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[Mahati]

Aenne wrote...

Mahati wrote...

 They should really define a word limit instead of a page limit. I remember a time when there was an essay on Shakespeare, and someone filled in seven pages of Macbeth - M on a page, A on a page... that person certainly produced over five pages of an 'essay' 

That's gotta take some balls to actaully do that and turn it in. XD

But he did turn it in. Became something of a notorious legend 

[JRain]

The Sarendoctrinator wrote...


I still remember the time I learned what "double spaced" meant... My junior high class had to write a paper that was three pages, double spaced. I wrote a paper that was two-and-a-half pages, single spaced, but hit the space bar twice between each word. I was so worried that I would get a bad grade because I couldn't possibly make my essay any longer. As it turned out, I did the same amount of work as the kids in high school, who had to write five pages. XD Oh well, lesson learned.

I did the same thing in junior high; I had an electric typewriter (and it was SO COOL at the time!!) and when a teacher said something about double spaced, I did two spaces between each word.  I was so annoyed at having to do that, and when I mentioned it to my mother she informed me that it meant spaces between the lines... not the words.  Now I usually ask my students to double space papers because it's easier to read and make comments and edits on.

As for my entry, I did 12pt TNR, double spaced; it was how I submitted all my work for grad school, as well as my final thesis, so I figured it'd be good enough for this (especially with no specific formatting guidelines given).

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Mahati wrote...

 They should really define a word limit instead of a page limit. I remember a time when there was an essay on Shakespeare, and someone filled in seven pages of Macbeth - M on a page, A on a page... that person certainly produced over five pages of an 'essay' 

Priceless!

[The Sarendoctrinator]

JRain wrote...

The Sarendoctrinator wrote...


I still remember the time I learned what "double spaced" meant... My junior high class had to write a paper that was three pages, double spaced. I wrote a paper that was two-and-a-half pages, single spaced, but hit the space bar twice between each word. I was so worried that I would get a bad grade because I couldn't possibly make my essay any longer. As it turned out, I did the same amount of work as the kids in high school, who had to write five pages. XD Oh well, lesson learned.

I did the same thing in junior high; I had an electric typewriter (and it was SO COOL at the time!!) and when a teacher said something about double spaced, I did two spaces between each word.  I was so annoyed at having to do that, and when I mentioned it to my mother she informed me that it meant spaces between the lines... not the words.  Now I usually ask my students to double space papers because it's easier to read and make comments and edits on.

It's amazing, I thought I was the only one who ever did this! I didn't know it was so common.

[Lasien]

Font: Times New Roman 13pt & Papyrus 11pt (the abomination's dialogue).
And now I'm wondering if a story from the point of an abomination is acceptable as "mage viewpoint"...

[Aenne]

Lasien wrote...

Font: Times New Roman 13pt & Papyrus 11pt (the abomination's dialogue).
And now I'm wondering if a story from the point of an abomination is acceptable as "mage viewpoint"...

That sounds like fun read! 

[Fortlowe]

Anyone else get well into a false start before starting over with an entirely different story? I did. My first try was a story about a couple of half-blood (half-elf) half brothers (same mom, different dads) that track runaway mages for an ex-Templar for profit. It was going to be kind of a light hearted, but still tough as nails, hard-boiled detective novel set in Kirkwall. Obviously it's a bit convoluted and it would have been way too long to submit Not to mention, it's not exactly told from the perspective of a Templar or a mage but a couple of bounty hunter. Still, I might get around to writing it out one day.

[Mahati]

You know, speaking of word limits, I once saw a short story contest where the limit was...100 words. I still can't believe it.

[Sandtigress]

Aenne wrote...

Lasien wrote...

Font: Times New Roman 13pt & Papyrus 11pt (the abomination's dialogue).
And now I'm wondering if a story from the point of an abomination is acceptable as "mage viewpoint"...

That sounds like fun read! 

My original write-up was from a demon's point of view that you were supposed to believe was a templar.  I ended up scrapping it as too risky since it didn't really fit the rules, which was sad because I liked the story overall.  Wrote up something different instead.

[Aenne]

Mahati wrote...

You know, speaking of word limits, I once saw a short story contest where the limit was...100 words. I still can't believe it.

I would have failed so hard at that.

[Aenne]

Sandtigress wrote...

