Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Excellent

I am not a fan of sci-fi - never have been, but I keep seeing your name popping up and decided to read this piece. I am absolutely hooked on it - it is fantastic. I could not stop reading. What a brilliant idea you had - the creator taken over by his creation. What a clever piece of writing and so well written. No wonder you won!! Regards Dorothy

 Comment Written 26-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2014

Thanks so much, Dorothy :-). I was happy with this one and thrilled when it won the contest. I'm really glad you liked it.

Mike

Comment from Contests

A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 25-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 25-Jun-2014

Now there's a sight I'll always enjoy seeing! Thank you so much :-).

Mike

Comment from prefabmouse

Excellent

Spellbinding, great writing style with a flair that is not seen very often. I want to give you the highest review and I hope one day you will publish your own book. You certainly have the talent for it. Thank you for taking me away from reality for a short while. I really didn't want to come back. LOL

 Comment Written 22-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2014

Thanks so much, prefabmouse (love the pen name :-)). What a lovely thing to say, and I'm very glad you enjoyed the read.

I do actually have four books available on Amazon - you can find the links in my profile. I have a collection of urban supernatural crime/fantasy stories coming out in July so I'm quite excited about that :-).

Mike

reply by prefabmouse on 22-Jun-2014

I would love to get an autographed copy from you. Please let me know when they are released and if you don't mind I will have it shipped to you so you can sign it then I will pay for the shipping to me. I love supernatural crime/fantasy and the macabre

reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

I will certainly let you know - thanks so much for the confidence boost :-).

Mike

Comment from GreySpark

Exceptional

This is an amazing story. Well written and very thought provoking. Especially liked the raised questions of whether or not the archer was self aware, And that it didn't matter how he came to be.

 Comment Written 20-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2014

Thank you, GreySpark :-). It's one of my favourite themes - the concept of reality/existence and what constitutes it. It all started when I was in an English lesson once, studying MacBeth, and it struck me that more people knew Lady MacBeth (she was the subject of the essay I was writing) than would ever know me. Hundreds of thousands of people knew who she was - did that make her more real than me?

It's great writing fodder :-).

Mike

reply by GreySpark on 23-Jun-2014

That's an amazing way of thinking. I'd say it shows a lot of intelligence. I also like how a similar theme plays out in Halo 4. 343 industries took the storyline to amazing heights when they brought in those themes.

Comment from padumachitta

Excellent

Hi. Well written sci fi. Chilling as well as thought provoking. What indeed constitutes reality? Warm bodies or warm thoughts...padumachitta

 Comment Written 20-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2014

Thank you, padu :-). I had no idea what to write for this contest and then out came this story whle I was on the train to work (finished off at lunch time!). It's always a rush when an idea comes like that.

Mike

Comment from Twilightspire

Exceptional

Well I'm hooked. This was one hell of a tale. The back and forth, done in italics, was breath-taking. The visuals along with the creative dialogue added much to this story. The premise behind it was fresh and highly entertaining. Does it come off a bit...tragic? Yes. Too many live role-players have fallen victim to the whole "I am my character" routine. Enough to make this story extremely frightening and realistic without poking fun at that particular problem.
I would advise smoothing out the beginning a little. I understand that you were trying to deceive us a little and sell the whole story, but it came off confusing for the first paragraph. If there are any changes that need to be done, that is all that I could see.
Great job and good luck in the contest.
-T.J.

 Comment Written 19-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2014

Thanks so much, TJ :-). Indeed, there is certainly an air of tragedy to this. I've played many RPGs in my times and I always take the chance to invent a character and imbue them with their own personality - a female, another race, an irrationally violent or calm person. However, I have many friends who always try to play themselves, or an idealised version of themselves. It's an interesting area because it's a form of interaction unique to the last twenty or so years, and one the human psyche hasn't yet adapted to. Great writing fodder :-).

Thanks again for the great review.

Mike

Comment from Kenneth Schaal

Excellent

My man, you are a deep one, something I'm sometimes falsely accused of, but you are the real deal. I'm trying my best to determine if the programmer flipped into the ether, and actually killed his detractor, or he rationalized it; but hell, it works good either way. A profound, and for me confounding story that I enjoyed immensely. Best of luck. Kenny

 Comment Written 19-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2014

Thank you, Kenny :-). I also haven't decided what's actually real in this, or whether there's even a difference.

I'm reminded of the end of American Psycho, where he's confessing all his crimes and being told none of them actually happened. It's poignant because, to him, they were real. In every way that matters to him, he's a terrible, violent killer. The fact others don't share his reality doesn't make him any more acceptable. I loved that touch to the proceedings!

Mike

reply by Kenneth Schaal on 20-Jun-2014

True--it starts, lives, and ends with the mind.

Comment from Patrick G Cox

Excellent

Hi monkey controller ... er .. fleedleflump,

Now there is atale of pure horror, when the 'Game' takes over the creator and walks away in the creator's body.

A good read, it certainly gets one thinking ...

Patrick

 Comment Written 19-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2014

Thanks Patrick :-). I wasn't even sure where this was going when I started it but I was happy with how it came out. So glad you liked it!

Mike

Comment from Domino 2

Exceptional

As you know, Mike, I can't concentrate on longish writes nowadays, so please forgive me for being a fraud here.

All I can do is offer you a sixer in the hope it helps exposure. Mind you, this is a one off, partly also to thank you for all your friendship and support.

I know from the past what a BRILLIANT story teller you are, so I'm sure this is worth it.

All the best, mate. Ray.

 Comment Written 19-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2014

Well, the support is very much appreciated, Ray. :-)

Mike

Comment from Donya Quijote

Exceptional

Wow! This was really interesting and a very good read tonight. Such a tale would make a good movie. You should consider converting it to a script. Some gamers are so into their games that this scenario doesn't surprise me at all, as a real possibility. Good one...

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 19-Jun-2014

Thanks so much, DQ :-). I do tend to visualise everything I'm writing in the way I'd see it play out as a movie. I haven't written a script for a couple of years now, so perhaps it is time for another go. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Mike