June 2009 Featured Group

There are some stories and authors in the great big world of StoryWrite who deserve something more than what they get. They put in more effort than they have, and more time than they mean to use. These people are nominated in the StoryWrite Oscars.

But what are the StoryWrite Oscars? I don't want to give you the wrong facts, so I recently sat down with Asfand, the group creator and asked him some questions about the imfamous awards.

Kevan: What exactly is "StoryWrite Oscars?"
Asfand: Well, the StoryWrite Oscars is a group I created that holds annual Awards for the writing community of StoryWrite. I think it's important that we recognize and highlight the talent among us so they can get the recognition they deserve. The people who join the group, become part of the Nominators. They can nominate their favorite writers, stories, contest-holders and the like. In turn, you never know when you can get nominated yourself! It's really fun!

Kevan: It sounds like fun! How long has the group been active, and how many points do you think you've given out?
Asfand: The group was made in May 2007 (I think) - its been active ever since. The first Awards, although small were readily supported. We got lots of donations and had lots of fun really. Back then, it was an experiment. The 2008 Awards were bigger with over 100 members that participated. In these two years we gave out more than 5000 points, I think, give or take.

Kevan: Wow! Where do the points all come from?
Asfand: The points come from generous donators! And dude, they are generous, I tells ya! In 2007 (when the Oscars were just an experiment) most of them came from myself and a small group of donators. In 2008 we got more than 2500 points in donations plus my own points. However THIS year, we got more than 8000 points in donations and still counting!! So, the SW community is getting really supportive of the Awards and we're growing with every year!!

Kevan: 8000!? That's crazy! What kind of awards are there?
Asfand: Kinds of Awards? Where do I start? We have Awards for Best Author, Best New Author, Best Young Author, Best Contest Host, Best Critic, Best Poet, Best Story, Best Poem, Best Series, Best Story in a specific genre (Love, Horror, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Thriller/Crime, Humor) and this year we added Best Dialogue, Characterization and Plotline too! A little something for everyone basically.

Kevan: Great! Are there special requirements in order to be nominated for an award?
Asfand: There are SOME requirements, of course. A nominee has to be frequently online (or else they mostly don't come online at the time of the awards and it's a waste of space!). Most of the requirements are usual, for example, a person nominated for Best New Author must not have been on SW for more than four months. Best Young Author should be less than 17 years old. Best Critic should actually give out helpful comments. But these are minimal, I guess.

Kevan: I see. Now, just for fun: What's your favourite cereal?
Asfand: Ooh, Fruit Loops and Cocoa Pops! Yummies! I love cold cereal in the night --- *drools*

Kevan: Ahh!  You drooled on me! Now the big question: If people join your group, what's in it for them?
Asfand: Well, if you join this group: you get to nominate people you think really deserve an Award. In turn, people notice you, you become part of community, you make friends because it's very social. We have over 190 members now, and it's a very wonderful community. In turn for nominating others, people nominate you too. You are eligible for Awards, open Group Contests, there are fun polls. Oh and you get to judge the Oscars too! I guess, it's just loads of fun! And exciting!!

Kevan: It sounds incredibly exciting. Finally, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Asfand: Oh, the dreaded question. =D Well, I'm cixteen, which is great, not many people are cixteen. People are sixteen, but not cixteen and I love to talk and to write, of course. I like people, 'cause there so nice and sincere and very huggable. I like my hair. I have brown eyes. I'm not tiny, but I should be taller. I like french fries and chocolate, especially kitkat. I'm from Pakistan [[- and no! We do not wear turbans! We wear everything you wear: jeans, t-shirts, jackets, gawd! Turbans! Of all the things!]] Oh and I love LOTR and HP and I hate Twilight (sorry!) I also like swimming a lot. And I LOVE to eat. Junk food really -- but I'll live!

Thank you for the great interview Asfand - Now here are the nominated people and stories for 2009 StoryWrite Oscars. Congratulations everyone!

Best Author

Andy Stephenson http://storywrite.com/Andy%20Stephenson
Tiger-Lily http://storywrite.com/Tiger-Lily
gerifitzsimmons http://storywrite.com/gerifitzsimmons
tallblondie http://storywrite.com/tallblondie
IrishYndina http://storywrite.com/IrishYndina


Best New Author

Cola-Lily-Wolf  http://storywrite.com/Cola-Lily-Wolf
Shadow dragon http://storywrite.com/Shadow%20dragon
elenii http://storywrite.com/elenii
Kismet Krazy http://storywrite.com/Kismet+Krazy
Violette http://storywrite.com/Violette


