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Introduction:
Who are we? ..... First post
Rules ..... Second post
Prizes and donations ..... Third post
FAQ ..... Fourth post
Entries ..... Fifth post
Winners and other info ..... Sixth post
Banners and Affiliates ..... Seventh post


Who?
You! And us. Who are we? We are H.A.R.S.H., a guild of critiquers and critiquing, it's a private guild so don't even get the idea that it's perfectly fine to pop in once and ask for a rating then leave and never be seen again. We even speak against such behavior in our guild rules.
What?
A contest designed for prose only.
When?
Now. Well, now until the 25th, I should say. The contest is going to run for three weeks, that's three weeks for you to write about whatever set scenario we've given for the topic at hand.
Where?
Here. Duh. You will post your stories here for the convience of the judges.
How?
Through the generousity of the guild members of H.A.R.S.H. and possibly the Writing Contests Charity we are hoping for the ability to preform one of these contests every month.
Why?
Because we give prizes and critiques.


This month's theme: A drinking game.
November's Prompt: Necrophilia.
October's Prompt: Flash-fiction.
September's Prompt: An old myth.
August's Prompt: Grammatically Incorrect.
July's Prompt: An apocalyptic world.

Entry fee: 250 gold

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Rules

1. First and foremost: No chatspeak. We do not allow it anywhere, not in stories, not in posts, nowhere. Don't use it and respect the fact we abhor such a travesty of the English language and we'll get along fine.

2. Now, to succeed that first rule, this one should come as a basic rule: Use proper English. H.A.R.S.H. is a guild built on the ideals of people who care about English and respond with passion to improving themselves. This also includes the easily recommended perfect spelling and grammar. We know quite a bit about it, so dont expect us to miss your little mistakes.

3. Don't expect praise. From any of the judges. If you came to this contest hoping to be showered upon with love and worship then a prize, go away. Now. We wont tolerate petulance due to being told what is wrong with your writing. Everyone can improve, even the most pretentious bratty little prodigy.

4. Please, don't badger the judges or the other contestants. If someone from H.A.R.S.H. decides to enter this contest I do not want to hear bitching about it. Obviously, if they enter they won't be judging. That just wouldn't be fair, duh, we know this, so you don't have to state it. We are also not as biased as it might seem. Yes, some of our writers are fantastic and if they choose to enter they may win, but only because they are so fantastic. Not because we are going to baby their entries any differently.

5. Write to the scenario set out, don't make up an excuse as to why you couldn't figure it out, just don't. If we're giving you three weeks, you should be able to come up with something. Anything.

6. As a follow-up of rule five, if you decided not to read these rules and send in some piece of absolute tripe that has nothing to do with the theme of the month and it shows you didn't attempt to respect our contest and the organizing we put ourselves through to make it easier for you: you will not receive a critique. It is more work from the judges than it is worth for people who could not even attempt to respect a contest by reading its rules.

7. Okay, this should be obvious but this is a prose only contest. There are guilds that hold contests for poetry only, if you want to enter your poetry somewhere go to them.

8. We are limiting prizes down to two. When I say this, I mean that say one person sends in such an outstanding piece of writing we're all just blown away; and due to the point-system they would win all of the miscellaneous prizes as well as first place. Won't happen, due to this rule: If a person wins more than two prizes systematically they will win the top two of their categories and no others. I.e.-- A person wins 2nd place and also Best Plot and Most Creative. But they got more points with Most Creative, then the prize for Best Plot will go to the next person.

9. Lastly: Don't b***h about the fee for the contest. Remember that you will have several judges grading your work meticulously and thoroughly. And if you do the math, you'll see that this contest is costing us. Here's what I mean: 25 (max number of entries) X 250 (entry fee) = 6250 gold total taken in by us. 5000 (first) + 2500 (second) + 1500 (misc.) = 9,000 given out in prizes. All right? Good.

