2006 Survivor Literotica: Planning & Plotting

[Lauren Hynde]

Hello, Survivorphiles!

The 2005 edition of the Survivor Literotica Contest is nearly over now, with only three weeks to go. So far it has been a huge success, with high participation and more stories and poems submitted by contestants than ever before.

Laurel and Manu are very excited by this success and have already green-lighted the 2006 edition.

Each year there are adjustments made to the rules, resulting from the way things go and problem that arise, so it's natural that the same will happen this time as well. That's what we're going to discuss in this thread.

For those of you who are participating in the 2005 Survivor Literotica Contest, for those who did in previous editions, or are planning to enter in 2006, what do you think was positive and negative about the contest? Any ideas for improving any aspect of it? Any comments or questions at all?

 

[Guest]

I don't think a participant should be allowed to write a multi-chaptered series in which half the chapters have NO erotic content but they are still posted and counted for points in an erotic category.

That's really the only thing I can think of.

 

[velvetpie]

I sent this to Laurel twice concerning the contest. Here's my two cents.


Hi, Laurel!

My daughter (16 and a brain!) made a suggestion that made a lot of sense to me and I thought I'd pass it along to you. Her suggestion was that winners of the Survivor contest should NOT be allowed to compete in future Survivor contests and that a Survivor Hall of Fame is set up so that each year's winner can be added.

I agree with her for several reasons:

1) I did a little research and the 2003 winner won with 212 points and the 2004 winner won with 730 points. As it stands, I have 801 points.

The point I make is this. I am lucky to have the time to be able to write this many stories and I know that there are many who don't have this luxury. If I competed again next year, I might win or at least take second or third and this would preclude others from having a chance to win.

2) jthserra has taken this year off. What's to say that he hasn't been writing all year and at the start of the 2006 contest, will flood Lit with submissions? Any one entering wouldn't have a chance.

3) I think it's important to hear the voices of others who aren't as prolific, but who write consistently good stories.

4) In the TV contest, the winner of Survivor is not allowed to win again.

So, this is my (my daughter's) suggestion in a nutshell once again: The winner of the Survivor contest should be ineligible to compete in subsequent Survivor contests. The person can enter the other regular contests (Earth Day, Nude Day, etc.) only.

The Hall of Fame would contain (as far as my research goes) ...

2002 - Chicklet (171 points)
2003 - Master Vassago (212 points)
2004 - jthserra (730 points)

I couldn't find any information before 2002. You'll have to supply that!

I think in the long run, this will be more beneficial for Literotica and will give newcomers as well as oldtimers a chance to win.

If you have any questions or would like to pick my brain a bit more, please let me know.

As always, thanks a bunch!

Velvet and daughter, Boat

P.S. I would not be able to serve as a Mod but you might consider using the past year's winners as judges in some special contest, such as an Honorable or Special Judges' award, given to an entrant that is not in the money-winner's circle and who wrote a great story. Maybe it could be a long the same lines as the Annual Awards with recognition but no monetary awards.


Also, in response to Vix's suggestion, Laurel changed a few of my chapters that had no erotic content to non-erotic. I think that would be a better option. What do you guys think?

 

[sophia jane]

I agree whole heartedly with the idea of not allowing past winners to compete again. Maybe the ban doesn't have to be forever, but at least for a year or two. Just like in holiday contests, the winner isn't allowed to win another contest for six months- makes it fair for everyone.

I think there needs to be a maximum number of points that can be earned by immunizations. Because I gotta tell you, as someone who only won one all year, it would really piss me off to fall behind someone in points if most of their points came from immunizations.

I also think it would be really great if bonus points or a bonus immunization or something could be earned for having a certain number of H's. Quality writing really ought to be awarded, at least to a degree.

Overall, I think the set up for Survivor is awesome and y'all have done a fantastic job with it.

 

[Guest]

Also, in response to Vix's suggestion, Laurel changed a few of my chapters that had no erotic content to non-erotic. I think that would be a better option. What do you guys think?

I don't mind at all them being in the non-erotic category. I never meant they couldn't be counted at all. I just think they shouldn't be counted in an erotic category.

I also agree that previous winners (1st place winners that is) should not be allowed to compete for a certain number of years afterward... maybe 3? I don't think they should be banned from never again competing.

