A New Challenge Enters: The May 2020 Pairing Contest · 6:29pm May 7th, 2020
Blog Number 76: Haiku Comeback Edition
With the publication of Haiku Sensei, I very, very, veeerrry tentatively announce a comeback. A mini one. Tentatively.
Why did it happen? Well, now's a sterling opportunity for me to flick a shiny coin your way. Want more cash (prizes)? Or just a fun job that involves no heavy lifting (unless pens count)? Read on for details...
A few days ago, this blog post announced a new challenge for writers on site: the May 2020 Pairing Contest. The contest is being run by the Original Pairings group, led by founder PRINCESS CADENCE.
It's actually a second run for a challenge carried out last year (details of which can be found here, for all you curious types out there), but unlike last year where it was largely kept within the group, this time it's open to all comers.
The rules I won't list in full, because this is an appetizer, not the main course. You want rules, check 'em out at the original announcements. All you need to get started is the gist. Your goal is simple:
Write a story that pairs up two characters who are never, or at least rarely, paired up in a fic together
Despite what the word "pairing" usually means (to most fanfic writers, at least), the pairing
doesn't have to be romantic!
I repeat, it
doesn't have to be romantic!
It can be a friendship, a rivalry, an enmity, mutual pity, distrust, jealousy, confusion, or any combination of reactions. There isn't a hard word limit (just a recommendation to keep within 10,000 words), and you can enter as many stories as you like, so long as the pairing fits the rules.
If it helps, I'd recommend having a look at the character tag list (ordered by number of stories per tag here) and keeping your eye on the more obscure tags at or near the bottom. By sheer probabilistic reasoning, those are the least likely to have been paired up much with anyone (it's just common sense), so now's your chance to scope out some likely targets.
And, since I can't resist sticking my foot in, I'd also be grateful if you simultaneously submitted any rarely-used-character-tag stories to the Time Action Glory Challenge group too! They collect stories for tags which have fewer than a hundred apiece, so add them to the 2020 Challenge Folder (here) and give these obscure Equestrians a much-needed boost!
In any case, the deadline for the May 2020 Pairing Contest is, understandably, the end of May. If you haven't already, I suggest you take part and get cracking! Many strange combos await discovery! Be the first! Be the best! Or, failing that, have a good time this spring with a crazy combo crackfic!
Well, that should do it for now. Till next time, fellow fiction fans.
Impossible Numbers, out.
I gotta say, anything about Kettle Corn but especially her reading haiku with Mistmane, is something I need in my life. :D
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I am simultaneously shocked and proud that I'm the first to ever come up with the idea.
Shocked, because it seems like such an obvious idea in hindsight (Kettle Corn's haiku, Mistmane's eastern-style origins, hello?).
Proud, because it means I get unique gloating rights.
Glad to see you back on the horse, if only tentatively.
My writing-thingie isn’t firing on all cylinders lately, but I shall have to see if I can get its engine to turn over for this.
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Thanks. I'm trying not to fall off at the moment, which largely means hopping off the horse immediately if it starts acting tetchy. That said, this month's been an improvement so far, both in terms of word count and in terms of enjoyment, so I'm growing confident.
As for the challenge, yeah! Taste the adrenaline and hone your skills like a master! Go for it!
That is, if you feel comfortable doing so, of course. I wouldn't want you to have a bad time at all.