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

Challenge Dear Diary Challenge 2024-Voting for 2023 ends 1-31

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction and Writing Resource' started by Diary_Challenge_Sock, Dec 24, 2023.

  1. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Please check the Reminders Post (following after the index posts) for information specific to this year's challenge. For quick reference, update rules will be similar to last year (2023).

    The Dear Diary Challenge was originally created in 2007 by the_wandering_shadow, and made into a yearly challenge and competition by MsLanna. 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.

    2) No posting (or writing) until the clock strikes midnight, your time zone, on January 1, 2024. 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, 2024.

    3) The deadline for posting the first two entries is January 31, 2024.

    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, 2024.

    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) We are the keepers of the documents, namely the Indexers. We endeavor to keep all the entries in the index up-to-date, but it really helps us stay current if you let us know--either by PMing Diary_Challenge_Sock, or posting in the thread--when you update your diaries. Either way is fine with us.

    If we have enough diaries in competition, we will switch back to the original PM only update method as to avoid cluttering the thread--but that is unlikely to happen. In that unlikely event, we will make a post in the thread.

    7) Since rules are still relaxed this year, we won't keeping a count of when you update, but there is still a total goal of a minimum 12 entries (half-year diaries) or 24 (full-year diaries).

    8)On that note, you are now allowed to miss three total updates throughout the year (and not make them up) without being disqualified.

    You can 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.

    Note: As a result of our relaxed rules, we haven't been using the Dead Diaries category. If you want to put your diary out to pasture for good, for whatever reasons, we can always bring it back. But otherwise: we're giving everyone the chance, no matter how far behind their diary might be, to speedwrite back into competition up to the very last moments of December 31st.

    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 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
    Dear Diary Challenge 2020
    Dear Diary Challenge 2021
    Dear Diary Challenge 2022
    Dear Diary Challenge 2023
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2024
  2. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Full Year Diaries
    Half Year Diaries
    Out of Competition

    *

    2024 Index

    Before

    Cat clan member, the diary of Jarin Keana by earlybird-obi-wan. Updated 2024 October 25

    I Discover Great Deceptions and Truths by devilinthedetails. Updated 2024 May 17


    Saga

    The Diary of a Very Whiny Darksider by gizkaspice. Updated 2024 January 4

    A Daimyo's Diary: The Book of Boba Fett by Happy Sando. Completed 2024 June 16

    Research Notes: The Aquarium by Mechalich. Updated 2024 October 27


    Beyond

    Police reports, the diary of Tarhin Engaron by earlybird-obi-wan. Updated 2024 October 25

    Take a Memo-the life and times of Princess Leia's PA by DarthIshtar. Updated 2024 June 3

    The Diary of Ruthie Wegley by study888. Updated 2024 January 15


    Non Star Wars

    [LOTR] My Indescribably Rewarding Journey by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha. Completed 2024 May 7

    [Virgin Queen] Regal Moves by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha. Completed 2024 May 7

    [Wednesday] Diary of an Over-Friendly Werewolf by devilinthedetails. Updated 2024 May 1
    ----------------------------------

    Out of Competition:
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2024
  3. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2024
  4. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand 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.

    2020: Diary of a Very Sympathetic Padawan by devilinthedetails and Realizing my Heart's Fondest Dream by WarmNyota_SweetNyesha.

    2021:
    Full Year Diaries: Emergencies by earlybird obi-wan (First Place) and Hither & Yon: An Eventful Sojourn in Middle-Earth by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha (Second Place). First Half- Marathon (January-June): Bylines by Thumper09. Second Half-Marathon (July-December): My Game Plan, Actually by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha.

    2022: Full-Year Diaries: Finn Fun, the diary of a Jedi by earlybird obi-wan

    2023:
    Full-Year Diaries: Ashaa's Memory by Mechalich. First Half- Marathon (January-June): Palace, Forest, Stars: The Journal of Queen Breha by divapilot. Second Half-Marathon (July-December): Looking Back, Looking Ahead (July-December) by WarmNyota_SweetAyesha.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2024
  5. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    January 2024 Announcements - Voting Begins 1-1-2024

    Hi everyone, welcome back to the Dear Diary Challenge! If you're new to this challenge, rules & info are posted up at the top of the page, and if you're already familiar with the DDC, pull up a chair and get cozy! [face_coffee]

    As always, posting for new diaries will be open as of January 1, 2024 -- that means that you can start a new full-year (24 entry goal) or half-year January-June (12-entry goal) diary any time up until after 11:59 PM on the 31st. Update schedule and all that is also covered in the rules. Hope to see lots of new diaries! :D

    And now, some equally exciting housekeeping for the end of 2023: we have both two challenge winners and a vote to share today!

