View Full Version : Third annual writing contest organisational thread
Greetings, fellow Org members. The third annual .Org writing contest is about to begin!
The challenge: to write a story, fiction, of max 2.500 words. No set theme, no set opening line, just fiction.
The prize: in addition to a badge under your avatar as a reminder of your victory, the winner will also receive custom-made artwork by our artist Dimoleas. You can view samples of his work at Dimeolas’ site: www.dimeolas.com.
The rules
1) One submission per person, and it must be original work
2) The story must be fiction, and must be 2.500 words or less (hint: word processors like MS Word have a word-count feature).
3) The standard Org rules regarding language (and not the more lenient Mead-Hall ones) apply for the contest.
4) The submission period will run from Tuesday the 1th, twelve o’clock GMT (that is Tuesday afternoon, London time) to the same time at Tuesday the 8th. To submit, PM your story to myself (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/private.php?do=newpm&u=4277), and I will post into the submissions thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=67511). This is to prevent editing after submission.
5) Everyone may participate, from junior members to Org staff, with the exception of the judges of course.
The judging
The winner will be decided by a jury of two and a poll. Each of the jury members will have one-third of the vote. The remaining third is decided by the poll of Org voters. The jury is made up by frogbeastegg and myself. In case of a tie, froggy and I will negotiate until a winner is decided. The poll will be opened after the submission period has been closed and will run until Monday the 14th, five AM, GMT (that is seven hours before the time that was announced earlier). The poll has been posted here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1211575#post1211575).
The submission will be judged on:
a) Originality
b) Presentation
c) Entertainment value
On behalf of the jury, good luck!
Aenarion
07-29-2006, 17:03
Please delete this if it is not necessary. But how will the public, that is going to vote in the poll, know what the story of each members is about? if we are going to send it to you by pm?:juggle2:
Thanks,
Aenarion
Please delete this if it is not necessary. But how will the public, that is going to vote in the poll, know what the story of each members is about? if we are going to send it to you by pm?:juggle2:
The stories will be posted by myself in a submission thread.
Since there seems to be some confusion about the submission procedure, I have changed the text above to clarify it..
King Henry V
07-30-2006, 13:37
Hang on, this Tuesday is the 1st of August isn't it?
Hang on, this Tuesday is the 1st of August isn't it?
Indeed. Thanks for pointing that out.
The Stranger
08-01-2006, 02:15
but with presentation people who are nativly english speakers have an adventage...i mean i know how to do it in dutch...but not in english and a translated dictionary story is always stiffer...
King Henry V
08-01-2006, 14:07
This is an English language forum, so English native speakers naturally have an advantage.
Aenarion
08-01-2006, 15:08
And when we refer to fiction, can it be fantasy aswell?
Thanks, :bow:
Aenarion
The Stranger
08-01-2006, 16:11
This is an English language forum, so English native speakers naturally have an advantage.
i know, but what i meant to say was that orginality and entertainment value should have a far bigger impact than presentation (if that which i assume the choice of words). so when the judges decide who is the winner they must not judge to hard on the presentation but focus more on the other 2.
frogbeastegg
08-01-2006, 17:44
But I like being capricious, unfair and arbitrary! It's fun.
Presentation covers many things, including the way the story is set out. It’s a minor point on the judging scale; always has been, in every itineration of the competition. It’s there because a story, no matter how good, is no longer enjoyable to read when it’s presented in a fat wad of typo-ridden text with no breaks. It’s also about recognising effort; people who take the time to read back through their work a time or three are far less likely to have such mistakes.
Aenarion: fantasy is fiction ~:)
Aenarion
08-01-2006, 18:48
Aenarion: fantasy is fiction
Ok thanks froggy!:2thumbsup: Cos I thought that since it is sometimes differed from fiction, I thought it didn't count.
Thanks alot! :2thumbsup:
Thanks, :bow:
Aenarion
The Stranger
08-01-2006, 21:31
But I like being capricious, unfair and arbitrary! It's fun.
