Voting - Week 17

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Maybe it took you a minute for it to sink in. Maybe a little less.

Maybe you were one of the people who has been expecting it.

Or you're one of the folks about to be caught flat-footed.

At the start of this week I told everyone to bring your A-game. I meant it. Because THE GATEKEEPERS deserve no less.

That's right - it is time for the Gatekeeper round.

Who are the gatekeepers?

Every season I mix things up by throwing in different kinds of votes to reflect different sorts of possible demographics. Open voting for everyone, community only voting, the dreaded contestant only voting that just passed and a special week called the Gatekeeper round.

Contestant only is always nerve wrecking for me because it is a chance for me to see how the contestant's are viewing the season and each other. The Gatekeeper round, wow, that's me turning the season over to a hand-selected panel and hoping that they will exercise the judgment and eye for talent that I know that they have.

Sometimes they agree with who I would have picked if it was "Gary-only voting".*G* Some times they don't - and I think in the long run the contest is better for them and their presence.

Out there in "the real world" there is usually a panel of folks judging entries for contests after all. This really isn't any different than that. Other than it's happening *here*!*G*

I've put the season in their hand now for the last couple of times - until now.

This time, I've put it in their *hands*, by doubling the size of the panel to provide an even better, IMO, look at the state of the competition.

So, your entries are in. Now you - and I - have to wait to until Monday at 7pm EST (or until the last ballot is received and counted, whichever comes first).

The first week in the month of doom we lost 6. The next we lost 8. Then we lost 10.
I'm sure you know where we are going next -

That's right - 14!! (math is hard!*g*)

Anyone making it past this point will be in the TOP 40!!!!

Good luck.

Comments

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

I knew it.

Edited. I guessed the gatekeepers, because I think you gave them more time last year too.

But FOURTEEN people? Are you mad?

Strike that. Of course you are.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Of course he's mad. He's Gary.

:confiscates cookies:

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

see icon

[blueashke.livejournal.com]

Are the gatekeepers current contestants?

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

That would be terrifyingly unfair.

...

Wouldn't it?

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I just wasn't expecting them this soon.

Huh.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Also having the poll (or lack thereof I guess, but going into poll time) today makes it feel like Friday.

[mermaidkween.livejournal.com]

So we don't know who these people are? Your mom, next door neighbor, whoever?

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing his mom is one of them, since we know she at least reads the GR.

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

Oh how exciting! Good luck everyone - everyone's entry has been right on. : )

[pinkslit.livejournal.com]

Man.

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

This. Sucks. Rocks. Big fat hairy rocks.

I'm just sayin'.

[creature-girl08.livejournal.com]

Love pic.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Well Grap! *grin*

Gary, I might have Peter drop you down into a warp core now.

[abbismom.livejournal.com]

*sighs, and begins packing bag just in case.* I had to pick this week to try something different. Yeesh. I don't know if I can take another weekend without being able to continuously poll-check!

Top 50

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Also I'd like to kvetch regarding that we're going from, I believe, 54 to 40, so 10 people won't know if they made the top 50 or not. Since "making the top 50" was my express goal this season, I'm a bit concerned about this. Way to dash my dreams.

Re: Top 50

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I am right there with you. Feh. Feh, and sadness.

[johnmill79.livejournal.com]

Crucial!

I just want you all to know that even though I don't have any influence this week, I still very much plan to read them all. Open topic equals wildly different, and hopefully entertaining, stuff. Hope all goes well.

Re: curious

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

AHA! I have eliminated 1/7 billion people who is NOT a gate keeper! : P

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Well, this will be interesting. I wish we could watch updates as they come in, but at the same time I'm glad I can't see what's happening.

[lilmissmagic71.livejournal.com]

holy crap... kidding right? No? *shuddering sigh* ok.... *braces self*

[superhappytime.livejournal.com]

Funny...I was just telling someone I wouldn't expect a Gatekeeper vote this time, only because last season you told us it was coming at the beginning of the week. Plus, I think last season it was like half the field who got to deal with the gatekeepers.

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

There was more foreshadowing though in the GR. When he asked about the top 54 being as strong as the top (smaller number) of previous seasons.

[ahavah]

That kinda sucks. I mean, it wouldn't be so bad if we at least had a poll to watch or a clue of who these Gatekeepers are.

14?

Oh my.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Last year's Gatekeeper round they ditched *25*.

Fourteen seems almost tame by comparison...

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Good luck everybody! This works out somewhat well, actually, since I'm going to be out of town for the weekend, leaving tomorrow. I was earnestly trying to get through everyone's entries so I could vote before I left. I guess that means I'm going to get to relax a little (though I'm still going to read as many as I can).

Again, good luck!

[creature-girl08.livejournal.com]

Gag! I wish I could say that I had not expected this. But I did. UGH!

Let's see, how many ways can we torture Gary? No, he'd only like that. Bad idea!

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

He would only ask for more.

[oberonia.livejournal.com]

*head in sand*

[libra-dragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, best of luck to everyone.

[solstice-singer.livejournal.com]

Gatekeepers? This seems scary, as does the idea of losing fourteen of us.

Good luck, everyone, and, may the gatekeepers be wise!

[gratefuladdict.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Gary, how do the Gatekeepers structure their votes? Can they vote for as many people as they want? Do they pick a top X number?

Also, I hate you.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

According to a comment above, the 10 Gatekeepers will submit their Top 25 lists to him.

[jenandbronze.livejournal.com]

Jen swims away in a hurry... I don't like this! LOL

curious

[sabbysteg.livejournal.com]

So Gary, since you run this gig, why isn't there a Gary-only vote? Too much complaining? Or do you feel it's unfair, or just don't wanna do it?

Re: curious

[abbismom.livejournal.com]

It would be fascinating to hear what Gary thinks of my writing. But I think he enjoys being the officially unbiased moderator, observing a microcosm of society in a competitive writing format...