~Writing Contest: Discussion Thrd!~

[gumOnShoe]

Hey, yeah, you can discuss anything of importance to the contest in here. Discussion does not belong in the submission thread. All of the most recent updates and rules can be found here, so check that often if you plan to participate: http://plausiblefiction.newgrounds.com/n ews/post/112115

Also, may I open this discussion by wishing everyone goodluck and commenting on the poor quality of the themes. Have fun!

Newgrounds Writing Competition - May 2008
Introduction

This page serves as the centralized rules page for the Newgrounds Writing Competition for May 2008. To discuss the competition, see the discussion thread. To enter a submission see the submissions thread. For the most up to date rules, requirements and frequently asked questions scroll down below the Important Links Section.

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Important Links: (Coming Soon)
Discusion Thread
Submissions Thread

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Required Theme

Whoah Whoah Whaoh.... Required what did you say? Unfortunately you need to work at least one of these ideas into your work, or should I say FORTUNATELY. Ok, not funny, but seriously the three themes you have to pick from are listed below. You do not need to correctly quote them at any point in your story, and in fact they might be very very vague. But the point is, they are supposed to either help you get writing or start thinking creatively. Take them as you will, but you must use at least one in an apparent fashion in your work, at least one point. If you can find an interesting way to use the theme, with out making it central to your work, thats alright too.

Theme numuro uno, something simple like a prompt:

1) Yeah, I'm starting to feel I shouldn't have left that at home today.

Theme dos, a challenging mix of words:

2) Tropical envy, a recipe for mayhem.

Theme three, opportunity:

3) Saying the wrong thing at the right time, only to find out it was the right time and the right thing, which later turned out not to be so great.

If you don't like them I must apologize. I hope you find an advantageous way to use them.

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Rules
1. The competition begins May 1st with the posting of the discussion and submissions thread.

2. Users must submit their entries no later than Saturday May 31st Standard Eastern Time (Newgrounds Time).

3. The character limit on your story is 32,768, which is the limit imposed by newgrounds on news posts. Keep in mind that spaces and carriage returns contribute to this limit.

4. Submissions must all be prose; that is, submissions must all be in the form of a short story. This competition is not related to poetry as it is extremely difficult to compare the worth of a poem to the worth of a story.

5. Submissions must adhere to at least one of the three required themes listed above. The existence of themes was requested by the users who helped plan this competition. Every effort has been made to give you a wide range of topics to write on.

6. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in disqualification. If you received inspiration from some other source, it might be wise to post a link in your summary or mention it.

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Submitting an Entry

Please note that once an entry has been submitted to the submissions thread it will be regarded as complete and a judge may read it before the end of the competition. If you are unwilling to commit and feel like editing your story, post it in the discussion area instead.

If a submission is found to be edited after the time of your post in the submissions thread, you may face disqualification.. Only link to completed works in the submissions thread. You have been warned.

1) Post your entry in a single news post. The length of your story is limited to the character limit imposed by Newgrounds on news posts.

2) Go to the submissions thread and post all of the following

- - I. A direct link to the news post which contains your submission, not just your user page.
- - II. The title of your story.
- - III. A summary of your story.

3) Wait until June to see how you did.

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Judges:

There are seven judges for this contest, all volunteers. They're putting in time to read your work and rip into it, so hats off to all of them. The judges are (in no particular order, except alphabetical)

Bolo
FBIpolux
gumOnShoe
Monocrom
Positively-Negative
Rabid-Echidna

Plus a mystery judge who has chosen not to be named so that he may loom over you and slink in your shadows as necessary.

The job of the judges is to eventually rate all of your pieces. Top five entries will be submitted in order by each judge gumOnShoe who will then tally the results, hopefully within the first 2 weeks of june. So, everything will hopefully be tallied by the 3rd week in June ("maybe sooner").

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Other Suggestions

Basic grammar is important, unless the dialogue you are writing has a specific dialect you wish to show. Ensure that you there are no errors before submitting. Grammar is not a field you will be judged on, but it will detract from your standing if it makes your story unreadable.

