The Unfortunate Fraternity of Attempted (and Failed) Applications

[TNT]

I liked the first half of Shortstack! Like I said, if you'd have had him then just like, haul off and smack a Dibbun or someone defenseless across the face as hard as he could, without any major provocation, I would've loved to hate him forever. Or maybe he could've had a runty stoatwife to abuse. :P

To clarify, I think it was so jarring because he seemed so beaten down in the first half, I just think it would've made more sense to have him take out his anger on someone that couldn't defend himself, like most bullies. But like I said, I liked where he was going at first! I really did. :)

[Ulrick Hammerpaw]

Just wanted to add my comment that I loved Alder! He was my number one vote for the merchants, and my second highest judge score after Goragula. Really sad that he didn't get in, but maybe we can see more of him in the audience RP? Because I'd really like to see more of him.

[foxpen]

Frost: I'd like to say that, regarding Grainger, my initial reaction wasn't one of fondness because I found, on the first read-through, the many characters and dialogue to be too much. However, the second and third read-throughs got me hooked and Alder went up in my esteem when I realized how well you organized and wrote the scene.

[Frost]

Thanks, foxpen! I hope you continue your youtube reviews, 'cause they're awesome to listen to, and I appreciate your critiques.

Rousseau, I'm very sorry. Please let us know if you ever need anything...someone to talk to, someone to listen, anything. We're here to help!

Let me throw this out there for you all to chew on: Rousseau reminded me of something I'd been thinking about. We're all cut from the creative branch here, each of us using different talents to varying degree--writing, drawing, painting, reading/analyzing, etc--and it's difficult to expose something you've nurtured and cared for to potential backwash (not saying that's happened, mind you). And the mind is a terrible, terrible companion. For instance:

(I've been reading my current writing and wanting to vomit because I keep telling myself I'm not good enough to write this novel idea I have floating around in my head).

This is something I struggle with on an almost constant basis. There are moments when something short'n'sweet will escape...usually a couple sentences at the most...that'll impress me when I return to read it, but for the most part I groan when I read my work. I know I've grown as a writer, and constantly strive to improve my craft, but creativity is a fickle and cruel lover, and the rewards of creation is often self-doubt and loathing. HOWEVER! That doesn't mean it's true.

Case in point: for all of us with failed applications, let me tell you: I enjoyed every single application. Even Sycamore's "Scar" app (you'll have to ask him, if he dares tell you). They were thoughtful, creative, and awesomely written. Don't think that you don't have what it takes; you all put down original characters and submitted them, for fates' sake! That's incredible! You went beyond the "talking about it" phase and actually accomplished something, and that deserves applause. You're winners in my book, and I look forward to writing with you all soon.

(::looks about to see who might be planning the next contest::)

[Aleisou]

Rousseau, I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad. I thought Alder was an excellently crafted character. He felt so real, and I felt like I could root for him despite all his flaws, which is quite an achievement for one 750-word scene. I was really surprised to see that he hadn't made it when I read the results the other day.

But maybe it's a good thing. I don't think a survivor contest would be the right place to explore issues that are so close to your heart  -- he has a huge emotional journey to go on, while this contest is focusing more on a physical journey. There's too many other people's opinions to care about, and of course, being voted off wouldn't be pleasant. Although I kind of hoped that Alder wouldn't be voted off if he made it in, that's how much I liked him. :) I really hope you do use him in something else, perhaps a fanfiction or original work? That way you have complete control over what happens to him. He deserves to be the central character of his own story, not vying for attention with eight other authors.

Frost, I'm SO ANGRY ABOUT GRAINGER. When I first read the app, I was a bit like -- "Hold on, what just happened?" But then the more I read it, the more details I noticed that defined his character and by the time I voted I was completely in love! I hope you do use him in an RP!

Quote:
(I've been reading my current writing and wanting to vomit because I keep telling myself I'm not good enough to write this novel idea I have floating around in my head).

