The Gatekeepers
Dec. 20th, 2018 10:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
clauderainsrm posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
therealljidol Before we get to the results, I want to take a moment to reflect on what it means to be a Gatekeeper.
They are people that I trust, and that I believe the community does as well. People that I know have high standards. I try my best to have them reflect the various tastes of a given season. (If there is a lot of poetry, I want to have someone who is well versed, pun intended, in poetry. If it's fiction... you get the idea.
With a mini season like this, I wanted to bring out some heavy hitters. Some names that anyone who has been around Idol for any length of time would go "Yeah, OK. That makes sense."
People always freak out when they hear that the Gatekeepers are coming, and there's a part of me that loves that. But I also want to acknowledge that these people are doing me, they are doing Idol a favor.
I'm extremely grateful to them for taking the time to do this. To come in, read and weigh the entries and determine their favorites. It's a big responsibility that I put on their shoulders, and they, as always, handle it magnificently. They come out because they love Idol. Which is something that is always a little overwhelming to me to think about.
I asked them to give me anything that they wanted to promote - so that I could steer you their way. Some had stuff, others did not. :)
Without any further chatter - I present to you, Your Gatekeepers! (Note: some parts are accidentally in bold. Other than the names, it's not that they are more important than other parts, it's just how it copy/pasted and it's getting late. So I'll figure it out later!)
I'll start with the one who was briefly in this season (although ended up byeing out before she really got started) -chasing_silver Some know her as milk_and_glass. Others by Elizabeth Hawksworth https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-
From person who was briefly in this season, to someone who is greatly missed from it. If you've been in Idol - you know her and love her. Maybe fear her a little bit. I think she has some other name on DW, but I'm too lazy to research it. Besides, the name everyone knows her by is kathrynrose.
Which is entirely too modest. Because we're talking someone who has been in the Top Ten in recent seasons more times than I can even remember. I also don't recall ever being bored by her. Far from it!
From legends, let's go to a winner. Our most recent one actually. The winner of Season 10 - marlawentmad - "As for anything I want you to promote, not so much. I am in a quiet period, but if you're making introductions, you can say I am a belly dancer and writer in the midwest, with my eyes on western horizons" It's the most recent season, so people are probably the most familiar with how awesome she is, but she's definitely insanely talented.
Continuing on with the recent winners - the winner of our last mini season, Friends and Rivals, is also a Gatekeeper. I could go on about his credits and his history with Idol. But the fact that I'm saying "he" and "winner" means you already know who I'm talking about. His name is JoeyMichaels, and he is owned by cats.
Not what you might know him from, but it's also something true. So I'm going with that.
There's yet another winner on hand - the co-winner of the mini-season Exhibit B. The one and only lrig_rrorim! I'm going to cut and paste some of her own words. But before I do that, it's important to note that she's the person that *I* call when I need some editing done for my freelance work. She's that good. "My patreon, where I send out weird stories monthly via snail mail (and email, if that's your thing): https://www.patreon.com/cislyn
They are people that I trust, and that I believe the community does as well. People that I know have high standards. I try my best to have them reflect the various tastes of a given season. (If there is a lot of poetry, I want to have someone who is well versed, pun intended, in poetry. If it's fiction... you get the idea.
With a mini season like this, I wanted to bring out some heavy hitters. Some names that anyone who has been around Idol for any length of time would go "Yeah, OK. That makes sense."
People always freak out when they hear that the Gatekeepers are coming, and there's a part of me that loves that. But I also want to acknowledge that these people are doing me, they are doing Idol a favor.
I'm extremely grateful to them for taking the time to do this. To come in, read and weigh the entries and determine their favorites. It's a big responsibility that I put on their shoulders, and they, as always, handle it magnificently. They come out because they love Idol. Which is something that is always a little overwhelming to me to think about.
I asked them to give me anything that they wanted to promote - so that I could steer you their way. Some had stuff, others did not. :)
Without any further chatter - I present to you, Your Gatekeepers! (Note: some parts are accidentally in bold. Other than the names, it's not that they are more important than other parts, it's just how it copy/pasted and it's getting late. So I'll figure it out later!)
I'll start with the one who was briefly in this season (although ended up byeing out before she really got started) -
chasing_silver Some know her as milk_and_glass. Others by Elizabeth Hawksworth https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-From person who was briefly in this season, to someone who is greatly missed from it. If you've been in Idol - you know her and love her. Maybe fear her a little bit. I think she has some other name on DW, but I'm too lazy to research it. Besides, the name everyone knows her by is kathrynrose.
