I'd say that Charles is at stage 2: learning.
Personally, I think it gets back to a very basic psychological model. And I don't mean Charles, specifically. I think a lot of people who fail to make the Top 32 go through the following stages:
A Bunch of Psycho-Babble:
1) Shock and Denial - As in, "Why didn't my item make it through?"..."How could the judges possibly reject it?"..."It's so much better than many of the others that made the Top 32." If someone fails to make it multiple years in a row, I suspect this phase doesn't last as long the second or third go-around. Instead, they move straight into phase #2, below.
2) Pain - Once the shock of not being selected wears off, there's the pain of rejection that sets in. It hurts not to have the opportunity to compete. It's a severe blow to the ego. You start to doubt yourself and your abilities. And, to some degree, you fear how others perceive you...i.e., that you're not good enough. That continues to sting until you move into phase #3.
3) Anger - After dealing with that pain for awhile and watching how the contest plays out, sometimes people get angry about it. They may even lash out with harsh critiques at the other contestants' stuff, partially to prove to themselves (and the world) that they really do "know their stuff" but also it's a bit of a stress-release for them to go through this phase and get the anger and pain out of their system. But, like any fire, anger eventually burns itself out. There's only so much fuel to keep it going. And, once it's gone, you move into phase #4.
4) Depression, Reflection, and Loneliness - By this point, the anger is burned out and the pain has dulled. Attempts to garner further attention seemingly fall on deaf ears as most of those interested in the contest have become absorbed by the stuff the actual competitors are creating...or they're just no longer receptive to such outcries. So, those who get stuck in this phase start to feel more and more isolated and lonely. Others may eventually try and pull them back to cheer them up, but it's still a legitimate phase someone typically has to get through on their own before they can turn the corner.
5) An Upward Turn - With the calmness of the isolation, eventually someone who got rejected starts to organize their thoughts better so they can deal with their depression and shake themselves out of it. With additional encouragement from friends and such, that helps the upward turn stabilize.
6) Reconstruction and Working Thru - Now that a person's mind has completely left behind the depression, anger, and denial, they get back to functioning normally again. Their inherent creativity takes over and they start to work on new ideas.
7) Acceptance and Hope - With their creativity in full swing, the person starts to have hope that their new ideas could succeed where the original one didn't. Or maybe they realize the contest just isn't for them and they find a completely new interest to spark their creativity. This allows them to look back on their previous idea and accept that it wasn't good enough at the time. But they aren't burdened with the denial, anger, and depression anymore. So, it allows them to let it go and actually move forward...either with another attempt at the contest...or some other endeavor.
I'd say that Charles is at stage 2: learning.Personally, I think it gets back to a very basic psychological model. And I don't mean Charles, specifically. I think a lot of people who fail to make the Top 32 go through the following stages:
** spoiler omitted **...
Hah, you just out-modeled me!
But your model does have all the points that I hit in Superstar 2008, you can still find my posts raging at the migrus locker - full of pain and anger ;>
I am just trying to push everyone to the later stages of your model.
I am just trying to push everyone to the later stages of your model.
A noble exercise, to be sure! And one I wholeheartedly support...
But what you SHOULD do is:1) watch the competition;
2) learn;
3) try again next year;
4) QUERY.I'd say that Charles is at stage 2: learning.
Stage 4 can be entered at any time!
I certainly hope everyone who made it into Round 0(clicking submit) is somewhere in that Step 2/3 phase. Watching the entrants, reading feedback, and planning for next year!
Neil: I am a cold-hearted monster - therefore above feelings - but I definitely went through a little pain of rejection, and definitely double-checked the Round 2 list. I don't think I've seen psych theory so well translated into roleplaying terms.
Charles: I can understand your anxiety, as I feel nervous as all hell in the weeks before the Big Reveal. As for wasting time...well there are too many arguments to be made, but trying is never a waste of anyone's time here. There are others here that are much better at encouragement; it is, admittedly, not my strong suit. I just hope that I see your rejected Wondrous Item right alongside mine every year until you make it to Round 1(and beyond!). I can promise you, you will not regret it.
Does this mean I'm no longer allowed to compete? I'm curious...
-Ben.
Item #1 of the contest rules answers your question. :)
Arghh, I do sound like Clark!
Careful! Pretty soon you'll get threads bashing you for acting unprofessionally. It all comes with being me. :) I'm not sure you want that...
Arghh, I do sound like Clark!Careful! Pretty soon you'll get threads bashing you for acting unprofessionally. It all comes with being me. :) I'm not sure you want that...
You only get that kind of response when you crush dreams, so I am still safe.....
Besides, as long as its not paid its volunteer only, volunteers are not professionals ;>
Besides, as long as its not paid its volunteer only, volunteers are not professionals ;>
That does not mean I do not appreciate volunteers ;>
Item #1 of the contest rules answers your question. :)
Alrighty then. :) I wasn't sure, since it's an electronic book (though I do have a hardcover copy ;) ).
Not that I'm complaining, it was a great experience. :D
Cool. Thank you for the clarification.
-Ben.
I'd say that Charles is at stage 2: learning.Personally, I think it gets back to a very basic psychological model. And I don't mean Charles, specifically. I think a lot of people who fail to make the Top 32 go through the following stages:
A Bunch of Psycho-Babble:
** spoiler omitted **...
That bunch of psycho-babble was rather effective, Neil. I have to say I've gone through the full gamut.
*Sighs*
Onward!
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Thanks for remembering.
Oh god, yeah this was the year of the "spy robot" item.
And we had a ton of "you make your own item" items where the powers of the item were defined by what you took and put into it. Not good.
It strikes me that the wayfinder / ioun stone combination may have gotten people thinking in that direction.
It strikes me that the wayfinder / ioun stone combination may have gotten people thinking in that direction.Thanks for remembering.
Oh god, yeah this was the year of the "spy robot" item.
And we had a ton of "you make your own item" items where the powers of the item were defined by what you took and put into it. Not good.
The difference is that the theme Clark is talking about is really "stick a piece of a troll in the item to get troll powers, stick a piece of a devil in it to get devil powers, stick a piece of a dragon in it to get dragon powers." With "X powers" being made of that common blend of handwavium and lettheGMdecidium, which is poisonous to most campaigns.
"X item + Y item = Z effect" is what the ioun stone + wayfinder is (even though it can be random, if you use that method), and all the possible powers are defined--which you don't have room for in a 300-word wondrous item entry. ;)
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
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I'd say that Charles is at stage 2: learning.Personally, I think it gets back to a very basic psychological model. And I don't mean Charles, specifically. I think a lot of people who fail to make the Top 32 go through the following stages:
A Bunch of Psycho-Babble:
** spoiler omitted **...
Ah, I skipped steps 1-4 this go 'round. I hoped to make the top 32, but did not expect it. It really helps get beyond those first four steps. I'm just looking forward to what the judges thought of the submission; the possibility of getting that feedback was probably my biggest driving force this year.
In years past, however, yes, those steps about summed it up.