 

[JamesSD]

I think there needs to be a maximum number of points that can be earned by immunizations. Because I gotta tell you, as someone who only won one all year, it would really piss me off to fall behind someone in points if most of their points came from immunizations.

I also think it would be really great if bonus points or a bonus immunization or something could be earned for having a certain number of H's. Quality writing really ought to be awarded, at least to a degree.

Overall the contest is very well set up and shows that it's been refined over the years.

I also managed to win all of one immunity in 6 months. I just got "lucky" on the math. I'm torn as I like the idea of immunities and the system used is very fair, there's no subjectivity, etc. Is 2 points too much for an immunity? Should it just be one and the "boxed out" category?

Another thing that might be looked at is the bonus for getting 10 stories in a category. While strategically interesting, it sort of goes against the contest's theme of writing in as many different genres as possible. Just throwing it out there.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I don't mind at all them being in the non-erotic category. I never meant they couldn't be counted at all. I just think they shouldn't be counted in an erotic category.

Especially not when the non-erotic stories are placed in an erotic category to get to that 10-stories-in-the-same-category bonus. That's REALLY unfair!

And yes, I too think that winners should have a "cooling off period", of say, 3 years, before they're allowed to enter the Survivor Contest again. I love the Survivor contest, but no matter how hard I try, I just don't have time to sit and write 2-3 stories a day, not with school and holidays and NaNo and life going on. And when we reach April, and the person in the lead already has more points than I'll get in a whole year... it just ruins the fun of competing, since I don't even have a chance in hell to compete with that.
I love competition - me and Chicklet had a blast spuring each other in 2002 - but that's not competition, it's professionalism. And that's just not fun. Survivor has become too elitistic, and I probably won't compete next year-

Big kudos for creating more prizes than the original 3, though, and super-big kudos for changing the moeny prizes to Amazon gift coupons. I've got 3 manga-books in my bookcase from my 2003-prize that I'd probably never would have splurged on otherwise.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

And that's just not fun. Survivor has become too elitistic

What exactly do you mean when you say this, Svenska? Just trying to understand.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

What I mean is that it looks as if some of the writers participating in Survivor more or less make it an extracurricular career out of writing stories for Survivor; "Abigail Adams' Anal Adventure, ch.1-34", "Bondage in Betty's Boudoir", etc.
Those of us who write as a hobby can never compete with that. It separates us into two groups - hobby writers, who write when they have time and inspiration; and Proffesional, Elite writers, who spew out a few stories a day.

Like I said, I will probably not compete next year. It's no fun anymore, because it feels like I'm walking on foot in a race against someone on a Harley.

 

[velvetpie]

What I mean is that it looks as if some of the writers participating in Survivor more or less make it an extracurricular career out of writing stories for Survivor; "Abigail Adams' Anal Adventure, ch.1-34", "Bondage in Betty's Boudoir", etc.
Those of us who write as a hobby can never compete with that. It separates us into two groups - hobby writers, who write when they have time and inspiration; and Proffesional, Elite writers, who spew out a few stories a day.

I hate to burst your bubble, Svenska, but I am not a professional writer. This is very much a hobby for me. I have a business to run, as well as taking care of my husband and children. Every one of the writers who enter this contest are most probably hobby writers and would be offended in the inference in your words that just because writing comes more easily to them than to you, they have no inspiration.

I have a book that I keep all of my ideas in. Sometimes the stories I write come quickly, some don't. I have plenty of inspiration. I think it's sad that you would say that some of those who have entered the Survivor game have no inspiration. You should look to your own inspiration and we would all be better served in your submissions.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Like I said, I will probably not compete next year. It's no fun anymore, because it feels like I'm walking on foot in a race against someone on a Harley.

Hi, Svenska-

In a way I understand that feeling, but that's the reason why this year we proposed and got from Laurel so many more prizes: for everyone in the top 15. That is certainly a "reachable" goal for any amateur writer, no?

 

[sophia jane]

Hi, Svenska-

In a way I understand that feeling, but that's the reason why this year we proposed and got from Laurel so many more prizes: for everyone in the top 15. That is certainly a "reachable" goal for any amateur writer, no?

I loved the addition of the top fifteen; that's been my goal all year because I knew I wouldn't be in the top three.

