Third annual writing contest organisational thread

[Banquo's Ghost]

Can you tell me the etiquette for participants commenting on the stories (positively, obviously ). 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?

[Ludens]

Can you tell me the etiquette for participants commenting on the stories (positively, obviously ). 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]

Hey, terrific work everyone. I feel a little inadequate standing in such fine company.

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.

[Banquo's Ghost]

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 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.

[The Stranger]

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.

[Sethik]

I submitted my story. Hopefully the deadline hasn't past.

[The Stranger]

i thought it did pass, but im not certain

[edyzmedieval]

It passed today, at 12:00 PM GMT. Sorry.

[Sethik]

Ack. That sucks. I hadn't visited these Forums in a while and I just saw the announcement a couple hours ago.

[Ludens]

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.

[Beirut]

I thought I had until the 14th. Bummer.

[Ludens]

The poll is up!

I thought I had until the 14th. Bummer.

Was the deadline unclear? I thought I was quite specific.

[Avicenna]

Hey, terrific work everyone. I feel a little inadequate standing in such fine company.

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.

DC, was that Vito in your story Vito Corleone?

[Beirut]

The poll is up!


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]

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]

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.

[The Stranger]

I'm 3rd YIHAA... is there a price for the 3rd/...there should be...

[GrimSta]

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]

yeah i meant you :P but im bad with names, i even manage to misspell my own

[Cowhead418]

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]

DC: whoops, Mrs Corleone is Carmella, not Camilla

TS: Umoo?

[The Stranger]

Umoo?

[Ludens]

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]

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 )

[Rodion Romanovich]

Thanks, I think your criticism is both fair and correct and helpful

[Avicenna]

Umoo?

can't think of many other ways to misspell 'Umeu'

[Ludens]

And the winner is...

[The Stranger]

could people feedback my story? thanx

[sapi]

I liked it, but alas, my vote didn't win it for you :P

[Franconicus]

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.
2) Congratulations to the winners, Eclectic and Don. Well done!!
3) We have to discuss if Consercatives are better writers. Or Americans. (Or is it just the fact that they have the guns? )
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??