"I'm pretty boring, but I am the audio editor of the Brevity podcast, which some people may enjoy. (our latest episode: https://brevity.wordpress.com/2018/09/
Which is entirely too modest. Because we're talking someone who has been in the Top Ten in recent seasons more times than I can even remember. I also don't recall ever being bored by her. Far from it!
From legends, let's go to a winner. Our most recent one actually. The winner of Season 10 - marlawentmad - "As for anything I want you to promote, not so much. I am in a quiet period, but if you're making introductions, you can say I am a belly dancer and writer in the midwest, with my eyes on western horizons" It's the most recent season, so people are probably the most familiar with how awesome she is, but she's definitely insanely talented.
Continuing on with the recent winners - the winner of our last mini season, Friends and Rivals, is also a Gatekeeper. I could go on about his credits and his history with Idol. But the fact that I'm saying "he" and "winner" means you already know who I'm talking about. His name is JoeyMichaels, and he is owned by cats.
Not what you might know him from, but it's also something true. So I'm going with that.
There's yet another winner on hand - the co-winner of the mini-season Exhibit B. The one and only lrig_rrorim! I'm going to cut and paste some of her own words. But before I do that, it's important to note that she's the person that *I* call when I need some editing done for my freelance work. She's that good. "My patreon, where I send out weird stories monthly via snail mail (and email, if that's your thing): https://www.patreon.com/cislyn
And the project I've been spending the most time on lately is a nonprofit I helped to get started this year. The Dream Foundry is a resource for beginners in the speculative arts (writers, artists, podcasters, editors, translators, game writers - you name it, if they contribute to making something strange and awesome in the world then we aim to support it!). We've got big plans for the coming year (and a solid 5-year plan), and the blog on our website is and will continue to be a source of great stuff - interviews with creators, industry news, peeks inside the organization itself, and more to come soon. (https://dreamfoundry.org/blog/)
We have one more winner in the mix, but I'm going to change it up with the "surprise guest". That person no one is expecting to see, but I was able to get. There's always at least one. Honestly, I'm personally thrilled to have him back in these waters! It's been a long time since he's graced this place with his presence (and never at DW, obviously). but he's a member of the 100 Weeks Club and I'm quite sure that what passes for "old timers" around here these days will either remember him, or have heard stories! He's our very own java_fiend!!
Our final winner, but not the final Gatekeeper - is another one of those players who earned the title of "legend". Seasons come to be known for various things. But Season 8 was the hardcore writing showdown that came down to single digit votes, and she was the winner. As someone who knows her personally, yeah, you should be more than a little intimidated knowing that she was reading your stuff. ;) She's Allison K Williams AKA Whipchick!!
(who gave me something to post - so here it is!) "
Her email signature includes a couple links, so I'll add those as well!
There are figures with long and storied histories with Idol. But the members of the Final 4 of Season 4 (the one that causes all other seasons to step back and go "Damn!") tend to be regarded as their own kind of superheroes. Kittenboo was there. She fought her way to the point in one of the most bloody seasons to date, and came extremely close to winning. She went through the very first Hell Week (16 entries in one go) and later went through a different kind of Hell, being my assistant!
Last, but never least, is someone that I've been thinking about a lot lately. Not just because she's amazing and I was hoping to see her jump into the fray here, but because I was thinking about her status within Idol. If I'm not mistaken, she's been in more Finales than anyone in the history of Idol. Probably more Top 5s, Top 10s... (if not, it's close). Survivor's host Jeff Probst, back in the Amazon season, declared that Rob Cesternino was "the smartest player to never win". Some say that title was eventually taken by Cirie Fields. gratefuladdict is our Rob Cesternino and Cirie Fields combined. I believe that she is the greatest player to never win the game. Season after season, I don't think there is anyone I would put money on to get further than her each and every time.
Thank you to all of you for coming out, and helping us make this mini season better.
Sure, there is going to be some heartache at the results. There always is.
But I hope there is also appreciation for who you are, and the task you performed so well. Thank you. I sincerely appreciate you, and I hope you know that.
