2009 Survivor Literotica: Planning & Plotting

[CrimsonMaiden]

Scorecards won't be allowed to be viewed/updated etc. until the closing date of the contest. That way no one will argue that someone is cheating, or hiding their scorecards.

With having the cap on stories it will also be confusing because for example *I* might write 10 lesbian sex stories in January and then continue writing 10 stories in each category but not finish writing my 10 novels/novellas stories until December. In the end I would have it worked out to have 10 stories in each category but if someone was looking at my scorecard I would be accused of cheating.

I don't think there is a solution to the amount of erotica in the stories. If it's approved and put in a certain category then that's it.

I personally don't see the issue with the scorecards. As long as the only submissions that are put on the scorecard are the ones that meet the cap requirements, then it's all good.

As far as the erotica comment... just because a story makes it to a certain category doesn't necessarily mean anything. Laurel and Manu don't have time to read all the submissions and they trust an author to put the story where it goes... which doesn't always work. I've run across more than a few stories with no erotic content whatsoever in an erotic category, and this is just not fair to other contestants.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I'm assuming the bonuses for categories filled (10 categories, 20 categories, etc) will remain.

Will there be a bonus for three stories in each category; five stories in each; etc requirement?

I still see a problem with needing three immunities in a category of absolutely no interest to the writer before being able to advance to the next level.
Could we not use them, similar to now, where one immunity is enough for each level of competition. Let's see if I can explain what I mean lucidly (still on first cup of coffee for the day )
One immunity would cover the three-story requirement, if the writer then wanted to go for the five stories per cat they would need another immunity in that particular category, and then another if they went up to the next level.
The first immunity would be worth 3 points, all subsequent immunities in that category worth 1.

To cover the scoring confusion (you're cheating, you wrote a fourth story in Romance before filling the three story requirement), just be careful in wording the rule. Something like
"All categories must have three entries or the immunity equivalent before points will be awarded for any subsequent story in any category. The stories may be written at any time, but points for extra stories will only be awarded after the three story requirement is filled."
That's cumbersome and needs finessing, but I think it covers it.

I don't think there are going to be any per category bonuses, but I believe the total category filled bonuses will continue to be awarded.

I believe I understand what you mean about the immunities. You wish for one immunity per category to count per cap level. I can understand your reasoning behind that. Let's see what everyone else thinks.

 

[starrkers]

I don't think there are going to be any per category bonuses, but I believe the total category filled bonuses will continue to be awarded.

I didn't mean per category bonuses, I meant cap level bonuses (cap level - why couldn't I think of that term when I wrote that post?)

I believe I understand what you mean about the immunities. You wish for one immunity per category to count per cap level. I can understand your reasoning behind that. Let's see what everyone else thinks.

That's it exactly. Thanks!

 

[KarennaC]

I second what Starrkers suggested about the immunities, since that would address my concern a couple pages ago about being able to fill a category I feel unable to write in without having to win a lot of immunities.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I'm assuming the bonuses for categories filled (10 categories, 20 categories, etc) will remain.

I think they're omitting it.

The bonus for having 10 submissions in one category no longer applies.

I think?

 

[starrkers]

I think they're omitting it.



I think?

I took that to mean that the 10 stories in one category bonus is gone; not one story in 10 categories.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I took that to mean that the 10 stories in one category bonus is gone; not one story in 10 categories.

From what I understand, the only bonus points will come from the Special Contests submissions and from 10, 20, 30, and all categories filled.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

1. Multi-chaptered stories will not be allowed. Each submission needs to be completely original and completely independent. Stories can feature recurring characters, they can contain references to each other, but they must be entirely, unequivocally, standalone. The only exceptions to this rule are:
   --- a) the Chain Stories category, for obvious reasons, but each author will only be allowed one chapter eligible for Survivor per chain;
   --- b) the Novels and Novellas category, where submissions can either be standalone stories with 7500 words or more, or chapters of a larger work, as long as each chapter has 7500 words or more.
   
