FAWC You, Two!

[MarieWriter]

Here's what you do. Allow all participants to nominate three Lit authors as judges. Post the list, and then allow all participants to strike one person from the list--no reason has to be given. From the remaining pool, contact the three first authors from and see if they're interested. Keep going down the list until you have three 'yes' answers.

OR-- and this is the litigator in me.... We do pick three, known or unknown- we have a written criteria to refer to.... BUT, the three, then pick between themselves which ONE will not be a judge, but rather a judge for any appeals. So if the panel scores someone low on something, but that author wants to appeal the score, then it goes before the appellate judge... an example of that might be a down score based upon grammar- easily to appeal because someone might miss a grammar rule or issue... and no one but the judges know who was who and which was which. You could alternate judges from the group and you could even alternate story types, NOT limiting ones self to the overall categories of Lit... i.e. something like flash fiction, or a story in which one character is a redhead-- anything you wanted as part of the story criteria... Just a thought...

 

[_Lynn_]

Or we go back to how it began . . . a friendly challenge and not a contest.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The selection of judges would be tricky, I think. They would have to be recognized as being "qualified" in some way and viewed by the majority to be impartial.

I don't trust you any further than I can throw you but I believe youre honest and competent to pick judges. We're talking 20 stories and maybe 5 judges. TXRAD, PILOT, PENNLADY, YOU, LOVECRAFT, maybe 3113 or DAMPPANTIES, too. All good writers. And there are plenty of others. Keep their identities concealed, though. And you can still let readers vote and comment. It will allow the writers to contrast and compare the pros with the peanut gallery.

Set some realistic standards....like Title, hook, conflict, crisis, resolution, general appeal.

 

[sr71plt]

Here's what you do. Allow all participants to nominate three Lit authors as judges. Post the list, and then allow all participants to strike one person from the list--no reason has to be given. From the remaining pool, contact the three first authors from and see if they're interested. Keep going down the list until you have three 'yes' answers.

Yet another American Idol approach--and yet again focusing on winning a contest rather than working on your writing.

Most anyone on the AH would be above the usual level of Lit. reader expertise and, in a combination of three, would be better than an American Idol approach. A poll of AH posters would be the last approach I'd try to take to get a judge pool. (For one thing, none of you would seriously nominate JBJ, and he'd probably make a very good judge--better than whoever is the volunteer "editor" most of you have.)

OK, I'll try to get what I was doing done and post the formula I said I'd post--and then back out--because I can see that there are those who can't focus on anything but the best way to win a contest.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Or we go back to how it began . . . a friendly challenge and not a contest.

Folks hunger for a little honesty.

 

[sr71plt]

Here's an extract from what I posted on doing a review of a Literotica contest a few years ago on a judging formula. It's number based (1 to 5 points per criteria), but it could include separate judge's comments at the end as well:

The criteria for ranking of story entries (in descending order of importance) was/will be (1) Use of/relevance to the Earth Day topic (clever or particularly strong affinity to the topic will get extra credit; merely convenient or cursory linking—or hackneyed application—might get negative marks); (2) story line/storytelling; (3) writing proficiency; (4) technical presentation. I personally think that, this being an erotica site, stroke quotient should be a criteria too—but there seems to be some disagreement on that as a requirement, so I haven't assessed on that criteria. That won't stop me from noting at the bottom of the review which stories I found to be more erotic than others.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yet another American Idol approach--and yet again focusing on winning a contest rather than working on your writing.

Most anyone on the AH would be above the usual level of Lit. reader expertise and, in a combination of three, would be better than an American Idol approach. A poll of AH posters would be the last approach I'd try to take to get a judge pool. (For one thing, none of you would seriously nominate JBJ, and he'd probably make a very good judge--better than whoever is the volunteer "editor" most of you have.)

OK, I'll try to get what I was doing done and post the formula I said I'd post--and then back out--because I can see that there are those who can't focus on anything but the best way to win a contest.

