Updated Shikon Awards Category Descriptions
Shikon Awards Categories
Below are the definitions for each category. Fics must have been completed during the eligibility period, except for "Most Promising WIP", which must have had its most recent chapter published during the eligibility period.
CONTENT-BASED CATEGORIES
"Best General Fiction"
Stories which feature an action plot as the major element, like (but not limited to) a quest, adventure or battle. Also included in this category are ensemble pieces focusing on non-romantic elements of characters or groups. Genfics do not contain any romantic plot motif and concentrate on more general story lines. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Alternate Reality/Universe/Crossover"
Stories set in an alternate universe, where one or more elements of the IY universe are changed. For example, if Kikyou had not died, if Inuyasha had been raised by his father, if Kagome had fallen down the well at the age of 25 instead of 15. Stories that contain a non-Inuyasha series also qualify for this category. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Backstory"
Stories that explore the possibilities of a character's history, prior to their introduction in the IY time line. Examples are Shippou's life with his parents, Sesshoumaru's childhood, and Kirara's time with Midoriko. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Characterization"
Stories focusing on a single canon character, or one character interacting with others, which reveal or highlight aspects of the protagonist’s personality. They will usually be written from the point of view of the specific character, and may often delineate a major moment in that character’s life. They must be in line with the characterization of the original source. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Drama"
Stories with a strong conflict-crisis-resolution structure, whether the conflict is externally imposed or internal to the character(s). Action plots are acceptable here, but the story must focus on the character'(s) inner struggles. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Erotica"
Stories in which a sexual situation forms the most significant part. The sexual encounter must be placed in context, remain true to the canon characters, and have a plot: absolutely no PWP is allowed. Only stories rated NC17 are eligible-- "lemons" only. Completed only.
"Best Comedy"
Stories where humor is the main or a major element. The humor may be in-frame or parody. MST3K-type stories are not eligible. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Romance"
Stories in which a romance forms the main part of the story. Sex may be a major aspect of the story, but stories with no sexual content are also eligible. Stories will range in rating from G to R-- "limes" only, no "lemons". Completed only.
LENGTH-BASED CATEGORIES
"Best Drabble"
Stories of 300 or fewer words. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Vignette"
Stories of between 301 - 10,000 words. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Novel/Epic"
Stories of between 10,001 or more. All ratings. Because of the time needed to evaluate works of this length, only nine (9) will be selected for the short list. Completed only.
OTHER CATEGORIES
"Best New Author"
Author must demonstrate a high level of skill in working with a universe and characters that are new to him/her. Stylistics will be examined for prowess in this genre new to the author; mechanical merit must still be consistent with the excellence we expect from all our nominated works. The author must have published and completed their first work in the IY fandom during the eligibility period. All ratings. Completed only.
"Most Promising WIP"
Story must show high levels of quality in all areas (dialog, characterization, plot, premise, description, pacing, etc.) and have great potential to be an exceptional fanfiction upon completion. All ratings. Incomplete only; most recent chapter must have been posted during eligibility period. If story is completed after nomination but before judging period, it will STAY in the WIP category.
~ paynesgrey, Shikon Moderator
Updated 01-01-08
Below are the definitions for each category. Fics must have been completed during the eligibility period, except for "Most Promising WIP", which must have had its most recent chapter published during the eligibility period.
CONTENT-BASED CATEGORIES
"Best General Fiction"
Stories which feature an action plot as the major element, like (but not limited to) a quest, adventure or battle. Also included in this category are ensemble pieces focusing on non-romantic elements of characters or groups. Genfics do not contain any romantic plot motif and concentrate on more general story lines. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Alternate Reality/Universe/Crossover"
Stories set in an alternate universe, where one or more elements of the IY universe are changed. For example, if Kikyou had not died, if Inuyasha had been raised by his father, if Kagome had fallen down the well at the age of 25 instead of 15. Stories that contain a non-Inuyasha series also qualify for this category. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Backstory"
Stories that explore the possibilities of a character's history, prior to their introduction in the IY time line. Examples are Shippou's life with his parents, Sesshoumaru's childhood, and Kirara's time with Midoriko. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Characterization"
Stories focusing on a single canon character, or one character interacting with others, which reveal or highlight aspects of the protagonist’s personality. They will usually be written from the point of view of the specific character, and may often delineate a major moment in that character’s life. They must be in line with the characterization of the original source. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Drama"
Stories with a strong conflict-crisis-resolution structure, whether the conflict is externally imposed or internal to the character(s). Action plots are acceptable here, but the story must focus on the character'(s) inner struggles. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Erotica"
Stories in which a sexual situation forms the most significant part. The sexual encounter must be placed in context, remain true to the canon characters, and have a plot: absolutely no PWP is allowed. Only stories rated NC17 are eligible-- "lemons" only. Completed only.
"Best Comedy"
Stories where humor is the main or a major element. The humor may be in-frame or parody. MST3K-type stories are not eligible. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Romance"
Stories in which a romance forms the main part of the story. Sex may be a major aspect of the story, but stories with no sexual content are also eligible. Stories will range in rating from G to R-- "limes" only, no "lemons". Completed only.
LENGTH-BASED CATEGORIES
"Best Drabble"
Stories of 300 or fewer words. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Vignette"
Stories of between 301 - 10,000 words. All ratings. Completed only.
"Best Novel/Epic"
Stories of between 10,001 or more. All ratings. Because of the time needed to evaluate works of this length, only nine (9) will be selected for the short list. Completed only.
OTHER CATEGORIES
"Best New Author"
Author must demonstrate a high level of skill in working with a universe and characters that are new to him/her. Stylistics will be examined for prowess in this genre new to the author; mechanical merit must still be consistent with the excellence we expect from all our nominated works. The author must have published and completed their first work in the IY fandom during the eligibility period. All ratings. Completed only.
"Most Promising WIP"
Story must show high levels of quality in all areas (dialog, characterization, plot, premise, description, pacing, etc.) and have great potential to be an exceptional fanfiction upon completion. All ratings. Incomplete only; most recent chapter must have been posted during eligibility period. If story is completed after nomination but before judging period, it will STAY in the WIP category.
~ paynesgrey, Shikon Moderator
Updated 01-01-08