Best Young Author

Shadows Falling http://storywrite.com/Shadows%20Falling
Friesian http://storywrite.com/Friesian
Miles of Smiles http://storywrite.com/miles%20of%20smiles
Rose Hathaway http://storywrite.com/Rose%20Hathaway
Neomaxizoondweebie http://storywrite.com/Neomaxizoondweebie
SaffronGreenSpirit http://storywrite.com/SaffronGreenSpirit
Emm-Emu http://storywrite.com/Emm-Emu


Best Contest Holder

Kevan http://storywrite.com/Kevan
From Grace http://storywrite.com/From%20Grace
tallblondie http://storywrite.com/tallblondie
CactusJack http://storywrite.com/CactusJack
Amanda Vampiress http://storywrite.com/Amanda%20Vampiress


Best Critic

Valkyrie http://storywrite.com/Valkyrie
tonialoise http://storywrite.com/tonialoise
Gary Alexander http://storywrite.com/Gary%20Alexander
So Strange http://storywrite.com/So+Strange


Best Story

A Noble Cause by IrishYndina http://storywrite.com/story/139748
The Dark and Evil guide to .... by Darkflame http://storywrite.com/story/278020
Secret Radio murders by Andy Stephenson http://storywrite.com/story/146970
the answer is to be. by Minorchar http://storywrite.com/story/206572
Savage Butterflies by Black-Bird http://storywrite.com/story/253650


Best Poem

Massacre of her Heart by Misaru-Mew http://storywrite.com/story/89363
Limerick A) This is Hell the What? by Quank http://storywrite.com/story/280220
If You Love Me... http://storywrite.com/story/232836


Best Series

Tessa by Lawrie http://storywrite.com/list/37286-Tessa
The North Castle Jornal by Anaya Roma
http://storywrite.com/list/35216-The-North-Castle-Journal
Tales of Entropy by WritersEffigy http://storywrite.com/list/35524-Tales-of-Entropy
Small Fry by Onaya3 http://storywrite.com/story/271312
Becoming Calypso by shadowchild25 http://storywrite.com/story/284828


Best Love Story

Guardian of Light by tallblondie http://storywrite.com/story/269594
The Girls's School by Amicus2K9 http://storywrite.com/story/143612
Benjamin by Lavanya http://storywrite.com/story/265216
Liquid Ice, by Rian http://storywrite.com/story/270264
Waves by Moonwriter http://storywrite.com/story/
My Clumsy Seduction, by sodancewithsoda http://storywrite.com/story/281738


Best Sci-fi/Fantasy Story

The Lemurian Fireglass by Rune Mororse http://storywrite.com/story/153006
The Basement Dragon by SageSyren http://storywrite.com/story/214750
Cards, Skulls and Fortunes, by SoundInkMusic http://storywrite.com/story/258418
Saving Face by Valkyrie http://storywrite.com/story/201372
Riding on the backs of Seahorses by tonialoise
http://storywrite.com/story/187374


Best Horror Story

The Feeding http://storywrite.com/story/218282
Chainsaws and Daisies http://storywrite.com/story/64503
The Art of Disposal by Decadent Anamoly
http://storywrite.com/story/258050
Eight Months by tallblondie
http://storywrite.com/story/254206
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by Gary Alexander http://storywrite.com/story/145258


Best Crime/Thriller Story

A Woman Scorned by Bernice DeLucchi http://storywrite.com/story/262756
Statistics by WritersEffigy http://storywrite.com/story/174266
Red Yarn by Rian
http://storywrite.com/story/183242
That Summer by the Lake by Bernice DeLucchi
http://storywrite.com/story/212860


Best Humorous Story

Warm Revenge: Moldy or Melty? by Valkyrie http://storywrite.com/story/278370
The Amazing Title that has Nothing to do with the Story by DoozerDan http://storywrite.com/story/169634
Safety Manual by MarkusJ http://storywrite.com/story/214392
The Pink Avenger - The Firecracking Ring by Dream Wanderer http://storywrite.com/story/291540
Dark Thoughts from Somewhere in Space, by Taliesa http://storywrite.com/story/214618
The... Club http://storywrite.com/story/214036


Best Characterization in a Series or Short Story

Hunted by Shimmerfairy
http://storywrite.com/story/220850
The Continuing Adventures of Geoff Saturn: Space hero, Movie Star... Murder Suspect by Barbara http://storywrite.com/story/285066


Best Dialogue in a Series or Short Story

By the Book by Lostskins http://storywrite.com/story/120139
The Ballerina, The Gymnast, and the Yoga Master by Wildman http://storywrite.com/story/254072


Best Plotline of a Series or Short Story

Unpardonable Sin by gerifitzsimmons
http://storywrite.com/list/847-Novel--Unpardonable-Sin