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- Fantasy vs Science Fiction Story Contest
#1
28th May 2015 at 12:01 PM
Last edited by Qnshr5 : 23rd Sep 2015 at 2:24 AM.
Posts: 293
Fantasy vs Science Fiction Story Contest
Fantasy vs Science Fiction: A Sims Story Contest
Concept: Choose one genre--either fantasy or science fiction--and write a story in 5 rounds.
Qualifications to Host:
- Hosted Horror vs Romance: A Story Contest; Judged missroxor’s Monster Mash-Up; Contestant in Heaven’s Story Time: Hero’s Edition; Contestant in justJones’ Making Headlines;
Requirements:
Any skill level. Writing, picture taking, speculative genre experience helpful, but not necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn if you’ve never done it before. Hone your skills or just have fun whether you’re a noob or an old pro.
Rounds:
Over the whole contest you will write a complete story with beginning, middle and end in 5 rounds. Each round will be one part of your story with round 1 being the beginning and the final round the ending. Each round you will be required to include a plot point based off the 5 point structure and a selected element in your story. There will also be a quote bonus each round with the possibility of a second bonus. Bonuses are optional.
Choose either fantasy or science fiction to write in. You cannot write in both. However, you may write any kind of story within the genre. If you’re writing a story with the other genre in it like a sci-fi fantasy (think Star Wars), be sure that the genre group you choose is the main focus.
Contest Rules:
1. Contest Rules Apply
2. Sims 2, 3 & 4 accepted
3. One entry per person. First round is application. Must have 5-20 entries.
4. Any CC are allowed.
5. Original stories only. No borrowed or reused stories. It must be a new story written by you not one you’ve (or anyone else has) written before.
6. PG-13 or below only! No Explicit material please! This means no graphic violence, sexual themes, or mature adult material. Cursing is allowed, but must be kept within reason/relevancy.
7. No placeholders. Your entry will only be added once it appears to be a full submission meaning the word/picture count appears to be in the requirements and the entry form is complete. A couple screenshots and a few sentences does not count as an entry. Please hold off posting until you have something that is close to completion. I will not add you otherwise.
8. Entry form must be completely filled out for your submission to be added. This includes the word & picture counts. If you post an entry with an incomplete form, you will not be added until the entry form is completed. If you do not fix this before round 1 ends, you will not be able to participate.
9. Post editing is allowed. This means you can edit your entry until the round closes. No post editing after a round ends. If you do post edit after a round has closed it will be considered late. Your entry will be judged based on what you’ve submitted.
10. Extensions may be granted without penalty by request only. PM me as soon as you realize you need one. Otherwise, participants can turn in an entry up to 3 days late with -3 pts per day.
11. Entry must be in spoiler tags.
Story Rules
1. Main characters must be your creation. Can be any age, species, pet, etc.
2. Must be a complete story with a beginning, middle and end. Endings can be ambiguous or cliffhangers, but must be conclusive.
3. Must have a title and include a 1-3 sentence synopsis and a brief recap of previous rounds.
4. Word count must be within 1,200-2,500 words each round (unless instructed otherwise). Please use Microsoft Word or Word Counter for your count.
5. Screenshots are required and must be within 12-25 pictures each round (unless instructed otherwise). Pictures must be 800x600 (min) to 1280x1060 (max).
See Creator Guidelines Screenshot Basics
6. Grammar/spelling will not be judged, but please put your best effort into it.
7. A cover picture is optional. This is like a book front cover or a movie poster. The cover picture should reflect your story and be above the entry outside of the spoiler. You may use photo editing to your heart’s content, including text, effects, etc, on this picture only.
8. Photo editing can be used at minimal. Borders, greyscale/sepia, saturation are all okay.
9. Considering the genres, the following photo editing is allowed though limited**:
- Blur, smudge/fog can be sparingly used to enhance a shot or mood.
- Text may be added, if necessary, to convey information on a visual (like a computer screen, ID, letter, signs, etc). The picture might be hard to see so please have all relevant information in your story’s text as well. Pictures with text must also adhere to the above editing rules.
- Cropping pictures may only be used to 1. cut out watermarks/pause button, or 2. to add secondary in-game taken pictures onto the main pictures through the following visual mediums: you may add a secondary in-game picture to a TV, computer, phone, or movie screen, and to photos (including frames, albums, IDs, police reports, etc) that are within the main picture. Secondary pics can be cropped, re-sized & layered to fit. The pictures on the screens or photos must also adhere to the above editing rules. Further Explanation here
**Judges must be able to tell that your pictures are The Sims game and reserve the right to decide if your editing is too much. When in doubt, ask! Remember, editing does not need to be used at all to produce great pictures. Get creative!
Scoring:
(Contestants will be scored by the judges. Those scores will be added and averaged. All scores show the maximum available points for that section. Each question of criteria worth up to 5 points.)
1.Creativity (15): Is the story original? Is it entertaining? Is the selected element done well, flows with the story?
2. Character (20): Is the main character(s) realistic and relatable? Do they have goals/desires that are clear & understandable? Do they make decisions that have consequences (good or bad) that shape the plot? Do they grow/change or are challenged to grow/change?
3. Story (20): Does the plot make sense/is it understandable? Is there conflict that’s consistent, a struggle that’s rising? Is the antagonist/obstacle believable and enough of a threat to keep the story moving? Are the round plot objectives met?
4. Atmosphere (20): Do the words paint a picture/good description? Do the props/staging fit what they’re portraying? Do the pictures visually tell the story, help bring the world to life? Is the mood and tone clear, consistent, and right for the story (in word & picture)?
5. Genre (10):
Fantasy
Do fantastical elements play a major role in the plot?
Is the story set up in a way that comes across as possible?
Science Fiction
Does science and/or technology play a major role in the plot?
Is the story set up in a way that comes across as plausible?
6. World Building (10): Are the rules/laws/ways of the world clear, understandable, logical, and consistent?
Does the world come across like a real place the reader is transported to; are there enough details/descriptions to bring it alive?
7. Presentation(5): Is it organized/follow the entry form? Does it adhere to the rules? Is it within the rounds limits (pictures/words)? (Deducted points at judges discretion.)
8. Bonus Rounds(5-10): Determined by how difficult or how much work is required.
Scores will be added and averaged. Max points=100/round. Bonus round max=105-110/100
Judging:
***This contest has a heavy workload so please do not volunteer if you won’t have plenty of time to set aside or have trouble managing your time.***
3 judges and 1 more emergency judge are needed. Judges must meet Contest Requirements. It is preferred that judges have MTS contest experience. Story/writing experience would be helpful, but not necessary. You must be able to read and judge in 7 days (max participants & words means 20x2000=40,000 words in 1 week + scoring & comments. Can you handle that?). You should also be willing to give constructive criticism, encouragement, feedback to each contestant each round within the judging time frame. If you’d like to be a judge or EJ, please include any experience in your request.
Judge 1 | Judge 2 | Judge 3 | EJ 1 | EJ 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
heaven | tsyokawe | Qnshr5 |
Timeline:
Each round will last 3 weeks ending at 11:59:59 AoE. You have 3 weeks to write, take pictures and post/edit your story. There are 5 rounds so this contest will last until the middle of September. Round 5 ends 13 September
CONTESTANTS
Fantasy
Contestants | Round 1 | Score | Round 2 | Score | Round 3 | Score | Round 4 | Score | Round 5 | Score | Final Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bre814 | It's All in the Eyes | 76.3 | Chapter | 67.8 | Chapter | 74.2 | Chapter | 78.7 | Chapter | 77.8 | 74.96 |
2 | Ghost sdoj | Between Two Worlds | 84.3 | Chapter | 92.3 | Chapter | 83.8 | Chapter | 87.5 | Chapter | 92.2 | 88.02 |
3 | Letcupcake | The Linessis Chronicles | 65.5 | Chapter | 79.3 | No Entry | 0 | DO | ---- | DO | ---- | ------ |
4 | lil bag2 | Anne Arbor | 83.2 | Chapter | 93 | Chapter | 104.2* | Chapter | 99.3* | Chapter | 98 | 95.54 |
5 | hungryhippo | The Darthtopian Dream | 77.5 | Chapter | 83 | DO | ---- | DO | ---- | DO | ---- | ----- |
Science Fiction
Contestants | Round 1 | Score | Round 2 | Score | Round 3 | Score | Round 4 | Score | Round 5 | Score | Final Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | blatant07 | Darkness Falls | 69.3 | Chapter | 72.3 | Chapter | 79.3 | Chapter | 80.2 | Chapter | 88 | 77.82 |
2 | Freelala | Avalanche | 99.3* | Chapter | 105.7* | Chapter | 103.7 | Chapter | 98.8 | Chapter | 110* | 103.5 |
3 | elphaba2 | Isolation | 86 | Chapter | 95.6 | Chapter | 103 | No Entry | 0 | No Entry | 0 | 56.92 |
4 | sionelle | Erosion | 80.2 | Chapter | 96.3 | Chapter | 99.2 | DO | ----- | DO | ----- | ------ |
Round Scores Breakdowns & Judges’ Feedback
Entry Form:
Story Title:
Genre:
Word/Picture Count:
Round Element: (Include identifying title, name, theme only)
Synopsis & Recap: (recap starting in rd 2)
Cover Picture: (optional)
Entry [in spoilers]
Bonus: [in spoilers](optional, include identifying title, quote, name, etc)
*Any necessary “Author’s Notes” should be included below the bonus in the bonus' spoilers.
Fantasy/Sci-Fi Genre Definitions for this Contest
There is debate on what constitutes one or the other, but we're going simple for this contest in order to be clear and have a definite difference between the two. Please make sure you story can fit within the boundaries (you shouldn't have much problem as it's pretty broad).