Presentation covers many things, including the way the story is set out. It’s a minor point on the judging scale; always has been, in every itineration of the competition. It’s there because a story, no matter how good, is no longer enjoyable to read when it’s presented in a fat wad of typo-ridden text with no breaks. It’s also about recognising effort; people who take the time to read back through their work a time or three are far less likely to have such mistakes.
Aenarion: fantasy is fiction ~:)
i have no problem with punishing sloppiness. if you don't know how to spell a word look it up or use spell check. and i think it is fair to judge the things you said, and you should. but it is also fair to consider the fact not native english speakers just don't have the vocabulary to write like banquo's ghost. And if he is not an native englishman i hereby compliment his fine english vocabulary.
:2thumbsup:
frogbeastegg
08-01-2006, 22:02
It's always something born in mind ~:) Ludens himself isn't a native speaker.
Franconicus
08-02-2006, 09:14
It's always something born in mind ~:) Ludens himself isn't a native speaker.
Nobody is a native speaker. We all had to learn to speak the hard way, didn't we? :laugh4:
The Stranger
08-02-2006, 11:42
It's always something born in mind ~:) Ludens himself isn't a native speaker.
i know it is. But the contest has begun and i'm determined to win it :inquisitive: what...you dont believe me? I AM THE STRANGER, MANKINDS BEST...yeah and most annoying person...:juggle2:
Prince Cobra
08-02-2006, 18:51
Is there minimum number of words?
Is there minimum number of words?
No. Only an upper limit.
The Stranger
08-02-2006, 19:43
how will junior members vote? they cant vote in polls can they?
Divinus Arma
08-03-2006, 05:58
Well, I know my submission is creepy, and that is the point. I just felt like writing in such a way as to allow for free-flow thought. It was almost entirely spontaneous. I only set out to write something edwards-scissorhandsesque. I know its way outside of the "norm", but I was after a Dr.Seuss-meets-Tim-Burton kind of a setting.
Bizarre? That was my intent. Original? Undoubtedly. I hope you fine folks can look past potential Org-theme discrimination and recognize the rythmic prose I was after.
Thanks for your consideration.
:bow:
Hmmm. I may have to poke around in the mead hall more. Some good stories here. I certainly might add to the diversity in theme and style... :book:
matteus the inbred
08-03-2006, 10:40
I dunno Eclectic, I kinda liked it. No one round here writes quite like you...!
Just read Franc's entry too, a quirky little thing that made me smile! Still bashing the keys and swearing at mine...:furious3: :stupido:
Rodion Romanovich
08-03-2006, 21:52
This will be an interesting competition! This is my first writing competition ever, so I have no idea whether I'm doing well or not... I'd appreciate any feedback from the readers ~:)
The Stranger
08-04-2006, 13:30
well before Imsta posted his story yours was my favorite... though now imsta is my favorite
edyzmedieval
08-05-2006, 19:27
I guess I won't sleep this night. ~D
I got 2 stories to make... :sweatdrop:
littlelostboy
08-07-2006, 03:56
Hehe, luckily I got my Internet connection just in time. This is a competiton I must win.
matteus the inbred
08-07-2006, 11:54
dammit, knew we should've banned Banquo's Ghost...:laugh4:
Rodion Romanovich
08-07-2006, 18:55
The plot thickens...
Look what I found:
https://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5072/evilve1.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The Stranger
08-07-2006, 20:58
yeah mattues we should have... and i thought i had a chance to win this time
edyzmedieval
08-08-2006, 09:12
I hope I get at least number 2. I want an award dammit, and I participated in all of the three writing contests!!! ~:mecry:
The submission period is closed. The poll will hopefully be up in eight hours. Thanks everyone for submitting!
Banquo's Ghost
08-08-2006, 13:49
Can you tell me the etiquette for participants commenting on the stories (positively, obviously :smile:). I'm not sure if we're allowed to contribute to the general discussions, so my default is to stay silent until the vote is over.
What's the traditional or expected form?
Can you tell me the etiquette for participants commenting on the stories (positively, obviously :smile:). I'm not sure if we're allowed to contribute to the general discussions, so my default is to stay silent until the vote is over.
