Ceramic DM -- Fall '06 ** yangnome wins! **

[Berandor]

I'm ashamed that I have to do this, but better now than during round one or two. At least you haven't started yet.

Yes, you guessed right: I'll have to drop out. University interfered in a really bad way, and with all the writing I suddenly have to do till September 30th (let alone the reading before the writing), there's no way I can do this contest.

I'd rather write fiction, and I hate to prove unreliable this time. Good luck to those who remain standing, though, and have fun all of you. I'll try to drop in and read a few stories, so perhaps I can at least give some comments. But no promises there, either.

Sincerest apologies,
Berandor

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Ack! Berandor!

Ah, at least you weren't set to judge. Hope you can make it the next go-around. I think your 'Cold Fish' story was one of the best Ceramic DM entries ever.

Ok, if we don't get any more signups before tomorrow, I'll put a bye in each of the two brackets (1-8,9-16) so everyone has a even shot at it and it won't screw up the timing.

 

[maxfieldjadenfox]

Oh, Berandor! I was really looking forward to reading your stories. Next time?

I know about the school stuff, fortunately I have some down time at work which is allowing me to take my first foray into judging. Good luck with the academic writing.

 

[yangnome]

There is another option to putting byes in the competition. Run the first round with the 14 contestants you have (two sets of 7 matches). Second round, you'll have 4 matches, but only 7 competitors to draw from. Judges pick their favorite story to fill the gap (I don't know how this would happen, perhaps behind the scenes each judge rates each story from 1-10 as they judge, highest overall scoring story goes on). Third round is two matches, followed by finals.

The benefit of this is it provides someone another opportunity to write instead of having people sit out from writing. I think each CDM competition has had at least one matchup of very strong competitors. This would give a chance to help solve that problem by letting the strongest loser stay in the competition.

After my first CDM, I ran a very similar competition on another board I visit. We didn't have enough for full brackets, so we did this and it worked out very well (though I actually let the competitors vote for the story that advanced). The person actually wound up making it into the finals...quite a come back.

 

[GuardianLurker]

And here I am about to undo all that 7&14 planning...

I'm a little nervous about this (especially if I end up in 1a 'because my weekend is already committed) but I'll give it my best shot. Here's seeing if all those "Once Upon a Time" games have been wasted....

In short, I'm in.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

And here I am about to undo all that 7&14 planning...

I'm a little nervous about this (especially if I end up in 1a 'because my weekend is already committed) but I'll give it my best shot. Here's seeing if all those "Once Upon a Time" games have been wasted....

In short, I'm in.

No worries, I'll drop you in the 1b slot. Welcome aboard, and good luck!

 

[maxfieldjadenfox]

So, one more victim... I mean competitor slot left. Somebody? C'mon and play!

 

[Taladas]

Well since you asked so nicely sure I'm in.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Well since you asked so nicely sure I'm in.

You're in, but you're round starts today. Hope that works for you.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

The round 1a and 1b pairings are set. Pictures for round 1a go up today around noon. Let the smack-talk commence!