Blue Kitteh
With cat-like tread
Hey everyone, welcome to the Writing Room's second contest! With Halloween coming up on the horizon, the Writing Room has decided to host a contest that aims to showcase creative talents in both poetry and stories. Similarly to the last contest that we hosted with the Art room, there will be prizes involved, one of which will go to the winner of each category.
Deadline: Currently set to November 8th.
The theme is, as you might expect, Halloween. Though this may seem like a rather broad topic to cover, the purpose is to give as much creative liberty as possible. Naturally though, we're going to have a few rules to follow.
Feel free to contact any of the Writing Room staff if you have further questions. Good luck to all!
Deadline: Currently set to November 8th.
The theme is, as you might expect, Halloween. Though this may seem like a rather broad topic to cover, the purpose is to give as much creative liberty as possible. Naturally though, we're going to have a few rules to follow.
Submission Guidelines
- All submissions must be set in the Pokemon universe, and though the story does not necessarily have to contain a scary theme, it must include an element generally associated with Halloween. These elements include ghosts (Ghost-type Pokemon), monsters, using Halloween as a reason to cosplay, etc.
- All stories must be under 2250 words, and all poems must have a minimum of 24 lines.
- Please do not submit more than two stories or poems for judging. You may submit one of each, but if you do so, you cannot win in both categories.
- Please keep all content to a PG-13 level, maximum. Do not include excessive gore or inappropriate detail.
- Please avoid rewriting a well-known Halloween concept, including Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, etc.
- Submissions may be shared in the thread, but entries will not be judged unless they are entered into the form. Entries intended for judging should be submitted here.
Judging Criteria
Stories:
- Characters (20) - Development and depth of characters involved, including physical description, characterization, and backstory.
- Setting/Imagery (35) - The setting is important in establishing the tone. Paint a crisp backdrop for the story by highlighting the environment. Alternatively, you can choose to focus on the details of the actions taken by the characters within the story. Try to include thoughts and feelings of the characters involved if you do not wish to describe a specific environment.
- Creativity/Originality (35) - Let's face it: we've seen all kinds of Halloween stories. The creativity element is crucial for the success of your piece; plot twists, as well as the overall originality of the story itself are essential points to take into consideration.
- Spelling/Grammar (10) - Points will not be taken off for minor mistakes. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation to the best of your ability. If you feel you that you often misspell words, be sure to use a spell check tool. There are also plenty of members around who may lend a hand. Visit the Writing room on Pokémon Showdown or post in the Writers on Smogon thread. Unfortunately, judges cannot give feedback on works in progress, since they bear the responsibility of judging the finalized submissions.
- Setting/Imagery (35) - Use of poetic devices and the ability to establish an environment OR elicit emotions through imagery.
- Mood/Tone (35) - Ability to instill a mood/tone in line with the premise/concept. This includes consistency and how shifts in moods/tones are executed.
- Creativity/Originality (20) - See above.
- Flow/Organization (10) - Attention paid to stanza structure and flow. This is not to be confused with devices such as refrain, assonance, consonance, and other poetic devices that may contribute to the way words sound. The formation of lines and stanzas is what adds to this category.
Feel free to contact any of the Writing Room staff if you have further questions. Good luck to all!
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