Questions on the Competitions

[Akhlut]

The Clan Competitions are the new, brilliant monthly event!
However, I know some people don't eneter cause they....

- Don't have an idea.
- 'Haven't got the talent'.
- Scared people will laugh at them.

Here's a bit of information for you... Nobody's going to laugh!
The competitions are pure fun - for you to try out something new. If you're a writer by trade, try entering the art competition.
If you love manga, then draw real-life.
Its all about new oppertunity, and a chance to share talent!
Everyone's got it, if they try.

Art Competition

Everyone has some sort of art talent. Some, admittedly, do have more than others. But we all still have it.
Its still good to enter a competition. If you have time - go for it!
Nobody will laugh *or Akky hopes they won't...*
Good luck. Try a new style - it may work well for you.

Writing Competition

I can say a bit more about this - I can no longer enter, as a guardian, but loved the two comps that I did enter.
It's a challenge.
If you're not sure, do it like an rp, from the deep forest.

- Use lots of luvverly description!
- Try to make characters seem real, by giving them real feelings, and letting the reader understand them.
- 1000 words is more than you think. However, quality is better than quantity. If there's some bits where it may get a little boring, don't be afraid to cut it.
- HAVE FUN! That is - after all - what the comps are about.

Questions


Q - When do I enter?

Each month holds a different compition alternating between art and writing (Jan. was writing). Each month a sticky will 'appear' with details on a topic and close date. Anytime between the day this sticky is posted and the close date is when you post your topic related entry. At the end of each month there is a 'gray area' when there is no current contest and the entries are judged.

Q- How do I post my entry?

Posting a writing comp entry is easy just type your entry in to a word processor and then copy and paste it into a new thread. Art entries are a bit trickier. If you have a scanner, or a digital camera, you can scan/take a photo of your image and upload it that way. If you have a photobucket account just upload it there and then post the link in a new thread. If you don't have a photobucket account upload it to the account available to all users that Akhlut made (see bottom of post). You can also add the image as an attachment to your post.
However, if you do not have a scanner or digital camera, you can mail the picture to us, at; 186 Bickenhall Mansions
Bickenhall Street
London
W1U 6BX

Q- Where do I post my entry?

A- Just as a thread in the Art/Writing comps forum. Stick to topic, and make it 1000 words or under.

Q- What will happen if I win?

A- If you win the art competition, your art will flash past on the banner at the top of the screen from time to time, along with your name!
If you win the writing comp, then it'll go on the fan-fic board and on the main home page (link at the top of the screen)

Q- How do I enter the Art Competition?

A- Upload your picture onto the internet and img tag it.
See Apollo's Guide in the Useful Links section.

Q- What is the word limit for my writing?

A- 1000 words. You can count your words easily on Microsoft Word, by clicking on 'Tools' on the taskbar, then 'word count'. Always type it on word and save it, incase the clan logs you out whilst you're typing and deletes your work. It's quite a lot - so you probably won't have to cut it - no promises though!

Akky's Useful Links

Subject; How To Upload Pictures to the Clan
Author; Apollo
Web Address; www.torak.info/forums/showthread.php?t=7157 (http://www.torak.info/forums/showthread.php?t=7157)
Summary;
A full and very useful guide as to how to upload your pictures to torak.info, by Apollo.

Subject; Writing Tips
Author; Apple Half, and many other Clanners
Web Address; www.torak.info/forums/showthread.php?t=11130 (http://www.torak.info/forums/showthread.php?t=11130)
Summary;
Writing tips given by Apple Half, and contributed to by other Clanners.

Subject; Photobucket
Web Address; www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com/)
Summary; Incase your parents won't let you sign up to the picture service Photobucket, I've made a clan account for everyone who wishes to use it. i.e if you don't have an account to upload your picture to, and don't want to sign up, you can upload your entry to this account.
User; photoclan
Password; lightbulb
THIS ACCOUNT IS CLOSELY WATCHED - DO NOT USE IT FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN CLAN COMPETITIONS, AND PLEASE DELETE YOUR PICTURE AFTER THE COMPETITION HAS FINISHED - THANKYOU

Subject; Free Art Darkening Service
Web Address; http://www.torak.info/forums/showthread.php?t=18238
Summarry; If you need your work darkened so that it stands out more, easy and simple way to do it.

