Thank you for verbalizing what I couldn't think straight enough to do, Letho and Ranger. That's always been the argument and always been the key.
Thank you for verbalizing what I couldn't think straight enough to do, Letho and Ranger. That's always been the argument and always been the key.
Another note: the EXP equations used for quests produce only base amounts. The judges can adjust that amount if they determine it prudent. Don't be afraid to mention your concerns in the judging requests either. The requests are a good way to communicate with them.
Althanas Operations Administrator
Dirks GP amount: 2949
Also, since I only really thought about it now, if I ever saw a 10,000 word post I'd just calculate that EXP as if there were 10 posts.
Cold, jade eyes that liquify
eyes that are merciless,
staring in mute mockery
and in mockery of the muteness
While I'm knew here, I have some experience with writing and have been finding ways to improve since the start (and a part of it is maturity...but anyway, that was a tangent).
I have a couple points on this matter: While the number of posts shouldn't matter in the score of a thread, the author(s) should keep in mind that different scenes are better indicated by a new post - the same reason why there are chapters in novels. The number of posts should be up to the author(s) with that (and the judge's ease) in mind; however, if long posts make the thread difficult to read, then the score should be decreased. If long posts decrease the inefficiency of transitions, then the score should be decreased. But, if the length of the post doesn't effect the quality of the writing and the story, then it shouldn't effect the score.
And I understand the...dislike of solos, but there are times where it is necessary; however, most people here are not here to write solos, they're here to interact. If someone writes to many solos, then a Mod should point it out to them.
Now, before people start clamering for a change in the formula, let's know what the formula is. If there is demed to be a problem by the majority of people here, then a change should be made. But not until then.
Last edited by SunDancer; 03-14-08 at 09:50 PM.
"Dancers aren't made of their technique, but their passion."
"To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking." ~Agnes De Mille
"I don't have an attitude, I'm just REALLY good!" ~Dance Caravan
If long (or incredibly brief) posts make the thread awkward or difficult to read, that's a deduction from Pacing. Plain and simple.
Current Threads
Clean and Clear (Solo)
Recently Finished Threads
Through Forge and Flame (Solo, 77)
The Rubric: Remeberin Garthabel (1)
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Being new, SunDancer, you'd not know about Alcolyte Boshe, but I'm pretty sure the vast majority of what I saw from the characters played by him were rped in a solo or a thread between two of his own characters.
heh and no one mentioned Valentina Snow. She was a very big member way back when and she did almost nothing but solo. She did RP with other people but I never saw her do anything but a solo.
The creature in the sky
Got sucked in a hole now
There's a hole in the sky
And the ground's not cold
And if the ground's not cold
Everything is going to burn
We'll all take turns
I'll get mine, too
This monkey's gone to heaven
-the Pixies, Monkey Gone to Heaven
Very true, I forgot she did a lot of solo's. No issues with either of them, they just wrote how it flowed, which was my point for bringing them up in the first place, had forgotten why I said the names, lol
Jess was kind of in her own category, though. She would have 3,4 even 5 pages and each post would be 3000+ words. Very few solos are that length, and they took her months to finish.
Just for the record, I tend to alter my post count formula if I sense that the threads in question are longer or shorter. I would input a 10,000 word post into our formula as if it were 20 posts, and a 3000 word ten-poster in as if it were 6 posts. My rule of thumb for a post is around 500 words, and if I sense that posts are going over or below that mark I'll adjust my scoring accordingly.
Also, just so everyone knows, I have judged a thread before that was only around 4000 words and was exactly 6 posts. And yet it still managed to tell a rollicking good story, kept my attention, made me laugh, and was, in a word, complete. In fact, I didn't even realize the story didn't meet the "technical" requirements until I finished writing the judging. So don't feel wedded to the rules there. We keep them around to prevent people from writing 300 words worth of tripe and trying to get rewards for it. But if your sample is sufficient and engaging and complete, it should be judged in most cases.
Exile of Raiaera
"He who has knowledge of the just and the good and beautiful ... will not, when in earnest, write them in ink, sowing them through a pen with words which cannot defend themselves by argument and cannot teach the truth effectually."
--Plato, Phaedrus
Althanas Staff Administrator Emeritus