Heroism - The Oggbashan Memorial Event 2025 Support Thread

[Rustyoznail]

This is the third year for the "Oggbashan Memorial Event", and while it's named after a long time contributor who defied his doctor's expectations and lived far longer than they thought, it's to celebrate and recognise much more than sheer bloody mindedness in the face of adversity. RIP Ogg, you are missed.

TarnishedPenny and ChloeTzang looked after the first two events, and I'm proud to look after this. The links to the 2023 and 2024 events are here respectively, and they touch on what defines a hero better than I can.

https://forum.literotica.com/thread...n-memorial-event-2023-support-thread.1590075/
https://forum.literotica.com/thread...n-memorial-event-2024-support-thread.1601734/

Some great stories were told about all sorts of heroes. and not just the traditional view. A hero is who you want it to be - from someone who unselfishly gives you the last piece of pie for your teary eyed kid, to a 19-year old storming a machine gun post with a belt full of grenades. Personally, I wrote a story about the local volunteer fire brigades, and how they, the few, drop everything to fight a raging monster that threatens their communities.

Have a think about people you've met, people you know, acts you've heard about. Is there a story there? Does it need to be told to a world wide audience? Stories and essays may be of any length, in any category, and may be erotic or non-erotic as you choose. The theme is heroism, past, present and future - descriptions of heroic acts, discussions and insights about the meaning and importance of heroism. Choose your subject as you will. Post any queries here, or PM me.

The rules for this event are straightforward

1. Have a story idea with the theme of heroism.
2. Any category, any length you like. But please, only stand-alone stories (if you want to clarify that, just ask here in this Official Support Thread).
3. Author must copy and paste the phrase "OGGBASHAN MEMORIAL EVENT 2025" in the "Notes" field of the submission. We recommend that you COPY & PASTE it into the NOTES field to avoid typos.
4. Please use “Oggbashan Memorial” as a story tag.
5. All entries to be submitted from June 13th through to 11:59pm, July 13th - with a Go Live Date of July 14th. All stories will be posted on July 14th.

Remember, this is not a competition, but a celebration.

 

[Rustyoznail]

OBITUARY – OGGBASHAN (Written by TarnishedPenny)


Richard (Dick to his friends) John Clarke Eburne was born in Wales in 1944, the son of a civil servant with the British Admiralty. His father’s career led the family to Gibraltar and then to Australia before Dick returned to England for schooling. While in school, he picked up the nickname of ‘Oggbashan’. (That tale, too long to recount here, is in his Literotica biography.)

As an adult, Ogg followed his father into the Admiralty, eventually moving to the Post Office, British Telecom, finally with the Kent Council. He was involved in the development and fielding of some large-scale telecommunications systems before running a small bookstore near the Kent coast. Ogg was an athlete, enjoying rugby, hiking, camping and climbing; he served with a cliff rescue team for some years. He became heavily involved in community affairs, advocating passionately for minorities, small businesses and just plain folk.

Oggbashan joined Literotica in 2002 and, over the next 21 years, published almost 500 stories under that penname alone. He became one of the true characters here, well-known for his friendly welcomes to newcomers and openness to those asking for advice. Ogg did not however suffer fools gladly and was never one to keep silent in the face of anything he perceived to be foolish or unprincipled.

In one sad sense, Ogg’s defining moment came in 2019, when he announced to the Lit world that he was suffering from stage 4 lung cancer and had but a few months to live. Despite that dire diagnosis, not only did Ogg maintain his online presence, but he astonished the medical profession by hanging on for almost four more productive years, sometimes, it seemed, solely due to his strong will. His good humour and quiet courage in the face of adversity became an inspiration to many during this time.

Ogg died 30 May, 2023, aged 79. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and three grandchildren.

 

[Jorunn]

I really enjoyed doing the research for my story, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, about the German battleship, Tirpitz, in Norway. Along the way, I learned about many different heroes and their stories.

 

[glynndah]

Ogg told the most wonderful stories, both here in the AH and in his many stories published on Lit. I encourage all the newbies to look for his threads and stories.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ahhhhh, I have to write one for this.......June deadline. Better start......

 

[Rustyoznail]

If you're looking for ideas...

 

[glynndah]

I have an idea for a story featuring someone who doesn't think she's a hero at all.

 

[PapaRomantic]

Less than a month, the submission window opens. Less than two months, the stories go live. Not sure if I can get something done in time for this or not, but I'm going to try!

 

[Rustyoznail]

Less than a month, the submission window opens. Less than two months, the stories go live. Not sure if I can get something done in time for this or not, but I'm going to try!

Great to hear! I'm hoping more people will pick up the challenge.

Donated a kidney to a loved one? Visit a neighbour who can't get out of the house? Heroic.

Personally, I'm stuck for time, but I'm hopeful.

 

[Two21B]

My goodness, this sure snuck up fast. I'm looking forward to participating!

 

[PapaRomantic]

9K into my entry, "Reluctant Hero." It's going much better than I've expected. I'm excited to get it done.

