My Dishonorable Mention—It’s the First of the Month by Yours Truly
Entry for Paul Stewart's Officially Unofficial Dishonorable Mention Challenge (no “u” because I’m a goddamn red-, white-, and blue-blooded American 🦅 🏈)
All right, who better to kick off this dumpster fire of an "unofficial" challenge.
What challenge is that, you ask? Take a gander:
Forgive the improper spelling of dishonorable, if you can (tall order, I know). Paul can't help it if he learned the wrong form of English 😉
For my entry to this challenge, I figured what better to pick than the piece that pissed the most people off on this platform (so far). Bonus: it also kicked off the feud between Stewart and I that has culminated in the newly created cultural institution that is the Dishonorable Mention category on the Weekly Leaderboard.
Plus, it's just over a year since the piece was published. What better time to revisit this public service announcement and remind you all that...
Spooktober is over.
It was the first of the month three days ago. It's time, once again, to wake up, people.
No more horror until 10/1/25. Then the orgy of scary stories can begin anew. Like Fat Tuesday before Lent, which in this case lasts 11 months. That is the social contract we all signed. Shoot the messenger all you want, but I don't make the rules.
I also had a good chuckle at the references to the then-current challenges . And wouldn't you know it, I still don't know what a... *squints* ..."senryu" is. Some things never change* 😊
Brush up on the social contract we all signed here, people:
Or don't. It's not like it's the only thing holding Vocal society (Vo-ciety) back from the brink of full-on societal collapse or anything ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Me and the other Vocal Stephens aren't even standing by to persecute those who violate the contract this time. Really, it's chill.
While we're all being chill and hanging out, you wouldn't happen to know where my main man Stephen and I could score some illegal substances, would you, home dawg?
What? Just asking.
No, I'm not a cop. Why would you even ask that?
Fine, fine! I didn't want to be part of your lame drum circle, anyway.
*Speaking of things that haven't changed, a year later and Paul still outranks me with that 1st Place win?? I really have to work on that.
In Conclusion
Fight me.
About the Creator
Stephen A. Roddewig
Author of A Bloody Business and the Dick Winchester series. Proud member of the Horror Writers Association 🐦⬛
Also a reprint mercenary. And humorist. And road warrior. And Felix Salten devotee.
And a narcissist:
Keep reading
More stories from Stephen A. Roddewig and writers in Writers and other communities.
A Revelation
Disclaimer: Your goals are your own. Your preferences are your own. What I talk about in here may have no appeal to you. And that is fine. I’m not trying to sway your opinion to my line of thinking. And you shouldn’t feel obligated to defend it.
By Stephen A. Roddewigabout a year ago in Writers
An Envelope Full of Memories
I’m back with more writing adventures from my youth! It feels light and crisp in my hands. The paper is slightly wrinkled and yellowed with age… and there’s a weird stain in the top left corner. Inside it is a little window to a younger me.
By Sandy Gillman4 days ago in Writers
Comments (5)
I would love a break from horror. I’m perfectly sick of everyone scaring me witless. Is that even a thing?
Amusing story… I’m with Heather! Horror & I don’t get on!😳😵💫… I love the thought of being safe from it for a while… the Spooky Micro challenge was a minefield in recently published stories 🫣!
Best conclusion ever. And I remember that piece. I don't like horror anytime, lol. Great response to the insanity of this challenge :)
Hehe. I remember reading that! Good luck! 😆
Just dropping a brief comment to thank you for understanding the ass-ignment even when I who devised it, didn't! more to say on this tommorow when I can unpack it all properly with as wide awake eyes as is possible! this is like 'our song' pmsl!