Subject; Word Count
Web Address; http://www.javascriptkit.com/script/...untwords.shtml
Summary; Easy and quick way to check the amount of words on your writing entry. Just copy and paste your entry in. Remember - the MAX words for any one entry is 1000.

I can't give help to anyone, as such - that's cheating. But just a few tips, for those who maybe think they 'can't do it'.

Can't is NOT a word, you hear me?

Good Luck! :cheer2:

Akky
/x

P.S. ANYONE CAN REQUEST QUESTIONS TO BE ADDED

[Molly Mawk]

Ooo this is a good idea, good going.
:)

[ShadowWolfGirl]

Wow!!!! Thanx Akky!!!! :)

[Nigilynog]

Thanks for this Akhlut - it's a good idea and it should solve some of the problems that people have. I don't see why it would be breaking the rules in anyway but can I ask people to keep an eye on it just to make sure people don't start abusing it and filling it up with unrelated pictures.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[Lighting Wolf]

Thanks.Thanks

[Fe_Wolf]

Awesome idea Akky!! And about the abusing it thing, we could maybe have certain people that could moniter it or something. Like change it every week or something. I dunno, just passing ideas along XP

[Akhlut]

That's a rly good idea... Well - I'll keep checking it myself but a little help from some people would be appreciated *MEGA HINTS!!! lmao*

[Blackwolf]

Nice idea. I could try and help when i have time i'll check for you akky.,

[Crimsonfred]

oh wow that's an awsome idea!! i have never used photoshop and always wanted to. would anyone care to tell me how to use photoshop?

[summerskies]

it would be fun to have a free photoshop program to go on, would'nt it?

but this tread is about a photobucket account. :wink:

[Crimsonfred]

you see!? this is why i need help!!!!:help: me and computers don't mix sometimes!!!:banghead:

[Kalindoray]

What is PhotoBucket???

[Akari]

What is PhotoBucket???

It's a site where you can upload pictures.
And when you want to show someone, one of your pictures you've uploaded, you just give them the photobucket-url.

[Akhlut]

Riiight... I don't think I've given enough info here...

Photobucket 'hosts' your pics. So that you can make them rly BIG :huge: and se people can see them.

Scan it in on a scanner (if you ain't got one take a photo and upload that instead) and upload it to photobucket.
When you save it, don't forget to save it as a JPEG or GIF image, or photobucket won't recognise it.

Then, you can put it up here!

See Apollo's useful thread.... In this forum me thinks.

[Akhlut]

Meh... I locked this by accident... Feel free to post on it...

[aimizzlex]

it's good info =]
how do you put entries in though?

[Akhlut]

Just post them as threads in the Art/Writing comps forum, with a title like...
Akhlut's Writing Entry

Then, moderators can judge them all. ;)

[FlameWolf]

It's sounds easy to enter. Thats good news!

[Blackwolf]

Yep it is.

[Kallydog]

thanks akhult, youve really boosted my confidence, see my mums an art teacher so shes really mazing and art, and i feel like a dissapointment because im rubbish. but that talk really cheered me. thanx again.

[Akhlut]

Awww! That's okay! Glad to help :thumb:

ANYONE CAN ASK TO HAVE A QUESTION ADDED BY THE WAYS!!!

[whitefang]

how do u enter the art comp

[Akhlut]

You basically do the same, but upload you pictures to Photobucket.

Useful stickies, in this forum (or clanner's art), may be;

Akhlut's clanners photobucket account
Apollo's guide to uploading pictures

Apollo gives all advice needed ;)

[MidnightSWolf]

How about creating an album and keeping all the winning and the really good pictures there? Then everybody can see it whenever they want.

[flameboy]

oh wow that's an awsome idea!! i have never used photoshop and always wanted to. would anyone care to tell me how to use photoshop?

Its kinda complex. You download it first and then you right click the picture you want to open and press open with photoshop. You can make pictures bigger and make words all wavy and if your low on pages you can put all the pictures on to one page and print the page off. I think its great!

[flameboy]

What is the mininum amount of words for writing comps?

