[UO Herald] Writing Contest at UO Stratics!

[UO News]

Have you ever wondered what Messana was like as a teenager? Well, whether you have or haven't you have the chance to write your version of her adolescence in a quirky and cool contest brought to you from the folks at UO Stratics.

From UO Stratics

We all know or may think we know who Mesanna is now BUT, who was she
back in the day? Before she became famous? We want you to write a short
story to tell us who you think she was. This is a story of fiction so don't go
and try to find her bio.



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For all the details, rewards, and how to enter click here.

We can't wait to read what you've cooked up - good luck and have a great weekend!

​

More...

 

[Rumil of Lorain]

A story you don't say sound's interesting *walks away trying to remember the name of the young maid at the Justice shrine*

 

[Thunderz]

I know it!!

Someone must still have a link to the uo video about the girl and the dog [cant remember what it was called]??

Can anyone post it id love to see it again?

I watched it years ago, its perfect for this

Thunderz

 

[Lord GOD(GOD)]

I was going to enter until I read this:

"Grammar and Punctuation: They don't count."

 

[Lord Gareth]

I was going to enter until I read this:

"Grammar and Punctuation: They don't count."

I understand the concern for spelling etc. The reasons behind saying it will not count against you I will write out. Some people are not from our country. So I wanted to make sure they felt safe to send in a story without being made fun of. I am by far one of the worst spellers ever. Thanks to inventive spelling in the first grade *grr*. I know so many people who are really creative that cannot spell and that stops them from sharing a wonderful story. So saying spelling etc counts makes them not want to enter these contests. It is one thing that has kept me away from entering past contests as well.

You can type a story in microsoft word but not everyone can affored to buy it. I do not feel that someone should be dismissed for not being able to afford a program for spelling. This was my decision and not EA/Mythics decision. To make sure you all do not bash on them I will say this. All they did was post it on the website and offer to give a prize. I did not create this contest to be on uo.com or be in the lime light. I honestly just wanted people to have fun. So please have fun with it.

I hope this clears up things for people. Once the winning story is chosen I plan to send it to someone to make spelling corrections etc. I do not want the winner to feel like so many other users who get made fun of for spelling etc.

~Gareth

 

[kulder]

Dont get me wrong I like the contest but as for the prizes all my chars are as advanced as they come and I really aint plannin on moving think you could throw something else in there as an alternate choice even thou there are better storytellers than I I'm gonna give it a shot

 

[Fink]

I was going to enter until I read this:

"Grammar and Punctuation: They don't count."

I did find that a very odd stipulation for a writing contest.

 

[sablestorm]

I did find that a very odd stipulation for a writing contest.

It was included because of all the idiotic spelling and punctuation police who are more concerned with small mistakes that we make with our typing rather than true issues of substance.

 

[Fink]

I did find that a very odd stipulation for a writing contest.

It was included because of all the idiotic spelling and punctuation police who are more concerned with small mistakes that we make with our typing rather than true issues of substance.

I didn't mention spelling. That could easily be checked by a machine.

It's not an issue of "typing", it's an issue of storytelling. Grammar and punctuation are fundamental elements of structure in most written languages, roughly equivalent to form and composition in pictures. If you disregard those and simply put down a stream of consciousness - "and then and then and then and then and then" - you aren't telling a story, you are in fact just "typing".

I'm not an elitist English professor, I'm not even a native speaker. I do make grammatical and punctuation errors all the time. I do however put in some sort of effort to observe basic convention in whatever language I'm using, otherwise I don't expect to be understood.

I believe you missed my original point. Please continue to call me an idiot if I have missed yours.

 

[sablestorm]

I didn't mention spelling. That could easily be checked by a machine.

It's not an issue of "typing", it's an issue of storytelling. Grammar and punctuation are fundamental elements of structure in most written languages, roughly equivalent to form and structure in pictures.

If you disregard those and simply put down a stream of consciousness - "and then and then and then and then and then" - you aren't telling a story, you are in fact just "typing".

I'm not an elitist English professor, I'm not even a native speaker. I do make grammatical and punctuation errors all the time. I do however put in some sort of effort to observe basic convention in whatever language I'm using, otherwise I don't expect to be understood.

