(YYSLSC) The Yin Yang Short Love Story Contest

We've ALL been there. That moment when we had to choose whether to cut and run or stand and deliver.

Decision time; listening to the evil little bugger on your left shoulder telling you "Go for it, it's your chance!" and then having to put up with the entity on your right shoulder saying "Now, hold your hosses, cowgirl/boy, that ain't exactly rodeo rules, is it?".

The twist. It's gotta involve an you, an alien being, your significant other and LOVE. Happy endings are not required.

That's right... it's a love triangle with a moral twist.

Stories should be no shorter than 5000 characters and no longer than 15,000 characters. In other words, a short short love story.

Each member who enters is allowed only two contest entries.

The contest closes 12:01 AM EST, February 1, 2009 and judging will be completed on Valentines Day.

No profanity or porn please. T&C's are to be strictly adhered to.

I'll need two volunteer judges from the membership to round out the judging panel. The two volunteers must already have writer status and cannot enter the contest but will be rewarded with 5000 ATS points for their efforts. First come, first serve

First prize - 25,000 points
Second prize - 20,000 points
Third prize - 15, 000 points

There will be an undisclosed number of prizes for runners up.

Note: this post is a bit over 1,500 characters long, so it gives you an idea of the length required.

Each title MUST include (YYSLSC)

All question answered here.

Do you make a thread or post it here? When you say it has to include (YYSLSC) do you mean just that for reference or is it got to be part of the name of your story title?

Just post it on the Short Story Forum.

The (YYSLSC) in the title is so that staff knows to put it into the contest.

BTW... if the story is a bit more or less than what the guidelines call for, it'll still be included. Only stories that are far shorter or longer will be disqualified.

sp edit

[edit on 18/12/08 by masqua]

Oh, yes... almost forgot. If you enter the contest with a story, you will be awarded writer status.

Awesome idea here - so much scope.

Time to get writing.

Peace,

MGGG

reply to post by machinegun_go_go


Yeah... the alien in the mix should be interesting.

By alien, I mean 'off-worlder', btw.

Looking forward to your entry, MGGG.



[edit on 18/12/08 by masqua]

Originally posted by masqua
T&C's are to be strictly adhered to.

How strictly do you mean by "strictly," Masqua? Strictly is one of those words that when you repeat it over and over to yourself, it looses most of its meaning.

It means that any T&C violation will not only disallow entry into the contest, but will also cause it's deletion from the forum.

Repeated attempts will garner warns.

That's what I mean by strictly.

the reasoning for this is that romantic topics often delve into pornographic fiction and profane language.

Hope this clarifies the word 'strict'.

Note: the contest has one 'member judge' already. I'm hoping to hear a second so that issue will be behind us.

Judges will, of course, remain anonymous.

Originally posted by masqua
It means that any T&C violation will not only disallow entry into the contest, but will also cause it's deletion from the forum.

Repeated attempts will garner warns.

That's what I mean by strictly.

Right. Yes. Thank you. And thank you for explaining it without threatening to chop both of my arms and legs off with a bloody sword. I had lost the meaning of "strictly" for some short while, there, you see. It comes back to me now though.

the reasoning for this is that romantic topics often delve into pornographic fiction and profane language.

This is understood. My entry most certainly would have. If I enter I shall keep it "clean," Sir, out of respect to your good self.

A "Contest"...

OK, I'll give it another shot.

but I will need specific info and guidelines of "intimate" description.

To me without some latitude; "Love" can't be accurately described, especially of the alien variety.


[edit on 18-12-2008 by whaaa]

Originally posted by whaaa

but I will need specific info and guidelines of "intimate" description.

To me without some latitude; "Love" can't be accurately described.

"Word."

It's very simple, really... profanity and pornogaphic writing is not part of this contest.

The challenge will be to write without resorting to such measures.

Did I say it had to be easy?

Originally posted by masqua


The twist. It's gotta involve an you, an alien being, your significant other and LOVE.

what is meant by "your significant other"?


maybe i am from outer space , but i am not familiar with it!

Originally posted by masqua
It's very simple, really... profanity and pornogaphic writing is not part of this contest.

I understand that. It's just your definitions of "profanity" and "pornographic" may differ vastly from my own. To me swearing isn't profane, and I don't even consider pornography to be pornographic. That may make me “wrong,” but that's just me.

The challenge will be to write without resorting to such measures.

Did I say it had to be easy?

It's easy, Sir, I just don't want to have to do it. I'm not that kind of writer. But I can be temporarily to prove a point, if I must.

Originally posted by orange-light
what is meant by "your significant other"?


maybe i am from outer space , but i am not familiar with it!

Your 'significant other' is the one who is currently in the position of a relationship built on love and affection.

It does not apply only to disimilar gender.

If you are an alien, then the story could be based on the alien life-form that you suggest you may be and the dichotomy observed can then be the confusion you, as a (perhaps) asexual being, are confronted with.

Originally posted by Cadbury

I understand that. It's just your definitions of "profanity" and "pornographic" may differ vastly from my own.

My personal definition is based on my understanding of the T&C's. Since I am both the originator of this contest as well as a judge, my decision to exclude a story based on my personal interpretation will be final. There is always the Complaints function if anyone disagrees. In that way it will be seen and discussed by all staff.


I'm not that kind of writer. But I can be temporarily to prove a point, if I must.


If you want to prove a point regarding the T&C's and how profanity and pornography are to be designated within those rules, then I suggest you attempt to have it resolved in the ATS Issues Thread.

The T&C's are quite clear, imo, but if you have a pertinent question, I'm sure that the administrators of ATS will be happy to answer your concern.


[edit on 18/12/08 by masqua]

Originally posted by masqua
My personal definition is based on my understanding of the T&C's. Since I am both the originator of this contest, my decision to exclude a story based on my personal interpretation will be final. There is always the Complaints function if anyone disagrees. In that way it will be seen and discussed by all staff.

If you want to prove a point regarding the T&C's and how profanity and pornography are to be designated within those rules, then I suggest you attempt to have it resolved in the ATS Issues Thread.

The T&C's are quite clear, imo, but if you have a pertinent question, I'm sure that the administrators of ATS will be happy to answer your concern.

I think you need to relax. I'm not trying to cause you any trouble. I just think it a good idea that a man in my position (with a monumental 41 bannings under his belt and recent threats to make it 42) take a moment of time to clarify a few things with the organiser of the contest he is considering entering, lest he gets himself killed. I'm not trying to get your rules changed or anything like that, I just needed an absolute clarification as to what those rules actually are.

No need to get all strange and authoritarian on me now, Masqua. When have I ever tried to give you, personally, any #?

Originally posted by Cadbury
I just think it a good idea that a man in my position (with a monumental 41 bannings under his belt and recent threats to make it 42)

That's NOT the case. In our communications it was made clear that we didn't want to go down this path. C'mon man.

I'm not trying to get your rules changed or anything like that, I just needed an absolute clarification as to what those rules actually are.

The T&C is very clear on this. If you wouldn't put it on the board it doesn't belong in a story. I've seen your participation, you can do it.

reply to post by Cadbury



Please... let's not get personal.

On the issue of interpretation of the T&C's, I suggest (again) that you take your concerns to The ATS Issues Thread where it will be seen by those who can actually make a decision.

Cheers