Challenge #1: Perspectives on Mortality

[Dave]

The setting:
At the end of Book 4, when Harry returns with Cedric's body.

The challenge:
Pick a non-central character (excluded list below), and write about
what the canon events mean to this character. The story is to be
written from their point of view, and it should focus on their
growing
understanding of the implications of events. Dialog is not
forbidden,
but any dialog should contribute to the central theme. The story
must
begin when Harry returns with Cedric's body, but the end point (in
the
timeline) for the piece is where you choose to make it.

The restrictions:
1. Total word length: 3581, including author's notes
2. All entries must be posted in complete form by midnight Pacific
Time on Aug 30.
3. No alpha/beta readers/editors allowed. This should be
conceived,
written, and edited solely by the author without any external input.
4. You cannot write from the PoV of any of these characters: Harry,
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Cho, Dumbledore, Moody, and/or Snape.

Recused mediator for judging and voting:
Moshpit

We are finalizing the setup of a way to post, review, judge, and vote
on stories. For now, feel free to plan and write your story, but
please do not post it on the Cracked Muggle group. Within a few
days,
Josh, Dino, or I will provide instructions for where and how to post
your stories.

If you have any questions about the challenge, feel free to post them
here.

[Dave]

To clarify, the 3581-word length is a maximum, not a fixed figure.
You can write a story of any length lower than that.

[melkior]

Just out of curiosity, any takers so far?

The fact that you can't post your stories here doesn't mean you can't
discuss the challenge.

[kevin]

Not much to discuss I guess, other than to wonder why 3581 was picked.
It spells "flu." on my phone, but I doubt that was why it was picked. :-)

My alpha version is at 756 words and I doubt it will grow much. I think
I'll let it rest for a day or two for a fresh perspective before I
return to it.

Kevin

[Chris Marshall]

I have a concept that I am gong to explore and if I think it is workable
then will submit.

[Miri]

I'm interested in perhaps trying but I'm not sure my computer skills
will be up to the formatting etc. ( I wouldn't know a html tag if it
bit me! ).

I've worked for years in print fanfic, doing some editing ( "Quantum
Leap" fanfic ) and had a co-written piece ( a non-fiction, humourous
look at the literary references of the ' 80's T.V. show "Beauty and
the Beast") published, but it's ages since I've tried any fiction.
This size of a work might get me started. We'll see.

Miri

[kevin]

Miri wrote:
> I'm interested in perhaps trying but I'm not sure my computer skills
> will be up to the formatting etc. ( I wouldn't know a html tag if it
> bit me! ).

...

Miri,

Please don't let something little like "formatting" stop you. :-) If you
have access to MS-Word or OpenOffice, you can export into HTML. It's
also possible that re-formatting may not be necessary. We'll have to see
what Dave, Josh, and Dino come up with. I also have a reformatting
program I can give Dino to turn "MS-Word HTML" into "normal HTML", if he
needs it.

If required, I'll even volunteer to work with you (or anyone else) on
taking your story and turning it into the proper file format for
submission. So if you want to participate, then please enjoy yourself
and write. Someone can help you on the technical stuff.

Kevin

[Chris Marshall]

Kevin,

I would be very interested in the reformatting program, at the moment I have
to do the HTML formatting manually once the story is finished in word.

Chris
Professor_Chris (http://www.siye.co.uk/siye/viewuser.php?uid=8858)

-----Original Message-----
From: thecrack...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:thecrack...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of kevin
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2008 4:28 PM
To: thecrack...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [TheCrackedMuggle] Re: Challenge #1: Perspectives on Mortality

[melkior]

For formatting stories, either on SIYE or the new top secret site
we're working on, if you're a Windows user (or Linux if command line
suits you) you can use this app:

http://docfrac.net/

This way, you can save your story/chapter text as a RTF file and
convert it with DocFrac into HTML.

It will save you loads of trouble. You can always edit the newly-
created HTML file with Notepad to add any additional formatting.

Dino

[Chris Marshall]

Thank you....

 

Of course the new "top secret" site isn't now as we know you are working on it :).

[melkior]

> Of course the new "top secret" site isn't now as we know you are working on
> it :).
>

My ties with the new site were hardly a secret.

And trust me, it is.

Dino

[Miri]

On Aug 3, 4:27 pm, kevin <c...@pwhome.com> wrote:

> Miri,
>
> Please don't let something little like "formatting" stop you. :-) If you
> have access to MS-Word or OpenOffice, you can export into HTML. It's
> also possible that re-formatting may not be necessary. We'll have to see
> what Dave, Josh, and Dino come up with. I also have a reformatting
> program I can give Dino to turn "MS-Word HTML" into "normal HTML", if he
> needs it.
>
> If required, I'll even volunteer to work with you (or anyone else) on
> taking your story and turning it into the proper file format for
> submission. So if you want to participate, then please enjoy yourself
> and write. Someone can help you on the technical stuff.
>
> Kevin

Thank you so much for the very kind offer Kevin. I might be able to
take you up on it. I'll PM you in a couple of days with more
information.
I have a newer computer with up-dated programming that I'm still
getting used to and I'm not yet sure what all is on it.

Thanks,
Miri

[Dave]

Challenge stories can now be submitted on www.metafic.com. Note,
however, that we won't actually post the stories until September 1
when the challenge ends. For more details, see the challenge post on
MetaFic.

> > discuss the challenge.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Miri]

OK, I've just logged into and created a profile on Metafic. Now to
explore the site. Looks great so far guys, I really like the
"Marauders" style home page!

Am I right in thinking that the "work" page will allow us to work on
our stories directly on the site? That would be helpful for computer
duffers like me.

Looking forward to exploring more and starting to read stories.

Miri



On Aug 11, 12:11 pm, Dave <Sovra...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Challenge stories can now be submitted onwww.metafic.com. Note,

[Dave]

Just as a reminder (in case anyone is watching this group and not
Metafic), there are 6 days left in the first challenge, Perspectives
on Mortality. We have some stories in the queue, and we look forward
to seeing any more that may be out there.

If you want to post a story, let one of the admins (me, Dino, or Josh)
know so that we can set you up as an author.

Dave

On Aug 1, 12:08 pm, Dave <Sovra...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Sibling Creature]

Hey all,

Since I haven't seen any further notifications to this group about it I
just wanted to remind everyone that the challenge fics have now been
posted on Metafic http://www.metafic.com/ and voting is open to the end
of September. There are 3 challenge entries 2 of which are currently
tied for first place, so I encourage one and all to come and help break
the tie. :-)

While you are there its also worth checking out the excellent forums and
author blogs.

Hope to see you there soon.

- SC