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Interest in a Holiday Contest
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Breitkat
Breitkat
Pinball Amateur

Dec-5-2012 18:02

We haven't done a Holiday Contest for a couple of years, and I'm wondering if there's any interest out there in doing one??

If so, please post here. Thank you!! ;-D

Breit

Replies

Summer Daze
Summer Daze
Freedom Fighter

Dec-6-2012 02:15

Ooh sounds intriguing, I'd love to know more! Will be on hiatus for part of the holiday season but, if still here at the right time, happy to take part in a fun contest :)

David Adams
David Adams
Red-Nosed

Dec-7-2012 00:29

Hiya! :-)

Every year that Wish has done this, it's been a lot of fun. It's usually been a general writing competition, using a variety of different formats and themes. We've had an All-Poetry format one year, a comedy-based format, and a mystery based format using various pre-given elements (a drooping Santa hat, a rusty Menorrah, etc.). We've also tried to include all cultures and religions, not just Christianity and Christmas (after all, the vast majority of the world doesn't practice Christianity, why should they be left out?). If you'd like more info on past Holiday Contests (or possible ideas to get the creative juices flowing), we suggest doing a search for Wish Holiday Contest(s). And no, you don't have to be a fantastic writer to take part. Some of our most surprising and best entries have come from rookie and self-proclaimed novice writers. (They lied like rugs, according to Breit. :-D

This year, we're thinking it will probably be a general short-story format, with a given setting, one small requirement for characters, and a theme revolving around some kind of music (again, you choose the kind, as long as it's holiday-based [whatever the holiday], and was around sometime during the Noir era [roughly 1920-1945]).

As far as time goes, since we're starting a bit late, we'll probably have this go through 'til the end of December or so.

Prizes will probably be the usual subscriptions and Sleuthbucks, unless we can work something out with Admin. (The more interest and participation we get, the easier it will be to [hopefully] convince Admin to do some kind of special prize. And yes, we do have a couple of things in mind if we can swing them. :-D

Any suggestions for prizes or volunteers of judges can be posted here. (No guarantees are given for either, however. Sorry.)

So, does that help anymore? Hope so! :-D

Thanks for the check-in! (*Ticks off ONE on the "Yes" side.*) :-D

Dave

Lawliettine
Lawliettine
Trusted Informer

Dec-12-2012 20:36

It'd be wonderful to see the Sleuth community in the festive spirit.

Cordelia Falco
Cordelia Falco
Battered Shoe

Dec-18-2012 11:02

Sorry for not leaping in here, Breit. I'm guessing from the lack of response that, like me, lots of folks are a bit snowed under this holiday season.

luc pfeiffer
luc pfeiffer
Red-Nosed

Dec-18-2012 12:07

Yes, we've been a bit 'snowed under' ourselves recently. Apologies for that. We've had a family member dealing with heart complications to deal with. As soon as she's out of the woods (should be a day or so at most), we'll be back to deal with this. Thanks for your patience, guys. :o)

Not Breit

CrabApple
CrabApple
Old Shoe

Dec-19-2012 01:55

If I saw this earlier I would have been more involved. I never used the message board when I started back in 2005, and I'd love to get familiar with my sleuth community/family :).

luc pfeiffer
luc pfeiffer
Red-Nosed

Dec-20-2012 14:25

To CrabApple: you have until January 5. Can't you find some time between now and then??? Please? Please? PLEASE!!!!??

The actual contest should be posted by about 8 p.m. PST tonight, if I can track that reindeer down. SNUFFLES!!!!!

Yours truly,

Luc (the real one this time).

luc pfeiffer
luc pfeiffer
Red-Nosed

Dec-20-2012 17:44

HALLO AGAIN!!! :o)

We finally found Snuffles the Bloodhound and Klondike the Reindeer (he was stealing Clyde the Moose's carrots down at the Zoo). So, as promised, here we go... :o)

The Directors of Wish On A Star have held a holiday writing contest for several years. And while we're starting this just a wee bit late (sorry bout that, folks), we got together and decided, why not, we'll put this up and see if we get any bites. This year's offering includes some traditional requirements, like entries should not exceed the length of 3 posts; and some new hurdles, like the ones below. So...here goes!! ;o)

We would like you to have your stories set, at least in part, in New York City, and in the time period of 1920 to 1945 or so (i.e.--the Noir Era). We want you to set your stories up to be about a holiday between November 20 and January 20; however; we don't care which Holiday you choose. (Yes, even Druids qualify.) Naming the Holiday is not sufficient; the authour should include what the character(s) do to honor that particular festive occasion in their story. Does the story have to be a mystery? Nope. It can be, but it can be a comedy, a drama, a role-play, whatever you want.

We want you to include one Townsperson or other major NY character (Big Lucy or her staff, a Faction Head, Ella May Viddel, Cabaret Singer, Marcus Cairn, Head Librarian, etc.) in your story. You need to do more than just list the person's name and job; we want you to describe the character, develop what personality traits you think this person has, and include this person, even if only in a minor role, in your story.

Final part of the boring stuff: We would like you to include a theme of music in your story. We want authors at least to allude to one piece of music in the entry. But!! Naming a song just won't cut it. We want you to describe the music in some way and incorporate it into your story in a meaningful way. All music must be written/published/copyrighted BEFORE 1945.

luc pfeiffer
luc pfeiffer
Red-Nosed

Dec-20-2012 17:49

(Cont'd)

(The judges will be checking for valid dates.) Any music copyrighted as "Traditional" usually is over 100 years old at least, and is legal.
We will accept entries until 11:59 p.m., January 5, 2013, Sleuth Server Time (i.e. Pacific Standard Time).

MERRY NEW YEAR!!! :oD

Now for the good part: THE PRIZES

First place: We will buy the character of the winning entry an apartment and give him/her $150,000 sleuthbucks to furnish it additionally. (OK, if you really insist, we can be talked into making that a 3-month subscription, but we really do prefer the apartment idea.)

Second place: $250,000 in sleuthbucks to furnish your apartment or to spend in the Tricky Mister, if you insist on buying a round for the whole city. (All right, all right, perhaps, maybe, we will see, a 2-month subscription.)

Third place: $150,000 in sleuthbucks to buy knickknacks, or to bribe every Townie you meet for the next ump-ti-ump years. (Yes, yes, it's possibly a month for this entry.)

Honorable mention: We'll have to see... ;o)

So get those typewriters clacking and turn in some terrific entries!!!

P.S.#1 -- Anyone who would like to judge instead of write, please PM the Directors of Wish.
P.S.#2 -- If you would like a list of Christmas/Epiphany/Hanukkah songs and townies that we have researched as ok, again, please PM the Directors of Wish. Please do let us know which list you want though.

Hope to see LOTS of stories, and above all, have a Wonderful Holiday, whichever one you celebrate!!! ;oD

Breit, Dave, and Luc
The Directors of Wish

luc pfeiffer
luc pfeiffer
Red-Nosed

Dec-20-2012 18:14

that's what happens when you ask the directors to do their own typing. Please refer to the thread entitled, "Holiday Writing Contest 2012", for posting entries or further questions. Thank you. L

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