Writing Challenge Comments, Questions, Answers
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Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
The stories so far have all been wonderful.
As I mentioned in The Judge's thread when we were first kicking the idea around, the 75 word story concept is based on a writing exercise from a group I once joined. I was the only person who completed the exercise (the group was mostly made up of people who want to write because "I've had an interesting life") but I knew that Chronicles members were far more creative and brimming with ideas.
Although even so I've been surprised by the number of stories we have already. We put that other group to shame.
The stories so far have all been wonderful.
As I mentioned in The Judge's thread when we were first kicking the idea around, the 75 word story concept is based on a writing exercise from a group I once joined. I was the only person who completed the exercise (the group was mostly made up of people who want to write because "I've had an interesting life") but I knew that Chronicles members were far more creative and brimming with ideas.
Although even so I've been surprised by the number of stories we have already. We put that other group to shame.
chopper
Steven Poore - Epic Fantasist & SFSF Socialist
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
it's certainly looking good over there. voting's gonna be a pig....
it's certainly looking good over there. voting's gonna be a pig....
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
There, you see, I can stop. Perhaps now I'll do more reasonable welcoming threads…
Or pigs might take to the air.
There, you see, I can stop. Perhaps now I'll do more reasonable welcoming threads…
Or pigs might take to the air.
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
What I find so interesting is the many different takes on the one idea. And so quickly. It's like a genie has been uncorked!
What I find so interesting is the many different takes on the one idea. And so quickly. It's like a genie has been uncorked!
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
Yeah. And here I was thinking I would be unable to participate at all, but I got my bit in, surprisingly.
And at only 59 words at that. I had to completely redo it, though-I think my original totaled over 100 words.
Yeah. And here I was thinking I would be unable to participate at all, but I got my bit in, surprisingly.
And at only 59 words at that. I had to completely redo it, though-I think my original totaled over 100 words.
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
We might have to give voters two votes each, to ease the pain.
I think that quite a few people came in under the limit, but you may hold the record.
We might have to give voters two votes each, to ease the pain.
Manarion said:
I think that quite a few people came in under the limit, but you may hold the record.
Culhwch
Lost Boy
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
I was but a moment into my story and I looked down to see I was at 72 words. Had to attack it from another angle after that...
I was but a moment into my story and I looked down to see I was at 72 words. Had to attack it from another angle after that...
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
I'll already have difficulty choosing only two, there are too many that are very good. And it is less than a day since it opened!
Culhwch
Lost Boy
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
And you want people to enter more than one, Dave? You'll need a dozen votes!
And you want people to enter more than one, Dave? You'll need a dozen votes!
Jayaprakash Satyamurthy
Knivesout no more
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
There are some wonderful stories on that thread. I can see several of them being expanded into something longer, and awesome, but they're great as they are too (I like miniatures).
Two questions:
Can we submit more than one story?
How is the voting process done? Can we please have multiple votes?
There are some wonderful stories on that thread. I can see several of them being expanded into something longer, and awesome, but they're great as they are too (I like miniatures).
Two questions:
Can we submit more than one story?
How is the voting process done? Can we please have multiple votes?
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
This month we're limiting it to one person one entry, and let's see how many stories we get that way. Right now, there are twenty stories, and more will probably trickle in between now and the 26th. But supposing the number doubles between now and then? If we let people write a second story, we could be swamped. I never dreamed we would get twenty stories in a little over 24 hours. Let's not get carried away before we know what we have unleashed.
On the other hand, if we only see two or three more stories between now and the end, we might consider letting people write two stories next month. Or maybe we'll have dozens this month but slack off next month, and we'll want to let them do two in June.
At this point, I think we do need to get at least two votes each -- if enough people agree with that. If there are a lot more stories, we might have to go with three votes.
I think any other adjustments should wait until we see what happens this month -- although we should certainly be discussing them now, so we can reach a decision in time to start the next challenge in early May.
As for the voting process, it look like there will be too many stories for a poll (I've never done a poll, but aren't the options fairly limited?), so I think we'll just vote in the thread the way they do it in the photo challenge. But we have almost three weeks to decide on that.
