someone else’s bathroom in pink jockstrap, Jason?

Given that I haven’t read many historical fiction stories, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. The voice you have used is light, making it very easy to follow and pleasant to read. As for the second half, I have read and enjoyed some gamer fanfics so I loved this part. You have a very interesting combo here and I can’t wait to see what you do with these interesting characters in this new world you have built.

I absolutely loved the world you built in Nick’s ‘comascape’. For example, the way you presented the dryad and how she goes around her role as a doctor while being plant-like. It’s original as well as amusing. I liked Nick. At the beginning, he is as confused as us and it is easy for us to sympathise with him and see this new world through his eyes. The ending answered some questions but brought up some new ones as well. But it aptly upped the emotion by introducing us to the distressed husband. Thank you for bringing us to the original and creative world of Alltopia.

I was a bit perplexed reading this but I think this style was chosen by design - to reflect the genre and the characters’ state of mind. I preferred the first half, especially the mystery and the POV from the murderer. But overall, even if it’s a genre I don’t often read, I liked it.

This was so fun! I’m not American so I went in there completely blind and had a blast following our duo through their trip. Some of the places left me truly amused. And Kaira? What a boss! She was amazing! She could have easily become a Mary Sue but you have deftly softened her edges and showed a bit of the baggage behind her confidence. One of the best main characters from this contest.

I read this more as a finding yourself or finding your family story rather than a love story per se. And through Blue, ‘Behind the wall’ aptly captures the sense of confusion and the need to find ourselves and our place as a teen. And amidst all this, you have woven some very real characters. Overall, a beautiful story, written with loads of sensitivity.

Such a sweet story and I think it was the perfect start to the contest with its fun characters and romance. But the main hero here is definitely the worldbuilding! I love the idea of kins drawing their powers by getting in contact with their elements. The moment where Nilus drinks the water and changes his appearance… gorgeous! I wish we could see the enchantments of the other elements. And I really liked the title. At first glance, I thought it was about Nilus but on second thought, I realised that it cleverly hinted at both main characters. Thank you for sharing this enchanting story.

Thank you. You guys have been simply awesome. I enjoyed writing Ceramic Dreams and I'm so happy that you liked it. Hugs to everyone for all your love and praise.

About three weeks. I got the idea of secrets hidden in a teapot when I saw the theme of the contest. It resonated with me because it's something I did when I was younger. There were no pictures of former lovers in mine but rather trinkets of sentimental value. And the story grew from there. Btw, you were the only one who guessed my story correctly- at least as far as I can remember. Kudos for that!

Congrats to @BentedWreath and @chris191070. Also great job to all the SA who hid their tracks so well. There were five guesses I was absolutely sure of and only three of them were correct.

In an old, dusty teapot, unfulfilled dreams linger. Faint cracks run across its surface when past promises collide with current realities in a whirl of questions and emotions.

Thank you for these kind words. 😊

Very intriguing start...

But, we ARE old, well, older than the teens. I wish I was back to 18. I wish I was younger... So yeah, I'm surely one of those mentioned in the video, which I don't think is showing the whole picture. It's like life is rushing so fast past that WTF? Everyone expects you to be all independent, grown up (have someone in your life, have a house, have kids) and I'm like how and when? And I don't think I want to be all grown up. I want to read, write, daydream, sleep, be carefree, be happy, be young. So maybe, in the end, it's 'who you want to be, who you are inside' versus 'who you should be at your current age, who everyone is around you'. Like a kid stuck in an adult's body. And btw, the whole celebrities being younger than me creeps me out. It's weird, it's true.

Nobody wants to keep their TV/Radio? Lol TV/Radio is easiest for me to ditch too. I use the other three more often. The tablet is more for reading though. But choosing between smartphone and PC is so hard. Without my PC, well, home will be so boring and it has all my works on it but going without my phone is just weird. In the end, I chose smartphone because I'll just use the mac at work then. Cheers Ieshwar

Thanks for sharing. I love Mean Girls!! I kept waiting for someone to say "Stop trying to make fetch happen!: Haha

Congratulations, KC! Very very deserving.

Shepherd's Crook is among the first I have read of KC's and that was probably when I become a fan. It's an amazing story. I love love love the epilogue with the final justice. Gibby went on with his life, as he should. Great story and of course, great writer! Cheers Ieshwar

Oh my god. I have no idea how to respond to this level of stupidity... It's only thanks to JKR and her Harry Potter that I discovered (and read) other fantasy authors like Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan, Garth Nix amongst other. And she's saying that JKR should stop writing for adult genre? I think she should rather thank her for bringing new readers to the genre and increasing the market of her books. And I thought writers were highly intellectual wise persons... Btw, how could she not read Harry Potter? That's like... never eating chocolate. Unless she's allergic to good sense and intellect, which might be the case judging from her post.

Honored to be among such talented authors. These are the writers and stories that I look up to and to be among them means a lot to me. Thanks to everyone who nominated my work. Good luck to everyone and to those who haven't voted yet, there's not much time left... Cheers

It looks very beautiful. Hoping to see it. Thanks for sharing, Sara.