PlaneShift
Fan Area => Roleplaying (Communitive Storywriting) => Topic started by: Caraick on October 21, 2011, 04:14:38 am
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It's finally here! ;D
Yes, all of the stories have been collected, and are finally posted up onto the forums in the "Story Challenge! Stories Thread". A big thank-you goes to all of the authors who took the time to put together these wonderful stories, and share them with the rest of us. :)
The "Story" Thread is located here: http://www.hydlaaplaza.com/smf/index.php?topic=40402.0 (http://www.hydlaaplaza.com/smf/index.php?topic=40402.0)
This thread is going to be for comments on the various stories, and for me to explain how the voting process if going to work. As per a kind suggestion by Novacadian (Thanks again, Nova :flowers:), we're going to be voting for various categories of awards for the stories. The categories are listed below.
Categories!
Best Short Story
Best Long Story
Most Interesting Character
Best Plot Line
Best Creepy Story
Best Sad Story
Most Funny Story
The Ted Dekker Award for Best Surprise Ending
Most Dark/Creepy Character
Best Action Scene
and finally... Best Overall Story!
Voting Rules [IMPORTANT!]
- You may vote for up to TWO stories/characters for each category.
- You may NOT vote for the same character or story in the same category twice.
- You may only submit ONE voting "ballot" (Described below)
- Do NOT post any comments in the "Stories" thread! Put them in this one, if you have any!
- Your ballot must match the example, below
- All ballots must be submitted by November 5 in order to be counted in the vote!
- Submit your votes via a PM to my forum account (Caraick)
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Example Ballot
Name: Mary Sue
Date Submitted: 20, October
Categories:
Best Short Story: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Best Long Story: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Most Interesting Character: Character Name, from "A Story Name" by An Author
Character Name, from "A Story Name" by an Author
Best Plot Line: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Best Creepy Story: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Best Sad Story: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Most Funny Story: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
The Ted Dekker Award for Best Surprise Ending: "A Story Name" by An Author.
"A Story Name 2" by Author 2
Most Dark/Creepy Character: Character Name, from "A Story Name" by An Author
Character Name, from "A Story Name" by an Author
Best Action Scene: Scene Description, from "A Story Name" by An Author
Scene Description, from "A Story Name" by an Author
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Kapeesh? ;)
Again, the voting deadline is November 5 Put any questions you have about the stories, or the rules in this thread, not the stories thread!
Good luck, and happy voting! ;D
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squee!
can't wait to read em all at work tomorrow :P
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I'll reduce my response to "wow" for now. :woot: ::|
"The Ted Dekker award for the best surprise ending?" I approve of this. :devil: NERD POWAH!
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wow... there definitely is a THEME connecting these stories together. I'll leave individual comments for after the voting is done.
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"The Ted Dekker award for the best surprise ending?" I approve of this. :devil: NERD POWAH!
>_>
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{Insert conspiratorial wink here?} ;D
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Oh yes. Oh, yesyesyes. ;)
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Caraick, would you be so kind as to put up the link to my PDF document for my story, "Confessions of a Clamod, Part 2?" I worked nearly as long on that as I did the story itself, and I encourage folks to download and read it in that format. If you've lost the link, I can regenerate it.
Also, the formatting for some of the stories is broken, and it looks like extra carriage returns were put in with an assumption of where lines would end, instead of allowing the web browser to flow paragraphs to the width of the window as it was designed to do. I'm not sure if that was done with the submission to you, or the copy from that submission into the thread. Regardless, it makes the story harder to read, and can negatively impact the author's vote.
In case it was that way in the author's submissions, here is the technique to avoid that. Write each paragraph as one line with no returns. You can put in returns while editing the story, but remove them before submitting. The web browser will word wrap each paragraph automatically. I would be happy to help correct the formatting problems if you need assistance.
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Do we count Aramara's stories as one, or two for the sake of voting?
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You'll see I included the PDF now, thanks for the reminder. Regarding Aramara's story, that's to be considered a single story; as it exceeded the maximum post count for a single post, I broke it into two seperate posts.
Regarding the stories' formats. All of the authors works were put in exactly as they were sent to me. When possible, I simply inserted a /quote from the PM from the author, all returns and spaces were entered by their authors.
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After reading the stories I realize now that the formatting must have been retained from the original submission, and I retract my previous statement.
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I got the pdf of your story Miomo, twice now, but something is wrong with it and all I see is 12 blank yellowish pages.
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I got the pdf of your story Miomo, twice now, but something is wrong with it and all I see is 12 blank yellowish pages.
Same here.
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Same, unfortunately. Says something in the file is corrupt. :(
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*Aramara raises her paw and chimes in, "Me too."
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Sorry folks, but I believe I have fixed it. This is new desktop publishing software for me, and I think it works on my computer because I already have the fonts installed. I changed how it published the PDF, and now I can display the document on my phone, so I suspect you can read it too.
Thanks for letting me know.
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YEP Miomo, there's an actual story there now in the pdf....... magic! ::|
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that's what you get for writing in invisible ink.
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;D Invisible Ink? Miomai you devious little fenki you.
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Actually I was using the 21st century equivalent of invisible ink: WOM, or Write Only Memory.
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Due to the number of votes received so far, I'm extending the voting deadline until the 12th of November
That's a whole extra week for voting, people! Send those ballots in so your favorite story can win!
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OK, the votes are in the process of being tallied up and the winners should be posted later on tonight!
Thanks again, everyone who wrote and voted!
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Thanks again, everyone who wrote and voted!
yer welcome... but why do i get the feeling that those are the same people?
