Finalists

Dun...Dun...Dun!


I must say you guys were incredibly cruel to me.  I had hoped that there would be at least ONE story I could write off immediately, thus making my job easier.  No such luck.

I assure you the whole process was extremely scientific.  I felt like I was back in college.  I took notes, there was a rating system.  Everything!  After a few hours of sweating and nail biting, I've come up with the finalists.

But first!  There were some that I wanted to recognize for certain reasons:

For best closing line:

S.E. Sinkhorn @ maybe genius--“'All right, girly,' I say. 'Let’s get you your happy ending. Just promise me you won’t give him his.'”  


Plus, your line about Crystal Balls was just hilarious!


For phenomenal use of acronyms:


Joshua--He did a sci-fi version of the Three Little Pigs.  Hay-Hyperbaric Atomic Yield, Wood-Warren Orbital Observation Depot, and Bric-Billet Risk Intelligence & Command.  Pure genius!


Coolest Weapon Ever (and suckiest way to die):


Palindrome--"Something wraps around my ankle. I stumble into the hair. It reaches above my head and I try to climb out but it keeps me trapped. Cold strands crawl up my arms, curling around my neck. As it moves closer, I spy several gleaming skulls tangled within the hairy mass. I kick my legs, a few strands snap as I struggle, but the hair won’t budge. I twist and turn until I’m on my back." --From her version of Rapunzel.


I wish I could keep going with the honorable mentions because all the stories were just that good, but that would make for a very loooong post.  There were some stories that were very beautifully written, there was one that pushed the sexy meter (good take on Red Riding Hood, by the way), and there were zombies.  Emily is terrified of zombies.  *chills*


I was thoroughly impressed with what you guys came up with!  But now, I guess it's time to get to the finalists.  That's what you guys are waiting for, isn't it?  You're probably yelling at me right now to just get on with it.  Okay.


But first!  You guys know that I'm not an agent or publisher and the fact that you did not end up as one of the finalists in no way implies your story wasn't good.  Seriously.  Some of the stories were neck & neck for the finals, but they were the same story and I had to pick my favorite.  In the end, I found I was personally drawn to those stories who had amazing endings or a really unexpected twist that left me either laughing or going "wow."


So, without further ado!  


The Finalists Are:


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Brad Jaeger


Stuart Sharp


Anne Riley


Vic (aspiring_x)
&
Dangerous With a Pen


!!!!!


Click their links, reread the stories, and vote in the comments here!


Some more rules:
I know, we hate them, but they're important.  Everyone is allowed to gather more voters for this contest (in fact, this is encouraged), but please do not ask people to vote for a particular finalist.  That just isn't fair for the finalists who may not have as many followers as the next guy.  If I find a finalist asking people to just come on here and vote for them, I will take said finalist out of the contest.  I'm sure you guys won't do that, but I had to say it anyway.


A recap so we all understand:  go ahead and ask people to vote, but don't ask them to vote for you or your friend.  Let's make sure this doesn't become a popularity contest.


If you wish to vote anonymously, you may do so.  Just don't get mean, people.  Again, I'm sure you won't, but it has to be said just in case.


Now get to voting!  (you may vote for one person, and one person only.  If you name two people in your comments, I will only count the first person you mentioned).


Have fun and good luck!


Edit:  I forgot to mention that you have until next Monday (Sept. 5th) to vote.


Edit #2:  Moon Unit had a bad link yesterday.  Here's the right one for all of you to read her story!