PDA

View Full Version : FUN! Contest! Win a PRIZE!



Linx
December 16th, 2004, 12:32 PM
See bottom of this post for Contest Image!

Linx’s End of the Year Contest
Please read carefully…

I used to run contests and games for prizes all the time on another forum I hosted. I have been missing some of that fun lately. However, I am putting an end to that. This will be my first actual contest here on MW. I hope it to be the first of many. This is just a thread to sign up and ask questions. I am under the impression from Mol, that it is ok for me to post this in Just Talk for the Traffic. Please leave it here. :)

Now on to the contest!

This is going to be a writing contest of sorts. A creation story if you will. The idea is to write a story based on an image I present to you. The image will be one of my paintings. I am not going to tell you anything about the painting except for the title. You will then, from your own imagination create a story of how the painting came to be. I want to know details, and information leading up to the scene you will see. You can be as creative as you want. You just focus on the painting. You will give the person/thing a name, you will tell the history. What luck or harm befell them to bring them to the scene in the painting. And finally what is happening to them in the painting. How does the story end? Think of the painting as an image in the end of a storybook. The only limit on the story is that it must be 2500 words or less. :)

---Edited to add on 12-17-04: When writing your stories please follow these guidelines from the MPA (motion picture association) website. This is a PG13 forum, and the stories must fit within them.


A PG-13 film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents, but does not quite fit within the restricted R category. Any drug use content will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. In effect, the PG-13 cautions parents with more stringency than usual to give special attention to this film before they allow their 12-year olds and younger to attend.

If nudity is sexually oriented, the film will generally not be found in the PG-13 category. If violence is too rough or persistent, the film goes into the R (restricted) rating. A film's single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, shall initially require the Rating Board to issue that film at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive must lead the Rating Board to issue a film an R rating, as must even one of these words used in a sexual context. These films can be rated less severely, however, if by a special vote, the Rating Board feels that a lesser rating would more responsibly reflect the opinion of American parents.

PG-13 places larger responsibilities on parents for their children's moviegoing. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. It cannot, and should not, insert itself in family decisions that only parents can, and should, make. Its purpose is to give prescreening advance informational warnings, so that parents can form their own judgments. PG-13 is designed to make these parental decisions easier for films between PG and R.

You do not get to see the painting/scene until sign ups close. You will not be allowed to post your own story to the board. I will ask that all stories be PM’d to me here at MW. This is so that no one gets any sneak peeks of anyone’s story. After the deadline I will then create a poll thread, and post all stories along with the scene/painting in the thread. I will not post the author’s names of the stories until the poll has closed. No one will know who wrote which story, until the poll has closed. Your fellow members here at MW will select the winner. The story with the most votes will win. :)

So, I mentioned a prize…

Yes I did… The prize for this game will be a one of a kind blank wooden book of shadows made by your’s truly! These books are of exceptional quality and will last forever. You will get to select from any design on my site, or select to have something scrolled onto it in text. You will also get to select the type of finish that you want (also off my site). The book will come with 200 unlined pages. The value of this book depending on what you select to have placed on it, could be as much as $75.00. If you are the winner, it will be all yours for FREE. :)

So… Who’s willing to take a chance and have the opportunity to win a wonderful prize? Sign up here! Deadline to sign up is Friday, Dec 24th at midnight. ---Edited to add on 12-17-04: You may not sign up after the deadline, and you may not participate if you are not on the sign up list. The reason for this is simple. Everyone is going into this contest *blind*. No one will know what they are going to be writing about before the others. You may not wait until the image is posted, and think *Hey, I can write about that.* and then enter. You must sign up blind as everyone else. :)

---Edited to add on 12-25-04: Sign-ups are officially closed. If your not on the list, you may not participate.


