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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Challenge Dear Diary Challenge 2020 - Votes for 2019 Diaries due 2-1-2020

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction and Writing Resource' started by Diary_Challenge_Sock, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    The Dear Diary Challenge was originally created in 2007 by the_wandering_shadow, and made into a yearly challenge and competition by MsLanna. This will be the twelfth year running! The sock—for those of you who may not know, that is an account created for the purpose of running a challenge--is currently run by Kahara and Pandora.

    Note: If you have any questions about the challenge, be sure to check the rules. You may find that your answer already lies within.


    What is the Dear Diary Challenge about?
    For our purposes, we are defining a diary as a first person narrative, usually intended to be private, that covers anything from day-to-day events to reflections on the past and present.


    Teh Rulez:


    1)
    The objective of this challenge is to keep a journal going for an entire year. You can write the diary of an original character or canon character, Star Wars or non-Star Wars, droid or Killer Alien Robot--or even Yoda’s lightsaber. While you will be writing this journal for a year, your character’s story can cover a shorter or longer period of time; they can go days or even months without an entry. Do what you want. The TOS is your only limit.

    Half-Marathon Diary: As with the past few years, there will be two half-year challenges: the first will be from January 1-July 1, and the second from July 1-December 1. In this case, the challenge will be to keep a diary going for six months. All other rules will continue to apply.

    New for 2020: This year, we will also be having a noncompetitive category for Continuing Diaries—that is, for those diaries from previous years’ challenges that remain works in progress. There will not be a minimum number of required entries (given the noncompetitive nature) but if it helps you to have some reinforcement, we encourage you to write one entry per month, the same as the official challenge.

    2)
    No posting (or writing) until the clock strikes midnight, your time zone, on January 1, 2020. You can use entries written before this date as extras, but they will not count towards the competition. And of course, you can plan and outline as much as you want before that.

    Half-Marathon Diary: For the second half-marathon, the start date will be July 1, 2020.

    3)
    The deadline for posting the first two entries is January 31, 2020.

    Half-Marathon Diary: This deadline will apply to the first Half-Marathon; for the second, the deadline for the first two entries will be July 31, 2020.

    4)
    The goal is to write a minimum of twenty-four entries for the entire year, with at least one entry a month. You can, of course, have as many entries as you want—but remember that this is a year-long challenge, so pace yourself.

    Note: Diaries with two or more narrators are allowed. The number of entries for each narrator should be a minimum of 24 (just like any other), and your entries for each narrator need to keep up with the posting schedule the same as for an individual diary.

    Half-Marathon Diary: For the Half-Marathons, you must write a minimum of twelve entries--but again, you may have as many entries as you want.

    5)
    There is no minimum or maximum length limit for the entries. Write a paragraph, write pages, or write a haiku. Just do it.

    6)
    Please PM the sock Diary_Challenge_Sock when you update your diaries. Though not required, it would help if you could also provide a link to each new entry in the PM. It makes the checking process go much faster!

    New for 2020: If you have a diary in the Continuing Diaries section—or the general Out of Competition Category—please PM when you update as well. We will be updating both these noncompetitive sections in the index.

    7)
    We are the keepers of the documents, namely the Indexers. If you fail to update for a month, we will send you a reminder and give you another week to update.

    This means seven days from the missed month update, not seven days from the date of the PM.

    For example, if your diary was last updated on March 3, and you haven't updated in 31 days, your updates are due April 3. You then have your 7 days until April 10 to update. This is regardless of when you get the warning PM, which is just a reminder for you.

    8)
    Since we are tweaking the rules slightly from the past, you are now allowed to miss three total updates throughout the year (and not make them up) without being disqualified.

    However, if you miss your monthly post and don't update after the extended 7 days then you're out of the competition portion of the challenge.

    You can, however, label your diary as Out of Competition. This means that the story will not be eligible to win at the end of the year, but it is still listed with any other active diaries that are out of competition.

    Alternately, you can also let your story be moved to the Dead Diaries category, which is for diaries whose authors have no intention of continuing. Unless we're asked by the author to put something in Out of Competition, this is the default for stories that haven't updated three times.

    9)
    We are not presently having discussions and mini-challenges, the way we have in previous years' challenges. This may yet change in the future, but for now, we're not planning on it.

    10)
    Voting for the winner will be in the first two weeks of January. Everybody may vote, so invite your readers and others you know here to do so. (For example, a line in your signature is a good way to let lots of people know about a Resource event.)

