FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Home: The Quiz Author Lounge
FunTrivia Quizzes, Crosswords, and Questions

Go to Author Central
View Chat Board Rules
Post New
 
Subject: The Quiz and Crossword Contracts

Posted by: WesleyCrusher
Date: May 01 19

Sometimes a throwaway joke can inspire an idea. When explaining to a newer author how to best deal with challenge requirements in the edit process I mentioned, jokingly, that they had only become an issue since we had tasks like "Write a Fill the Blank quiz in a subcategory of Sci/Tech that you have exactly one quiz ranked worse than 50,000 in, featuring the name of a deceased actor from Bhutan in the title, using all 26 letters in the alphabet in each question and writing the info in limerick form". Then, about 20 minutes later, I was struck by the realization that, if this task were posted in the Lounge, someone would probably actually do it, sooner or later.

And that means we can make a game out of it, right?

So let's get creative - both in setting tasks and in solving them. Here are the current ten tasks:

Contract #312 - 22 points: Write a classic style quiz or photo quiz in the History category on the history of any one country that does not already have a history quiz on FT. (by BigTriviaDawg)
Contract #318 - 16 points: Write a quiz for the Sub-Sets Challenge. (by Kyleisalive)
Contract #320 - 14 points: Write a photo quiz about coronations. At least one question must be FITB, and one question 50/50. (by Reedy)
Contract #325 - 9 points: Write a quiz about Adrien Brody. (by VBookWorm)
Contract #328 - 6 points: Write a quiz about a Russian television series of your choice. (by VBookWorm)
Contract #329 - 5 points: Write a classification quiz where the categories are all related to ducks but are not in the animal or science categories. (by Ilona_Ritter)
Contract #330 - 4 points: Write a 15-question quiz with exactly six words in the title, without using the letter 'e' in the title. At least three questions must be FITB, and two T/F-Y/N questions. (by Reedy)
Contract #331 - 3 points: Create a crossword on the history of any country with no more than 20% fillers. (by Sam388)
Contract #332 - 2 points: Write a quiz containing the word 'Pizza' in its title that is exactly 15 questions long and is neither in Food (Hobbies), Sci/Tech, nor World. The quiz can be either a Photo Quiz or a Photo-Match Quiz. (by Ilona_Ritter)
Contract #333 - 1 point: Using COVID-19 as an example, write a quiz about epidemics that changed the course of history. (by 1nn1)


Once you have picked a task and written, please submit it with the entire contract stipulation (including the number) in the note to the editor.

Wait for the quiz to go online, then report it here to claim the contract. If it's good, you'll receive the task's point value for the leaderboard AND you get to set up a new contract, entirely of your choosing. Come up with an evilly convoluted challenge, set up an easy one in the hopes of it being snatched quickly or just use the opportunity to make someone write a quiz about THAT ONE topic you always wanted to play but never got the chance as all nineteen online entries about it are yours... anything goes as long as it is possible. ("Write a match quiz in which every answer is a pangram" would not work - answers that long would not be accepted in the format). You must provide a new contract stipulation in the same post as your claim or the claim is invalid.

Every time a new contract goes up, all others increase in value by one point. Thus, there will always be ten options and after the starting phase in which scores are a bit on the low side, there will be always be a task (the oldest one) worth at least 10, and possibly considerably more if no one has taken it for a while. Thus, the longer a contract sits there (and thus the harder it presumably is to fill), the more lucrative it will become. And at some point, even writing that Sci/Tech quiz named after a dead Bhutanese actor will sound like a really enticing proposition...

You can finish any unfinished quizzes/crosswords to fill a contract, no need to make a new template, as long as the template was never submitted by the time the contract went up. You can't claim your own contracts of course, although authors whose contracts go all too high in value are encouraged to prove that it CAN be done.

There is no reserving in this game - you need to be the first to claim a contract, by actually fulfilling it with a quiz that meets the requirement. There's also no double-dipping - if you submit a quiz, you fill one and only one contract with it (if it qualifies for more than one, you must indicate which one you want - it'll probably be the higher score).

Yes this counts for Pangalactic and while it is probably not the best idea to advertise what you are working on (someone else might feel encouraged to steal it from under your nose), bluffing and other tactics are perfectly legit in this game. The only thing we don't want to see is collusion - so don't post a contract specifically tailored to your best buddy.

As some authors may wish to request clarifications for a contract by personal message (to not immediately alert anyone to the fact they're working on), we ask that anyone who answers such a clarification request post the answer to the thread as well while preserving anonymity, so that everyone is on the same page regarding a specific task.

Also, importantly, please remember the editors are under no obligation to check your entry for compliance with the task. You will find that most are willing to send it back for fixes if they find an obvious, easily fixed, mismatch, but there are no guarantees. If your entry only almost qualifies and goes online, well, you have a good quiz online and a second opportunity to work on the contract, possibly even for a higher score.

