Time for Ceramic DM? (judge-free commentary thread NO JUDGES ALLOWED AS OF NOW :) )

[orchid blossom]

Orchid Blossom, Birth Pangs:
Funny how both of you come up with a "two worlds clashing"-story, and use the bear-spider as somewhat inadvertent mutation. This was a fairly straightforward tale, a little too straightforward at times for me. I think the looming madness of the wizard could have shown itself a little more openly; I also think the idea that our world is simply not made for magic to exist a fairly sad one. Liked the story, though
Pics. As I said above, I will treat them normally, but my condolences to you for having that bad a set. I think this one was really mind-breaking!
You start with the fish in hand, a fine use, if not great. It highlighted the occuring mutations and introduced us to the theme, but i quickly forgotten afterwards.
The garden gnome and soldier were great. I was surprised by your literal take on the figurine, and I think it worked well. And damn those humans for putting them up in the first place!
The eyballs were very good. I liked the character immediately just by being told that keeping his eye in his drink kept it wet. I really wish his eccentricity (sp?) would have been shown a little more.
The weapons-car was... well, fairly straightforward. Of course, you change the rockets to sleeping-gas bombs, but still. It was o.k., I guess, but nothing special.
Finally, the spider-bear. I liked the image, but was a little confused that the bear had his nest right at the gate. And though guarded by military personnel, nobody saw the freakish thing building its web or dragging elks into it? That put me out of the story a little bit, but otherwise was fine.
Now, I'll say it again, that was a tough set of pics, tougher than even Rpggirl/rodrigo's (which were no piece of cake, either). So thank you for your story, I enjoyed it!

I agree with you on everything. Honestly, I couldn't get an idea for the longest time. Then, I finally finished the story about 3 in the afternoon on Wednesday. I took a break till 5 and then went to edit and revise. I took out an entire storyline and changed it in those last four hours. I think I rewrote a third to a half of the story right there. There was a fiance, and Carowyn had to fight the bear, and it just read terribly flat. Then I realized that the only reason the fiance was there at all was to get saved from the bear, so he got chucked.

I then had to work the bear in again. So the fact that it's nest was so close was one of those "it just got by me" moments. That poor bear was so thrown in, I think I'm going to get smacked on that one. lol

I also wanted Jacob to show more crazy man stuff, but I wasn't satisfied with how it was working. I've never been insane, nor have I met an insane (clinically anyway) person, so I was also a bit afraid of trying to write crazy and getting it wrong. Plus, he couldn't be too far gone or they couldn't trust him.

Anyway, I agree it's a bit too straightforward. I'll admit right now that I probably will never come back to this story, too many stressful vibes for me. But I think in the end I got something out of writing it.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it!

 

[RPGgirl]

About judging time

Since this is my first ceramic DM contest, I was wondering what the normal time frame for judging is? Is this competition pretty standard, or is it shorter, longer, whatever? I do not mean any offense, I'm just curious.

Tracy

 

[orchid blossom]

Last time was my first competiton, and the judging did take a while. Arwink was a judge last time, and his difference in time zone and computer issues created a wait. So it's standard at least for the last competition.

Also I know that last time was the first they started with 16 competitors. Usually it starts with 8, so just the volume of work is a lot more for the judges. This particular set of judges also likes to give good, detailed feedback, and that always takes longer. It is a bit nerve wracking, but I like the feedback.

And I don't think there's any offence to take, it's a valid question.

 

[BSF]

This is my third contest that I am competing in. The judging seems to be going a little longer than previous contests.

This is the second contest with 16 1st round contestants. That more than doubled the number of stories to be judged. The first round contains more stories than the entire contest does with 8 1st round contestants.

We also have three judges that are striving to provide a lot of solid feedback.

I appreciate the feedback, I really do. But, I have to wonder if providing hard core feedback on so many stories is draining on the judges. This is a volunteer gig so I am just happy to hear from them when they can get the judgement together. However, I do have to wonder if the length of the contest causes it to lose a little momentum.

 

[RPGgirl]

This is my third contest that I am competing in. The judging seems to be going a little longer than previous contests.

I appreciate the feedback, I really do. But, I have to wonder if providing hard core feedback on so many stories is draining on the judges. This is a volunteer gig so I am just happy to hear from them when they can get the judgement together. However, I do have to wonder if the length of the contest causes it to lose a little momentum.

I was kind of thinking the same thing myself, though I do not fault the judges for their effort or hard work. The potential I see with the judgements getting drawn out is running into contestants holidays, absences, etc. Anyway, I guess I am just anxious to find out if I made it to the next round.

