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I’m relatively new to DLP, and I am rather intimidated by you folks, but I’ve been bitten by a rabid and insane plot bunny, so Imma participate!
Are there guidelines posted somewhere, like under my nose, for formatting? Must our submission be beta’d by another Forum member?

I love the level of intellect and the rampant talent and cynicism here. The dry humor. And Taure. And Enembee’s avatar. I feel a real sense of belonging, which will rapidly dissolve when y’all rip my fic to shreds!

 

A little fear does an author good. Keeps them on their toes, helps them respect their elders peers in the community. Glad to read that you're pushing through that intimidation to join our alliance of brooding souls.

Per the opening post by Ched,

is all the guideline available.

Generally speaking it is best to have a beta- I've spoken with two members about different ideas in mind for this competition, so I would advise you to get something written down and then find another member interested in offering their feedback(if no one else does, I'll be the guinea pig). But if you prefer complete anonymity other than submitting to Xiph0 when your entry is ready, then you are free to wing it alone with no beta.

Welcome aboard, Suzanne. Knock it out of the park, yeah?

 

@Joe, write something incredible. Fresh meat newbie member is throwing in the gauntlet, we have to validate our elitism.

 

I volunteer as a tribute. I’ll probably feel slightly less bad about not submitting anything myself if I can claim I was needed to help shape future generations of DLP.

 

Fuck... don't put me on the spot.

***

"You're bleeding on my floor," the Minister for Magic said.

"Go fuck yourself," Harry replied, a glint of maddening sanity in his eyes. Bellatrix, the bitch, had just forced Sirius beyond the veil. The prophecy was lost.

Then, Death Eaters attacked, but Harry was a baller, and his magic game strong. He spelled those muthafuckers hard.

"Damn, son," the minister said. "Where you learn those killer moves?"

"I've been attacked on repeat for five asshole years," Harry said. "Picked up some street magic."

The minister doffed his cap to hide his raging erection. "You serious?"

Harry met his eye and scowled. "I'm dead sirius."

***

So, do I accept my trophy now or...?

 

/thread, we have a winner

@Joe, I was eating cereal when I read that, now I've got milk all over the table. I didn't think snorting liquids out through one's nose ever actually happened outside of sitcoms.

 

Been working on a concept in the background, but given the time commitments I've had the last couple months I'm not sure if I'm gonna finish on time either :/

We'll see I guess. Sadly none of the upcoming prompt ideas really strike me.

 

Pleasant news is that I'm happily at 2k words and digging my current concept. Unpleasant news is that, other than a brief overview, I am totally winging this right now on characterization and how exactly I'm going to advance. Can't say for sure how long this will end up being, but it may actually be left incomplete at the time of submission, and I think I will be okay with that after all.
EDIT: I was wrong. That draft was bad. Kudos for my beta. New draft underway since yesterday. General direction and idea in mind now. Not sure I can pull it off in six days.

 

Basically in the exact same position. I'm thinking if I don't finish in time I might expand it to a novella sized fic (though I say that now...).

 

...wat?

Shouldn't the voting period be listed as the 21st - 31st in that case? 'cause let me tell you, I was writing up to the last minute trying to pull my entry together yesterday and I'm not exactly sold on what I sent in.​

 

Having reviewed all entries, my verdict:

First Place: #4, with 16.5 points.
Second Place: #1, with 16 points.
Third Place: #3, with 8 points.

I gave #2 more points than #3, but honestly, I like #3 more. The rules mention we're allowed to go with our gut, and so that's what I've done. If the grammar issues had been fixed it'd have easily been more.

EDIT: edited in the links to my reviews.

 

Waiting for commentary on the competition submissions...

 

On the other hand, if no one else reviews, that means the only ones who get to vote are me and Halt (who's regurgitating my opinions anyway). Truly this is unpredecented power.

Also if nothing else it'll be vaguely reminiscent of the Reread, in that me and a couple of dedicated others continue whereas all the other shitters left after a single attempt.

 

I want to review these.

But we have to review all entries, and there is at least one where I can't get through the first paragraph let alone the entire thing. My brain is weak, I'm dipping out. rip