Third Annual .Org Writing Contest?

[King Henry V]

We had one of these this time last year, and since its the summer holidays now and many .organisms have more time to spare, can't we have it again this year?

[Aenarion]

I would definately love to participate once again in the writing contest. Infact, a few days ago, I was wondering whether it would be set up anymore ;)

Anyway, I do think it would be a good idea to organise something like this again.

Thanks,
Aenarion

[matteus the inbred]

Yes, I'd be happy to take part as well...

[SwordsMaster]

I even might dust off the pen myself, so to speak. I reckon we should establish stricter rules. Say 3000 to 3500 words, prose, fiction, or something similar.

[Ludens]

I even might dust off the pen myself, so to speak. I reckon we should establish stricter rules. Say 3000 to 3500 words, prose, fiction, or something similar.

Sounds good. Perhaps we could even settle on one theme.

Traffic in the Mead Hall has been a bit slow lately, so we decide to organize this we should advertize in other forums as well.

[Aenarion]

Yeah good idea to advertise in other forums. 3000 might be quite high for a story contest. How about 1000 to 2000 at least?

And what shall the theme of the story be?

[GiantMonkeyMan]

yeh i'll be happy to participate, i'm on the summer hols now so have plenty of time to write about 1500 - 3000 but i doubt if i could be bothered to write any more

[Avicenna]

I'll join as a reader.

[Prince Cobra]

I am a potential participant. But I will wait until I see the rules.

[Ludens]

Are there any more suggestions for theme, word count, type of story (fiction, history)? Though perhaps we should do without a theme: we don't want to scare of potential participants.

[DemonArchangel]

Hmm... 3,000 words, or around that sounds ok I guess, but the limit shouldn't be enforced too strictly. This sounds quite interesting, and I'm a much better writer than I was when I first started writing.

And no, there should be no theme or subject, anything goes.

[SwordsMaster]

Are there any more suggestions for theme, word count, type of story (fiction, history)? Though perhaps we should do without a theme: we don't want to scare of potential participants.

How about 2000-2500 words, (if the difference is greater than that, the chances of the quality of the narration being improved with a larger wordcount are too big), fiction of any kind, and definitely prose. The theme is maybe too specific a requirement. I wouldn't like to see AAR type essays from every participant

[AntiochusIII]

How about something unconventional, say, nonfiction essays? That would be interesting to read as well as participate, albeit the topic will of course be much harder to select.

I've personally always hated word counts in fiction as they artificially limits an author's storytelling; of course, in contests they are justified, for obvious reasons, but still...

We could save a fiction contest for special occasions, where particular themes will have greater significance "in the season."

[Kagemusha]

I might also pick up the pensil. I think we should advertize all over the forum and maybe drop any limitations.There might be many talented people out there that just havent ever visited the mead hall.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Hmmm I might write something though I haven't written anything for the Mead Hall in quite a while.

One suggestion, all submissions should be made by pm because last time there was some trouble with people editing stories after sending them in.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I'd be happy to pitch in either to help or to contribute. I'd prefer if the length was set at around 2,000 to 2,500 words as this is enough to be creative but requires discipline as well.

(Note: I write for a living, so you might wish to disqualify me or pillory my poor skills, or both ).

[Ludens]

How about something unconventional, say, nonfiction essays? That would be interesting to read as well as participate, albeit the topic will of course be much harder to select.

It is an idea, but it may be too unconventional. The pool of participants is not that big and this may scare many away.

I think we should advertize all over the forum and maybe drop any limitations.There might be many talented people out there that just havent ever visited the mead hall.

Will do. I'll get into contact with the administrators for frontpage coverage and a forumwide announcement as soon as we have settled when, where and how.


To be decided:

1) Type of story: both non-fiction essays and fiction have been proposed, but I suppose the majority inclines to fiction. Am I correct?

2) Theme: none?

3) Word Count: concensus seems to be around 2.500. Objections?

4) Duration: I suggest seven days for contributions to be submitted and another four (preferable from friday to monday) for voting.