   
2. There will be a 3-submission cap for all categories. If an author completes his/her scorecard with 3 submissions in each and every category, the cap for that author will be increased to 5. If he/she then reaches that cap in each and every category, the cap will again be raised to 6, then 7, then 8, and so on. This is only verified at the end of the year, as always, and as happens to all aspects of Survivor. The order in which stories are written is irrelevant. By the end of the year, the 4th submission by a contestant on any category will only be considered valid if that contestant has 3 submissions or 1 immunity on all categories. The 6th submission by a contestant on any category will only be considered valid if that contestant has 5 submissions or 2 immunities on all categories. The 7th submission by a contestant on any category will only be considered valid if that contestant has 6 submissions or 3 immunities on all categories.
   
   
3. Immunities apply to each category's cap level. If you use an immunity on any given category, that will close down that category to any further submissions and fill the 3-submission requirement. That immunity will be worth 3 points. If your cap is then raised to 5, you can only fill it in this category by using another immunity, which will be worth 1 point. If your cap is raised to 6, you will need another immunity; and so on, a new immunity for each cap level. A category can only have either regular submissions or immunities, and never both.
   
   
4. The bonus for having 10 submissions in one category no longer applies; the bonuses for having submissions/immunities in 10, in 20, in 30 and in all categories, remain as this year's edition.
   
   
5. In addition to the 35 regular categories, there will be a bonus category: Special Contests. Submissions in this heading must be valid entries accepted in a Literotica Special Contest. Only one entry per contest is eligible for points, and if it is counted under this heading, it cannot be counted under a regular category. There will be an extra bonus for entering all 6 special contests. Immunities cannot be used for this bonus category, neither does this category count towards the 10-, 20-, 30- and all-category bonuses.

Forcing people to keep their scorecards updated doesn't work. Not only do the moderators have better things to do than check every submission made by every contestant every day of the year and keep track of them in case they're moved or deleted, but the fact is that not all submissions made by an author count towards Survivor: only those that are inscribed on the scorecard count towards Survivor. Therefore, all scorecards are, by definition, updated all the time.

Forcing people not to update their scorecards would just be silly, in my opinion. (Sorry, Erin.) I think that most people enjoy going to the thread and adding a new submission, seeing how everything is coming together, and figuring out what to do next. It makes the contest fun. Not to mention the keeping track of immunities, which some people seem to have a problem with as is anyway, let alone if they couldn't make a note of it in their cards. And besides, what would be the punishment for those who update before time? Exclusion from the contest for doing things ahead of time? I'm going to be leaving on the 9th of December, by the way, to take care of some family matters, and won't have a lot of internet access until the end of the year. If I were participating in a contest with a rule saying I couldn't update my scorecard before December 10th, I'd be screwed; 11 months of dedication down the drain.

If A thinks B is cheating because B doesn't update the scorecard, well, A can mind A's own business and look at A's scorecard instead of at everyone else's.

 

[starrkers]

#


# Immunities apply to each category's cap level. If you use an immunity on any given category, that will close down that category to any further submissions and fill the 3-submission requirement. That immunity will be worth 3 points. If your cap is then raised to 5, you can only fill it in this category by using another immunity. If your cap is raised to 6, you will need another immunity; and so on, a new immunity for each cap level. An immunity can only have either regular submissions or immunities, and never both.

Should that bold "immunity" be "category"?

I like this. It makes sense and should be easy enough to follow.

eta: I assume immunities will have to be claimed and the category named at the time they are won, as they are now.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Should that bold "immunity" be "category"?

I like this. It makes sense and should be easy enough to follow.

eta: I assume immunities will have to be claimed and the category named at the time they are won, as they are now.

Thank you, I corrected that now. And yes, immunities must still be claimed immediately, as happens now.

 

[PrincessErin]

.....

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I have to wonder if we can get a more precise definition of "descriptive" erotic content. I have seen some wonderfully erotic stories completed with very little sexual description. Jthserra wrote How to Eat an Oyster basically describing eating an oyster that is wonderfully erotic. He also had another story that described eating sushi that was incredibly erotic The Sensuous Arts of Sushi.

