Wayward 2--Chapter 13-OOC
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The last chapter for the Squirrel is about to go up, and I'd like to say a few things:
First and foremost, Thank you from the bottom of my heart--seriously! This year, I have gotten so many really wonderful smails and comments that I can't put into words how fabulous it's made me feel.
As to the main question right now: "Will there be a Wayward 3?" I'm going to go ahead and say that "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" (with the drought in CA right now, it's unlikely), the answer to this is "Yes!"
I'm accepting all thoughts for venue, and, for those who fell in love with Tanaka, who was evidently one of those characters that you write and then give thanks for conjuring, he will be there, in one form or another. So we can keep the setting, play with it, turn it, whatever! Everything is very liquid right now.
I'm also pleased to announce that there won't be ANY pre-events. This was born from last year's critiques, and should have never seen the light of day! (EPIC fail on that aspect!) They solved none of the problems I was hoping would be solved, and left people more confused than anything, so that's getting stamped out of existence.
But---but---but what about those of us who wrote and wanted something to do beside sit around Squirrely's and just talk?
You're not neglected. In Chapter 13 itself, you will meet a weird little guy named Nutsy who is Squirrely's cousin. He'll speak for himself, but what is happening is that you all will be given an opportunity to become one of Nutsy's "investigators" in Nutsy Nefarious Nights
These "investigations" will take place in the Offtime Saloon, last only a few weeks each, can be done in a team or on your own, not relate to the main adventure at the Squirrel, and have smaller prizes. Each will be self-contained and each one is optional. Short mysteries will be the main thrust, but anything is welcome as an idea, and we also welcome guest writers, so for those of you who love to do something of your own for us, jump aboard.
NOTE: Joining Nutsy's ping group will not affect the Wayward Squirrel group in any way. Don't join unless you actually want to do things beyond the main adventure. Otherwise, hang out at Squirrely's for a casual drink or two and wait until the inn swirls back from the mists. :D
Now, I have a couple of judges that are going to address some stuff on behalf of my whole judging panel, so I think I'm going to need another post.....someone please make a comment while I grab another cup of coffee?
I joined as I'm hoping to feel well enough to take part in at least one NNN, if I think it's going to be a bust I will still cheer everyone on. :)
What an amazing adventure you've led us on.
RIP Mom, I love & miss you more than you know. Tell Dede hi.
Ocean Conservation Namibia on YouTube... they do good work! https://www.ocnamibia.org
waits
I joined also but see I was late in the comments..
Thank you for the amazing adventure! :D
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Please contact if selling these! (and other colors) (and other colors as well) Offering csc or will open my owned list for trades!
Joined .. that is if you accept me. LOL! be sure and join up on this. Will be fun! I've had an awesome time this year hon. You really surpassed last years event and I am so looking forward to next years. I'm also anxious to get back to my sweetie Squirrely. It's been a longgggg summer without him! wink Can't wait to see what's next! hugs
Life is short... Count your Blessings, Love your family and friends and lend a helping hand whenever you can!
R.I.P. Karen Garvin, beloved sister. Tom Garvin, beloved father. Jo Garvin, beloved mother., Donna Honeycutt, baby sister
joined, hoping things calm down and I can pllaaayyyy dances But if not, you got my support anyway I can toss it ^.^
I can't wait to meet Nutso! :) Thank YOU for everything and inviting me join the Ponies :) I'm happy I got to meet some new people along the way.
: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! ( I didn't know where else to wish you a happy birthday, so I posted it here ) I hope you have a wonderful day!! Stay out of trouble!! ( hee hee )
: Weird how there are three Wayward Squirrel 2 Chapter 13 OOC forums huh?
