WotC Seeking Your Setting Proposals (was "Big Wizard announcement")

[Rasyr]

There is nothing in the template about pantheons. Thats wierd since both FR and DL have an extensive history that directly involves the immortals. I guess gods don't generate books?

Nik

There doesn't need to be anything in the template about pantheons. Information like that would first be introduced in the ten page treatment, and then fully expanded upon in the bible.

The main purpose (in my opinion) of the template for the single page is to

1) See ifthe applicants can follow directions

2) See if the applicant can develop a concept for a setting that would be new and exciting

3)See how well the applicant can write, as shown by how well (and how much) information is passed in the few short paragraphs that are asked for.

 

[Mouseferatu]

3)See how well the applicant can write, as shown by how well (and how much) information is passed in the few short paragraphs that are asked for.

Or even in a single short sentence.

They want the "core ethos" of a campaign world in one sentence? One that presumably gives more info than the generic "People fight stuff and use magic" example they gave for FR? I'm having to jump through all kinds of grammatical hoops to keep my "core ethos" sentences from becoming serious run-ons.

 

[Tallow]

Or even in a single short sentence.

They want the "core ethos" of a campaign world in one sentence? One that presumably gives more info than the generic "People fight stuff and use magic" example they gave for FR? I'm having to jump through all kinds of grammatical hoops to keep my "core ethos" sentences from becoming serious run-ons.

I think some of you may be missing the point of the first sentence. While yes, it is to work alot like a thesis statement, to give the reader an idea of the supposition that you are attempting to show proof, it would be a mistake to try to include too much information in your first sentence.

You should treat this first sentence more like a Journalistic Headline or the first sentence of a newspaper article. It should scream "READ ME!" If the reader gets bored or confused halfway through the sentence, they are more likely not to want to read the rest of the paper, even though its only one page.

The example given is actually a good example of the conciseness that you should be looking for. State it simply, dynamically, and in a way that will catch the eye of the reader.

i.e. "The World of Crabs is a dynamic environment of chitenous creatures and dark magic where mundane people battle fearsome foes with brawn and wits!"

Now granted that sentence is probably too long for what I'm talking about, and it may not be 100% grammatically correct, as I just pounded it out in 30 seconds, but it suites the point I'm trying to make. Don't try to say everything in your statement, just find two or three points that makes your world exciting, and use that to make the reader say, "Geez, I wanna check out this world, it sounds SOOOOO cool!"

Andy Christian

 

[Mouseferatu]

Tallow:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually writing paragraph-long sentences. I'm just saying that some concepts require more than a brief statement to truly get the point across.

And I'm just not fond of the FR example they gave; to me, it doesn't particularly make the setting seem interesting, let alone unique. I mean, the description applies to almost every sword-and-sorcery fantasy setting ever created, ya know?

 

[Tallow]

Tallow:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually writing paragraph-long sentences. I'm just saying that some concepts require more than a brief statement to truly get the point across.

And I'm just not fond of the FR example they gave; to me, it doesn't particularly make the setting seem interesting, let alone unique. I mean, the description applies to almost every sword-and-sorcery fantasy setting ever created, ya know?

Yes, I agree, and that's the difficult part. Finding a way to be both concise and inclusive.

Andy Christian

 

[Olidammara]

Re: A word of caution...

While this announcement is surely a great start for people to get their worlds published and what-not, I must caution you all: once you give your hard work to the company, THEY own it. Sure, you will receive like 120,000 bucks (nothing to shake a stick at, that's for sure) but you will not receive royalties. If your world becomes as popular as, say, Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms, you end up getting screwed. Just make sure this is something you really want to do and that you aren't too attached to the world you create. Once it's theirs, the butchering may commence to this place you have designed...
Good luck to you all....this is something I cannot bring myself to do, but for all of you who are competing, I wish you the best.

Excellent point. And definitely something to weigh: Do you want lots of money and fame for countless hours of effort, OR should you keep the campaign under wraps to preserve its integrity and maintain your current standard of living? ...
That's a toughie.

 

[Tallow]

Re: Re: A word of caution...

Excellent point. And definitely something to weigh: Do you want lots of money and fame for countless hours of effort, OR should you keep the campaign under wraps to preserve its integrity and maintain your current standard of living? ...
That's a toughie.

<ROFL> that' s hilarious. I love the tongue in cheek there.


I think some folks are under the misguided perception, that they could make more than 120grand on their world if they didn't sell the rights to WotC. If they buy your world there is a very good chance you will write supplements or at least parts of the campaign setting book for them. Their marketing department is much better than almost any I've ever seen. You will screw yourself if you choose not to do this simply cause you think WotC will screw you.

Andy

 

[Olidammara]

I think some of you may be missing the point of the first sentence. ...

Nice touch of irony. Very subtle.
A badly written submission guideline seeking examples of good writing? (heh) If you have to explain the sentence, then it's obviously not accomplishing what was intended.

(Or so says a newspaper journalist with 15 years of writing/editing experience.)

Sorta makes one wonder how much skill will be applied to judging the submissions. -- "I don't know how to 'splain good cypherin', but I knows it when I sees it!"

 

[Tallow]

Nice touch of irony. Very subtle.
A badly written submission guideline seeking examples of good writing? (heh) If you have to explain the sentence, then it's obviously not accomplishing what was intended.

(Or so says a newspaper journalist with 15 years of writing/editing experience.)

Sorta makes one wonder how much skill will be applied to judging the submissions. -- "I don't know how to 'splain good cypherin', but I knows it when I sees it!"

True, or as is often the case (and will be with the thousands of discarded ideas that don't follow the most basic and well spelled out rules of this contest) many folks just don't read for comprehension, they see what they want to see.

Andy Christian

 

[Zappo]

Re: Re: Re: FAQ

Spiderman is only 2 and a half hours, give ya 30 minutes drive tops, geeze man, you gonna go to bed at 7pm tonight?

Ahem.
1) I live in Padova, northeastern Italy, GMT +1.
2) I've just returned from the movie (cool!)
3) It's fifty past midnight.
Sometimes the Internet plays funny jokes.