**This post will be edited to reflect the names of those who have signed up. It will also be edited with the scene/painting image when the contest begins. Guidelines or additional information may be added as well. Please Check this post often. :)

Those who have signed up:

Dashifen
Avalon
Amethyst Rose
Lady Jade
Unorthodox
Pilot
Brielle LaLune
Lady Trinity
HDS
Goddess Rhiannon
Rua
Black RiverWolf
Feyfaerie
Darakash
Myzttycal
Isil Darkmoon
BrigidMoon
Sincerebliss
halfwaynowhere
Aurin
Danuka
Luminessence
Marishae
Lilith79
Moonfire Shadowfox
Infinite Grey
Smile
Shaman Feather
Pagan Taoist
Bran Iolair
-Sky-
~*FloraCove*~
bshore
Viviene
Kadynas
Verthandi
Windigo
KimberSly
LadyWillowHawk
Nevermore 2008
aynjelah
Milliscent
elfmage
Miss Edith
TWILIGHTSKY
Samalander
Wulf Stormhand
Moria636
LunaLena162
chaotic tranquility
PeleRising
lilromantyc
asamananara
Branwyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the image on which you will base your story. The title is *Ascension*.

You have until January 10th at 12 noon EST to submit your stories to me VIA PM. That is 2 Weeks & 1 days time. Have fun & good luck!

Dashifen
December 16th, 2004, 12:43 PM
sounds interesting .... count me in :)

Avalon
December 16th, 2004, 12:47 PM
Count me in as well. This sounds very interesting. :smile:

Amethyst Rose
December 16th, 2004, 12:50 PM
Count me in! That's too good of a prize to pass up. :)

Dashifen
December 16th, 2004, 12:50 PM
D'oh! For 5 minutes I was definately gonna win.

Any specific rules on the story? Must it be prose? Could it be a poem? How about a script with stage direction? Libretto with accompanying symphony?

Okay, I can't do that last one. :spinner:

Linx
December 16th, 2004, 12:52 PM
Just a short story... :) No poems please.

Lady Jade
December 16th, 2004, 12:55 PM
I'll play.

Unorthodox
December 16th, 2004, 01:00 PM
I'm in.

Pilot
December 16th, 2004, 01:30 PM
You have my John Hancock!

Brielle LaLune
December 16th, 2004, 01:39 PM
Sounds like fun! I'd love to give it a try!

LadyTrinity
December 16th, 2004, 02:12 PM
Im in! :bigblue:

Linx
December 16th, 2004, 03:38 PM
Bump!

:T

HDS
December 16th, 2004, 03:40 PM
I'm in

Goddess Rhiannon
December 16th, 2004, 03:44 PM
add me please

Rua
December 16th, 2004, 03:45 PM
Cool, I used to do something like this in my writing class. Its a lot of fun and i am definitly in! Great idea Linx :boing:

Black RiverWolf
December 16th, 2004, 04:05 PM
oh oh me me

Feyfaerie
December 16th, 2004, 04:35 PM
..hands in the air.. PICK ME!! pick me!
I would love to be in on this! :bouncybob

Dashifen
December 16th, 2004, 04:41 PM
hrm ... mucho competition-o .... time to call my friends in the "Family"


*dials*
Hello? Tony Soporano? Hi ....

:alol:

_firedevil

Darakash
December 16th, 2004, 04:44 PM
Sign me up! what a great idea!
dk

Myzttycal
December 16th, 2004, 05:05 PM
Oh, this sounds fun! Count me in!!
Myzty

Isil Darkmoon
December 16th, 2004, 05:10 PM
Me me me! I want to play!

BrigidMoon
December 16th, 2004, 05:11 PM
I try to take a stab at it :)

sincerebliss
December 16th, 2004, 05:39 PM
Hey, I'll try if I have some extra time!

halfwaynowhere
December 16th, 2004, 05:42 PM
sounds like a challenge! count me in!

Aurin
December 16th, 2004, 06:00 PM
Ooh, sounds interesting - Count me in =D

Danuko
December 16th, 2004, 06:05 PM
Count me in too!