I think this was a lot of fun.I had a good time.Thanks for doing all this.:)
And now, le sigh for the other aspect of Adventure's End: the critiques. I honestly do appreciate these as well, and I learn and grow from them, but we always end up back at the fact that I can't please all of the people all of the time, and, on a personal note, I have, that, if everything has to be tightly codified, regimented ahead, and turned from a fun event into a syllabus for a course, you will lose me. I spent way too many years doing syllabi and conforming to whatever regulations the latest crop of legislators dreamed up. I couldn't do it again. I do sincerely care about all your concerns, but I just can't. This is a really fun thing for me, and I save up to get extra CSC for it, beg prizes, and wrack my brains for you happily, but tie me down and lock me up--and I'm sorry, but I just can't. :(
BTW, my judges are always willing to do a critique if you ask, but be warned, they are rough and don't mince words. One team captain did ask for, and get one, after I asked her if she has tough enough skin, and I'm sure she can bear witness to what I say.
Now, with the note that last year, a lot of you complained that there was too much emphasis on RP and not enough HA contests, I'm going to let my "literary based" judges, speak about this:
<p>With the group we encounter here, it should read "It&;s like there are so many winners even the losers are winners!"</p>
<p>In terms of what constitutes competitions, we like to see the participants as Olympic contenders. If your skills were not extraordinary, you would not have qualified for the team. The fact that you enter the stadium marks you as one of the best your country can offer. If you come down a mountain run or clear the last track hurdle in a few seconds slower time, you do not gain a medal on that day in that moment. This does not ever make you a loser, even though your disappointment is understandable.</p>
<p>In addition, please disabuse yourselves of the idea that we do not know or understand your characters. We would do a much less that adequate job of this if we did not read each and every contribution you make, including all your character introductions, which is the first item on the roster for each of us.</p>
<p>Should we also dissect your grammar, syntax, and overall constructs? Do you really want an event designed for enjoyment to turn on the &;Grammar Nazi" cliche&;? We tend to think most of you do not.</p>
<p>Now, as to the bonus points given, let us detail the ones for chapter 10, as we are still finishing the ones for chapters 11 and 12.</p>
<p>1: Kitcher and Donner, the anthropomorphized weasels. Here is the stock too-young-to-do-this-teen-couple. There is nothing wrong with stock characters. Good fiction is built on them, and this author has managed to make them both charming. They are far too young to be wed, much less to even consider a child, but Kitcher is, at the end, a pregnant teen with an immature mate. Her conflicts with causing her mate anguish and yet doing what is required gave her depth, and made us care about her, which is what good writers do. Is this relationship doomed? Most likely it is, but now our hearts are with them</p>
<p>2: The &;fourth wall&; is always tricky. You never know how your audience will react to your presence among them. This was so well done, multiple times over and with differing reactions, that we were forced to see the impersonator as a master performer herself.</p>
<p>3: Unless you are working as a prostitute or an undercover spy, drag for dramatic purposes should have an element of humor. This one pulled out all stops to walk just the right balance to give us a flawless performance, and the HAs showing the glamour taken on and off added the precisely perfect touch.</p>
<p>4: Ah, the heckler. This was an unexpected element introduced into a situation, and then carried out completely in character. The interloper would be yanked out, and the whole debacle reminded at least one of us of the ongoing comedy bits in "Hot in Cleveland." Surprised us, and made us laugh.</p>
<p>5: Here&;s a situation we would not have been able to award had we not been following both the story and your characters: the romance of Leaf and Jenna. It continued to end choice point, the kiss was perfectly timed, if a bit overdue, but worth the wait. It struck the perfect chord.</p>
<p>6: The second surprise of the evening was provided by Paddy. The gentle creature of some derivation suddenly became the most formidable beast in order to protect her friends. The were-shape was unexpected, highly effective, appropriate in context, and well written.</p>
<p>7: Sometimes, there is just an entry that makes all of us laugh. This one from the frequently hapless, and aptly named, Sugarcandy Mountaineers did just that. Attention to combining details was remarkable, and the overall effect quite hilarious.</p>
<p>If this helps you, and we hope it does, it may provide some insight into our decisions.
Now, I think I need one more post for my costume folks, so someone please add something?