5) When: Friday the 28th of Juli to Monday the 7th of August? I may be leaving on 14th of August, so the contest (including the poll) has to be finished before that, or someone else has to made moderator.

6) Submission: through PM, like Uesugi Kenshin suggested?

7) Junior members: are they eligable to contribute? They cannot post in the Mead Hall, but if submission is through PM this won't be a problem. However, this makes it possible for people to participate twice.

8) Judging: in the previous annual contests the winner was chosen by a jury of two and a poll. Each of these counted for one-third of the votes. In case of a tie the jury would negotiate until they could decide upon a winner.

9) Prizes: I'll get into contact with the administrators about a badge for the winner, and perhaps one for the runner-up. Any other suggestions?

10) Banquo's Ghost: is disqualified for being to highly qualified .

Seriously, how can I disqualify people for being professional writers? I won't even know it if they don't tell me. So, please, do participate. (BTW, The Shadow One also participated in the previous annual contest, and he is a profesional writer too. For the record, he didn't win.)

Is anything missing from this list?

[SwordsMaster]

5) When: Friday the 28th of Juli to Monday the 7th of August? I may be leaving on 14th of August, so the contest (including the poll) has to be finished before that, or someone else has to made moderator.

Not sure aboutthat one. I'm leaving on holidays on the 27th and returning on the 4th...

[Aenarion]

Here are my thoughts:-

1)--> Yes fiction is correct
2)--> Yes no theme. All choose what they want
3)--> Yes wordcount around 2.500 is good
4)--> Yes a total of 11 days for submission and voting is ok
5)--> Yes Friday the 28th of July to Monday the 7th of August is ok
6)--> Yes Submission through PM is ok
7)--> Cant quite figure out the twice submission of Junior Members, heh
8)--> Agree with the juding system u have proposed Ludens. That is, a jury of two and a poll
9)--> Agree with the badge. There may also be included some kind of signature for the winner's reputation
10)--> Wouldn't mind competing with Banquo's Ghost. I disagree with disqualifying him.

Thanks,
Aenarion

[matteus the inbred]

Yes, agree with Aenarion and Ludens, those all seem fair enough to me. As for disqualifying Banquo's Ghost...no way, we'll just have to rise to the challenge and see if we can embarass a pro!

How much leeway with the word count? 10% either side of it, or just 'no more than' 2,500 or 'no fewer than' 2,500?

[Ludens]

Not sure aboutthat one. I'm leaving on holidays on the 27th and returning on the 4th...

If you have an alternative, I'd be happy to hear it. I am merely making suggestions here. The only problem with the contest or poll being held in my absence is that we need to find another staff member willing to close the poll.

7)--> Cant quite figure out the twice submission of Junior Members, heh

There is a risk that someone will try to contribute twice by creating a second account. By only allowing members to contribute, we can minimize that risk. However, is it really so important that we have to exclude all junior members?

How much leeway with the word count? 10% either side of it, or just 'no more than' 2,500 or 'no fewer than' 2,500?

It should be the word limit. Sorry for not being clear. I don't want to force people to lenghten their stories.

[Aenarion]

There is a risk that someone will try to contribute twice by creating a second account. By only allowing members to contribute, we can minimize that risk.

Oh i see right. Thanks for the explanation Ludens. Well I'm not sure what's best in this case.

However, is it really so important that we have to exclude all junior members?

Well no it's not very important; but I think it might seriously affect the voting. Can registering a new account be closed for the 11-day period?

Just a thought.

Thanks,
Aenarion

[Banquo's Ghost]

1) Type of story: I agree with fiction

2) Theme: I'm undecided on this. A theme is always useful for judging, but I can't think what the theme should be. Happy either way.

3) Word Count: 2.500. Tick.

4) Duration: I suggest seven days for contributions to be submitted and another four (preferable from friday to monday) for voting. Tick.

5) When: Friday the 28th of Juli to Monday the 7th of August? I may be leaving on 14th of August, so the contest (including the poll) has to be finished before that, or someone else has to made moderator. Tight for me, but OK.