Both are incredibly erotic but have no actual sexual description. I'd hate to see such erotic art excluded from the contest, or even worse, slotted in the non-erotic category.

MPIII

PS These are some of the stories deemed crap by a longtime author here.

Like anyone ever really wondered whose alt you were?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Like anyone ever really wondered whose alt you were?

I did. I'm clueless like that.

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

I did. I'm clueless like that.

Well, I think it's safe to assume that MungoPark is not Boxlicker...or me (lol).

 

[fieryjen]

I have another concern (or suggestion) that just came to my mind.

Say I have a fairly long story that I'd like to submit. Usually, I would put it into chapters and submit them one at a time. It's just a matter of preference, I like to submit bit by bit instead of in one large chunk. That way, authors can take reader suggestions as they write, or receive feedback on smaller parts of the story, which can help the author improve, etc. However, if I submit the story all at once, it would be eligible for points in the contest, whereas if I submit it as chapters it would not.

I don't like the idea of being punished just because my preferred submission style isn't to submit it all as one large chunk. Therefore I'd like to see an author being able to use finished, chaptered stories as they would if they submitted it as one piece - so they could fill one story slot in a category (probably the category most or all chapters would fall under) and receive points once for that story as though it was one submission.

 

[scouries]

i go away for a few days and...

Fuck – why didn’t anyone tell me about this thread? I was over on the other one…

Nov 19 - My suggestion:

-Do away with the whole lottery/immunity business – why get points for not writing?
-Forget the poetry categories – invariably the results are awful
-Dump the illustrated stories – same reason
-Dump all the bonuses – they just complicate matters

Scoring:

- 1 point for every original stand alone story submitted
- You must enter a story in every category before you can enter a second 'point earning' story in any category
-Similarly you must have entered a second story in every category before you can enter a third 'point earning' one in any category (and so on)
- Most points win!

Rules:

- Stories must be original works and be accepted and posted at Literotica.
- Literotica reserves the right to change the category under which a submission is entered. However, once accepted and categorized this decision will not be revisited or be subject to second guessing.
-Cheaters will be shot

Nov 26 – THIS NEW THREAD with the WISE ONE as THREADMISTRESS.

Some good ideas! In fact a very good start. Some points:

1 - As I understand you people still seem to feel a need for “IMMUNITIES”. I’m not quite sure why but if that is the majority opinion go for it. Still, you could uncomplicate it a lot.

Just give everyone SEVEN (if this is the historic average) at the start of the year. To use as they wish. Whenever they wish. They could be used to fill out categories or complete a round. But you get NO POINTS for them. Nor will you have to do any of this lottery stuff which should save a lot of time and complication.

2 – You “3” submission cap is an excellent idea – perhaps even better than my idea to complete every category before going on. Simpler – which is good.

3 - BONUSES – Do away with them! The whole cap system you are proposing eliminates the need for them.

4 – STORY SCORING – Again there’s now no real need to give different numbers of points to stories – just give every story 1 point!

Here’s an example of my scoring suggestions: Let’s say Writer A submits one hundred and twenty-two (122) valid accepted stories during the contest year. He completes the first three rounds (35 x 3 = 105 stories) by submitting 98 of his own stories and using his 7 “Immunities”. This allows him to legally enter his other 24 stories (up to a maximum of 5 per category). His final score is 122 since he gets no credit for the 7 immunities – just for the 122 legitimately entered stories. How easy is that?

I’m james r scouries, and I’m the author of…


[size=+3]

Egg Nogged Family

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[/size]

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

Fuck – why didn’t anyone tell me about this thread? I was over on the other one…

Nov 19 - My suggestion:

-Do away with the whole lottery/immunity business – why get points for not writing?
-Forget the poetry categories – invariably the results are awful
-Dump the illustrated stories – same reason
-Dump all the bonuses – they just complicate matters

Scoring:

- 1 point for every original stand alone story submitted
- You must enter a story in every category before you can enter a second 'point earning' story in any category
-Similarly you must have entered a second story in every category before you can enter a third 'point earning' one in any category (and so on)
- Most points win!