Because it is a contest. Friendly or a prize not withstanding anything with a voting system or panel of judges is a contest which mean there is a winner which means it is not an exercise.

As always your me me me is showing because seeing you have no chance of ever winning against any of the regular authors here in any type of contest you need to keep stressing there should be no winner.

Having said that, you gave me an idea and here is an out there suggestion.

A fawc contest with whatever theme. The stories are posted there is no voting allowed and the thread simply becomes a discussion of all the stories with a rule that the critiques stay above the belt.

People can say which one they liked and why, but it would stay at that. It would be an exercise it would be fun and people would get a chance to get a lot of feedback about their story.

Otherwise there is no "fair" way to really decide. The voting system is too flawed and sweeps give too much edge to the story with the least votes.

Although it would be nice to think someone here can be that impartial it is simply not in human nature to be so.

Everyone here has people they like and dislike on the boards or favor as an author. Even if the stories are blind someone can pick up on someone's story as proven in some of the comments.

Only "fair" way is too make it literally an exercise. One of those everyone gets a gold star for entering sort of deals.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Yet another American Idol approach--and yet again focusing on winning a contest rather than working on your writing.

Most anyone on the AH would be above the usual level of Lit. reader expertise and, in a combination of three, would be better than an American Idol approach. A poll of AH posters would be the last approach I'd try to take to get a judge pool. (For one thing, none of you would seriously nominate JBJ, and he'd probably make a very good judge--better than whoever is the volunteer "editor" most of you have.)

OK, I'll try to get what I was doing done and post the formula I said I'd post--and then back out--because I can see that there are those who can't focus on anything but the best way to win a contest.

Dude, I don't think you actually read what I wrote, or the question I was responding to. I described a methodology to appoint impartial judges that would be acceptable to everyone. I didn't say anything about the criteria the judges were to apply, nor their eventual function. If you want them to grade stories like homework assignments, fine, give them that instruction.

I never said anything about AH posters. Read it again, it says "Lit Authors."

Also, nothing would disqualify YOU from nominating JBJ. If you seriously consider him a qualified and impartial judge, then place his name on your list of nominees. It's not as hard as you make it out to be.

Oh, one more thing--I haven't participated in this or any Lit. contest. Not one. That's not why I'm here.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Because it is a contest. Friendly or a prize not withstanding anything with a voting system or panel of judges is a contest which mean there is a winner which means it is not an exercise.

As always your me me me is showing because seeing you have no chance of ever winning against any of the regular authors here in any type of contest you need to keep stressing there should be no winner.

Having said that, you gave me an idea and here is an out there suggestion.

A fawc contest with whatever theme. The stories are posted there is no voting allowed and the thread simply becomes a discussion of all the stories with a rule that the critiques stay above the belt.

People can say which one they liked and why, but it would stay at that. It would be an exercise it would be fun and people would get a chance to get a lot of feedback about their story.

Otherwise there is no "fair" way to really decide. The voting system is too flawed and sweeps give too much edge to the story with the least votes.

Although it would be nice to think someone here can be that impartial it is simply not in human nature to be so.

Everyone here has people they like and dislike on the boards or favor as an author. Even if the stories are blind someone can pick up on someone's story as proven in some of the comments.

Only "fair" way is too make it literally an exercise. One of those everyone gets a gold star for entering sort of deals.

I'm impartial, I don't like anyone. But I'm not judge material. I like your idea. tho.

 

[lovecraft68]

Or you could go with people who write erotica but don't post to Literotica much if at all anymore--again with blind entries--folks like Selena Kitt and Dr. M.

Example of no one trusting anyone to be unbiased.

You not only publish with Selena, but donate royalties back to her. You have also edited for Doc M.

Not to say they would not be unbiased, but people should about those points don't you think?

There will be suspicions about anyone picked to judge.

Lit has become a real Invasion of the body snatchers type of society.

