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Convenient.

Nice. This'll be a nice way to give and receive feedback.

Now i just have to wait for someone to start throwing tomatoes at me.

They don't ripen this time of year, so just wait six months.  Honestly, your poem was better than you gave yourself credit for. I would have just preferred to see some more rhymes.

Thanks.

I would be relieved about the tomatoes but now i'm worried i'll have other fruits thrown at me. Watermelon anyone?

I liked your poem as well :)

Hmm...how about bananas?

Yum.

To be honest, my current favorite is Will's. :)

Same here. His brought tears to my eyes actually.

While Mizal's and yours was great(The pictures in Mizal's was a nice touch), Will's had very vivid writing and I really liked the...flow(?) of it.

Needless to say, I won't be winning.

Will's had the imagery and flow down and told a subtler kind of story. Connecting natural events to human ones so that a poem is about two things at once is something you come across alot when reading, but writing it is harder than it looks. 

Seto, you're downplaying yours too much, I like it just fine and it tells a story while making it easy to envision the scene, it fits the theme well. 

MinnieKing, yours was a good effort as a regular poem but technically might not quite be a ballad since its more focused on your personal feelings. Though the whole theme seems pretty open ended so I'm sure your points are safe. :P The important thing is to make the effort and have fun with it. None of us are exactly expert poets here and we're all going to lose to Will or Romulus anyhow. 

"...we're all going to lose to Will or Romulus anyhow..."

(Nope. Nuh-uh. Nada. Not happening. Nuhnuhnununo. Nah. Negatory. Null. No.)

Wow, that is a lot of ways to say no.

(You forgot nay, nein, nyet, ngava, kaddu, heunteu, sanes, tahatna, baken, kare, yaapw, inte, konotiri, jaab, bu dui, inehi, qay, amninida, ingaaha, dooda, k'amaq, gidenna, namoya, haan-haan, iyayi, atsa, tsy misy)

Or, in "Internet 'Trying to sound cool'" language, Nah Brah.

Yes, and it was done very well ^_^

Eh. It's a first attempt, so I guess I should be less harsh. I don't think I should try and write another one, though xD
(Definitely would not end well for my poor points >~< It took almost an hour.)

The rules were pretty vague, and Google is even vaguer when you try to find out more about writing these pesky things called ballads xD 

And yes. Or maybe T-Count could pull off a miracle and win all those points back xD

How many does T Count have to write? Six?

Yes, I think so. xD

Four.

Though if he wants to increase his odds of winning he can always bet more and submit more ballads. I'd say another 500 points for four more should do it.

Eight would be a fuckton. Who would survive knowing they have EIGHT to write on their plate? Lol.

That's put him at -1000 points, I think :c

I don't think he's that crazy.

I think.

-1090, actually... If he's already this deep in the hole, he's pretty crazy XD

Oh my. Yeah, I don't believe he's that insane. It took me a month or so to get 1000 points >~<

Edit: And that's supposed to be *that'd

Let me let you guys in on a secret: points don't actually do anything.

But they're shiny.

And I am part dragon.

Besides, people take me more seriously when I have points. Otherwise, my comments would probably be ignored xD

And I have this reputation of sorts of uphold. My thing is that I like points. If I suddenly express my disinterest in points, that'd be breaking character.

I've got 125 to make back now, so a good incentive to go archive diving over the holidays. (Have fun stalking my profile.)

Well, me and Thara raised Crescent from negative points to somewhere near 100 in a few days. I think we can do something similar to you :P

Good luck with that, Seto :)

It would be funny if you got different titles for how many negative points you had.

Like:

-100: Shitposter

-500: Shitlord

-1000: Fucktard

-5000: Ryder

Can that be a thing? xD

I think I prefer "THE DAMNED."

Also, if I were going to spend another 500 pts - WHICH I AM NOT - expect four good ballads and four crappy poems. I just don't have that kind of time.

Well, I just skimmed WIBN's, and I'm scared. I need to submit at least one ballad today.

You might not be winning, T-Count xD

And WIBN's entry was beautiful :) The ending was so sad yet not quite. Kind of bittersweet, I guess.

Yeah, the one I'm gonna publish today is gonna suck. The other three will be better, I swear. Lemme just finish the last ten stanzas and it'll be up.

All the entries are so good! I love Orange's CYOA ballad. :D However, all of you are making me nervous. They put mine to shame. XD

Crescent, yours has to be better than mine.

I've seen your poems. 

