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POLL: Short Story Competition Proposal

Baden June 22, 2021 at 22:57 11550 views 42 comments Feedback
As requested.

Comments (42)

Baden June 23, 2021 at 10:21 ¶ #555438
Didn't have time to say much more about this yesterday, but we had this on the old PF annually around Christmas and it was good fun. Anyone could enter, entries were anonymous, and anyone could vote on winners or comment on stories. If we all agree on going ahead, I'd probably set it up similarly to that. Anyhow, my vote is a yes.
Deleted User June 23, 2021 at 14:39 ¶ #555550
This user has been deleted and all their posts removed.
praxis June 23, 2021 at 15:03 ¶ #555560
Quoting tim wood
I shan't participate and accordingly abstain from voting.


Meaning that you have no interest in reading them as well? There are some good writers on the forum, at least good enough to be entertaining.
Deleted User June 23, 2021 at 15:09 ¶ #555561
This user has been deleted and all their posts removed.
Baden June 23, 2021 at 15:28 ¶ #555568
Quoting tim wood
But the truth is that I was so charmed by Baden's "if we all agree" that I felt an irresistible impulse to reply.


Why thank you kind, sir. I meant collective rather than unanimous agreement though.
Baden June 23, 2021 at 15:38 ¶ #555571
Quoting tim wood
I shan't participate and accordingly abstain from voting.


Funny, I put the "what" there for people who really don't give a shit but who can't abstain from anything, especially a clicky poll button. You passed the test. :100:
praxis June 23, 2021 at 15:44 ¶ #555573
Quoting tim wood
I simply mean that being only in the grocery store, I will refrain from telling the farmer his business.


In a botched robbery attempt two people, a produce buyer and a farmer, are held hostage in a grocery store. Both in existential terror, they conspire on a plan to escape, but having a captive audience the produce buyer can’t help telling the farmer his business. The planning goes haywire and general whackyness ensues. It could be a comedy. Think Tarantino/Brooks.
ArguingWAristotleTiff June 23, 2021 at 17:02 ¶ #555609
Oooooo there are some really good writers in this group! @Tobias @Benkei
Just don't try to impose rules of the topics that are allowed to be written about because it would be limiting in some topics.
Sound fair?
We are all adults here, correct?

Quoting praxis
Think Tarantino/Brooks.

I read that as Tantric books :razz:
Buahaha my vote changed the "Yes" ranking in the poll to 69%!
Omg my mind is digressing :snicker:
180 Proof June 23, 2021 at 18:22 ¶ #555648
Reply to Baden Just an idea: how about having the contest twice a year, at the December and June solstices? And the writer polled "first place" cannot enter the next scheduled contest (or can but the votes her story receives will be canceled at the end identifying her as last "first place" winner)?
praxis June 23, 2021 at 18:56 ¶ #555668
Quoting ArguingWAristotleTiff
I read that as Tantric books :razz:


That could work too, although then it might have to be a love story.
Count Timothy von Icarus June 23, 2021 at 19:26 ¶ #555681
[censored for secrecy]
Noble Dust June 23, 2021 at 19:34 ¶ #555685
I'm down to take a shot.
Hanover June 23, 2021 at 19:42 ¶ #555686
I feel fairly confident I can write the most fucked up story, so I am up for it. My expectation is that the @Baden character will rarely fare well in the stories.

How many pages is a short story? I
180 Proof June 23, 2021 at 19:45 ¶ #555688
Baden June 23, 2021 at 20:51 ¶ #555703
Reply to 180 Proof

Twice a year is cool by me. Don't see why the winner can't be allowed win again too. I mean, I'm ready to kick your ass this time bro'. Don't be afraid you going to be dominating this shit. :naughty:
180 Proof June 23, 2021 at 20:54 ¶ #555705
Reply to Baden Challenge accepted! :smirk:
Baden June 23, 2021 at 21:02 ¶ #555713
Reply to Count Timothy von Icarus Reply to Noble Dust

:up: Try not to give anything away though. The entries really have to be untraceable to other posters for the voting to work fairly. Hence, I censored your post, Tim. If anyone's not sure if their idea is acceptable, PM me.
Baden June 23, 2021 at 21:03 ¶ #555714
Quoting Hanover
How many pages is a short story? I


In your case, let's make it zero.
180 Proof June 23, 2021 at 21:50 ¶ #555755
Reply to Baden We should kick off the contest in July (Bastille Day?) since we've missed the summer solstice that is, if we go forward with it. What do you think?
Count Timothy von Icarus June 23, 2021 at 22:43 ¶ #555809
Reply to Baden

Ha, gotcha. That idea was a joke though.
Hanover June 24, 2021 at 00:42 ¶ #555866
Quoting Baden
In your case, let's make it zero.

Is that double spaced or single?
Amity June 24, 2021 at 09:57 ¶ #555958
Quoting 180 Proof
Just an idea: how about having the contest twice a year, at the December and June solstices?


Yes. I had been thinking that stories are not just for Christmas.
Another thought related to:
Quoting tim wood
Alas, though, as I have no story-writing skills, I shan't participate and accordingly abstain from voting.