 

[velvetpie]

I loved the addition of the top fifteen; that's been my goal all year because I knew I wouldn't be in the top three.

I definitely agree. That's why I proposed to not have the previous winners included in future contests. I think everyone deserves a chance to win and certainly, everyone can!

 

[Guest]

If I was a professional writer, then I'd be making money. I'm not. I write when the kids are in school or after they go to bed at night... which often means I sacrifice sleep in exchange for writing time.

I'm just determined. For me, it is competitive... otherwise, I wouldn't have nearly as many stories as I do.

As far as the way the contest itself is set up (scoring and immunities and such), I wouldn't change a thing. Always remember, if your chosen immunity number isn't hitting... pick another one. You can change it anytime you wish.

 

[sophia jane]

As far as the way the contest itself is set up (scoring and immunities and such), I wouldn't change a thing. Always remember, if your chosen immunity number isn't hitting... pick another one. You can change it anytime you wish.

I understand what you're saying, and I really don't have problems with immunities in general. It's a great tool! But I'm just saying maybe there should be a limit, like five, or so. Imagine that you earn all of your points by writing actual stories and are passed by someone who earned half their points with immunities. Obviously not going to happen at the top level, but could very well happen for the top fifteen.
And I really do like the idea of earning immunity points or bonuses based on having a certain number of H's. Like 5 or 10 H's earns you one immunity. Just an idea.

 

[velvetpie]

And I really do like the idea of earning immunity points or bonuses based on having a certain number of H's. Like 5 or 10 H's earns you one immunity. Just an idea.

But the problem with that is one that Lauren has addressed before. H's are like ghosts. Here today, gone tomorrow. The E and W that Laurel assigns might be a better use of the immunity. If it's something that only she can assign, it would be much more fair than the H which anyone, if they have enough friends, can get for themselves.

Does that make sense?"

 

[JamesSD]

Hi, Svenska-

In a way I understand that feeling, but that's the reason why this year we proposed and got from Laurel so many more prizes: for everyone in the top 15. That is certainly a "reachable" goal for any amateur writer, no?

I felt I had a legit shot at the top 15, and I certainly don't write more than a few hours a week. The survivor contest encouraged me to branch out, including writing a very well recieved Non-consent/Reluctance story I probably never would have done otherwise.

It's a quantity based contest - there are other quality awards, and it's all FREEEEEEE money.

 

[vic_elor]

But the problem with that is one that Lauren has addressed before. H's are like ghosts. Here today, gone tomorrow. The E and W that Laurel assigns might be a better use of the immunity. If it's something that only she can assign, it would be much more fair than the H which anyone, if they have enough friends, can get for themselves.

Does that make sense?"

This still has a problem in my view. This places the immunities out of the realm of random chance and into systems control. I can't possibly be the only one who has read stories that I felt deserved notice but didn't get it. So even though the E/W are fairly assigned, they are too haphazard to be used for immunity.

Plus, E/W shifts immunity advantage to those who write more entries. If that is the goal, then this would work great. But the system for immunity we use now is structured so that everyone has the same chance of winning one.

Personally, I much prefer immunity based randomly rather then on volume, even if it is "quality volume"

If you wanted to make immunity harder to get, you could simply restrict it to the last ball in the lottery rather then any number. That is of course, if reducing the number of wins is the goal. Personally I like it the way it is.

 

[vic_elor]

What I mean is that it looks as if some of the writers participating in Survivor more or less make it an extracurricular career out of writing stories for Survivor; "Abigail Adams' Anal Adventure, ch.1-34", "Bondage in Betty's Boudoir", etc.
Those of us who write as a hobby can never compete with that. It separates us into two groups - hobby writers, who write when they have time and inspiration; and Proffesional, Elite writers, who spew out a few stories a day.

Professional and hobby probably isn't the way I see the divisions. Professionals wouldn't devote a huge amount of time to things like this.

I see it more as hobbiest and obsessed hobbiest.
None of us have a huge amount of free time. It's just a choice of how much of that free time we devote to each hobby. Those we write a few stories a day simply chose this over all other hobbies.

Personally, I'll stick with my numerous divisions of free time and stay in the bottom of the top 15. Those who want the top slots can have it.

