Discussion

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

Discuss any of the fics nominated or any questions you have here.

[cya6]

I've noticed that quite a lot of the fics nominated thus far are one-shots. It's no wonder why, as the fics manage to captivate the reader in emotion grasping settings. These stories are heart touching, moment capturing, and thought provoking.

They can afford to be, mainly, because they capture the moment and build emotion and psychology

Sometimes it's just a typical day in their lives, that manages to build this.

But sometimes it's a different situation, where the actual story is only hinted at, and the fic is focused on a pivitol moment, which manages to express the emotions the characters work through.

These one shots are beautiful and captivating snap shots, sometimes a series of snap shots. They don't tell stories, so much as elaborate on the actual show.

Does this make any sense?

[Smartguy5000]

Makes perfect sense. Are you just pointing that out, or are you suggesting people should nominate longer stories?

[cya6]

Eh, sorta just pointing it out. It seemed interesting, is all. I had never before noticed the different approaches to writing one shots vs longer fics.

And I like to see stories of all legths nominated, as I'm sure has already happened. I just thought it was interesting. Some of the most prolific writers here write many one shots, and I was wondering if it in any way related to the fact that many of the nominated stories are one shots.

It would be a realistic inferrence, that an author would be likely to star off nominating the type of story they're most used to.

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

I think it makes sense. I totally agree with your point about elaboration. I know I've nominated oneshots because I can't really sit through too many of the longer stories, not that they're not good, I just loose interest unless it really caters to what I like to read. As for oneshots, I can quickly read it and reread it again. That being said, I plan to reread some of the longer stories I have liked in the past for the sake of nominations...and read some newer ones as well.

[aelitaxwilliam]

Wow, Cya, you really brought up a really good point. And I really liked how you explained it too (am I sounding like a crazy person yet, I hope not).

My own reason for nominating a lot of one-shots is because it's just easier to keep up consistent quality within one thousand words than in one hundred thousand words. With a long story, you also need to focus (more) on character development, juggling relationships, keeping the 'big bad' relevant, working on other antagonistic characters, all the while really making your readers root for your MC.

And let's be honest, my attention span with stories is horrible. ;a; It's easier for me to sit through a one-shot because it naturally has to go through the scene a lot faster. Versus a story, of course, there's all this emotional stuff that I just fidget through if it hasn't been built up in the many scenes that preceded it (an example I can think of is Harry Potter; there were definitely emotional scenes there, but JKR was so good afkjdks).

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

I think Kelly just brought up a super good point as well. Maintaining Quality. I think the smaller your fic is, the more it's expected to have in terms pure, unadultered quality. LIke, a 100,000 word fic can get away with pointless scenes, slow chapters, ooc moments, etc. In a oneshot, it's less than that. It's expected to be there and then done with everything it needs. Oneshots also allow for more in-character analyzing.

One more point I want to bring up that has to do with this is that the smaller the fic, the more it's expected to be perfect. For instance, a really good drabble has to be flawless in almost every aspect. I think that any work of fiction can be powerful, but it's more expected and easier the shorter it is. (Like tragedy has to be extremely powerful, and in general it's usually a oneshot). Does that make sense?

[Smartguy5000]

Makes perfect sense. Maybe thats why I need this push to work on my big story. And I'll try to make it as high quality as I can.

[cya6]

I think that may be one reason I don't right many one-shots. Too high of expectations.

Not to mention I can't tell how good they are

So because good one shots are so good, people expect them to be that good. Very true

[cya6]

who's read Spectroscope? Any thoughts? I agree that it's haunting, but I couldn't tell what happened at the end...

[Soul Jelly]

I've read it a few times now and I'm still not sure what to make of it.

[Stella Luce 333]

I'm not relly sure...Mabye they didn't get to the towr in time?

[AeonFrodo]

I'm not relly sure...Mabye they didn't get to the towr in time?

That sounds like the most likely case, as mentioned in the fic, Ulrich wanted to get things done as fast as they could. The more I read that last line of that drabble, the more I wonder if they failed to save somebody in time, or if it's a metaphor to say that Odd feels guilty that something horrible has happened, or both possibly.