So a non-native speaker who is learning English wants to enter. Should they or will they get laughed out of UHall because of any mistakes they might make? In my opinion they shouldn't and I'll take issue with anyone who makes them feel unwelcome. I have a lot of respect for those who learn other languages, mistakes and all. That is why I don't like seeing posts like this. Don't discourage participation. Heck, even a young kid writing in run-on sentences should be allowed because they are trying to be creative. Let them.

 

[Fink]

So a non-native speaker who is learning English wants to enter. Should they or will they get laughed out of UHall because of any mistakes they might make? In my opinion they shouldn't and I'll take issue with anyone who makes them feel unwelcome. I have a lot of respect for those who learn other languages, mistakes and all. That is why I don't like seeing posts like this. Don't discourage participation. Heck, even a young kid writing in run-on sentences should be allowed because they are trying to be creative. Let them.

I fail to see how I am excluding anyone, making them feel unwelcome, ridiculing their language skills, or saying they can't enter the contest.

Every contest has its rules, and disregarding grammar and punctuation seems to be pretty lax for a writing contest. I am sure it's all in the spirit of fun but if you can't compete in the contest it isn't the end of the world. Some portions of the game (and indeed life) simply aren't geared towards the newcomer, and there's nothing wrong with not meeting every challenge presented to you.

Although it isn't stipulated, I'm pretty sure Stratics are expecting entries to be in English. They haven't said so, and so I am not crying about not being allowed to submit something in Icelandic or Japanese. Please don't cry out on behalf of people you assume are being marginalised by something I have said, as you seem bound and determined to misinterpret me.

 

[Petra Fyde]

Thread cleaned. Let's try that again shall we?

 

[Lord Gareth]

Dont get me wrong I like the contest but as for the prizes all my chars are as advanced as they come and I really aint plannin on moving think you could throw something else in there as an alternate choice even thou there are better storytellers than I I'm gonna give it a shot

I understand what you are saying. I will pass your request along to them or they will see your request here. I do want people to know they were kind enough to give a prize for this and they did not have to supply one.

I look forward to reading your story Kulder. Remember should the prize not be something the winner wants, they can always trade it to fellow players for something they do want.

 

[Lord Gareth]

Although it isn't stipulated, I'm pretty sure Stratics are expecting entries to be in English. They haven't said so, and so I am not crying about not being allowed to submit something in Icelandic or Japanese.

Well, we do have people who play from other places. Should someone send a story in that is not english I will do everything in my power to get it translated by someone. I am very well aware of the "and then" story people. I am one of them *smiles*. I think one time I had a sentance that ran on for about a page with "and then" hehehe.

(Flash back to Dude wheres my car.)

 

[Lord GOD(GOD)]

I know so many people who are really creative that cannot spell and that stops them from sharing a wonderful story. So saying spelling etc counts makes them not want to enter these contests. It is one thing that has kept me away from entering past contests as well.

The inclusion of the rule has the same effect.

 

[Stupid Miner]

I didn't mention spelling. That could easily be checked by a machine.

It's not an issue of "typing", it's an issue of storytelling. Grammar and punctuation are fundamental elements of structure in most written languages, roughly equivalent to form and composition in pictures. If you disregard those and simply put down a stream of consciousness - "and then and then and then and then and then" - you aren't telling a story, you are in fact just "typing".

I'm not an elitist English professor, I'm not even a native speaker. I do make grammatical and punctuation errors all the time. I do however put in some sort of effort to observe basic convention in whatever language I'm using, otherwise I don't expect to be understood.

I believe you missed my original point. Please continue to call me an idiot if I have missed yours.

Most English-readers can understand what someone's writing, even if the punctuation is slightly off.
Also, I'm (<-- an apostrophe is a good example of an often unneeded punctuation mark) sure Gareth's exception had an implied "within a reasonable limit."
They're obviously not going to accept an entry completely devoid of all punctuation becauseitdbereallyridiculoustoreadanentirestorylikethis

 

[sablestorm]

I fail to see how I am excluding anyone, making them feel unwelcome, ridiculing their language skills, or saying they can't enter the contest.

Every contest has its rules, and disregarding grammar and punctuation seems to be pretty lax for a writing contest. I am sure it's all in the spirit of fun but if you can't compete in the contest it isn't the end of the world. Some portions of the game (and indeed life) simply aren't geared towards the newcomer, and there's nothing wrong with not meeting every challenge presented to you.

It's rather funny that you say you fail to see how you are excluding anyone but then go on to justify excluding people. "It's not the end of the world, so go ahead and exclude them!"