    Rules originally written by MsLanna. Current version written and revised by Kahara and Pandora, with input from Briannakin, jcgoble3, and Ewok Poet.

    Old Challenge Threads:
    Dear Diary Challenge 2007
    Dear Diary Challenge 2008
    Dear Diary Challenge 2009
    Dear Diary Challenge 2010
    Dear Diary Challenge 2011
    Dear Diary Challenge 2012
    Dear Diary Challenge 2013
    Dear Diary Challenge 2014
    Dear Diary Challenge 2015
    Dear Diary Challenge 2016
    Dear Diary Challenge 2017
    Dear Diary Challenge 2018
    Dear Diary Challenge 2019
     
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  2. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    2020 Index

    The index will be sorted by era and title. The color coding is as follows:

    Green= within the updating schedule for the full-year challenge
    Purple and Maroon=within the updating schedule for the half-marathons
    Red = one month without update, you have 7 days to update, or you're out of the challenge
    Blue = Out of competition. Diary is currently still being updated.

    Before the Saga

    Diary of a Very Sympathetic Padawan by devilinthedetails. Updated 2023 September 22

    The Saga


    Outcast by CaraJinn. Completed 2020 December 20

    A Drop in the Bucket by Mechalich. Completed 2020 December 23

    Worries of a Mother in Uncertain Times by Lady_Misty. Completed 2020 December 12

    Beyond the Saga

    Realizing my Heart's Fondest Dream by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha. Completed 2020 December 1

    X-Wing Pilot by earlybird-obi-wan. Completed 2020 December 17

    Powers vs. Passion by Adalia-Durron and Anedon. Completed 2020 June 27


    Through His Eyes by Briannakin. Updated 2020 July 18

    Sequel Trilogy


    Non-Star Wars

    Picard's Diary by RX_Sith. Updated 2020 June 15


    ----------------

    Continuing Diaries

    Out of Competition

    "Being with the enemy" by AzureAngel2. Updated 2020 January 18
    From Dusk to Dawn by Anedon. Updated 2020 February 24
    Far From Home by divapilot. Updated 2020 February 22
    In That There That Isn't Here by Mira_Jade. Updated 2020 February 28

    No Perfect Way by DarthIshtar. Updated 2021 January 2
    Death Watch: The Journal of Praetor Orto by Volund Starfire. Updated 2020 April 16
    -------------

    Dead Diaries
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2023
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  3. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    2019 Index

    The index will be sorted by era and title. The color coding is as follows:

    Green= within the updating schedule for the full-year challenge
    Purple and Maroon=within the updating schedule for the half-marathons
    Red = one month without update, you have 7 days to update, or you're out of the challenge
    Blue = Out of competition. Diary is currently still being updated.

    Before the Saga

    The Saga


    Written in Sand by CaraJinn. Completed 2019 December 25

    The Journal of Ronen Syndulla-Jarrus, Jedi Action Hero (or Something) by Raissa Baiard. Updated 2021 January 1

    Beyond the Saga


    Diary of a padawan by earlybird-obi-wan. Completed 2019 December 19

    Corsec notes from Rostek Horn by earlybird-obi-wan. Completed 2019 December 19

    Sequel Trilogy

    Non-Star Wars

    "Truth in a Whisper" by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha. Completed 2019 December 1

    ---------------------

    Out of Competition

    The Diary of a Miscreant by moosemousse. Updated 2019 March 13

    There is Something in the Void by Anedon. Updated 2019 July 30

    The Searcher by Cowgirl Jedi 1701. Updated 2019 October 5

    Reawakening of The Force by RX_Sith. Updated 2019 September 19

    -------------

    Dead Diaries

    Darkest Journey: The Journals of Vydel Dir'nul and Kardem by Volund Starfire. Updated 2019 January 29
    To the Last Star by divapilot. Updated 2019 February 25
    Agents of Thrawn by starbuck_archer. Updated 2019 August 20
    Pre-Flight Checks by Volund Starfire. Updated 2019 September 10
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021
  4. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Past Challenge Winners

    2007: Under Duress by VaderLVR64

    2008:
    Freedom in Bondage by Alexis_Wingstar and A Mother's Journal by BigFatty