This is something I struggle with on an almost constant basis. There are moments when something short'n'sweet will escape...usually a couple sentences at the most...that'll impress me when I return to read it, but for the most part I groan when I read my work. I know I've grown as a writer, and constantly strive to improve my craft, but creativity is a fickle and cruel lover, and the rewards of creation is often self-doubt and loathing. HOWEVER! That doesn't mean it's true.

Wow, I really thought I was the only one who felt this way. I have absolutely no faith in my own creativity, to the point where I get bouts of anxiety immediately after I've posted something online. That, or I never get round to writing the things I want to in my head because I'm so worried that people won't like it. :\ It's kind of enlightening to know that the people I think are excellent writers also feel the same way. Puts things in perspective, I guess.

Actually, this reminds me of a really great quote I have saved on my computer:


?Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it?s just not that good. It?s trying to be good, it has potential, but it?s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn?t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I?ve ever met. It?s gonna take awhile. It?s normal to take awhile. You?ve just gotta fight your way through.?

― Ira Glass

[Chokk Wulgar]

@rousseau: I'm sorry to hear about your dad as well.
It was me that wrote about alder feeling cramped in Redwall. I actually really enjoyed that part of your application. A view of Redwall that was negative made it stand out. I actually liked your character.


And... I wrote Vist. I must admit I'm super bummed not to get in... But I am looking forward to the audience RP! Yes the melodrama was on purpose, I thought that maybe going over the top would make him stand out :) I enjoyed writing in that style but I'll try something else next time...

@tara: thank ye for being my biggest fan ;) I will wear my Team Vist shirt proudly!

[Balmafula]

I'm so sorry, Rousseau. I know there's not much I can say, but as everyone said, we're all with you here and I hope things get a little brighter for you soon.

Aleisou, that quote is basically how I feel about my drawing right now XD It's not bad, but I just can't seem to get over that wall... just gotta keep at it.

[TNT]

And... I wrote Vist.

I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT!!!!!

Hah! I totally guessed one author right, at least! Vist was so much fun. I'm still so sad that the sad clown didn't make it! </3

The melodrama was brilliant. I was kind of bewildered the first time I read Vist, but I liked him more and more every time I read his app. I honestly think it was the cleverest thing that anyone did with the actor's category. I guess maybe it was laid on a little too thick for some people, or something? But whatever! Team Vist is too cool for them anyway, and also for most schools, if that's the case. XP

Er, not that I'm not happy with the Players that DID get in. Just...having a fangirl moment here, okay?

[Matra Hammer]

Really sad that he didn't get in, but maybe we can see more of him in the audience RP? Because I'd really like to see more of him.

I agree. I would like to see many of the apps get some play time. Is an audience RP in the works? The more to read the better.

[Chokk Wulgar]

I just went ahead and made a thread for planning the audience RP. :D

[foxpen]

I would like to stress this; even if my initial reaction wasn't favourable to your application, that doens't mean I din't like it at all. Each application had strong and weak points. Those broadcasts I did? Just for fun, just a sight-reading that I thought people would enjoy and could listen to and help figure out who they'd like to vote for.

I'm attached tothe cast we have, although not everybody who got in was my first pick! : ) I've had time to grow fond of each application, and lookf orward to a great story.

BTW when does the story start? Anybody know?

[Goragula]

I'm attached tothe cast we have, although not everybody who got in was my first pick! : ) I've had time to grow fond of each application, and lookf orward to a great story.

BTW when does the story start? Anybody know?

I'm still your fave though, right Foxpen?  ;) *leaves you a red rose*

The story should be starting pretty soon! We've just had quite a few knots to untangle.

[foxpen]

I swooned.

I swooned so hard.

[Chokk Wulgar]

I swooned.

I swooned so hard.

:D Ah foxpen, you've a way with words.



Just adding my two cents that Goragula was one of my top favorite apps I've ever read for these competitions. He's an instant favorite!

[Goragula]

Well Chokk, I suppose you can have a red rose too then. *grumbles* These things aren't cheap ... You people are bleeding me dry.

(In all seriousness, you just made my day.)