Luminessence
December 16th, 2004, 10:10 PM
Count me in :)

Marishae
December 16th, 2004, 10:28 PM
Hmmm... this looks interesting... and your books are absolutely gorgeous! I think I'm in... I have one question though... how long will we have to complete the story and when will the object be displayed to start the contest? Hmmm guess that was more than one question... lol Oh well... no one ever said I was a math whiz! lol =)

~Marishae~

Lilith79
December 16th, 2004, 10:56 PM
Sign me up!

Linx
December 16th, 2004, 11:54 PM
Hmmm... this looks interesting... and your books are absolutely gorgeous! I think I'm in... I have one question though... how long will we have to complete the story and when will the object be displayed to start the contest? Hmmm guess that was more than one question... lol Oh well... no one ever said I was a math whiz! lol =)

~Marishae~
The image will be displayed in this thread the day after Xmas. You will then have 2 weeks from that time to complete and submit your story :)

Marishae
December 16th, 2004, 11:58 PM
The image will be displayed in this thread the day after Xmas. You will then have 2 weeks from that time to complete and submit your story :)
Cool beans! I'm looking forward to it! =) Thanks! =)

~Marishae~

Moonfire Shadowfox
December 17th, 2004, 12:03 AM
Count me in

Infinite Grey
December 17th, 2004, 12:29 AM
I'm in!!! Though I doubt I'll win, but it will be fun all the same... ummm I'm guessing the story will be restricted to pg13+ ?

Linx
December 17th, 2004, 12:48 AM
I'm in!!! Though I doubt I'll win, but it will be fun all the same... ummm I'm guessing the story will be restricted to pg13+ ?
Of Course! :)

Infinite Grey
December 17th, 2004, 01:05 AM
Darn :wtf:there goes the grotesque sex scene I had planned.

Smile
December 17th, 2004, 01:31 AM
*nervisly raises hand* I wanna try...cant say it will be good, but it will give me something to do and it will be fun. I need something to keep my mind buissy.

ShamanFeather
December 17th, 2004, 01:59 AM
I'd like to join in

Pagan Taoist
December 17th, 2004, 03:01 AM
Oooo add me to the list please!!!! PLEASE!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!

SilverClaw
December 17th, 2004, 06:04 AM
Oh good just when I have a creative bug happening lol ! Please add me to the list.

-Sky-
December 17th, 2004, 08:31 AM
I'm in too!It was about time I wrote a story and short stories are my favourite.
I have some questions.
-Does anyone know how many pages are 2500 words?
-I didn't quite understand what should we write.So Linx you will give us one of your paintings and we will have to write a story about how you painted it or a story about the persons/things in the painting?

Blessings,
~Anna

~*Ginger*~
December 17th, 2004, 08:43 AM
Sounds like fun!
I'm in!
:hahugh:

bshore
December 17th, 2004, 11:30 AM
Woo Hoo!!! Something I can participate in that won't cost me money!!! I'm a little rusty when it comes to writing, but I'll give it a shot.

Count me in.

Pilot
December 17th, 2004, 11:47 AM
Seems like fun, plus there's a prize!!!

Linx
December 17th, 2004, 03:44 PM
I'm in too!It was about time I wrote a story and short stories are my favourite.
I have some questions.
-Does anyone know how many pages are 2500 words?
-I didn't quite understand what should we write.So Linx you will give us one of your paintings and we will have to write a story about how you painted it or a story about the persons/things in the painting?

Blessings,
~Anna
2500 words will probably get you 3-5 pages or so depending on how your paragraphs are structured. Heck maybe more, I am just guessing. For reference, the first post of this thread without the names of those signed up, is 567. So basically you get almost 5x that.

And you will be writing a story that you feel fits the painting. Use the painting as a guide for your ending. The painting is how the story ends. What happened before the scene in the painting. How did the scene come to be? How does the story unfold? Does that help any? :)

Infinite Grey
December 17th, 2004, 03:50 PM
When is the cut off date? When can we get the gears turning and the brain steam pumping? http://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies/taptap.gif

Linx
December 17th, 2004, 04:11 PM
The cut off for sign-ups is the 24th at midnight... UNLESS this thread has no sign-ups for say about 3 consecutive days. Then I may assume that everyone who is interested has signed up.