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Prizes and Donations
Let me just say that if you read the rules, you'll realize that we're not going to be able to keep doing this forever if we don't get some help. surprised That's where other people come in--yes, you. Donations would be absolutely lovely and loved to death. heart

Donations:
Benji von Darklad - 177 gold
Little Ling - 250 gold
Alvonina - December 05 letter and Ice Tiara

Prizes:

1st place - 5000 gold OR a piece of art done by your chosen artist.
2nd place - 2500 gold OR a piece of art done by your chosen artist
3rd place - A piece of art done by your chosen artist
Honorable Mentions (500 gold each):
Most creative; Best character development; Best plotline.

Here are samples from every artist readily available. Please remember though, if you choose this medium for your prize, that these artists all have lives of their own and if you badger them into finishing your piece quickly you may not get it at all. They are dedicating their time and ability to this contest, they should be respected. heart

SoulCutterX13:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/soulcutterx13/andwellalldance.jpg
erikakaiser:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/gaia/redirect.php?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deviantart.com%2Fdeviation%2F18541117%2F
http://www.gaiaonline.com/gaia/redirect.php?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deviantart.com%2Fdeviation%2F19090638%2F
lizzieluvsyou:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/lizzieluvsyou/elle.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/lizzieluvsyou/auction/lineart1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/lizzieluvsyou/auction/colored1.jpg
The Lobster Queen:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/SilverWinglie/zarrhatter_t.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/SilverWinglie/yuref_t.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/SilverWinglie/Graduate_t.jpg
Little Ling:
http://sheep.xs4all.nl/~osgossip/fanart/gaiafinal.jpg
http://sheep.xs4all.nl/~osgossip/fanart/entrymaid1.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/13400834/
Eirein:
http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=3008cj1a5&i=581704
Coronaviridae:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=9727107

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FAQ

Q: What is a "drinking game?"
A: A drinking game is a game played by people which usually includes something such as "Whenever she says 'blank' then everyone has to take a shot.' And so on. There are several varieties, they usually involve licquor, but that is not a requirement.

Q: Can we use non-human characters?
A: Of course, just make sure you do your research right.

Q: Is there a word minimum/maximum?
A: We try not to set a maximum or a minimum unless it relates to the theme (refer to November's theme, please), but we do ask that you remember our judges will be critiquing your entries so try not to whip out a twenty-page masterpiece if you can help it.

Q: If I got one of the prizes for last month's contest, can I enter this month?
A: Sure! We aren't going to restrict you unless, like, you've won first place for the last five months. sweatdrop Then it'd be a tad unfair to everyone else.

Q: Where should entries go?
A: You can PM them to this account or post them on the thread.

Q: What do you mean by 'prose only?'
A: We mean that you may enter any non-poetical writing. So no poetry or song lyrics.

Q: Who should I send the entry fee to?
A: Send it to this account, H.A.R.S.H., it is the guild's mule account and used for all assets belonging to the guild.

Q: Where should I send any donations?
A: Same as above, all funds should be directed to H.A.R.S.H.'s mule account, H.A.R.S.H.

Q: I only have XXX gold! gonk Can I pay you later?
A: No, I'm afraid not. 250 gold is not that much gold to accumulate.

Q: Can I join H.A.R.S.H.? smile
A: Sure! biggrin All you have to do is apply to the guild and we'll scrutinize to see if you qualify.

Q: Can I judge?
A: I'm afraid that only members of H.A.R.S.H. are judging these contests, if you would like to join H.A.R.S.H., you're more than welcome to apply (see above).

Q: Can I have gold?
A. No.

Q: Why not?
A: Because we barely have any to support this contest.

Q: Please?
A: No. Now go away.

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Entries

smile = paid the entry fee
3nodding = paid and sent in a story

LeElohm - smile
Mcphee - smile
moviemaniac815 - smile
DJ Chaotic - 3nodding
Benji von Darklad - 3nodding
Devonshyr - 3nodding
Little Ling - smile
Mega_Therion - 3nodding
Blind Clarity - 3nodding


*If you entered a previous month's contest but were unable to enter a piece of writing, we will allow you two (2) month's of advancement. e.g. If you paid a fee for March's contest, but did not enter, we would move you to April's contest. If you do not enter, we will move you to May. But if you do not enter May we will consider your fee a donation.