"It's been said that science fiction and fantasy are two different things: science fiction the improbable made possible; fantasy, the impossible made probable…" Rod Serling
"If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, it’s science fiction. If it’s set in a universe that doesn’t follow our rules, it’s fantasy. Science fiction is about what [I/]could[I] be but isn’t; fantasy is about what couldn’t be." Orson Scott Card
"It's been said that science fiction and fantasy are two different things: science fiction the improbable made possible; fantasy, the impossible made probable…" Rod Serling
"If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, it’s science fiction. If it’s set in a universe that doesn’t follow our rules, it’s fantasy. Science fiction is about what [I/]could[I] be but isn’t; fantasy is about what couldn’t be." Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
For the purposes of this contest, science fiction must be set in a world that is not our own current reality, but is still possible/could have been possible and functions mostly/entirely under the laws of our universe. Yes, you can have unexplained technology & science. Yes, you can add fantasy elements, but your sf elements must be at the forefront of the story. (Solve your problems with less Force & more tech, Luke.) Readers should be able to tell your story is science fiction (hard or soft) and assume that all the known laws of nature apply, except where exceptions are noted. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
For the purposes of this contest, science fiction must be set in a world that is not our own current reality, but is still possible/could have been possible and functions mostly/entirely under the laws of our universe. Yes, you can have unexplained technology & science. Yes, you can add fantasy elements, but your sf elements must be at the forefront of the story. (Solve your problems with less Force & more tech, Luke.) Readers should be able to tell your story is science fiction (hard or soft) and assume that all the known laws of nature apply, except where exceptions are noted. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
- Advanced technology that does/did not exist during the time period, past or present
- Futuristic/ETs/Alien planets/Space/Time or Dimension Travel through tech/science
- Exploration of the wonders and/or dangers of science & technology on society
Fantasy
For the purposes of this contest, fantasy must be set in a world that is not our own, but is plausible and functions under its own laws in some/all ways. Yes, it can be our world, but shouldn’t be our actual known reality (think urban fantasy). Readers should be able to tell your story is fantasy and assume that you have created a whole new set of natural laws that cannot be violated. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
For the purposes of this contest, fantasy must be set in a world that is not our own, but is plausible and functions under its own laws in some/all ways. Yes, it can be our world, but shouldn’t be our actual known reality (think urban fantasy). Readers should be able to tell your story is fantasy and assume that you have created a whole new set of natural laws that cannot be violated. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
- Magic exists and impacts society some way
- The supernatural/paranormal and/or fantastical exist and impacts society some way
- Alternate universe/dimensions, other worlds that do/did not exist during the time period, with a fantastical bent
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Round Five: -- 13 September (yes, Sunday is on purpose as I may not be available until then and don't want to chance not being able to close timely so lucky you!)
May have up to 3,000 words and 30 pictures! Minimums remain the same.
Objective: All Good Stories Must Come to an End: The story must end. the main conflict, resolve any subplots, and tie up loose ends. If you’re envisioning an ambiguous ending or want to be able to continue your story on another platform, make sure that the current plot arc feels conclusive, like it is over even if another adventure is awaiting your hero/heroine. (Similar to the first installment of a trilogy or series concludes its current plot, but leaves a larger story open for the next book or film.)
Your story must end.
Element: Final Battle: The last confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist/main obstacle. The protagonist either overcomes and succeeds in accomplishing their goal or is defeated and fails to accomplish their goal. This is the final battle/conflict or last stand between the protagonist and what's standing in the way of his/her story ending, of the protagonist getting what she/he wants or needs in order for a resolution to come about. If you have already killed off your big bad, think up a creative way to keep your protagonist from reaching their goal despite this. Obstacles, whether external or internal, can also be a final battle if they keep the hero from the desired goal.
Objective: All Good Stories Must Come to an End: The story must end. the main conflict, resolve any subplots, and tie up loose ends. If you’re envisioning an ambiguous ending or want to be able to continue your story on another platform, make sure that the current plot arc feels conclusive, like it is over even if another adventure is awaiting your hero/heroine. (Similar to the first installment of a trilogy or series concludes its current plot, but leaves a larger story open for the next book or film.)
Your story must end.
Element: Final Battle: The last confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist/main obstacle. The protagonist either overcomes and succeeds in accomplishing their goal or is defeated and fails to accomplish their goal. This is the final battle/conflict or last stand between the protagonist and what's standing in the way of his/her story ending, of the protagonist getting what she/he wants or needs in order for a resolution to come about. If you have already killed off your big bad, think up a creative way to keep your protagonist from reaching their goal despite this. Obstacles, whether external or internal, can also be a final battle if they keep the hero from the desired goal.
Round 5 Bonuses
Bonus #1: The 3rd Act Twist May add up to 500 extra words & 5 pictures IF you include Bonus #1 for total maximum of 3,500 words/35 pics (for Bonus #1 or both bonuses ONLY!)
The 3rd Act twist is an unexpected turn of events that leads to or culminates (brings to the highest point) the final battle between the protagonist and antagonist by opening up a different avenue to overcoming the main conflict than was previously presumed (though not out of the blue and still within the logical setup of the story). 3rd act twist is a staple of film making that has become a feature of modern mainstream and genre fiction as well. It's one of those things you probably barely noticed and once it's pointed out you'll always notice. For more info on the 3rd act twist and other examples, check out Script Lab's 5 Point Plot
If you still don’t understand after reading the examples or are unfamiliar with the stories the examples are based off, let me know in a post what’s not making sense and I’ll try some more examples with films you’ve seen (tell what you’d like the example to be about).
Bonus #2: Talking Heads Quotes (5pts)
(there are no extra words to be gained here. If you only do Bonus 2, you have a max word count of 3,000)
For the final round you will put your quote injecting skills to the test by inserting two lines of dialogue spoken by two characters. You must have two characters say one line each just as the selection appears only changing pronouns (he/she/I/we/they/you/it), if needed. You may also add character identification, dialogue tags, and/or very brief action after a period/full stop or ellipsis points. Format the lines as you would in prose not as they appear in script form below. Underline your dialogue and put which movie/book you chose under bonus.
Example: “I don’t know…” Squash narrowed her eyes. “He looks like the hero type to me!”
“Don’t take any chances. Execute him!” Hairy Berry shouted.
“I don’t know… He looks like the hero type to me!” Squash narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t take any chances.” Hairy Berry shouted. “Execute him!”
Bonus #1: The 3rd Act Twist May add up to 500 extra words & 5 pictures IF you include Bonus #1 for total maximum of 3,500 words/35 pics (for Bonus #1 or both bonuses ONLY!)
The 3rd Act twist is an unexpected turn of events that leads to or culminates (brings to the highest point) the final battle between the protagonist and antagonist by opening up a different avenue to overcoming the main conflict than was previously presumed (though not out of the blue and still within the logical setup of the story). 3rd act twist is a staple of film making that has become a feature of modern mainstream and genre fiction as well. It's one of those things you probably barely noticed and once it's pointed out you'll always notice. For more info on the 3rd act twist and other examples, check out Script Lab's 5 Point Plot
If you still don’t understand after reading the examples or are unfamiliar with the stories the examples are based off, let me know in a post what’s not making sense and I’ll try some more examples with films you’ve seen (tell what you’d like the example to be about).
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Goal: To get home
The team returns to the Emerald City broomstick in-hand. However, the Wizard is unwilling to help. As it turns out, he is not a wizard at all, but a man who was lost in Oz during a ballooning accident. He shows all of Dorothy’s friends that they’ve had what they wanted all along, and he agrees to take Dorothy home in the balloon. As they take off, Toto attacks a cat, Dorothy chases after him, and Dorothy is left behind since the “Wizard” can’t return. It looks like all hope is lost, but Glinda tells Dorothy she has the power to go home through the slippers that she wears.
The TWIST: It is set up that Dorothy must go home through the Wizard’s help (power) by sailing back to their world with the hot air balloon, but Dorothy gets out of the balloon to get Toto and is stuck in Oz (twist), however the good witch Glinda shows her another way home through her magic slippers and own desire (new solution over the obstacle).
Set Up: The twist was set up when the Wizard showed that the other friends had what they desired in them already & in the end we find that Dorothy does, too.
Goal: To get home
The team returns to the Emerald City broomstick in-hand. However, the Wizard is unwilling to help. As it turns out, he is not a wizard at all, but a man who was lost in Oz during a ballooning accident. He shows all of Dorothy’s friends that they’ve had what they wanted all along, and he agrees to take Dorothy home in the balloon. As they take off, Toto attacks a cat, Dorothy chases after him, and Dorothy is left behind since the “Wizard” can’t return. It looks like all hope is lost, but Glinda tells Dorothy she has the power to go home through the slippers that she wears.
The TWIST: It is set up that Dorothy must go home through the Wizard’s help (power) by sailing back to their world with the hot air balloon, but Dorothy gets out of the balloon to get Toto and is stuck in Oz (twist), however the good witch Glinda shows her another way home through her magic slippers and own desire (new solution over the obstacle).
Set Up: The twist was set up when the Wizard showed that the other friends had what they desired in them already & in the end we find that Dorothy does, too.
Disney’s Cinderella (1950):
Goal: To gain the upper hand over stepmother (Lady Tremaine) & win the prince
Cinderella comes down the stairs to try on the glass slipper, but the shoe is broken when her stepmother trips the royal servant carrying it. Cinderella pulls out the slipper’s mate from her pocket and puts it on. The shoe is a perfect fit and she overcomes her stepmother.
The TWIST It is presumed that Cinderella must overcome her stepmother by trying on the slipper the duke has thus “winning” the prince, but the original slipper is broken and there’s no way to prove Cinderella's foot fits (twist) then Cinderella produces the matching slipper (new solution over the antagonist).
Set Up:The twist was set up when the magic wore off at midnight & everything went back to the way it was with the exception of both slippers (the one left at the palace plus the one Cinderella holds in her hands as she thanks her fairy godmother).
Goal: To gain the upper hand over stepmother (Lady Tremaine) & win the prince
Cinderella comes down the stairs to try on the glass slipper, but the shoe is broken when her stepmother trips the royal servant carrying it. Cinderella pulls out the slipper’s mate from her pocket and puts it on. The shoe is a perfect fit and she overcomes her stepmother.
The TWIST It is presumed that Cinderella must overcome her stepmother by trying on the slipper the duke has thus “winning” the prince, but the original slipper is broken and there’s no way to prove Cinderella's foot fits (twist) then Cinderella produces the matching slipper (new solution over the antagonist).
Set Up:The twist was set up when the magic wore off at midnight & everything went back to the way it was with the exception of both slippers (the one left at the palace plus the one Cinderella holds in her hands as she thanks her fairy godmother).
