Quote by Dani
This thread is about addressing the problem of systemic racism/marginalization in the US (and the world where relevant).

Well part of me is loath to go where angels fear to tread ... foreigners and all that.

But the idea of marginalization (systemic racism seems to raise hackles so I shall avoid that term) or inter-generational cycles of disadvantage is well accepted and not intellectually controversial.

Public policy by its very nature means making service provision choices - choices in social policy, economic policy, defence procurement etc. My specialty is health, in Australia nearly all health is funded through taxation and provided free. Yet, through triage and policies around elective and non-elective surgery. treatment is (I think reasonably appropriately) allocated.

Now we know for sure that those cycles of disadvantage result in poorer health outcomes in specific communities (rural aboriginal for instance, but also other urban communities.) To make a difference to those communities and raise their life outcomes towards those of other Australians there has to be specific actions taken that reflect cultural language and location factors. It would be unconscionable to use a one size fits all approach when outcomes currently are not one size fits all.

While health policy matters, education policy is also key. Call it what you like (affirmative action, common sense) but the focus should be on enabling those caught in cycles of disadvantage to break out of that disadvantage. Reading recovery programmes for instance should be targeted at those communities (and if you want to call that discrimination, then its unambiguously a form of 'good' discrimination.) Specific pathways to post school training should be illuminated by public policy (and the private voluntary sector too) for these groups. For it is axiomatic that we all benefit from improving these groups life outcomes.

This isn't an area where there is an international consensus on the nature of the 'perfect policies.' I think all of us should be alive to ideas the world over.

Quote by AmuseBouche

Avocado... it is a vile substance. Tastes of soap.

Wow, lol, alright mon ami., what about tripes à la mode de Caen ... done it, totally not convinced.

Kistin ... cover your eyes for this sentence: stories are like cocks, its not the size its what you do with it.

I think of writing a bit like cricket (just lost half my audience) T-20, 50 overs and test cricket are different games requiring different approaches though the basic mechanics are the same.

When I came to Lush I'd never written anything under 10,000 words, I thought that was a short story. I learn't (well shamelessly imitated Wannabewordsmith) to write flash and got into micro when it became a category. I like them but they are specialist skills and I so admire those like Kistin and WW who can nail the shorter forms. But in terms of relaxing with a good book, I also like length as it gives the reader time to savour the development of plot and character.

That said around 3,500 words is a sweet spot on Lush, readers stay and its enough words to develop what I want to develop. Competitions are interesting and enjoyable as length becomes part of the challenge. I'm amazed how much harder the Free Spirit competition at 2000 words was compared to the Masturbation one at 2,500 words. But I loved doing both,for their unique challenges (and the even more radical Blue one a few competitions ago which was 500 words.)

My reading of late reflects my current status ... I will dip into stories not sure I can stay for long and in that case short is best. I'm also trying hard to support the competitions by reading them as a priority - and can I say I will read all the stories in this one which I haven't done in ages as the story length is shorter.

Quote by Seeker4

For the rare individuals who might perchance be interested, my comp entry is now live (thanks to krystalg).

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/lesbian/letting-loose-2

I read and loved the story my friend. I'm out doing myself, having read all but six stories; so good to see the different interpretations of Free Spirit and indeed how successful authors are with that minuscule word count. Fun competition and there's still three weeks to go.

Different, just excellent, measured to nick AmuseBouche's word. I missed seeing this had been published, thank goodness for the EP notifications. A must read for all authors, I think.

Quote by techgoddess
Just poking my head in for some sleepy time tea. It’s been a day! Granddaughter has been very ill and was admitted to hospital yesterday. They have ruled out bacterial infections, Covid, flu, strep, and RSV. They told my daughter it’s viral but they don’t know what for sure. It’s hard to be hundreds of miles away. I’m heading up Saturday. Already had plane ticket to take my brother back up north. I’m sure she will be fine but her daddy is out of town for work and her paternal grandparents apparently can’t be bothered to help my daughter. Perhaps a glass of Moscato would be better.

Oh my, hugs that is so hard for you. But in hospital she will get care and children recover quickly. Grandparents who don't help, well honestly I don't have words. My in-laws treat Himself like he's the only grandchild they will ever have (not assuming either I or my sister in law will birth another,) I love the support, when I'm working, hubby will often spend time with his parents, everyone benefits.

Its Friday, TGIF, line up the G&Ts and follow them with Chardonnay. Enjoy the competition stories, I must have read about 3/4 now and there are some fabulous gems in there. Spring has definitely sprung, camellias abound and azaleas aren't far away.

