Discussion -- June 2011 Challenge

[psychotick]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Hi,

Mosaix just read your mighty worm - is this the circle of life in action? I did enjoy it.

Cheers.

 

[MstrTal]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

It isn't that we shouldn't try our best to be as free as errors as possible. More that one should not stress so much over the form, structure and minutia as it becomes a determinant to the content of the document itself. In other words just write the dang thing and make it good 1st. Worry about the stuff that would send your English teacher into a tizzy 2nd. The editor comment was simply referring to the fact that there is people who are payed for the final "polish."

Oh and I agree there is no reason to learn something new everyday.

 

[HareBrain]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Since it's impossible (I believe) to wholly exclude the effect a title has on your reading of a piece, why not increase the word limit to 80 words, including the title, which would then count as part of the story? That way, those with a knack for clever titles (note that this wouldn't benefit me) will get some use out of them, and the rest of us won't have to go through mental contortions trying to forget the title that's staring us in the face when trying to judge which entry is best.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

But the original comment by mosaix was that after all other factors had been weighed and a decision was otherwise impossible, things like spelling and punctuation would make the difference between stories of equal merit. Better than flipping a coin, I'd say. But how would you decide between stories you thought otherwise equally deserving of your vote, MstrTal?

HareBrain, I'd far rather eliminate titles altogether than include them in the word count and as part of the story. That would put far too much emphasis, I think, on getting a clever title and not as much on writing a good story.

 

[Gary Compton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Since it's impossible (I believe) to wholly exclude the effect a title has on your reading of a piece, why not increase the word limit to 80 words, including the title, which would then count as part of the story? That way, those with a knack for clever titles (note that this wouldn't benefit me) will get some use out of them, and the rest of us won't have to go through mental contortions trying to forget the title that's staring us in the face when trying to judge which entry is best.

I think that a comment should be a no no. After all why does the writer put it in. It must have something to do with the story, however small or irrelevant.

You don't see comments like, 'I see the price of baked beans has come down 10P.'

Or, 'Man Utd are rubbish at football.'

I think parameters should be set down for the length of the title and no notes; otherwise, even though the mods say this note hasn't influenced the reader. (How do they know by the way?)

It is possible it may hold some sway to someone.

For example Pyan's (Love you Pyan sorry to use you as an example)

So the rest of the world don't know the places mentioned, then they read the note and it all becomes clear. That has to be wrong however, ill-intended their inclusions were.

These are my opinions! Feel free to ignore them

 

[mosaix]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

You've just got to love the Chrons.

Healthy, friendly debate. Anywhere else this would have descended into acrimony.

BTW Man UTD are rubbish at football.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

What none of us want is for the title to be part of the story. I suspect the debate about the length of the title is trying to find something measurable by which writers of entries can stay within the rules and moderators can delete offending entries. However, I don't think restricting the length of the title is dealing with the problem. (If nothing else, our growing expertise in stuffing meaning into 75-words should allow us to do the same with five words.)

Given this, there is really only one solution: leave it to the voters, as we do with matters of genre and idiosyncratic spelling and grammar. If a voter thinks a very long title is being unfairly used to bolster a story, the voter can refuse to give that story a vote. The same should apply for "notes".



EDIT: When I said 'The same should apply for "notes"', I meant that the voter can take them into consideration when deciding not to vote for a story. I wasn't suggesting I approve of notes in entries in general. (In fact, most of us try to refrain from commenting on our entries in too detailed a manner in the parallel discussion thread, at least until the voting is over. This is, of course, easier for those of us who can't think of an entry until the eleventh hour. )

.

 

[mosaix]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

But the original comment by mosaix was that after all other factors had been weighed and a decision was otherwise impossible, things like spelling and punctuation would make the difference between stories of equal merit.

Sometimes this can have a positive effect as well. When I decided to vote for Teresa's piece in the 300 word challenge one of the deciding factors (albeit small) was the formatting. It gave a rhythm to the story whilst I was reading it that no doubt improved it for me.