Bonus #2: Talking Heads Quotes (5pts)
(there are no extra words to be gained here. If you only do Bonus 2, you have a max word count of 3,000)
For the final round you will put your quote injecting skills to the test by inserting two lines of dialogue spoken by two characters. You must have two characters say one line each just as the selection appears only changing pronouns (he/she/I/we/they/you/it), if needed. You may also add character identification, dialogue tags, and/or very brief action after a period/full stop or ellipsis points. Format the lines as you would in prose not as they appear in script form below. Underline your dialogue and put which movie/book you chose under bonus.
Ron: That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was.
Harry: Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was. I've been trying to tell you that for years.
--Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
Pumpkin: I don't know... He looks like the hero type to me!
Honey Bunny: Don't take any chances. Execute him!
--Pulp Fiction
Buttercup: We'll never survive.
Westley: Nonsense. You're only saying that because no one ever has.
--The Princess Bride
Bo: I don't want you to die.
Morgan: Who said I was gonna die?
--Signs
Harry: Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was. I've been trying to tell you that for years.
--Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
Pumpkin: I don't know... He looks like the hero type to me!
Honey Bunny: Don't take any chances. Execute him!
--Pulp Fiction
Buttercup: We'll never survive.
Westley: Nonsense. You're only saying that because no one ever has.
--The Princess Bride
Bo: I don't want you to die.
Morgan: Who said I was gonna die?
--Signs
Example: “I don’t know…” Squash narrowed her eyes. “He looks like the hero type to me!”
“Don’t take any chances. Execute him!” Hairy Berry shouted.
“I don’t know… He looks like the hero type to me!” Squash narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t take any chances.” Hairy Berry shouted. “Execute him!”
Previous Rounds
Round One CLOSED-- 19 June
Round Two: CLOSED
Round Three: CLOSED -- Ends 31 July
Round Four: CLOSED -- Timer: 21 August
Round Plot Objective: required
Establish your protagonist’s world and status quo then shake up said status quo. We should be able to tell what genre your story is by this round’s end.
***(Note: After the inciting incident, your MC may or may not remain in the status quo by the end of this round. Consider what your story will involve and that there are 5 rounds. This might be a lot of space for you or very little so plan accordingly.)***
Round Element: required
Character Archetypes (Choose one. Cannot be the protagonist. Doesn't need to be long. Scored on how well/clearly done. Include title & your character's name on entry form, but see Entry Form format above or example in FAQs below for this round's new formatting.)
Expendable: ”I’m the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is.” Make us care about them just enough to care when they inevitably die. (Must meet demise in round 1)
Mr/Ms Exposition: ”What are you, the narrator?” Some people like to explain things. Hopefully, they are short winded.
Non-human Human: ”...like something only partly of mankind...” Either they look like us, but they’re not one of us or they don’t look like us, but believe they are us.
Not the One: ”I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!” We thought they were the hero, savior, villain, love interest, mentor, etc, but it turns out they’re not.
Establish your protagonist’s world and status quo then shake up said status quo. We should be able to tell what genre your story is by this round’s end.
***(Note: After the inciting incident, your MC may or may not remain in the status quo by the end of this round. Consider what your story will involve and that there are 5 rounds. This might be a lot of space for you or very little so plan accordingly.)***
Round Element: required
Character Archetypes (Choose one. Cannot be the protagonist. Doesn't need to be long. Scored on how well/clearly done. Include title & your character's name on entry form, but see Entry Form format above or example in FAQs below for this round's new formatting.)
Expendable: ”I’m the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is.” Make us care about them just enough to care when they inevitably die. (Must meet demise in round 1)
Mr/Ms Exposition: ”What are you, the narrator?” Some people like to explain things. Hopefully, they are short winded.
Non-human Human: ”...like something only partly of mankind...” Either they look like us, but they’re not one of us or they don’t look like us, but believe they are us.
Not the One: ”I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!” We thought they were the hero, savior, villain, love interest, mentor, etc, but it turns out they’re not.
Bonus: (5pts)
Gain up to 5 extra points by incorporating one of the quotes that accompany the above archetypes. You can choose any one of the four and may change the tense. You will be scored based on how well the quote flows in your story. Please underline the quote in your entry and write it out next to “Bonus” on your entry so judges know exactly what they’re looking for.
Quotes:
”I’m the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is.” Galaxy Quest
”What are you, the narrator?” The Simpsons,
”...like something only partly of mankind...” HP Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror,
”I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!” The Hobbit
Gain up to 5 extra points by incorporating one of the quotes that accompany the above archetypes. You can choose any one of the four and may change the tense. You will be scored based on how well the quote flows in your story. Please underline the quote in your entry and write it out next to “Bonus” on your entry so judges know exactly what they’re looking for.
Quotes:
”I’m the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is.” Galaxy Quest
”What are you, the narrator?” The Simpsons,
”...like something only partly of mankind...” HP Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror,
”I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!” The Hobbit
The Setup & Inciting Incident
The Setup: Establish your protagonist, their world and status quo.
Inciting Incident: Shakes up the status quo. A door opens to possibilities and future tension that the protagonist has not yet stepped through, but will to achieve their goal.
The Setup: Establish your protagonist, their world and status quo.
Inciting Incident: Shakes up the status quo. A door opens to possibilities and future tension that the protagonist has not yet stepped through, but will to achieve their goal.
Round Two: CLOSED
Round Objective: Lock in your protagonist. Establish your protagonist’s main goal and set up the stakes (what the MC stands to lose if they fail, ie, their life, a loved one, their reputation, job, sanity, well-being, etc). The higher the stakes, the tighter the lock in.
Establish your MC’s main goal and set up the stakes. Ensure that they cannot go back to the status quo of the first round.
(If you believe that you have already done the above in round 1, please re-enforce the goal and stakes in this round.)
Round Element:
Have an object play a major role. Does not have to last long, but should be important for a time. Cannot be an object that previously played a big role in the plot. Score based on how natural the object feels to the plot and setting.
(Include what the object is in the entry form)
Establish your MC’s main goal and set up the stakes. Ensure that they cannot go back to the status quo of the first round.
(If you believe that you have already done the above in round 1, please re-enforce the goal and stakes in this round.)
Round Element:
Have an object play a major role. Does not have to last long, but should be important for a time. Cannot be an object that previously played a big role in the plot. Score based on how natural the object feels to the plot and setting.
(Include what the object is in the entry form)
Bonus (5pts)
Objects play a major role in the TV series Dr Who and the film epic The Lord of the Rings. No, you don’t have to incorporate a screwdriver or ring of power into your story, just one of the following quotes. Please underline the quote in the story and write it down under “Bonus 1” on your entry form.
Dr Who
“A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting.” 3rd Doctor
“I’m being extremely clever up here, and there’s no one to stand around looking impressed.” 11th Doctor
“Do what I do. Hold tight and pretend it’s a plan!” 11th Doctor
“I have the horrible feeling I’m going to have to kill you.” 12th Doctor
LOTR
“I know what I must do. It's just... I'm afraid to do it.” Frodo
“Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.” Galadriel
“We cannot get out... they are coming.” Gandalf
“Whatever luck you live by let's hope it lasts the night.” Gimli
Bonus #2 (5pts)
Incorporate a 2nd quote into your story. This quote must come from the other category. If your first quote was from Dr Who, your 2nd must be from LOTR. Please underline the quote in the story and write it down under “Bonus 2” on your entry form.
Objects play a major role in the TV series Dr Who and the film epic The Lord of the Rings. No, you don’t have to incorporate a screwdriver or ring of power into your story, just one of the following quotes. Please underline the quote in the story and write it down under “Bonus 1” on your entry form.
Dr Who
“A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting.” 3rd Doctor
“I’m being extremely clever up here, and there’s no one to stand around looking impressed.” 11th Doctor
“Do what I do. Hold tight and pretend it’s a plan!” 11th Doctor
“I have the horrible feeling I’m going to have to kill you.” 12th Doctor
LOTR
“I know what I must do. It's just... I'm afraid to do it.” Frodo
“Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.” Galadriel
“We cannot get out... they are coming.” Gandalf
“Whatever luck you live by let's hope it lasts the night.” Gimli
Bonus #2 (5pts)
Incorporate a 2nd quote into your story. This quote must come from the other category. If your first quote was from Dr Who, your 2nd must be from LOTR. Please underline the quote in the story and write it down under “Bonus 2” on your entry form.
Round Three: CLOSED -- Ends 31 July
Rising Conflict/Obstacles: Tension must constantly grow as obstacles become greater and greater. The worst gets worse. Hope and fear intermingle. Hope that the protagonist will succeed yet fear that they will fail. Worry over the characters keeps tension up. Obstacles (physical or emotional) with clear possible ramifications/consequences keep worry going.
Round Objective: Have the conflict go from bad to worse.
Round Element: Theme: Each theme below will bring tension to your story. Choose 1 theme to include in your story this round. It can be a scene or your whole round. You can interpret as you wish, but make sure it is clear. Put the theme name on the entry form. If you wish to explain, you may do so (briefly) in an Author’s Note.
Round Element: Theme: Each theme below will bring tension to your story. Choose 1 theme to include in your story this round. It can be a scene or your whole round. You can interpret as you wish, but make sure it is clear. Put the theme name on the entry form. If you wish to explain, you may do so (briefly) in an Author’s Note.
Themes | ||
---|---|---|
Abduction | Betrayal | Death |
Deception | Doomsday | Escape |
Invasion | Obsession | Rescue |
Revenge | Sacrifice | War |
Round 3 Bonuses
Choose to do one bonus or both bonuses. It's up to you.
Bonus#1 (5pts)
Choose a second theme from the list above and incorporate in another scene or throughout your entry. Put the theme name in the bonus line of the entry form.
Bonus #2 (5pts)
Here are your quotes for this round. Choose one:
“You’re not in control. It is in control, and if you think you’re in control, then you’re being an idiot!” --Paranormal Activity [may change “IT” to he, she or they/are]
“As the world fell, each of us in our own way was broken. It was hard to know who was more crazy, me, or everyone else.” --Mad Max: Fury Road
“Well that... that sounds rather final... I suppose I'd better just go home then.” --Stardust
“You’ve got to come back. You wouldn’t want my life to be boring, would you?” --Star Wars: A New Hope
Choose to do one bonus or both bonuses. It's up to you.
Bonus#1 (5pts)
Choose a second theme from the list above and incorporate in another scene or throughout your entry. Put the theme name in the bonus line of the entry form.