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Now that voting is done and the winners have been posted, it's time for me to make my comments. Yes, yes, I know you've chewed your fingernails down to the middle knuckle of each finger in anticipation of what i have to say. Well, chew no more fellow PSers and/or forum lurkers, my personal opinions are to be disclosed forthwith.
First, for my submission, I can't see past all the glaring spelling and grammar errors, the brutally offensive tense changes where I didn't correctly transpose RP logs into prose. I feel my writing started off strong and grew weaker and weaker throughout. Maybe I shouldn't have written too much, it's just at the time there was so much happening in game with Icerra that I needed to include, as her character was developing rapidly. How I won 'Best Plot' I have no clue, since my story had no coherent plot, was written in anachronistic order and even included a scene from an alternate future timeline. That leaves me to believe that you are all insane. Winning 'Best Action Scene' I can only take half credit for, the other half goes to Kelan, as that scene was actually RPed ingame. That's enough about me, let's get to the other authors.
Jilata, your story was completely heartwrenching and heartwarming. I like how it was written in the groffel's viewpoint, I thought that was very creative. It had me thinking about what my cats go through when I'm not home, although in reality I'm sure they pretty much don't care, and would only notice once they go several days without food if I were to never return.
Rhateru, whoever you are, whereever you are, there needs to be more of you. Love your optimism, and I'm proud that you've made a guest star appearance in my 'Enter Icerra' series.
Miom*, thanks for the insight into Miomai's madness and her sudden and unexpected change into a clearminded, rational being. I think your story has a much bigger impact on those who know the character well and have been witness to that change. Somehow you have a knack for exploring the darkest corners of the psyche and for turning solutions into bigger problems. I can't wait to see how things further develop with your characters.
Same goes to you Mariana. I'd only had a few encounters with Rhianon before this contest, and I had no idea have how grueling and gruesome a past she had. That was another dark journey through a troubled and demented mind.
And Teshia... you dare to project that far ahead eh? Pretty gutsy. I thought your story was heartwarming as well, actually. I'm glad to see Tesh and Car made it last, and I like that you'd fully developed their childrens' personalities in the story. I regret not RPing much with their children as cubs. It'll be interesting to see how things really turn out in comparison.
I think that's everyone... Let me say there was one category winner (besides myself) that I must disagree with, and that is Darkest Character. I think that that goes hands down to Dakkru in ALL of the stories. That Goddess sure has been busy lately.
Anyways, congrats and thanks and congrats and thanks to all who participated, whether in writing or voting or both, special thanks to Caraick for hosting and running the contest, thanks to the developers for creating this world for these characters to live, and thanks to all the players. Keep doing what yer doing. See you in game.
now please remove yer bloody finger stubs from yer mouth and please go see a doctor.
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I suppose I can post my responses to the stories as well now...since nobody will likely read it anyway....<.< >.> ;D
Aramara: Sometimes crazy off the wall stories are the best, which is why you won best plot. Being unpredictable is awesome-sauce. Also, you're your worst critic isn't just a saying, trust me, it's true. You're probably better at writing then you give yourself credit
Rhateru: I lurve you. :D No, but seriously. Your story got a good giggle out of me and I appreciate that greatly. Many thanks. *raises her coffee mug in salute*
Jilata: Your story reminded me of working at the veterinarian. I dunno why, precisely...probably because that's how I'd imagine the patients were feeling if they had the ability to speak. Altogether I really enjoyed your story, had a sort of homeward bound feel to it that I that was cool.
Miom*: You do not give yourself enough credit, sir. I really thought the way you represented Miomai's mania in your writing was both believable and understandable. And understandably creepy character. Logically insane. What was I saying? Oh yes. I enjoyed your story very much.
Teshia: I agree with Aramara, into the future?! BACK TO THE FUTURE! Wait, no, wrong story. Anyway, I liked the individuality you were able to portray in your children in just a few short passages, and I found myself very interested in the plight of Zeltir. What happened to him to get him to that point? He seems lifeless, but it was he in the end that honored his mother's memory the most with his display. Veeeeeery interesting.
I have spoken! I really don't know what I have spoken. I should get back to studying now. DEAR GOD, NO! NOT THE WILLIAMSON ETHER SYNTHESIS! PLEASE, I DON'T WANT TO LEARN ANYMORE ABOUT PHENOLS! NOOOOOOooooooooooooo
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/me grins widely, "Waayow!"
Ah ain't never thunk Ah'd git an award an' a half! An' mah story's jus' a little paragraph next to all of yers an' 'specially that one that even went over the page count. Sure looks like yeeou all put a lot of time into 'em, with all kinds of imagery an' deep characters and great endings an', uh... they were real real real nas!
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*tries not to get caught reading the responses* :P
Really... I enjoyed every story, but can't really say much about it. I am not that good with words sometimes ;)
I thought explain how my story was created. You caught that feeling I wanted to transfer and I am glad I was able to transfer it to you. :)
About a week before I started writing, I saw at dog for a short moment before I entered the train back home from work. The dog reminded me of my old dog which I grew up with and which died about 3 years ago. It was a great shock for me. On the second glance, it wasn't as similar as it had been on the first one. Still I had that memory of the loss clearly coming back.
When I actually started writing, it was raining heavily. I think I started with rain cause of that. I decided not to write about Jilata and in the end wrote about a groffel. As I wrote somehow that meeting with the dog the week before mixed in there and the story turned out like that, even though I planned something happy before.
I hope next time I will be able to write a happy story ;)