I feel like mine is irrefutably going to be the weakest entry xD

... Since when have you seen my poems? They're mostly freeform songs that don't have plot nor imagery. xD

*points to Sentinel's thread about poems*

From that, I judge your poem skills as good xD

Oh... those... Ye. No plot. >///< God, I actually posted that???

They sort of had a plot, I think.

Aight! Guess who's next!

:D You?

I agree. *kehehe*

I'm curious as to what people think of my ballad.

Great entry, T-Count ^-^

I hope so. Finding the right words to let each line fit in a smooth 16-syllable rhyme was time-consuming. Especially with the imagery, metaphor, and metaphorical imagery. Well, I only gotta do it like three more times.

xD I wish you luck.

Finally got @Crescentstar 's entry. Seems everyone is judging themselves too harshly. I've yet to read a bad ballad on that thread.

I really don't like my ballad. ;-; It just doesn't sound proper and right... :S

It has a pretty clunky rhyme scene, but it tells a great tale.

Clunky rhyme scene? *vigorously reads over poem* Near the end it does fall off a bit, but it was me trying to show a more free feel through form.

EDIT: Which means I'm trying to make excuses. Aka I failed XD

Am I allowed to know who is on the judging panel?

Ok guys, ok, say anything, but there is ONE major thing we must all remember.

Mine was the worst.

Gee, thanks XD. Lol.

Although I have no room to talk, since I just insulted myself.

But mine is the worst ;-;

Seto, three things.

•You've been sick as hell.

•You're being way too hard on yourself.

•Your entry was actually really good.

A fourth thing: Seto, everyone thinks it's awesome.

And Minnie, I wanted to write something like yours, but I asked Bucky about a emotional/mental (non-physical) story, and he basically much said no. Yours was lovely, but I don't think it fit the ballad standard of "story".

Welp, there goes my points.

The definition of ballad was pretty vague...I think everyone's points are safe.

I judge my work differently from the way I judge the others.

Mostly it is based on how hard I worked on it, and how much I felt I could have done.

Therefore, to me, it is the worst.

And I refuse to let "you've been sick" be an excuse since I signed up for this a little bit before I started getting sick.

I'm not planning to be a dick to anyone about their poems unless we get one that's just very lazily slapped together or glaringly awful, seeing how poetry is usually more personal and not as straightforward to critique as regular writing. But I did notice MinnieKing's was more like a regular poem and I'm not sure fit the contest thread description of 'Ballads generally tell a story in a very direct manner'.

That said, it'd be up to Bucky, and he's using an extremely loose definition of ballads. (This CYOA I may or may not enter wouldn't really qualify otherwise...)  But pretty sure the main goal is just to put in a good effort and create something you're happy with.

Of course, if Minnie is worried about his points, there's still a few days left to write something new.

"Usually more personal and not as straightforward". Huh. You take a lot of words to say gay.

I'm being tactful.

How kind of you.

In this case, I caught a snake.

Steve is a very adorable snake :D

Yes I must admit, the snake is pretty cool.

1) I'm not German.

2) Not a computer repair technician

3) Nope. No vore for me.

4) I think that's all I have to say on this, but I like the look of the number 4, so this will be something.

Four sounds like death in Chinese. O.o

Looking at Will's, he seemed to focus more on imagery than rhyme, where as I favored a rhyming ballad for one full of imagery. Mine told a story, but he painted a picture while telling his story, making it all the more enthralling. Maybe I should aim for that in my next couple of ballads.

Yeah, I think you should try out a variety of different ballads because not only does that improve your chances, it also gives you more practice in poetry and writing in general. :) I'm saying this as a reader, not a rival.

I'm actually pretty confident with my ballad (though the rhymes are... Well... XD).

Well, I could brag about how mine's the longest and how it managed to have a consistent rhyme scheme while some of the others didn't, but looking at it, it's far from the best. Maybe I'll brag about the others.

If you guys don't think your poems are good you probably shouldn't have entered them. (Luckily, it's not too late to withdraw!)

Is this your plan to rid of the competition?

Dun Dun Duuuun!!

So this is the evil plan!

XD She preserved that lol. Yeah, never accepting punch from mizal.

I knew I should never trust beverages! *Glares at a punch bowl*

Mizal, I already know that I can't beat you, but this is just taking it too far. ;-;

The punch bowl is just a distraction so she can scissor/hoe you in the back...

The punchbowl is a sleeping draught, to deaden the pain. Again, I'm being kind, thoughtful Mizal for this one.

The only plan I need is being better than you all, and I've already done it. This is just me graciously offering a suggestion to save yourselves from embarrassment.

