Iron Fic is an ongoing effort to increase the fanfiction output of the Fanfiction Forum over the summer months. It was inspired by Iron Chef, hence the name.
Here's the way it works: I make a new thread with a challenge in it, "write a fic using _________ idea or plot device". Writers interested in participating have four hours to write a story using that theme, after which judges grade the fic in five categories out of twenty, leading to a cummulative score of 100 points.
A note to returning participants, and judges in particular: DEPTH has been folded into STORY. The new third category taking its place is SOURCE. The categories are:
WRITING PROFICIENCY: The author's grasp of the English language. Spelling and grammar mistakes, malapropers, nonsensical phrasing and other mechanical failures take points away from this.
THEME: The use of the theme in the story. Is it appropriate, or a stretch? Is the author too literal in their interpretation, or too high-concept?
SOURCE: How the source material is presented in the fanfiction. This category should be interpreted in different ways by judges depending on whether or not you are familiar with the fandom.
If you ARE: Are the characters recognizably in-character? Is there bashing or fanwank involved, and is it appropriate? If the story is AU/a fusion, are the changes consistent, explained; does it work?
If you are NOT: Does the story work anyway? Are you interested in getting into the series?
STORY: The story on its own merits. Is it fun to read and demonstrate understanding of the setting and characters? Would you like to see it continued? Does it have depth?
OTHER, or PERSONAL OPINION: Anything else influencing your feelings on the story, particularly your personal liking for the story, goes here.
THE RULES
--This is a FANFICTION contest; original fiction is not a valid submission.
--You have until the full time is up to make changes. Once time is up, if you get hit for an easy mistake, tough. Note too that everyone can see when you've saved edits.
--Entries are to be worksafe. No graphic sex scenes, or descriptions of gore-soaked violence. If it'd get an R rating, tone it down or be very careful.
--Submissions should go into the category appropriate to a fanfic of its kind. Based on a game? Game section. Negima goes to Ken Akamatsu, etc. Please include [IF] or [Iron Fic] in your thread title.
--Post a link to your submission in the challenge thread; this makes life and judging a lot easier.
--NEW RULE: A story submitted after the deadline receives a two-point penalty for every hour it is late by, rounded up. The final cut off is ten hours late (a twenty point penalty).
--If you've got any questions, ask in this thread. I'll keep this updated going forward.
For now, Iron Fic is due to take place on Saturday may 25th at 11AM Pacific Standard Time. If you aren't sure what time that is in your part of the world, use
the Timezone Converter to check.