Well, sadly it won't be all sunshine and flowers despite what my tone suggests, but first.. let's get the good news out of the way. We got some new members! Say hello to....
and 
. Enjoy your stay! Or not. That's fine too....Alright, now for the more serious side of things and the entire purpose of this wordy journal. SO I've noticed some things. Some bad, some not-so-bad, and some I'm still not sure about. And I'm here to clear that all up (hopefully) and also maybe help you all out in the future.
What is it I'm talking about? Well, the rules. Specifically, the grey areas and some little nitpicks and pet-peeves regarding how SOME of them are being followed.
Don't worry; I'll make this as easy and user-friendly as possible, but I want to make sure that everyone *understands* where I'm coming from. Of course, this is also a good place for questions. And without further ado, let's start with..
Do not nag the administrators (under General rules, bullet 2)Yes, I get it! I totally do! Contests really bring out the bloodthirsty, adrenaline-pumping side to everyone. *coughwhatcough* But I just want to point out that it doesn't mean you stop being considerate as I know you all are. What do I mean? Well, for one thing.. please be patient with little old me. I know I'm sometimes slow, and my internet likes to act up a lot.. and erase everything I just wrote GODDAMMIT- But please understand that 1) deadlines are there for a reason and 2) you'll get your results once that day is upon us!
Sometimes the voting doesn't go as smoothly as I thought it would. I may get late entries and extensions. But rest assured, you'll get your results! So it would help if you'd be mindful of how many messages you send me asking the same question. Trust me, I check DA often, so there's no need to send me something by note and then a comment on my profile, on the group homepage... etc.
So rule of thumb: Patience is a virtue, and I check everything. Seriously.
Submissions must have Kirby anime characters + have minimal Kirby game references (under "Submissions MUST", bullet 2+3)This is less of a pet-peeve and more of something that I thought needed more clarification as I've had to apologise to NUMEROUS people over submissions violating this rule. Well, violating's kinda a strong word.. more like they.. didn't comply? Eh??
Ok, well I've realised I've been a bit vague in terms of what constitutes an "anime character" and what are "game references." So... here's my sort of guidelines. (I'll use my art so as not to make anyone feel bad).
HOI NOW. THERE's KIRBY AND METY AND DDD, AND THEY"RE ANIMU CHARACTERS RIGHT?? SO HOW"S BOUT IT, FOUNDER??
........NO and NO! Stop right there you, and stop shoving that thing in my face! This, *ahem* sadly, I will not accept but I will GLADLY explain why.
I would normally say yes (because, like the twat up there said, dimwitted as he may be, they ARE anime characters after all), but there are just way too many Kirby game references. This is obviously a fanart of a game in the series, what with Magolor, and the ultra sword or whatever. Cool, but not fit for the club. Sorry!
EY LOOK, I TOOK EVERYONE OUT AND IT JUST METY NOW, SEE?? HE AINT WITH ANY OF THEM GAME CHARACTERS SO WE GOOD NOW??
......STILL NO. (geez, why must you shout in my ear) While this might be borderline in some cases, all in all, MK's wings (a game-only feature, obs.) are in full display and in the centre of attention. This applies as well to his new shiny gauntlets from ssb4!
I might accept it if there were anime characters/references as well (like, one of them headcanons or whatever you call 'em), but as it stands, no. Sorry. NEXT!
FOUNDEERRRR I KNOW YOU'LL REJECT THIS BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO SEE THIS ANYWAY...
..........to burn my eyes off, most likely. Thanks. -_-
Despite my, uh, "feelings" towards this particular atrocity in my gallery.. THIS I can work with. What's that you say? Shadz the Kirby and DMK are game-only characters?? Well, looky there on the other side; what's that you see? Anime characters?? Wow! I can totally accept this into the Hoshi no kaabii fans gallery just for that fact alone!! Yes, that's right! Netting a guaranteed spot in our galleria of awesomeness requires ONLY an anime character to appear in your deviation. That's it! Pack your bags everyone, we've discovered the meaning of life!!
And now for something completely different.
Deviations with FCs (another submissions guideline thing)This was kinda a new rule made by the previous founder but somehow I still get submissions like these. Everyone! I cannot accept submissions if the only thing in it is a fan-made character! This was actually something that everyone voted on (I... think) and the founder decided that it was best we limit how many FCs we sneak into the gallery. SOOOO, please please please do not submit a piece with an FC unless a canon character accompanies them. THANKS.
And finally....
Submissions to the featured folder (just a sort of unspoken rule that I wanted to elaborate on)I've noticed that quite a number of you are submitting things to the featured folder. Sometimes everything. Like your whole gallery. Thanks, but no thanks. Please keep in mind that the featured folder is only for your best pieces of art, not for you to dump everything and wait for me to sort it later. -_- I hate rejecting art unless it doesn't fit club guidelines, but I may have to turn some people away at the door if they keep neglecting the fact that we have OTHER folders besides Featured.
When in doubt, please submit to the correct folder and if I like it (A lot), I'll gladly move it to Featured. But for now, just be considerate. I may have to lock the folder entirely if this continues but hopefully it won't come to that, eh?
And that's it! (for now) I don't think there's any other problems that need to be addressed, but if there is, feel free to sound off below. Questions are welcome too. I like questions. It means you were paying attention
So, uh, good night all..
-Ulti (who will surely crash right after this)