This month we're limiting it to one person one entry, and let's see how many stories we get that way. Right now, there are twenty stories, and more will probably trickle in between now and the 26th. But supposing the number doubles between now and then? If we let people write a second story, we could be swamped. I never dreamed we would get twenty stories in a little over 24 hours. Let's not get carried away before we know what we have unleashed.
On the other hand, if we only see two or three more stories between now and the end, we might consider letting people write two stories next month. Or maybe we'll have dozens this month but slack off next month, and we'll want to let them do two in June.
At this point, I think we do need to get at least two votes each -- if enough people agree with that. If there are a lot more stories, we might have to go with three votes.
I think any other adjustments should wait until we see what happens this month -- although we should certainly be discussing them now, so we can reach a decision in time to start the next challenge in early May.
As for the voting process, it look like there will be too many stories for a poll (I've never done a poll, but aren't the options fairly limited?), so I think we'll just vote in the thread the way they do it in the photo challenge. But we have almost three weeks to decide on that.
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Culhwch
Lost Boy
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
We don't vote in thread in the photo challenge - Lady (and most recently me) sets up a poll at Polldaddy, a host site for such things. I'd be happy to do it for this as well, seeing as how I have an account there now and all. I'm not sure about setting up multiple votes, but I'll look into the possibility. I feel it may be one vote or infinite votes, but I'm not a hundred percent sure. I like the idea of having three votes, though.
I still think if we have multiple submissions per person, the votes should be for each story, not for the person. I think the better solution would be shortening the contest to fortnightly (as I suggested earlier) or even weekly. That way we get a challenge more frequently, and people aren't writing one (or two or three or whatever) stories on day one, and then twiddling their thumbs for a month...
We don't vote in thread in the photo challenge - Lady (and most recently me) sets up a poll at Polldaddy, a host site for such things. I'd be happy to do it for this as well, seeing as how I have an account there now and all. I'm not sure about setting up multiple votes, but I'll look into the possibility. I feel it may be one vote or infinite votes, but I'm not a hundred percent sure. I like the idea of having three votes, though.
I still think if we have multiple submissions per person, the votes should be for each story, not for the person. I think the better solution would be shortening the contest to fortnightly (as I suggested earlier) or even weekly. That way we get a challenge more frequently, and people aren't writing one (or two or three or whatever) stories on day one, and then twiddling their thumbs for a month...
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
That would be excellent, if you can set it up so that we can each vote on two or three stories. Thank you.
In view of the response, I'm sort of regretting that we didn't decide to do it fortnightly. We could have an April Challenge II, with a different theme, just to see what happens, although of course the deadline on the first one would have to stay the same, because changing it wouldn't be fair at this point.
I guess the question is (for everyone) whether there would be enough interest, or have too many people expended their enthusiasm for the month?
Show of hands, please. Would you take part in a second monthly challenge?
That would be excellent, if you can set it up so that we can each vote on two or three stories. Thank you.
In view of the response, I'm sort of regretting that we didn't decide to do it fortnightly. We could have an April Challenge II, with a different theme, just to see what happens, although of course the deadline on the first one would have to stay the same, because changing it wouldn't be fair at this point.
I guess the question is (for everyone) whether there would be enough interest, or have too many people expended their enthusiasm for the month?
Show of hands, please. Would you take part in a second monthly challenge?
Culhwch
Lost Boy
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
[Raises hand]
[Raises hand]
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
I'd be out at this point, TE, once is enough for me.
I'd be out at this point, TE, once is enough for me.
Jayaprakash Satyamurthy
Knivesout no more
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
I think I could, but in the long term there's a risk of participants burning out, so perhaps a monthly contest is best.
I think I could, but in the long term there's a risk of participants burning out, so perhaps a monthly contest is best.
Devil's Advocate
I lie. A lot. Honest!
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
I don't see why we absolutely need to have a set limit. If Culhwch* and others want to submit 11 stories in the month, well, let them. If others want to submit only one story every 88 days (including weekends!), then that's fine, too.
I don't think we have to worry about being overwhelmed with submissions; in the end, the high number of stories coming from a handful will balance out the relatively low count of the majority.
Voting Process
I have a suggestion for the voting. Well, actually, I have two. The first, I think, we should all agree on, and that is - you can't vote for your own submission(s). This should be self-explanatory. If everyone voted for themselves, we would just end up with a 56-way tie or something.
