Short Story Contest 7

[The World Is Flat]

Space Opera
Contestants are required to write a speculative, short, high-concept prose story, in a science fiction setting. "[Space operas are] a subgenre of speculative fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The name has no relation to music; it is analogous to soap operas. Perhaps the most significant trait of space opera is that settings, characters, battles, powers, and themes tend to be very large-scale." [ ]

• The entry must be at least 2000 words, and may reach a maximum of 10,000 words.
• The entry must be written in the third person.
• Absolutely no plagarism.
• All entries must be written in fluent English, illegible entries will be disqualified.
• The entry must abide by the theme.
• The story must be written in prose, focusing on the overarching theme and grand scale.
• At least one WIP (Work In Progress) must be presented before the deadline.
• The story may NOT be derived from preexisting works of literature/art by any author, including yourself.

• First Place: 50 reputation points and your entry on an award icon.
• Second Place: 35 reputation points and an award icon
• Third Place: 20 reputation points and an award icon

• Let us know if you would like to judge

80 % of the winner shall be determined by the contest's appointed judge(s).

• Score shall be taken out of 50 points,
  • 15 for Style
  • 10 points for theme
  • 10 points for pacing
  • 10 points for creativity and originality
  • 5 points for eloquence

20 % of the winner shall be determined by the results of a public poll.

This contest shall begin on [Insert Date] and conclude on [Insert Date] at 11:59 PM GMT -0:00
The contest will close on the deadline as long as we have 3 entries. Or extended roughly until at least 3 entries are submitted (if contestant 3 and 4 submit within a few hours/day of eachother, we'll include them too of course!)

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Lol give us a bit of a break twif, and first person again?
The theme could be funny I guess.

 

[Dragonson]

Well, i'm kinda against having two contests with required first person perspective in a row, but apart from that this seems like a good theme.

 

[Avator]

Space opera? Really? That's going to be one hell of a theme lol
But I do agree: one first person view theme at a time is enough. Better make this allowed from all perspective. Especially with the "Perhaps the most significant trait of space opera is that settings, characters, battles, powers, and themes tend to be very large-scale." it would be nice to read it from a larger perspective. Otherwise that trait would greatly go to waste.

Other then that, i think it would be quite a funny theme.

 

[Wolfe]

Why not third or even omni-present view? Omni-present would certainly be challenging.

But I dislike the theme, and will not participate for that reason (as I suck at writing anything funny or 'futuristic, hehe).

I think, however, there should be at least a two week break. Let people recover their linguistic juices.

 

[Dragonson]

Beleive me Wolfe, we've had that break.
The time it took to get the results out got that covered.

I think there shouldnt be any restrictions on which view it is written from.
It is a very limiting thing to have.

 

[Vengeancekael]

that emphasizes romantic,

Booooooooring.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Wolfe, romance not humour
I think if anyone sucks at that it's Dragonson... (http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/roleplaying-370/legacy-legends-rp-164506/index49.html#post1564541 & http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/roleplaying-370/legacy-legends-rp-164506/index50.html#post1564689)

 

[Dragonson]

Heh. ^^
I have a strong urge to say 'That was ages ago!'. No idea why. O.ô

 

[The World Is Flat]

OOPSE, first person? fixing.

Yeah not first person, also, this theme is ftw.

Plus its not gonna be approved for a week or two, modeling contests are almost end-to-end.

 

[InfinateAnswers]

Im so in, i love romance and drama.... FRITOS. lol but forizzles i have a great idea.

 

[The World Is Flat]

Romance is also not required, its just a part of some (most) full blown space operas, this is more of a prose.

 

[InfinateAnswers]

Could you edit the preferences and further explain how it is going to be judged, like what will they be looking for exactly.

Edit: Also i dont believe "humor" will play a large part in the judging preferences, a story can be dramatic instead of humorous and it will still work =P I think so at least

 

[Orcnet]

Space Opera? Oh man, I was hoping for an Action themed one, anyways I'll start reading books right now!

 

[Fussiler1]

Yes!

 

[The World Is Flat]

Space Opera? Oh man, I was hoping for an Action themed one, anyways I'll start reading books right now!

Space opera IS action, starwars is a space opera, so is star trek...

Could you edit the preferences and further explain how it is going to be judged, like what will they be looking for exactly.

Google the words under judging and you get a good idea.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Wait wtf...
Remove Eloquence - Remember the majority of people on this site don't speak English as a first.

 

[InfinateAnswers]

Haha well heres the title of my soon to be story.

Need for Lightspeed

I wont start working on it untill the contest starts but that doesnt mean i cant brainstorm right?

 

[Grey Nightmare]

The sad thing is no one would no anyway - I could post something I wrote five years ago, and I doubt any would notice (I won't of course, if even for no other reason than I'd only be hindering myself) - But of course, brainstorming is hardly against rules (if it is srsly f*** that anyway). Going by the title, I'm assuming it's going to be rather humorous?