With the 24th being the cut off date, the image will be posted on the 26th, as on the 25th, I will most likely be too busy to think of it. :) The deadline for the stories to be Pm'd to me will be two weeks from the posting of the image.

If I decide to close sign-ups early due to no one else signing up... The image will be posted the following day. The 2 week rule will still be in effect from the date the image is posted. :)

Infinite Grey
December 17th, 2004, 04:25 PM
Would it be a breach of teh rules to ask what the genre will be? Fantasy, Real World, War, Horror, Christmas, Childrens, Thriller, Political, SC/FI?

Linx
December 17th, 2004, 04:43 PM
Yep. It would. Muahaha... you are to be blind my pet. Blind! BLIND!

Really... all that will depend on your perception of the image your shown :)

Infinite Grey
December 17th, 2004, 04:52 PM
http://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies2/faintthud.gif

Aurin
December 17th, 2004, 05:04 PM
Quick google found this:

http://javascript.internet.com/forms/word-count.html

copy + paste and Javascript will count your words for you. =)

The High Queen of Faerie
December 17th, 2004, 05:07 PM
i'm signing up :D

Linx
December 17th, 2004, 05:26 PM
Quick google found this:

http://javascript.internet.com/forms/word-count.html

copy + paste and Javascript will count your words for you. =)
Microsoft Word will as well. It is located under TOOLS in the menu.

Also in Word Perfect, you can do the same. When your file is open. Make sure the Perfect Expert is showing on the left. If it is not Click on the snowflake looking button in the tool bar. Then from the perfect expert menu, select edit and proofread. You will then see a word count option. :)

Kadynas
December 17th, 2004, 07:21 PM
Sign me up too! :D

Verthandi
December 17th, 2004, 11:56 PM
oooo, sounds like fun! Count me in!

Windigo
December 18th, 2004, 12:29 AM
Sure, I'll give it a shot _twohorns_

Smiley Girl
December 18th, 2004, 02:24 PM
This sounds like fun! :) Count me in!

LadyWillowHawk
December 18th, 2004, 09:58 PM
:woot: Sounds like a lot of fun.Count me in!
BB
LadyWillow Hawk

nevermore_2008
December 19th, 2004, 12:32 AM
Sure, why not , btw , i got those images to work for the most part !

Xeen
December 19th, 2004, 01:52 AM
oh! i'd love to try to participate! put me on that list and i'll do my best :)

Milliscent
December 19th, 2004, 05:07 AM
sign me up too!

elfmage
December 19th, 2004, 05:28 AM
Sign me up please. :S

Miss Edith
December 19th, 2004, 02:35 PM
I'd love to sign up, please! :)

HDS
December 19th, 2004, 07:53 PM
o_0, just read the update abotu the pg-13 thing..... um actually, i will try my best to stay in that limit, i usually write horror so you can imagine that it wil; NOT be easy


note: :razz: :razz: YOU SUCK, I HATE YOU MFS*up middle finger i show you*

To the MPA, IT IS YOUR FAULT I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE BLADE TRINITY SO I HOPE IF ANY OF YOUR WORKERS ARE READING THIS THEY WILL PASS IT ON :razz: :razz:

TWILIGHTSKY
December 20th, 2004, 04:42 PM
Sounds like fun! Please count me in, too!

samalander
December 20th, 2004, 09:06 PM
Sign me up too. sounds interesting.

Wulf Stormhand
December 20th, 2004, 11:37 PM
Hmmmm, this sounds....fun! Count me in as well! :cheers:

Brightest Blessings,
Wulf Stormhand

moria636
December 21st, 2004, 12:42 AM
oooo fun! count me in :floating:

LunaLena162
December 21st, 2004, 12:47 PM
I'm in.

forest_ranger06
December 21st, 2004, 04:32 PM
I'm in too.

chaotic tranquility
December 21st, 2004, 06:40 PM
count me in

PeleRising
December 21st, 2004, 10:04 PM
Sounds like fun... sign me up too please :bubbles:

lilromantyc
December 22nd, 2004, 11:12 PM
I'd like to take a shot. Sign me up!

