55 replies to this topic

[John Roberts]

So, after talking about it for so long we figured it was about time we actually started one. A contest, that is. And seeing as it’s ‘tis the Season, and all that other good Scrooge and Frosty stuff, why not make it a Christmas theme contest?

So, to kick off FUS’ first official contest (first if you ignore the ones we did a few years ago, and that recent banner one on the last board...), I give you a fanfic contest.

It’s very simple, yet very ingenious in it’s simplicity!

What’s the deal with this crap anyway?
We want you to retell a classic Christmas story of your choosing, and insert the SatAM cast into it and give it your own spin. Who you use or how you use them will be completely up to you. There is no requirement to try and fit every character in. However, as a fun rule, you are not to use a fan character, or any character for that matter other than a character that has appeared on the show.

That means no SEGA, Archie or fan characters; no Stargate or Buffy characters either. For example: Frosty the Snowman must be a satAM character, he can’t just be Frosty. You have an old English narrator speaking through the story? Yes, then even he must be a character from the show. All those damn reindeers or that friggen mouse not stirring? Make them Worker bots or something, I don’t care. They must be from the show.

[UPDATE 15nov09] Santa can be exempt from that lil' rule.

The location of the stories can be wherever the Christmas Story needs them to be. However, extra points and nods will go to the writers that can work satAM locations into them (How the Grinch Stole the Void anyone?).

Length?
Short story, with emphasis on the ‘short’. We don’t need novels here. It can be as short as 500 words, or as long as... a really high word count of some sort. Length of the story is not what we are judging here. And speaking of...

Judge, jury and... bribes?
Judges will be myself (because I can’t be trusted to judge alone), Paul (god knows how the hell this happened) and Spade (nothing funny to say here).

We will be basing judgments on the following:
- How well the writer does in infusing the satAM characters into a Christmas story, as well as keeping them in-character while doing so (if Antoine is Frosty then he’s still going to be a wuss).
- Location of the story. While not strictly Mobious based, however, as I said earlier, more points will go to any writer in able to recreate a period story (something like Scrooge in old England) that fits into, say, Lower Mobious.
- Imagination and quality: it must be your own work. Don’t just replace satAM characters names into a Christmas story and expect us to be amused by your awesomeness. Plagiarism = bad. Don’t do what another member once did many years ago, a member that shall remain nameless (we will call him ‘Red-tinge Sonic’.)
- Grammar. Our last criteria simply because we’re not expecting the bloody De Vinci Code here. If entries turn into a photo finish then this rule will be our deciding factor. And bribes.

Who can enter?
If your name is not Kef, then you are free to enter!

Seeing as we are giving away prizes here, and it is our first contest, entry will only go to those that have memberships here. And it is an ‘official’ contest here on FUS, so that means MODs and ADMINs are not eligible to enter. Our FUS project staff members are, however, free to do so.

And of course...

Prizes!
Depending on how many entries we receive the number of prizes will slightly differ.

If the number is high: First prize will be a 100USD. You must have a paypal account to qualify for this - I won’t be mailing cheques or money orders. And to make sure no one is deterred to enter because of not having paypal, you will win a video game instead.

Second prize: A video game of your choice, for any system old or new. Even, god willing, a bloody Wii game.

If the entries are quite low then the video-game-of-your-choice will be the first place prize given. There will be no second place.

As an added bonus for every entry we receive I will donate 10 USD to a charity of the winner’s choosing.

Deadline
20th of December - winner announced on the 22nd. 100 dollars could be very useful for a number of reasons just before Christmas. Bills, booze, gifts, booze, Santa traps - whatever.

What do I do?!
Use this thread as a sort of signing-up thing. However, please do not post your entries here. Those little buggers you may email (or PM) to either of us three Judges. The winning entry will be posted on the main page for all to read, and all other entries posted in the 'Contest' section of the forum, by us judges, for everyone to share and enjoy them once the comp has ended.

Questions?
Ask them away right here. As much as I hate to admit it, I am not a god-like man; I cannot foresee every possible query. So, ask them here if you any doubts needing fixing. I’m quite sure this post will receive many edits. :wink:



Oh. And the contest starts right now.

[Gojira007]

Count me in! The length thing might be a problem (I have trouble keepin' it short...>3>), but 100 dollars or a Game of my Choice both feel like Prizes worth fightin' for!

[Zephyr]

Ya, I gotta do this for sure!

[furrykef]

If your name is not Kef, then you are free to enter!

I intend to break this rule.

[Spade]

Judge, jury and... bribes?
Judges will be myself (because I can’t be trusted to judge alone), Paul (god knows how the hell this happened) and Spade (nothing funny to say here).

By the way; yes, we are listed in order corresponding to the above title. So don't try and bribe John and Paul they'll rip you off and probably want a kidney or at least a lung. My extortionately high rates are much fairer.

[chief]

A new lung would be nice..

[Gojira007]

OK, one quick question. Is Santa exempt from the "SatAM characters only" rule? I ask only because the only SatAM characters I can think to replace ol' St. Nick with would make my story feel too parodic for my purposes.

[Ratty Randnums]

Jolly old Saint Bot'Nick eh? I'm surprised that wasn't a joke on AoStH if indeed it wasn't.

[John Roberts]

OK, one quick question. Is Santa exempt from the "SatAM characters only" rule? I ask only because the only SatAM characters I can think to replace ol' St. Nick with would make my story feel too parodic for my purposes.

Okie-dokie. The jolly fat man himself can be exempt.

[Gojira007]

Okie-dokie. The jolly fat man himself can be exempt.

Awesome. Thanks, man.

OH, 'n' Ratty:

[Morgan]

I thought I remembered Robotnik doing something like that in AoStH! Wow, that makes me smile seeing that.

[btstlouis]

Sounds like a cool contest. Too bad I'm not creative and suck at writing...

[chief]

Sounds like a cool contest. Too bad I'm not creative and suck at writing...

For 100 bucks or a game, what do you have to loose?

[randomizer]

His dignity?

[chief]

Yeah I probably will make fun of all the entries...

I mean... I will respect every story that gets entered! Yeah...

[randomizer]

I might write something about the staff here rather than SatAM. At least if it's BS it will still make sense.

[chief]

Hahaha that would be interesting to read.

[btstlouis]

His dignity?

Pretty much, haha.

[Vlad Yvhv]

Hmm... Just how restrictive is the story pool? Is it specifically the old ones that everyone knows, or can stuff like Jeff Foxworthy's "Twas the Night After Christmas" be used?

[John Roberts]

Old, new - doesn't really matter as long as it's Christmas-y.