    2009:
    Dear Tam by DarthBreezy

    2010:
    Cherished Moments - Then, Now, and Always by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    2011:
    Downward Spiral: The Diary of Syal Antilles by Lane_Winree

    2012:
    Artoo's Frazzled Circuits: The OT Diary by Hazel

    2013:
    Artoo's Frazzled Circuits: TTT Diary by Hazel

    2014:
    The Journal of A Very Married Talon Tantiss by Jedi_Lover (First Place)

    The Journal of Jax Pavan by Ewok_Slayer and Journal of a Forgotten Child by Briannakin (Second Place)

    2015: Turn Your Face to the Sun by JadeLotus and The God of Second Chances: The Journal of Breha Amidala Solo by divapilot (First Place)

    Notes for when you are older by Kahara (Second Place)

    The Chronicles of I-5YQ by Ewok_Slayer (Third Place)

    2016: Letters Never Sent by Ewok Poet (First Place)

    The Journal of the Former Emperor's Hand by Carlos Danger (Second Place)

    2017: Doaba Ke'demii: The Diary of a Young Comradette by Ewok Poet (First Place)

    Memory Books and Personal Logs by Lady_Misty and The Journal of Talon Tantiss: [Part 5]-Secrets Revealed Vol 2 by Jedi_Lover (Second Place)

    2018: Full Year Diaries: Memory Logs by Lady_Misty (First Place) and Team guy by earlybird-obi-wan (Second Place). January-June Half Marathon: "Raising the enemy" by AzureAngel2 (First Place) and Sibling Snark & Sweetness and Long & Winding Path by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha (Second Place). July-December Half Marathon: Shaman, Traveler, Oracle: Journal of an Exile of Lasan by Findswoman (First Place) and Crisis of Faith by TheRynJedi and (Not) The Ballad of Ronen Syndulla-Jarrus (and Noemi Bridger) by Raissa Baiard (Second Place).

    2019: Full-Year Diaries: Written in Sand by CaraJinn. July-December Half-Marathon: The Journal of Ronen Syndulla-Jarrus, Jedi Action Hero (or Something) by Raissa Baiard.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2020
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  5. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Reminders:

    *If you are writing a diary inspired by The Rise of Skywalker, or other recent Star Wars media, remember to observe the boards spoiler policy. It's worth checking if it was released in the last year or so, because sometimes the spoilers thing applies for some time.

    *This year, we are also introducing a new non-competitive category, Continuing Diaries (the relevant information is in bold in "Teh Rulez"). As the name indicates, it is for diaries started in previous years' competitions that remain in progress, with the intention of providing encouragement to the writers to continue working on them. There is so much focus in writing challenges on starting projects, and not near as much on finishing them once they are no longer quite so bright and shiny and brand new. But with challenges such as wiptober on tumblr, this is being changed up a little, and this category is our way of being a part of that change.

    *And that is all. If you have any questions or suggestions, post them here in the thread, or send a PM to either the sock or one of the hosts.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
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  6. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Happiest wriggles, I've this yummy idea for a Mara diary but I have a question--can the entries also include messages between she and Luke? [face_laugh] :*
     
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  7. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha: That's an interesting possibility. I have brought your question up with Kahara, and we'll get back to you after we've discussed it.
     
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  8. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha: First of all, I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on this. I've discussed this with Kahara, and we just have a question regarding how you plan to use these messages in your diary: are they part of the diary (as in, Mara as diary writer copies them in) or is Luke adding his messages as a second narrator?

    I'm sure this will work out in the end, but we just want to clarify things.
     
  9. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    @Diary_Challenge_Sock -- a very good question and my thought was indeed to have Mara copy in the messages as they will be Luke's comments and replies to her messages throughout their time apart, although they will be together during some entries. Basically there is one narrator with varied content.
     
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  10. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2019
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  11. CaraJinn

    CaraJinn Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 8, 2018
    I have a vague idea for a 2020 diary but I don't dare to aim for a full year. However, if I go for a half maraton and the muse-mouse speeds up by the end of June, can it be extended to a full year later on? (I think a similar question was asked by someone in 2019, but I don't remember the outcome. )
     
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  12. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    @CaraJinn: We did discuss that possibility, of a half-year diary changing to a full year one, around the time the Half-Marathons were introduced, but only as an abstract concept we would deal with if it came up--and so far, no has actually done it. I can only say, as I did then, that I think it would work out fine. Just let us know in June if that's what you need to do.
     