 

[sr71plt]

For those who wanted to see how this personal contest review played out, here are links to the three reviews I wrote on that contest. Adding blind judging and more judges would, of course, enhance the value of the judging. (And, no, my picks didn’t win, place, or show, I don’t think. But I felt good at having taken a cut at just the quality of the stories as I saw them.)

http://www.literotica.com/s/earth-day-out-of-the-gate-review
http://www.literotica.com/s/earth-day-contest-midstream-review
http://www.literotica.com/s/earth-day-home-stretch-review

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Dude, I don't think you actually read what I wrote, or the question I was responding to. I described a methodology to appoint impartial judges that would be acceptable to everyone. I didn't say anything about the criteria the judges were to apply, nor their eventual function. If you want them to grade stories like homework assignments, fine, give them that instruction.

I never said anything about AH posters. Read it again, it says "Lit Authors."

Also, nothing would disqualify YOU from nominating JBJ. If you seriously consider him a qualified and impartial judge, then place his name on your list of nominees. It's not as hard as you make it out to be.

Oh, one more thing--I haven't participated in this or any Lit. contest. Not one. That's not why I'm here.

Watch your mouth. I aint judge stuff.

 

[MarieWriter]

Folks hunger for a little honesty.

It doesn't seem possible---

I looked at the comments I received on my story- I got one that was rather nasty- and it contradicted the others a bit... One of the negs in the posted comment was very obviously a personal opinion and in no way anything constructive or critical... As long as there is anon voting and commenting, there is no such things as a little honesty in a competition, no matter how much we are all enjoying this thread and this "contest." And I am.

Not liking a story isn't a big deal, and voting it low is ok as well, as long as it's an honest approach. There's where the problem comes in. Too much opinion going into any type of voting, and that keeps anything constructive out of it.

I've had a half dozen essays published in the travel world, and lots of stuff in my professional life in professional journals. All that is great, but none of that contribute to being a good fiction writer, or a good erotic writer. Something I'm working on doing. So I like the constructive stuff, the junk is just that, junk.

A little honesty? It would be interesting and while I had no illusions about "winning" this or anything-- it is nice to receive positive comments about your work or at least to have your efforts acknowledged... Hell, that's human nature.

Oh, and i know this will give some of you a better shot at figuring out which story is mine.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Example of no one trusting anyone to be unbiased.

You not only publish with Selena, but donate royalties back to her. You have also edited for Doc M.

Not to say they would not be unbiased, but people should about those points don't you think?

There will be suspicions about anyone picked to judge.

Lit has become a real Invasion of the body snatchers type of society.

On the other hand any sinister fudge packing will be obvious.

 

[sr71plt]

On the other hand any sinister fudge packing will be obvious.

As Lovecraft68 well should know now, having tried the cheating bit on both a Lit. contest and a FAWC one.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Watch your mouth. I aint judge stuff.

Don't look at me. Pilot's the one who dragged your name into this discussion.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Rise King Author

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyCParQTtnE

LOVECRAFT and PILOT

 

[sheablue]

You know, I think the no voting/no winner thing actually has some merit. Am I crazy? Isn't the most fun of this to guess the identities of the authors, see how different people handled the same theme, and to get feedback on your story from other experienced writers? That's what I'm in it for. (Yes, I know I've yet to complete a FAWC story, shhhh!)

Then when the FAWC is over, you can post your story to your own name and regular readers can vote on it to their heart's content.

I really think that's kind of a cool idea! More like a writer's workshop than contest, but it would still be fun to discuss the stories and guess the authors while they are still anonymous.

Hmmmm ... What do you guys think? Is the chance to win just too tempting?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Don't look at me. Pilot's the one who dragged your name into this discussion.

Ah! He had his snoot in the toilet again. Bad PILOT!

