Discovery short story competition - discuss

[jammi]

I am curious as to why the "theme" restriction is in place. A 5,000 word piece on a Freelancer related concept should be enough to spark interest. Creating a theme as for example "The first Nomad War and the fighting between Kusari and Rheinland" might appeal to a lessor number of writers than an open theme and word limit only. A good measure of a writers creativity is in selection of a theme for his/her piece. Why would you remove that?

Logan

The theme will be broad enough to apply to the vast majority / all characters, so no-one will be excluded. The word limit will probably be a little lower than that, in hindsight. We'll let everyone know when the competition officially begins.

The purpose of assigning a theme would be to stop people cheating by pre-emptively writing a story and submitting it on day one. The entire point is to have a story written within the month on a time limit.

An example on themes:

Betrayal - this could pretty much apply to anything. You're a transport captain who returns home from a long voyage away, and discovers your wife has had an affair. You're a pirate who's turned in by his comrades and becomes a Bounty Hunter to get revenge. You're a spy working in an enemy House, when a leak reveals your identity and you must battle to save yourself and find the mole.

There's all sorts of stuff you could go with. I'm sure you'll be fine with any theme we provide, so long as you can use your imagination.

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[MartoGuy]

I am curious as to why the "theme" restriction is in place. A 5,000 word piece on a Freelancer related concept should be enough to spark interest. Creating a theme as for example "The first Nomad War and the fighting between Kusari and Rheinland" might appeal to a lessor number of writers than an open theme and word limit only. A good measure of a writers creativity is in selection of a theme for his/her piece. Why would you remove that?

Logan

I don't think it will be so close restricted. You are right, if it is a very restricted topic, the less people are going to write about it. But as someone else in this thread pointed, if there isn't a topic, anyone can just dig up some of his old stories, put on a little make up here and there, and is already ahead of the competition. The topics should be very open, if you ask me. Like: "Horror","Pirates" or "Adventure", you could easily house more types of stories in these categories, and have a more free reign on the actual content then on something very specific like you pointed out.

EDIT: Ninja'd

[Challenger]

Like the idea of a theme. Like the idea of a 5k word limit. Love the tsunami of positive responses.

If you're looking for an in-game prize, why not some kind of rare RP cargo? As I recall, things like 'secret plans' have been given out in the past. Such a prize would seem wholly appropriate given the nature of the competition.

[Strichev]

A thousand times yes! It's an excellent thing to have someone whose English is better "help" you with grammar and style. There is plenty to learn.

There shouldn't be an in-game prize, people should write those stories because they find fun in it.

Oh, and the theme thing is a must.

[Stoat]

About time another writing competition was organised! Good call Jammi. The theme restriction adds an interesting element too. I'll have to see if I'm feeling inspired when the time comes around. Would be a nice boost to my morale to put my mind to something other than the crap that's going on in real life right about now.

Previous prize, at least for mwerte's competition, was an RP cargo and some credits I think it was.

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My Stories

[Valhalla Sr.]

i really dig this. When can we expect something like this to happen?

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[Geodin]

Yes, when does the contest start?

[Gypsie]

This is awesome. Just. Awesome.

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Malaclypse Freeport

[Duvelske]

TThe general idea would be to give people a month to write a short story (of no more than 5,000 words) which would have to be written and completed during that time.

Only a 5000 words? Might bring me if i really want to write something like halfway. (sometimes too much on details) Also it would be nice indeed it would promote RP in the end also more on the forums. And might result also more ingame. I recently bought something for another RP story so for the goodies i won't need it. Doh some admin cannons would be nice (at least with also everything full red and chasing you around..) I would say come get some. (or come and gank me)

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[Lythrilux]

I really hope the theme has something to do with love, because I have some really good ideas about what to write for fifty sabres of grey :3.

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