[2007: JUL-AUG] Challenge topics

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

Please answer the poll question, and post any comments!

[Guest *Them*]

I think the past challenges have had good themes - none come to mind as being too constricting, actually. Speaking as someone's who's chosen the topic, the list of choices has always been more than adequate.

In the past, bi-monthly has always seemed like a good time frame, but with this one ... I dunno. I remember when I was an ensign and two months seemed like forever!

[Toni]

Just my opinions:

Generally, the themes are excellent, but as with any theme, some spark more ideas and creativity more than others.

It is my understanding that part of the judging is based on who incooperates the theme most effectively, so I don't see how we could not have them, although I would like to see at least one a year be a Writer's Choice.

Bi-Monthly seems the best to me, as it gives everyone a chance to see the Challenge announcement, and time to write the manuscript with ease.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Toni

[Salak]

Every couple of months is good, like that.

Some of the themes are okay but I'm not a fan. Made this rounds topic too specialised for me to be remotely interested really, I've not even sketched out 1 idea, when in the past I've come up with mulitple for some topics.

My honest opinion, not intending to offend anyone.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Jay

[Toni]

Jay Posted Today, 01:55 PM

Some of the themes are okay but I'm not a fan. Made this rounds topic too specialised for me to be remotely interested really, I've not even sketched out 1 idea, when in the past I've come up with mulitple for some topics.

I've drawn a blank on this one too, Jay, and I've tried every "trickster" in the book, but I came up with zilch so far... however, I'm still thinking about it.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Toni

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

Well, in fairness, that IS why it's called a "Challenge." It's supposed to help you step outside of your normal writing patterns and figure out new ways to write, using new characters and ideas

[Salak]

I do appreciate it's a writing challenge, just would be useful if it wasn't a challenge just to understand what the topic actually means, let alone write something based on it. I tried looking it up and couldn't make heads or tails of it. In fact, that confused me even further.

i.e. I hardly understand the topic this month, and it's tricky to write something about a title that makes no sense to me.

Edited August 10, 2007 by Jay

[Bar Zukiza]

oh good two intellectuals had trouble understanding, I dont feel as stupid now.

I agree with Jay, I didnt understand the challenge. challenges IMO should challenge ones capabilities, get 'em thinking, but is something simple.

how can it be a challenge if one does not know what one is writing about?

[Toni]

I'm pretty sure I understood the challenge, I just haven't had time to think of a creative way to present it. Guess we all get writer's block from time to time, but I'm still thinking about it.

[Salak]

oh good two intellectuals had trouble understanding, I dont feel as stupid now.

Phew, glad it's not just me.

Might be part of why the number of entries this time around is so low so far though.

Edited August 10, 2007 by Jay

[Bar Zukiza]

thats what I thought, I was thinking either lots of people dont bother posting, and becoming a winner of a writer chellenge isnt a big thing or not many people get it

[+ Rune Jolara]

Challenges are supposed to be just that... a challenge of writing skills. If the topics are too easy, in my opinion, the writing becomes boring. Also seeing how the topics are interpreted is part of what makes the challenges interesting. Even if the topic isn't totally understood, it makes for an interesting read.

It's been a while since I've done a challenge. Not because I haven't been interested in any of the topics but because I have gotten too busy to devote enough time to write something decent. Bi-Monthly is a good time frame... just not always for me.

I do agree with Toni, that it would be good to have a Writer's Choice or even Reader's Choice once in a while. It might help get more people involved.

Just my 2 cents...

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

How would a "writer's choice" work?

[Ryan Horn]

Hrm...I think I see the Admiral's point.

After all...If I write the worlds best tragedy....how does that compare to Toni writing the worlds best comedy?

For someone to "judge" the work...there has to be some sort of definition to compare.

Personally, I like the themes in general. Especially, as some of my RL friends have said, I always come at them from such a strange angle.

Still planning on working on the trickster theme...just need two seconds to rub together to write it..

[Toni]

FltAdml. Wolf Posted Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 - 11:20 pm

How would a "writer's choice" work?

The writer's would choose any topic they wanted to write about. No particular theme to the challenge once a year, but I suppose the stories should be based on Star Trek.

Edited August 16, 2007 by Toni

[W. A. Carrington]

I like the idea of a writers choice topic, once a year would be fine.

As for Ben's comment, even with the current way it is we could end up withthe worlds best comedy and the worlds best tragedy with the way it is set up, that depends on the writer and their style.

I feel that an open topic would encourage more participation.

[Toni]

Well, for better or worse, I finally came up with something ... I adapted a sim I wrote last week. i've been racking my brain, and it was there all the time, staring me in the face. *lol*

Edited August 17, 2007 by Toni

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

FltAdml. Wolf Posted Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 - 11:20 pm

How would a "writer's choice" work?

The writer's would choose any topic they wanted to write about. No particular theme to the challenge once a year, but I suppose the stories should be based on Star Trek.

Isn't that what we already have in the "Character Cafe," though?

[Toni]

But is the Writer's Cafe for competition?

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

No, but people are still welcome to solicit comments in that forum...

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

There seemed to be no great hatred for the themes, so we're going to keep them for now. The 1st and 3rd challenges of each year are non-themed, so people have that to look forward to...