    @divapilot completed Palace, Forest, Stars: The Journal of Queen Breha (January-June)

    @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha completed Looking Back, Looking Ahead (July-December)

    Since both were the only diarists to complete a story within their marathon's timeframe, they both win their categories. Congrats, @divapilot and @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha ! =D= [face_party]@};-

    @earlybird-obi-wan completed Cat clan and @Mechalich completed Ashaa's Memory (two Before diaries, coincidentally enough), so we have two full-year diaries to vote on! [face_dancing]

    Votes are due by 11:59 PM January 31st Mountain Standard Time -- please send them via PM to the @Diary_Challenge_Sock. Thanks! :D
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2024
  6. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
  7. Diary_Challenge_Sock

    Diary_Challenge_Sock Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2007
    January 1st Announcements and Voting posted here. :)
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2024
  8. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
  9. Happy Sando

    Happy Sando Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 23, 2023
    After spending months being nervously intimidated by any and all community challenges, I think I wanna try one, and I think I want it to be this.

    Can I just confirm that this means we can post two entries together?

    Say, if I went for a full-year diary, could I post two entries once a month, on the same day? Or do they have to be spaced out?
     
  10. DarthIshtar

    DarthIshtar Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
  11. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
  12. study888

    study888 Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jul 16, 1999
    I'm in. I'll contact the sock.
     
  13. Kahara

    Kahara Chosen One star 4

    Registered:
    Mar 3, 2001
    @Happy Sando , two entries in one post is fine! :)

    [face_dancing] So excited to see all the new diaries!
     
  14. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    I tried this challenge once about six years ago and it didn't go...well. Went pretty poorly actually, but I think I'll dive in again this year.
     
  15. DarthIshtar

    DarthIshtar Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
    Take a Memo has been updated.
     
  16. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
  17. Happy Sando

    Happy Sando Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 23, 2023
    Awesome, thanks for the confirmation!

    I'm still toying with my idea, but will try to get it started next week (or earlier, if inspiration strikes). Need to just ensure it'll run for a whole year. It's great to see so many other diaries getting underway already! I'll be trying my best to keep current with all of them.
     
  18. DarthIshtar

    DarthIshtar Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
  19. gizkaspice

    gizkaspice Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 27, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2024
  20. Pandora

    Pandora Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 13, 2005
    The index has been updated.

    Let us know if there is anything wanting an edit.
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2024
  21. Happy Sando

    Happy Sando Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 23, 2023
    @Diary_Challenge_Sock [raises hand nervously] Um... last newbie question, promise! [face_worried]

    Can I open with a third-person prologue, to establish context for the diary entries? Obviously I'd never expect it to be judged, but I didn't wanna break any rules or established conventions by including something extra.
     
  22. devilinthedetails

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

    Registered:
    Jun 19, 2019
    I finally finished the Bant diary I stated like three years ago, which means I am free to start another Jedi Apprentice inspired diary this year[face_dancing]

    Thus, I am pleased to announce my Half Marathon Siri Tachi Diary Challenge entry for 2024:

    I Discover Great Deceptions and Truths
     
  23. Kahara

    Kahara Chosen One star 4

    Registered:
    Mar 3, 2001
    @Happy Sando , as long as the entries themselves are in diary entry format that is fine. Anything you want to intersperse or bookend the diary with is up to you, we've had quite a few such variations on format over the years. And ask away if and when you have questions; it's great to see so many new folks this year and we're glad to help out. :)
     
  24. Happy Sando

    Happy Sando Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 23, 2023
    @Kahara Huge thanks, both for the answer and for the offer of continued support! :)

    Both of which encouraged me to start sharing A Daimyo's Diary: The Book of Boba Fett with both of its January entries.

    Please consider it in the full 12-month run category!
     
  25. devilinthedetails

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

    Registered:
    Jun 19, 2019
    I started a Half Marathon Non-Star Wars diary for the fandom of Netflix's Wednesday TV show. The character I am following is the fabulous Enid Sinclair who deserves all the love and hugs in the world.

    Diary of an Over-Friendly Werewolf