Monthly Writing Competition: Keep Up The Standard!

Jazzy Jinx

In the context of the monthly, new material only.

Or edited, up-to-date old material.~

Kitsune Inferno

I'm submitting Ashes to Ashes then. http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=30536&page=3&p=2988332&viewfull=1#post2988332

It's actually a little on the short side, so I will likely release a campanion piece along with it later in the week.

LaCaSiNa

Alrighty then, signing up with the most recent chapter of UOG.~

Supernova122

I'll … I'll try. Put me on the blacklist :S

Print Error

Sign me up ~~oh god what I am letting myself in for Holy will show no mercy~~ sounds like fun!

Kitsune Inferno

Actually, new drafts of Ashes to Ashes MEET the character requirement so yay.~

Jazzy Jinx

Only a few days left until the end of August.~

Remember Super, Print and Mumbling (coughandmecough) if you do not submit something for this month then you will be punished by wearing an avatar/signature of Holy Hell's choice until you DO submit something.

That chick can get creative. I'd get moving if I were you guys.

…

Wait, I am you guys. Shit!

Mumbling2

I already have a good chunk done, but I might have to do a final sprint come Saturday.

Ugh, this blacklist is both a blessing and a curse…

taboo

are you guys going to do another voice discussion thingy?

legumes

@taboo:

are you guys going to do another voice discussion thingy?

You mean skype? There's one every month I think, provided that we have content to discuss about. Then it becomes the arlong park chatbox

Supernova122

Ugh … I've been too distracted to manage anything ...

And I'm away come friday and busy leading up to it so there's no chance of me making a submission now.

Punishment time? T_T

Jazzy Jinx

@taboo:

are you guys going to do another voice discussion thingy?

There's usually one every month but I think I'll pass on doing one for September. I want to organize my thoughts and develop content for future conferences, give each one some form of consistency.

Though this doesn't stop another organizer (or hell, someone from the group itself) from doing one if they want to. It's all up to you guys.~

Edit: Here's the official thread, by the way: http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35375

Nex 0

So, if I posted something in August, but only two people commented on it, neither of which are listed as participating in this monthly, can I submit it?

Jazzy Jinx

You could submit regardless of the people that have commented on your work.

Mumbling2

I beat your little punishment game.

Chimera Phase
Chapter 11

BAM!

Jazzy Jinx

So it occurs to me that I'm organizing and with the current system I would be both a submitter and a judge, so I can't actually submit anything because you can't do all three at once. There would be an insinuation of foul play. So instead, I'm going to submit for the September monthly.~

http://www.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=32385&p=2373544&viewfull=1#post2373544

–-

Also, expect details about the judging come next week.

Nex 0

I'm submitting "From Beneath." http://forums.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=36386&p=2972315&viewfull=1#post2972315

Kitsune Inferno

@Jazzy:

So it occurs to me that I'm organizing and with the current system I would be both a submitter and a judge, so I can't actually submit anything because you can't do all three at once. There would be an insinuation of foul play. So instead, I'm going to submit for the September monthly.~

http://www.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=32385&p=2373544&viewfull=1#post2373544

–-

Also, expect details about the judging come next week.

I don't think anyone would suspect you of foul play. I think you'd be more than okay to submit. :\

trappedolphin

Who are we whipping

Jazzy Jinx

@Kitsune:

I don't think anyone would suspect you of foul play. I think you'd be more than okay to submit. :\

Shut up, Kitsu. I'm submitting for September.

God.

Kitsune Inferno

No. You're getting punished.

Jazzy Jinx

According to the black list rules you're punished until you submit something.

I submitted for September immediately. :ninja:

trappedolphin

Down, children.

<3

Mumbling2

Any update on the judging stuff?

Jazzy Jinx

Alright then: Kitsu will judge LaCa who will judge Mumbling who will judge Nex who will judge Kitsu.

Got it? Good. Don't know how to judge? Here's a template:

! Review: This is where the bulk of your review will go. Be sure to highlight both strengths and weaknesses, cite examples and add your suggestions for improvement. Try to remain as objective as possible; leave your emotions at the door.
! Final Comments: Any extraneous comments you might have that may or may not be directly related to the review. Like say for instance, general tips on how to practice writing and such.
! Score: Pick a score, from worst to best: Poor, Fair, Good, Great, Excellent.

If you don't want to use the template and just want to do your own thing then go ahead. Just make sure to please highlight both strengths and weaknesses, not just either or. And of course, remain objective.~

When you finish the review then simply post it in this thread. No need to send it to me or any other organizer.