How about we turn your argument around on you.

Every contest has it's rules and the rules for this contest were stipulated. There's nothing wrong with you sitting out because you disagree with allowing, in your opinion, substandard entries. Some portions of the game (and indeed life) simply aren't geared towards people who can't relax and accept imperfections in others.

 

[Fink]

I fail to see how I am excluding anyone, making them feel unwelcome, ridiculing their language skills, or saying they can't enter the contest.

Every contest has its rules, and disregarding grammar and punctuation seems to be pretty lax for a writing contest. I am sure it's all in the spirit of fun but if you can't compete in the contest it isn't the end of the world. Some portions of the game (and indeed life) simply aren't geared towards the newcomer, and there's nothing wrong with not meeting every challenge presented to you.

It's rather funny that you say you fail to see how you are excluding anyone but then go on to justify excluding people. "It's not the end of the world, so go ahead and exclude them!"

It's also "rather funny" that you quote what I've said and then go and change the wording to mean something else, something you can attack. I never said anything about excluding people, quite the opposite.

Writing's like drawing. Some people will tell you they can't draw but everyone can, regardless of their assessment of their own ability. Some people can do rudimentary renderings, others will create masterpieces.

Clearly the contest isn't about literary excellence. It's just a bit of fun. It isn't being judged on ethnicity or education, nor should it, just story-telling.

My momentary concern, to use the drawing example, was that rather than being a "fan art" contest it would be more like "colouring" contest. But Lord Gareth and Stupid Miner have well and truly laid that concern to rest, and they did it without insulting or attacking. Isn't the proper use of language a marvelous thing?

 

[sablestorm]

It's also "rather funny" that you quote what I've said and then go and change the wording to mean something else, something you can attack. I never said anything about excluding people, quite the opposite.

Writing's like drawing. Some people will tell you they can't draw but everyone can, regardless of their assessment of their own ability. Some people can do rudimentary renderings, others will create masterpieces.

Clearly the contest isn't about literary excellence. It's just a bit of fun. It isn't being judged on ethnicity or education, nor should it, just story-telling.

My momentary concern, to use the drawing example, was that rather than being a "fan art" contest it would be more like "colouring" contest. But Lord Gareth and Stupid Miner have well and truly laid that concern to rest, and they did it without insulting or attacking. Isn't the proper use of language a marvelous thing?

When I first replied, I wasn't trying to insult you. Yours just happened to be the post I hit reply to. Nevertheless, you answered me and it became a debate.

You state that you never said anything about excluding people. If that's the case, why did you provide justification for excluding people? You in essence say it's not the end of the world for them if they can't participate.

Let me ask you another series of questions.

1. Did you organize this contest and will you be putting the work in reading and judging all the submissions?

2. Are you obligated to submit a story?

3. Are you obligated to read the submissions if the contest organizer should post them?

I will admit that I'm working under the assumption here that your answer is no to all three. If that is indeed true, it leaves me wondering as to why do people feel a need to question the contest organizer's decisions about his or her own contest? It feels very much like people just want to rain on someone else's parade. It also feels very much like a statement of "better than" as in "I am better than posting in a contest that doesn't demand perfect spelling, grammar, and punctuation." I realize this is more of Lord God's tone in his posts, but you do still that "I'm better than 'colouring' contests" in your own arguments.

I don't care if you do feel you are above these sorts of things. That is your prerogative. When you feel the need to tell everyone else, however, it becomes annoying. Again, I'm primarily referring to Lord GOD's posts, but let me also warn that your arguments started sounding more and more like him and these sorts of arguments have consequences which you might not imagine.

A contest is supposed to be a fun feel-good sort of thing. It's supposed to foster community, to let us come here and share stories based on this game we love. My alliance loves Mesanna and the EMs too, but I fear the Stratics boards have a reputation for being a festering sore of negativity and many would rather not leave themselves open to criticism.

I tried my best to get people to give it a chance, but then they came back and said the contest is already being criticized.

UO has often been touted for it's community and much blame has been leveled at the Devs for the community not being what it once was. Let me point out, however, that the players have far more impact on the community than the Devs ever could. If you feel the need to be negative and tear down the hard works of others, then you're not helping the community at all.