Happy Birthday James

Happy Birthday

Evening all, been a little busier this winter so haven't been around as much as I would like. Toddlers are exhausting, but Himself's total adorableness fully offsets. He'll be two soon, omg how time flies. Nice today, a little warmer, spring is in the air and the magnolias are out.

I have been writing: just as well the competition was only 2000 words. Its called Couldn't Wouldn't Shouldn't and comes with a warning ... tear jerker ahead. I've read a dozen so far and would recommend them all, its a fabulous field with wonderful takes on the theme.

Happy Birthday, congratulations and hugs to whoever I should of said that to over the last few months. Enjoy the weekend and do support the Women's World Cup.

I'm in, do take a look at Couldn't Wouldn't Shouldn't fair warning tears are possible. And do read the other stories, as Krystal said (and this includes hers

Quote by krystalg
There are so many excellent entries, already. I'm continually stunned at the what everyone else has produced.

Rapper

Colas - slack

seduced

Quote by sprite

Prude theme would be fun, too, yeah?

Drop the P and we have a deal. The Rude Competition, I’m in.

Congratulations to Amusebouche, Lupus, and ShyThespian (see you shouldn’t have stayed away from comps, you write so well) for their podium excellence. So many great stories inside and outside the top ten. Wonderful competition-thanks to all those who read commented organised and judged.

Pride theme next, Jen?

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Yup, for a comp, this one is fairly low read, low voted, low commented. But so is the Steampunk genre, so expected, I guess. Maybe the entries brought a few new readers into the genre though.

Kind of the same story of late; low votes and comments. Mind you I’ve loved the stories I’ve read, so far those who’ve commented on mine plus ShyThespian and Piquet. It’s the kind of theme that brings out innovative approaches. Lol, my drama was having just published two chapters of Sydney Steampunk I suddenly had to change gear and get another plot line. Our European vacation is coming to an end; we (including Himself) have had a wonderful time, but I see winter in our future.

Quote by sprite

fyi, our Annie's got a comp story up - haven't got a chance to read more than a few paragraphs yet, but what i have read looks pretty freaking amazing. https://www.lushstories.com/stories/fantasy-sci-fi/never-mind-the-bollocks-whats-love-got-to-do-with-it

Thanks Rachel. Do check out my story, though I understand it may not be to everone’s tastes. But in my defence the D/s lesbian scenes are pretty hot.

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

Of course, because Annie's pretty freakin' amazing!

And she does it as the parent of a small kid, too. How she finds time is beyond me. I remember that part of our kids' childhoods only vaguely, through a haze of always being tired.

I'm still on vacation so.himself has two adults catering to his every whim. Mind you I've read next to nothing and only posted twice in forums. And discovered that writing 5000 words on a mobile is a total pain. But I've only missed one competition in over 4 years so tenacity kicks in. Hope all is good in your world 💞

Quote by sprite
anyone looking for a good Steampunk Story should check out CuriousAnnie's new series. (said so she's not too upset at us doing a steampunk comp right after she'd already written something for the genre. lol)

lol, flattery will get you eyerywhere .,, I had to laugh, just when I’d done a steampunk story there’s this competition.

Remember my Miss, my Miss story; published shortly before the Proud and Kinky competition. Despite my Rosie story placing 6th, I’m convinced that with a competition edit Miss, my Miss would have done even better and no on that occasion I didn’t laugh 💖

Quote by NishasWorld

I’m not suggesting that Lush would promote abuse. That’s why I moved my stories here - I love the site and it's readers, and feel safe to promote my writing here.

I just think a more thematic, and less prescriptive approach to the competitions would be good. A story title like ‘First Love’ or ‘The Tavern’ would be open to everyone (forgive me if they have been done), but forcing people to write in a genre which is, frankly, unpopular to both readers and writers seems crazy. I count 35 Steampunk stories posted in 6 years, so the genre is not exactly setting the world on fire.

But I look forward to reading the entries, and good luck to those who enter.

I’m sorry if I appear like a whinging cow - I’m really not. And I hope my comments haven't been taken as overly critical. I love Lush and really appreciate all the hard work everyone does to make the site sexy and fun.

Don’t ever think you are a whinging cow, you’ve touched in an important point. As one of those who has published in Steampunk—two chapters of what will be a five chapter Steampunk Sydney series— I thought your original comment was spot on. Punk as in 1977 punk had a very dark underbelly and that is exactly the criticism of Steampunk. Like the idea of Steampunk is to take the actual Victorian period and change something, usually technology, so the world is, as a result, different. So we defy the laws of physics and have steam dirigibles and we are more liberal about gender and sexuality (deviant Susie is great in this with her meninist story) yet the key thing about Victorian times is ignored; colonialism. It’s why in my Sydney Steampunk series chapter two introduces an aboriginal woman. My aim is to use that to change the most outrageous bit of Australian Victorian behaviour (it’s would be an interesting debate, but I’d argue that the UK was at its worst with Australia’s aboriginal people) and as a result write a final chapter that is a present day Australia different from today’s reality. On a sex story site, you say. Yes absolutely, for it’s some of those Victorian behaviours that have influenced how we think about sex today.

