The Beast's Lair Fanfic Contest (2013 Edition) (Discussion Thread)

[hatori]

After just getting assailed with a bunch of RL issues. i probably would have to pull out of this.

[Dark Pulse]

Is 10,000 the max limit, or the minimum limit? I'm still not really clear on that.

I'd treat it as a "soft maximum" although, to me, 10,000 words is really not all that much for a story, and I'm not sure why it's there at all.

Basically, unless you feel very confident in your skills, and feel like the story deserves to be longer, try to keep it around 10k, but we're not going to disqualify entries that are longer or whatever. But as I said, if you're going to make us read more, it'd better be more worth our while.

No. I'll go to my own room!

But then you'll activate my trap card.

Um, I'd like to ask when this will start, and how long we'll be given? Also, where will the stories be posted, or will we just PM someone to post all of the entries?

Technically, it's already started. The key is that you hand in something no later than April 1st, US time (so that'd be sometime April 2nd if you're on the other side of the world).

[I3uster]

Just realized, is it really smart to give 30 for punctuation and grammar and only 10 points for concept, characterization and uniqueness respectively?

I mean sure, you don't want to get unreadable grammar massacres to read, but it also means that someone suffers harder from an unobservant beta than he does from rehashing an idea that has been done a million times and fucking up characterization.

[Dark Pulse]

Just realized, is it really smart to give 30 for punctuation and grammar and only 10 points for concept, characterization and uniqueness respectively?

I mean sure, you don't want to get unreadable grammar massacres to read, but it also means that someone suffers harder from an unobservant beta than he does from rehashing an idea that has been done a million times and fucking up characterization.

I have some reservations myself, but if you screw the technicals and the artistry, will the rest really ever save a fic?

[I3uster]

Well, obviously everyone will try to max out all categories, I doubt there will be tactical thinking along the lines of "I should just use simple language and make it blander to read to make sure I get 30 in technical", but it still remains kind of a problem imo.

Just take 10 from technical and give em to concept/characterization (uniqueness shouldn't be that big of a factor, even stuff that has been seen can always be done again in a mindblowing fashion)

20 points in it should still ensure that everyone is on their toes about their grammar.

[RadiantBeam]

But then you'll activate my trap card.

You're a trap?!

[Dark Pulse]

Well, obviously everyone will try to max out all categories, I doubt there will be tactical thinking along the lines of "I should just use simple language and make it blander to read to make sure I get 30 in technical", but it still remains kind of a problem imo.

Just take 10 from technical and give em to concept/characterization (uniqueness shouldn't be that big of a factor, even stuff that has been seen can always be done again in a mindblowing fashion)

20 points in it should still ensure that everyone is on their toes about their grammar.

I talked it over with him a few days ago, and we're still looking into options.

You're a trap?!

Hohoho, squeeze and find out~~~♥

[Elf]

I just sent Milbunk a PM as well discussing this, and maybe adding a lemon category as well.

[I3uster]

Do we have enough writers for a lemon category?
IIRC we only had one lemon last time, and it was yours.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

>Elf reviewing lemons
I pity whoever enters that catagory

[Elf]

Do we have enough writers for a lemon category?
IIRC we only had one lemon last time, and it was yours.

I think partially because there wasn't a Lemon category was the reason that no one wrote one. I'm pretty sure if there was a Lemon category there would be one. Especially with my helpful tutorial.

[I3uster]

But your tutorial hasn't reached the writing part yet!

Alright, if you think people will come then do that category I guess.

[Dark Pulse]

I, for one, support a lemon category.

And anyone who's read my work knows that my standards are rather high.

And that I like yuri.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

I, for one, support a lemon category.

And anyone who's read my work knows that my standards are rather high.

And that I like yuri.

Would a full Beam X Seika one aside from the small snippet I've done work?

[RadiantBeam]

I am all for a Lemon category, personally. Though I very much doubt I'll submit anything, given my every attempt to write lemons has led to fluff.

[Santo]

I am all for a Lemon category, personally. Though I very much doubt I'll submit anything, given my every attempt to write lemons has led to fluff.

...

Have you tried sex with fluff?

Is that even possible? =,=;

[Elf]

...

Have you tried sex with fluff?

Is that even possible? =,=;

I write fluffy sex actually. Well, romantic sex.

[Dark Pulse]

I am all for a Lemon category, personally. Though I very much doubt I'll submit anything, given my every attempt to write lemons has led to fluff.

Nothing's wrong with fluff. I like sweet stories sometimes.

Besides, in a lemon category, the main criteria will be "How good was your smut" at any rate.

Do be advised, though: I don't think we'd allow a PWP Lemon to go for top prize. I think we'd want at least some amount of skill in storycrafting so that we can't have a winner simply based on smut-skill alone.

[Enhance]

I write fluffy sex actually. Well, romantic sex.

So it becomes like Clannad?
(I didn't get to the h scenes though)

[Gunbazca]

... I think i signed up for this a few days ago... :3c