[Akhlut]

1000 :smile: Added.

[SheWolfAtSoul]

Isn't that maximum?

[MidnightSWolf]

I think he means "1000. And I've added that question to my first post."

[Whitefur]

How Do I Do A Thread It Won't Let Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[severinka]

does there need to be a theme for the art comp and if there is one can you tell me thanks:whistleblower:

[MidnightSWolf]

A new competition starts on the 1st of every month. The winner of the previous competition and the theme for the new competition will be announced on this board. The writing and art competitions are every alternate month. Jan was writing, so Feb will be art, then March will be writing again.

[whitefang]

I think he means "1000. And I've added that question to my first post."


Akky is a she!!!!

[Ouch]

Well , from what i see is there is no minimum . However , if you wrote a sentence your surely not going to stand a chance.

[whitefang]

I don't have word count (or i cant find it) so i dont know how many words I wrote...

[Akhlut]

Okay - if anyone needs their words counting - then give them to me and I'll count them for you. ;) Free of charge!

[Ouch]

oh now thats an offer .

weeeeeee

akky what time will the results be put up?

[Akhlut]

They should be up some time tomorrow. :smile:

[whitefang]

Please Akky!! I've Addad Some Words Since You Last Counted It!!!!

[Ouch]

>.< drats .

i have triple P.e tommorow. was hoping to see results in the morning , that way i wont have to be thinking about it while doing ... THE BLEEP TEST! ahhhhh *melts*

[MidnightSWolf]

Akky is a she!!!!
I know that, but I was a newbie when I wrote that.

[MidnightSWolf]

To add on to what corlupa said:

When
Competitions start on the 1st of every month and ends on the 26th. On the 1st, a mod will post a sticky thread on the Art/Writing Competitions Forum announcing the winner of the previous competition and the theme for the new month's competition. Mods will post to remind you when the closing date is near and when the competition is over. Please do not post after the competition has ended.

Writing Competitions
The word limit for writing competitions is 1000. If you need help with counting your words, Akhlut can help you. Please remember to read through your entry and correct all spelling and grammatical errors. Remember that the mods will have to read through all the entries, so try not to make things too difficult for them.

Art Competitions
If you want to mail in your entries, please address it to:

186 Bickenhall Mansions
Bickenhall Street
London
W1U 6BX


Your entry will then be scanned in and posted on the forums.

UPDATE: You are allowed to have a max of 3 entries for the Art Competition.


Furthur Note
For more help, read the stickies in the Art/Writing Competions Forum before asking for help. It's very annoying to have to keep answering the same questions over and over again when there are already stickies addressing the problem.

[ScarWolf]

((Thread Stuck ;)))

[corlupa]

Thanks Scar

and good contributions midnight

[tearfulmasquerade]

Hey I just wanted to know, since all the entries i've seen are stories, can we submit poems into the writing competition?

[Akhlut]

Yes you can ^^ As long as it keeps to the style, then yes - it's allowed :)

[ahimsan]

who do i send it to? Can't i send a private mail to the person who announces the competition theme?

[ragre]

If it's a writing competition, just type it up. Next month, it's an art competition, so if you want to enter:

1) Scan it in.

2) Take a picture of it with a digital camera.

3) Mail it to the address stated in Midnight's post and they'll scan it in and post it for you.
Here it is again just in case:

186 Bickenhall Mansions
Bickenhall Street
London
W1U 6BX

NOTE: REMEMBER! Add your username, so they know whose it is. Also, attach a note saying it is about the Clan's art competition.

[corlupa]

who do i send it to? Can't i send a private mail to the person who announces the competition theme?

no not really.... you create a new thread and post it there it's simple if you can do that well then read below XD

*I feel moddy helping people like this xD*

[BLaCkBUtteRfLy]

Do the art competition entries have to be drawings or can they also be photoshops or something?

[Nigilynog]

Definitely don't have to be drawings. It's art isn't it? Can be anything arty - paintings, Photoshops, photographs, you could even make a sculpture and take pics of it. Anything really.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[Willow Moss]

I just want to make sure I understand the writing competitions... what can one write? Stories? Poetry? Essays? Can it be any form of writing as long as it has to do with CoAD (and of course the topic of the month)?