 

[BryanRichardson]

I’m planning to write a review of Hacksaw Ridge, about the life of Desmond Doss the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

 

[Zeronix]

Can I submit an edit / rework of a story I’ve already written? I previously wrote a story about a disabled veteran finding love, and I’ve been meaning to revamp / improve it for a while.

https://www.literotica.com/s/scars-in-the-frame

 

[ElectricBlue]

Can I submit an edit / rework of a story I’ve already written? I previously wrote a story about a disabled veteran finding love, and I’ve been meaning to revamp / improve it for a while.

https://www.literotica.com/s/scars-in-the-frame

Edits to fix glitches, yes. Resubmit the story, the whole thing with the corrected content, same title plus the word Edit. Add a Note to the Editor saying it's an edit. It'll take 2 - 4 weeks: edits are the lowest priority for the site. No-one will know but you - people who have already read it might never read it again, people reading it for the first time will never know. Why bother?

Write a new story is always my suggestion. That way you have another story, rather than futzing with an old one. So many people do that... but you've still only got the same story, improved a bit. Again, why bother?

 

[Rustyoznail]

Can I submit an edit / rework of a story I’ve already written? I previously wrote a story about a disabled veteran finding love, and I’ve been meaning to revamp / improve it for a while.

https://www.literotica.com/s/scars-in-the-frame

As it isn't a competition, technically yes, but EB is correct. You may not get the eyeballs a brand new story would receive.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Well, I have a story - have to finish it tho and I have to write my story for Hammered as well.

 

[Zeronix]

Makes sense, thank you both!

In any case I just got the plot bunnies for a new story, set in a sleepy Tennessee town after a big tornado, involving a local firefighter and a Waffle House jump team member… Hehehe this is gonna be hot

 

[Dreamerman77]

I think I'll participate in this event. Just to make sure; all the stories, no matter when I submit the story, are published in July 14.?

 

[BryanRichardson]

I think I'll participate in this event. Just to make sure; all the stories, no matter when I submit the story, are published in July 14.?

That is how I read it:
5. All entries to be submitted from June 13th through to 11:59pm, July 13th - with a Go Live Date of July 14th. All stories will be posted on July 14th.

 

[Rustyoznail]

That is how I read it:
5. All entries to be submitted from June 13th through to 11:59pm, July 13th - with a Go Live Date of July 14th. All stories will be posted on July 14th.

That's correct. They're be a link on the front page that'll have every story live on the 14th. Late additions are always welcome.

 

[Jorunn]

I wasn't sure if I would have a story this year, but after spending May in the Normandie region of France looking at its amazing Viking Age locations, I am humbled and impressed at the sheer density of history here. So many pieces to inspire me, I had to assemble them into a story. Beginning with a Viking raid on Rouen in 841, moving to the Second Canadian Infantry Division in WWII, and then connecting to the current day. A bit of a mystery. A bit of history. And a lot of bravery. Follow the story of a dagger with a silver-jeweled handle, through twelve centuries.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I wasn't sure if I would have a story this year, but after spending May in the Normandie region of France looking at its amazing Viking Age locations, I am humbled and impressed at the sheer density of history here. So many pieces to inspire me, I had to assemble them into a story. Beginning with a Viking raid on Rouen in 841, moving to the Second Canadian Infantry Division in WWII, and then connecting to the current day. A bit of a mystery. A bit of history. And a lot of bravery. Follow the story of a dagger with a silver-jeweled handle, through twelve centuries.

I played Assassins Creed Valhalla, which includes a large quest of Vikings heading to Paris. Even assuming a lot of literary or gaming licence, it was an interesting era.

 

[Inkent]

I wasn't sure if I would have a story this year, but after spending May in the Normandie region of France looking at its amazing Viking Age locations, I am humbled and impressed at the sheer density of history here. So many pieces to inspire me, I had to assemble them into a story. Beginning with a Viking raid on Rouen in 841, moving to the Second Canadian Infantry Division in WWII, and then connecting to the current day. A bit of a mystery. A bit of history. And a lot of bravery. Follow the story of a dagger with a silver-jeweled handle, through twelve centuries.

Like yourself, I wasn't sure if I could piece something together for this year, my entry last year felt like a pivot moment for me in the quality of my work - not because of me directly, but support of others that have come to my aid.

Life's a little rough at the moment, I'm but determined to get the piece put together for this event. Instead of France, I travelled to Berlin for a long weekend to immerse myself in material needed to write the piece I've started. Throw in people I consider really good friends to pull together supplemental pieces, it's time to wade through the Sewers of postwar Berlin. The heat is on!

 

[Jorunn]

Like yourself, I wasn't sure if I could piece something together for this year, my entry last year felt like a pivot moment for me in the quality of my work - not because of me directly, but support of others that have come to my aid.

Life's a little rough at the moment, I'm but determined to get the piece put together for this event. Instead of France, I travelled to Berlin for a long weekend to immerse myself in material needed to write the piece I've started. Throw in people I consider really good friends to pull together supplemental pieces, it's time to wade through the Sewers of postwar Berlin. The heat is on!

Inkent - Post WWII in much of Europe is often ignored, but in many ways, 'it was the worst of times'. Total devastation in many places, no infrastructure, hunger, uncertain government, and people turning against one another. A time for heroism in the face of adversity. I look forward to your story!

 

[Dreamerman77]

I'm starting doubt if I chose the right approach for this event.. I was going to write two IT stories that join in the end l, but reading all these posts about historical ideas I'm begging to think I chose the wrong path. Damn.