The Next Writing Contest needs YOU.

**Monk** · 01-23-2009, 09:35

Hello Fellow .Orgahs!

With the inception of the the 08 winter writing contest in the Mead Hall there was some who wondered, and suggested, that perhaps next time we should change the format up a bit. Well I've decided that the next contest, the Spring contest (not for a ways now, but I need to get a jump on things

) will be decided considerably different than before.

First off I would like to know if the way we judge these contests needs to be changed, the question takes center stage in the poll options. This was the biggest suggestion i received last go around, and thus is the most important in my mind. What do you think?

Next I wanna know what sort of Theme you are interested in seeing. We normally run a Seasonal theme, Spring is rebirth, summer is prosperity, ect. But what about more complex themes? I'm a believer that simplicity is the essence of success for these sorts of contests. Freedom of creativity is very important, and to run a broad theme gives writers the space they need to branch out. But that's me, i'm not the one writing these things. What do you think?

Third, and lastly, what did you think about the Mead Hall Writer's Society run by Tamur? It was our first attempt at such a writing group since The Shadow One ran it after my departure from the .org in 05, and I have to say i was very impressed by the reaction it was getting. Tamur, unfortunately, was called away to the mystical world of RL and the project has been put on indefinite hiatus. However, I want to hear from the people. Did anyone not participating take interest in reading the entries? Did you like the concept, would you like to see more?

**Kralizec** · 01-25-2009, 22:13

Random idea: you could try selecting a panel of judges by means of voting.

**Thermal** · 01-26-2009, 01:38

One judge vote and two public could be done as well

**Aenarion** · 01-28-2009, 09:32

I disagree with the polling system. Because I see that voters tend not to read all the stories in the contest, and they just read the first one or the most promising one that comes to their eyes - they read it and vote for it and don't even look at the rest ... it's just my opinion. Judging between two or three people is better - as has been done in previous contests. Thanks.

**Prince Cobra** · 01-31-2009, 21:35

Two judges vote for a winner, third vote provided by public vote.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 02-05-2009, 07:45

America's Got Talent (or Britain's Got Talent if you live there) has it right. 3 judges choose the top 10 (or 5 or 3 if you want) and the public decides who wins. So...other.