Bonus #2 (5pts)
Here are your quotes for this round. Choose one:
“You’re not in control. It is in control, and if you think you’re in control, then you’re being an idiot!” --Paranormal Activity [may change “IT” to he, she or they/are]
“As the world fell, each of us in our own way was broken. It was hard to know who was more crazy, me, or everyone else.” --Mad Max: Fury Road
“Well that... that sounds rather final... I suppose I'd better just go home then.” --Stardust
“You’ve got to come back. You wouldn’t want my life to be boring, would you?” --Star Wars: A New Hope
Round Four: CLOSED -- Timer: 21 August
Round 4: The Climax
Round Objective: See What’s The Climax Below
Bring your protagonist to as low or high a point in their story as possible without it being the end
Round Element: The Big Bad:
Write a scene about the antagonist. It can be from the antagonist’s point of view or from the protagonist’s or another character’s POV about the antagonist. Make certain that Why baddy does what he/she/it does is understood and makes sense within the context of the whole story. If from another character, you can put what that person believes is the reason. If your real antagonist will not be revealed until the end, write about who or what is considered the antagonist or obstacle at the moment.
How well can you get your antagonist’s motive across while making them feel like a real person/character/threat.
Round Objective: See What’s The Climax Below
Bring your protagonist to as low or high a point in their story as possible without it being the end
Round Element: The Big Bad:
Write a scene about the antagonist. It can be from the antagonist’s point of view or from the protagonist’s or another character’s POV about the antagonist. Make certain that Why baddy does what he/she/it does is understood and makes sense within the context of the whole story. If from another character, you can put what that person believes is the reason. If your real antagonist will not be revealed until the end, write about who or what is considered the antagonist or obstacle at the moment.
How well can you get your antagonist’s motive across while making them feel like a real person/character/threat.
Climax: The highest or lowest point for your protagonist resulting in a major success or failure that leads them to the new tension & goal of the third act. Whether it is a high or low point usually depends on whether the story ends in victory or defeat. The lowest point for a victorious ending, but the highest point for a tragic ending.
Bonus
Round 4 No Hope Bonus(5pts)
“Don't you get it? You don't save the girl! You lose her!” --Jumper (may change gender)
”I can’t lie to you about your chances, but…you have my sympathies.” --Alien
“Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” --The Princess Bride
“I may be on the side of the angels, but don't think for one second that I am one of them.” --Sherlock (TV Series)
Round 4 No Hope Bonus(5pts)
“Don't you get it? You don't save the girl! You lose her!” --Jumper (may change gender)
”I can’t lie to you about your chances, but…you have my sympathies.” --Alien
“Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” --The Princess Bride
“I may be on the side of the angels, but don't think for one second that I am one of them.” --Sherlock (TV Series)
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
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28th May 2015 at 12:02 PM
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Contest Approved
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Heaven Sims | Avendale Legacy
"On the internet, you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
"On the internet, you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
#4
28th May 2015 at 11:31 PM
Last edited by Qnshr5 : 8th Aug 2015 at 8:00 PM.
Posts: 293
FAQs
Fantasy vs Science Fiction FAQs, Tips, Hints
These genres appear to be the simplest to write. Making stuff up is easy. But making stuff up and making it logical are what make speculative fiction genres some of the hardest to write. Below are some tips to writing in these genres for anyone who is a novice or a pro who just wants a general refresher. The sections mainly deal with the points judges will be looking at. If you have other questions on the contest, please don’t hesitate to ask! I will add here if needed.
What is Speculative Fiction (SF)?
What’s the Difference Between Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anyway?
This is defined in the contest post, but in case you missed it…
On World Building
On Continuity and Logic
Other Resources
Picture/Story Tutorials
Game Cheats:
Entry Form Example
On Writer’s Block
Any fiction that has supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements can be considered SF. Moreover, (and for this contest), they are stories that take place in worlds that have never existed or are not yet known. What separates these genres from all the others is the importance that the setting-- the world-- has on the story. They always take place in a setting contrary to known reality.
The future can’t be known, therefore, to set your story in the future (no matter how well you research the path known current reality appears to be taking) you are creating an unknown world and, thus, it is speculative. The same if it is set in the past, but contradicts known history. If the Nazis won WWII in your story then you’ve created a world that never existed and it is speculative just as advanced steam based technology would be during the Victorian era. Magic, the supernatural, other worlds, technology that doesn’t exist, science breakthroughs/disasters that have not happened, etc, are all a part of worlds unknown, contrary to our current reality, and are speculations of how things would be if these did, indeed, exist.
The future can’t be known, therefore, to set your story in the future (no matter how well you research the path known current reality appears to be taking) you are creating an unknown world and, thus, it is speculative. The same if it is set in the past, but contradicts known history. If the Nazis won WWII in your story then you’ve created a world that never existed and it is speculative just as advanced steam based technology would be during the Victorian era. Magic, the supernatural, other worlds, technology that doesn’t exist, science breakthroughs/disasters that have not happened, etc, are all a part of worlds unknown, contrary to our current reality, and are speculations of how things would be if these did, indeed, exist.
For instance, your story could basically be Romeo and Juliet, but what makes it SF is that instead of being set in historically real China or updated to the real modern world it takes place in a world of humanoid Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Example: R&J are AIs of rival hi-tech companies whose intense emotions of love & rebellion causes them to overload & die... (suicide if they knew the consequences)… it changes the way the traditional Romeo & Juliet story plays out not because of character or plot differences but because of the speculative world they are set in. It’s still a tragic romance, but its non-existent world now makes it a science fiction tragic romance.
Example: R&J are AIs of rival hi-tech companies whose intense emotions of love & rebellion causes them to overload & die... (suicide if they knew the consequences)… it changes the way the traditional Romeo & Juliet story plays out not because of character or plot differences but because of the speculative world they are set in. It’s still a tragic romance, but its non-existent world now makes it a science fiction tragic romance.
What’s the Difference Between Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anyway?
This is defined in the contest post, but in case you missed it…
According to Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone): It's been said that science fiction and fantasy are two different things: science fiction the improbable made possible; fantasy, the impossible made probable...
According to Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game): If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, it’s science fiction. If it’s set in a universe that doesn’t follow our rules, it’s fantasy. Science fiction is about what could be but isn’t; fantasy is about what couldn’t be.
According to Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game): If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, it’s science fiction. If it’s set in a universe that doesn’t follow our rules, it’s fantasy. Science fiction is about what could be but isn’t; fantasy is about what couldn’t be.
Science Fiction
“Science fiction is any idea that occurs in the head and doesn't exist yet, but soon will, and will change everything for everybody, and nothing will ever be the same again. As soon as you have an idea that changes some small part of the world you are writing science fiction. It is always the art of the possible, never the impossible.” --Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles)
For the purposes of this contest, science fiction must be set in a world that is not our own, but is still possible/could have been possible and functions mostly/entirely under the laws of our universe. Yes, you can have unexplained technology & science. Yes, you can add fantasy elements, but your sf elements must be at the forefront of the story. (Solve your problems with less Force & more tech, Luke.) Readers should be able to tell your story is science fiction and assume that all the known laws of nature apply, except where exceptions are noted. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
Advanced technology that does/did not exist during the time period, past or present
Futuristic/ETs/Alien planets/Space/Time or Dimension Travel through tech & science
Exploration of the wonders and/or dangers of science & technology on society
“Science fiction is any idea that occurs in the head and doesn't exist yet, but soon will, and will change everything for everybody, and nothing will ever be the same again. As soon as you have an idea that changes some small part of the world you are writing science fiction. It is always the art of the possible, never the impossible.” --Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles)
For the purposes of this contest, science fiction must be set in a world that is not our own, but is still possible/could have been possible and functions mostly/entirely under the laws of our universe. Yes, you can have unexplained technology & science. Yes, you can add fantasy elements, but your sf elements must be at the forefront of the story. (Solve your problems with less Force & more tech, Luke.) Readers should be able to tell your story is science fiction and assume that all the known laws of nature apply, except where exceptions are noted. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
Advanced technology that does/did not exist during the time period, past or present
Futuristic/ETs/Alien planets/Space/Time or Dimension Travel through tech & science
Exploration of the wonders and/or dangers of science & technology on society
Fantasy
For the purposes of this contest, fantasy must be set in a world that is not our own, but is plausible and functions under its own laws in some/all ways. Readers should be able to tell your story is fantasy and assume that you have created a whole new set of natural laws that cannot be violated. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
Magic exists and impacts society some way
The supernatural/paranormal and/or fantastical exist and impacts society some way
Alternate universe/dimensions, other worlds that do/did not exist during the time period, with a fantastical bent
For the purposes of this contest, fantasy must be set in a world that is not our own, but is plausible and functions under its own laws in some/all ways. Readers should be able to tell your story is fantasy and assume that you have created a whole new set of natural laws that cannot be violated. Basically, your story should fall into at least one of the following:
Magic exists and impacts society some way
The supernatural/paranormal and/or fantastical exist and impacts society some way
Alternate universe/dimensions, other worlds that do/did not exist during the time period, with a fantastical bent
On World Building
You may not think of computers or vampires as worlds, but think of the differences between living in 1915 and 2015 based on technology alone. Different worlds, right? It’s the same here only aspects of SF worlds either don’t exist at all or do but have no current visible impact on society, yet (like UFOs or unpublicized military weapons or a modern pandemic). This is where the “what if” of SF comes in: what if UFOs are extraterrestrials? What if a pandemic broke out tomorrow? What if science is a cover up for magic? What if fairies went to war?
Notice that in each “what if” I must create a world that does not currently exist to make the story happen even if it’s set in modern times. Since the world is so important in these genres, you’ll want have a good idea about yours either before you start or by the time you’ve finished chapter
1.
Helpful Worlding Building Questions to Ask Yourself
The rules, once set, must stay the same. So, consider them carefully. As these are short story length, you don’t need to know details, but a general idea is a good start. In fact, some of these may never come up in your story. In order for the story to feel like it’s set in the same world at all times it must be crafted from the same details.Even if your original ideas evolve as you write, the foundations of the ideas can help you keep continuity in your story (see below for more on that)
Notice that in each “what if” I must create a world that does not currently exist to make the story happen even if it’s set in modern times. Since the world is so important in these genres, you’ll want have a good idea about yours either before you start or by the time you’ve finished chapter
1.