And is the next writing competition going to be in May (next month)?

[zerstorer]

so..on the writing competition can you write anything you want? (within reason) or is there a particular thing you have to write about...if that makes scence...

also, are you told what style of writing to do? or is it your choice?

[Agwang]

If you notice, one of the stickies says 'April drawing winner & May writing theme' or something like that. Every month it changes: one month drawing, one month writing, and there are themes.

For drawings:

- basicly it's just what you have to draw about. (E.G draw something to do with spring - April drawing theme)

For writing:

- a type of writing (E.G poems..)
- some times you have write about a certain thing (E.G this month it's Clan Mages)
- sometimes you can write about whatever you want (no theme) but there's still a type of writing.

I think that's about right... :S I'm no Clan Guardian, but...

[zerstorer]

tar, thats cleared it up a bit...i think. i just thought the april drawing theme tells you what month is which theme....

[Nigilynog]

Yeah, pretty much spot on Agwang, apart from the art competitions aren't just limited to drawings. For the writing it really just depends on what we've decided on as the theme, but any specifics will be pointed out when the theme is announced.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[zerstorer]

i cant log into it, it says wrong usernam/password....eh?

[zerstorer]

soz about last post, got dyslexia and must of typed it wrong - several times. its ok now

[firetear]

Why am I not allowed to post attachments? what can I do????

[DogYuki]

Sorry I have a question... If I will draw it down, can I scan it and Color with Photoshop? ^^'

[Nigilynog]

Why am I not allowed to post attachments? what can I do????

Check the stickies for guides on how to post images.

Sorry I have a question... If I will draw it down, can I scan it and Color with Photoshop? ^^'

Yeah, unless it's been specified in the question then there's no restrictions as to what medium you work in, be it drawing, painting, photoshopping, etc.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[Tiula]

To anyone who lacks Art confidence: read "How to Draw Anything" by Mark Linley. He taught me to draw, he's a self taught artist and has a greatly optimistic view.

[amia]

Umm, I don't know if this had already been asked and I think it's b=probably pretty obvious the answer but...Does it have to be in Torak's time? Just curious.

[elibubble]

Yeah, I think it does...

[chinquix]

um, 'i'm not saying this cus I'm greedy or anything, but do the winners get a prize or is it just that their entries are posted? not being ungrateful :P

[Ouch]

No prize, excpet your work gets put in the fan fiction page and on the front page.

[ShadowTheWolf]

okay which compotitions are on???

[Professor]

Its the July writing competition.

[hossana]

Ok thanks for the help

[MidnightSWolf]

You forgot to add the bit about 3 art entries being allowed! After I took the time to type that in the other help thread, which seems to have disappeared, and I'm guessing you merged it with this one.

Also, are joint entries allowed?

[Nigilynog]

Hmmm... I'm not sure about joint entries, nobody's tried that yet. I'll see what the other Guardian's think...

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[MidnightSWolf]

Just one other question Nily, why aren't attachments allowed in this forum? Since people have to upload their art entries, I would have thought attachments would be allowed.

[Nigilynog]

You can can't you? Well if you can't then I blame Nanuak. :smile: When he's back I'll see if he can make it so you can, but for now Photobucket works well or you could put it in an album on your profile and link to it.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[MidnightSWolf]

Oh no, I usually just put the pic straight into my post. But I'm doing some questions for the FAQ. One of the questions is "How do I post attachments?" I've done a check, and found that Clanners' Art is the only forum where you can post attachments.

[Sol]

I have a question... I already made one entry for this august art competition but I have another new entry so...

Do I create another thread with my new entry for the competition? Or should I remove my old entry and enter the new one?? Please let me know cause I really excited about my new draw :):):)

Thanks!

[Nigilynog]

Hi Sol,

If you just post your new entry into the same thread as the old one that would be fine. You're allowed up to 3 entries for the art competitions so no need to delete the old one. I'd also recommend you edit your original post and include your new entry there as well (it will make it easier for us to judge as we might miss it if it's not in the first post). Good luck!