  13. divapilot

    divapilot Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 30, 2005
    I have an idea but it requires the use of a character introduced in The Rise of Skywalker material. Not sure if it will work with the spoiler period. How late can one post to be sure to not infringe on the spoiler period but still be considered for this challenge? Is that even possible?
     
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  14. Briannakin

    Briannakin Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Feb 25, 2010
    Fanfic follows the board-wide policy of two weeks after the US release date, so for TROS, the end of that is January 3rd, so you could easily do a diary. Even if you want to post before then (hypothetically, I know there isn't a big difference between the 1st and 3rd), all you need to do is make it clear in the thread title and first post that there are spoilers.
     
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  15. CaraJinn

    CaraJinn Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 8, 2018
    Then I'm in for at least one half marathon in 2020. Ready, steady...wait (until Jan 1st)
     
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  16. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    It's great to see such a classic challenge still going strong after all these years! It looks like there are some awesome ideas in the works that I am already personally excited to read. [face_love] [face_dancing]

    As for myself, my 2018 half-diary is still a WIP that I am determined to finish next year. (And yikes, has it really been that long now? :eek: [face_blush]) But then an idea for another half-diary smacked into me last week, and now that the idea has had time to percolate it's only growing. I think that I just may need to surrender to the plot bunny and give it a go! At the very least, I appreciate how this challenge forces you to keep to a schedule; that little bit of structure and order definitely sounds like something my muse can use right about now. :p

    Here's to productive muses for all this year! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. :D [face_dancing] [:D]
     
  17. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    Thanks, @Mira_Jade. Like Paul Simon, this challenge is still crazy after all these years.

    There are only eighteen minutes to go in my time zone (North America Mountain Time) before one year ends, and another begins, but I just wanted to remind everyone--particularly those who are still working on diaries from previous challenges--that we have a new non-competitive category this year, Continuing Diaries.

    The information regarding this is in bold in the "rulez," but in short, this category is to provide encouragement, and a bit of structure, to those who are still working on diaries from previous years. If you want us to include your diary in this category, just let us know.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2019
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  18. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    My half-marathon Mara Jade diary starts
    here . Title is Realizing My Heart's Fondest Dream.
     
  19. devilinthedetails

    devilinthedetails Fiendish Fanfic & SWTV Manager, Interim Tech Admin star 6 Staff Member Administrator

    Registered:
    Jun 19, 2019
    CaraJinn, Mira_Jade , Kahara and 2 others like this.
  20. Volund Starfire

    Volund Starfire Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Sep 5, 2012
    Mira_Jade and Kahara like this.
  21. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Voting for the 2019 Challenge

    The time has come to vote for your favorite diaries of 2019. This year, we have a total of five diaries, in two categories, to choose from. To quote the pertinent rule: invite your readers, and everyone you know, to participate.

    *Send your votes in a PM to the diary sock. You may vote for one story (just one!) in each of the following categories: Full Year Diaries and July-December Half Marathon. There were no entries in the January-June Half-Marathon in 2019.

    *Voting will close on January 15, 2020 at 12:01 AM North America Mountain Time.

    ------------------

    And now, the eligible diaries:

    Full-Year Diaries

    Written in Sand by CaraJinn

    Diary of a padawan by earlybird-obi-wan

    Corsec notes from Rostek Horn by earlybird-obi-wan

    *

    July-December Half-Marathon

    The Journal of Ronen Syndulla-Jarrus, Jedi Action Hero (or Something) by Raissa Baiard

    "Truth in a Whisper" by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2020
  22. brodiew

    brodiew Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Kind of in a limbo writing-wise. This might be an opportunity to try something different. Not sure what I'm going to do but hope to have something of them the next week.
     
  23. CaraJinn

    CaraJinn Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 8, 2018
    Ahsoka Tano's diary is coming up for 2020: Outcast
     
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  24. moosemousse

    moosemousse CR Emeritus: FF-UK South star 6

    Registered:
    Oct 3, 2004
    I want to give this another go, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep going. I kind of need to know that people read what I write, because writing something for other people to enjoy is easier than writing for me.
     
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  25. Kahara

    Kahara FFoF Hostess Extraordinaire star 4 VIP - Game Host

    Registered:
    Mar 3, 2001
    @moosemousse, that's at least a little true for most of us. Why not give writing whatever-it-is a try? And if the point comes where you want to discontinue the diary that's easily done.
     
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