 

[RPGgirl]

Okay, I have been giving this quite a bit of thought this morning, and I would like to respond to the judge's comments ...

First, I think Rodrigo deserved to win. This was definitely not my strongest story, and I think Rodrigo probably put more effort into it and it shows. Also, I agreed with most of the judges comments, and do not want to detract from anybodies well earned victory.

Having said that, I do take exception to a couple of things. First, is names. While the writers get bashed for spelling and gramar mistakes, I think it is not unreasonable for the judges to at least get the characters names right. Granted, Barsoomcore calling Tom 'Tim' could be written off as a simple oops, but Mythago calling Dale 'Doug'? To me that screams the judge did not really read the story ...

And that brings me to my second problem. Below is an excerpt from the story. I think it is clear that Dale's first dreams about his friends turning on him, then gym class, then his parents, and finally Jessica.

That night, lying on the stone floor of the cave, Dale tossed and turned as sleep eluded him. ... If only his ‘friends’ had defended him, he grumbled half awake. He wouldn’t be in this cave. He should have known better. This was no different than high school, especially gym class. Every time he entered that building, he was humiliated...

In fact, if it was anybody’s fault it was his parents ...

Like Jessica, he thought, the little slut who led him on all through twelfth grade. Sure, she was nice to him, but that was just because she wanted help with calculus. He could still hear those mocking words, Dale, you’re a sweet guy, but can’t we just be friends? Friends? Do friends tell you what a nice and caring guy you are then date someone else? Do friends hang out with you during study hall then refuse your invitation to the senior prom? No, they don’t. Friends stand up for you, stand by you.

And here is the criticism I received from Mythago

It's harder to buy the wicker man saving Jessica's house for last--if we're going chronologically, why not his parents?--and the cataclysmic movie-ending destruction of the cliff falling in.

We know from the story to this point, the Wicker Man destroyed the SCA friends, then the school, then his parents house. Chronologically, Jessica's house is last.

Again, I feel the judge did not really read the story. I suppose I would be okay with it, if the judgements were posted immediately after the story, but it was over a week. As an author that struggled to come up with something presentable in a short period of time, I am insulted by the lack of attention to details in the reviews - not that more detail is needed, just accuracy.

I would also have liked to see more emphasis on picture use, as I thought that was the point of the contest.

 

[Sialia]

Fair criticisms, worth giving directly to the judges.

 

[Berandor]

carpedavid, your story is exactly the reason I didn't want to do the story I ended up doing - if you know what I mean. The pics clearly suggested a "wacky superhero" story, and I think when it comes to humorous stories, my English really fails me. I don't have the casual knowledge that enables you to use puns and similar devices.

But enough of me. Your story is great. For a moment, I thought you were losing it towards the end, because there was only so much text left, but the resolution was wonderful! (no exclamation marks). There were no picture links in it that I could see, but the picture use was fairly obvious, so I don't hink it'll be held against you.
The Captain's superpower is wonderful, btw. Nice touch.
herbamonster: nice use, because it seemed as if the creature had given our hero a stronger bond with nature - necessary for the ending. Otherwise, I would have rated it as throwaway, because the creature doesn't really fit there and is gone immediately afterwards.
ilithiidstylist: A very cool idea, having the tentacles come out of her head, and using it as sign language! I loved that one! Wiggle, wiggle.
nojokerequired: I'm kind of torn. On the one hand, it introduced a love angle into the story, and that part was written wonderfully. On the other hand, what were the cats? Why were they chasing Keiko? I felt a little left out of that part, because clearly Captain C. (don't expect me to spell him ) doesn't think the situation to be strange at all.
talktothehand: Never forget. I liked the idea of Dr. Colossus' handprint smack dab in the middle of the Hall of Heroes. Cool idea!
greatestamericanwhatever: this pic is used at the beginning, obviously. I love how he first imagines his mirror image to be young and healthy. Very nice.
Of course, take that with a grain of salt, and remember that I am a little caught up in my own story here.

Good luck, anyway. I will most assuredly not be disappointed to lose to that story

 

[Macbeth]

I haven't read either entry yet, but based off of what Berandor said, I think CarpedDavid wrote the same story I would have written with those pics.

 

[orchid blossom]

I just finished up my story, but I'm going to wait to post for a while. I'll go back over it after I've been away from it for a little bit.

I ended up writing a completely different story than I thought I would, but it flowed along pretty easily. I'm so glad I didn't want to put my fist through the monitor this time.