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[breeze]

I no this sounds dumb, but does anyone no how to get your entry from Photobucket onto the art and writing forum?
I just don't understand...
Thankies, Breeze

[Professor]

Under the picture on the account, there is a bunch of different URL's. You use the one that has IMG Code next to it.

So you copy and paste that link.
To put it into your post, click 'Go Advanced' and then click the insert image button. Paste the link into that

[breeze]

Thank you! i'll see if i can do it.

[Professor]

Well, if you still are having trouble tell me and I'll try help better.

[MidnightSWolf]

It's explained in more detail in the FAQ thread in the Troubleshooting forum.

[MidnightSWolf]

Nigily, maybe you should make it clear whether the closing date is 12am at the start of the 26th, or 12 am at the end of the 26th. Because isn't 00 00 hours usually considered a new day?

[wolveseyeswatching]

Can anyone start copetitions or is ti just Nigily? And wheres the sept art comp???

[Akhlut]

Only Nigly and the guardians make competitions, I'm afraid :(

[Nigilynog]

Nigily, maybe you should make it clear whether the closing date is 12am at the start of the 26th, or 12 am at the end of the 26th. Because isn't 00 00 hours usually considered a new day?

People seem to be getting confused by this a bit with the last couple of competitions which is strange because we've been saying the same thing for every monthly competition that we've run.

I'll say it again. The competitions end midnight on the 26th. That means you have all of the 26th to get your entries in but as soon as it's the 27th we can't accept any more entries. In the case of this months it means that you have tomorrow to get your entries in but if they're not in by midnight tomorrow then it's too late. I do also post a reminder a day or two before the closing date to remind people, so it shouldn't be that hard to understand.

Hope this helps.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[Wolfmoon]

Sorry I have a question,
If your writing entry post has the wrong word count ( as in you said its 800 but its actually 850 ) are you disqualified?

[wolveseyeswatching]

Only Nigly and the guardians make competitions, I'm afraid :(

OK!


btw is there an sept art comp???

[Nigilynog]

Sorry I have a question,
If your writing entry post has the wrong word count ( as in you said its 800 but its actually 850 ) are you disqualified?

No, because chances are we won't check (that's the reason we want you to put a word count on in the first place - we don't have time to do it for everyone). However, if we do check and it turns out your entry has over 1000 words then we can't accept it. As long as it's under it should be fine, but please do make sure that it's right.

OK!

btw is there an sept art comp???

There is this month as we're running a one off competition to design an avvy for Blink, but normally it's either one or the other. If you want to enter you still have until midnight tonight.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian

[wolveseyeswatching]

No, because chances are we won't check (that's the reason we want you to put a word count on in the first place - we don't have time to do it for everyone). However, if we do check and it turns out your entry has over 1000 words then we can't accept it. As long as it's under it should be fine, but please do make sure that it's right.



There is this month as we're running a one off competition to design an avvy for Blink, but normally it's either one or the other. If you want to enter you still have until midnight tonight.

-Nigilynog
Clan Guardian


Ok, might do! Thanks!

[Zeldafanjohn]

September challenge is over.
TELL US THE RESULTS!

[MidnightSWolf]

Geez, the mods have their own life too you know. And they need to collaborate. Do you think all of them can get on at midnight and read through everything and decide on the winner? They'll announce it on the 1st

[Zeldafanjohn]

Well, sorry that I didn't know.
And yeah, I realize they have lives.

[wolveseyeswatching]

ZFJ... u really don't hav a nice side??? geez!!

[Great wolf in the sky]

ZFJ... u really don't hav a nice side??? geez!!

Your only realising this now?

[Zeldafanjohn]

Your only realising this now?

Lawlz.

And yes. I have no nice side.

[wolveseyeswatching]

lol! haha! :D

[ElfQueen]

:) Hi everyone. I've been hoping that they would just pick the topic of landscape scenes from CoAD or something for an art competition. I've got this cool painting of lake axehead I made with lots of warm oranges that would fit the autumn theme well. ^^ but they probably won't, so i painted it for nooooooo reason.

[Wise Wings]

Poor Elf Queen.

=D

I have a question about the theme this month, since I JUST discovered this thread. Does the person wounded have to die?? Can the live?? Or are we disclosed from other options??