We have one more winner in the mix, but I'm going to change it up with the "surprise guest". That person no one is expecting to see, but I was able to get. There's always at least one. Honestly, I'm personally thrilled to have him back in these waters! It's been a long time since he's graced this place with his presence (and never at DW, obviously). but he's a member of the 100 Weeks Club and I'm quite sure that what passes for "old timers" around here these days will either remember him, or have heard stories! He's our very own java_fiend!!
Our final winner, but not the final Gatekeeper - is another one of those players who earned the title of "legend". Seasons come to be known for various things. But Season 8 was the hardcore writing showdown that came down to single digit votes, and she was the winner. As someone who knows her personally, yeah, you should be more than a little intimidated knowing that she was reading your stuff. ;) She's Allison K Williams AKA Whipchick!!
(who gave me something to post - so here it is!) "
I recently put out a webinar called Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro from Blank Page to Book, with a start-to-finish process of writing a novel.
http://unkindeditor.com/webinars
Her email signature includes a couple links, so I'll add those as well!
Get the I Do Words Monthly Adventure Postcard
There are figures with long and storied histories with Idol. But the members of the Final 4 of Season 4 (the one that causes all other seasons to step back and go "Damn!") tend to be regarded as their own kind of superheroes. Kittenboo was there. She fought her way to the point in one of the most bloody seasons to date, and came extremely close to winning. She went through the very first Hell Week (16 entries in one go) and later went through a different kind of Hell, being my assistant!
Last, but never least, is someone that I've been thinking about a lot lately. Not just because she's amazing and I was hoping to see her jump into the fray here, but because I was thinking about her status within Idol. If I'm not mistaken, she's been in more Finales than anyone in the history of Idol. Probably more Top 5s, Top 10s... (if not, it's close). Survivor's host Jeff Probst, back in the Amazon season, declared that Rob Cesternino was "the smartest player to never win". Some say that title was eventually taken by Cirie Fields. gratefuladdict is our Rob Cesternino and Cirie Fields combined. I believe that she is the greatest player to never win the game. Season after season, I don't think there is anyone I would put money on to get further than her each and every time.
Thank you to all of you for coming out, and helping us make this mini season better.
Sure, there is going to be some heartache at the results. There always is.
But I hope there is also appreciation for who you are, and the task you performed so well. Thank you. I sincerely appreciate you, and I hope you know that.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:46 am (UTC)However things fall out this week/season, it's been another great one.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:46 am (UTC)Thank you, gatekeepers! :)
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:58 am (UTC)Thank you for your time and your patience and your dedication to Idol, and to this round of players.
Gratitude and best wishes to each of you!
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 04:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 04:42 am (UTC)Here are some things that stood out for me among this great group of writers this time:
- A lot of you have a really strong storytelling voice. I'd love to see more of that from those who made the choice to go vulnerable and deep. I was really drawn to the personal stories this time around.
- The best stories for me were the ones who took risks on the topic. If the story didn't really fit the topic, or was too "defined", I didn't vote for it.
- I recognized some names, but a lot of names I voted for were ones that I didn't recognize! Idol always has been partially about being "recognized", and I really found that to be true when I played under a name no one recognized. Make sure to read the newbies and unknowns! There's a ton of gems there.
Thanks again for letting me come and play especially since I byed out/sacrificed! I may play Second Chance - we'll see!
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 11:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 05:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 08:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 11:24 am (UTC)So, does the DW version come with a breakfast bar?
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 12:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 04:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 12:02 pm (UTC)Thanks a ton for reading our stories <3 <3 <3
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 02:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 03:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 04:01 pm (UTC)Thank You, Everybody
Date: 2018-12-21 04:36 pm (UTC)Secondly, I wanted to congratulate all of you. There are some fantastically talented people running around the Idolverse and it really was a pleasure to read some wonderfully written, poignant, and fun entries. You all should be proud of your work, whether you were eliminated or get to stick around for another week of Gary's torture.
Great job, everybody. It was wonderful reading and I thank you for sharing your worlds with me.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-21 09:17 pm (UTC)I wear reading glasses these days. This means I can see links without being able to read who shared the link. With this on mind, I tried my best to read your pieces without reading your names so I could respond to everything based solely on the work.
I was very pleased with the breadth of styles and approaches this season. It was exciting to read such a range of authorial voices.
The entries that got my vote tended to have strong openings, unforced connections to the topic, vibrant language use and a sort of clarity of authorial purpose. I was not effected by length or tone.
Thank you for having me and for your great work!
Thank you
Date: 2018-12-26 08:41 pm (UTC)