Aenne wrote...

Lasien wrote...

Font: Times New Roman 13pt & Papyrus 11pt (the abomination's dialogue).
And now I'm wondering if a story from the point of an abomination is acceptable as "mage viewpoint"...

That sounds like fun read! 

My original write-up was from a demon's point of view that you were supposed to believe was a templar.  I ended up scrapping it as too risky since it didn't really fit the rules, which was sad because I liked the story overall.  Wrote up something different instead.

That also sounds like another fun read!   I hope you kept the original.

[Sandtigress]

Aenne wrote...

That also sounds like another fun read!   I hope you kept the original.

I did, and stuck it up on ff.net since it wasn't going into the competition.  Honestly, I wanted to know if it struck people with the right reaction more than anything else.  I had as many random people read it as I could before I decided to scrap it. :-P  I guess if anyone's really curious, they could read it here.  Though of course I've already gone and spoiled the naive reaction by telling you guys about it!

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

I brainstormed a few ideas before going with the one that felt most unique. These were three of my unused ideas.

1. A blood mage scholar living in Darktown's more dangerous areas after the conclusion of Act III. Many templars scouring the city for apostates, but some templars left the Order after what happened at the Gallows. One such templar is working for the mage in exchange for payments of lyrium. The former-templar's job is to recover rare texts for the mage, and quite a bit of dangerous research has become available after the virtual sacking of the Circle Tower -- including Quentin's.

2. A templar who has abandoned the Order after what happened at the Gallows falls upon troubles while travelling from the city. He is rescued by some Kirkwall refugees, and when discover he was a templar they reveal they are mages. The mages bind him and argue what to do with him. While he's recognised as a non-cruel templar, some argue that by turning a blind eye to his fellows' evils is enough crime to warrant painful vengeance. Others argue against it. A fight breaks out.

3. A child manifests mage powers and unintentionally kills her mother (trying to give her a static-zap by rubbing feet in a rug, she's determined to give the biggest zap ever and...yeah). The father keeps her locked in the house and attempts to defend it against his fellow villagers while waiting for templars. For the purposes of showcasing that most mage children don't survive due to prejudice, I was considering having the house be set on fire and the child die in it.

I was trying to think of a happier story, but the mage/templar thing doesn't really inspire humour. XD

[Kat Tiki]

I used the default font for my MS Word, which was Calibri. Didn't even think to change it. Font size was 11, 1.5 spacing, had 2500 words exactly and filled up six pages.

For the story, I took some liberties. My character wasn't exactly a templar, even though she considered herself one. She worked for the templars unofficially as a templar hunter, searching for a Somniari apostate, aka her twin sister.

[Firky]

motomotogirl wrote...

I make my students upload their papers to me, then I can count the words using MS Word. They are sooo sad when they lose points for it being 749 words instead of 750. Cry me a river. Of course they also lose points for incorrect font, font size, and spacing.

O.O People literally submit papers with 749 words? Surely if they just word counted that they could slot in one word.

(Also, wow. But sure, learning that people mean it when they set criteria is a good lesson, I guess.)

PS. Also, like everyone else it seems, I had heaps of trouble keeping mine under 2500. But I always find that shorter is always, always better. Always. (Unless it really is a different kind of story.)

Modifié par Firky, 14 janvier 2012 - 06:48 .

[ColorMeSuprised]

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

And here I am using my default MS Word layout settings like a sucker.

I should have used WordArt for the title and The Dark Crystal font for the main text.

Seriously, so long as your story follows the basic layout principles of a standard fantasy novel and isn't one solid block of text without a single paragraph break to be seen, I don't think you need more than that.

That's a nice font! Hah, I'm going to look for it right now, since I do not have it.

I used Ringbearer for the titel. I really like that font but seldom use it. Mostly for everything Dragon Age related since I can't find a Dragon Age fond.

Firky wrote...
PS.
Also, like everyone else it seems, I had heaps of trouble keeping mine under 2500. But I always find that shorter is always, always better. Always. (Unless it really is a different kind of story.)

Usually, I write like a maniac and have up to 100 pages. That's no problem. But with this story I had a problem even reaching 1000 words. When I thought it was finished, I had 900 words. But something was missing. So I waited a few days and then I finally had it and I was at 2035 words. 


