Return-Path: Received: from elmls01.ce.mediaone.net ([24.131.128.25]) by elmls03.ce.mediaone.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.1) with ESMTP id FOY1VS00.C6Y for ; Wed, 26 Jan 2000 07:09:28 -0600 Received: from el01-24-131-159-228.ce.mediaone.net ( el01-24-131-159-228.ce.mediaone.net [24.131.159.228]) by elmls01.ce.mediaone.net (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id HAA14883 for ; Wed, 26 Jan 2000 07:12:28 -0600 (CST) From: "Gary Kleppe" To: kleppe@elmls01.ce.mediaone.net Subject: [FFML] [Announce][Meta][TKOContest] A new contest begins... Now. Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 07:11:38 -0600 Message-ID: X-Mailer: Forte Agent 1.6/32.525 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Return-Path: Received: from elmls01.ce.mediaone.net ([24.131.128.25]) by elmls03.ce.mediaone.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.1) with ESMTP id FOXGKT00.EN8; Tue, 25 Jan 2000 23:29:17 -0600 Received: from chmls04.mediaone.net (chmls04.mediaone.net [24.128.1.114] ) by elmls01.ce.mediaone.net (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id XAA07337; Tue, 25 Jan 2000 23:31:07 -0600 (CST) Received: from ffml.fanfic.com (ffml.fanfic.com [205.161.105.205]) by chmls04.mediaone.net (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id AAA00015; Wed, 26 Jan 2000 00:28:30 -0500 (EST) Received: from ffml.fanfic.com (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by ffml.fanfic.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6D2D51EF15; Wed, 26 Jan 2000 00:27:19 -0500 (EST) Received: with LISTAR (v0.128a; list ffml); Wed, 26 Jan 2000 00:26:58 -0500 (EST) Delivered-To: ffml@fanfic.com Received: from phantasm.thekeep.org (PHANTASM.ANDREW.CMU.EDU [128.2.122.218]) by ffml.fanfic.com (Postfix) with SMTP id 595C71EE16 for ; Wed, 26 Jan 2000 00:26:58 -0500 (EST) Received: (qmail 4096 invoked by uid 100); 26 Jan 2000 05:26:57 -0000 Message-ID: <20000126052657.4095.qmail@phantasm.thekeep.org> To: ffml@fanfic.com From: dar-ffml@thekeep.org Subject: [FFML] [Announce][Meta][TKOContest] A new contest begins... Now. Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 00:26:57 -0500 X-archive-position: 5939 X-listar-version: Listar v0.128a X-original-sender: dar-ffml@thekeep.org Precedence: bulk X-list: ffml Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 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 -- dar-spam@thekeep.org - Dan Root -- .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List---. | Administrators - ffml-admins@fanfic.com | | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@fanfic.com | | Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject | `---http://www.fanfic.com/FFML-FAQ.txt ---'