Helpful Worlding Building Questions to Ask Yourself
]For the Setting you need to think about the World System:
What is the basic political and economic system(s)?
What are the general feel of places where you’ll be? (ie, gloomy, cheerful, stinky, dangerous, etc)
If there’s going to be magic: how does it work? what are its origins? what are its limits?
What is the technology level of the world?
Who has access to what kind of tech? What kind of magic?
What kind of culture is it?
Who has the power and why?
How did the world get into its current state?
What is the religious belief system of your characters/world?
If humans are characters originally from our real life world, but its set in another world/planet/space/dimension, how did/do humans get there?
If there are characters/beings who are not human, what is their origin story? What are their relations like with each other/humans/other species? How do they answer the above questions?
What other aspects will be different or important to your story? What are they? How did they get this way? Why do they stay this way?
What is the basic political and economic system(s)?
What are the general feel of places where you’ll be? (ie, gloomy, cheerful, stinky, dangerous, etc)
If there’s going to be magic: how does it work? what are its origins? what are its limits?
What is the technology level of the world?
Who has access to what kind of tech? What kind of magic?
What kind of culture is it?
Who has the power and why?
How did the world get into its current state?
What is the religious belief system of your characters/world?
If humans are characters originally from our real life world, but its set in another world/planet/space/dimension, how did/do humans get there?
If there are characters/beings who are not human, what is their origin story? What are their relations like with each other/humans/other species? How do they answer the above questions?
What other aspects will be different or important to your story? What are they? How did they get this way? Why do they stay this way?
The rules, once set, must stay the same. So, consider them carefully. As these are short story length, you don’t need to know details, but a general idea is a good start. In fact, some of these may never come up in your story. In order for the story to feel like it’s set in the same world at all times it must be crafted from the same details.Even if your original ideas evolve as you write, the foundations of the ideas can help you keep continuity in your story (see below for more on that)
On Continuity and Logic
One of the hardest things to keep on track in speculative fiction is continuity. Basically, it is the logical arrangement and connections in a story. It works when everything in the story is connected in a way that is logical. While this can happen in any story, the world building is what can make continuity more of a challenge than normal. Writers can get lost in the awesome-ness of their world, but readers are keeping track. The way to keep logic in SF, is make your rules, know your rules, and ALWAYS abide by your rules. Rules create logic and that frees you to make a great story (instead of a hodge podge of random nonsensical happenings).
You can try to make it up as you go, but you’re in danger of saying one thing in chapter 1 then saying the opposite in chapter 4 because it you forgot. This will take away credibility from your world and story. Continuity is looked at in the judging so knowing your world rules & general structure up front before all the contest twists are thrown at you will help you keep the story logic. The rules, once set, must stay the same. So, consider them carefully. If you do make it up as you go, re-reading your previous chapters before beginning the next one will help keep continuity as you remind yourself of your world building and important story points.
But I Thought Up a Better Idea in the Middle of the Contest!
So, if you have your MC using a time traveling device in chapter 2, but never mention it again (especially if it would solve the entire conflict of the story) readers will cry foul because of the lack of continuity. You brought up something that was previously important and never connected it to the larger story thus making your MC’s actions in the climax appear illogical. You either need a good reason why they can’t use the device (it’s broken, it’s stolen, it takes a piece of your soul each time you travel, etc) or use it, but have a good reason why it doesn’t solve the problem (your villain also has one and changes all your hero’s changes so it’s pointless).
You can try to make it up as you go, but you’re in danger of saying one thing in chapter 1 then saying the opposite in chapter 4 because it you forgot. This will take away credibility from your world and story. Continuity is looked at in the judging so knowing your world rules & general structure up front before all the contest twists are thrown at you will help you keep the story logic. The rules, once set, must stay the same. So, consider them carefully. If you do make it up as you go, re-reading your previous chapters before beginning the next one will help keep continuity as you remind yourself of your world building and important story points.
But I Thought Up a Better Idea in the Middle of the Contest!
Changing your story in a new direction because you got a better idea will cost you continuity points even if you explain yourself in a note to the judges. Try making your original idea work or incorporating the new idea into the old one (not tossing out the original altogether). You can also write another version of your story on MTS’s Story section to get it out of your system without sacrificing your score.
Other Resources
Picture/Story Tutorials
How to Write a Good Story
Writing Exercises
Picture Taking Tutorial
Five Plot Point Breakdowns Take a glance at what’s to come if you’d like to plan structure-wise
Writing Exercises
Picture Taking Tutorial
Five Plot Point Breakdowns Take a glance at what’s to come if you’d like to plan structure-wise
Game Cheats:
Sims 2 Cheats
Sims 3 Cheats
Sims 4 Cheats
The following hides all pesky Sim overhead effects such as thought plumbbobs, balloons and speech balloons so you can freely snap that perfect angled pic without your sim thinking of cake while jumping through a portal.
hold down: CTRL+SHIFT+C then type:
Sims 2: Plumbbobtoggle [on/off] and
showHeadlines [on/off]
Sims 3: hideHeadlineEffects [on/off]
Sims 4: headlineeffects [on/off]
Sims 3 Cheats
Sims 4 Cheats
The following hides all pesky Sim overhead effects such as thought plumbbobs, balloons and speech balloons so you can freely snap that perfect angled pic without your sim thinking of cake while jumping through a portal.
hold down: CTRL+SHIFT+C then type:
Sims 2: Plumbbobtoggle [on/off] and
showHeadlines [on/off]
Sims 3: hideHeadlineEffects [on/off]
Sims 4: headlineeffects [on/off]
Entry Form Example
Story Title: Salt Wars
Genre: Science Fiction
Word/Picture Count: 2056 words/24 pics
Round Element: Expendable
Synopsis & Recap: In a solar system far away, Duke Flyhopper, an ordinary salt rock miner, joins the rebellion after the tyrannous Slug Empire slaughters his family and destroys the mines.
[Imagine a Late '70s Retro Looking Cover Picture here] (optional)
Genre: Science Fiction
Word/Picture Count: 2056 words/24 pics
Round Element: Expendable
Synopsis & Recap: In a solar system far away, Duke Flyhopper, an ordinary salt rock miner, joins the rebellion after the tyrannous Slug Empire slaughters his family and destroys the mines.
[Imagine a Late '70s Retro Looking Cover Picture here] (optional)
"It is a period of uncivil war. Yet, our rebels fighting against the evil Slug Empire have managed to steal blueprints for their ultimate weapon, the SLIME SPHERE. Now that we know what their plans are, all we need is a way to counter them. That's where you come in, Mr Flyhopper." Oboe said, his eyes full of hope.
"I'm sorry, Oboe." Duke shook his head. "Salt is a peaceful mineral for love and flavor not the bloody violence of war."
...
Round Element: Expendable/Oboe
"I'm sorry, Oboe." Duke shook his head. "Salt is a peaceful mineral for love and flavor not the bloody violence of war."
...
Round Element: Expendable/Oboe
Bonus: "I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!"
Author's Note: Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens opens Dec 18! Also, this story is a semi rip off of A New Hope.
Author's Note: Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens opens Dec 18! Also, this story is a semi rip off of A New Hope.
On Writer’s Block
Tips and Advice on Overcoming Writer’s Block from the Wonderful Participants of this Contest:
“Try finding background music that would fit the theme of your story, and then let the movie that is your story play in your head while you listen to it. It's something I sometimes do.”
--Bre814
“You can also, if you haven't already worked them in, take one of the bonus quotes and think about who would be most likely to say it and under what conditions it would be said. Then set those conditions up. (Actually even if you've got both of them in, you could still do this and then not list the extra one as a bonus. )
Or figure out approximately what you want to do in the next chapter and then set up an ending where you can get from "here" to "there" without too much effort.
Or, if the game is working reasonably well for you, turn autonomy on high for everybody and snap a bunch of pictures. Then explain them in terms of your story. (which was where my mashup that I had wondered about using came from. )
Good luck! You can do this!”
--Ghost sdoj
“Yikes, I know what you mean. Sometimes when that's happened to me, it helped me
to talk the story out. To sorta pretend that I was telling it to someone.
After talking the story out loud, it usually comes to me what I wanna say.”
--tsyokawe
“I had creativity-block this round too; I had a general idea of where I wanted the story to go, but not how to get there. What helped was to just start taking pictures of more "general" scenes that could easily be turned in a few different directions, and that jump-started the writing side. You can do it!”
--Freelala
“Seconding this. I always start with pictures because it's a lot easier for me to take screenshots of my sims talking and making faces than it is to sit down and try to force words to come out. Once I have a general idea of what I want to happen, I start organizing the pictures in order and taking out the ones I don't need or like, and that gives me a place to start with the writing.
Another thing that helps me is writing things out in a really simplistic, non-descriptive way in the beginning. Like, "Bob sits at his desk and thinks about his life. Bob is all sad because he doesn't have a job. Bob decides to get a job. Bob realizes he left the stove on." And then once I have the gist of it down, I can go back and make things a little more nice and readable. So yeah. Good luck, I hope you come up with something!”
--elphaba2
Do an activity that has nothing to do with writing. Take a walk. Take a nap. Write your story in a different medium (as a comic, as a screenplay, as a children’s book, etc) then convert it to the contest form. (Forces your brain to think about the story in a different way, like visually with stick figures.) Immerse yourself in another story world through a book, movie, someone else’s sim story, etc, to give your mind fresh ideas or solutions or to simply remind yourself why you enjoy stories.
--Qnshr
“Try finding background music that would fit the theme of your story, and then let the movie that is your story play in your head while you listen to it. It's something I sometimes do.”
--Bre814
“You can also, if you haven't already worked them in, take one of the bonus quotes and think about who would be most likely to say it and under what conditions it would be said. Then set those conditions up. (Actually even if you've got both of them in, you could still do this and then not list the extra one as a bonus. )
Or figure out approximately what you want to do in the next chapter and then set up an ending where you can get from "here" to "there" without too much effort.
Or, if the game is working reasonably well for you, turn autonomy on high for everybody and snap a bunch of pictures. Then explain them in terms of your story. (which was where my mashup that I had wondered about using came from. )
Good luck! You can do this!”
--Ghost sdoj
“Yikes, I know what you mean. Sometimes when that's happened to me, it helped me
to talk the story out. To sorta pretend that I was telling it to someone.
After talking the story out loud, it usually comes to me what I wanna say.”
