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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Jan 2, 2015 5:50:35 GMT -5
I can't figure out what my epic artifact will be. Also, I may go sci-fi as well, is that going to be the chosen theme with us? I'm going urban fantasy. My uncharted river is -initially- the River Stour. Oh, the exoticness, it burns. /patpat! I'm sorta doing urban fantasy as well. (Mixed with a lot of surreal subjects and things which may make it difficult to explain!) You are not alone. I've finally decided which to flesh out and it'll be The Mad City. It's an RPG (called Don't Rest Your Head) that I've stolen and changed so much that it's become mine. Fleshing it out in this competition and making it bigger will give me different places and people to play with in the games I GM! |
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Post by Kaez on Jan 2, 2015 10:57:35 GMT -5
As for "chosen theme", basically I'm going to write down the type of setting everybody is doing after I read all the Round 1 stories and from then on, your topics will be decided with that in mind.
e.g. if James and Jor both write sci-fi stories, there's no reason why I can't give them a really cool sci-fi-specific topic for Round 2 against each other,
e.g. if James writes urban fantasy and Jor writes a space opera, I'll try to give them a topic that is equally accessible, or equally challenging, for both.
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Post by Kwan on Jan 3, 2015 0:22:59 GMT -5
As for "chosen theme", basically I'm going to write down the type of setting everybody is doing after I read all the Round 1 stories and from then on, your topics will be decided with that in mind. e.g. if James and Jor both write sci-fi stories, there's no reason why I can't give them a really cool sci-fi-specific topic for Round 2 against each other, e.g. if James writes urban fantasy and Jor writes a space opera, I'll try to give them a topic that is equally accessible, or equally challenging, for both. Taed and I's match should be interesting. |
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Post by Kaez on Jan 3, 2015 16:47:20 GMT -5
We're now at the proper start date. You've got about 4.5 days, now.
So how're we coming along? How're the prompts treating you? Would you rather not have restrictions like "first/third person"? Do you think those are actually beneficial or simply a limitation? What about a more specific theme topic in its place -- or would that be too limiting?
Let's talk. Keeping the discussion thread going throughout the competition would be cool.
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Post by ASGetty ((Zovo)) on Jan 3, 2015 17:02:45 GMT -5
I've got an idea that I really like. It's explores my topic on a couple different levels.
Oddly enough, though, I'm having trouble with the ending. I keep reaching these points where I go, "I could end it here." but then the world building aspect kicks in and I go, "Maybe I should flesh this out a bit."
I'm not used to not having an ending.
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Post by Injin on Jan 3, 2015 17:49:43 GMT -5
We're now at the proper start date. You've got about 4.5 days, now. So how're we coming along? How're the prompts treating you? Would you rather not have restrictions like "first/third person"? Do you think those are actually beneficial or simply a limitation? What about a more specific theme topic in its place -- or would that be too limiting? Let's talk. Keeping the discussion thread going throughout the competition would be cool. I would say that oddly specific limitations might either spur creativity or crush it. You'll have to be careful |
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Post by James on Jan 3, 2015 19:57:24 GMT -5
So how're we coming along? 2,000 words in. I'm going through the usual roller-coaster of self-criticism, but ultimately I think I'm going well. Should have plenty of time to tune it up once I'm done as well, which is always nice. I'm definitely trying to balance telling a self-contained story and also introducing a world. I think they're really good "prompts". They've prompted a story, without overpowering it and becoming the whole thing. I'm not constantly thinking about the prompt, it was there during the planning stage and now it's just background noise. If you can keep that up, you've made some excellent choices. I may be speaking for myself here, but perspective restrictions almost don't register for me now (unless you go particularly evil and throw in second person). So I'm rather neutral about them. More specific themes might be interesting. It really depends on the themes themselves. Like I mentioned, I think there's room to really push the boat out (swamp monsters - the defence mechanism of an AI defending its corrupted memory, epic - not so much physical distance but rather in a metaphysical sense). More specific themes where people can get even more imaginative might be awesome. However, they may also get too narrow and limit that scope and freedom. Agreed. I love competition chatter almost as much as the competition. After each round, I'm going to try and review a few stories myself. I won't do two of the same match (don't want to second guess Pete the Judge), but I'll probably pick some writers for each round, read, write mini reviews in this thread. Totally understandable if other people don't have the time for that, but apparently January is pretty slow for the Courts (now watch as it goes insanely hectic). |
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Post by J.O.N ((Dragonwing)) on Jan 3, 2015 22:07:36 GMT -5
I got everything figured out except the relic. I have no clue what I'm going to do with that.