 

[patientlee]

I don't trust you any further than I can throw you but I believe youre honest and competent to pick judges. We're talking 20 stories and maybe 5 judges. TXRAD, PILOT, PENNLADY, YOU, LOVECRAFT, maybe 3113 or DAMPPANTIES, too. All good writers. And there are plenty of others. Keep their identities concealed, though. And you can still let readers vote and comment. It will allow the writers to contrast and compare the pros with the peanut gallery.

Set some realistic standards....like Title, hook, conflict, crisis, resolution, general appeal.

I could develop a kick ass grading rubric, worthy of any open-ended, standardized test. I live and breathe by the almighty writing rubric, so... What the hell am I talking about? I hate fucking grading rubrics.

Never mind.

 

[NaokoSmith]

I like it that we just leave the voting and decision about the 'winner' up to the usual voting system, so there isn't a lot of effort put into that.

I wait for the guesses as to who wrote which story - both because that's usually hilariously wrong, and because it gives you an interesting perspective on your writing to see who people thought wrote your story. I was totally thrilled to be mistaken for Pilot last time, cuz I know people think I am a little bunny wunny werewolf romance writer and I showed I can cut up rough too. (Incidentally I have written two GM stories posted to this site .)

I also wait for the comments on the story both before the authors are announced, when people don't know a story's mine, and in this thread afterwards.

I rarely get a chance to read stories on this site, which I am profoundly sorry about (I do have rather a lot of life going on in my kitchen, and that's even when there aren't any builders in ). I make a special effort for these competitions. This time I've compiled comments on all the other stories which I'm looking forward to sharing. If the competition is judged and commented on by a panel, I won't do that because I'll feel like the job is being done by more competent others.

Anyway, about to go and draw up my list. I haven't read TXTallTales' story, cuz everyone says that one is his, LOL, and I am going to go with them on that. I promise to read either that one as soon as I got some applications, marking, laundry, kitten weaning and washing up done. Or the Accidental Nudist story which I have wanted to read forever.

 

[NaokoSmith]

OK, LOL, I have not a clue about the writing style of many of you. Some people who were in last time, I had a little bit more knowledge about which means you can laugh even harder at how wrong I am!

7:48 PM Wednesday - MistressLynn
A Chance At Passion – Saxon_Hart
Absolute Pitch - mariewriter
An Extra Ticket - slyc_willie
An Inquiry - damppanties
Arboreal Amour - PennLady
Be Awesome - alwayswantedto
Friday Night Blues - sr71plt
Karma – Lovecraft68
My Old Babysitter - MsTarot
Plaza De Toros – MSTarot
Spilling the Seed - sr71plt
Stranger In The Park - TE999
Sydney Surprise - xelliebabex
The Golden Ring - slyc_willie
Virtuoso – patientlee
We Gotta Stop Mom! - TxTallTales

 

[damppanties]

OK, LOL, I have not a clue about the writing style of many of you. Some people who were in last time, I had a little bit more knowledge about which means you can laugh even harder at how wrong I am!

7:48 PM Wednesday - MistressLynn
A Chance At Passion – Saxon_Hart
Absolute Pitch - mariewriter
An Extra Ticket - slyc_willie
An Inquiry - damppanties
Arboreal Amour - PennLady
Be Awesome - alwayswantedto
Friday Night Blues - sr71plt
Karma – Lovecraft68
My Old Babysitter - MsTarot
Plaza De Toros – MSTarot
Spilling the Seed - sr71plt
Stranger In The Park - TE999
Sydney Surprise - xelliebabex
The Golden Ring - slyc_willie
Virtuoso – patientlee
We Gotta Stop Mom! - TxTallTales

Only two of my (partial, as of now) list and yours match each other.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Only two of my (partial, as of now) list and yours match each other.

Hooray! Those two being Lovecraft and TXTallTales? Do post the list!

 

[damppanties]

Hooray! Those two being Lovecraft and TXTallTales? Do post the list!

Nope. Lovecraft and xelliebabex.

I will. Still have a couple to pin down.