What's the traditional or expected form?
The philosphy of the Mead Hall is that if you post it, people are allowed to comment on it. In the previous contests this didn't happen (except perhaps through PM), but the Mead Hall patrons used to be a quiet lot. So by all means, do share your comments. But keep it friendly. And no vegetable-hurling. I don't want to clean up the mess afterwards.
Don Corleone
08-08-2006, 19:31
Hey, terrific work everyone. I feel a little inadequate standing in such fine company. :embarassed:
EDIT: It really helps to read the staff's entire post before making an ass out of oneself by asking questions specifically addressed 3 posts up. :oops:
Banquo's Ghost
08-08-2006, 19:47
The philosphy of the Mead Hall is that if you post it, people are allowed to comment on it. In the previous contests this didn't happen (except perhaps through PM), but the Mead Hall patrons used to be a quiet lot. So by all means, do share your comments. But keep it friendly. And no vegetable-hurling. I don't want to clean up the mess afterwards.
In that case, I shall wait until the voting is over - not because I want to hurl vegetables :wink: but because my instinct is not to interfere in the judging process.
I'll just say that there are some excellent pieces of work, really varied and well told. It has been a pleasure reading all the submissions.
:bow:
The Stranger
08-08-2006, 20:10
well i just hav a few words to say. Don your story was good, but John's story made may day, You go John. I dont want to say who i'm going to vote for but i guess that is quit clear (and ive never voted for myself so i wont do that this time)
i liked banquo's story and also Grimsta's story, the stories of edymedieval and legio were very good too.
Banquo, Grimsta, Don Corleone, Big John, Ludens and Edyzmedieval have so far made it into my project in which i gather the best stories in the meadhall, anyone who wants to help me select the very top of our meadhall is on the team.
I submitted my story. Hopefully the deadline hasn't past.
The Stranger
08-08-2006, 21:22
i thought it did pass, but im not certain
edyzmedieval
08-08-2006, 21:23
It passed today, at 12:00 PM GMT. Sorry.
Ack. That sucks. I hadn't visited these Forums in a while and I just saw the announcement a couple hours ago.
Gentlemen, my apologies for the delay in setting the poll up. I wanted to get a poll with the results hidden, but the moderator who would help me with this still isn't online. It's getting late here, so I am logging off. If the poll still isn't up within 8 hours I'll create an open one.
Again, my apologies for the delay.
:embarassed: I thought I had until the 14th. Bummer.
The poll is up! (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=67746)
:embarassed: I thought I had until the 14th. Bummer.
Was the deadline unclear? I thought I was quite specific.
Avicenna
08-09-2006, 11:23
Hey, terrific work everyone. I feel a little inadequate standing in such fine company. :embarassed:
EDIT: It really helps to read the staff's entire post before making an ass out of oneself by asking questions specifically addressed 3 posts up. :oops:
DC, was that Vito in your story Vito Corleone?
The poll is up! (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=67746)
Was the deadline unclear? I thought I was quite specific.
I'm sure you were. But I could have sworn I saw the 14th somewhere. Must be RL edging into my Orgsterisms again.
The Stranger
08-09-2006, 12:17
Who of you who will vote have actually read all stories, please read them all before you vote because this will give everybody the same chance.
Don Corleone
08-09-2006, 13:13
DC, was that Vito in your story Vito Corleone?
No, I just had run out of Italian first names. The family in my story was the D'Amelio clan. Truth be told, I think Vito is exclusively Sicilian. :oops:
The Stranger
08-09-2006, 14:48
I'm 3rd YIHAA... is there a price for the 3rd/...there should be...
well before Imsta posted his story yours was my favorite... though now imsta is my favorite
heh, i presume you mean me? Cheers :)
The Stranger
08-10-2006, 14:09
yeah i meant you :P but im bad with names, i even manage to misspell my own
Cowhead418
08-10-2006, 21:42
I knew I would regret not participating in this. Call it laziness I guess. I did participate in the last Writing Contest but sadly there weren't many voters...
