2009 Survivor Literotica: Planning & Plotting

[starrkers]

How about an immunity closes the category for that cap level?

When nominating what category the immunity is to be used for, it would also be necessary to nominate what cap level - so you could bank immunities before actually reaching the next cap level, like you can stories (eg, you can write four stories in LW before having three in all other cats, they just don't count until the other cats are all filled).

 

[fieryjen]

How about an immunity closes the category for that cap level?

When nominating what category the immunity is to be used for, it would also be necessary to nominate what cap level - so you could bank immunities before actually reaching the next cap level, like you can stories (eg, you can write four stories in LW before having three in all other cats, they just don't count until the other cats are all filled).

I like that idea.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

How about an immunity closes the category for that cap level?

When nominating what category the immunity is to be used for, it would also be necessary to nominate what cap level - so you could bank immunities before actually reaching the next cap level, like you can stories (eg, you can write four stories in LW before having three in all other cats, they just don't count until the other cats are all filled).

That seems the perfect solution to me.

And this is probably my last post for the next 2-3 weeks. There's a family emergency I need to take care of, so if there is anything you need, talk to Crimson. Crim, I'll be back just before the end of the month to help you post the final rules and tally this year's results.

Merry Christmas!

 

[KarennaC]

Merry Christmas, Lauren, and good thoughts to you and your family.

 

[fieryjen]

Merry Christmas, Lauren, and good thoughts to you and your family.

The same from me.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

How about an immunity closes the category for that cap level?

When nominating what category the immunity is to be used for, it would also be necessary to nominate what cap level - so you could bank immunities before actually reaching the next cap level, like you can stories (eg, you can write four stories in LW before having three in all other cats, they just don't count until the other cats are all filled).

Just so I make sure I understand what you are suggesting: If you use an immunity for a cap level, it doesn't close the category (just the level), and you can still write a story in that category for another cap level. Is this what you are saying? And then when you get an immunity, you state category and cap level you wish it to be used for.

That seems the perfect solution to me.

And this is probably my last post for the next 2-3 weeks. There's a family emergency I need to take care of, so if there is anything you need, talk to Crimson. Crim, I'll be back just before the end of the month to help you post the final rules and tally this year's results.

Merry Christmas!

Best Wishes, Lauren. I hope everything will be okay. *hugs*

 

[starrkers]

Just so I make sure I understand what you are suggesting: If you use an immunity for a cap level, it doesn't close the category (just the level), and you can still write a story in that category for another cap level. Is this what you are saying? And then when you get an immunity, you state category and cap level you wish it to be used for.

Not quite. Once an immunity is used in a category that cat is closed to stories, but each cap level requires another immunity.

Eg: you get an immunity in February (lucky swine!) and use it in Celebrities. This closes Celebrities to stories for all levels, and fills the level one requirement. In March you get another immunity. You can use that for any level one category not already used OR you can use it to fill Celebrities in level 2.

This way people can't write a couple of stories, then use an immunity to boost them through cap levels.


Hope all goes well, Lauren.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Not quite. Once an immunity is used in a category that cat is closed to stories, but each cap level requires another immunity.

Eg: you get an immunity in February (lucky swine!) and use it in Celebrities. This closes Celebrities to stories for all levels, and fills the level one requirement. In March you get another immunity. You can use that for any level one category not already used OR you can use it to fill Celebrities in level 2.

This way people can't write a couple of stories, then use an immunity to boost them through cap levels.


Hope all goes well, Lauren.

I'm so confused.

 

[fieryjen]

Not quite. Once an immunity is used in a category that cat is closed to stories, but each cap level requires another immunity.

Eg: you get an immunity in February (lucky swine!) and use it in Celebrities. This closes Celebrities to stories for all levels, and fills the level one requirement. In March you get another immunity. You can use that for any level one category not already used OR you can use it to fill Celebrities in level 2.

This way people can't write a couple of stories, then use an immunity to boost them through cap levels.


Hope all goes well, Lauren.

But the problem with that is that if the scenario I described above happens, you're screwed and can get stuck without being able to get any more points for the contest.

Didn't you propose above that an immunity closes a story for that cap level only? That's how I understood it and that is what I support.

Crim's got it right as far as what I'd like to see, anyway.

 

[starrkers]

That gives you your cake and lets you eat it then. You can write stories at any time and then apply immunities on top as well.
You could write a story for celebs, then get an immunity in it, then use the story for the next cap level.
I think immunities should carry a "penalty" - one immunity is a whole cap level, you shouldn't be able to change your mind and write for that category as well.

 

[fieryjen]

That gives you your cake and lets you eat it then. You can write stories at any time and then apply immunities on top as well.
You could write a story for celebs, then get an immunity in it, then use the story for the next cap level.
I think immunities should carry a "penalty" - one immunity is a whole cap level, you shouldn't be able to change your mind and write for that category as well.