And now have fun!

LEADERBOARD

bernie73 - 683 points
1nn1 - 411 points
RedHook13 - 257 points
leith90 - 236 points
Kankurette - 205 points
psnz - 183 points
reedy - 151 points
ramonesrule - 140 points
LadyNym - 107 points
zorba_scank - 78 points
Kyleisalive - 77 points
windrush - 68 points
Ilona_Ritter - 51 points
rossian - 48 points
Pollucci19 - 44 points
Lpez - 43 points
AcrylicInk - 38 points
fifiona81 - 35 points
Gracious1 - 34 points
VegemiteKid - 34 points
spanishliz - 33 points
WesleyCrusher - 26 points
CmdrK - 25 points
Saleo - 23 point
moonraker2 - 22 points
Rowena8482 - 21 points
Apathy100 - 20 points
BigTriviaDawg - 20 points
VBookWorm - 16 points
Sam388 - 9 points
Angikar - 4 points
Godwit - 4 points
Ceetee - 1 point

COMPLETED CONTRACTS
(For earlier contracts, please click here.)

Contract #301 - 1 point: Write a TRIC quiz (X, Y or Z, it doesn't matter) in a category you don't usually write in. - Bernie73
Contract #302 - 5 points: Write a quiz of any size or format in any category you like other than Celebrities. - Lpez
Contract #303 - 1 point: Create a symmetrical medium or large literature crossword focussing on a group or genre of authors, such as science fiction or the Lakes poets, or the Bloomsbury Group. The choice is up to you. No 2 letter words or IATA codes. - Psnz
Contract #304 - 5 points: Identify two words or phrases which meet these criteria: (a) 15-17 characters in length; (b) the same length; (c) connected in some significant way. Insert these words or phrases as the first and last lines of a puzzle and construct a symmetric crossword between them. No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #305 - 6 points: Write a 10 question, all multiple choice quiz on either Australian flora or fauna, then create a medium symmetric crossword on Australian flora and fauna. No two letter answers in the CW. Both Quiz and CW should have the same title. - Bernie73
Contract #306 - 8 points: Write a quiz with a title that contains the name of a country that starts and ends with the same letter. The quiz cannot go in the Geography category. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #307 - 23 points: Write a classification quiz in the Entertainment category where all answer choices end with a vowel. - Reedy
Contract #308 - 21 points: Write a quiz with "Tom Hanks" in the title in any category except for Celebrities, Movies, People, or Television. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #309 - 10 points: Write a large Religion crossword with at least 6 clues being 10 letters or longer, and at least 4 words relating to religious festivals (words can fit either or both criteria). No 2 letter words or IATA codes please. - Psnz
Contract #310 - 22 points: Construct a crossword with a least fifteen colors and then write a quiz using fifteen of the colors as names (first, last, or middle) for people (real or fictional) as the answers to the corresponding questions. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #311 - 14 points: Write a quiz or crossword puzzle that is inspired by the work of another author on FunTrivia. - VBookWorm
Contract #313 - 13 points: Write a quiz from the "Old is New" list, using any of the 'new' quiz formats (order/label/classify), AND use an Author Challenge Title. - Bernie73
Contract #314 - 1 points: Write a quiz or crossword puzzle with a four word title where all four words begin with the same letter for either History or Humanities. Quiz must be a format other than MC. - Psnz
Contract #315 - 1 point: Construct a symmetric medium crossword puzzle whose answers do not contain any of the letters in "SKIN". No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Ceetee
Contract #316 - 5 points: Construct a symmetric medium crossword puzzle all of whose answers contain any of the letters in "SKIN". No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #317 - 1 point: Write a quiz or symmetrical crossword with a theme surrounding April Fools Day. - Kyleisalive
Contract #319 - 3 points: Create a symmetric medium or large crossword puzzle in which at least 60% of the clues or answers relate to loanwords commonly used in English. A minimum of six loanwords must be of Hungarian origin. No two-letter answers or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #321 - 2 points: Create a symmetrical crossword relating to important landmarks in Europe. These can be natural formations or man-made. - Psnz
Contract #322 - 9 points: Create a symmetric medium or large crossword puzzle in which at least 60% of the clues or answers relate to loanwords commonly used in English. A minimum of six loanwords must be of Italian origin. No two-letter answers or IATA codes, please. - Sam388
Contract #323 - 1 point: Construct a large symmetric crossword containing at least one word with consecutive double letters for 20 different letters (or more) of the English alphabet. The crossword title must include "double" or a variant of the word, such as "doubling." Please, no two-letter words, Roman numerals or IATA codes. - Leith90
Contract #324 (1) (2) - 3 points: Construct TWO crosswords, one large and one medium, to submit to the Brain Teasers category. Both puzzles should be in different sub-cats (eg, drop or add a letter, anagrams, cryptic etc) and the titles should reflect that they are a pair. Grids must be symmetrical with no two-letter words, IATA codes or Roman numerals please. - Psnz
Contract #326 - 2 points: Write a quiz that is meant to satisfy the Author's Gallery monthly challenge for at least one requirement. - VBookWorm
Contract #327 (1) (2) (3) - 6 points: Create a set of THREE linked crosswords (one small, one medium and one large) for either the Celebrities, History, Religion or Video Games categories. Titles should reflect that they are a set. Each puzzle grid must be symmetric, with no two-letter words, IATA codes or Roman numerals. - 1nn1