Avicenna
08-11-2006, 04:30
DC: whoops, Mrs Corleone is Carmella, not Camilla :embarassed:
TS: Umoo?
The Stranger
08-11-2006, 13:47
Umoo?
Important announcement: the poll will be closed around five AM and not twelve AM as was announced earlier. My apologies for the late notification; I find myself rather short of time monday evening.
Franconicus
08-14-2006, 07:49
This will be an interesting competition! This is my first writing competition ever, so I have no idea whether I'm doing well or not... I'd appreciate any feedback from the readers ~:)
Legio,
I think your subject is maybe the best in the contest: a man on a mine. I wished mine would have been half as good.
In my opinion you have a very good way to narrate. However, you did not always find the ideal line, if you permit me to add that.
- the situation of your actor is far too desperate. As if it wasn't bad enough to lay on a mine, the Germans and the Russians would kill him if they could. Then, there is no way out, even if he gets off the mine alive. Therefore the end is clear, he has to die in the minefield, and that is exactly what he is doing. No surprise in the end.
- he is far too rational. Hell, he is in the middle of nowhere standing on a mine. What is he doing: "Slowly I weighed my alternatives." No fear, no desperation? He does not think of commrades, his wife or his Mom? I think the psychological aspect is what makes the situation so interesting. You should have worked on that a bit more.
- Nothing is actually happening while he is on the mine. No cramp. No nervous break down. No sleeping legs?
- The end is the weakest part. Absolutly no surprising element; the complains about the communists at home is unmotivated and unnecessary.
Altogether, a good story, but with a few changes it will be a great story (esp. much better than mine :2thumbsup: )
Rodion Romanovich
08-14-2006, 09:35
Thanks, I think your criticism is both fair and correct and helpful :2thumbsup:
Avicenna
08-14-2006, 09:43
Umoo?
can't think of many other ways to misspell 'Umeu' :idea2:
And the winner is... (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=67955)
The Stranger
08-15-2006, 17:36
could people feedback my story? thanx
I liked it, but alas, my vote didn't win it for you :P
Franconicus
08-16-2006, 07:18
The contest is over, but there are still some things to do:
1) Thanks to Ludens and the jury. Thanks to all the writers. I really enjoyed the stories and I have some new ideas. :bow:
2) Congratulations to the winners, Eclectic and Don. Well done!!:flowers:
3) We have to discuss if Consercatives are better writers. Or Americans. (Or is it just the fact that they have the guns? :inquisitive: )
4) I know that my story was not very good. I think it is a bit overrated. Nevertheless thanks to those who voted for it!
5) When do we get a chance for revenge??:boxing:
Congratulations to both winners.
And thanks to Ludens for the efforts.
I'm glad to see three people actually voted for my story :laugh4:
Feel free to give me some feedback. One thing I know for sure: I'll have to do something on 1) my grammar, 2) my spelling, 3) my vocabulary.
I participated for fun. Hope you had fun with my participation too.
The Stranger
08-17-2006, 13:59
thats about 3 times the same...but still no feedback. I WANT MY FEEDBACK...MOMMIEEEEEEE
Still no feedback on my story
~:mecry:
5) When do we get a chance for revenge??:boxing:
Whenever the next contest is organized. Since this is the third summer in a row when a story contest was organized, next summer there probably will be another one (provided, as always, there is sufficient interest).
thats about 3 times the same...but still no feedback. I WANT MY FEEDBACK...MOMMIEEEEEEE
Still no feedback on my story
~:mecry:
It's the old problem of the Mead Hall. Everybody wants to get feedback for their own story, but few are willing to give it to others; and almost nobody writes more than a couple of lines ( :bow: to Franconicus). Sorry, but I will not comment on any of the stories that took part in the competition.
The Stranger
08-25-2006, 17:04
yeah... actually ludens is right... as usual...
WHO WANTS FEEDBACk, IM SELLING THEM BY THE OUNCE? FEEDBACK!!! FEEDBACK 2.95 PER OUNCE. FEEDBACK!!!!!