Rules:

- Stories must be original works and be accepted and posted at Literotica.
- Literotica reserves the right to change the category under which a submission is entered. However, once accepted and categorized this decision will not be revisited or be subject to second guessing.
-Cheaters will be shot

Nov 26 – THIS NEW THREAD with the WISE ONE as THREADMISTRESS.

Some good ideas! In fact a very good start. Some points:

1 - As I understand you people still seem to feel a need for “IMMUNITIES”. I’m not quite sure why but if that is the majority opinion go for it. Still, you could uncomplicate it a lot.

Just give everyone SEVEN (if this is the historic average) at the start of the year. To use as they wish. Whenever they wish. They could be used to fill out categories or complete a round. But you get NO POINTS for them. Nor will you have to do any of this lottery stuff which should save a lot of time and complication.

2 – You “3” submission cap is an excellent idea – perhaps even better than my idea to complete every category before going on. Simpler – which is good.

3 - BONUSES – Do away with them! The whole cap system you are proposing eliminates the need for them.

4 – STORY SCORING – Again there’s now no real need to give different numbers of points to stories – just give every story 1 point!

Here’s an example of my scoring suggestions: Let’s say Writer A submits one hundred and twenty-two (122) valid accepted stories during the contest year. He completes the first three rounds (35 x 3 = 105 stories) by submitting 98 of his own stories and using his 7 “Immunities”. This allows him to legally enter his other 24 stories (up to a maximum of 5 per category). His final score is 122 since he gets no credit for the 7 immunities – just for the 122 legitimately entered stories. How easy is that?

I’m james r scouries, and I’m the author of…


[size=+3]

Egg Nogged Family

​

[/size]

As one humble contestant of the Suvivor Contest, I'd like to thank you for your suggestions to improve the scoring of the contest. Keep it simple stupid always works for me, especially when it comes to trying to decipher contest rules.

Only, I think that it's only fair, especially if any of your suggestions are adopted, as some of them obviously were in the themed contest, that you should participate in the 2009 Survivor Contest.

I think it would be a real challenge for you to write something other than incest stories. Yes, Jim, there is more to life than incest. I hereby issue you the challenge to show everyone what a talented writer you are to write multiple stories in each and every category.

I'm debating if I want to compete in next year's contest and I need someone to fill in for me. Surely, you can write several hundred stories within the year to win the contest.

I dare you. I double dog dare you. Come on, what do you have to lose? I don't want to betray a confidence, but I heard that Gabby is planning on competing in the 2009 Survivor Contest.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm debating if I want to compete in next year's contest and I need someone to fill in for me. Surely, you can write several hundred stories within the year to win the contest.

Or you could both write under the combined name of some park.

Opppps.

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

Or you could both write under the combined name of some park.

Opppps.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, but I'm sure, coming from you, that it's a slam.

I'll have you know that I've written all my stories. They are all original. Unlike you, I don't confine myself to one category.

Perhaps, you'd do well to pick up a partner to help you, ahem, write stories to compete in the Survivor Contest, someone who writes more than stories in the gay category.

Shouldn't you be busy editing someone, correcting grammar, or flying paper airplanes?

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, but I'm sure, coming from you, that it's a slam.

I'll have you know that I've written all my stories. They are all original. Unlike you, I don't confine myself to one category.

Perhaps, you'd do well to pick up a partner to help you, ahem, write stories to compete in the Survivor Contest, someone who writes more than stories in the gay category.

Shouldn't you be busy editing someone, correcting grammar, or flying paper airplanes?

. .

 

[scouries]

[size=+2]freddie [/size] I'm debating if I want to compete in next year's contest and I need someone to fill in for me. Surely, you can write several hundred stories within the year to win the contest.