 

[The World Is Flat]

el·o·quence noun \ˈe-lə-kwən(t)s\
1
: discourse marked by force and persuasiveness; also : the art or power of using such discourse
2
: the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

Little to do with being a native speaker.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Oxford Dictionary Definition:

fluent or persuasive speaking or writing:
a preacher of great power and eloquence

*(clearly expressing or indicating something:
the bus journey alone is eloquent of class inequality)

One word there that really bugs me.
This isn't a literature site... It's a modding site that has a few on the side SSC's there far from formal or official. We should be marking for imagination, originality, characterisation, pacing - stuff that doesn't require a good knowledge of the English language - because lets face it that gives some of us a severe advantage - ok it's only five points, but I do speak English as a first and I still think you could do with dropping that one.

*For example there were a few amazing stories in the last contest that I would not deem fluent or 'clearly expressed'.

 

[InfinateAnswers]

and for people like me who are either still learning English or have English as a second or even third language. 5 points can determine a winner, so something like that isnt really fair.

 

[Fussiler1]

Oxford wins. D'oh.

 

[The World Is Flat]

Merriam-Webster wins, which is where my definition comes from. Persuasiveness does not mean written in good English, it just means that the piece as a whole comes across as well executed (in this context.)

And in that sense of judging, thats where the definition comes from.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Well I won't be judging this one that's for sure, I may not even enter so feel free to have it your way.

 

[Oziris]

Really? First person again? >.< Kinda gets boring don't you think? But I like the theme!

 

[InfinateAnswers]

he changed it to third lmao

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Why not just leave it unrestricted? Let people do what they want?

 

[InfinateAnswers]

id like that, because i imagined my story in first person so when i realized it was third, i got sad =(

 

[WhitePhoenix]

I say keep it restricted, forcing ingeniuty or forcing a writer to break his comfort zone is why I participated in the last one.

 

[InfinateAnswers]

you have 2 options... i dont see how that would break someones "comfort zone" weird word to use for this because its only 2 choices...

 

[Dragonson]

I agree that it should not be restricted.
The angle from which the story is written is a narrative tool, and i've used several of them in the same story before.

We have enough 'forced ingeniuty' already.

 

[Cobra-Wolf-Demo]

Intriguing! I will most certainly try to see if I can put together an entertaining Raygun Gothic story or some kind of dark, gritty Dystopian world. While still being a Space Opera, of course!

 

[Dark Mark]

Talk about tron...

 

[Fussiler1]

When is this going to be hosted?

 

[Dragonson]

Hopefully soon.

 

[The World Is Flat]

I can change it, but i agree with whitephoenix.

 

[Dragonson]

The biggest part of the possible contestants appears to want the limit removed.
But ultimately it's your choice TWIF, unless the mods step in which i think is unlikely.

I also dont think this will be verified before the mods pull their strings together and get the awards for the last contest given out.

 

[neo_child]

Well.... The theme is a bit boring and it sounds like one of my friends romance novels but the picture is good(I think Stewie is Darth Vader)

 

[Pharaoh_]

I was expecting something like a classic fairytale to be written, for children (some ethical extract or something). It would be better, in my opinion (don't mean to judge this option though).

 

[Dragonson]

While that sounds like it might be a good idea theoretically, i am VERY sure that it would be VERY unpopular.

 

[Pharaoh_]

Hm, it would be weird, a fairytale production, most children have been nurtured with, to be unpopular :]

 

[Grey Nightmare]

I wouldn't mind actually that, it's a nice detour from all the hardcore seriousness of the previous stories (horror) - It'd be nice to see a few sunshines and rainbows, not to mention happy endings!

Either way don't expect this to be hosted anytime soon, seems you have to spam a mod to death to get noticed around here - and that's a rule breaker - so your back to square one anyway...

 

[Dragonson]

Hm, it would be weird, a fairytale production, most children have been nurtured with, to be unpopular :]

Considering the things that people like on the interwebs, and even more what they DONT like, it's not really that weird.

I sure know i'd not enter, but that's mainly 'cuz i dont do much but tragedy. Or wait... I do. But...
F**** it. I wouldnt enter, let's leave it at that.

 

[Fussiler1]

Eh. I wouldn't really mind some kind of fairy tale. Wouldn't differ that much from what I had in mind anyways.

 

[Cobra-Wolf-Demo]

Eh? Fairy tale? Sounds wonderful, really, but I will only accept it in its original sense, and not as in a dumbed-down Disney-style fairy tale. Y'know, with beheadings, horrible punishments and sexual elements. The red riding hood is a sexual trip if read in its original version.

 

[Dragonson]

Well, we're already off the theme Pharaoh suggested, but it seems i was wrong, lol.

 

[Phoonix]

oh, bummer... I was kind of hoping for a free theme and perspective, Guess it's not going to happen. :/ Don't think i'm going to join this one, I'm just no good whit space story's.

 

[Dragonson]

Free theme will most probably be rejected on the count of being free theme.
I've seen mods argue that a contest theme is too 'undefined' before.

 

[Phoonix]

I don't seem to get why though... :/