This is my first contest. I have entered several, so I have a slight idea of how it goes. I have learned a few things in the last couple of days: /Ask all the stupid requirements you want, give as many ambiguous choices as you can think of so that serious writers cannot possible divine what it is you are after,/ and finally, /do not ask for anything more technical than typing out half-words and slapping a title on it./ So I am revising the rules.
Modified Contest
*NEW RULES*: Only 1-5 applies. Everything else is suspended. If you cannot work with that, I will have to with-drawl the contest. Surely someone out there can manage that.
Write about whatever the heck you want. That should be ambiguous enough to draw someone. I will state that if some computer savvy person figures out how to copy the address to the music for their song, or e-mail it to me, there is a bonus of points if you win. Shoot, I may give you points just for bothering to do what I wanted.
And I will be happy with one entry, just to know that someone is reading this.
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Original contest
I want to hear music. I write a lot of my things to music. If music inspires you, then I would like to hear it. There are two categories:
1) Love-write a song about love. Nothing sappy, I want to hear real love.
2) Fantasy-Sing as if there really was magik in the world; of knights and wizards and elves and such.
Bonus points if you can combine the two and make it work for any era and apply to anyone. If you need some examples, what I am thinking of is at http://allpoetry.com/list/12121. There are four examples there, and two of them would combine the two categories.
Now for the rules. Since I am a confessed anal grammar nazi, there are strict rules:
1. No sticky caps. If you have to ask, do not bother entering.
2. No net-speak. See rule one.
3. Spell-check. There is some leeway for grammar as poetry is not exact. There is no leeway for spelling errors.
4. No cutting, slashing, blood or any of the angsty things that may lead you to write a song. This is about love, not a teen-aged "I will do anything for sex" contest. No foul language. I would like to attract younger people. And if I cannot let my own kids read these, I do not think they are appropriate.
5. Reading something of mine is not required. I want people to read because they want to, not because I bribe them. But, please, feel free to read someone else's work. Everyone needs encouragement.
6. I am amending this rule. It seems it is too difficult for anyone but me to provide music for the songs written, so, I will no longer require it. However, if anyone finds a way to manage it, you will be more in a position to win. My thinking on this subject is that a song without music is a poem. I was particularly interested in songs. If you read the examples, you will see how I have done it. I wanted to hear the music while I read. I can read MIDIs or MP3s. It has been pointed out that it is hard to get the music for the song. If you have made a MIDI of it, you can e-mail it to me. I wanted to at least hear the music. That is an integral part of the whole process. If you still have questions, IM or e-mail me.
7. Any deviations from the above will disqualify you. Especially Rules 1-4.
I am allowing pre-writes, although, I would rather have new poems. They would get more consideration, unless you have an exceptional song.
I would like at least ten entries.
I will only comment on poets that ask for it, i.e. marking the critical on the poem. Otherwise, you will just get a thank you.
Modified Contest
*NEW RULES*: Only 1-5 applies. Everything else is suspended. If you cannot work with that, I will have to with-drawl the contest. Surely someone out there can manage that.
Write about whatever the heck you want. That should be ambiguous enough to draw someone. I will state that if some computer savvy person figures out how to copy the address to the music for their song, or e-mail it to me, there is a bonus of points if you win. Shoot, I may give you points just for bothering to do what I wanted.
And I will be happy with one entry, just to know that someone is reading this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original contest
I want to hear music. I write a lot of my things to music. If music inspires you, then I would like to hear it. There are two categories:
1) Love-write a song about love. Nothing sappy, I want to hear real love.
2) Fantasy-Sing as if there really was magik in the world; of knights and wizards and elves and such.
Bonus points if you can combine the two and make it work for any era and apply to anyone. If you need some examples, what I am thinking of is at http://allpoetry.com/list/12121. There are four examples there, and two of them would combine the two categories.
Now for the rules. Since I am a confessed anal grammar nazi, there are strict rules:
1. No sticky caps. If you have to ask, do not bother entering.
2. No net-speak. See rule one.
3. Spell-check. There is some leeway for grammar as poetry is not exact. There is no leeway for spelling errors.
4. No cutting, slashing, blood or any of the angsty things that may lead you to write a song. This is about love, not a teen-aged "I will do anything for sex" contest. No foul language. I would like to attract younger people. And if I cannot let my own kids read these, I do not think they are appropriate.
