Good idea Rachel, thanks. Francois :blink: How... I don't even know what to say. Thanks for being honest, at least

I know we already made this point but Im going to make it again anyway.
In the next contest a starting point/trigger/theme would be very fun for several reasons. I had a pretty good imagination but deciding on what to write is really hard work and I can sometimes be stuck for days just waondering or thinking, and then I get myself tied up in knots because Im not sure if what I finally decide to write about will be ok or not.
However, having a trigger is like having a seed that once planted a whole hord of creative ideas explode into my head and I have a pathway to go along and I can write

I do plan on writing for the next contest but I think it would work better if we had a month to write and a month to critique, judge, post and comment on the stories. Then move onto the next contest. Month on month off I just feel a bit rushed, I was excited and nervous to get the critique for my story but before I got my critique, the next contest had already started.... I really want to enter again but as I said it would be better to have left a month between contests. A whole month goes by way faster than you think D:

Also if possible, would I be able to be a judge for the competition after this one... Just asking in advance if you want to see an example of my critique http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=858468&st=100

Point taken Half Tooth (welcome to the thread, btw ), but I still think it might be better to wait at least one more contest. If you really think it would be a good idea, I have no problem putting another poll at the top.

That doesn't sound bad, but I think it would be better if the contest was larger. If we had, say, ten stories, then we could easily spend a month going through all the subtle nuances of critiquing them. However, as it was with only five, I'm not so sure we could take a whole month off. It would also help if the Feyfolken board had a few more people

If you would like to be a judge the contest after this next one, I would be more than happy to slate you up for it. You might have to remind me later though

Thanks!

PS I assume that means you recieved your critique then? I kind of put off sending it to you guys, but I finally found time last night after my football game (we lost 6-19 ) Hope you didn't mind.

Yes I got it. I was really nervous as I read it. And then I became completely ashamed of my story, then I forced myyself to read it again, cringing as I read and I was thinking yer I can so see why that has been said or pointed out. And now I want to rewrite it because of how terrible this first attempt it.

Well the critique was taken and absorbed by me and hopefully my next sotry will be an improvement.

As for the whole month off thing, I understand that five stories might not seem a huge amount, and I also understand that having a month off wont happen until after the next competition. I just suggested haivng a month on a month off because fore most of us on here (I hope that assumption isn't too broad) we do have other lives, other things that need doing, work/school/collage, partners/children... etc. And writing is a pleasure for me. I enjoy writing and I enjoy reading. Knowing I have to write a story every month would take some if not all of the pleasure out of writing after a while. I also like to take my time reading other peoples work and thinking about it, deciding what I like and don't like about it (like art I guess ).

The point is rushed writing is never good. And neither is forced writing. I would like the competitions to stay fun and relaxed, not rushed and hardcoe. Thats all

Have we announced the winners for the last one yet?

It's kind of obvious which story will win, to be honest, isn't it?

Out of interest, after the scores are counted will you will reveal who wrote each story?

You haven't seen the judges scores yet :hubbahubba:

Wait, so if the judges are the ones scoring, what do the votes of the readers actually mean?

Both count

Do you mean the judges comments? Or your personal critique? If you've sent the authors our comments - which I have no issue with - you might as well post them up for public viewing. See if people agree or disagree. It might even spark a bit of debate and encourage others to share their opinions on the entries. I would have no problem explaining my decisions if people disagreed, they are only my opinions after all. In fact I'd go as far as to say I'd welcome differing opinions, it would mean the authors who took the time to write and share their work would get more feedback.

Likewise, if any of the authors would like further discussion over my opinions, feel free to ask. My critique is on the general side, as I didn't want to bore people to death with my observations. However, if more detail or explanation would be appreciated, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I just hope that people understand that my comments are meant well, and not to be taken personally. After all, they couldn't be meant personally, as we had no idea who wrote what when we judged! The offer is there, if any of the authors want to take it up. I'm at Fantasycon 09 at this very minute - yay for wireless internet in hotels - but I'm back home Sunday evening, when I shall have a little more time.

i woudnt mind judging a round, ive got some time between classes thats only good for the interwebs.

but yes, i agree. take a break, get everything organized. more people will sign up if its a professional affair.

do you need to see my credentials?

You can't pass the Brandenburg Gate without presenting your credentials!

Oh wait, they ended that stuff two decades ago. :dance:

Yes, I have released the judges comments to the authors, I hope you don't mind. Yes, the judges have finished... judging, and the winner is decided there. However, we are still waiting a bit for the public vote. I'm not entirely sure on the due date for the public vote, but it will end within the month.

Yes, both scores count. There isn't really a trophy, so you all can take it as you will

We might post them up, but just sending them took me over half an hour, so you might have to wait a little bit.

We'd be happy to have you Lady Nerevar. I think the list is now: Burnt Sierra, BSparrow, Half Tooth, Lady Nerevar, and maybe Chriso. If any of you don't want to judge any more, we have plenty as it is. Thanks! (Please let me know if I forget you for judging, if I did then I am terribly sorry)

PS I didn't think the critiques were that rough, Half Tooth

I'm not always rough D:

But Peleus asked me to read it via a PM, so I thought if I just wrote a couple of lines it wouldn't really be very good of me to do that. I might have been a bit harsh but I'm not a mean person really

I think Darkom meant that the critiques the judges gave weren't that rough, not the comments you have given. For my part, I certainly wasn't expecting my comments to make anyone feel ashamed of their story!

I'm not overly ashamed... it's just when someone elses reads it they notice different things and they tell you and you're thinking... Oh my god, why didn't I see that it's so obvious. Thats all.

That's the name of the game, mate I love that feeling; it's like losing when you feel like the champion. You finally have something to strive for. I'm not saying I'm the champion or anything, that's just kind of how it feels.

For example, I was told to work on my descriptions, and the short story I'm writing now is very descriptive indeed. Kind of taking a break from Garzog until I fix that, but I intend to write at least a little bit of that today, in case anyone was anticipating more

Thanks guys, sounds like this one will be even better than last time. Don't forget to let us know if you have any opinions or advice, and please tell me if you intend to write another story. I don't mind if you want to keep it a secret, but I would like an estimation of how many we'll have so we can number the judges accordingly.

Thanks for writing, and keep it up :goodjob:

EDIT: I figured, but thanks for telling me. One can never be sure, sometimes people insinuate one thing and do another.

I myself am thinking about entering this one as well; a rather unique privelage of not technically being a judge. Unless, of course, people object to this.

I should be entering something just for the record.

First story is already in. If anyone wants to extend the deadline for any reason, please say so now. I know some confusion last time led to some problems, so to all who are interested in writing, you have to get your story to me by the fifteenth.

Thanks

Okay... so the rules in the OP are DEFINITELY the final rules?

I feel like entering, I will start as soon as the rules are finalized. (or when procrastination ceases)

Yes, all rules are done, I just wanted to know if anyone had any reason for changing them. So far, no one has said anything was wrong with them, so I assume they are all good. No one has anything else to say?

Sorry if it bothers you I am asking, I just wanted to give people the oppurtunity before it is too late.

Nilloc, we are more than happy to have you! Please make an account on Feyfolken when you get the chance; the rules are all finalized. Procrastination? What did I do wrong?

Thanks guys

The 15 for the deadline, eh? Alright, that's enough time.

I procrastinate, alot...

Btw could I have a link to the site I can't seem to find it...

Thanks for doing these competitions, Dark. They aren't very organized and well thought out in some aspects (no offense), but at least they get people writing.