I dare you. I double dog dare you. Come on, what do you have to lose? I don't want to betray a confidence, but I heard that Gabby is planning on competing in the 2009 Survivor Contest.

I’m actually thinking of entering my good friend. I like the way SURVIVOR contestant stories are all pushed to the top of the NEW STORY page.

And hey, I figure I write about 24 – 10,000 word stories a year which =’s 240,000 words which when you divide this total by 800 words means I could produce 300 stories without breaking a sweat.

And I have a feeling that these 800 word stories I’d be producing would help me reach readers like mr tex who struggles to read anything longer than a half LITEROTICA page.

Now if I got one of those comfortable chairs you were talking about I could probably up my production by say 50% which means I could produce 450 stories easily.

And if each of those stories were read by 50,000 of our wonderful readers I’d reach some 22+ million in sales.

And this might translate into over 220,000 votes.

Which would be new all-time LITEROTICA records. And I like records!

Now I know many of you don’t like the word ROYALTIES but I do have to point out that if I sold 22 million stories and received 220,000 votes my royalty checks, already quite high, would SOAR!

But you guys got to do something about the rules! I’m pretty dumb but after watching the way this contest has ended in the last three years I’d be a fool to enter. No-ones going to MUNGO PARK this boy!

And this crap about lottery results in the British Lowlands somehow influencing the results is the straw that will break the scourian back when it comes to decision time.

And besides, what if we ended up neck and neck going towards the wire. freddie ahead, then scouries, then freddie , then me, then you …

Then out of the fucking blue someone like ACE, backed by the kitten girls + and who knows else (and with the connivance of the 12 wise ones), would pop up out of AHland and steal the prize.

I’m james r scouries, and I’m not that dumb…

[size=+2]Dolphins aren’t either…[/size]

 

[starrkers]

Just in case anyone reading this is not already aware, Sir Scouries lives in a private dream world where he receives royalties based on views, which he calls "sales". This is patent rubbish.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I don't like the idea of being punished just because my preferred submission style isn't to submit it all as one large chunk. Therefore I'd like to see an author being able to use finished, chaptered stories as they would if they submitted it as one piece - so they could fill one story slot in a category (probably the category most or all chapters would fall under) and receive points once for that story as though it was one submission.

I'm waiting to see what Lauren thinks about this. Personally I think that would make things too complicated, but let's see what she thinks.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I don't like the idea of being punished just because my preferred submission style isn't to submit it all as one large chunk. Therefore I'd like to see an author being able to use finished, chaptered stories as they would if they submitted it as one piece - so they could fill one story slot in a category (probably the category most or all chapters would fall under) and receive points once for that story as though it was one submission.

I'm waiting to see what Lauren thinks about this. Personally I think that would make things too complicated, but let's see what she thinks.

I don't know, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea. As long as only the first chapter of the series counts for points, and as long as the entire series is closed before the end of the year. It could work.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

1 - As I understand you people still seem to feel a need for “IMMUNITIES”. I’m not quite sure why but if that is the majority opinion go for it. Still, you could uncomplicate it a lot.

Just give everyone SEVEN (if this is the historic average) at the start of the year. To use as they wish. Whenever they wish. They could be used to fill out categories or complete a round. But you get NO POINTS for them. Nor will you have to do any of this lottery stuff which should save a lot of time and complication.

3 - BONUSES – Do away with them! The whole cap system you are proposing eliminates the need for them.

4 – STORY SCORING – Again there’s now no real need to give different numbers of points to stories – just give every story 1 point!

I considered your suggestions. An author submits 3 stories: if they're all in the same category, he/she gets 5 points; if they're all in different categories, he/she gets 9. That's why the first story in each category is worth 3 points, and that's the reason for the bonuses. To encourage writing in more categories.

The combined effect of awarding everybody 7 immunities from the get go, eliminating bonuses, and giving 1 point to any and all stories, would result on everybody immediately discarding 7 categories with no consequences, which is the opposite of what Survivor is about.