5. Reading something of mine is not required. I want people to read because they want to, not because I bribe them. But, please, feel free to read someone else's work. Everyone needs encouragement.
6. I am amending this rule. It seems it is too difficult for anyone but me to provide music for the songs written, so, I will no longer require it. However, if anyone finds a way to manage it, you will be more in a position to win. My thinking on this subject is that a song without music is a poem. I was particularly interested in songs. If you read the examples, you will see how I have done it. I wanted to hear the music while I read. I can read MIDIs or MP3s. It has been pointed out that it is hard to get the music for the song. If you have made a MIDI of it, you can e-mail it to me. I wanted to at least hear the music. That is an integral part of the whole process. If you still have questions, IM or e-mail me.
7. Any deviations from the above will disqualify you. Especially Rules 1-4.
I am allowing pre-writes, although, I would rather have new poems. They would get more consideration, unless you have an exceptional song.
I would like at least ten entries.
I will only comment on poets that ask for it, i.e. marking the critical on the poem. Otherwise, you will just get a thank you.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on February 14, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 300
- Final notes: First Place: 300 points
Second Place: 100 points for providing music
Thirs Place: 50 points for at least providing chords and timing.
I also gave 10 points for each person who entered. If I missed anyone, just drop me a line.
Thank you all for entering. It was an interesting experience. I am awarding the top two places, because they actually provided music for their entries. And the third because at least the chording was provided. Some of the others were good, they had good messages and as poems were very good, they just did not meet enough of the criteria. I may try this again in the future. Again, thank you.
Entries [6]
1 - 6 of 6
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Standing alone, feeling's gone
wondering what it is that went so wrongby Jambaqua Miruni 36 lines, 136 comments, on Dec 5 6:53 PM 2004. In Sad, Lyrics, Love
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
I always try
The best I canby Chrissy626 24 lines, 7 comments, on Dec 27 10:28 PM 2004. In Personal• Commented on by judge. -
Verse 1
The blood pouring from my veins, death is coming, no reason to keep running, I lost myself so long ago, no one remembers me, no reason to pretend I’m t• Commented on by judge. -
Sleep my child
Find refuge in dreamby Nesa Lyrel 12 lines, 7 comments, on Feb 3 3:42 PM 2005. In Fantasy, Other, Childrens
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
Your memory is so fresh in my mind,
I still remember just how kind,• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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asking for accompanying music to original songs is a bit hard, especiall if you're not writing to a tume already made. I hope the contest works out.
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This sounds cool! Maybe I'll add something!
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ALright...i just entered in this contest but i realize my song isnt about falling in love. If it's wrong for the contest, then i'm sorry!! And if it is, if you could, somehow remove it from the contest or something please. thanks!
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S'all right. You are the lone entry, so far, so it is not like I can complain. And it is truly an awesome song. Did you record it? I was not as interested in hearing it recorded as just the music, but this is really a great song. It is everything I wanted. Good writing and a wonderful tune. And it goes together, which is the important thing. Good luck, although from some of the lyrics I have read on this site, you do not need luck, you have not a little talent.
Edited on Feb 04, 6:12 because ''. -
crystaldust 03-02-05 21:07
Very interesting contest this, but if I wanted any of my poems set to music I would write them that way. Sorry, but I don't.I do wish you the best of luck with this contest and hope you'll get as many entries as you want. I'm really sorry it isn't for me. -
That is okay. I understand that not everyone writes the same way. That is why I asked for songs with music. You are entitled to write them any way you choose, just as I am. And if you were to write a poem with music, then you would be welcome to enter. This poem specifically said songs with music, meaning poems written for music, not just music added to already written poems. I should probably make that clearer. Sorry for your confusion. I will get right on that.
Edited on Feb 04, 9:53 p.m. because 'Previous poster may not have understood rules.'. -
Thank you, jma, for your comment. It appears it is much harder than I would have thought. Only one other person who had read the rules has managed the music part. And it worked out well. It does make all the difference in the world.
Edited on Feb 04, 6:30 because ''. -
FOr the whole sending the music thing, how do you really want it done, like do you just want the basic cord progression recorded or do you want the full out music bit?
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