 

[lindiana]

What I mean is that it looks as if some of the writers participating in Survivor more or less make it an extracurricular career out of writing stories for Survivor; "Abigail Adams' Anal Adventure, ch.1-34", "Bondage in Betty's Boudoir", etc.
Those of us who write as a hobby can never compete with that. It separates us into two groups - hobby writers, who write when they have time and inspiration; and Proffesional, Elite writers, who spew out a few stories a day.

Like I said, I will probably not compete next year. It's no fun anymore, because it feels like I'm walking on foot in a race against someone on a Harley.

I'm with VelvetPie. I am not really a 'professional writer' but I think we can both consider that we are now. I also am a disabled, stay at home person so I have more time to write. And I have to admit the Survivor contest got me off my derrierre and writing. I did get a great deal of complaints that my stories are too short but I am not going to write one chapter of 1500 words if I can divide it into two at 750 words and get credit for two stories. Those are the website's rules, I just follow them.

I always wanted to be a writer, it is why I got my degree as an English teacher because I thought I could spend my summers off writing. Silly me, I had to work summers to pay the bills. But now that I am permanently disabled and unable to work, I think the next time someone asks me what I do for a living instead of saying I am unemployed or disabled, I will say I"m a writer". Thank you for that, Laurel and Manu.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

But the problem with that is one that Lauren has addressed before. H's are like ghosts. Here today, gone tomorrow. The E and W that Laurel assigns might be a better use of the immunity. If it's something that only she can assign, it would be much more fair than the H which anyone, if they have enough friends, can get for themselves.

There was once a time when having an E was worth some bonus points, but that was abandoned because it was deemed unfair - it's still one person with particular tastes deciding to give points to one person over the other. We all know that Laurel has limited time to read the ton of stories submitted daily, and there's a good chance that if she stops to read a story more carefully and give it that E, it will be someone she knows to be a good author, someone she's familiar with. That, and because it represented a great responsability for her!

I think the only bonus of this kind that could be argued as legitimate would be a small bonus in case of victory - or being one of the top 3 - in one of the Holiday Contests.

 

[Guest]

Can we please not let this discussion fall into a catfight? That happens every year and it gets old.

There's nothing wrong with writing a multi-chaptered series as long as each chapter gets put in the correct category. It's not just Survivor writers that do it. Sometimes, it's just as difficult to continue a story than it is to write a new one.


As far as the bonus for winning contests... I don't think that should be done. It's the same reasoning as the H. There's way too much trolling and other under the table dealings going on with contests to assign bonuses for wins. Survivor has always been about quantity, and I think it should stay that way. Quality is just too hard to judge to put bonuses to it. Like said previously, there are loads of stories on Lit that deserve H's and don't have them and just as many that have them and don't really deserve them (cause of poor grammar, etc.)

For those who argue that quality sometimes takes a dive for the "mass producing" authors... take a look at the submissions lists for some of the top placed survivor authors. There are many H's in some of those lists, so it seems that quality is not necessarily taking the beating some think.

To me, the scoring structure is totally fine. I do see SJ's point about the immunity though. Maybe some thought should be given to a cap on how many immunities one can win.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

To me, the scoring structure is totally fine. I do see SJ's point about the immunity though. Maybe some thought should be given to a cap on how many immunities one can win.

The scoring system for immunities shouldn't be changed. They're worth 2 points for a reason, which is to keep them neutral in terms of nobody being hindered by choosing to use them.

About the cap to limit how many immunities can be won, I don't see why we can't have it. But how about a dynamic cap, to make people write in more categories? For example, you can only have as many immunities as half of how many categories you have filled with regular submissions. (i.e. if you have 10 categories filled regularly, you have a cap of 5 immunities)

Or we can keep it simple and simply reduce the quantity of drawn numbers from 7 to 6...

 

[velvetpie]

Can we please not let this discussion fall into a catfight? That happens every year and it gets old.

I agree. Like I said, the idea is to just write!

 

[sophia jane]

About the cap to limit how many immunities can be won, I don't see why we can't have it. But how about a dynamic cap, to make people write in more categories? For example, you can only have as many immunities as half of how many categories you have filled with regular submissions. (i.e. if you have 10 categories filled regularly, you have a cap of 5 immunities)

I really like this idea.