6) Submission: through PM, like Uesugi Kenshin suggested? Agreed.

7) Junior members: are they eligable to contribute? I note your concern below. (EDIT: Hmm, actually above now...)

8) Judging: in the previous annual contests the winner was chosen by a jury of two and a poll. Each of these counted for one-third of the votes. In case of a tie the jury would negotiate until they could decide upon a winner. Seems a good plan, especially with precedent. If people would prefer, I'd be happy to be a judge - whatever helps.

9) Prizes: I'll get into contact with the administrators about a badge for the winner, and perhaps one for the runner-up. Any other suggestions?

10) Banquo's Ghost: is disqualified for being to highly qualified
Excellent.

Seriously, how can I disqualify people for being professional writers? I won't even know it if they don't tell me. So, please, do participate. (BTW, The Shadow One also participated in the previous annual contest, and he is a profesional writer too. For the record, he didn't win.)

Oh no. I was hoping I might get away with disqualification and thus not humiliate myself. Darn.

[AntiochusIII]

1) Type of story: Your point is valid. I'm fine with fiction.

2) Theme: It will be an essentially infinite playing ground if there's no central theme. That will make it harder for both writers and judges; whether that is a good or bad thing, though, goes either way. Personally I'd like to see a theme-based competition, but I'm a fool and cannot help you pick a theme for it anyway, so...

3) Word Count: 2500 it is. Not too short as to be limiting.

4) Duration: I'm fine with anything. Leave it to the troubled, busy adults to decide; my summer freetime is basically absolute.

5) When: No objections from my part, either.

6) Submission: Uesugi Kenshin has a good idea. PM solves all yer problems (tm).

7) Junior members: Ideally there shouldn't be a block against Junior members. I understand your concern though, even if personally I find it quite terribly implausible that someone could be that desperate for recognition. My vote goes to: allowed.

8) Judging: No particular suggestions from me. The old system seems decent enough, though.

9) Prizes: It really depends on if anyone wants to contribute anything more than a badge. As for me, I don't want anything. (Of course, I won't be winning anyway but...)

10)

[Ludens]

5) When: Friday the 28th of Juli to Monday the 7th of August? I may be leaving on 14th of August, so the contest (including the poll) has to be finished before that, or someone else has to made moderator. Tight for me, but OK.

Perhaps the current schedule is a bit too tight: a week for submitting and a week for voting would be better. Also, I need some time to advertize. This means that, unless I can find someone to moderate the competition in my absence, the submission period would start at 31th, and the contest would end at the 13th. Is this okay?

Well no it's not very important; but I think it might seriously affect the voting. Can registering a new account be closed for the 11-day period?

It is possible, but I can say in advance that it won't happen. Good point about voting, though. I guess they will have to submit their votes to the judges.

[Aenarion]

the submission period would start at 31th, and the contest would end at the 13th. Is this okay?

Yes. It's perfectly okay for me.

It is possible, but I can say in advance that it won't happen. Good point about voting, though. I guess they will have to submit their votes to the judges.

I see. Well you are the moderator. You know what's best. I don't mind if Junior Members enter the contest. Makes it more interesting.

Thanks,
Aenarion

[Banquo's Ghost]

Perhaps the current schedule is a bit too tight: a week for submitting and a week for voting would be better. Also, I need some time to advertize. This means that, unless I can find someone to moderate the competition in my absence, the submission period would start at 31th, and the contest would end at the 13th. Is this okay?

Yes, fine with me.

[matteus the inbred]

the submission period would start at 31st, and the contest would end at the 13th. Is this okay?

groovy

[Perplexed]

I'd like to try my hand at this as well (first time in the Mead Hall). I need to break the dam holding my creative juices back.

PS: Are you sure it's wise to conclude on the 13th?

[Banquo's Ghost]

PS: Are you sure it's wise to conclude on the 13th?

Personally, I like the idea. It will provide a neat self-delusion for me when I lose...