--tsyokawe
“I had creativity-block this round too; I had a general idea of where I wanted the story to go, but not how to get there. What helped was to just start taking pictures of more "general" scenes that could easily be turned in a few different directions, and that jump-started the writing side. You can do it!”
--Freelala
“Seconding this. I always start with pictures because it's a lot easier for me to take screenshots of my sims talking and making faces than it is to sit down and try to force words to come out. Once I have a general idea of what I want to happen, I start organizing the pictures in order and taking out the ones I don't need or like, and that gives me a place to start with the writing.
Another thing that helps me is writing things out in a really simplistic, non-descriptive way in the beginning. Like, "Bob sits at his desk and thinks about his life. Bob is all sad because he doesn't have a job. Bob decides to get a job. Bob realizes he left the stove on." And then once I have the gist of it down, I can go back and make things a little more nice and readable. So yeah. Good luck, I hope you come up with something!”
--elphaba2
Do an activity that has nothing to do with writing. Take a walk. Take a nap. Write your story in a different medium (as a comic, as a screenplay, as a children’s book, etc) then convert it to the contest form. (Forces your brain to think about the story in a different way, like visually with stick figures.) Immerse yourself in another story world through a book, movie, someone else’s sim story, etc, to give your mind fresh ideas or solutions or to simply remind yourself why you enjoy stories.
--Qnshr
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#5
29th May 2015 at 4:44 PM
Last edited by tsyokawe : 29th May 2015 at 5:06 PM.
Oh, please, please, please, I would like to volunteer as a judge. If you need me to, I could PM you some examples of my writing.
I have much experience, both as a once-upon-a-time (last decade) blogger, and as someone who completed hundreds of pages of writing (not to mention tens of thousands of pages of reading ) as a university student.
eta: I have also been a contestant here at MTS three different times.
I have much experience, both as a once-upon-a-time (last decade) blogger, and as someone who completed hundreds of pages of writing (not to mention tens of thousands of pages of reading ) as a university student.
eta: I have also been a contestant here at MTS three different times.
#6
29th May 2015 at 6:36 PM
Posts: 1,249
Thanks: 46 in 1 Posts
I would also love to be a judge, except I never competed in any of those competitions...Is it a requirement? I mean, I know you say it is...but is it really?
I also have plenty of experience! I had three blogs, I write and edit my school's newspaper and website and I wrote plenty of stories a long time ago. Honestly, I wpuld be a great addition
If me being a judge is out of the question, I'll probably compete soon. Good competition idea
I also have plenty of experience! I had three blogs, I write and edit my school's newspaper and website and I wrote plenty of stories a long time ago. Honestly, I wpuld be a great addition
If me being a judge is out of the question, I'll probably compete soon. Good competition idea
#8
29th May 2015 at 10:00 PM
Posts: 174
Thanks: 615 in 3 Posts
Yay! Ive been waiting for another one of these contests! I'd like to fantasy!
#9
29th May 2015 at 11:11 PM
Posts: 183
Thanks: 7 in 1 Posts
I think I'll participate in this :X
Definitely fantasy. I hope this doesn't constitute as a useless post
Definitely fantasy. I hope this doesn't constitute as a useless post
#10
30th May 2015 at 12:21 AM
Posts: 293
@Kaiko Espurr Mikkusu: I love seeing an entry so soon, but you must follow the entry form in order to be added to the contest (that includes putting your story in spoiler tags). You can find the format in the main post.
We've got all 3 judge positions filled in one day! Hurray! Thank you heaven, tsyokawe, and IrishA03 for volunteering your wonderful services to judge this contest. Click on the links on the judges' table to go to their profiles and learn more about them. There is one more slot left for an emergency judge.
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
We've got all 3 judge positions filled in one day! Hurray! Thank you heaven, tsyokawe, and IrishA03 for volunteering your wonderful services to judge this contest. Click on the links on the judges' table to go to their profiles and learn more about them. There is one more slot left for an emergency judge.
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#11
30th May 2015 at 5:05 AM
Posts: 218
Point of clarification: when you say "set in a world that is not our own," does that mean, specifically, not Earth? Could it be, say, Earth in a different time period, with the relevant thematic elements to clearly identify the genre and set it apart from the Earth as we know it today? I have a premise forming in my head, but it hinges on a significant chunk of the story being set on the planet Earth. Certain landmarks and laws of physics are important plot points.
Also, I am not ashamed to say that I screamed and jumped out of my chair when I saw this contest had posted. This is the one I've been waiting for, perhaps more than any other contest ever.
Also, I am not ashamed to say that I screamed and jumped out of my chair when I saw this contest had posted. This is the one I've been waiting for, perhaps more than any other contest ever.
"Passion makes no accommodation for self-preservation."
#12
30th May 2015 at 6:28 AM
Posts: 293
Quote: Originally posted by Freelala
Point of clarification: when you say "set in a world that is not our own," does that mean, specifically, not Earth? Could it be, say, Earth in a different time period, with the relevant thematic elements to clearly identify the genre and set it apart from the Earth as we know it today? I have a premise forming in my head, but it hinges on a significant chunk of the story being set on the planet Earth. Certain landmarks and laws of physics are important plot points. Also, I am not ashamed to say that I screamed and jumped out of my chair when I saw this contest had posted. This is the one I've been waiting for, perhaps more than any other contest ever. |
All a "world not our own" means is that there's something significant about it that is not like our current reality. Being set on Earth is completely fine as long there's something different about it that either doesn't or didn't exist whenever you set it, an alternate reality/earth, if you will... Animals talk or cancer is cured or a non-existent species exists or the hottest club is at the bottom of the Mariana Trench... As long as we can tell the genre (whatever it is effects the plot in a significant way) then it'll be fine. Our Earth, alternate Earth, holodeck Earth... whatever fanciful, whimsical, or advanced changes you want to make you can! There is no shame in that which does not end in humiliating bruises!
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#13
30th May 2015 at 5:27 PM
Last edited by lil bag2 : 30th May 2015 at 6:40 PM.
Posts: 4,776
Thanks: 1 in 1 Posts
Oh this is wonderful! I'd love to enter this contest
Is it okay to use photoshop on the screenshots? My story would be magic/fantasy based and there's only so much that TS2 or TS4 can do with that
The Receptacle still lives!
Is it okay to use photoshop on the screenshots? My story would be magic/fantasy based and there's only so much that TS2 or TS4 can do with that
The Receptacle still lives!
#14
30th May 2015 at 9:38 PM
Posts: 293
Quote: Originally posted by lil bag2
Oh this is wonderful! I'd love to enter this contest Is it okay to use photoshop on the screenshots? My story would be magic/fantasy based and there's only so much that TS2 or TS4 can do with that |
Photoshop can be used with limits. Borders, grayscale/sepia, saturation are fine. Blur, cropping, and text can be used within the limits outlined in the Story Rules (#8 & 9). I know the games are limited in what they can do/show, but being able to create a picture with a fantastic feel is possible even with base games only. It's a challenge which is what makes the competition fun. Plus, it equals the playing field for those who don't have or do photo editing. I have seen remarkable pics that relied on creative set up, staging and angling alone. (But also l think about CC, mods, animations that you can use in game to create effects. Even objects that spew sparkles and whatnot can be manipulated in a pic to make effects. Also, "magic" can be invisible and still realistic-- it all comes down to staging.)
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#15
1st Jun 2015 at 8:05 AM
Posts: 1,080
Thanks: 1828 in 19 Posts
I have a question regarding counts since the story rule section doesn't specifically say . . .
1200-2500 words -- is this per round or for the whole story? Ditto on the 12-25 pictures?
1200-2500 words -- is this per round or for the whole story? Ditto on the 12-25 pictures?
1st Place : Superb Sibling, Hearts Consume the Stars Contests
2nd place : Daddy N Me Cycle 2 Alien Edition, Sims Real Estate Contests
3rd Place : World Zombie Model Agency Contest
4th Placce : Aspiration N Me, Maxis Makeover Home Edition, My Girl, Stages of Life, SRE Cycle 2 Contests
2nd place : Daddy N Me Cycle 2 Alien Edition, Sims Real Estate Contests
3rd Place : World Zombie Model Agency Contest
4th Placce : Aspiration N Me, Maxis Makeover Home Edition, My Girl, Stages of Life, SRE Cycle 2 Contests
#16
1st Jun 2015 at 7:28 PM
Posts: 293
Quote: Originally posted by Deatherella
I have a question regarding counts since the story rule section doesn't specifically say . . . 1200-2500 words -- is this per round or for the whole story? Ditto on the 12-25 pictures? |
Each round your chapter should be within 1200-2500 words and 12-25 pictures, unless a round or bonus increases or reduces those perimeters. I'll make this clearer in the rules. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#17
2nd Jun 2015 at 4:59 AM
Posts: 1,080
Thanks: 1828 in 19 Posts
Thanks for letting me know.
I could write a story with the 1200-2500 words -- wouldn't be very descriptive, but it'd be a story.
I could write a story with the 1200-2500 words -- wouldn't be very descriptive, but it'd be a story.
1st Place : Superb Sibling, Hearts Consume the Stars Contests
2nd place : Daddy N Me Cycle 2 Alien Edition, Sims Real Estate Contests
3rd Place : World Zombie Model Agency Contest
4th Placce : Aspiration N Me, Maxis Makeover Home Edition, My Girl, Stages of Life, SRE Cycle 2 Contests
2nd place : Daddy N Me Cycle 2 Alien Edition, Sims Real Estate Contests
3rd Place : World Zombie Model Agency Contest
4th Placce : Aspiration N Me, Maxis Makeover Home Edition, My Girl, Stages of Life, SRE Cycle 2 Contests
#18
2nd Jun 2015 at 10:05 AM
Posts: 40
where and how to submit?
#19
2nd Jun 2015 at 3:05 PM
Posts: 3,720
Thanks: 27202 in 66 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by malice macabre
where and how to submit? |
You would submit your entry in this thread by posting a comment. Make sure to read all the rules regarding what your entry needs to have and make sure the entry is under spoiler tags (shown how in the first post).
Heaven Sims | Avendale Legacy
"On the internet, you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
"On the internet, you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
Test Subject
#20
3rd Jun 2015 at 2:06 PM
Last edited by Bre814 : 4th Jun 2015 at 2:59 AM.
