Announcing our Wherefore Art Thou story competition

feel like I may have jinxed myself by saying ' I had to come up with an entry for this theme since its so close to my brand. 🙁😢 I can't come up with an idea. the word count cap feels discouraging. and I have a lot of IRL stuff going on that is possibly silencing my muse. Oh well. Guess we'll see if I come up with anything at all or if I just need to take a break from comps or sit this one out. Even though my comp entry stories are the ones that get the most attention cos my stories are too weird/non-mainstream to get much/any attention otherwise.

.... idk, but either way lots of time left between now and the comp deadline, the muse tide can change lots before then. or not. who knows. guess we'll find out ..

Quote by LuceDevlin

feel like I may have jinxed myself by saying ' I had to come up with an entry for this theme since its so close to my brand. 🙁😢 I can't come up with an idea. the word count cap feels discouraging. and I have a lot of IRL stuff going on that is possibly silencing my muse. Oh well. Guess we'll see if I come up with anything at all or if I just need to take a break from comps or sit this one out. Even though my comp entry stories are the ones that get the most attention cos my stories are too weird/non-mainstream to get much/any attention otherwise.

.... idk, but either way lots of time left between now and the comp deadline, the muse tide can change lots before then. or not. who knows. guess we'll find out ..

Maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself? My problem was I don’t think I can top the art-themed stories I’ve already published. I just decided to write something I loved—-music. Take a break and come back to it. You’ll think of something to fit in 5K.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself? My problem was I don’t think I can top the art-themed stories I’ve already published. I just decided to write something I loved—-music. Take a break and come back to it. You’ll think of something to fit in 5K.

Thanks I hope so.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/group-sex/very-naughty-tessa

A slice of bonkers as a thank you to those who work hard to make these comps happen. Might not be an area I know anything about, but that's not always the point.

I have 4,999 words. Now, to see if I like them, and I have a little room there to make a few edits. 😳 If there is one thing about it being so hot in Paris right now, I can write. Painting with oils in this heat is a very risky business - it cracks easily. Anyone writing in this competition can have that one on me. 😘

Here's mine: Heartbombing The Heartland. It's a love letter (or Valentine, as you'll learn upon reading) to the Great Plains, and a polyamorous love story with heart(s). Also with sex in six different states. Eat your hearts out.

Yay! New comp stories to read. I’m on it after work.

I finally have the first draft of my comp story composed. Now on to the final clean up which I hope to have completed by this weekend so I can get it submitted. It's quite different from my normal fare, so I'll be quite interested in the reaction and feedback it receives.

Mine got approved! Hooray! I tried to do all the artsy things, I have an audio track, and I drew the digital art for the cover art myself! YAY. I really liked doing all three like this, to keep all my artsy skills polished/practiced.

I will definitely try to do all three again, if I can maybe make a pattern of it, that way I keep the skills sharp. This was a 'let's see if I can pull it off' first time, adding the audio and drawing the art vs going to unsplash and moodboarding the cover art on canva which is what I have been doing previously (I do still like moodboarding so I may keep doing taht but yeah )

Glad it got in. Looking forward to feedback and if I have the spoons, to read some of the other entries myself!

Happy writing, Lushies!!!

I have deleted the last three things I have tried to write and my only attempt at a competition went unnoticed. Not only has my muse abandoned me but writing about ART being artless seems a bit pathetic.

I said I was not going to enter. I told myself that I did not have time to enter, and yet, this morning, I find myself pressing the publish button. Sending a competition story in for moderation... I blame the temptation of another badge!!! 😲😈

The story is called "A Brush With Fate."

Now I will spend some time reading the other entries; I have only read the one so far. 😎

This tickles my fancybone. but i really have to go dig deep in my memory chest since i don't want to go with the "obvious" for my kind of writing....
now i just have to sit down and be good and not look at the already submitted stories, not to get sidetracked.

My entry has now been published. I will be interested in the reactions as this one is quite different than my normal stories on the site. Endless Love | Lush Stories

I had some inspiration, so I'm giving it a shot. Probably too straightforward and "normal" to get any kind of prize unless some twist comes to mind. Still, it's got me writing and I think there's some interesting action to be had. We shall see how I feel. Oh, and the pacing is almost perfect for hitting the 5000 word limit so I don't think much editing for length will be needed, if any.