It's amazing how so little could mean so many possibilities. Well, it's the power of show and not tell.

[Soul Jelly]

I'm honestly most confused about how there's 'walls and floor' on the banks of the Seine, since I thought it would be grass.

I think there's a metaphor there that's just gone over my head.

[aelitaxwilliam]

I keep on thinking of a school project they needed to get back to/someone was working on and didn't get to finish because of the popsicle. It's the only explanation that doesn't frustrate me, because why was posicle capitalised?! Common nouns are capitalised! And that's also making me wonder if Popsicle is a location or a person that I'm forgetting/the author hasn't named. That could explain the confusion. Though I'm not really sure how it would. Those types of drabbles just make me feel very disoriented, because I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be thinking.

Like Aeon said, it's really amazing how this drabble could mean so much. I mean, we're seriously discussing something that's probably under fifty words long, and it's cool, yo. /tips hat

[Stella Luce 333]

The one in the next chaptr is also kind of cool...

[Soul Jelly]

I'll take a look at the rest of them as well Stella.

Question - Can a fic be nominated for more than one category?
Question #2 - What happens if we're judging and one of our fics is nominated?

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

A fic can be nominated in multiple, but can only win one. If you're judging and your fic is nominated you will decide on the fic you would choose above all the others and the other judges will take that into account when they're choosing.

[Soul Jelly]

Thanks muchly Shadows.

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

Common nouns are capitalised!

Maybe it's Emily Dickonson's ghost? I actually never noticed it. I basically nominated it because it's sort of confusing but tells a whole story in a small amount (exactly 100 words, actually). There's anther good angsty one a few chapters away I almost nominated...involving character death (I don't want to spoil it further for anyone who wants to read it).

Also, I'd like a few more noms in each category (four or more for each would be perfect). We still have a ton of time. And don't rush descisions, but don't be scared to either.

[Soul Jelly]

I'm really struggling for Romance and General (the two broadest categories, so I'm spoiled for choice more than anything!) but in the meantime I'm going to just go ahead and try to max out my two-nomination limit for everything else.

Stella, thank you for re-introducing me to XANA-Induced Sugar High for Dummies. I don't normally go in for 'random' humour type fics, but I forgot how funny it was. I lost it at about the point where they all start running around screaming about llamas.

[SeeMeInTheShadows]

Wow, I've really got to read all the noms one of these days. (luckily the community keeps track of all the stories). And we got so many today- thanks Aeon and Soul! (And to think I just signed out of the ff.net account this morning.)

[Stella Luce 333]

Stella, thank you for re-introducing me to XANA-Induced Sugar High for Dummies. I don't normally go in for 'random' humour type fics, but I forgot how funny it was. I lost it at about the point where they all start running around screaming about llamas.

It's awsome, isn't it? I knew I wantd to nomnte one of her fics for Best Humr, but I had a hard time narrwng it down...

[Soul Jelly]

Hey folks, just want to remind you that nominations close on 15th June; that means two days left to get any last-minute noms in!

[Guest]

Legend's predictions:

Stonecreek (Best Drabble)

Why: Because his "Kadic Dossier" is easily one of the best drabble collections on the archive.

Audi Katia (Best Romance)

Why: "Exhale" is perfection. Unattainable comes very close, but I think this one goes to AK.

AeonFrodo (Best Angst)

Why: This one is tricky. I went with Aeon because I feel she has a bigger chance with two nominations. Not talking quality because pretty much all the nominations are potential winners.

Peace keeper 2014 (Best action)

Why: cuz I said so. AND he put a lot of time and effort into it.

No clue (Best General)

Why: the nominations are ridiculously imbalanced. How can you compare Kitty's one-shot with watfic's FLs? I suggested a word limit for each category because (quoting myself) "some fics tend to stretch for eternity". Would have made the judges' job easier and the competition more balanced. Next time, how about separating one-shots and huge stories?

Derexas the Dark angel (Best Humor)

Why: It's funny...

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Judges, read this post and change your judging to suit my predictions. If you don't, you're a hypocrite. If you do, you're a hypocrite.

@Anyone who feels like discussing my predictions: you are welcome.

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