I thought so at first but I think she replied to the wrong post and was maybe trying to be reassuring to one of these emotionally needy children instead.

For now I will go get the shovel but hold off on digging the hole.

No, no! Don't apologize! Call Mizal a cunt! She is a cunt, for fuck's sake! Fuck you, Mizal, you cunt!

Just did.

I like you already. XD

So, seeing as everyone's a little bitch who can only stutter out "Oh jeez, oh gosh, my poetry was so bad uh I'm so stupid compliment me plez", it's once again up to the Irishman to show you to do this. I considered writing a shitty entry to show you how to gloat, but then I remembered I'm not a poetry writing fag. Instead, I'm going to give you a few lines to toss out haphazardly to insult other "poets" or gloat.

"You take the Poe out of poetry, leaving just the try, which is all you can do as you fail again and again!"

"I could've had a better rhyming scheme if I only ended lines with purple, orange and silver."

"I AM A POETRY GOD NOW! WITNESS MY ASCENSION!"

"God, you have the wit and brevity of Tim, if Tim had been dropped on his head two or three more times than he actually was."

"FUCK OFF, YOU DICK-EATING WORD MAGGOT!"

"If you really think you're a poet, you should take the Plath route."

"You're not a poet. Your mouth isn't useful for spitting words, you might as well go put a dick in, son. See what I did there? That was motherfucking humor! It was so funny it literally had sex with your mother! Fuck you, cockroach!"

"You're like a gay version of Wilde, and he sucked a lot of dick, so that does not speak well for you."

"Hey @Bucky, let's save some time and get to inscribe the trophy to "INSERT NAME HERE". What do you mean you don't inscribe it? Get it done, bitch, I'm the poet! Not a poet, the poet!"

"INSERT NAME HERE!"

"I didn't try hard because fuck poetry so I just published a piece of shit, but even that's so good it'll turn you into coprophiles, bitches."

"You got beat, bitch! Sit down, stick your hands in your pants and fiddle with yourself until you hate yourself less, or more. Whichever works."

P.S. If you try to be funny and actually say "Insert Name Here" rather than actually inserting your name, you have the humor and intelligence of Tim, if Tim had been dropped on his head two or three more times than he actually was.

"Insert Laughter Here"

Roses are Red
My thoughts are twisted
Bend over baby
You’re about to get fisted

I think you meant this to go in the other thread, right before summarily declaring yourself the winner and taking everyone's points.

Honestly I probably saw this written somewhere else, it's sort of like the old standby "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, You're the one, I want to screw."

You know, I like to stroke my own ego, but I didn't want to be the ass that went and considered himself superior when it came to writing. But since we're all sick and tired of consideration and humility, and because this is a contest that I already put a lot on, let me just state that by the end of the day, I'll be submitting two more ballads that will easily put anything currently on that thread to shame. I'd advise all of you to spend more points in order to outdo your previous efforts, so that the humiliation of losing to me will be that much worse for you. In addition, I would like to ask @Bucky to rank the top three entries submitted by the deadline as first, second, and third. If I don't make it to at least 3rd place, I sacrifice 500 more points in addition to the five hundred I've already lost. Meaning:

First Place: I'm safe and get back 500 pts and gain 100 pts for winning as agreed.

Second or Third Place: I don't get my points back, but I don't lose anymore than what I already gave up.

Below That: Take away 500 more points from my total.

But I've nothing to worry about. I'll enjoy regaining my 500 points. Have fun watching my rise to glory.

If your first ballad was anything to go by, then it's safe to say that you'll still be in the negative when December is over.

You wanna enter one and see how you do?

This isn't about me, sir.

You don't have to be a chef to critique a terrible meal. I'm just stating that your first ballad wasn't all that good, and I don't see how you'll suddenly become a master of ballads in such a short period of time.

But I am hoping to be proven wrong. Good luck! ^^

I just want to say I thought you were an idiot at first, but I'm actually hoping you pull it off now. This has been kind of.... inspirational???

On ivory pedestals,
shrill hecklers sit protected,
serviced by their knights.
guarded from every slight.

T-Count disregards them all,
writing long with all his might,
Win back the points he cherished,
This he's vowed to do or perish.

.....now I just have to see whether you fail horribly and build your own funeral pyre out of a stack of rejected poetry, or actually pull it off before I can do the rest.

Thanks. That means a lot. Hopefully, it's the latter.

(Hate when I log off the site and I see notifications for posts that've been deleted. Feh.)

Anyway, I reviewed my last poem, and I think I've pinned down the problems with it.