 

[Lord GOD(GOD)]

RE: Sablestorm

I didn't post a tone intending to destroy a community, nor did I intend to imply I write perfectly, I don't. Though I do at least try to write coherently, and realise that it is important, things can have entirely different meanings depending on how they are punctuated.

The intent was to mask my disappointment with humor. I am interested in writing, and I was pleased to see a competiton where I could write something and have it judged. However having read the rules it became apparent that the writing was not to be judged. Hence the disappointment.

The disappointment is added to by the rule's presence justified as not to exclude people who can't write well, while having the adverse effect of excluding those that can, and that seemingly be acceptable. Hence the humor.

You imply only agreeable posts should be made. I don't agree. Forums are for discussion.

Oh, and as for why people question event organisers decissions, I refer you to the hypocrissy in paragraph three.

 

[sablestorm]

RE: Sablestorm

I didn't post a tone intending to destroy a community, nor did I intend to imply I write perfectly, I don't. Though I do at least try to write coherently, and realise that it is important, things can have entirely different meanings depending on how they are punctuated.

The intent was to mask my disappointment with humor. I am interested in writing, and I was pleased to see a competiton where I could write something and have it judged. However having read the rules it became apparent that the writing was not to be judged. Hence the disappointment.

The disappointment is added to by the rule's presence justified as not to exclude people who can't write well, while having the adverse effect of excluding those that can, and that seemingly be acceptable. Hence the humor.

You imply only agreeable posts should be made. I don't agree. Forums are for discussion.

Oh, and as for why people question event organisers decissions, I refer you to the hypocrissy in paragraph three.

To be honest, this doesn't sound humorous, it sounds petulant:

I was going to enter until I read this:

"Grammar and Punctuation: They don't count."

As for hypocrisy, I wasn't arguing for your exclusion. The issue of exclusion arises because you choose not to participate over the choices the contest organizer made with his own contest. It wasn't as if you are doing all the work for this contest and are set to judge it when Stratics suddenly demands you include this rule. Your own hang-ups are excluding you, not me and not the contest organizer. By all means, submit a story and when the submissions are released, here is a novel suggestion: if you find a story which doesn't not meet your lofty expectations, stop reading it. It is just that simple.

 

[Petra Fyde]

Can we please stop this discussion and treat this contest in the spirit it was created?
Gareth devised a contest. He feels that the storytelling is of prime importance and therefore says, basically, 'don't worry if you're English isn't perfect.' Mesanna escalated it from a Chesapeake shard event to a game wide event. She wants to see what your imaginations can come up with.
If you have an interest in creating an entry, please do so. Stop berating poor Gareth for trying to do something for the community.

 

[Lord Gareth]

I have been jotting down some notes from each post these past few days. I must say every person that has posted gave me something to think about. Let us move forward and focus on the contest. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to PM me. I love feedback and even if you hate the entire contest I would like to hear why and how to improve (in a PM please.)

~Gareth

 

[Lord GOD(GOD)]

To be honest, this doesn't sound humorous, it sounds petulant:

Feeling disappointed that a writing contest is not based on writing is not an unreasonable reaction. You seem unaware that there are more than one type of humor.

As for hypocrisy, I wasn't arguing for your exclusion. The issue of exclusion arises because you choose not to participate over the choices the contest organizer made with his own contest. It wasn't as if you are doing all the work for this contest and are set to judge it when Stratics suddenly demands you include this rule. Your own hang-ups are excluding you, not me and not the contest organizer.

No the issue of exclusion arises because the rule makes me feel excluded, they suggest that knowing how to write is not worthwile, when it is, especially in the context of a writing competition. Valuing intelligence is not a hang up.

By all means, submit a story and when the submissions are released, here is a novel suggestion: if you find a story which doesn't not meet your lofty expectations, stop reading it. It is just that simple.

You're talking about simlpe when you turned 'I opt out' into 'Community destroying negativity'. Maybe you were getting practice in on your own fiction, I don't know, but either way I'd hardly call expecting a writing competition to be aimed at writers a lofty expectation.

I made a very simple comment that you chose to blow out of proportion by being overly sensitive about what others post. While hypocritically being guilty of the same trait you condemn me for. Being negative.

In what positive way have you addressed anything I have said, none at all, you just attack me because of your 'hang up' that you think my tone is superior. If I were to offer up a suggestion as trollish as yours I would say that if you can't write, go to school, but I didn't, I just opted out. I didn't continually hound the organiser, I just opted out, and left them to it, and seriously good luck to them, but it isn't for me, so I opted out.

