AOWL SEASON 3 MAGAZINE — EDITION 1 — SEASON PREVIEW

[Certain]

Season 3, Edition 1

We're In Business
INTRODUCTION by Certain





Hello, friends. Welcome to the third season of Netcees' Art of Writing League, the last great topical spectacle on the text rap Internet. I'll be your host and moderator, Certain. A handful of you might know me as Tha Talent, which is fine but dated. Anyway, we had 44 writers sign up for the first week, which always is full of no-shows but should be outstanding anyway because of the sheer depth. I'm excited for everything this season has to offer, and I plan to thrust myself into running this league with great fervor. There's so much talent left here, and it'd be a shame to waste it.

This magazine has a lot to offer, probably too much for a single sitting unless you're in a cubicle for eight hours or something. Season 2 moderator Mike Wrecka brings us a look back at the first two Art of Writing Leagues. Luminaries oats and Vulgar discuss how they handle topics and writing in a back-and-forth writer's discourse. Season 1 moderator Adonis breaks out a uniquely structured power rankings list. And of course there's me; my contributions include this introduction, an audio magazine embedded in YouTube form, full breakdowns of all 42 enlisted writers, a look at some new rules and Week 1 match predictions.



REMEMBER WHEN by Mike Wrecka
Take a look back at Seasons 1 and 2 of the Art of Writing League.





AOWL Season 1 | The Birth of a Legend

After Netcees 1.0 was shut down most writers migrated to a GOW-owned board called Art of Battling. It was determined very early on that a topical league would be successful and King Ra. and Split Eight stepped up to run it, with Adonis taking over late. In the spirit of our new web address the topical league was named Art of Writing League or the AOWL. The league was running on all cylinders and really generating a ton of excitement when at the mid season point, www.Artofbattling.com was merged with our current home, NCs 2.0. It is very rare that a league could survive a site change mid season but the AOWL was built for the long haul and continued to thrive. The eventual champion for that season was dead man as he came out on top of a very turbulent and controversial playoffs that saw Pent uP, Red Glare and Frank all disqualified from the proceedings.

Some of the notable participants were Adonis, Zenland, IamBent, Cereal_Killa, Mike Wrecka, King Ra., Frank, Pent uP, Genocide, Split Eight, Soulstice, dead man, Witty, Zygote and ZeeDee among others.

Championship: dead man beats Soulstice 7-2 with this verse:

Originally Posted by dead man

check




I never knew you.
but i love you like a faithful apostle
like a recreated clone from data saved in a fossil
gave me a model, gave me a father, gave me a life
from a nether realm, a radiant light. angels at night
kissed apocalypse to make it alright, knowing the truth
was bitter like the moldiest fruit. hold your pursuits
stop the press. it's a mess, Ma was broken in two
Grandma was drunk, sobbing, telling me to hold her vermouth
only a youth, as a kid i didn't grasp what it meant
for my dad to hold his face inside his hands as he wept
lennon-esque spectacles fogged to mask his regret
ran away at 17 years old. then ran into debt
asthmatic camel smoker til he ran out of breath
i only knew the man who tucked me back into bed
never a man in distress. cold, distant, sad & depressed
i still remember the receptionist that sat at her desk
eyes lowered, apathetic to your cancerous death
a damp Floridian morning when we laid Grandpa to rest
i never knew you as a man, more of a presence, a sign
that my dad was not the oldest person ever alive
time passed, and the more i heard my relatives pine
for younger days when Leonard was fine,
the more similarities i found between your habits and mine
interests and compulsions where the patterns align
a doctor in his field of psychiatric design
until an alcohol catalyst spiked a rapid decline
made mortality shine - life is short and family is dear
sunday funeral, the casket veneer, acting sincere
the memories and stories cause a past to appear
but they could never hold a candle up to having you here.


unpacked this afternoon, nearing 2:45
stumbled upon a clip you must've used for your ties
your signature inscribed, cursive, set in a line
like a piece of time & space you left to prove you're alive
i held it and cried, sobbing, though i couldn't say why
it told me write a note to you, wherever you lie
like this little piece of metal has your spirit inside
going blind until i'm looking at the world through your eyes
you told me write a note to you, and leave it unsigned
because we never had a chance to say





goodbye.

Season 2 | The Topical Takeover of The Text Game

After the success of Season 1 it was quite apparent that another go round was in order, but with King Ra. missing in action who was to run it? Mike Wrecka and Certain that's who. Starting during a time that text was declared dead, AOWL Season 2 took the fate of the entire medium on its shoulders and thrived in the process. It built upon what King Ra. and Split Eight had created and expanded it to a new horizon. It was the best league on the net during its run. Through a whole lot of attitude and promotion it assured that text would not die a slow and painful death but instead morph into a new shape and form with topicals at the forefront. It was eventually champed by Pancakebrah.
Some notable participants included -

Certain, Diode, PancakeBrah, Vulgar , Mr. J , Frank, Mike Wrecka, NYCSPITZ, Vividlyvague, patrown and YDK to name a few.

Championship: PancakeBrah beats Frank 9-0 with this verse:

Originally Posted by El Pancake

CTRL+ALT+DLT
lol @ you Sheep.