One of my ideas I kicked over was about a mage talking to someone. The reader would slowly notice that the person was a being of the Fade and at the end, you would see a templar. Since I didn't really go with it, I didn't think much about it.

My second idea was what I wrote for the contest. Though inbetween I jumped back and forth. Man, woman, the person or another. For a short time it was about a certain templar infatuated with Malcolm Hawke. I deleted that pretty soon. Then it was about a certain templar watching Orsino and his growth as a mage, timid and shy at the beginning, but with utmost passion. I think at the end, the story had change (content alone, not writing!) twenty times until it became what it is now. But I really really like it that way!

2nd person POV was a given for the story. It just fitted what I wanted to convey (and I wanted to write a story again with this POV ).

Modifié par ColorMeSuprised, 14 janvier 2012 - 07:25 .

[Lord Methrid]

I wonder which ones will be Jessica's top pick of the litter:wub:

[The Sarendoctrinator]

I didn't have too much trouble keeping to the word limit. After I finished, I only had to cut out 15 words, but if I hadn't already been at the limit, I would have wanted to stretch out the ending a bit more. It didn't hurt the story to leave out that extra information though.

I came up with my idea on the same night that I found out about the contest, and stayed awake until 7 AM on Christmas morning to write the outline. xD The story that I wrote mostly followed that outline, with only a few details changed during the planning stages.

Lord Methrid wrote...

I wonder which ones will be Jessica's top pick of the litter

I'm curious too. It would be nice if they could give us an idea of when the top five will be announced.

[Mahati]

 I didn't have trouble with the word limit either. But for "Tranquil Whispers", I did have to change my writing style to 'flow' with Nimue's thoughts, while retaining the third person perspective.

Hope that made sense 

Modifié par Mahati, 14 janvier 2012 - 07:32 .

[guitarbard]

RagingCyclone wrote...

@ Firky...I remember in college a limit of 5 pages in a pre-law class. A girl came in with one that was was 20...and her jaw dropped when the prof took the bottom 15 pages and threw them in the trash right in front of the class. The reasoning the prof gave was that so many written words translated to so many spoken minutes. She treated the papers as oral statement to either a judge or jury. The point she made was you have x amount of time to make your point and no redo's...either you made it or you didn't.

I like your professor.

And I'd love to know what grade has to do 750-word papers, 'cause all of mine have to be between 1,600 and 2,200, and I don't even want to think about how long my FYP has to be...

[Firky]

Mahati wrote...

 I didn't have trouble with the word limit either. But for "Tranquil Whispers", I did have to change my writing style to 'flow' with Nimue's thoughts, while retaining the third person perspective.

Hope that made sense 

Oh. Another Tranquil one. I hope I can read it eventually. Mine was based on a Tranquil protagonist. I found that a different, and thoroughly detatched narrator worked for me. But it's also impersonal because of it. I'd love to actually read what a Tranquil person is thinking.

[thats1evildude]

I had to cut like 500 words out of mine. If I post the story somewhere, I think I'll be restoring some of the stuff I had to chop.

My protagonist was actually a giant tomato. 

Modifié par thats1evildude, 14 janvier 2012 - 07:59 .

[Mahati]

Firky wrote...

Mahati wrote...

 I didn't have trouble with the word limit either. But for "Tranquil Whispers", I did have to change my writing style to 'flow' with Nimue's thoughts, while retaining the third person perspective.

Hope that made sense 

Oh. Another Tranquil one. I hope I can read it eventually. Mine was based on a Tranquil protagonist. I found that a different, and thoroughly detatched narrator worked for me. But it's also impersonal because of it. I'd love to actually read what a Tranquil person is thinking.

Yours sounds interesting!

Not sure when to post my story, though. Maybe after the results are announced?

[Firky]

Not sure. I think I'm a bit too gutless to post mine. But, at a later stage, if you want to exchange them, DM me and we can do so via email.

[Mahati]

Firky wrote...

Not sure. I think I'm a bit too gutless to post mine. But, at a later stage, if you want to exchange them, DM me and we can do so via email.

Heh, me too. I don't want to jinx anything. And sure! No problem. I'd like to read your story too

Edit: Oh, and despite the title, Tranquil Whispers really isn't about a Tranquil mage. It's a reference to something in-story.

Modifié par Mahati, 14 janvier 2012 - 08:17 .