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**unscratchedfoot** · August 6, 2002, 18:27

This thread is a good idea. I can tell you why some people don't wanna finish: when they come in last in the preliminaries, like my stories inevitably do, it doesn't exactly inspire them to continue, does it?

And you're right that only finished stories should be put in the vote. It makes no sense at all when stories are given a 5-star rating and put in the vote when only one episode has been written. It appears that favouritism of stories has nothing to do with the quality of the stories but it's all about who likes who.

Also, what's with multiple voting??? Like what if everyone had voted for both Gore and Bush? It makes no sense at all. I never participate in that silly vote because of this and the buddy system mentioned above.

**dnassman** · August 6, 2002, 21:28

I believe nominated stories need to be finished stories. One of the better stories written was by Bella Halla or someone like that and it was a great story but was incomplete. Once they one the contest we never heard about that story again no matter how much people were posting and begging for the completion.

So I totally agree with you ChrisiusMaximus.

I don't know about this buddy system. I just vote on what stories I like.

**ChrisiusMaximus** · August 7, 2002, 05:12

Yes Unscratchedfoot its that lack of incentive thats the key issue for me,and I'm hoping that the regulars to the stories page will join the debate and help us to find some solution/s.

I disagree on your point about giving ratings though,to me this is a way to encourage the author to continue.I sometimes forget to rate stories that I like,how do other people use this feature ie do you always give a 5 or do you vary your ratings dependant on how you like a particular story.

not sure what I think about multiple votes at this time, would like much more feedback before making my own mind up on that point.

Dnassman you must be able to read my mind,I loved Amys Story by Bella Hella,it was one of the stories that convinced me to join these forums.It's a bit frustrating not to be able to finish a good read.

Now heres another thought,is it actually unfair to the writers of completed stories to be beaten in the contests by stories that may never get finished.a story may have a 5* beginning and continue to thrill as you read further into the text but without an ending it is not a story just a part or collection of parts.

**ChrisiusMaximus** · August 7, 2002, 05:25

Sorry just a quickie,

I'm a Builder in real life and my clients are only happy when I complete the job!!

**TheGuitarist** · August 7, 2002, 10:26

I agree. It would certainly be fairer to the more uncommon writers on the forum if only completed stories could be nominated for the contest.

However, I believe multiple voting is a good idea. It allows a voter to show his support and encouragement for the writers of as many stories as he likes. In addition, there may be two or more exceptionally good stories in any given contest, and multiple voting allows you to vote for both.

Favoritism ("the buddy system") is an issue in the contest, to a degree. If a well-known writer, veteran of the forums, enters a story in a contest, voters will be more compelled to read his story then the story of a lesser-known, maybe first-time writer. So first-time writers usually get slightly less reading than the veteran writers.

This is NOT to say that all voters in the contest automatically vote for the writers they've heard of. All voters are certainly not guilty of some rash compulsion to vote for better-known writers. Round 12 is certainly a good example of why favoritism is NOT a serious problem. I'm simply saying that people are sometimes reluctant to read stories written by new people.

**Jeremy** · August 7, 2002, 11:25

I've submitted all of two stories here over the last 6-8 months since I only do so when the story is complete. I don't understand why someone would send a partial story, let alone one they haven't actually finished writing. I don't have a problem with it, I just don't understand.

I must have ten more Civ stories that I haven't finished. Not one will be posted until it is finished.

(And at this rate that could well be never!)

**dnassman** · August 7, 2002, 23:14

I judge every story I read as is and not by the author. I might remember the author of a good story and would be anxious to read something else they have written but will not vote just because he is a good writer.

Definitely agree that it is unfair that uncompleted stories go up against completed ones. Think about novels that are written and the best sellers list. If you think about a novel which is half written and incomplete but has enormous potential and so far is a great read, goes up against a completed novel then would people actually buy the incompleted book and allow the incompleted novel to be best seller. Does that make sense or am I just a bit full of it.

ChrisiusMaximus: Yeah I understand the frustration of a great story not being completed like Bella Hallas one.

**ChrisiusMaximus** · August 8, 2002, 03:18

Thanks to those of you who have replied so far,seems I might have touched on something here but not enough debate or possible solutions yet.

There's probably a lot of folks away at the moment on holiday so this will have to run for a while.Civman when you see this thread I'd be pleased to know your thoughts on this,I think we may have to consider some changes to the rules, probably need a poll in the future.

I myself will be away now till the 17th,please post your thoughts here and encourage others to do so,after all if we want a fair system as many people as possible need to be involved in the process.

And lastly to remind you of my first post I really like all the stories here there is great talent on this forum.

**DarkCloud** · August 8, 2002, 13:19

IMHO I think it would be a better thing all round if stories had to be complete before they could progress from the nominations,the actual nomination probably acts as an incentive anyway.

I agree. This would have helped me in at least one case... My story wasn't complete by nomination, and I worked- but failed to complete it, thus, I lost

good idea

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An unfinished story may be nominated, but may not proceed to semifinals unless it is completed.

Then, if it takes another round to finish, it may proceed even if there are 8 stories submitted in the next round, it will make a 9th.

**Velociryx** · August 8, 2002, 13:35

Good thread! I must confess that I'm guilty of having started a few stories and not finished them....UGH...sometimes, my brain really gets wrapped up in an idea, I charge off in that direction and then...poof...the momentum just goes away....

Sucks, but it happens....*sigh*

I disagree though, that the voting is unduly biased or corrupted in some way by the buddy system. I'd consider myself a veteran writer here (a pretty healthy supply of Alpha Centauri fiction), and yet, my latest was handily beaten by the Guitarist's very first story! That's good to see...and in my mind, a sign that there's definitely no unfair advantages in the system.

Just my two cents

-=Vel=-

**DarkCloud** · August 8, 2002, 15:40

So vel... Just what are you trying to say exactly?
I'm sorry, but you were a bit unclear... Do you support this idea or not?

**Velociryx** · August 8, 2002, 15:59

Ahhh....lol...yeah, I guess I didn't really finish the thought, eh? Personally, I'd be in favor of setting it up such that only finished works could be considered for the contest. That would give me some added incentive not to simply let them die on the ol' vine....

-=Vel=-

**Verto** · August 8, 2002, 17:16

Well, I have had a story go through the contest incomplete and win, but that hasn't stopped me from trying to finish it. Winning or losing a contest will not stop me from continuing a story; no feedback from readers is what will do it.

I'm not sure how I feel about unfinished stories going into the contest. I think that having your story nominated, even though it is only 1/4 or 1/2 done, will inspire the author to write more fervently.

Of course, if you are only half way through your story and it gets nominated then loses, I can understand why people would be discouraged; they have no chance of their story going into the contest again, so they abandon it and move on to something else. Perhaps if a story gets nominated that is unfinished, it should only be the written part that is nominated - anything the author adds after that would be part two or whatever, and it could be nominated. Hm...not sure if I'm saying it clearly.

On the other hand, I understand why some of you only want completed stories in the contest.

I guess my overall opinion would be, let people nominate whatever they want. If someone can provide something insightful as to why this is wrong, I might be swayed.

**DarkCloud** · August 8, 2002, 18:34

I'm not sure how I feel about unfinished stories going into the contest. I think that having your story nominated, even though it is only 1/4 or 1/2 done, will inspire the author to write more fervently.

It does.

Of course, if you are only half way through your story and it gets nominated then loses, I can understand why people would be discouraged;

True.

I think what you were trying to say is to split up the story so that part II, which will be the finished part, will be considered for another contest.

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I agree with you fully.

And thanks for the explanation Vel

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