Trying to encourage better writing is always a good thing, and this is
certainly a novel approach, but....
Leaving aside the question of how valuable free web space is as a prize
when it's generally available elsewhere... the assumption here seems to
be that people aren't doing their best work simply because they aren't
motivated, that they'll see this contest and think "I know I write junk
most of the time, but because this contest is offering free web space, I
guess I could shape up just this once." If fanfic writers weren't
motiviated, why would they bother to write fanfic in the first place?
I think that most of us would like to be writing better stuff than they
are now. If I may make a modest suggestion here, what would encourage
quality entries to your contest more than offering free web space to one
winner would be to offer detailed reviews of all entries. Tell
applicants why their fics did or didn't meet the criteria you were
looking for, and what they might do to improve on them.
Gary
Most days, the FFML produces a hundred or so messages. Of them, maybe 25
are works of fiction. On a good day. Of those, as many as half are
one-shot scenes, the discarded silly jokes and incomplete ideas. If I'm
lucky perhaps one or two are gems, chapters in a series I've been following
eagerly, a new work from an author I already respect, or most rare, a work
by a new author who shows extreme promise.
>From one perspective, it's a great thing to find a work of fine quality
fiction in my mail every day or two. On the other hand, it can be
frustrating to wade through several hundred messages to get to those
diamonds in the rough.
So in an effort to promote a higher quality in fan-fiction, I'm proud to
announce:
The First Annual
TheKeep.Org Fan-fiction Contest
run by DaR
The singular prize is an account on thekeep.org's system: email, web space,
shell access, the works.
That's right, the one and only prize.
No cash.
No consolation Rice-a-Roni, Faberware sets, or other lovely parting gifts.
If I feel motivated by the general level of entries, I may also produce a
full Honorable Mention list.
Now, the rules:
1) Contest Duration.
The Contest will run from the posting of this message until 12:01am GMT,
March 1st, 2000. Entries posted after the deadline will be summarily
ignored.
2) Contestant Eligibility
2a) Entries may not be written by current thekeep.org account holders, as
their winning defeats the purpose of the contest in several ways.
2b) Any eligible author may enter more than one work.
3) Work Eligibility
3a) Entries must be anime fan-fiction. While original anime-flavor works
and fanfic based on other sources is all well and good, they're not what
this contest is promoting.
3b) Entries must be prose fiction. Scripts, MST3K-style parodies, songs,
and verse all take talent to write, but not the same sorts as prose.
3c) Entries must be posted to the FFML with the tags [Fic][TKOContest] and
an appropriate series tag, such as [Ranma] or [EVA]. Direct submissions to
me will not be considered, nor will entries without the appropriate tags.
3d) Entries should be newly written, not simply reposts of previously posted
works. They may be stand alone or parts of series, however, in the latter
case they should include directions at the top for how to locate previous
parts.
3e) Entries should be polished final drafts, not works in progress. If a
work is later significantly revised, reposting is acceptable, as long as a
note appears at the top of the work stating that the post is an update of
an existing entry.
4) Judging Criteria
4a) Technical Merit. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary and other basic writing
skills will be considered, along with posting presentation. Works posted
as non-text attachments, filled with smart-quotes or other strange
characters, lacking line-breaks, poorly formatted, or otherwise mangled
will be assessed at minimum a moderate penalty. If it can't be easily
read, it's probably not worth doing so.
4b) Storytelling. This is not just plot or characterization, but pacing,
timing, convincing and engaging dialogue, and the ability to grab the
attention of the reader and hold it throughout the story.
4c) Artistry. In particular the ability to evoke emotions, both in
sympathy with the characters and the story events, and about the story
itself. Shock, horror, humor, passion, drama, and everything between is
perfectly fair game.
4d) Canon. Canon is *not* a significant criteria in and of itself.
However, if a work presents a character or story significantly altered from
the source, appropriate backstory should exist within the work. Without
this backstory the work simply becomes technically inaccurate and will
likely be penalized accordingly.
5) The Judge. There is but one judge, whose opinion is arbitrary, decisive
and final, and that is me (DaR). There is no committee, no voting, and no
appeals for recount.
6) Non-winners. Should no entries of note be posted by the contest
deadline, I reserve to the right to declare the contest an absolute,
unmitigated failure and select no winner. I hope dearly that on a list
with 1200+ subscribers, *someone* will be able to produce an entry worthy
of note.
Guidelines for writing possible winning entries:
While particularly short works (under 2000 words or so) could win, one joke
"spamfics" certainly will not. Epics are also likely at a disadvantage,
unless of a consistently high quality and capable of holding attention for
extended periods of time.
Lemon (explicit sexual scenes), lime (sexual implication or innuendo), and
other "mature" topics (general sexuality or homosexuality, religion,
violence and death are all examples of such) are perfectly acceptable. In
fact, writing a work that both features a mature theme and is well crafted
will almost certainly result in being considered for the final winner. All
too often works with these themes rely on the shock and titillation factor
to be noticed, rather than true craftsmanship.
Crossovers aren't necessarily bad, though they should have a point, a
logical reason for the crossover and should result in a compelling story,
lest they fall into the category of one-joke wonders. As a hint, fusions
are more likely to succeed, especially if done well. Even author
self-insertion (reality crossovers) can do well, assuming that the
resulting story is good.
No particular writing genre (humor, drama, mystery, romance, etc) is
favored, though an initial slight series/anime genre bias does exist.
However even a moderately well written entry will easily overcome any
negative initial reaction.
Do not necessarily assume the reader knows any particular series. However,
don't use this as an excuse to simply retell an existing anime story, nor
is it necessary to club the reader over the head with all the minute trivia
in an attempt to establish background. The contest is trying to promote
fiction writing, not summarization skills.
Similarly to the above, writing in a lesser known series is more likely to
catch a reader's attention than those series which have been... more
thoroughly explored.
Take excessive pride and care in crafting works. This contest is meant to
promote well written ideas, not just good ideas in general. By the same
token, be creative. Even the best prose in the world can not make up for a
boring story.
Start the story strong. If it takes fourty pages for a story to get going,
most readers won't bother to read it. There's a reason most Hollywood
films start with a critical and important scene. It doesn't have to be
action, but any sort of hook to grab the reader's curiosity and attention.
End the story strong. A good beginning will cause a reader to continue,
but what they remember when they walk away is usually the ending.
It doesn't matter if this is your hundredth major work in an award-littered
career, or the first piece of fan-fiction you've ever written, if it's well
crafted, an entry will be considered for final selection. Don't be
discouraged because someone you might hold in awe has submitted an entry.
As the sole judge, I'm the only one you have to impress.
Good Luck and Happy Writing.
-DaR