Posts: 140
Story Title: It’s all in the eyes
Genre: Fantasy
Word/Picture Count: 1382 words/ 15 pictures
Round Element:Non-human Human
Synopsis & Recap: Kris knew something wasn’t right. Something was off about this guy. But what could it be?
Kris waved at the man that just left them and moved a bit of her ginger hair from her face. “Well, you are most certainly are a man magnet.” Wendy said, annoyed. Kris looked over at her and crossed her arms, “What are you talking about?” she asked. Wendy threw her arms up, “Um, hello! Haven’t you noticed that since you’ve been here in this very spot, you sitting on that very bench, like forty guys have asked you out!?” Kris rolled her eyes, “Four, you drama queen…”
Wendy huffed and rolled her eyes as well. The two women looked around the park and enjoyed the orange hue of the setting sun. Wendy sat in the nearby grass and used the beautiful scene to make herself feel a bit more relaxed and less offended that her friend got more attention than she could. She’d always grew up with hearing, guys like tall, thin, blonde bombshells. That’s why she bleached her hair, and why she worked out every day of the week. Looking over at her beautiful friend, she could see how guys would be more attracted to her, even though she didn’t like it.
She then noticed the fifth cute guy they’ve seen that day approaching, “My lady, your next suitor is approaching.” She muttered to Kris as she gestured to the man. As expected this handsome, black haired stranger walked over to Kris, “Hey, I’ve been watchin’ you.” Kris frowned and scooted away, “Hey, you’re creepy as hell.” The stranger chuckled, “I meant,” He said, “That I’ve seen you turn down guys most girls around here would go weak for.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, “Thought I’d give it a shot.” He sat next to Kris on the wooden bench and smiled. Kris laughed, “Look, I don’t do dudes, alright.”
The stranger took her by her chin gently and looked directly at her flirtatiously, “I think you do.” Kris stared back for a second, and leaned in an inch or so, “I’m a lesbian if you didn’t get it.” She whispered slyly and moved her head back to watch the still setting sun. The stranger stood up and then stepped right in front of her, “I think,” he said sternly crouching down to look her in the eyes, “you like guys.” Kris only snorted a laugh and cocked her head, “Well, I think,” she said as she lifted her hand and waved it in front of his face, “the force is not with you Jedi.”
The stranger was frustrated and at a lost for why his normal influence wasn’t working. He got up to leave, but stopped and crouched in front of Wendy, looking at her with his dark, almost black eyes,“You won’t remember me.” He said and then he walked off still looking very confused. Kris grinned, amused at this stranger. “You believe that guy, Wendy?” Wendy looked back at her and blinked, “Which one?” Kris snorted again, this time a bit annoyed, “Um, hello! That guy that just walked off.” She said pointing in the direction the guy left, but when she looked he was gone. Wendy looked around at the few people that where still at the park. “Which one?” Wendy asked again. “The guy that just hit on me!” Kris shouted, now very annoyed. Wendy cowered back a bit, “I’m sorry, but four guys asked you out, sorry I can’t remember them all.” Kris’ top was about to blow, but she didn’t want to start any fights with her friend. She came to the park to relax and forget, not to get more stressed.
She didn’t know she was still being watched, as she and Wendy started to chat again, as they parted ways. She was even being watched as she drove to her mother’s house to meet her for a planned mother/daughter dinner.
“And to what do I owe for my daughter being on time for once?” Kris’ mother asked. Kris hugged her and smiled tightly. “I don’t know, mother, maybe I wanted to have a nice quiet night with the woman I loved the most?” She followed her mother to the kitchen. There was already a pot on the stove as she walked in and her mother attended to it, “Oh, your little girlfriend’s coming over?” Kris sighed, she loved that her mother had always made her feel as though her sexuality was normal when others didn’t. But right now, she didn’t want to think about her ex-girlfriend. Betty sensed something was saddening her child, and decided it was best to change the subject. “So, how’s Wendy? Still on the prowl?” Kris laughed at her mother, nodding and said, “And still acting as strange as ever.”
Betty was surprised by those words. She spoke as she stirred her soup, “Now I’ve known Wendy to be man hungry, borderline insane, maybe a little talkative, but strange?” Kris’ amusement left as she thought of the events of that evening, “Mom, a guy hit on me today. A few did, but this one guy was really weird.” Kris’ mother turned the stove off and searched for a ladle in a nearby drawer, “Weird how?” the doorbell rang, interrupting the women. Kris started to walk to the door, but Betty insisted on answering it and Kris waited in the kitchen. She heard her mother talking to someone, or rather someone saying words to her mother, “You were sitting on the sofa, watching T.V., nothing is happening, and nothing is going to happen, all is calm.” Kris’ chest tightened as she walked around the corner, “Mom, what’s going on?”
Kris stopped cold. Standing at the door were two strangers: one she had no idea who he was, the other was all too familiar, it was the guy from earlier, but he had a new feature: bright red eyes. “Mom!” Kris screamed. Betty calmly turned around and went to her living room, “Mom?” Kris quickly followed her, “Mom we have to go, we have to-” “You have,” A deep voice behind her said as she felt her arm be roughly pulled backwards, “to just calm down and answer some questions.”
Kris wrestled her arm free, “How about you first?” She yelled, “Why are you stalking me? And what the hell did you do to my mother!?” Kris turned to find her mother, but a pair of purple, almond shaped eyes stopped her. The mouth that shared the face with these eyes told her, “Go to sleep.” Kris screamed to the top of her lungs, “WHAT ARE YOU!?! JEFF THE KILLER!?!” She took notice that these men were after her and not her mother, so she turned and ran to her room with the red eyed guy close behind.
The man with the purple eyes sat next to her mother and muttered, “Sleep.” Betty laid down and began to snore softly. He frowned and looked in the direction of more yelling. “Get away!” Kris shouted as she dialed 911 on her cell phone. She was literally backed up into a corner, “That really won’t do you any good.” The red eyed man said as he calmly walked towards her.
Kris stared, paralyzed in fear. His calm demeanor only made the sickening feeling in her stomach worse. “911 what’s your emergency?” The voice chimed on the phone. Kris knew he was right. If what she was experiencing was real, this guy could just tell the cops nothing was wrong and not to listen to her, and they would listen without a second thought. She stared at the red eyed man for a long moment before saying, “Nothing…it was a misunderstanding.” She hung up the phone and the red eyed man led her into the living room and Kris saw her mother laying on the couch.
Before she could panic, the purple eyed man looked up at her, “She’s just sleeping…you calmed down yet?”
Kris didn’t answer, she only sat in a nearby armchair. “Who are you,” she asked in a breathless whisper, “What are you?”
The red eyed man looked at her with a devilish smile, “We are,” He said “like something only partly of mankind. We are like humans, but much better.” The guy with the purple eyes gave an annoyed sigh, “And,” he added “You, in a way, are one of us.”
Genre: Fantasy
Word/Picture Count: 1382 words/ 15 pictures
Round Element:Non-human Human
Synopsis & Recap: Kris knew something wasn’t right. Something was off about this guy. But what could it be?
Chapter 1
Kris waved at the man that just left them and moved a bit of her ginger hair from her face. “Well, you are most certainly are a man magnet.” Wendy said, annoyed. Kris looked over at her and crossed her arms, “What are you talking about?” she asked. Wendy threw her arms up, “Um, hello! Haven’t you noticed that since you’ve been here in this very spot, you sitting on that very bench, like forty guys have asked you out!?” Kris rolled her eyes, “Four, you drama queen…”
Wendy huffed and rolled her eyes as well. The two women looked around the park and enjoyed the orange hue of the setting sun. Wendy sat in the nearby grass and used the beautiful scene to make herself feel a bit more relaxed and less offended that her friend got more attention than she could. She’d always grew up with hearing, guys like tall, thin, blonde bombshells. That’s why she bleached her hair, and why she worked out every day of the week. Looking over at her beautiful friend, she could see how guys would be more attracted to her, even though she didn’t like it.
She then noticed the fifth cute guy they’ve seen that day approaching, “My lady, your next suitor is approaching.” She muttered to Kris as she gestured to the man. As expected this handsome, black haired stranger walked over to Kris, “Hey, I’ve been watchin’ you.” Kris frowned and scooted away, “Hey, you’re creepy as hell.” The stranger chuckled, “I meant,” He said, “That I’ve seen you turn down guys most girls around here would go weak for.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, “Thought I’d give it a shot.” He sat next to Kris on the wooden bench and smiled. Kris laughed, “Look, I don’t do dudes, alright.”
The stranger took her by her chin gently and looked directly at her flirtatiously, “I think you do.” Kris stared back for a second, and leaned in an inch or so, “I’m a lesbian if you didn’t get it.” She whispered slyly and moved her head back to watch the still setting sun. The stranger stood up and then stepped right in front of her, “I think,” he said sternly crouching down to look her in the eyes, “you like guys.” Kris only snorted a laugh and cocked her head, “Well, I think,” she said as she lifted her hand and waved it in front of his face, “the force is not with you Jedi.”
The stranger was frustrated and at a lost for why his normal influence wasn’t working. He got up to leave, but stopped and crouched in front of Wendy, looking at her with his dark, almost black eyes,“You won’t remember me.” He said and then he walked off still looking very confused. Kris grinned, amused at this stranger. “You believe that guy, Wendy?” Wendy looked back at her and blinked, “Which one?” Kris snorted again, this time a bit annoyed, “Um, hello! That guy that just walked off.” She said pointing in the direction the guy left, but when she looked he was gone. Wendy looked around at the few people that where still at the park. “Which one?” Wendy asked again. “The guy that just hit on me!” Kris shouted, now very annoyed. Wendy cowered back a bit, “I’m sorry, but four guys asked you out, sorry I can’t remember them all.” Kris’ top was about to blow, but she didn’t want to start any fights with her friend. She came to the park to relax and forget, not to get more stressed.
She didn’t know she was still being watched, as she and Wendy started to chat again, as they parted ways. She was even being watched as she drove to her mother’s house to meet her for a planned mother/daughter dinner.
