Let's Refresh the Writing Contest!

[Nora]

I feel the biggest issue when it comes to the 3 months topics is that we're getting opinions so far from people who have submitted during that time... what we need is the reasons for all the people who didn't submit anything, to ask if knowing the topic way in advance was discouraging or what?

IMO if a topic sucks, I'll not work on it, no matter how many months advance I had. If August was fanfic, discovering that on the 1st of August or the 1st of June would change nothing, I would still not enter it.

So we should ask usual regulars... see what's keeping them away. Though, of course, it could simply have to do with covid and the many havocs it wreaks on people's lives. It's a tough time to try to establish normalcy. I for one have been almost entirely unable to read any new novel. I've been binging trash manga and manwha online, and re-reading comfort books... or sad ones, but that I know... P&P, Warbreaker, The Sparrow, are my most recent re-reads. Yet I have a proof of NK Jemisin's newest book and other exciting things at my disposal but I find myself almost incapable of paying attention to them.
I have friends who've been writing like crazy and friends who found themselves incapable of writing a single line. I think stress works differently on all of us.

[ScarletBea]

So we should ask usual regulars... see what's keeping them away.

We would LOVE to know!

[cupiscent]

So we should ask usual regulars... see what's keeping them away.

We would LOVE to know!

Don't look at me, I don't write short fiction unless it's fanfic.

[Nora]

So we should ask usual regulars... see what's keeping them away.

We would LOVE to know!

Don't look at me, I don't write short fiction unless it's fanfic.

[ScarletBea]

Any more comments?

And Nora, we haven't have Fanfic Feb for a couple of years now, hehe

[xiagan]

And Nora, we haven't have Fanfic Feb for a couple of years now, hehe

The trauma sits deep.

[Elfy]

I think I did the contest for 12 months straight and by the end of it, I had kind of burned myself out coming up with something new, different each month as well as working on my 2 longer form novels. Now I just enjoy writing them.

[Caith]

I thought the three month look ahead worked well, as it gives a chance to pick what you fancy having a go at and have time to think about it. The 2000 word count is fine by me, as I usually work to under that limit on short stuff, as its a good count for fitting submission requirements. No objection from me with upping the count if folk prefer. The three weeking voting is fine.  I've no problem with the item 2 proposal, though maybe the theme picker should be out of the running for winning the theme they choose, in the interests of avoiding unfair advantage.

Just a suggestion, but how about occasionally, maybe each once a year, switching from the monthly comp to something a bit longer? For example,  a four or  six month duration comp aimed at producing more polished work?

[Nora]

Ahaha, Caith, I think if we forbid the people to write on the month they pick the theme, we're turning this prize into a punishment. I would either pick fanfic each time, or flat out refusing it. If you force me out of a month, no guarantee I'll be back for more. Newbies also need the encouragement, and the boost in ego and confidence that winning your first month provides would be totally crushed by not getting to write the next month as they pick a well loved theme.

Besides, I think the worry is rather pointless. We all love scifi and fantasy. Plenty of the themes worked great for everyone. I've had some months where I was super inspired, loved my own story, and was a bit miffed not winning, but others did love it too and got it better than I did.
On the other hand winning the smut month was... unexpected and not my proudest achievement.

I genuinely think that banning anyone from the contest is a bad idea.

Also not sure about a 6 months long thing... I mean, I'd not enter it. It's really hard to keep tabs on monthly shor stories besides a long one, and it's not like we could stop the monthly while a multi-month one goes on. I mean, nothing stops you from setting out up as an exercise with interested people. But if we stopped the monthly for 4 or 6 month, any newbie waltzing in would not be able to join easily and it would completely defeat the point of attracting new participants.

[Magnus Hedén]

I might have written something for the track marks theme, only it was first one meaning I only had a month -- which isn't enough for me. I take a month to conceptualise an idea, for crying out loud!  The other two just didn't strike any sparks for me.

Anyway, seeing the subjects longer ahead increases the chance I'll participate. Still no guarantees though, as it's entirely down to if an idea springs to mind.

[eclipse]

Could you have a monthly contest and a longer timed contest running jointly ?

The longer timed contest could have a fanfic theme 

[ScarletBea]

I'm not that keen on a longer period contest, it's too difficult to maintain on a limited number of members...
Of course that doesn't stop anyone from writing a piece and putting it out there for our evaluation.

I think @xiagan and I will think about the next 3 months ourselves, then, check again next time.

[JMack]

I’m almost shy of offering opinions considering I’ve been on hiatus.
But, well, toothpicks. Here they are:

Stick with 2,000. It gives that bit more space to breathe and costs little to our readers.
Let’s try the three topics one more time.
I already know my proposed story topic, so I’m all for having power.

Spoiler for Hiden:

A knight at night.

I’m willing to front a $25 prize for three months of the year. If we find four others so willing, then we can offer this as an attraction.

And now, I’m heading off to the contest thread to see what the September topic is!

[JMack]

I'm not that keen on a longer period contest, it's too difficult to maintain on a limited number of members...
Of course that doesn't stop anyone from writing a piece and putting it out there for our evaluation.

I think @xiagan and I will think about the next 3 months ourselves, then, check again next time.

See my idea! It’s a good one!

Spoiler for Hiden:

And I almost added: extra points for a pun-filled rhyming scheme. “Trusty knight” with musty, rusty, crusty, busty...

[Lady Ty]

I’m almost shy of offering opinions considering I’ve been on hiatus.
I’m willing to front a $25 prize for three months of the year. If we find four others so willing, then we can offer this as an attraction.

And now, I’m heading off to the contest thread to see what the September topic is!

@JMack that is a very generous offer and a reward for our writers is a good idea. I do have reservations  on a monthly monetary prize when we now have far fewer entrants than in the past when frequently over fifteen  but now often less than ten.

I am also uncomfortable that it just could change the spirit of the contest we have now, perhaps making it more competitive. I  am not sure that I would feel the same way about voting because I have favourite types of style and content which is fine and evens out, but as soon as money is involved that is a new consideration every single month.We did try and change it more to Club than Contest at one time for very good reason.

 I will offer an alternative suggestion for an annual prize  to be based on as many Forum regulars as possible being encouraged to vote on the year's  winners  ie all twelve  of the monthly winners. This way all our faithful writers who bother to contribute month after month get more encouragement to keep entering and everyone is already a winner but now we are voting for Champion Winner.

Then at say December or January, we can have the grand vote and award a  money prize.

What do you all think ?

 Jmack if this idea is adopted will be happy to contribute to this and chat separately w you, and w @ScarletBea and @xiagan on sorting a suitable prize.