1.) Too long.

2.) Somewhat unnatural in word flow.

3.) Not enough imagery.

4.) Story was too bland.

5.) Weak theme.

About right?

It being long is not a problem unless you think it dragged on unnecessarily.

@Bucky Perhaps you should tag everyone who hasn't submitted yet in the Submissions/Feedback thread?

It's always the quiet ones...

Well, I don't mind losing to that guy. Even if it does cost me 500 points. It's not like I needed them anyway.

hahahahahasobsob

EDIT: A developed storygame with background, beautiful pictures, AND choices that rhyme? Oh hell nah. We need a second place position 'cuz that's just too much.

Much applaud to pugpup1. I expect to see that featured or something.

Well, the only thing I can do is finish my last two and honorably give him the victory.

They'll get done, no doubt. I'd submit the third one right about now, but it probably has a ton of typos I'm too tired to check. Saturday it is.

Well, Innkeeper could be replaced by it. Maybe.

If it stays at a 7/8, I'd be in favor of this.

@MadHattersDaughter, just wanna let you know your link does not work. Pretty sure Twine stores its saves locally, so you'll probably need to export it somehow and host it somewhere to share it.

thank you, I added a new link.

So far I've found all the CYOA entries enjoyable (Yes even Digit's).

I'd rank them as follows:

1. Pugpup

2. Mizal

3. Orange

4. Digit

It's a Christmas miracle.

Guess who's getting fourth place prizeeeee.

Good job to all the newer people on that list! You beat mizal and the rest of us in End's eyes...at least... I think Orange is newer. xD

Haha thank you, and yes, I'm a total no0b.

Pugpup did great :D

Thank you! Nothing like a contest to actually motivate me into writing

XD That is true. I mean, my first bit of writing in a while was for this.

Well, an infestation of orcs forced me out of my mountain lair and drove me to this site. I hope to stick around too, at least until I can recruit some mercenaries to reclaim my homeland.

*raises hand* I volunteer! I haven't fought orcs in a while...

If you want mercenaries, well...I will do anything for points.

Maybe not anything.

Excellent, excellent. Tally-ho then lads

You're welcome, everyone.

Hmm... I'm considering doing another, but don't know where I'll squeeze in the time and out the sanity. >~<

Well, if you're anything like me, then you've already got all your sanity squeezed out.

This is so entertaining.

Uh, since @Digit 's finished with his, shouldn't he put the link in the Submission thread?

COME ON T-ACCOUNT! YOU'RE ALMOST THERE M'BOY

Yeah!! I'm rooting for you!!! ^-^

*Plays "The Final Countdown" on radio*

I want to do another, but I didn't get my fee paid yet. ;-;

And thus, 24 hours remain.

Oh shit. One of ya mods better take my fee for another soon!! I can't submit another without it. >~<

Done.

Thank you! *rushes to storygame and begins working on it on my tiny little phone in this dark room* It's a CYOA, so I hope I don't disappoint! With all the wonderful CYOAs so far...

Damnit u guys! This is so suspenseful. >~<

If only I had a time machine...

Wait, do you have another entry you have to submit? :o

No.

9

I was gonna make a countdown, but it was like giving me trouble.

Crap crap crap crap crap

I really liked Year of the Dead. I've known someone who was similar to that when he learned he didn't have long left to live and that was almost exactly what he was like. 

... Wonderful job, Ford. Wonderful *claps* Glhf with it then :)

Six hours til deadline.

Well, I'm finished. Anybody kept track of who didn't?

EDIT: Oh wait, you did xD

Well it's not good, but it's done. And that's what counts.

The first and last parts of that statement don't make sense together. XD

Thanks mizal. 

It's pretty damn good actually. Pugpup's still winning IMO, but at least someone can pose a challenge now.

See?! See?! I didn't forget! SEE?!

*breathes heavily*

Ugh, it's too late for this... But not too late for entry!

11:57 p.m. Beat that!

*continues to breathe heavily*

I had some much more planned, but time just escaped me. Oh well, no SHAME for me! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

*breathing slows down*

What a lad. 

I knew you'd do it T-Count!

But you might lose to pugpup :(

You might still be Damned.

Actually, that last stanza was the plan from the beginning. A whole story based on exactly what Bucky said wouldn't qualify. It would've been wittier had I been able to fully develop the story as planned.

And yeah, lowercase shame doesn't sound so bad. Next time I enter a contest, I'll decide whether or not to join from the very beginning.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go rub this is Mason's stupid face.