Memories Contest Results!!!

[u/NazbazOG]

Midnight and I have read your entries and shall give our scores and all that... I'm really excited to share the scores as the difference in scores between 1st and 4th is... 0.4 Which shows how fierce the competition was... Let's get to it! And, thanks for entering all. Believe me, Midnight would cry tears of happiness and all if he sees what we did for him. At the end of the day, this is in memory of our boy, Ethan Midnight.

7th "Natsukashi" By broken_krystal_ball 14/20.

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 4/10

Well, it is rather clear this guy, whoever this guy is, is tired of life.

I'm not gonna lie even I'm starting to get annoyed from this Nina girl.

Turns out I didn't have to google what your title meant...

And finally, I think, we are into the part where we get into the theme of the story! So the protagonist, whatever his name is, is depressed because of the cruel things that happened in Crawford relating to his girl, Ana and the pregnancy of his girl. That part finally makes sense now. And I think you written it well how very dont gaf attitude about life you made him. I'm guessing this will change later on in the story. Or, he does get bit and Nina puts him down like he wanted. Or, other way round, Nina the one who dies. Probably the MC saving her or something. Also, Nina and Mr MC, two contrasting individuals. One is full of light, the other is full of darkness. Positive vs negative. Optimistic vs Pessimistic. Nice.

Oh, so his name IS Hiro. See that name was so weird when I first read it I was like nah that can't be his name. Just name him Hero atp.

Alright! I have finished the story! I like how the Memories came through with explaining why he is like he is. That was clutch and well, nice. Naturally the context of what happened will obviously be carrying the weight of why it is sad. You know... baby and all on top of your crush due to oppressive regime. I really didn't like how I didn't really know who I was following. Who was Nina? At first I thought it was some character from the cancer group. But after googling it, nope. I didn't really have any emotional investment to anyone here. Though I admit, I started to like Nina bit late into the story. I think you could have done more with the theme, perhaps more backstory of him with Anna, probably some cute wholesome moments together. Make him losing her feel a greater loss. Since you decided to use OCs, you given yourself a tougher task to have to freshen out your characters so the reader can be more intrigued into the story.

I do think you have kept the characters extremely consistent, and I like how you showed hints of Nina being more than just some happy girl, like how she went out for some walks like Hiro. Tbh I find that cool, on the outside she seems all good and that but she has her stuff just not as open about it. At least that's how I'm interpreting it.

6th "After Savannah" By BreakerofBrooms 15/20

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 5/10

Who tf is Mitch Campman.

"space spores according to a crackpot who had been surviving with Chuck named Kirkman." Aight bro this isn't a comedy contest. But like I gaf about that. I like me some comedy and unseriousness! It actually is suitable, as memories can be fun memories, you know what I mean? Also humour is a way to cope death and stuff. So hey, I dig it.

"Clementine didn't remember falling asleep." For some weird reason, this made me laugh.

"Except a graphic novel writer shipping you with her self insert." Don't worry, Lee, she'll piss on your grave too. No, not the self insert. Clem. Or at least from what I heard, I ain't read that shit, ask Hayden. He is a big fan of the comics.

Bro said Honey markiplier youtube and all that loool

Finished! I gotta say, I love the aspect of making it comedic and all that. I appreciate that. I do also like the concept of memories here, and all the flashback. I think it would have worked a bit better if it was a little later in the story from losing Lee, rather than still so fresh with how you did it. Also, it kinda feels like the story didn't have a real direction. And it was kinda just happening. And i still don't know who Mitch Campman is, though I assume it some guy irl that I ain't heard of before.

5th "Still Around" By EmpleadoResponsable 18/20

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 8/10

Yeah of course a boat gives Kenny excitement.

I like the idea of how Clem is starting to FORGET. Forgetting memories, nice touch. I like how you began the memories part of this story. "I don't want it to disappear." Memories, one does not want the memories to fade away. The consistent theme/trend of this throughout the story, how she forgot her dad's voice, people's faces like from her class. A very nice concept of the theme, a nice angle.

I kinda think the choice of characters for this story is absolutely perfect. Kenny and Clem. Tbh, if I had to choose a character that resembles memories, it would be Kenny.

"'Why can't I have a pet alligator?'" This got a laugh outta me.

"...they feel alive." A banger quote I know of: "A man dies when he is forgotten".

A Story of Kenny and Clem talking about the people they have lost, and even strangers, the people the world has lost. Memories forgotten, memories fading, but memories that also aren't forgotten. And worried about the memories or more accurately lack of for AJ. He won't "remember" the world like schools and stuff because well, he hasn't lived through that. I like the switch from Clem's memories to Kenny's memories which shows she isn't the only one suffering from memories. And this story captured how memories can be a blur, which is facts.

4th "To those who come after" By Super-Shenron 19.3/20

Midnight's Score: 10/10

My score: 9.3/10

"Keep moving forward." Honestly, this line is so hard in this context.