807 replies. On page 1 of 41 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
In case anyone immediately wants to snag #10 in the two and a half hours left today, today's topic is Ohio (Geography).

http://www.funtrivia.com/ql.cfm?cat=3941

Reply #1. May 01 19, 3:32 AM
angikar
I still didn't figure out all the rules, but let's start working rightaway!

Reply #2. May 01 19, 3:32 AM
zorba_scank star
So I was right to call out the Evil Twin on the dead Bhutanese actor. ;)

Reply #3. May 01 19, 4:30 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
More like calling out to all evil twins of the world :)

Reply #4. May 01 19, 4:51 AM
leith90 star


player avatar
Can we double-dip?


Reply #5. May 01 19, 6:04 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
You can double, triple or sept-and-half-tuple with other challenges, but not two contracts at a time (since that would deplete the list - you'd remove 2 and add only one).

You decide at claim time which one you want if your entry qualifies on more than one - typically you'll want the higher valued one, unless of course you have a second one waiting for the higher :)

Having a second claim option might be handy especially if you've just been spending the better part of a month to craft a 73-point masterpiece only to have it claimed by someone else an hour before you. You can at least then grab a few consolation points.



Reply #6. May 01 19, 6:34 AM
angikar
Re Wes: I hope the challenge will go onn and on n.

Plus, the Book Club can help if you want to tackle no. 7 here

Reply #7. May 01 19, 8:09 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
It's meant as a permanent addition, running for as long as people complete and post contracts. It'll take a while before someone can get a 50-pointer :)

Reply #8. May 01 19, 8:50 AM
moonraker2 star


player avatar
I've submitted a crossword in line with Contract #3, so will now await publication and see whether or not it's 'gazumped!' ;)

Reply #9. May 01 19, 1:40 PM
kyleisalive


player avatar
When Wes contacted me about this challenge last week, I knew it would be refreshing to see. Really excited to dive in.

Reply #10. May 01 19, 1:47 PM
tiffanyram star


player avatar
I think it’s a great idea! I’m also glad it includes crosswords. I have only made a few, but there are some people on my team who love creating them and are great at it. It’s good to see them have more opportunities to participate in the Lounge!

Speaking of crosswords, if we complete a contract for a quiz, does it have to be replaced with another one for a quiz? Or could we make it a crossword?

Reply #11. May 01 19, 2:12 PM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
You are free to contract for a quiz, a crossword or even create an "either/or" task. It could even be something like "create a quiz list featuring five [criteria] quizzes you have written of which at least two must be new".

As long as we can verify the online status and content from a link, it will work. (Sorry, single question fans)

Also, the submission must be verifiable at the moment it goes online. "Write a Sci/Tech ranking among the top 5000" does not work as it would involve the wait for a ranking. "Write a 'name this dish' style food quiz that goes online with an editor's choice award" would theoretically be legit - but it might take a few decades to complete :)


Reply #12. May 01 19, 3:10 PM
kyleisalive


player avatar
Besides, some of us have already done that. ;)

Reply #13. May 01 19, 3:48 PM
leith90 star


player avatar
I had a choice between going for the 3 or the 4, so I've gone for the 4.

Reply #14. May 01 19, 3:51 PM
gracious1 star


player avatar
I will try Contract #1. I have some old pix that are suitable.

Reply #15. May 01 19, 9:04 PM
leith90 star


player avatar
1 point: Write a quiz in the same subcategory as the last listed duel of the day and have it submitted no later than 6am that day

Do you mean the following day? Or 6 hours after it changes at midnight?

Reply #16. May 02 19, 12:29 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
I thought hte whole point was not to advertise what you're doing... so that someone doesn't gazump your effort

Reply #17. May 02 19, 1:42 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
You need to have it on the same day, within the first six hours. It's a speed-writing challenge. (Yes, this favors certain time zones.)

Reply #18. May 02 19, 1:46 AM
leith90 star


player avatar
I claim contract 4!

http://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6382

Reply #19. May 02 19, 1:57 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
Psst, there is something missing in your claim post :)

Reply #20. May 02 19, 3:09 AM


807 replies. On page 1 of 41 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Legal / Conditions of Use