text: # Happy Saturday, serialists! Welcome to Serial Saturday! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ***New here?*** If you’re brand new to and thinking about participating in Serial Saturday, welcome! Feel free to dip your toes in by writing for this challenge or any others we have listed on the handy dandy! We appreciate all contributions made to this thread, and all submissions are of course welcomed, whether it addresses a previous challenge or the current one. We hope you enjoy your time in the community! Take a look at our inaugural Serial Saturday post for some helpful tips. You don’t need to catch up by writing for each of the previous assignments, feel free to jump right in wherever fits for you, with whatever assignment or theme fits for you, and post it on the current thread with a link to whichever previously posted challenge you chose to start with. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ # This week it’s all about: The Second Wind After the rollercoaster our characters have been on for the past couple of weeks, they are finally catching a break with renewed energy for the task ahead of them. It’s been a series of knock downs the past couple of weeks. Are they gonna take that? No. They’re not six feet under yet. (.) Just like the Giant Sequoias, our protagonists need to feel the fire before they can thrive to see a new day. This is where the heat of battle brings out a new strength of resolve in full force. The beat following this one is Victory, and this installment should show how hard-won that victory will be. Do we sense a little bravado in our main characters as they get ? Maybe a little. Maybe the horse is l (what’s their secret? Is it Mane and Tail? I bet it is). But we don’t mind By the end of this installment we as readers should feel that if our hero is goin’ down, it’s not without a fight. , ‘cause we’re ! Our characters still have some gumption in them. They’re tackling their challenges in a new way, doubling down on their commitment, this time This is another opportunity for us to that didn’t seem important at the time, and now could be vital to a resolution. We’ve been knocked down but is that gonna stop us? Nah. Just like Mostly Dead Wesley, . So get those little plot children out there, and **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **You have until \*next\* Saturday, 10/31, to submit and comment on everyone else's stories here. Make sure to check back on this thread periodically to lay some sweet, sweet crit down on those who don't have any yet!** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* # Top picks from last week’s assignment, Re-Invigoration: **Fan favorite with the most votes:** /u/Kammerice, as he delivers a knife twist to the gut when this mouse noir tale turns personal. This week the **Smoking Hot Challenge Sash** goes to an author that nailed the spirit of the assignment: /u/ATIWTK, with a subversion of expectations in a way that is truly refreshing *and* satisfying. And two honorable mentions: /u/Xacktar, for keeping us on our toes with a story that has stepped on the gas and won’t let up with the djinn and unfortunate victims. And /u/lynx_elia, with a story that makes us wonder if this is all a subtle Among Us story, but way better. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **The Rules:** * In the comments below submit a story that is between **500 - 750** words in your own original universe. * Submissions are limited to ***one*** serial submission from each author per week. * **Each author should comment on at least 2 other stories** during the course of the week. * That comment must include ***at least one*** **detail** about what the author has done well. * Authors who successfully finish a serial lasting longer than 8 installments will be featured with a modpost recognizing their completion and a flair banner on the sub. * Authors are eligible for this highlight post only if they have followed the 2 feedback comments per thread rule. *Yes, we will check*. * While content rules are more lax here at /r/ShortStories, we’re going to roll with the loose guidelines of "vaguely ***family friendly***" being the rule of thumb for now. If you’re ever unsure if your story would cross the line, feel free to modmail! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Reminders: * Make sure your post on this thread also includes links to your previous installments if you have a currently in-progress serial. Those links must be direct links to the previous installment on the preceding Serial Saturday post or to your own subreddit/profile. * Authors that complete a serial with 8 or more installments get a fancy banner and modpost to highlight their stories. * Saturdays we will be hosting a Serials Campfire on the main voice lounge. Join us to read your story aloud, hear other stories, and share your own thoughts on serial writing! We start on Saturdays at 9AM CST. **Don’t worry about being late, just join!** There’s a *Super Serial* role on the Discord server, so make sure you grab that so you’re notified of all Serial Saturday related news! **Join the** **to chat with prompters, authors, and readers!** Previous constraint: **Re-invigoration** Have you seen the ? No? Oh boy! Here's the current cycle's challenge schedule.