Paragraphs are highly important. We as judges don't want to be reading a huge wall of text, so keep breaking up your story where it makes sense, keeping ideas to paragraphs and helping move your story along. Just as we do not want to see a huge wall of text, we don't want to see single excessive use of single sentence paragraphs. Make sure your work is not broken up and choppy. It is not a matter of posting style, we would rather your entries be readable. So do your best to make sure that your paragraph structure makes sense. Also, single spaced entries only. I don't know how you'd do double-space, but I don't want to see you try either.

Additionally, this is the internet and no stranger to explicit ideas or pornography. I would like to discourage you from seeping your work in these internet ideals. Though you will not be disqualified, a judge may feel turned off by your work and choose to give you lower marks. Remember you are trying to impress us, and very few of us are impressed by people who have sex with <insert person here>.

Finally, we encourage you to be creative and off the wall. The required themes are merely guidelines, and though, they must in some way be apparent, they should not rule your work. Don't be afraid to try something dangerous or exciting in your writing. Creativity and writing expertise will win this competition. If you are unsure of an idea or are having a hard time starting, feel free to go to the discussion thread and start bouncing ideas off of others.

If you find you want more constructive criticism, inspiration, or a perspective. I might suggest that you hop on over to www.fourthperpective.com (FP). FP is similar to newgrounds in some ways, but its focus is on writing and not flash. So, if you have any content you wish to present or any questions, there are plenty of users over there with experience and its a great way to get your story out for people to see. In short, its a good place to go during and after this contest if writing is something you enjoy doing.

[Sanch]

Whoo! I'm discussing!

[gumOnShoe]

Submissions threads: http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/9008 32

Also, that was an ace comment Sanch!

[gumOnShoe]

It has come to my attention that it is www.fourthperspective.com and not www.fourthperpective.com. I suggest you choose the first. :( Way to go me!

[JackPhantasm]

i'm bout to rape yo asses

jk?

[Twerpo]

Required topic ruins this contest. Short stories shouldn't have to be based off a theme. I think it'd be better if everyone came up with their own story line but you discouraged overly sci-fi things and such.

Also, it stops me from using this story.

[gumOnShoe]

At 5/1/08 12:39 AM, Twerpo wrote: Required topic ruins this contest. Short stories shouldn't have to be based off a theme. I think it'd be better if everyone came up with their own story line but you discouraged overly sci-fi things and such.

Also, it stops me from using this story.

Themes do suck, I agree, but they were requested when I was making topics suggesting a contest. My opinion on them is that they only have to be mentioned once, and at most referenced to. And in fact, I don't even care if you use them if your story is good enough. I'm about ready to scrap them because I just don't like them. I need to see enough sentiment from judges and from the people who want to particpate to scrap them though.

If you don't want themes, post now, last chance.

[FBIpolux]

Wow, how valiant of me posting in the wrong thread :(

Anyways, like I was saying, I'm going to start writing a little something soon enough. Currently busy wasting my time on some addictive game on Newgorunds called Blockles or something D:

[JackPhantasm]

What is a theme but an arrow in a direction.

Define the direction. Define the theme. Define the arrow.

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 12:54 AM, JackPhantasm wrote: What is a theme but an arrow in a direction.

Define the direction. Define the theme. Define the arrow.

1) Yeah, I'm starting to feel I shouldn't have left that at home today.

Pretty damn specific if you ask me. It means first off that you are far away from home. Second, you've forgotten an object key to the whole plot. And third you need to keep needing that object constantly to nag your mind into thinking that. It doesn't give much room for plot creativity.

2) Tropical envy, a recipe for mayhem.

First off, I don't even understand what the fuck this means. I mean honestly. I guess the whole story has to be about some emo wishing he was in Hawaii. Since I live in Hawaii this one is automatically out for me.

3) Saying the wrong thing at the right time, only to find out it was the right time and the right thing, which later turned out not to be so great.