Prince Cobra
08-27-2006, 18:12
Some win others lose. Yes, my story was not very good and I should seriously reflect on this. By the way I would be very grateful of any comments on it...
Actually there is no bad story here. Even these who get 0 vote and these of 1 vote ( maybe mine is an exception :inquisitive: ). Imyself liked 'The Hunt'. Well, I can not comment the grammar and the language but it was the story that affected me most. The second one who did these was of Don Corleone. I can not explain why but they did it... Maybe because in the Hunt the twist was quite sudden and in Don Corleone story I liked the revenge in the way it was depicted.
The Stranger
08-27-2006, 19:12
Aspen, i believe i you did not make it red and just used normal lettertype it would have made a whole lot of a difference... i just couldnt get myself to read it. im sorry but your story was the only one i did not read. i got 5 votes... but i could never have beaten DA
Prince Cobra
08-27-2006, 22:17
Thank you, The Stranger. Yes, I will have it in mind. I just wanted to make it more vivid ( it was read because of the blood). Anyway, next time I will have it in mind. No red letters! :wall:
Thank you, The Stranger. Yes, I will have it in mind. I just wanted to make it more vivid ( it was read because of the blood). Anyway, next time I will have it in mind. No red letters! :wall:
I actually liked the red letters. And your story drew my attention, because it was, well, something completely different.
It was original, refreshing and a bit daring (hm, not sure if that's the right word, I meant "gedurfd", "gewaagd").
The idea and the concept were very well.
Just my humble opinion...
The Stranger
08-28-2006, 10:13
daring is good.
You mocking me Stephen :P... so thats what you get for feedback huh... feedbacks of the market I NOW SELL CRITIC CRITIC FOR SALE!!!
Prince Cobra
08-28-2006, 23:59
If you are patient enough ( probably until the mid of September) my non-specialist opinion will produce some feedbacks of the eager people above ( I mean Franconicus, The Stranger and Andres). And maybe one more story would be commented but I am not very sure.
P.S. Do not expect too much. Just an amateurish opinion.
P.S.2 I should have done this earlier but THANK YOU to the people who organized this contest ( Ludens, frogbeastegg, everybody else who helped in the organisation and all the participants )
Prince Cobra
08-29-2006, 21:57
I had a day more and managed to reread the stories. I am going to comment the stories of Franconicus, The Stranger and Andres The Cunning. However once again I underline I am amateur not a specialist and my opinion is not a criterion. And the grammar is not my strongest point, too
IMHO the three stories are good in their own way, I liked them all .
To Franconicus. My implication you wanted your story to sound more like a legend or tale. I even imagined you being a bard ~:) . It was both serious and funny which I liked. But somehow the story lacked the symbols which I think would fit with this genre. In my very humble opinion the symbols could influence on the audience quite well. It is not easy to achieve this ( I still try to do it myself) and I think you know it very well. It is like a good medicine: if it is not enough it does not help but if it is too much it kills ~;) .
To The Stranger. The separate parts of the story are good but somehow the story is too unclear. It is difficult for your story to produce a certain leading impression.
To The Andres The Cunning. It was funny which was your aim I suppose. I think you should have showed more not only to emphasize in the conversation.
The Stranger
08-31-2006, 17:48
thank you SA but my story was actually meant to be a bit unclear... but it was a translated fragment of another longer story i wrote... what is unclear here i clear up later there... but i know what you mean :)
Franconicus
09-05-2006, 14:09
To Franconicus. My implication you wanted your story to sound more like a legend or tale. I even imagined you being a bard ~:) . It was both serious and funny which I liked. But somehow the story lacked the symbols which I think would fit with this genre. In my very humble opinion the symbols could influence on the audience quite well. It is not easy to achieve this ( I still try to do it myself) and I think you know it very well. It is like a good medicine: if it is not enough it does not help but if it is too much it kills ~;) .
Thank you:2thumbsup:
To The Andres The Cunning. It was funny which was your aim I suppose. I think you should have showed more not only to emphasize in the conversation.
:bow:
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