An idea for the next T.T. story contest

[FeatherDaemon1]

An imposed structure can be a spur to creativity rather than a hinderance. There have been times when I hated having to write within an imposed structure, but it really is Good For You. It's a challenge, in the good sense of the word, a point of departure. It's something the writer can push off of, or climb up on, rather than thrashing around and not getting anywhere.

The trick, I think, at least for this contest is to have a theme that's sufficiently broad and abstract as to cut across genres. For example "Woman Warrior" - that's a theme that can be used in a fantasy, modern-day, or science fiction setting; in a romantic story, in a horror story, in an interrogation story... The woman warrior in the story could turn out to be the ler, or the lee, or both. Or neither - "the amazon warrior goes to rescue the captive prince from the evil countess who is tickle-tormenting him. Only... he doesn't want to be rescued." That much detail would be too much for this story contest's theme, but it is one of the many concepts that could spring from a simple theme of "Woman Warrior."

So put me down in favor of having a theme for the next contest. I don't think it will stifle creativity and I don't think it will reduce the numbers of entries.

I see Mistress Valerie's point that we don't want to constrict the possible pool of entrants. I don't feel however that such a guideline would drive people away, unless like we talked about earlier that the theme is too thin in scope.

I do agree with Rick that more publicity is needed to spur on support for the contest. I've been periodically coming to this site for years. I never knew about the first story contest. Many people can only browse this site when their schedules allow. It's only now that I've been here on a more regular basis that I am more aware of the inside-baseball here.

Getting back to a possible theme I believe that a theme would probably engender more writers to come forward. It's easier to think of a good story when when the subject is already presented. Sable brings up a good point that every subject has a wide variety of possibilities inherent in it.

I would like to bring up the old adage which I hear often and that is 'past performance is not indicative of future results'. Just because there were only 7 entries last time doesn't mean that more won't join in for a second. I didn't submit a story in the first contest.

Perhaps one of our artist friends could design a banner for us and stick it into the rotation in the header. That would certainly raise the awareness for the contest.

 

[MistressValerie1]

I can see the merit of trying a broad theme for one contest to see how many entries we receive. Ideally we would have some input from probable contestants about what kind of theme they would like. A themed contest need not preclude an open contest later in the year.

The only thing I would change is to make the entries anonymous (for example, for every writer to send their story to the referee, who then posts all the competition entries when the comp. opens), so that the readers actually vote for a story and not for the man who wrote it. That way, neither writer would have the upper hand of popularity. The name of the winner would be declared after the voting is closed.

I like this idea a lot. It would also have the advantage of making it harder to lobby for votes, a practice which some have questioned. Entries could be numbered based on the date received, with the identity of the winner revealed after the end of the polling. (We could do the same thing with art contests, provided that a moderator with a faster connection than mine could handle the uploading duties.)

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

I can see the merit of trying a broad theme for one contest to see how many entries we receive. Ideally we would have some input from probable contestants about what kind of theme they would like. A themed contest need not preclude an open contest later in the year.



I like this idea a lot. It would also have the advantage of making it harder to lobby for votes, a practice which some have questioned. Entries could be numbered based on the date received, with the identity of the winner revealed after the end of the polling. (We could do the same thing with art contests, provided that a moderator with a faster connection than mine could handle the uploading duties.)

Whether or not a theme is chosen is OK with me. I'll submit a story anyway. However I really like this anonymous submission idea as well. No lobbying, no baggage, no guilt trips or cronyism are all good things.

 

[Duke Diablo]

I can see the merit of trying a broad theme for one contest to see how many entries we receive. Ideally we would have some input from probable contestants about what kind of theme they would like. A themed contest need not preclude an open contest later in the year.



I like this idea a lot. It would also have the advantage of making it harder to lobby for votes, a practice which some have questioned. Entries could be numbered based on the date received, with the identity of the winner revealed after the end of the polling. (We could do the same thing with art contests, provided that a moderator with a faster connection than mine could handle the uploading duties.)

To be honest, I am against the idea of a themed contest, though I will probably submit a story one way or another. I gave my reasons above, I just work better when my imagination is completely free. But, no matter that, I said I will compete anyways, and I shall do accordingly.

As for the lobbying part, it will still be impossible to root out the possible cheating (after all, a writer can let people know which story is his outside of the forum, but that can't be prevented). What inspired my idea is the fact that, when I IMed with people about the contest, some have already promised me their votes. Even though I'm sure their intentions were best, I can't accept the fact that somebody would vote for a story simply because I wrote it. Or because somebody else wrote it. This is a story competition, not writer popularity competition, as was stated above.

Now, for the useful part of the post: When will the competition start? And, since it will probably be themed, I am to assume that stories posted prior to the start of competition are excluded?

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

My suggestion on a theme would a straight up or down vote on whether or not we want to have one. I think that all sides have made fitting arguments. A link of this thread could be posted directing people to see the sides in the matter.

Although whatever options brings more people in to the contest should be the way. I suppose when people vote they could be asked to comment asking them directly if a theme or lack of theme is non-negotiable to them.

As for all other aspects of the contest that should be left up to the will and pleasure of the TT staff.

 

[MistressValerie1]

Now, for the useful part of the post: When will the competition start? And, since it will probably be themed, I am to assume that stories posted prior to the start of competition are excluded?

It probably won't start until at least March 1, and for the answer to your second question, see below ...

My suggestion on a theme would a straight up or down vote on whether or not we want to have one. I think that all sides have made fitting arguments. A link of this thread could be posted directing people to see the sides in the matter.

This sounds like a good idea to me. I'll try to come up with a carefully worded poll some time this week.