“And to what do I owe for my daughter being on time for once?” Kris’ mother asked. Kris hugged her and smiled tightly. “I don’t know, mother, maybe I wanted to have a nice quiet night with the woman I loved the most?” She followed her mother to the kitchen. There was already a pot on the stove as she walked in and her mother attended to it, “Oh, your little girlfriend’s coming over?” Kris sighed, she loved that her mother had always made her feel as though her sexuality was normal when others didn’t. But right now, she didn’t want to think about her ex-girlfriend. Betty sensed something was saddening her child, and decided it was best to change the subject. “So, how’s Wendy? Still on the prowl?” Kris laughed at her mother, nodding and said, “And still acting as strange as ever.”
Betty was surprised by those words. She spoke as she stirred her soup, “Now I’ve known Wendy to be man hungry, borderline insane, maybe a little talkative, but strange?” Kris’ amusement left as she thought of the events of that evening, “Mom, a guy hit on me today. A few did, but this one guy was really weird.” Kris’ mother turned the stove off and searched for a ladle in a nearby drawer, “Weird how?” the doorbell rang, interrupting the women. Kris started to walk to the door, but Betty insisted on answering it and Kris waited in the kitchen. She heard her mother talking to someone, or rather someone saying words to her mother, “You were sitting on the sofa, watching T.V., nothing is happening, and nothing is going to happen, all is calm.” Kris’ chest tightened as she walked around the corner, “Mom, what’s going on?”
Kris stopped cold. Standing at the door were two strangers: one she had no idea who he was, the other was all too familiar, it was the guy from earlier, but he had a new feature: bright red eyes. “Mom!” Kris screamed. Betty calmly turned around and went to her living room, “Mom?” Kris quickly followed her, “Mom we have to go, we have to-” “You have,” A deep voice behind her said as she felt her arm be roughly pulled backwards, “to just calm down and answer some questions.”
Kris wrestled her arm free, “How about you first?” She yelled, “Why are you stalking me? And what the hell did you do to my mother!?” Kris turned to find her mother, but a pair of purple, almond shaped eyes stopped her. The mouth that shared the face with these eyes told her, “Go to sleep.” Kris screamed to the top of her lungs, “WHAT ARE YOU!?! JEFF THE KILLER!?!” She took notice that these men were after her and not her mother, so she turned and ran to her room with the red eyed guy close behind.
The man with the purple eyes sat next to her mother and muttered, “Sleep.” Betty laid down and began to snore softly. He frowned and looked in the direction of more yelling. “Get away!” Kris shouted as she dialed 911 on her cell phone. She was literally backed up into a corner, “That really won’t do you any good.” The red eyed man said as he calmly walked towards her.
Kris stared, paralyzed in fear. His calm demeanor only made the sickening feeling in her stomach worse. “911 what’s your emergency?” The voice chimed on the phone. Kris knew he was right. If what she was experiencing was real, this guy could just tell the cops nothing was wrong and not to listen to her, and they would listen without a second thought. She stared at the red eyed man for a long moment before saying, “Nothing…it was a misunderstanding.” She hung up the phone and the red eyed man led her into the living room and Kris saw her mother laying on the couch.
Before she could panic, the purple eyed man looked up at her, “She’s just sleeping…you calmed down yet?”
Kris didn’t answer, she only sat in a nearby armchair. “Who are you,” she asked in a breathless whisper, “What are you?”
The red eyed man looked at her with a devilish smile, “We are,” He said “like something only partly of mankind. We are like humans, but much better.” The guy with the purple eyes gave an annoyed sigh, “And,” he added “You, in a way, are one of us.”
Bonus:”...like something only partly of mankind...”
Round element characters: Kris, the guy with red eyes (Trevor), Guy with purple eyes(Yin)
Round element characters: Kris, the guy with red eyes (Trevor), Guy with purple eyes(Yin)
#21
3rd Jun 2015 at 8:38 PM
Posts: 293
Round Element IS Required on Forms!
@Kaiko Espurr Mikkusu, @Bre814, For everyone!: The Round Element keeps getting left out of entries. I want to clear it up before there are more. The Objective and the Element are the only two things that you must have that I give to you. The Element must be listed in your entry form. It's necessary for the judges to know exactly which one you picked so that they score what you intended. Example: this round you might have someone who dies AND someone who gives a piece of background info AND someone the town thought was the prophesied villain, but isn't because your protag is. Which one do the judges pick to score? (expendable? Mr exposition? Not the chosen?) 3 judges could pick 3 different characters. Or they can decide that since it's not listed as required (despite how obvious it is), you didn't do it, and give 0 pts for it. So, please include which round element you've chosen.
I've tweaked the entry form so that maybe it's easier to see the Round Element. It's now in 2 places instead of 1. Place the chosen title above the synopsis AND repeat with the title and the character that represents it below the entry. (I don't want to know ahead of time the twist that Ms Goth is actually a vengeful ET for "Non-Human Human" or who's going to die in your chapter with an "Expendable" character, but we do need the name so there's no confusion on who it is. So put the character's name below.) I will add all submitted entries as soon as I have their Element listed! Here's an example of what an entry form should look like (will add to FAQs):
Story Title: Salt Wars
Genre: Science Fiction
Word/Picture Count: 2056 words/24 pics
Round Element: Expendable
Synopsis & Recap: In a solar system far away, Duke Flyhopper, an ordinary salt rock miner, joins the rebellion after the tyrannous Slug Empire slaughters his family and destroys the mines.
[Imagine a Late '70s Retro Looking Cover Picture here] (optional)
Genre: Science Fiction
Word/Picture Count: 2056 words/24 pics
Round Element: Expendable
Synopsis & Recap: In a solar system far away, Duke Flyhopper, an ordinary salt rock miner, joins the rebellion after the tyrannous Slug Empire slaughters his family and destroys the mines.
[Imagine a Late '70s Retro Looking Cover Picture here] (optional)
"It is a period of uncivil war. Yet, our rebels fighting against the evil Slug Empire have managed to steal blueprints for their ultimate weapon, the SLIME SPHERE. Now that we know what their plans are, all we need is a way to counter them. That's where you come in, Mr Flyhopper." Oboe said, his eyes full of hope.
"I'm sorry, Oboe." Duke shook his head. "Salt is a peaceful mineral for love and flavor not the bloody violence of war."
...
Round Element: Expendable/Oboe
"I'm sorry, Oboe." Duke shook his head. "Salt is a peaceful mineral for love and flavor not the bloody violence of war."
...
Round Element: Expendable/Oboe
Bonus: "I'm not a hero, or a warrior... I'm not even a burglar!"
Author's Note: Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens opens Dec 18! Also, this story is a semi rip off of A New Hope.
Author's Note: Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens opens Dec 18! Also, this story is a semi rip off of A New Hope.
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#22
4th Jun 2015 at 4:46 PM
Posts: 41
I'm a bit confused as to what you mean by "cropping" in the section about photo-editing. Are you talking about changing the dimensions of an image, or pasting other images from other sources into an image? Because you mention the thing about adding in-game screenshots, but that's not what I typically think of when it comes to cropping, so I'm a little confused. Like, if I take a screenshot with a program like fraps and want to get rid of the stupid pause button thing in the corner, is that against the rules?
#23
5th Jun 2015 at 7:11 PM
Posts: 293
"Cropping" (hopefully) Explained
Quote: Originally posted by elphaba2
I'm a bit confused as to what you mean by "cropping" in the section about photo-editing. Are you talking about changing the dimensions of an image, or pasting other images from other sources into an image? Because you mention the thing about adding in-game screenshots, but that's not what I typically think of when it comes to cropping, so I'm a little confused. Like, if I take a screenshot with a program like fraps and want to get rid of the stupid pause button thing in the corner, is that against the rules? |
Yes, you can crop out the pause button on your pictures and must re-size them to fit the required dimensions for MTS. Cutting out the pause button should only be a small edge of the shot. What I don't want is pictures that have multiple pictures in them that have just been cropped and re-sized in order to have five separate main pics in one to get around the 12-25 rule, or cutting out chunks of the edges of the main 12-25 pictures instead of zooming in or filling the scene. The story pictures should basically be what they looked like when you took them. Scoring isn't based on photo editing skills. We're looking at in-game skills of setting a scene.
However, if you want to have a family portrait or a certain scene on the TV or on any screen/photo/visual within the main shot, THAT 2nd/3rd/etc pic can be cropped, re-sized and layered onto the main picture to make it appear that it is actually what is on the screen/photo/visual. In other words, we want to see what you can do in-game with the whole shot of the main 12-25 pictures, but do understand that there may be certain visual info that you'd like to convey and wasting edges on smaller platforms, like photo frames, is detrimental to that end. These secondary pictures may not be photo edited beyond borders, greyscale, saturation, text, blur as per the rules (no effects, etc). If most of the space around your "family portrait that hangs on the wall" is blank or unnecessary, feel free to crop as needed before re-sizing/layering. If most of the space around one of your 12-25 main pictures is blank or unnecessary, don't crop it! Fill the space with props/decorating/staging aka "set the scene"! (3/4 of atmosphere pts come directly from setting the scene with your pics.) Outside of a watermark or pause button that results from a screen capture or to layer a second pic as a photo/screen to the main pic, Do Not Crop your Main Story Pictures!
BTW, I used the term "cropping" as a title in the rules because I got several questions on its use in my last contest so I wanted to put it out there straight away that there's only one way to use cropping. I lumped cropping, re-sizing and layering/pasting together as I was speaking of the same allowance (in pic visuals) not three separate ones. Re-sizing for MTS dimensions is already a site rule so I did not mention it there. Also, no images outside of in-game TS shots! (I'll link this post to the cropping rule. Others may be confused about this, too.)
BTW, I used the term "cropping" as a title in the rules because I got several questions on its use in my last contest so I wanted to put it out there straight away that there's only one way to use cropping. I lumped cropping, re-sizing and layering/pasting together as I was speaking of the same allowance (in pic visuals) not three separate ones. Re-sizing for MTS dimensions is already a site rule so I did not mention it there. Also, no images outside of in-game TS shots! (I'll link this post to the cropping rule. Others may be confused about this, too.)
Memory Games A Sims 3 Thriller Mystery
#24
7th Jun 2015 at 2:11 AM
Posts: 4,776
Thanks: 1 in 1 Posts
Quick question. Would using photoshop for minor effects like blood be okay?
The Receptacle still lives!
The Receptacle still lives!
#25
7th Jun 2015 at 5:10 PM
So excited to enter this! I have my round 1 story written. Currently trying to get the pictures done It should be very soon
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