Suggestion #2 - This probably won't work if we're going with Culhwch's** idea of using PollDaddy, but I think we should have a points system. Basically, this is how the voting for Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the NBA happens: every voter ranks their top 5*** candidates - in order - and a point subtotal is calculated for each 'position' that the cadidates (the ones receiving any votes at all) placed. So Writer X will have 5 points for each 1st place vote (s)he received, 4 for each 2nd place vote, 3 for 3rd, and so on. Then we calculate the total points that each candidate received, and the one with the highest total is the studly stud, and the rest of us can ball up in a corner of our rooms and cry our little hearts out.****
I think this system is little more fair, as it rewards the people who were better received 'on the whole', as opposed to polarising, love-it-or-hate-it entries. Of course, the downside of this approach is that the vote calculation would have to be a manual process, where by the voters post a reply in a "Writing Challenge - April Voting" thread, and someone sifts through the messages.
Since this challenge was basically her idea, and since we all love her so much, we can nominate Teresa for this, um... 'honour'.
* - How, exactly, do you pronounce that?
** - Seriously, how??
*** - Or, in this case, Top 3.
**** - In anticipation of the result, I am already in my corner. It's hard typing in a foetal position...
I don't see why we absolutely need to have a set limit. If Culhwch* and others want to submit 11 stories in the month, well, let them. If others want to submit only one story every 88 days (including weekends!), then that's fine, too.
I don't think we have to worry about being overwhelmed with submissions; in the end, the high number of stories coming from a handful will balance out the relatively low count of the majority.
Voting Process
I have a suggestion for the voting. Well, actually, I have two. The first, I think, we should all agree on, and that is - you can't vote for your own submission(s). This should be self-explanatory. If everyone voted for themselves, we would just end up with a 56-way tie or something.
Suggestion #2 - This probably won't work if we're going with Culhwch's** idea of using PollDaddy, but I think we should have a points system. Basically, this is how the voting for Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the NBA happens: every voter ranks their top 5*** candidates - in order - and a point subtotal is calculated for each 'position' that the cadidates (the ones receiving any votes at all) placed. So Writer X will have 5 points for each 1st place vote (s)he received, 4 for each 2nd place vote, 3 for 3rd, and so on. Then we calculate the total points that each candidate received, and the one with the highest total is the studly stud, and the rest of us can ball up in a corner of our rooms and cry our little hearts out.****
I think this system is little more fair, as it rewards the people who were better received 'on the whole', as opposed to polarising, love-it-or-hate-it entries. Of course, the downside of this approach is that the vote calculation would have to be a manual process, where by the voters post a reply in a "Writing Challenge - April Voting" thread, and someone sifts through the messages.
Since this challenge was basically her idea, and since we all love her so much, we can nominate Teresa for this, um... 'honour'.
* - How, exactly, do you pronounce that?
** - Seriously, how??
*** - Or, in this case, Top 3.
**** - In anticipation of the result, I am already in my corner. It's hard typing in a foetal position...
Culhwch
Lost Boy
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
Just call me Cul, and for the record I only wanted one entry per month, not eleven.
I thought about the 3-2-1 system as well, but I discounted it for two main reasons. The first you touched upon - the manual labour. Not only would an automated system make it easier to tabulate thte votes, it would also make cut-off times set in stone, and not rely on someone getting online at a certain point to say, 'No more votes!' The second is that I think we'd actually get more votes if it's anonymous - like it or not, some people won't like naming names in a public thread, as it were.
As for voting for yourself - I think that was implied...
Just call me Cul, and for the record I only wanted one entry per month, not eleven.
I thought about the 3-2-1 system as well, but I discounted it for two main reasons. The first you touched upon - the manual labour. Not only would an automated system make it easier to tabulate thte votes, it would also make cut-off times set in stone, and not rely on someone getting online at a certain point to say, 'No more votes!' The second is that I think we'd actually get more votes if it's anonymous - like it or not, some people won't like naming names in a public thread, as it were.
As for voting for yourself - I think that was implied...
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Writing Challenge Questions, Answers, Comments -- (Formerly: Proposed Competition
Do I have to take part in the voting process? I just figured I'd post my piece each month and leave it to others to do the voting.....
Do I have to take part in the voting process? I just figured I'd post my piece each month and leave it to others to do the voting.....
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