I don’t know enough to tell you how to write a Steampunk India story, but I’d love to read it. I’ve done somewhere between 20-30 competitions and only missed one in the last four years. Most are thematic and open ended, but of late the Noir and Punked (which despite the long list I think of as either steampunk or cyberpunk) are more specific. It’s interesting to test yourself as a writer in these categories, lol though it can be a bracing experience, I love my Australian Noir, still think it’s one of my best stories, but it didn’t find favour with the judges.

Quote by NishasWorld

Why can these competitions not be more mindful of non-white experience? How do British Indians fit into a ‘Noir’ competition? Or into punk? Or are we not meant to rock the boat and disturb the status quo?

Fuck no. Rock the boat, disturb the status quo, Rough up the mid-Atlantic consensus. Rub our noses in the non-white experience. If I can get Australians into a Noir competition, you’ll get British Indians into punk. 💖

Just passing by to assure you I haven’t dropped of the face of the earth. Just changed hemispheres… did you know it’s spring not autumn up this way? 🤣

Buongiorno, that should give you a hint; and Himself is delighted to discover they actually serve cake for breakfast in these parts. 🍰

Lol, a Punked competition and me two and a half chapters into my Steampunk Sydney story.

Quote by techgoddess
Being a grandparent is WAY a more fun than being a parent.

Lol, I knew it. Having children must be a stage one goes through for the privilege of grandchildren.

I have referenced other Lush stories and also included Lush friends in my stories (obliquely.) I always tell them and confirm that they agree, One of my stories won't be published as one of my friends doesn't want that. Maybe, I'll rewrite it in a more acceptable way ,,, who knows. The nice thing about lush is that the writers are supportive so why would you want to upset the applecart by irritating a colleague.

Quote by techgoddess

Sneaks in for a quick hello. (Okay and maybe a little visit with the Todds).

It was a good news day yesterday with my white blood cell count in the normal range. I will still need to complete round 4 of treatment but with a little luck it will be my last. In the meantime I’m making the most of actually feeling good for the next 20 days until that protocol. Heading up to Alabama to see my kids and grandkids. (I must have been a child bride. LOL).

Thanks for all the support from my Lush fam, especially the Rumpies. Things are looking brighter.

Another lovely surprise yesterday was receiving a Recommended Read on my latest micro. I hope you’ll give it a read if you have time.

His Touch

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. 🐰🐥🥰

Your health news does sound so good, hugs, Loved the micro, have fun with the grandkids, I swear parents nowadays (I mean like you and mine) adore grandbabies more than they did their children. Lol, my dad admits to that.

I've written a second chapter to my Steampunk Sydney series:

Steampunk Sydney: The Ancient Sisterhood of the Sapphic Brigidines

Check it out, I may or may not be publishing anything in the next little while, a vacation 😀 one that was cancelled because of Covid. Himself doesn't know what he's in for, and neither maybe do we!

Quote by joe71

I rated it highly too. I thought what you did there was brilliant, and I thought it deserved a ranking: as a nice modern-day twist on Noir in an unconventional setting (true of most of my favorites in that comp), as a uniquely Australian take (admittedly I am an Aussiephile), and as a really hot, sexy story. It was easily one of my favorites in the competition.

Thanks so much, its mutual, I loved your Noir story too. The word unconventional resonates with me, like your bisexual male writing, I do a lot of bisexual women, mainly as I love knocking up against heteronormative preconceptions. Lol, my Starting Over story about restarting the universe with two Australian women was an example of that. Maybe it isn't mainstream, but that's the way I like to write. My latest, called Steampunk Sydney will end with a final chapter where the Victorian changes I make in earlier chapters mean a different modern Australia ... I'm totally influenced by the critical comment on Australian Steampunk that it doesn't envisage a different path for colonialism. Will readers get it: I hope so, but irrespective, I'm writing it as I love the challenge of doing something different.

Quote by kistinspencil

I have trouble keeping my characters from dozing off.

Lol, you can't doze off in a micro. Seriously though, you get more character into a hundred words than anyone I know.