–-

I'd also like to take this moment to ham-fistedly add that I'm officially stepping down as an organizer (not that I did much organizing these days anyway). It's been a good run but life has caught up to me and it's time for me to turn my attention elsewhere.

I wish you all the best in the future and hope that you'll all continue to write and continue to support one another. Thank you for making the writing community thrive and thank you for giving us all of your time and dedication. I admire each and every one of you and wish you all the best in the future.~

My sincerest thanks. So long.

Mumbling2

Aww, Jazzy… Well, I understand that real life comes first so best of luck. I hope you continue writing and continue to be an occasional voice in this section.

Now time for the reviewing!

From Beneath review

! I had to resist the urge to go into your thread and read the other reviews of your story because overall I thought it was very good and I was having difficulty citing any weaknesses that weren't subjective. I didn't want to just echo what they said. Hopefully, you'll still find this feedback useful.
! Strengths: I thought the twists in the story were well done and kept it interesting. At first I thought the story was just about someone who explored caves, crevices, etc. Then I realized it was a supernatural venture. Then I realized it had a personal connection to the main character. Then you naturally segued into existential topics. Personally, I'm not a big fan of serious existential or supernatural topics in fiction, but you managed to make your story palatable even to me.
! Your descriptions of the environment were also very detailed, which worked especially well in your setting. It was also helpful for someone like me who has no background knowledge about Alexis' work. The scene where he first uses the LEDs to light his surroundings come to mind.
! Weaknesses: I didn't find Alexis especially engaging as a character. I really think this story could be further improved if Alexis had a little more personality. The final conversation with "the Voice" might have been a little better if that were the case. That scene, as it is now, an exposition dump with Alexis only serving as a way to prompt the Voice into talking more. At the very least I think you need to justify why Alexis was chosen to be an envoy. What makes him different than anyone else who lost their family and/or is semi-famous?
! The flashback sequences were oddly placed in the story. I couldn't really find a reason why they weren't included earlier in the story, other than beginning with Alexis in the pit is probably a better hook. I'd even venture to say you don't need the flashback sequence of Randy convincing Alexis to take the job. It doesn't add much information that we don't already know.
! You had some odd sentences/punctuation here and there that could be fixed with some proofreading. This sentence comes to mind:
"Just hear me out. I know you wanted to be done after what happened at the Framptkon Estate, but I found a case in Russia that I think you might be interested in,” Randy, Alexis’ manager for twenty years and closest friend for forty, could not seem to cope with the idea that Alexis wanted to be done."
! Final Thoughts: I liked it and thought the piece was solid. The story flowed well, but I think tinkering with the flashbacks and Alexis' character would give it a significant boost in quality.
! Score: Great -

Supernova122

Have a happy retirement~

Bluenose

Could we please revive this thread? I've had so much fun just lurking around and reading others' work…
I'm sure we can find even more people to join the competition and don't let this great idea die!

Dryish

We'd need participants as well as judges and organizers. Some prominent members from the past of the competition have already left and some only come on here occasionally, but I think we might be able to find people to fill the void left by Jazzy Jinx and Kitsune Inferno primarily. I'm absolutely up for it, if people start getting more active and contribute to make it happen.

Supernova122

I'm willing to/ mega keen to judge & organise if there are people who want to enter.

I've been kind of planning other things to gently blow some life over this section (that was meant to be as opposed to pump some life into) but I'm always either lazy or busy lol.

Prismeru

Oh i didn't even remember this part of the forum! I'm just lurking about, trying to escape from my work obligations :B

Kylor

Oh hey. Anyone remember me 'round these parts?

If the competition comes back, I'd be willing to judge. Maybe not every time, but here and there. I really liked what the competition did for the Writers here, so it'd be something of a shame to let it just die here. I might even write something for it every now and then. So please, by all means, let's keep it going, you have my support, if it means anything at all.

Rogues' Gallery

@Kylor:

Oh hey. Anyone remember me 'round these parts?

I remember you~~! (^_^)

@Kylor:

If the competition comes back, I'd be willing to judge. Maybe not every time, but here and there. I really liked what the competition did for the Writers here, so it'd be something of a shame to let it just die here. I might even write something for it every now and then. So please, by all means, let's keep it going, you have my support, if it means anything at all.

Yeah, I'm game too. Even though I participated in the Monthly Competition only once before, I'd love to do it again, and to be a bigger part of Arlong Park's writing community. It is a shame to let this sub-forum just wither out of existence, so I'd be more than happy to help take part in future competitions any way I can, whether as a Judge, Organizer, or Contestant. You guys have my support as well.

