This thread exists so that you, the participants of WOTM, can vote for what theme you'd like us, the WOTM staff, to use next contest. This way, we can only use themes that please as many WOTM participants as possible. The poll is multi-choice, so if you like more than one theme, you're welcome to say so. Also, themes that do not win this vote will likely be given another chance in future polls.
Happy voting!
Theme Choices:
Theme: Colonization
Explained: A story about colonization.
Components:
- The story involves a long-established colony rather than a newly-founded one.
- The story involves dealing with hazards of the wilderness (animals, swamps, etc).
- The story involves relations with the native people of the land, hostile or otherwise.
- The settlers are or were refugees.
- The story is not set on Earth; it is set on another planet or in a fantasy world.
Theme: Despair
Explained: The main focus of the story is despair, in any fashion.
Components:
- The despair is caused by an event that the despairing character had no control over.
- The despair is caused by first world problems (remote is on the other side of the room, no milk for your cereal, etc).
- The character inflicts or causes despair rather than feeling it personally.
- The story reaches some sort of happy or positive conclusion for the protagonist.
- The story is not set in modern day.
Theme: Time
Explained: A story that involves time or time travel.
Components:
- The main character finds someone/something from his/her past.
- The story involves time manipulation (pausing, reversing, etc).
- The story involves a historical figure.
- The story involves an individual knowing the future.
- The story involves time travel gone wrong.
This thread will be left open, and for good reason! Please don't hesitate to comment on the themes themselves or general setup of this (still new, and subject to change) WOTM feature.
Banner thanks to Rose Swan.

