ThePandaDirector Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 (edited) Actually, why don't we just break down the actual stories themselves, what makes up a story: Plot - the story, the way it's told, pacing, plot devices, etc. Setting - location, portraying Malifaux, immersing oneself in the location Characters - characterisation, originality, portraying Malifaux characters (if done), etc Theme - ingredients plus extra themes, symbolism, motifs, etc Skill - how easy is it to read, how complex is it, does it do anything unnusual or show particular strengths/weaknesses. Mark it out of something like: Very poor Poor Acceptable Good Very good So skill would go: Couldn't make any sense of it Some striking issues that made it somewhat hard to read Easy to read but rather simple Tries some interesting stuff and executes them well Attempts advanced techniques and pulls them off brilliantly That's not devinitive, their might be a simple story that shows perfect grasp of what it does and depending whether you think that is worth a Good or Very good is up to you. That's how I would do it. Edited June 11, 2012 by ThePandaDirector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 But the monkeys are there, so that's half the plot sorted isn't it? Monkeys solve everything. Except the problem of finding the jade monkey before the next full moon, ironically... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberGruber Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 I prefer that way of breaking the story down into sections, I'm less keen on the marking aspect. Be it numbers, letters or set words, I don't really want to assign a mark. I've no problem with being marked myself, neither do I have quite the same qualms about identifying what I'd regard as grounds for improvement in a story. I just don't feel that assigning 'poor' or 2 or D to anything is going to help anyone much, so I'm generally uncomfortable with doing so. I don't mind in the least if other people want to do that, I just wonder if it's ultimately discouraging for some people to be 'marked down' (obviously others will not mind so much and a few may possibly be motivated by such). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted June 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 Now I'm just picturing a Jawa throwing his hands in the air yelling 'MONKEYS' No idea why. Might be the tired talking. Honestly, I'm not sure where to take the scoring. That one was pulled straight out of the Iron Painter, and I think there can be some benefit to it, but I can also see that there can be some issues with it as well. With painting, things are a little more concrete than writing...hm. I'll figure out what to do by the end of this week. ---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:15 PM ---------- I prefer that way of breaking the story down into sections, I'm less keen on the marking aspect. Be it numbers, letters or set words, I don't really want to assign a mark. I've no problem with being marked myself, neither do I have quite the same qualms about identifying what I'd regard as grounds for improvement in a story. I just don't feel that assigning 'poor' or 2 or D to anything is going to help anyone much, so I'm generally uncomfortable with doing so. I don't mind in the least if other people want to do that, I just wonder if it's ultimately discouraging for some people to be 'marked down' (obviously others will not mind so much and a few may possibly be motivated by such). Yeah, personally I take low markings to be reasons to improve later, but you're right, it might be discouraging to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePandaDirector Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 To be honest, it's not just about people who react differently to criticism (which I honestly never consider - people should be mature enough to see the difference between subjective constructive criticism and personal attack), but those who give criticism. Some people will give in depth thoughts, which is great, but many will just say "I liked it", "good read", "little complex, but a fun read". What does that mean? By breaking it down into sections and giving a single recognisable spectrum for people to use, then while some will go into detail on each section, those who provide more basic feedback are at least being pushed to determine whether the setting was good or very good and that naturally leads to the author asking why they got graded good, what wasn't great about their setting. Even if they don't get an answer it tells them that they can improve while "good" by itself doesn't suggest any potential for improvement. It's not about replacing honest, multi-tonal criticism with bland abstract words, but replace singular bland abstract words with something a little more scaled without putting words in people's mouths. It also wouldn't be official scoring, but a better way to stimulate criticism and discussion. So I think the polls, etc are still the best way of deciding winners, because you should win by the number of people who enjoy your work, while a Judge's vote is worth more. If we do pairings then everyone can just PM which out of each pair they prefer. If not then just PM their top 3 (in order), or whatever. The problem however isn't how you decide a winner, but how you avoid some grabing all the attention (and consistently all the votes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberGruber Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 I've no real argument with that, save that I don't see that the marking element (as opposed to the breakdown into sections) contributes much. you should win by the number of people who enjoy your work, while a Judge's vote is worth more Absolutey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberGruber Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 UberGruber The Morning After A minor point but the title of my story is Morning After, not The Morning After. It only matters in terms of what I see as the 'bigger picture', which is not something that I think could be reasonably deduced from the story anyway, and because it has a slightly better ring to my ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 I posted this last night, then realised today I hadn't mentioned it in here! So here's my efforts: http://www.wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?32171-Iron-Quill-Preliminary-round-The-First-Move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 dammit, why didn't i think of monkeys.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistercactus Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'd really like to support this effort. Don't really write, but do read a fair bit (frequently out loud). Don't wish to step on any toes here, but I'm happy to put out an offer that the winning entry for each round be made into an audiostory on The Aethervox podcast, assuming that all of the organizers/participants agree. I'd also like to point out that I always need new material, so this offer is hardly selfless on my part... What do people think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePandaDirector Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'd really like to support this effort. Don't really write, but do read a fair bit (frequently out loud). Don't wish to step on any toes here, but I'm happy to put out an offer that the winning entry for each round be made into an audiostory on The Aethervox podcast, assuming that all of the organizers/participants agree. I'd also like to point out that I always need new material, so this offer is hardly selfless on my part... What do people think? Aye to that =] So long as you do the right accents of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberGruber Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 an offer that the winning entry for each round be made into an audiostory on The Aethervox podcast Good idea, methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Actually, I was going to make inquiries along those lines, actually. Chocobo suggested it, just haven't had the time. Thank you very much for the offer, I think it's a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePandaDirector Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 And now I have to fill my next entry with lots of long and foreign words... teehehe.. =D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistercactus Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Aye to that =] So long as you do the right accents of course Entries featuring Cajun accents are, of course, disqualified. Not putting myself through that again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Oo, I might have to do a quick reedit after all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwich Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Just confirming my participation. I need clarification of 1 thing What do you mean by theme? Are we talking the Movie the Hangover? Do you want it a prominent factor of the work? Or do you want it to be referenced continually? I'm not 100% on the intent. Because I'm dyslexic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberGruber Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I think, from looking at the other entries, you really just have to reference both the hangover and the chess piece either literally or metaphorically and the hangover doesn't have to be the defining theme of the story (but it should play some part in the theme). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Über has the idea of it. Welcome to the group, Sandwich! Just want to mention, deadline for entries and editing is coming up next Thursday! The rules for scoring will be changing once I get to a computer and not on an iPod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sholto Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I am off work all next week, so will get to all your entries then. Looking forward to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePandaDirector Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Are we talking the Movie the Hangover? Not now, not ever And can I just take a moment to make a personal plea that you don't include any alcohol in your piece. I'm beginning to form the same attitude to alcohol induced hangovers as I do to shots of trees in student film (long story) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfen Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I missed this thread, but I'd like to throw my hat in the ring. One question: I take part in writing contests on other forums, where the winner calls the next theme. Who will be giving the theme/items for future contests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Sure thing Wulfen! At this point I'll be naming the themes and items. I had wanted to attempt to participate and abdicate role of judge to someone else, but college just smacked me upside the head with why that won't be possible. Perhaps once the contest moves out of the Preliminary Rounds we'll adapt that idea, might be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePandaDirector Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) Well if anyone actually had the choice they'd just choose Pandas as the theme... surely. But maybe if edonil presented the winner with 3 choices then at least they get to have their say without giving themselves an advantage. Edited June 15, 2012 by ThePandaDirector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Oh, I like that idea. (pilfered) We'll go with that, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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