The 2023 Prompt Selection Ballot: "I guess you're never gonna know what it's gonna be."

[brightknightie]

We have 26 total nominated prompts. Thank you! Now, which 3 do you most want to write or read?

As you know, in this challenge-style game, writers may choose to approach a chosen prompt in any way, from straightforwardly fulfill to reactively subvert; the requirement is that a reasonable reader must be able to perceive a prompt's influence in each story. (Stories come due by noon on June 25. Minimum 500 words.)

• Vote below by 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on April 22. All community members may vote. Voting is not a promise to write or read.
• Rank the prompts in the order you prefer them. 1 is most-wanted, 26 least-wanted. (If you'd like to leave your least-preferred prompts blank, you may, but the more we rank, the better ranked-choice works!)
  Tip: Each prompt's box is below it (not above).
• The top 3 ranked-choice preferences become our common prompt pool, from which to use at least 1 in each story.

Any prompt that gets 25% of the 1st-place votes outright wins one of our 3 slots. Then, the prompt with the fewest 1st-place votes is eliminated, redistributing its 1st-place votes to what was the 2nd-place preference of its voters. Repeat until 3 prompts each have 25%+ of the votes (or only 3 prompts remain). Break ties by comparing 2nd-place votes, etc., as needed.

As moderator, I reserve the right to put my thumb on the scale of close tie-breakers if needed to help achieve a widely-appealing diversity of prompts for everyone.

Poll #28778 2023_FKFicFest_PromptElection

This poll is closed.
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 10

"The rain it raineth on the just"—Charles Bowen, attributed

The first week.

Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a wildfire

"You are made of the sea and the stars, and one day / you are going to find yourself again."—Finn Butler, "Saltwater"

(Urban) Legend

Coin for the ferryman

"For there is no friend like a sister"—Christina Rossetti, "Goblin Market"

Vampire turns human.

That new car smell

"Evil is a point of view."—Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire

This experiment went horribly wrong

1969

"The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time"—Thomas Edison, attributed

a minor or original character must fill in for a major character

"Peruse how infinite I am / To no one that You—know— / And sigh for lack of Heaven—but not / The Heaven God bestow—"—Emily Dickinson, "The Way I Read a Letter's - this"

The dreaming mind

"I HATE and I LOVE. Why I do this, you may ask. / I don't know. But I feel it and it is torture."—Catullus, Poem 85

Another conquest to satisfy his/her craving

At the crossroads a decision must be made: advance, retreat, or hold your position

"Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love."—Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Give any episode a different ending.

"Who has seen the wind? / Neither I nor you: / But when the leaves hang trembling, / The wind is passing through."—Christina Rossetti, "Who Has Seen the Wind?"

A new detective on the force

"long time passing"—Pete Seeger, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone"

unexpectedly wakes up in the trunk of a car

The Road Not Taken

Comments

[switchbladeeyes]

This is tough! Lots of great food for thought.

[thefruitbat]

That will be really tough decisions. Will decide when I'm back. Thank you for all the work you put in the FicFest! :)

[greerwatson]

I've printed the list out. Now for mulling....