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Post by JMDavis ((Silver)) on Jan 3, 2015 22:31:11 GMT -5
Still at the beginning on mine (78 words) - but haven't been having the best of weeks this week, hoping I'll find some time to breathe and calm down before the 7th.
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Post by Kaez on Jan 4, 2015 0:05:20 GMT -5
After each round, I'm going to try and review a few stories myself. I won't do two of the same match (don't want to second guess Pete the Judge), but I'll probably pick some writers for each round, read, write mini reviews in this thread. Totally understandable if other people don't have the time for that, but apparently January is pretty slow for the Courts (now watch as it goes insanely hectic). It'd be -amazing- if other folks did this. Talk about making this competition 10x more rewarding for all the writers. I got everything figured out except the relic. I have no clue what I'm going to do with that. lol. Kind of an important part. |
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Post by James on Jan 4, 2015 0:23:22 GMT -5
After each round, I'm going to try and review a few stories myself. I won't do two of the same match (don't want to second guess Pete the Judge), but I'll probably pick some writers for each round, read, write mini reviews in this thread. Totally understandable if other people don't have the time for that, but apparently January is pretty slow for the Courts (now watch as it goes insanely hectic). It'd be -amazing- if other folks did this. Talk about making this competition 10x more rewarding for all the writers. I don't think they'll be particularly in-depth reviews since most of my free time is going to need to go towards writing my next story. But obviously I'm going to read my competitors story and I could probably squeeze in one or two more. By the end of the competition, that should hopefully be everyone once. |
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Post by ASGetty ((Zovo)) on Jan 4, 2015 1:56:03 GMT -5
It'd be -amazing- if other folks did this. Talk about making this competition 10x more rewarding for all the writers. I don't think they'll be particularly in-depth reviews since most of my free time is going to need to go towards writing my next story. But obviously I'm going to read my competitors story and I could probably squeeze in one or two more. By the end of the competition, that should hopefully be everyone once. I think this is a good idea. The competitions have always had this sort of off-limits feel to comments from anyone other than the judge. I'd love to see feedback from people other than just the judge(s) posted in the submission threads. I want to write something really good, not just some Kaez will like. But if Kaez is the only person giving me feedback, guess what you're gonna get? |
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Post by James on Jan 4, 2015 1:57:59 GMT -5
I don't think they'll be particularly in-depth reviews since most of my free time is going to need to go towards writing my next story. But obviously I'm going to read my competitors story and I could probably squeeze in one or two more. By the end of the competition, that should hopefully be everyone once. I think this is a good idea. The competitions have always had this sort of off-limits feel to comments from anyone other than the judge. I'd love to see feedback from people other than just the judge(s) posted in the submission threads. I want to write something really good, not just some Kaez will like. But if Kaez is the only person giving me feedback, guess what you're gonna get? At the very least, everyone could try and attempt to review their competitor's story? I assume I'm not the only one who furiously reads the competition as soon as it's posted to try and second guess which way the match will go? The only caveat I'd say is just don't post anything until Pete has posted up his judgments. Obviously, Pete won't be influenced, but it removes any doubt. |
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Post by Kaez on Jan 4, 2015 9:35:43 GMT -5
But if Kaez is the only person giving me feedback, guess what you're gonna get? inb4 Zovo's setting is erotic midgets and sentient trees |
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Post by Kwan on Jan 4, 2015 12:52:19 GMT -5
But if Kaez is the only person giving me feedback, guess what you're gonna get? inb4 Zovo's setting is erotic midgets and sentient trees for brevity we'll just go with erotic bonsai trees |
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