Almost no room to work with. The basic plot idea is already set up. All you have to do is figure what it is that is said, what it ends up causing and some aspect of guilt. It ends up giving the author about three choices and the rest is filler.

Honestly, I don't think the judges would really want a required theme. I mean, because these prompts are so limiting, they'll basically be reading the same story over and over again. I'm pretty sure I'd get bored of the same plot twist or theme after a while.

Drop the required topics.

[gumOnShoe]

I'm convinced. No required themes. But they are there for inspiration, and people can suggest more to be on the list.

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 01:26 AM, gumOnShoe wrote: I'm convinced. No required themes. But they are there for inspiration, and people can suggest more to be on the list.

:D

Does this mean I can use that story I linked to?

[PlausibleFiction]

At 5/1/08 01:35 AM, Twerpo wrote:

At 5/1/08 01:26 AM, gumOnShoe wrote: I'm convinced. No required themes. But they are there for inspiration, and people can suggest more to be on the list.

D

Does this mean I can use that story I linked to?

I removed the themes, but I'd still like to see "original" works for this contest. See if you can't come up with something new first.

[Sifr]

What are the prizes being given out in this contest? What is one to achieve in joining this?

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

W00t.

Now all I need to do is think up a story, write it, edit it, scrap it, write a new one, realise the first one was better, get bored, go back and submit.

If we don't have any particular themes to follow me needs to think something up then....

[Bolo]

At 5/1/08 01:26 AM, gumOnShoe wrote: I'm convinced. No required themes. But they are there for inspiration, and people can suggest more to be on the list.

I disagree. I think the themes should be required.

This contest is, indeed, more of a contest to determine who has the best ability to display a talented writing style. If a few themes are required for participants, it will be a truly fair and objective judgment of writing talent; we can determine who has the best ability to take a given subject and bend it to their will, against a comparable story, of comparable subject matter, rather than a free-for-all, where participants may not be on equal footing in terms of subject matter interest. This would be an unnecessary handicap, for people who want to legitimately win this competition.

Also, I firmly believe that all writing for this contest should be original, and written in the given time frame. If a free-for-all is the rule of the game, some participants will be able to submit stories they've been pondering and working on for months, as opposed to those who are just now starting the contest.

A free-for-all is definitely not an objective judgment of talent; when the time comes to reveal the results, participants who adhered to subject matter given at the outset of this thread will feel cheated out of a fair contest of skill.

[Sarai]

Oh, this is where to post comments on themes. Right...

Anyway, I disagree with dropping the themes. It's just like when I studied Creative Writing, weird themes are great because they allow the judges to really compare whether people can follow requests, (also write something original). Trust me, you can tell if a story has "Tropical Envy" in it and if it's done well. I can think of about 5 starting points for a story about that so I'd hope that those three themes can be continued,

themes = level playing field :)

[Sarai]

At 5/1/08 01:44 AM, Bolo wrote: Also, I firmly believe that all writing for this contest should be original, and written in the given time frame. If a free-for-all is the rule of the game, some participants will be able to submit stories they've been pondering and working on for months, as opposed to those who are just now starting the contest.

A free-for-all is definitely not an objective judgment of talent; when the time comes to reveal the results, participants who adhered to subject matter given at the outset of this thread will feel cheated out of a fair contest of skill.

What he said, but made stronger by 100x Writing should be as much as possible (and rely on author honesty) written 1st May onwards, unpublished and themed as above. That is why you won't spot any Wei Fu stories around or whatever.

*goes away to think about Coconuts*

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

On the themes:

Personally I think themes make it slightly fairer, but hey I can see where people are coming from, however, on the idea of submitting original works designed for this contest, I think it's only fair that works that have been written before this be disallowed. Otherwise it makes it highly unfair to those of us whoa re actually approaching this with the right frame of mind.

I.e. Were doing this for fun, and if we win its a bonus, instead of actually wanting to win really badly, and then affectively throwing our toys out the prm when we can't submit the story we've been working on for months.