<3 Go ahead and post :)
[User=shadow_rose_thorn]
I am thrilled with my critique! Didn't hurt a bit and it made me blush. I was listening to the song on youtube as I wrote it and was channeling Marilyn Monroe as I wrote it. I am so glad it was well received!
Life is short... Count your Blessings, Love your family and friends and lend a helping hand whenever you can!
R.I.P. Karen Garvin, beloved sister. Tom Garvin, beloved father. Jo Garvin, beloved mother., Donna Honeycutt, baby sister
"With the group we encounter here, it should read "It's like there are so many winners even the losers are winners!""
So true, 'twas an awesome group of adventurers all around.
RIP Mom, I love & miss you more than you know. Tell Dede hi.
Ocean Conservation Namibia on YouTube... they do good work! https://www.ocnamibia.org
- TOLD YA SO!
Darlin' you're insane, you know that right!? I believe it was a day or two after I signed on that I commented y'all asking if you had lost your mind. Now that the adventure is coming to an end I realize that was an understatement. You've not only lost it, you've gone straight loco! I don't know how you do it but I'm really glad you do! ❤
Thank you for telling me I should give this a try. I've discovered that I really enjoyed being a part of it and a part of my team. And now that I know the judges position on being Grammar Nazi's has cinched it for me. (I don't know when to use then/than.) Never have figured that out, I just chalk it up as a quirk on a very looooong list of quirks. Seeing it's not gonna cost my team the farm when I screw them up, Hope and I will be signing on again next year if they'll have us.
LairBears never truly walk alone
Our Lair is proof you don't have to stand face to face to know you've got friends who stand with you when you need us.
Mni wiconi -- water is life
:p
Life is short... Count your Blessings, Love your family and friends and lend a helping hand whenever you can!
R.I.P. Karen Garvin, beloved sister. Tom Garvin, beloved father. Jo Garvin, beloved mother., Donna Honeycutt, baby sister
Before I proceed, please know that any items that were mentioned in the critique were things I received from MULTIPLE folks. Please don't ever think that this was just was person. These were overall things I needed to address. I did use one perfect individual quote that was submitted, simply because it was so perfect, but the other points were mentioned all along and are very generic! These things do need to be addressed before we move on, so you do know what's going "behind the scenes."
Now, for the costume comments:
<p>After that, we look at the overall effect. Yeah, that&;s where style and color hit the mix, and how well that is placed into the setting. Items and accessories are very powerful here as they make and complete a look, and complex HAs tend to please more overall, but there are times when a utterly simply look is just right. Basically, it ends with kind of a &;gut appeal.&; If we think it&;s a wow, it usually is with an audience and plays well for everyone.</p>
<p>As to &;why that Nancy?&; Mostly because your saucy Nancys weren&;t saucy, they were slutty. You&;d have been closed down, steampunk or not. It&;s hard to do a vaudeville entertainer and not make her into a stripper. Nancy&;s not. She never would have been. She&;s a sexy vamp who&;s everyone&;s sweetheart, and frankly, most of you missed the mark by a mile on that aspect.</p>
<p>Take another look at your winner. Her fans not only would date her; they could even have her grab a longer skirt and go home to Mom. It&;s just enough leg to tease. The clothes are light and gently, very feminine, and the touch of the swing in the background is not only completely in period, it&;s killer for a good fantasy, and that&;s what these boys are paying hard-earned money to get. (In those times, they could have hired a real slut for a lot less.) Great job on the colors and accessories as well, and in this case, complexity made the whole.</p>
<p>Hope we&;ve helped you out here.
Okay then, there are your comments. Thank you all so much for jumping aboard here!
would you be able to decipher the first set of critiques for me in comments please? Right now I feel they're in Kobald runes XD
Although I thought the nancy winner was great the critique and the choice made me wonder if the judges had not seen your Nancy poster?
Life is short... Count your Blessings, Love your family and friends and lend a helping hand whenever you can!
R.I.P. Karen Garvin, beloved sister. Tom Garvin, beloved father. Jo Garvin, beloved mother., Donna Honeycutt, baby sister