Infinite Grey
December 23rd, 2004, 05:39 AM
Deadline to sign up is Friday, Dec 24th at midnight. ---Edited to add on 12-17-04: You may not sign up after the deadline, and you may not participate if you are not on the sign up list.
ummmm what time zone?

asamananara
December 23rd, 2004, 06:37 AM
I'd like to sign up.
I do, however, have a few reservations about how these stories
are going to be fairly represented and judged... as of this
post, 53 people have signed up. If we assume each author will
complete their work within the alloted timeframe and word count,
we're talking about a huge amount of text. Roughly 330 pages
of it. The size of a typical paperback novel.
(53 people @ 2500 words each = 132500 words; a typical paperback
book has 400 words per page, 132500 / 400 = 331.25 pages)
This presents a serious logistical problem.
The judging, if I understand correctly, will be done by all
interested parties via a public poll. Stories will be posted
anonomously. Very few people are going to scroll through 330
pages worth of stories based upon a common theme. Thus,
whichever stories are posted towards the beginning will be reviewed
more often than those towards the end.
What is going to determine story placement?
Also, it is very likely that nearly everyone who is interested
in this contest will also be participating. We can assume that
most authors will vote for their own work, and the remaining
voters will vote for a friend (the names may not be posted,
but that does nothing to prevent the author from promoting
his or her work via PMs). Therefore, we can reasonably expect
a very narrow poll margin. How will you resolve the inevitable
20 way tie?
Just food for thought.

Linx
December 23rd, 2004, 05:43 PM
Infinite Grey... Eastern Time :)


I do, however, have a few reservations about how these stories
are going to be fairly represented and judged... as of this
post, 53 people have signed up. If we assume each author will
complete their work within the alloted timeframe and word count,
we're talking about a huge amount of text. Roughly 330 pages
of it. The size of a typical paperback novel.
(53 people @ 2500 words each = 132500 words; a typical paperback
book has 400 words per page, 132500 / 400 = 331.25 pages)
This presents a serious logistical problem.
The judging, if I understand correctly, will be done by all
interested parties via a public poll. Stories will be posted
anonomously. Very few people are going to scroll through 330
pages worth of stories based upon a common theme. Thus,
whichever stories are posted towards the beginning will be reviewed
more often than those towards the end.
What is going to determine story placement?
Also, it is very likely that nearly everyone who is interested
in this contest will also be participating. We can assume that
most authors will vote for their own work, and the remaining
voters will vote for a friend (the names may not be posted,
but that does nothing to prevent the author from promoting
his or her work via PMs). Therefore, we can reasonably expect
a very narrow poll margin. How will you resolve the inevitable
20 way tie?
Just food for thought.

Here are my thoughts on this... and there are many :)

As for the number of people... yes I see that there have been many who entered. I really never expected to get more than about 20 people. However, I feel it unfair to limit the number of participants now. If I was going to do that, I should have stated it up front, that so anyone who wanted it really bad would have jumped right in, instead of sitting back and contemplating if they had the time or not, only to be left out. I think that having the deadline and making one have to sign up is a good thing. As then no one can see the image, and later decide to jump on the bandwagon, and increase the number of participants even more.

I think 330 pages will be the worst possible outcome. You have to take into consideration that not everyone will use all 2500 words. That some may not follow through. There is always room for those things. And actually if your threads are set at 10 per page, there should only be as of now about 6 LONG pages. I believe the posts will still thread 10 to a page, even if they are lengthy.

I feel that even though there may be a number of pages to read, that they will be read. Gods know I read more than 500 pages on here per week just myself, and I am only able to be on a couple hours a day. I think those with an honest interest, and those who are avid short story readers will read the poll thread with all the stories. Imagine my task. I get to check them all for word count, AND post all of them LOL, as well as read them. :)

In answer to the order question, they will be posted in the order in which I receive them. That is the most fair way I can see to do it.