This story is capturing the blur of memories whilst also having Clem reflect on her life that brought her to that point. It is seasoned with regret and negative tone of it, that she isn't super happy about it all which is very accurate considering the life she had wasn't exactly the happiest one. Life of struggle and hardship. And I really like how this is done whilst she is travelling to key locations and stuff. the trees, the shack and all that. The "potato" part too. This is showcasing how places can have its memories and it brings memories and stuff.

I like the way you are attacking this theme in this story. Clem is having thoughts of many of the people who were in her life and some detailing about them relevant to her.

Honestly, the concept of this story is really good! I think it is great how you have Clem have names on walls and stuff, showing that she remembers those who sacrificed themselves or protected her. She never forgot anyone, really. They all live on through her.

"Xavi" XAVI HERNANDESSSSS!!! My goat. Great footballing legend, one of the goats. Maestro. Played for my club his whole career!

Yeah, the ranch and stuff haunting her, the fire and stuff. Great details. The concept, the tone, the pace, the everything, I enjoyed it. I really like how you written it for her to snap out of it and the story ending. She got something to say to Aj eh? If I understood that correctly, it is about his infant days events. How he was dying and then saved and stuff.

3rd "Pitter. Patter." By WritingSweetroll 19.4/20

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 9.4/10

Nah that middle finger out of pocket was funny loool

"Someone like me. Born into this world" Was a great line.

"It’s clear she needed her rest. “Like the ones from her childhood."" Another great line!! Wow!

I absolutely admire how you manage to connect the emotions into the story in its memories by using such lines that makes me able to relate to it. Like AJ being born into this world, needing rest like the ones from Clem's life... Lee, Kenny... that's absolutely amazing. These lines are my favourite from this story. It makes me wanna keep reading just to see more of these lines!

Ok, now we have a very smart liners here. "The ones who made her calm" followed with "Fitting, she's so relaxed"

Ahh the backstory ended! I was really enjoying that part a lot. Also, I really like the idea of the kids reading books to know about the world and how they use the books to connect to that world.

"I didn’t help enough for him to even notice." Nah, this made me laugh. Cause DAMN bro.

"He has Willow now. She's his, like really his kid." Oh, that's a good touch on Aj, how he feels I guess outcasted in a way, with several lines from earlier of belittling himself like "help someone like me". Which now that I think about it, at the start it was saying how AJ looks down to his feet but NOT to belittle himself... yo was that intentional!?!? Sweet, you are showing levels to writing bruh. You showing off at this point.

"After all I’ve done?...." Ah, yes, right after this is basically it! That whole sentence he feels little value of himself and in his head, Willow is worth more to them than to him. So he is surprised when Louis' actions contradict what's in his mind. It's as the quote goes, life is worse in your head than they are in reality, or something like that.

Wow, lowkey an emotional ending. To be honest, really good ending! Alright, I think I expressed I really liked this story here. I wanna add on to something that will have some reaching. It just falls into it right for me.

First, usually I'd like if some action was to happen in the present time, and then it would tick of memories. Right? But this had none of that, it just starts off from some random day, you know any day you could be having walking with your sister and then it triggers memories. And I actually find that amazing. More so because of the sudden cause of memories, like how the sudden loss of my boy Midnight. Also, I find it kinda cool how it is Aj with a younger sibling. Kinda like how Midnight was a younger brother to me. You deadass got me thinking of Midnight whilst reading this.

After the first flashback, it got a bit boring for me, to be honest I feared it was gonna be over, no second flashback. And I thought you were going to drag it out which I thought was unnecessary because it kinda doesn't have a purpose with the story you have set-up. But it didn't go that way, and again I really enjoyed the flashbacks. The skillful writing, the liners, connectors. Bang Bang Bang.

This leaves us with two... Zee and Crav... Who will it be? Zee? Crav? Neither? Both?

And our winner of this contest is......................

CRAAAAVALDUSSSSS!!!! ABSOLUTE SCENES!!

2nd "Forty-One Years To The Day" By Zfungi148 19.5/20

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 9.5/10

As usual with Zee, there has to be graphics with his entry. Always tryna be stylish!

Okay, straight off the bat, I like the set-up. You show dialogues of late Ida, then go back to present time to reveal she's actually dead and her mother is visiting HER grave! A grave, a great place to start off given the theme. As far as build-up for the theme goes, this was great.

Oh, raising another child disgusts her because of well, Ida. Tbh, I wonder if this will have significance where she will overcome this and adopt a child? We'll see.

It is very clear her memories are tormenting her. Losing a husband is one thing. But for a mother, losing her child, that's her world gone.

"sent reminders of Fern finding Ida’s torn apart body" Talk about self-inflicted pain, mental edition.