But you can't write for a cap level until you've applied the immunity there. I think you should be able to write for the next cap level though once you've reached it. You'll still get less points because the immunity isn't worth any, and you can't retro-fill a category cap once you've won an immunity in it. You're right it will make people a bit more likely to use their immunities, but I really don't see a huge problem with that, because those immunities don't give you any points anymore.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

But the problem with that is that if the scenario I described above happens, you're screwed and can get stuck without being able to get any more points for the contest.

Well, technically, you can't get stuck. It's a personal choice as to whether you write a story for a category or not. For illustrated and audio, there are options available for those who can't do pictures or record audio. It's always your choice to use immunities. However, I do see the issue with having to get immunities for each cap level, because it increases the amount of immunities you need, and those are totally based on chance.

Let's see if anyone else weighs in on this discussion and see what they think.

 

[fieryjen]

Well, technically, you can't get stuck. It's a personal choice as to whether you write a story for a category or not. For illustrated and audio, there are options available for those who can't do pictures or record audio. It's always your choice to use immunities. However, I do see the issue with having to get immunities for each cap level, because it increases the amount of immunities you need, and those are totally based on chance.

Let's see if anyone else weighs in on this discussion and see what they think.

But from what I remember about immunities before - I'm pretty sure I asked Lauren about them once - once you decide and post to use an immunity, that category is permanently closed and cannot ever be revoked. Unless that rule has changed in the meantime, I see problems with a permanently closed category that you'll need more immunities for as you write more.

Has that rule changed without me being aware of it?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

But from what I remember about immunities before - I'm pretty sure I asked Lauren about them once - once you decide and post to use an immunity, that category is permanently closed and cannot ever be revoked. Unless that rule has changed in the meantime, I see problems with a permanently closed category that you'll need more immunities for as you write more.

Has that rule changed without me being aware of it?

That's what is being discussed at the moment since the immunities rule is one of those proposed being changed.

 

[fieryjen]

That's what is being discussed at the moment since the immunities rule is one of those proposed being changed.

Oh, I thought the innate mechanics of the immunities would stay the same such as how they're awarded and all, so I thought this would stay the same as well. Sorry, I'm assuming too much.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Oh, I thought the innate mechanics of the immunities would stay the same such as how they're awarded and all, so I thought this would stay the same as well. Sorry, I'm assuming too much.

No need to be sorry. Since the cap level was added to the categories, we are just trying to figure out the best way to handle immunities. Everyone's input is the best way to decide how immunities will work for the coming year.

 

[starrkers]

I guess as long as you can't apply stories written before the immunity was awarded to the higher cap, that wouldn't be too bad.
I was just thinking, if you, say, wrote 2 stories in a cat and then won an immunity for it, applying it to level one, that would put you up to level three in that cat.
But if the rule was that immunities invalidated any stories written BEFORE the immunity was applied, that would be fair.

So (example in attempt to lessen confusion )
I write an Incest story in January. In April I get an immunity which I apply to Incest, because I really don't like writing Incest. That closes the level 1 cap AND disqualifies the January story from consideration.
If I then decide I will write incest, I still need two stories written AFTER the immunity was applied to qualify for level 2.

Is that clear as mud?

 

[PrincessErin]

.....

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

If you already had two stories, the immunity would simply fill that cap level. It would put you to the next cap level, which would require another immunity or more stories to fill.

Here's how it could work:

Example 1:

Incest:
Cap Level One:
(1)story
(2)story
(3)immunity (cap closed)
Cap Level Two:
(4)immunity (cap closed)
(5)
Cap Level Three:
(6) story
Cap Level Four:
(7) story
etc.

Example 2:
Incest:
Cap Level One:
(1)immunity (cap level closed)
(2)
(3)
Cap Level Two:
(4)story
(5)story
Cap Level Three:
(6) immunity
Cap Level Four:
(7) story
etc.

Example 3:
Incest:
Cap Level One:
(1)story
(2)immunity (cap level closed)
(3)
Cap Level Two:
(4)story
(5)immunity (cap level closed)
Cap Level Three:
(6) immunity
Cap Level Four:
(7) story
etc.

Basically, I think we have two viable options. The way stated above or the use of an immunity closing a category down completely for submissions.

 

[fieryjen]

However... it was said before that there isn't going to be any validating of submission dates. Therefore it would be impossible to verify.

And I don't see the problem with being able to apply stories on top of an immunity, quite frankly. Since the immunities aren't worth any points anymore, who really cares if they get used more frequently under the new ruling or not?

I don't really understand this need to protect the contest from an author writing a story and later putting it in a category in a higher cap after getting an immunity in that category. Since the immunity isn't worth any points, that doesn't really give the author a lot of added benefits. Why the restriction?

 

[Boxlicker101]

O.K. so this is me thinking and typing at the same time.

So the purpose of the Survivor contest is to write as many stories as possible in as many categories as possible.

In past years winners have written many short stories in only a few categories and used immunities for other categories. There was never a need for a balance of stories so really not a challenge for authors.

Creating a cap for stories in each category goes back to the purpose of the contest and will stretch a person's creative mind. Instead of writing 10, 50, 100 stories in one category you must "even" out the stories you write.

