Trial Balloon - Stories Without Authors

[dr_mabeuse]

Wouldn't it be nice if, at the next contest, the stories could be presented without the authors' names attached? Posted anonymously?

The way it is now, it's like having a wine tasting wth the labels showing.


--Zoot

 

[Selena_Kitt]

brilliant idea, doc.

but you're preaching to the choir....

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I think there are a lot of us that think that would be a good idea.

 

[Guest]

I've thought about that. But Lit would have to ruthlessly disqualify anyone who posted their connection with a story, and I'm not sure they'd want to do that.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Don't you think that would give forum regulars an unfair advantage? It seems to me the vast majority of us have links to our works in our sig lines. Unless you are prosing contest entries not appear on your author page?

For the montly contests, you have no idea who is even in the running, unless yo're willing to scour the top lists daily. For the year ends, it woul seem the works are already going to be known as yours to your readers.

I think you would get a fairer situation if you couldn't see who was winning at any given point, rather than not seeing the author's name.

 

[impressive]

Wouldn't it be nice if, at the next contest, the stories could be presented without the authors' names attached? Posted anonymously?

The way it is now, it's like having a wine tasting wth the labels showing.


--Zoot

I think that should be one of Lit's themed contests each year.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I do like that idea - although, as Colleen and Ted-E-Bare note, it might be hard to enforce. I suppose you could handle some of the recognition issues by re-titling the stories as well? Of course it would still be possible to tell people which work one had written, but it would at least let those who wanted to participate in good sport.

Not that it's going to help me. I think I learned on the series of "voice threads" that I might as well begin my stories, even anonymous ones, with the title "Wafflings of a Verbose Equine." I can shrug off my name, but the verbal meanderings stick like a burr.

 

[chris 44]

I think that should be one of Lit's themed contests each year.

I'll go for that Imp.
The arguments put forward for not doing it on every contest are valid, it would be almost impossible to police, but one a year would add a different twist to the contests.

Having said that, the only contest I wote a half decent story for was last years Xmas contest, and I lost my Internet connection for 6 weeks, just as I was about to post it
Still it means I've got one in the bag for this Xmas
Chris

 

[dreampilot79]

Just a quick note... the OLD HANDS already have an unfair advantage. I'm not exactly in that club but getting very close...

Those who have a few good stories on the site also have a few fans. I don't know who any of mine are but I suspect that I have a few. I know that when I first started posting stories it was a chore to get the 25 votes to qualify. When I post one now.. By the time I find out that my story has posted I have more than 50 votes already.

I would like to think that my scores are getting better because I'm becoming a better writer... but I suspect fans and friends are at least as responsible as any improvement in my prose.

Making the stories in contests anonomous... at least till after the contest would level the playing field.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I'll go for that Imp.
The arguments put forward for not doing it on every contest are valid, it would be almost impossible to police, but one a year would add a different twist to the contests.

Chris

Yeah, it would just about impossible to police, and people who keep mailing lists of their fans could just go and tell them to vote for their story anyhow. There are a lot of people for whom winning is very important.

5-bombs from your friends are probably even more common than 1-bombs, but of course, no one ever complains about them. They distort things just as much though.

 

[BlackShanglan]

5-bombs from your friends are probably even more common than 1-bombs, but of course, no one ever complains about them. They distort things just as much though.

I am shocked. Are you suggesting that we re-work the "5's are always deserved and 1's are always malicious" empirical model of the Lit universe?

Heretic. Next you'll be throwing stones at equinocentricism.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I think that should be one of Lit's themed contests each year.

It would be cool to do it in Midsummer. There's nothing else happening then, is there? It could be like a Masked Ball. We'd all have to post under secret identities.

I'm sure that some people's stories would be recognizable (let's face it--not that many people write about master-servant relationships in the 18th century ) but still it might help a reader look at the stories without prejudice.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I am shocked. Are you suggesting that we re-work the "5's are always deserved and 1's are always malicious" empirical model of the Lit universe?

Heretic. Next you'll be throwing stones at equinocentricism.

Someone needs a hug

*HUGS*

 

[Selena_Kitt]

It would be cool to do it in Midsummer. There's nothing else happening then, is there? It could be like a Masked Ball. We'd all have to post under secret identities.

ooooo I feel a PM to Laurel coming on?

 

[Liar]

Don't you think that would give forum regulars an unfair advantage? It seems to me the vast majority of us have links to our works in our sig lines. Unless you are prosing contest entries not appear on your author page?

For the montly contests, you have no idea who is even in the running, unless yo're willing to scour the top lists daily. For the year ends, it woul seem the works are already going to be known as yours to your readers.

I think you would get a fairer situation if you couldn't see who was winning at any given point, rather than not seeing the author's name.

For the monthly contests of regularily posted stories... this would be practically impossible, I guess.


But what about special contests? Submitted, posted and treated anonymously (and in the spirit of fair play, no pimping in authors' profiles and sig lines), and then the author's name is attached once the contest is over.

Thaqt's how we've done it in small coompos here on the forums. The latest art compo for instance, and recent poetry contests.

So, basically, if Lit doesn't provide it, we should be able to organise an anonymous story competition of our own now and then without too much of an effort.

 

[chris 44]

It would be cool to do it in Midsummer. There's nothing else happening then, is there? It could be like a Masked Ball. We'd all have to post under secret identities.

Oooh yes please.
Can I post under the pseudonym 'Colleen Thomas' ?

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Oooh yes please.
Can I post under the pseudonym 'Colleen Thomas' ?

Pfffffft!

 

[chris 44]

Pfffffft!

Only asking

 

[impressive]

It would be cool to do it in Midsummer. There's nothing else happening then, is there? It could be like a Masked Ball. We'd all have to post under secret identities.

Love the idea. I'm betting it would generate more interest/enthusiasm than the Free Speech contest did.

And, I suppose Laurel could put in the ROOLZ that anyone found linking to an entry would be immediately disqualified. I'm sure the entrants would police themselves in that way. I mean, it's a simple matter to do a Google links query. (Wouldn't stop the e-mail pimping, though.)

 

[Liar]

Only asking

Well, you actually just posted

under

Colleen Thomas.


Right?

 

[chris 44]

Well, you actually just posted

under

Colleen Thomas.


Right?

Well...
I suppose so...

 

[Liar]

Just had an idea....

Anybody up for a small, improvised, anonymous writing contest right about now?

Flash fiction, forum based, no awards, just for fun and honor.

Say the word and I'll make one happen.





(yes, I'm bored )

 

[MissBri]

 

[hmmnmm]

I believe I recall a 'voice guessing' contest little more than a year ago... well yes I recall it, because I won it - only because of the attritional approach, not because of astute insight - maybe those are not the right words.
I think it's a great idea and wish you all the best if you decide to go that way.
I was just looking for an excuse to enter the forum for a minute...

Sort of like a taste test?

"Hmm, this story tastes like..."

 

[BlackShanglan]

Someone needs a hug

*HUGS*

Damn. What does a horse need to do around here to deserve a good cropping?

*hugs*

Thanks, Colly.