No offense to anyone, but that is how I see it. Hell most the complaint about themes were from people saying ' BUT I WANNA SUBMIT THIS PIECE!'

And to the guy who said ' We shouldn't have themes but we should discourage sci-fi':

The fuck?

You complain about themes and say they're restrictive and then want to outlaw an entire genre?

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 01:53 AM, Tri-Nitro-Toluene wrote:
And to the guy who said ' We shouldn't have themes but we should discourage sci-fi':

The fuck?

You complain about themes and say they're restrictive and then want to outlaw an entire genre?

You give an open topic to most users and almost every story is going to be about sci-fi. It's one of the most basic rules in an english class. Everyone thinks they can come up with great sci-fi or fantasy stories and it just gets excessive. That's all I'm saying.

[Sarai]

At 5/1/08 02:00 AM, Twerpo wrote:

At 5/1/08 01:53 AM, Tri-Nitro-Toluene wrote:
And to the guy who said ' We shouldn't have themes but we should discourage sci-fi':

The fuck?

You complain about themes and say they're restrictive and then want to outlaw an entire genre?

You give an open topic to most users and almost every story is going to be about sci-fi. It's one of the most basic rules in an english class. Everyone thinks they can come up with great sci-fi or fantasy stories and it just gets excessive. That's all I'm saying.

You under-estimate at least half the writers on NG... In addition if someone thinks they can do great Sci-Fi on those themes... well, good luck to them :)

[Twerpo]

Also, you guys talking about levelling the playing field. This is a competition. Some people are going to be better at writing, some aren't. Writing isn't just on style, but the ability to come up with a good plot. The themes requires everyone to follow a farely restricting plot. Those themes suggested can still be used, but not required.

I'm just saying, I don't work well when someone tells me I have to write about something. I have to have my own space to come up with something and develop it. I guess it's something to do with problems with authority.

Anyway, required themes gets rid of about half the process of a short story. The plot is very important. It's a short story, so it doesn't have to have a million plot twists, but coming up with your own storyline is a very important aspect of writing.

[gumOnShoe]

All work must be original for this contest. I agree with that. And well, fine, themes are back in because I'm a whore who can be pushed around and only one person is really complaining. Themes are supposed to be limitting, but if you can't find a way around them too bad.

I'll update plausible fiction in a minute.

Also, I'm a worse flip flopper than John Kerry. Take that washingtion.

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

At 5/1/08 02:00 AM, Twerpo wrote: You give an open topic to most users and almost every story is going to be about sci-fi. It's one of the most basic rules in an english class. Everyone thinks they can come up with great sci-fi or fantasy stories and it just gets excessive. That's all I'm saying.

I agree that it gets over done and that most people can't pull it off very well if they approach in the manner of your basic LOTR or Star Wars type story ( which has been done to death), but the wondferful thing about sci-fi and fantasy is that they are so wonderfully free in what you can do with them.

Besides so much stuff can actually be catergorised into Fantasy and science fiction that to disallow, or indeed discourage, those genres is incredibly restrictive. The piece I'm going to produce would probably get shove din the Sci-fi/ fantasy genres, though it isn't a LOTR style story at all.

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 02:07 AM, gumOnShoe wrote: All work must be original for this contest. I agree with that. And well, fine, themes are back in because I'm a whore who can be pushed around and only one person is really complaining. Themes are supposed to be limitting, but if you can't find a way around them too bad.

Themes aren't supposed to be limiting. They're supposed to prompt your thinking into writing a story. They're limiting and I haven't seen anyone post a good reason why they should exist. The whole levelling the playing field idea is moot, because everyone is at a different level of story writing, hence the existence of this competition.

I'll update plausible fiction in a minute.

?

Also, I'm a worse flip flopper than John Kerry. Take that washingtion.

Try John McCain.

[Bolo]

At 5/1/08 02:04 AM, Twerpo wrote: I'm just saying, I don't work well when someone tells me I have to write about something. I have to have my own space to come up with something and develop it. I guess it's something to do with problems with authority.

