- Posts: 3601
- Thank you received: 1983
- Forum
- Stories, Writers and Artists
- SWM workshops
- Past workshops
- Continuing stories as workshop entries
Continuing stories as workshop entries
The big point of contention was: is it fair to post a chapter of an ongoing story and/or a continuation as a workshop entry?
Aside from the fact that it has been done in the past by at least three different authors (including myself), I think it's fair to post a continuation as long as it fits the theme. While a self-contained story might have a harder time to establish characters and setting, whereas a continuation is usually already set, the simple fact of being part of an ongoing narrative might weight it down. People who didn't like the previous installments will automaticly dodge the story and vote for another. So I think that the perks and flaws balanced themselves out somehow.
What do you think?
I know it's tricky business, but I would really like your input.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Woodclaw
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Administrator
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- deathgeonous
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 101
- Thank you received: 16
fats
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- fats
- Away
- Administrator
- Posts: 2422
- Thank you received: 3731
First of all, It throws the original story off its Story Arc
Second of all...Are you voting for the story you just read or the 30 chapters you read prior.
Conceptfan did this for Randolph and Kim....and regardless of what I thought of those chapters he submitted, how could I not vote for Randolph and Kim.
One thing I've recognized....as being a guilty party....Is that its a cheap tactic
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- d_k_c
- Online
- Senior Member
- Posts: 422
- Thank you received: 299
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Dru1076
- Offline
- Moderator
- Posts: 934
- Thank you received: 1141
When it comes to restricted workshops like the shortstory workshop, then I think using a continuation shouldn't be allowed since any explanation and background would be given in earlier installments and thus reducing the challenge imposed by the restriction.
Another variant would be stories in the same universe that could affect an actual series but is still its own story. That would be ok in my eyes (and yes, my workshop entry will be something like this if I finish it in time)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- njae
- Offline
- Premium Member
- Posts: 684
- Thank you received: 343
d_k_c wrote: Im guilty of this too....And I have to say, I completely disagree with it. A WS story should be an original story. Theres a couple reasons why I feel this way
First of all, It throws the original story off its Story Arc
Second of all...Are you voting for the story you just read or the 30 chapters you read prior.
Conceptfan did this for Randolph and Kim....and regardless of what I thought of those chapters he submitted, how could I not vote for Randolph and Kim.
One thing I've recognized....as being a guilty party....Is that its a cheap tactic
njae wrote: This is a tricky question in my eyes. On the one hand you can never know whether or not the submitted story will be judged as it is or as part of the series it belongs to. I've seen people openly admitting to voting for a continuation, and I'm not really sure if the opposite would be true in the same way.
When it comes to restricted workshops like the shortstory workshop, then I think using a continuation shouldn't be allowed since any explanation and background would be given in earlier installments and thus reducing the challenge imposed by the restriction.
Another variant would be stories in the same universe that could affect an actual series but is still its own story. That would be ok in my eyes (and yes, my workshop entry will be something like this if I finish it in time)
While I can see the logic behind this reasoning I want to make something of a counterargument. Based on similar premises any kind of fanfiction should be disallowed as well, since it would make less of a challenge simply to write Kara Zor-El, rather the fleshing out a brand new character.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Woodclaw
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Administrator
- Posts: 3601
- Thank you received: 1983
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- njae
- Offline
- Premium Member
- Posts: 684
- Thank you received: 343
But I don't really like them, for reasons people here already mentioned.
As njae said, In a 1000 word story there's a huge difference between using an already known character versus an original. That being said, I initially thought about doing a Batman entry for the last one and that touches a bit on your point Anon, it's a similar premise.
But I think there is a difference, I really don't think I would vote on a Kara Zor-El story because of earlier stories she might appear in. (Not counting if an author has made his own story arc that he continues.)
The biggest problem for me is, what if I haven't read the earlier story/stories. (well known characters like supergirl/powergirl you usually have some vague idea about, no matter which rock you might have lived under)
Especially with original characters on this site, and especially for the 1k workshop, will I know what really is going on? I think that is an important aspect, but in the end I think it's up to the author to decide.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- pansardum
- Offline
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 158
- Thank you received: 142
If it were to be decided that every entry for a workshop should be a brand new story unrelated to previous ones should it also perhaps be decided that (until the voting is done) the authors should remain anonymous?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- JKIJ
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 173
- Thank you received: 25
JKIJ wrote: If it were to be decided that every entry for a workshop should be a brand new story unrelated to previous ones should it also perhaps be decided that (until the voting is done) the authors should remain anonymous?
I think this is an interesting idea and wouldn't have anything against it.
But then it would remove almost all chances of continuations.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- pansardum
- Offline
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 158
- Thank you received: 142
Since its rare for stories to be coninuted before votings done, afterwards its a suprise.
I think most writers are idiosynscratic enough that you would be able to tell fairly easily but its not a bad idea.
Castor
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- castor
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1576
- Thank you received: 503
As far as continuations are concerned I called it a cheap tactic, because of what I did before.....And now I realize, I did it again. My story for this WS is pretty long....And only one sentence in the entire story hints of a certain Deity that maybe influencing the entire story....Which in my mind, is a continuation. Although I could easily omit the sentence. I feel its important if I decide to write a part 2 to the story.
That being said....The more the merrier...If a WS is the motivation you need to continue your story. That the topic coincidently falls in line with the path of your story. I say go for it.
And always remember that the c in my name stands for 'Contradiction'
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- d_k_c
- Online
- Senior Member
- Posts: 422
- Thank you received: 299
d_k_c wrote: It might be fun to write an anonymous WS down the road. And you're right, it might also be easy to tell who wrote what, based on their particular writing style.
As far as continuations are concerned I called it a cheap tactic, because of what I did before.....And now I realize, I did it again. My story for this WS is pretty long....And only one sentence in the entire story hints of a certain Deity that maybe influencing the entire story....Which in my mind, is a continuation. Although I could easily omit the sentence. I feel its important if I decide to write a part 2 to the story.
That being said....The more the merrier...If a WS is the motivation you need to continue your story. That the topic coincidently falls in line with the path of your story. I say go for it.
And always remember that the c in my name stands for 'Contradiction'
One sentence that shows that the story takes place in the same universe as another of your works doesn't necessarily count as a continuation in my eyes. Especially since this story won't be able to profit from any "fan of the series" bonus. And considering the Family theme of this workshop it is somehow encouraged to actually use characters from older stories there. My story will be an offender as well btw.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- njae
- Offline
- Premium Member
- Posts: 684
- Thank you received: 343
- Forum
- Stories, Writers and Artists
- SWM workshops
- Past workshops
- Continuing stories as workshop entries