If you need me to say I just opted out to you anymore feel free to PM me as I think the organisers and mods are getting irritated by the back and forth you've created.

 

[sablestorm]

Lord GOD, I'll take this to PM out of respect for the contest, the contest organizer, and the Mods.

 

[Lord Gareth]

Contest Ends on March 5th 2010 at 11:59pm EST

Ha! I almost messed up and wrote 2009. hehe

 

[Lord Gareth]

Reminder: Contest Ends on March 5th 2010 at 11:59pm EST

If you have not received an email back for your entry please let me know. Every entry we have received so far has just been amazing. You guys left me wanting more at the end of each one.

 

[bjornef]

i think she was a player that did care

 

[Lord Gareth]

Last Day Today!

 

[Lord Gareth]

1hour 24mins to go! By the way LOVE all of the entries so far. Nice work everyone.

 

[GarthGrey]

This harkens back to my response in a previous thread. Players, whether they're Stratics board moderators or not, should NOT be allowed to be THIS close to an EA Employee. This is Self Gratification to the Nth degree...this isn't about Storytelling...

 

[Lord Gareth]

This harkens back to my response in a previous thread. Players, whether they're Stratics board moderators or not, should NOT be allowed to be THIS close to an EA Employee. This is Self Gratification to the Nth degree...this isn't about Storytelling...

Sending an email to do a contest is to close to an EA Employee? How is this not about storytelling? rolleyes:

 

[Taylor]

This harkens back to my response in a previous thread. Players, whether they're Stratics board moderators or not, should NOT be allowed to be THIS close to an EA Employee. This is Self Gratification to the Nth degree...this isn't about Storytelling...

This might be the most unenlightened post I have read this year. rolleyes:

 

[sablestorm]

This harkens back to my response in a previous thread. Players, whether they're Stratics board moderators or not, should NOT be allowed to be THIS close to an EA Employee. This is Self Gratification to the Nth degree...this isn't about Storytelling...

More foolishness. Now that my story is written, albeit hastily, I can get back to arguing here. Mesanna the avatar in UO has become something of a character, much like Sherry the Mouse or Shamino or particularly Lord British. I submitted a story written about her which is probably nothing like Mesanna the EA employee. I don't know Mesanna and I am not "THIS" close to her. Would you suggest that it was wrong for players to write fiction which included Lord British back when he was still a member of EA?

Once again, I argue this contest is an effort at community building and it generates ridiculous sour grapes responses by those who have nothing better to do than to invent imaginary "issues."

 

[Slickjack]

So, when will the results be known and will the winning story be published on stratics or uo.com?

Also, who are the judges? Is Mesanna one of them?

 

[Harlequin]

Can hardly wait for all the entries be posted. I didn't enter, but I'd love to read the stories folks have posted!

 

[Lord Gareth]

I don't want to steal anyones Thunder so I will steal EM Dudleys famous line from Chesapeake.

You'll just have to stay toon'd!

 

[Crystal Canyon]

I just wanted to thank Lord Gareth for the opportunity to enter a story contest that is relaxed enough not to require a English degree to be a part of.

I had a blast writing this story. No pressure...just fun!

 

[Megilhir]

"Hey everybody! Here is a free gold bar. Who wants to walk across the street to get it?"

"No way dude, that bar is nicked and scratched."

"Free? Wow it must really sUxxORz"

"Why youse givin dat away, youse t'inken youse bettah den us?"
.
.
.
.
And so on.

Geez Louise people. The poster offered a contest with a prize he is funding.

NOT YOU!

It is like when I asked a player On Atlantic) if they were really a returning veteran with a new account and if so I would craft them a Legendary Smith Dexxer Suit.

People all started yammering in chat how I was so cheap and why should the guy have to prove they were a returning player for a mere Legendary Dexxer suit. Why the hell wasn't I doing more for them and so forth. Yadda...yadda...yadda...yadda.

Then I wrote, "Fair enough...so who is going to pop over to New Haven and set this guy up with better gear please?'

......................Silence reigned....................

I made the suit and he was quite polite and gracious.

Moral of the story: Put up better or sit down quietly.

 

[BajaElladan]

Any Official Word on seeing entries, and when a winner(s) may be announced?

 

[Joy-ElF]

I'd like to know, too