Also in the effort to be fair, I elected to leave the names off the stories to have some anomynity. I also posted that no one should know who wrote which story until the voting is done. However, I cannot track peoples PM activity, so I have to accept the fact that you are all on the honor system.

In the event of a tie... those stories will be reposted with another poll. I will do that as necessary until there is only one left. Allowing all members of the forum to vote, is the only fair way I see to do it. I am but one person, and I do not want anyone to feel that I played favorites, or anything similar. I want it to be as fair as possible.

That is all I can offer you. If you select to enter the contest, you accept that I am doing what I can, and understand how it works. I acknowledge the fact that it is not perfect. However, I believe it will be most fun. You can rest assured that I will read each and every story. I wish the best to all of you that have signed up.

Branwyn
December 24th, 2004, 11:26 PM
In best Donkey voice (from Shrek):

"Me! Me! Oh, pick me!!" ;)

I'm in.

Branwyn

Linx
December 26th, 2004, 12:49 AM
Image for contest has been posted in the first post in this thread. Good luck all! Remember to PM me your entries. The deadline is January 10th at 12 noon EST.

Please honor the honor system, and keep your stories to yourselves. :)

LadyWillowHawk
December 27th, 2004, 01:38 PM
:hrmm: What is the title of the painting Linx?? _witchball
BB
LadyWillowHawk

Linx
December 27th, 2004, 05:50 PM
LOL. The title shouldn't really matter as I am wanting you'alls imaginations to take flight... But I will tell you, the title is *Ascension*. :)

Linx
January 3rd, 2005, 10:00 AM
One Week Left to Turn in Your Stories!

I have a few and they look great! Keep them coming! :)

Aurin
January 3rd, 2005, 11:59 AM
:thumbsup:

Amethyst Rose
January 3rd, 2005, 12:08 PM
Ack! I haven't even started yet... today's my first real day back after holiday recovery.

TWILIGHTSKY
January 4th, 2005, 12:47 AM
Ack! I haven't even started yet... today's my first real day back after holiday recovery.
My thoughts exactly!!!!! :)

moria636
January 4th, 2005, 12:48 AM
im blank :whatmewor ....im gonna go work on it...

Linx
January 5th, 2005, 08:26 AM
Bump! Only 5 days to submit your entries!

The ones I have are looking good! :)

Linx
January 7th, 2005, 11:42 PM
3 days left to submit your stories!

Get them in. So far I have only received a select few! Come on everyone!

Linx
January 10th, 2005, 12:28 PM
BUMP!

I need all story entries by Midnight tonight! Only 11.5 Hours left to submit them! Get them in!

Aurin
January 10th, 2005, 01:58 PM
::Takes out a watch::

::sings:: Time keeps on tickin' tickin' tickin' .... into the future....

Infinite Grey
January 11th, 2005, 09:40 PM
:fpatricks oh crap! I totally forgot! _taparoo_

Amethyst Rose
January 12th, 2005, 01:03 AM
Me too :( I just didn't have the time.... doing it over the holidays just wasn't the best timing for me..... oh well.

SilverClaw
January 12th, 2005, 01:20 AM
Oh crap.:geez:

Linx
January 12th, 2005, 07:02 AM
This is just the beginning folks. Of course they won't always be writing contests. :)

TWILIGHTSKY
January 12th, 2005, 02:36 PM
Bummer!! I started on it, but I couldn't get the time to finish it, ah well, at least I have the start of a short story that I can work on.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO WERE ABLE TO FINISH THEIRS!!!!!

I'm looking forward to reading them!:fpeace:

Aurin
January 12th, 2005, 04:06 PM
here :

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=81629

Luminessence
January 12th, 2005, 04:34 PM
here :

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=81629

Thanks Aurin :) I was looking for the voting thread, but couldn't find it, so I had assumed it wasn't up yet.