And hey, does Fan-fiction count for submitted entries? Just curious.

Mumbling2

I'm willing to help with the revival of this subforum if people are serious about it. The problem is that even before Jazzy left things were starting to peter out as a result of reviews not being done or people not submitting stories.

And that's totally fine. Real life gets in the way and there are more important things to do than write stories for a small group on a One Piece subforum. But I'm not too keen on the idea of spending hours writing or reviewing for a monthly contest that starts and never finishes.

I feel that what we need is someone who is really willing to take charge and sacrifice some of their own personal time to make things happen. A few months ago I kicked around the idea of trying to be that person, but I had to be honest with myself and realize that I didn't have the ability or time. But if I see that someone here has the drive to allow this scrappy little subforum a place in their list of serious commitments, then I will do whatever I can to back them up whether it's judging, submitting more chapters of my story, etc.

tldr: The second someone steps up and flat out says, "I'm organizing the next contest" I'm game.

Dryish

Hmm, well, I need to look into the practical stuff, i.e. editing threads or posting new ones for the purpose, finding judges, and making the preparations, but in theory I'm fairly open to organize a monthly for June. This month is full of finals and all kinds of other stuff keeping me busy, but next month might be a nice time to revive this project.

But sure, I'll say it now; I'm organizing the next contest.

Supernova122

On a related but slightly off topic note, I'd like to try running one of those "writing conference" style things, aiming for early to mid June, if there's any interest. I'll post something about it later, probably, with more words and a greater semblance of planning.

Kitsune Inferno

Good to see some more interest in this thing :) I unfortunately can't contribute much in my current state, but I would volunteer to review if I had alternate means of communicating with the organizer.

Dryish

@Kitsune:

Good to see some more interest in this thing :) I unfortunately can't contribute much in my current state, but I would volunteer to review if I had alternate means of communicating with the organizer.

And you're saying you don't? :P

Kitsune Inferno

Dryish its JUNE ALREADY

Rogues' Gallery

@Rogues':

And hey, does a Fan-fiction story count for submitted entries? Just curious.

Still curious, if someone wants to answer this.

piratemarimo

@Rogues':

Still curious, if someone wants to answer this.

my god, actual posts in this thread?? :shocked: In regards to your question, ~~I can almost hear the sound of Kenny complaining.~~ Last I checked fanfiction is allowed as long as it meets the character minimum requirement. we had a really bad fanfiction entry waaaaay back that was a) under the minimum and b) scarcely understandable. just don't be that person. otherwise I'll have to shank you. also I don't know when we're even having another monthly. people have been busy after all.

Prismeru

:( so i can't post my fiction of "the smurfs and the moomins meet Uncle Scrooge"?

Supernova122

@Bluenose:

Could we please revive this thread? I've had so much fun just lurking around and reading others' work…
I'm sure we can find even more people to join the competition and don't let this great idea die!

@Prismeru:

Oh i didn't even remember this part of the forum! I'm just lurking about, trying to escape from my work obligations :B

@Kylor:

If the competition comes back, I'd be willing to judge. Maybe not every time, but here and there. I really liked what the competition did for the Writers here, so it'd be something of a shame to let it just die here. I might even write something for it every now and then. So please, by all means, let's keep it going, you have my support, if it means anything at all.

@Rogues':

Yeah, I'm game too. Even though I participated in the Monthly Competition only once before, I'd love to do it again, and to be a bigger part of Arlong Park's writing community. It is a shame to let this sub-forum just wither out of existence, so I'd be more than happy to help take part in future competitions any way I can, whether as a Judge, Organizer, or Contestant. You guys have my support as well.

@Mumbling2:

I'm willing to help with the revival of this subforum if people are serious about it. The problem is that even before Jazzy left things were starting to peter out as a result of reviews not being done or people not submitting stories.

@Kitsune:

Good to see some more interest in this thing :) I unfortunately can't contribute much in my current state, but I would volunteer to review if I had alternate means of communicating with the organizer.

It shouldn't be too hard to organise one of these for July. What do I need to do, declare it's running, get the first post edited, find judges later?

There'll be a monthly running in July, if enough people enter. (tadaa)

Will try and get much of the surrounding admin stuff done by the end of tomorrow. I don't think the achievements are really necessary but if someone else wants to think of some, be my guest.

Anyway, there's substantially more interest in reviving this than in the writing conferences, so it's a much better use of my attention for the time being :p