A good writer should naturally be able to fill in the gaps in a prompt with enough meat to make it a gourmet meal. This is as much for the judges' sake as for the writers', Twerpo. If one of the writers believes they have been given an unfair assessment, what can the judges point to in order to explain that all submissions have been fairly and equally judged?

This is why the submissions must have at least a single thread of commonality linking them; so that a bias against a particular subject matter will not be registered against one submission with more vigorous emphasis than any other submission. Therein lies the legitimacy of this contest as an objective endeavor.

Also, it seems to me from your posts in this thread that what you're trying to do is create a justification of using old works for this competition; a practice that has already been shown to damage submission equality to an unfair degree.

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 02:16 AM, Bolo wrote:

At 5/1/08 02:04 AM, Twerpo wrote: I'm just saying, I don't work well when someone tells me I have to write about something. I have to have my own space to come up with something and develop it. I guess it's something to do with problems with authority.

A good writer should naturally be able to fill in the gaps in a prompt with enough meat to make it a gourmet meal. This is as much for the judges' sake as for the writers', Twerpo. If one of the writers believes they have been given an unfair assessment, what can the judges point to in order to explain that all submissions have been fairly and equally judged?

This is why the submissions must have at least a single thread of commonality linking them; so that a bias against a particular subject matter will not be registered against one submission with more vigorous emphasis than any other submission. Therein lies the legitimacy of this contest as an objective endeavor.

Also, it seems to me from your posts in this thread that what you're trying to do is create a justification of using old works for this competition; a practice that has already been shown to damage submission equality to an unfair degree.

Actually, once it was mentioned that I should use original material, I didn't feel I should even mention anything about it. I wasn't planning on using an old short story after it was made clear to me that you wanted original stories. Also, variety of judges means variety of likes and dislikes meaning no true bias against one genre.

I guess the other problem stems from the fact that I don't like any of these prompts. I'd seriously suggest the removal of the required themes.

[gumOnShoe]

At 5/1/08 02:20 AM, Twerpo wrote: I guess the other problem stems from the fact that I don't like any of these prompts. I'd seriously suggest the removal of the required themes.

If you get me 10 other people who are willing to participate only if the prompts are dropped, they will be dropped for the sake of having more people participate. However, given that the requirements on HOW you use the "theme" being as lax as they are, I'm not in a hurry to really get rid of them. meh :/

[Twerpo]

At 5/1/08 02:23 AM, gumOnShoe wrote:

At 5/1/08 02:20 AM, Twerpo wrote: I guess the other problem stems from the fact that I don't like any of these prompts. I'd seriously suggest the removal of the required themes.

If you get me 10 other people who are willing to participate only if the prompts are dropped, they will be dropped for the sake of having more people participate. However, given that the requirements on HOW you use the "theme" being as lax as they are, I'm not in a hurry to really get rid of them. meh :/

Eh, now that I look back at the topic, I'm to realising I was starting to troll a bit.

I guess i'll be fine with the themes. Just to clear everything up though, as long as I have a slight reference to the themes then it counts?

Also, moar themes maybe?

[gumOnShoe]

At 5/1/08 02:30 AM, Twerpo wrote:

At 5/1/08 02:23 AM, gumOnShoe wrote:

At 5/1/08 02:20 AM, Twerpo wrote: I guess the other problem stems from the fact that I don't like any of these prompts. I'd seriously suggest the removal of the required themes.

If you get me 10 other people who are willing to participate only if the prompts are dropped, they will be dropped for the sake of having more people participate. However, given that the requirements on HOW you use the "theme" being as lax as they are, I'm not in a hurry to really get rid of them. meh :/

Eh, now that I look back at the topic, I'm to realising I was starting to troll a bit.

I guess i'll be fine with the themes. Just to clear everything up though, as long as I have a slight reference to the themes then it counts?

Also, moar themes maybe?

If any judge other than myself is willing to come up with another theme, I will add it to the list. But yes, the themes do not have to govern your work, only be present in some fashion.

Now that we have that cleared up.

Go! Go! Go!