I'm a bit of a Madame Lash with my characters ... I think because I generally write the ending very early in the drafting so I know what I'm aiming at. I do a lot of competitions so the word limits focuses the mind on getting from the start to the finish without going off script.

Quote by AmuseBouche

I do not know, ever since Bill Clinton stuck a cigar up an intern's cunt - the comedy value of US politics here in France is a gift that keeps giving. If you think this is a scandal, our President married his school teacher, probably had a gay affair with one of his security detail. One of our politicians just posed in Playboy. If you are not fucking a string of mistresses while in office (or having children with another politician AND having a wife) the public thinks there is something wrong with you.

Likewise, well except that we're still very English about a leader's infidelity (yet God knows it runs rampant in the community,) There is this whole, omg an American ex-President subject to criminal charges, which is weird ... like since 2000 leaders have been jailed or prosecuted in over 78 countries — including democracies like France, Israel and South Korea. Welcome to the world, my American friends ... the funniest thing, though, is calling the Democrats left wing or socialist, clearly a lack of appreciation of the meaning of the word. You and I should prepare for a dose of outrage to cascade over us, though fortunately this isn't the think tank

Quote by sprite

when lush goes down i get to take a breather. it's nice. i go outside or, if the weather is inclement, into my sunroom (yes, i seriously have a sunroom - i spend a LOT of time there) and read a book or write or something creative. imo lush should go down more often. too bad the IT peep are so damn fucking on it. le sigh. btw, curious - does England do taco tuesdays? i expect an aswer, por favor. pronto.

1 ... you only go to the sunroom (you live in Seattle so the weather's always inclement) if lush goes down!!

Seek help!! Pronto!!

2 ... who knows about England, but we have taco Tuesday's down under ... I'm sure there's a joke in that:

C/f At Vandal, (in Sydney) we’re not big on traditional sit down meals, all our food can - and should - be inhaled in one hand with a margarita in the other. 

We never want to define ourselves in a way that puts us in a corner, ever-evolving and free to experiment with our food - some people say we’ve ‘vandalised’ mexican food - they’re probably right - but to those naysayers we say ‘f*ck em’, we cook what we want - how we want - no rules, just fun with flavours.

oh, we’re one hundred plant-based and we kick ass - if we don’t want to pillage the earth of its natural resources and kill innocent animals in the process - that’s our prerogative right ?!?

Every Tuesday we offer $4 tacos and $15 margaritas from 5pm till late.

We offer 2 hour seating times - either early (5pm through 6:15pm start time) or late (8pm onwards).

The Taco Tuesday Taco Deal ($4 tacos) is only for tables up to 5 people, as groups of 6 or more people are required to go on our set menu, however 6+ groups can still get $15 Margaritas all night long ...

I think you'd like this place Rach though its a little far for Ubereats

Quote by sprite

Write a story involving time travel and lesbians. as for when the next comp is going to be... soon.

Been there, done that, you'll never look at E=mc2 in the same way again: I present a story that wasn't too shabby in the time travel competition:

Starting over

And by the way, soon isn't, how shall I put this, Rachel: the world's most precise answer.

Lol, perfectionism is such a tough Mistress ... tbh it's why I do competitions, they have deadlines. Otherwise I'd be adding to my 300,000+ words of unpublished stories. Writing is a wonderful hobby, my only regular creative outlet; and the neat thing about Lush is that the writers chat to each other. Talking of which I will be PMing you in a bit ... lets just say I want my French to be right

Quote by AmuseBouche

I think it is a mixture of knowing I did the best I could with the initial thought. I have this same dilemma, a short story written on one go does far better than I imagine, and something I spend weeks writing is barely noticed.

Votes and comments are a measure. I will always reply if I have moved someone to do so... it is right to reply with thanks, thoughts and feelings to encourage them to comment on other stories here. They inspire me a lot too. Is the story then just the vehicle to empowering myself and my novice craft? Perhaps.

A great story? There are simple ways - it still garners votes long after it was written. Or recognised by peers and better writers than me (I admit... this one really gets me). Personally, to read back on it weeks or months later and think... wow... you were on fire.

I think I take comfort in the greatest books are not always the best selling, but the ones most esteemed by readers of your persuasion. So I shall take the same attitude. Have I written a great story? Not yet, but I'm content to know I have written some good ones and am still hungry enough to write the elusive great one.

Honestly, comments are out currency. And yes encouraging commentators to read more of your oeuvre makes perfect sense.

Inspiration is a wonderful writing drug, there are many who do it for me. You do already have a great story; Little Bird's EP tells you that. But as I do with Oxford Street, you'll never think it perfect. Every time I read my best story (and all my others as well) I find editing opportunities. To be a writer I think is to be a perfectionist.