I haven't written a short story either but what is there to prevent you from learning the skills ?
Even school kids manage to write essays: 'Wot I did on my holidays'.

A question for @Baden et al to consider, if you haven't already.
How about providing a quick and basic 'How to...' or an example, as a way to encourage those not already identified as 'good writers' ?

Not just for the benefits of a competition but for full moons rising... :sparkle:






Baden June 24, 2021 at 10:14 ¶ #555964
Quoting Amity
How about providing a quick and basic 'How to...' or an example, as a way to encourage those not already identified as 'good writers' ?


Write whatever comes into your head and keep changing it until it doesn't look like shit.
Baden June 24, 2021 at 10:17 ¶ #555967
Reply to 180 Proof

Sounds good. I won't put an exact date on it yet. But as long as it's all good with the rest of the mod team, I'll get the ball rolling soon.
Amity June 24, 2021 at 10:22 ¶ #555968
Quoting Baden
Write whatever comes into your head and keep changing it until it doesn't look like shit.


Well, I'm sure even @tim wood could manage that :roll:

OK then.
Keep the secrets of success - be that winner ! :cheer:
Baden June 24, 2021 at 11:00 ¶ #555983
Reply to Amity

There is a standard structure to short stories but this is a lounge thing and all in fun. I don't want to be too prescriptive about it. Besides, there are much better resources than me readily available on this subject.
Amity June 24, 2021 at 11:33 ¶ #555993
Quoting Baden
There is a standard structure to short stories but this is a lounge thing and all in fun. I don't want to be too prescriptive about it. Besides, there are much better resources than me readily available on this subject.


OK. I know the internet abounds with resources for writing, structure etc.
Glad you're setting this up as a fun thing for all. No formal criteria.
Nevertheless, it is still a 'contest' taken seriously by contenders enjoying the challenge.
Just thought there might be some introductory guide-lines, not necessarily 'prescriptive'.

Quoting Baden
Anyone could enter, entries were anonymous, and anyone could vote on winners or comment on stories.


So, we just vote on what pleases us, no other standards ?
Or is it like a questionnaire, rating 0 -10 on various aspects ?











Amity June 24, 2021 at 11:44 ¶ #555999
Quoting Baden
If anyone's not sure if their idea is acceptable, PM me.


Why the PM way ?
If you had the guidelines as to what is being looked for/ acceptable, this would be transparent for all.
Like, I think someone mentioned longform poetry or something...?


Baden June 24, 2021 at 11:44 ¶ #556000
Quoting Amity
Just thought there might be some introductory guide-lines


Ah, ok, well there will be when the time comes. Quoting Amity
So, we just vote on what pleases us, no other standards ?
Or is it like a questionnaire, rating 0 -10 on various aspects ?
9m


You'll just vote for your favorite. The winner is whichever one gets the most votes
Baden June 24, 2021 at 11:45 ¶ #556001
Reply to Amity

Because it has to be anonymous. There's no point knowing who wrote what or it could turn into a popularity contest.
Amity June 24, 2021 at 11:47 ¶ #556003
Quoting Baden
...when the time comes...


Not one second before :wink:

Quoting Baden
You'll just vote for your favorite


Right. Simples.
Could have been more interesting than that...never mind...




Amity June 24, 2021 at 11:55 ¶ #556006
Quoting Baden
There's no point knowing who wrote what or it could turn into a popularity contest.


I didn't say anything about it it not being anonymous. That's a good idea but I bet some will know from previous writings and contests in the 'old forum', just who is writing what and how...
Some 'good writers' already identified.
That's why I think some objective ratings as per aspects would be better...but hey...not a pressing issue.
Just glad it's being done, in some form :sparkle:


Baden June 24, 2021 at 11:56 ¶ #556007
Reply to Amity

I'm open to other suggestions as long as they're workable. I'm conscious though that most posters probably won't want to do much more than read and choose a favorite. If we make the voting process too cumbersome, we'll get less participation.
Amity June 24, 2021 at 12:00 ¶ #556009
Reply to Baden
OK. Understood. Easy-peasy does it :smile:


180 Proof June 24, 2021 at 16:51 ¶ #556106
Kenosha Kid June 24, 2021 at 18:02 ¶ #556139
Time to bust out my Space 1999 erotic fanfiction.
180 Proof June 24, 2021 at 19:04 ¶ #556174
Reply to Kenosha Kid :yikes: :chin: :lol:
Baden July 02, 2021 at 13:28 ¶ #560193
I've suggested end of July and New Year for this in the mod forum. As long as there are no objections, expect an official thread in the lounge soon.
Benkei July 02, 2021 at 18:12 ¶ #560317
Reply to 180 Proof said the #£@@&# who won almost all of them in the past! :rage:
Hanover July 02, 2021 at 18:38 ¶ #560330
Quoting Baden
I've suggested end of July and New Year for this in the mod forum. As long as there are no objections, expect an official thread in the lounge soon.


OBJECTION!

I never waive an objection.
Baden July 02, 2021 at 19:27 ¶ #560357
Reply to Hanover

I meant by humans, bruv.
180 Proof July 02, 2021 at 22:39 ¶ #560449
Reply to Benkei :strong: :cool: