Fanfiction Challenge

[Skykat]

That could work. I'd like to know though what the under 14s on this board would think of that seen as it would mainly concern them.

*Calling all under 14s to give their opinion, we promise nobody's going to think bad of anything you might have to say*

As for polls I think that Jess can put one on this thread seen as she started it. I might be wrong though.

[-Annie-]

Well, I'm 14, and personally, I don't really mind if I'm completing against writers older than me. At this point, I'm only going to enter the Challenge to earn honest reviews on my writing, not to win. So basically, it doesnt matter if all the other entrants are 500 years older than me, for I just want to hear honest reviews.

If I was competing to win, then I suppose it would be fairer to impose age catergories, but I think ILM's idea of just posting along with your entry that you are 14 or younger, is a great idea. Because it means you can be read along with the other writers, while the reviews can be given with the writer's age in mind.

So IMO, I think there should not be age catergories, but you still state your age if your younger...but that's just what I think. Like I stated above, it doesn't bother me a hell of a lot, but I really would prefer just to be posted alongside everyone else.

Also, I like Jess' idea of the genre awards. Perhaps, we should just limit them to like 3 or 4 different awards, or else it will all get a bit crazy.

[Pierced Musie]

This is why I prefer non competitive challenges where there are no winners, just fun.

[-Jade-]

Basically, I don't like the age categories. After thinking about it a bit more, I know that if I was put in an age category I wouldn't enter. Simply for the reason that I don't enter expecting or really wanting to win. (However, having said that, winning gives me something to work towards, meaning that I actually finish my entries, so I'm not suggesting that we have a no winner competition.) If I'm put up against ten other 30 year olds I wouldn't care because, if I was praised for something in my fic, then I would get greater satisfaction. Ok, I'm not writing this very clearly. My point is that, any praise I would get would mean far more, and any criticism I would get wouldn't be simplified to account for my age. I'm not sure if that is totally clear, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say....

I think there is a major problem with how people think on this board, in regard to fics. There are avid J&M fans, who just write stories about them for the hell of it, and they need to learn to accept reading about other pairings. However, there are also people who decide that they're going to completely dislike anything to do with J&M. A lot of people say that you need to be able to read unconventional pairings and judge fics fairly. But the same should go for J&M. There are actually some brilliant J&M stories out there, writtern by very good writers. People criticise others for not giving unconventinal pairings a chance, but those same people refuse to give J&M a chance. Basically, Jess is right, stories are stories and that's what they should be judged on, not the characters involved.

[xGlowingAngelx]

That's a really good point jackandmartha!!! I think one of the problems with fanfic challenges is that a lot of people also judge them because they're j/m ones. What I like about this challenge is that it's unlikely to consist of J/M fics unless the past character comes in for a visit or something. If I'm reading a fic, I tend not too focus too much on whose involved or else I would end up being biased.

[sevenpuddings]

jackandmartha!!! I have to say, I've actually never thought about it that way. I know in recent days I've put aside my, for lack of a better work, dislike of JM fics and read three, and found that I really do enjoy them, because they are well written stories. Its true, while JM fans can be biased towards JM fics, non JM fans can be severe on JM fics because we dislike the couple. Which leads to an unfair balance when reading any kind of fic.

And you're point about the age divisions is very well thought out too. I agree, I would be worried about people putting down ones writing to ones age, which would suck. Entering these comps has been amazing for me, because people have been critical of my stories, which in the end is what I really want for all my stories. I think when it comes down to it, none of us want to win, its just an added bonus if we do. We simply enjoy being challenged to write a story, and while we could make it so no one does win, I think it just gives that little edge.

Maybe this whole challenge needs to be given a makeover...

[-Jade-]

Yup, maybe you're right...

[-Annie-]

Lol, I agree. Also, being labelled as 14 or younger, I don't want people to give me wussy little reviews, being afraid that they'll offend me. Being up against more experienced writers makes it even more challenging!

And in regard to the JM un/biasedness, I think having alternative pairing solves it all. Because then the fics are not just judged on their characters, but more the writing. So SKYKAT, I'm glad you've given us these guidlines!

[Skykat]

I've read what everyone has said and I think some very valid points have been made. I am not a particular fan of Jack and Martha stories and would not tend to go out of my way to read them however I do read Jack/Martha fics that are written by authors who's work I have enjoyed reading in the challenges or elsewhere. I see your point though that J/M haters are being as biased about J/M as a pairing as J/M lovers are about AU pairings. I guess I'd never thought of it like that. You're right though and I'm guilty of it to a degree, it's something I'll attempt to rectify the minute I have some time!

I'll admit that having an alternative pairing was partly down to the J/M pairing because I felt in the last competition people were guilty of judging stories simply because they weren't J/M. I thought having an alternative pairing would level the field somewhat, I hadn't thought that in doing so I might be putting writers who write well about J/M at a disadvantage. People have had quite a bit of difficulty with the alternative pairing and I hadn't realised it would be so much of a challenge but then this competition is meant to be a challenge so maybe it's right that people were struggling.

As regards to the ages. I'm a bit older than a lot of writers on this board and so I was worried that people who are a bit younger may be being unfairly judged against older writers. That's why I put this to discussion to see what the majority thinks. There have been some very valid points made from writers that they want to be judged on the story and not anything else and that putting the age of an author might lead to 'nicer' rather than honest reviews. I can completely accept that might happen and the reasons why writers may not want it to happen. I think provided the majority of younger writers entering this competition feel that way then there is no need to change anything about the competition.

Maybe we're all guilty of thinking a little too much.

[-Jade-]

No, I think the unconventional pairing idea was great SKYKAT - as you said, it's supposed to be a challenge so I don't really think you put anyone at too much of a disadvantage. Anyways, practice makes perfect! The more people try writing different characters the better their writing will get because they'll be able to adapt. Also, personally, writing about a different pairing has been very refreshing for me.