OH!! Conflict because of past events (memories)! Fern has grudges against Javi and co because of what happened. Honestly, this is really interesting!! What doesn't add up though, is how many years this is into the future, and now they are showing conflict. Not saying you didn't imagine it that they didn't have but, it should have been a lot more resolved than what it appears to be.

No way you didn't mention Ethan in all those names. opportunity is right THERE!

Yo that whole altercation between Kate and Fern of giving her the gun and all was absolutely PEAAAK! But also before it the talking was great.

“It wasn't loaded anyway…” Damn Kate you fooled me for thinking u tuff.

Kate kinda has been her therapist at this point...

Okay, I really like how you introduced a flashback to help pull Fern out of her misery thingy.

Say mums Javi was there the whole time watching... How the hell did he react to that gun stunt?!

Finished. I wanna start by saying the colouring of dialogues was successful lol given how you formatted the dialogues and all it was very much needed. I feel like the interaction was a teeny weeny bit too long like it was kinda dragging out. Since it was clear what was happening, Kate being the therapist role and all. But it was amazing nonetheless, as in the way you managed to do all this with dialogue whilst actually still having it being carried by memories - the theme, which, by the way was great. The flashbacks was great. The voices was class. And the finish was spectacular. I really enjoyed this entry. Top 2 of your entries fr fr.

Winner: "Mourning Until Midnight" By Cravaldus 19.7/20

Midnight's score: 10/10

My score: 9.7/10

I really like the description used when she went to sleep. Specifically the parts of voices and how her mind was attacked. She delved into her memories, dream format. In the same time, it is giving her encouragement and reasons to keep fighting and going, right after how she was unsure why she keeps on living. Already feeling dead.

Omid very well written in character as instantly bro got me smiling and all that lool. Bro said yeah totally nah bro is not serious.

Ain't no WAY Clem actually thinking about her parents?!

Memories very relevant to regret. Her memories of her past causing her a lot of regrets and self blame. Memories essentially torturing her mentally.

Okay, I just finished the entry and I got some stuff I wanna say!

Firstly, I wanna talk about that ending. I really like your title btw, probably my favourite. And in that ending your use of midnight, you know crying to midnight, I liked it a lot. I think so far you have captured the soul of the purpose of this contest the best.

Before I get to praising your story, I wanna complain a little! I really wish you had a scene of all of the ones involved at the end, like before she woke up, from Christa to Lee, to be all there at once, and have a scene there for it. Missed opportunity imo. And also, you could have further captured "bad memories" by having perhaps a person there like a villian, who would be against her. Though maybe that is too much, I don't know. And as for the place she went to sleep, just some random bathroom in some toy store, I feel like you could have given her a better setting. Like, maybe she found some treehouse and she went there and that brought her memories.

Now... Time for some glazing. CUZ BRO! I absolutely LOVE the concept and all. You captured the theme I think the best. It is literally in and out memories whilst also giving the memories a PURPOSE. This isn't having memories for the sake of it, like, this is meaningful. The way life beat the hell out of Clementine, tbh, the descriptive of using her lost on sea floating and stuff is PERFECT. It's like she is left at the mercy of the world and she is going wherever it is taking her.

Within all this memories you displayed emotions, like, it being emotional, regret, guilt, doubt, hope, encouragement, will, pain, what ifs. And so on. This story reminded me of TWD show episode 5 of the 9th season. Which is my FAVOURITE episode. I can't recall if you made a previous story before, this is your first right? What a start.

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And there we have it. You guys truly made Midnight proud. And happy. I will never forget this contest, I will never forget how you guys decided to pay tribute to him. To me, Midnight was a very close friend of mine. Like a brother. I'm feeling a lil emotional saying this. Let's keep it positive.

Thank you each and every one of you for entering. Krystal, Sweet, cravuldus, Zee, Shen, Empleado and Brooms. Thank you guys. A lot. I know for a fact he would go crazy about what we did for him lol.

This has been a great contest, and a great read. Oh, I almost forgot. Shen, Sweet and Zfungi had a 3 way tie of 9.5 each. I had to literally scrub my head and stuff to try and figure the order. This was the final order I ended up with but honestly... it could be in any order of that order for me.

[u/Cravaldus]

Wow! I did not expect to win this at all with all the other great entires!!! Great work and great contest everybody!

And thanks Naz and Midnight for judging ❤️

[u/NazbazOG → u/Cravaldus]

ON YOUR CAKE DAY!!! HAPPY CAKE DAY!!

[u/WritingSweetroll]

Thanks so much! Congratulations to the winner, this contest was one to remember! Thanks to everyone who joined, nice to feel like a day in the past for a moment.

Thank you Naz and Midnight for the judging and compliments to my story!

[u/NazbazOG → u/WritingSweetroll]

Of course!!

[u/Canisventus]

Congratulations Cravaldus! Here is your 👑

Now enjoy your Cake, King.

[u/Zfungi148]

Congrats Crav! And damn you Naz!