I don't think an author should overlook any factor that can affect the enjoyment for the reader.

 

[Gary Compton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I haven't really got that much of a problem with the title or its length. Just the note (s).

If its left as is, I guarantee you I'll be putting one in next month

I will probably get disqualified but I'll join some good company, Karn and Chrispy to name but a few

 

[Ursa major]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

If its left as is, I guarantee you I'll be putting one in next month

I will probably get disqualified but I'll join some good company, Karn and Chrispy to name but a few

Speaking of notes and Karn: weren't you offering him a $20 note a few pages back?




(Okay, it wasn't in your entry, but even so....)

 

[Gary Compton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

That must've been my split personality who did that.

I'd ban both of us

 

[Culhwch]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Just so everyone knows and we can stop going around in circles, these issues - notes and titles - are currently being discussed amongst the moderators. All opinions have been duly noted and equally weighted, and you'll hear an outcome before the start of the next challenge, I assure you.

But while we're speaking of things that might give an unfair advantage - I can't say I was a huge fan of some of the campaigning on behalf of other members that happened in the discussion thread of the 300 word challenge in April. Whether light-hearted and well-intentioned or not, there could be seen to be an advantage in having a story repeatedly mentioned again and again (and again and again, particularly in relation to pantslessness). Just sayin', you know...

 

[Gary Compton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Light hearted banter amongst friends.

I doubt I had any influence at all but stick that in the new rules as well and I'll adhere to them.

 

[Culhwch]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I doubt I had any influence at all...

Exactly the sentiments of those who've added notes to their stories, or used a longer-than-average title, I'm sure...

 

[Gary Compton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I'm afraid I have to disagree with that Cul. The discussion is as stated - a discussion. There has been, and will be plenty light hearted banter on that thread.

My 300 word story had Boneman in it as a character and I played on that; but that aside; his was a very good story and he won.

The competition thread is a completely different animal, where even moderators fall foul of the rules. I just asked for clarification of the rules.

Personally, I think the notes add another dimension to the story. If its allowed then fine, I'll be using them.

May I suggest a poll of members, that'll be the democratic way to get a consensus.

And if my banter makes a difference; I will be surprised and I wont do it again.

EDIT: Just for the record the length of title doesn't bother me

 

[mosaix]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Hi,

Mosaix just read your mighty worm - is this the circle of life in action? I did enjoy it.

Cheers.

psychotick, apologies - only just noticed this post. Glad you enjoyed it. I was, originally, going to call it something along the lines of 'food chain' but couldn't get the circular theme into it, so I decided to go for something more in the mode of Kipling.

 

[slack]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Much ado about nothing.

Limiting the entries to 75-words plus a title seems clear enough. No notes, no appendices, no glossaries. As for limiting titles, in a sense they already are limited. Surely people would cry foul at a 75-word title plus a 75-word entry. What would help, then, is to clarify a liberal upper limit, say, of 12-15 words.

What none of us want is for the title to be part of the story.

I disagree. That is exactly what I want.

 

[High Eight]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Keep at it, and eventually it will have been thoroughly Kiplinged.

Or possibly even Kippled.

 

[High Eight]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Wouldn't it be Kippled, as in the old joke?

I say, I say, I say! Do you like Kipling?

I don't know: I've never been Kippled!

Arrgh! Beaten to it! I knew I should have read the entire thread first!

 

[Ursa major]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

What none of us want is for the title to be part of the story.

I disagree. That is exactly what I want.

Fair enough. (Sorry for being too inclusive. ) But as this subject is almost bound to be the cause of misunderstandings, could you give more detail about what you mean?

(For myself, I try to choose my titles carefully - as, I suspect, do many people here - but while I believe a title can give the reader an indication of what the story is (about to be) about, that doesn't make it part of the story.)