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Other Information
Who are the judges?
Well, the judges are:
Hiriyou (myself), Rose McCann, SoulCutterX13, Little Ling, Ego Minion, lizzieluvsyou, and KuroRan.


Winners

1st- Devonshyr!
2nd- Benji von Darklad!
3rd- Mega_Therion!
Honorable Mentions:
Most Creative Entry - Benji von Darklad!
Best Character Development - DJ Chaotic!
Best Plotline - Devonshyr!

A banner! biggrin How wonderful! Created by Hiriyou:

User Image - Blocked by "Display Image" Settings. Click to show.

[code:1]User Image - Blocked by "Display Image" Settings. Click to show.[/code:1]

And this one was created by Little Ling:

User Image

[code:1]
User Image[/code:1]
Advertise us wherever you go! 3nodding heart

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Is it possible for me to see a few samples of past winning entries?

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Christianne_015
Is it possible for me to see a few samples of past winning entries?

... neutral Uh, sure. I guess. You can check the first story on this page for the winner of our October contest. The two stories on this page are the second and first place winners respectively of our September contest. The final post on this page holds the winner of our August contest.

There you go, most of our past winners.

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Hello? Anyone? neutral

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I'll give it another go . . . I'm just waiting until inspiration strikes down upon me, granting my mere mortal self with gifts of writing, language flowing so beautifully from my fingers, words dancing across the screen that takes us to a wonderous world, o Muse hear me now, grant me the wish of what I yearn! May the stars decree to look down upon me, the dirt beneath their beautiful flight!

. . .

Uh. After I finish my math homework. mrgreen

btw, on an unrelated note, let's say I have a sentence that has an ellipse and then a question mark. How does one go along with doing that?

And when do I use ellipses with spaces in between them ( . . . ) and when don't I (...)?

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This looks really cool and all, but I'm so lazy that it hurts. = 3=

G'luck anyways. I might pop back in someday.

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Sera15
btw, on an unrelated note, let's say I have a sentence that has an ellipse and then a question mark. How does one go along with doing that?

And when do I use ellipses with spaces in between them ( . . . ) and when don't I (...)?

You don't. You use either the ellipse or the question mark, not both. You never use another ending punctuation (period, comma [when dealing with dialogue], exlcamation mark, question mark) and an ellipse together, it is not grammatically correct.

The spaces happen sometimes from a result of programming in word processors, don't use it online as it does'nt make a difference, all that the programming does is it changes the ellipse from three periods into one symbol. Which is why when you get a word processor who changes it to a character symbol, when you post it on Gaia it may appear to be a strange symbol.

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H.A.R.S.H.
Christianne_015
Is it possible for me to see a few samples of past winning entries?

... neutral Uh, sure. I guess. You can check the first story on this page for the winner of our October contest. The two stories on this page are the second and first place winners respectively of our September contest. The final post on this page holds the winner of our August contest.

There you go, most of our past winners.
Thank you very much!

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    I'm interested in joining but...erm...I feel really stupid asking this but...what exactly is the difference between a short story and prose?

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That's interesting. I read in a grammar book (yes, I'm a nerd, shush) that it is correct to use spaces between ellipses in certain situations. Posting online may be a different story, but my Grammar Nazi friend insists that there are different occasions for each. And I use her as my dictionary, so I ought to trust her.

Mm. How would writers represent a dialogue that trails off as an unfinished question, then? A dash, perhaps?

>.< And apparently I have to confirm trades. So I apologize for not confirming the last contest, and promise to do better this time. If it was late, just take it as a donation. I'll send in this contest's entry fee by tonight. If I remember. question
Gaia Forums » MISC Forums » Forum & Sticky Archive » Writing Contests

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