Immunities are meant for that 1 or 2 categories that for whatever reason you can't or choose not to fill. As I typed in my last post you would need 7 immunities to fill a category to be able to write 10 stories in every other category. If you wanted to not write in two categories that would be 14 immunities.

So...

I think that an immunity should close down a category completely to however many submissions you are going to put in other categories. There should be a 4 to 1 ratio of filled categories to immunity categories. If not....

I think that immunities should be used like cap levels, 3, 5, 6 etc.

I think immunities can be claimed at anytime through the year as long as the lottery website we use keeps past draws online.

Erin

Actually, immunities have never been that common. Even this year, it was necessary to have two categories filled by stories for every one that was filled by an immunity. If you filled all 35 categories, you could have a max. of 11 immunities. That would be quite a few immunities because the average number of hits over a year should be about seven.

I'm not really sure about the new rules because I haven't studied them yet. On way or the other, I will just submit as many stories as I can or want to, without worrying too much about them.

 

[KarennaC]

My thoughts:

- An immunity should be to close a cap level, not an entire category. It's admittedly hard to win immunities, but it's possible to win enough to fill what you need to fill. (For example, this year I had the immunities I wanted by June, and I've seen my number come up a few times since then.)

- Each cap level in a given category should be filled by EITHER the required number of stories OR an immunity, but not both. To use the example above, if Starrkers wrote an Incest story in January, she would then have to write 2 more incest stories to fill cap level 1, because since she submitted a story she wouldn't be eligible for an immunity for Incest in cap level 1. However, if she didn't submit anything to that category and then won her immunity in April, she would be able to use that immunity to fill cap level 1 in Incest. On the other hand, if she wrote her 3 stories to fill level 1 and then won an immunity, she would be able to use the immunity to fill cap level 2 in Incest.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

My thoughts:

- An immunity should be to close a cap level, not an entire category. It's admittedly hard to win immunities, but it's possible to win enough to fill what you need to fill. (For example, this year I had the immunities I wanted by June, and I've seen my number come up a few times since then.)

- Each cap level in a given category should be filled by EITHER the required number of stories OR an immunity, but not both. To use the example above, if Starrkers wrote an Incest story in January, she would then have to write 2 more incest stories to fill cap level 1, because since she submitted a story she wouldn't be eligible for an immunity for Incest in cap level 1. However, if she didn't submit anything to that category and then won her immunity in April, she would be able to use that immunity to fill cap level 1 in Incest. On the other hand, if she wrote her 3 stories to fill level 1 and then won an immunity, she would be able to use the immunity to fill cap level 2 in Incest.

Ah, finally, THIS makes sense to me. This is the way I imagined it was going to work in the first place?

 

[starrkers]

My thoughts:

- An immunity should be to close a cap level, not an entire category. It's admittedly hard to win immunities, but it's possible to win enough to fill what you need to fill. (For example, this year I had the immunities I wanted by June, and I've seen my number come up a few times since then.)

- Each cap level in a given category should be filled by EITHER the required number of stories OR an immunity, but not both. To use the example above, if Starrkers wrote an Incest story in January, she would then have to write 2 more incest stories to fill cap level 1, because since she submitted a story she wouldn't be eligible for an immunity for Incest in cap level 1. However, if she didn't submit anything to that category and then won her immunity in April, she would be able to use that immunity to fill cap level 1 in Incest. On the other hand, if she wrote her 3 stories to fill level 1 and then won an immunity, she would be able to use the immunity to fill cap level 2 in Incest.

That makes the best sense to me.

 

[Sean Renaud]

I really hate the chapter rule. Mostly because I'm curious what exactly (aside from common sense which works poorly in a contest) is the difference between a chapter and a sequel. We've got lots of examples the LST3K (Of which I was the author of the first thing to be savaged), or in mainstream medium Harry Potter is by far the best example. While they are separate parts of his life they really assume that by book four you have a basic understanding of Harry, Hogwards and Snape. I"m not even sure it's accurate to say they stand alone. I could go on and on but I don't really see the point in digging in too far on this point. I mean as long as I avoid sequencing stories can I tell a great big story about one charachter? (this might actually benefit me since I remember in years past chapter 2 was likely to get bumped into teh same category as Chapter 1 even if they weren't. Example being chapter 1 is a romance, 2 is loving wives, 3 is lesbian, 4 is noncon. Instead all four are romance as part of a larger whole) I admit though I was kinda trying to cheat the system when I did that.

I'm kinda confused as to what's up with the immunities? I"m reading it and it's confusing me.

I think the category caps is absolutely brilliant. Second best thing ever to happen to the contest. The first is setting a closing date with enough wiggle room for people to come back from. The year that I placed 25th I dumped like ten stories AND signed up for the contst on like December 26th or soemthing equally rediculous. PRetty much I ninjad some guy's spot. So eliminating that as a possibility is the single best thing to happen for the integrity of the contest.

I would really like to know how we plan to dictate the difference between a Chapter and a sequel. Is the Matrix one, two or three movies? I would honestly claim that it's two movies. The Matrix is one movie capable of standing alone, then Revolutions and Reloaded are one big movie. For the purposes of the contest though what would that be considered?