The Information and FAQ Thread
The Writers' Study
Information and FAQ Thread
The Writers' Study is the place for creative writing at TWC. It is the home of community writing competitions, creative writing works, TWC member blogs, and the Lounge where writers share their experience and converse. The Writers Lounge also hosts threads where writers showcase their work. This post will hopefully explain more about what goes on in the Writers' Study, as well as providing some useful information.
Last edited by Caillagh de Bodemloze; April 28, 2019 at 10:57 AM. Reason: Updating staff list.
THE WRITERS' STUDY | THE TRIBUNAL | THE CURIA | GUIDE FOR NEW MEMBERS
PROUD PATRON OF JUNAIDI83, VETERAAN & CAILLAGH
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MEGA TORTAS DE BODEMLOZE
to rede I me delyte
Re: The Information and FAQ Thread
Duels
Welcome to the information post for the WS Duels! Here we hope you will find everything you need to know about our Duels - but if you have any questions, please send any of the Writers' Study Staff a PM and we'll do our best to help.
The most important question, of course, is "What is a Duel?" The simplest answer is: it's rather like Tale of the Week, but with only two participants.
Before we get into the details of how this works, we have to say this:
- We all (including bystanders) enter into combat with the understanding that things must remain good-natured. You are encouraged to discuss matters with your opponent if you are worried that things are becoming too heated.
- If you feel there is a serious issue, please refer the matter to WS Staff or Moderation, whichever is appropriate. And, of course, please feel free to contact WS Staff if you have any questions.
- The Terms of Service must be adhered to at all times, and Moderation Staff will deal with any breaches, just as usual. Our colleagues in Moderation are highly-trained, experienced, and sensible - they can tell good-natured banter from insult.
- Any communications with a duellist or a bystander which are about the challenge and take place while the challenge is going on must be made in public.
- There will be no official prize for winning, but bystanders are encouraged to rep the entry they like best.
- Nobody is permitted to request or solicit rep, either for themselves or for someone else. If a participant does this, they will be disqualified immediately. Repeated offences will result in a permanent ban from duelling for that person. If a bystander does this, penalties will be applied at the discretion of WS Staff and Hex.
- Likewise, nobody is permitted to offer rep, or any other form of payment, in exchange for votes, positive comments on a particular entry, or anything else that might affect the course of a Duel. If a participant does this, they will be disqualified immediately. Repeated offences will result in a permanent ban from duelling for that person. If a bystander does this, penalties will be applied at the discretion of WS Staff and Hex.
On to the details...
How it all works:
1. Throwing down the gauntlet
Before the Duel itself can begin, you need to discuss some things with your opponent. First of all, you both need to agree that you're happy to have a Duel!
Once you've agreed that there will be a Duel, you obviously need to agree on the terms of the Duel.
The terms of your Duel can include any or all of:
- a maximum word-limit, a minimum word-limit, or both. (We recommend not writing anything very long, though - you need people to have enough time to read it, or else they won't vote!)
- a theme
- an image to inspire your writing
- a word - or several words - that you both have to include in your submission
- a style or form of writing that you have to stick to
- a deadline by which your submissions must be sent to WS Staff
- any other reasonable restriction
Writers' Study Staff will check the terms of your Duel before the Duel begins, and if they are not acceptable for any reason, you will be asked to change them.
If you and your opponent are both happy to negotiate the terms of your Duel in public, that will take place on this thread. One or other of you will officially throw down the gauntlet, proclaiming your supremacy and boasting about the magnificence of your writing. The other will respond in kind. Bystanders will gasp at the audacity of your claims, munch popcorn, and generally join in (if they feel like it). Somehow, in the midst of this chaos, you will negotiate the terms of your Duel.
However, if you would prefer to do all that tedious negotiating in private, you're welcome to do that. In that case, just let WS Staff know who the duellists will be and what terms you've agreed on, and we'll all move directly to the next stage...
2. Meet your doom
Once you've agreed on your terms (and WS Staff are happy with them), and you've written your submission, you need to send it to the member of WS Staff running your Duel. If you chose to boast, bluster and negotiate in public, you may, of course, continue to boast and bluster while writing your submission - and throughout the voting period.
3. Let the games begin
Once both duellists have sent their submissions to WS Staff, a member of WS Staff will open up a thread in the Lounge in order to contain thebloodshedpoll. Voting will last for 7 days.
4. May the Fates be with you
After 7 days the votes will be tallied, and the winner announced. The winner will have their name immortalised in the Hall of Fame. The crowd may - or may not, because crowds are capricious - reward their favourite submission with rep. Or they may reward a valiant loser with rep. Or both.
In the event of a draw, WS Study Staff will... erm... well, we'll find some way of entering that result into the Hall of Fame, and it will be up to the two duellists to decide whether or not they want a rematch!
~ WS Staff
Last edited by Caillagh de Bodemloze; May 03, 2020 at 11:26 AM.
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