Dear friends, I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the posting of my entry, 'Kallitechnia.' A story set in a time and place of great artistic achievement: ancient Athens in the mid-5th century B.C. The people you will meet there are denizens of the Kerameikos, the disreputable and vibrant Potters' Quarter, which produced many works of art that are prized by museums and collectors today...

Kallitechnia | Lush Stories

Quote by Piquet

Dear friends, I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the posting of my entry, 'Kallitechnia.' A story set in a time and place of great artistic achievement: ancient Athens in the mid-5th century B.C. The people you will meet there are denizens of the Kerameikos, the disreputable and vibrant Potters' Quarter, which produced many works of art that are prized by museums and collectors today...

Will try to get to this one, though I'm trying to hold off reading until mine is done (assuming I finish, it's so boring and pedestrian compared to something like this that it may not be worth the effort). I have a degree in classics and visited Greece last year so this one sound near and dear to my heart.

Well, it is done. I could have edited this one for hours more. I have just kept inside the word limit (where did they go?). Also, I have managed to include a lesson on how to paint with oils, too. I am nice like this. However, Robespierre is not...

'O' is not for Oils. I hope you all enjoy it.

My entry has been published.

After going around in circles for almost three weeks, everything came together this past weekend. Where I ended up is not where I thought I was going. But I am happy with where I landed when the dust settled.

Art and sex collide - literally - in this is a story about an unconventional artistic collaboration that quickly evolves into an exclusive business.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/money/ruined-cum-and-oil-on-canvas-2

Fabulous work, all of you! I’m really enjoying reading all your stories. I love every art form. ❤️

The entries are arriving thick and fast, and I hereby add my own to what is beginning to look like an intense competition! I have yet to read any, but the feedback looks awesome, and once I've taken a breath, I will try and do some catching up.

I hope readers enjoy The Reluctant Butterfly - I certainly enjoyed writing this quiet little tale...

Okay, that was ... interesting. With one comp story flagging, I finally remembered a first attempt at the comp that I had walked away from. And in a couple hours today, I finished a first draft of that one and did some editing. It's a better, more interesting story, IMHO. Maybe if I find an ending for the other one I like, I'll publish it after the comp but I think this one is going to be the entry. Just need to find a cover image (I know what I need, just need to either find it or generate it) and do my usual day or three of anal editing.

Quote by Seeker4

anal editing.

Thanks for my next story idea.

Quote by joe71

Thanks for my next story idea.

Oh s**t, I didn't even intend that pun. LOL. My story does involve a lot of anal, too. 🤣

Quote by Seeker4

Oh s**t, I didn't even intend that pun. LOL. My story does involve a lot of anal, too. 🤣

We should run an all-anal competition called 'Anal Stories Series' or A.S.S.

Quote by Seeker4

anal editing.

Ummm… how does one “anal edit”? Asking for a friend. 😉 Maybe post a picture or video.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Ummm… how does one “anal edit”? Asking for a friend. 😉 Maybe post a picture or video.

I was thinking that too lol. maybe there is a guy named Ed, short for Edit, cos his parents are writers and named him Edit vs Edward or Edwin or something. and he is fixated on anal play and so he goes on a pleasure spree by Editing everyone Anally and ... bow chika wow wow chronicles his smut adventures ? LOL (yes that was off the top of my head, you're welcome lol)

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Ummm… how does one “anal edit”? Asking for a friend. 😉 Maybe post a picture or video.

Not sharing my interpretation of that until my story is in ... um, final anal editing.

Quote by joe71

Not sharing my interpretation of that until my story is in ... um, final anal editing.

I can’t wait to anal read your anal edit

Quote by KimmiBeGood
Ummm… how does one “anal edit”? Asking for a friend. 😉 Maybe post a picture or video.

I assume it's done with a certain degree of sensitivity.

Okay, I think you all know what I meant. Anal-retentive, i.e. extremely fussy and picky, editing.

But I like the smuttier versions better, myself. Anyone want to join me for some "anal editing"?

My story is getting close. Probably give it another pass tomorrow. Still not finding the cover image I want. Yeah, I'm being anal about that, too. I have one but it's a bit of a placeholder.