Mark collected government paychecks, away from the workaday freaks.
$555 a week, enough to pay for WiFi and all the ho-ho’s he could eat.
He hacked for a fee. Went past meta-crypts to steal megabits
and only accepted BitCoin to hide the income from his case specialist.
Known online as ‘Crackpot’, he did well of it. He had e-stacks printed,
enough to buy a black tinted laptop with the slick matte finish.
Cyber sleuth. Had his custom avators and ‘gaia’ troupes on his hard drive
(his had the custom tailored tiger suit). All in all, an odd guy.
As a pastime he’d try to find the ‘truth’ in archives;
like 9/11 clues, hidden apartheids. He’d often laugh at the sheep
from his swivel chair. “I bet you all think you’re actually free,
while the Rothchild illuminati controls every action you see.”
Surfed AboveTopSecret.com. Being right fueled him in topics and threads,
daily. He had trouble finding news and theories he hadn’t already read
lately. Until he found one post with a thousand replies plus,
written by the handle ‘Knowles’. He read, caught with surprised lust;

“CHURCH OF THE CELL”
http://phys.org/news/2013-06-physici...retically.html
“Greetings. I am Reverend Knowles, and above is the tome
of the Church of the Cell. We wish to welcome you home.
You may be skeptical, but this is at the very root of the lives that you drew.
We have over 100 members, keen, with an eye for the truth.
Do you want to know the meaning of life? Contact this line if you do; 1-323-903-6972”

The idea was unique. Plus the subscribers co-signed with his ‘think’.
Mark was behooved to listen. The separatist view aligned with his mission
to prove the populous wrong. He eventually moved and was living
with the topics’ nubile admissions. He read the pamphlets over incense,
as was standard for the 'Imprint.' They rarely saw the prophet Knowles,
and instead recited his objective goals. ‘Reject the common known
paradigm.’ ‘Look towards the salvation.’ ‘You’re a steam of digits, honed.’
‘This is your home.’ and ‘We share the mind.’ The digital text spoke
of an endgame. Mark read every psalm with a confident grin.
Hooked. He’d found all of the win, bypassing the crowd in their din.
Looking forward to the truth, his...

Hair coiffed, angled. Crisp, the smile of a model with hazel eyes,
as he exited his squared off chambers and uncapped bottle of maple rye.
Reverend Knowles. He assumed the pulpit in a heavy set of robes,
took a breath, then let it go.
“Welcome!” to the crowded pews, to each successive row.
“As you know, our very cells hold computerized self-correcting code,
and on our collective road we finally arrive, tonight, at our compression goal.”
He lifts his glass, causing the congregated mass to follow,
each containing maple rye and a dissolvable tab to swallow.
“Drink with me! To rapture! Together, as enlightened, connected souls.”
Mark drank his with a smile. Eyes closed as the concoction hit his teeth.
As the poison made him nod out, right before it’d get to his heart
he was assured of his route, like the dozens by him. And before he’d give to the sleep
he cracked one last smile at all those idiot sheep still living in the dark.





,

Season 3 | The Next Chapter

Season 3 is shaping up to be the best one yet! Many legends are back with some newcomers mixed in. From the look of it so far it appears that the best of Season 1 and Season 2 will all gather and collide here. And with Certain in the lead moderating role this time around it will be top notch all the way around. His consistent dedication will be apparent to any new comers very early on. But remember this league is what you make it. Incredible voting is what it has been built on in the past. Lets keep it moving forward.

Text will always be alive and thriving in the AOWL!




LISTEN UP by Certain
Take in my heavy breathing and the empty void of this YouTube version of an audio magazine as I discuss the new season, The Winter Topical championship and 10 underrated writers.






WRITER'S BLOCK by oats and Vulgar
Two of our finest discuss how they approach topical writing in general in a back-and-forth that you simply must read.





VULGAR: What up oatsy. As an English teacher myself (only in the fictional sense) I've taught thousands of students my methods. Some people call me the Mecca of Bizarre Topicalisms, while others call me a strange individual with pretentious gusto. I'm here to slightly dispel some of those myths by exposing some of my creative writing processes. When I see a "topic" be it an image, quote or a string of words, I either give it a quick glance and "garner its magic" immediately or I stare at it for about 2 or 3 minutes, considering the possibilities. Let's say it's Vulgar vs. Oats (3) and I know I have a very tough opponent ahead of me who's going to write his ass off... I'm not going to go for a simple, everyday concept, nor the first one that springs to my mind, unless it's a really original thought.

Is there a true formula for writing a verse? No, not really. I usually try to take notes for verses I'm planning on putting a significant amount of mental effort into. If I have a free second throughout the day, I'll scroll down ideas. For instance, last week's topic was a picture of old men at a table playing poker with marbles instead of chips. I'm not really an avid poker player myself, so I decided to use an element in the picture: the grinning old man who had his hands in the "pot" of cards. The picture was hinting that he had the winning hand and he was collecting his rewards. This translated into my brain: Write a fantastical folklore-ish type of tale using a Pans Labyrinth-like set of characters: Man, little girl, mythical creature, and relate it to the concept of excessive greed turning out for the worst.

It was a risk not to take the picture literally and write about gambling, but as oats said in his vote on the battle, I actually made a gamble with my interpretation of the theme. All of this, I would say, is Part 1 of the Writing Process: Take a chance, do something you've rarely if ever seen done before, and try to succeed at it.


OATS: Professor Vulgar, I always find it interesting to see how others go about their writing. As you said, there is no one way to write, and given the vast complexities of the human brain, you can imagine that there are innumerable ways to unleash its creativity.

I cosign the idea of waiting for the second, third, fourth idea before really going into it. The same idea was true when I was more of a battler than a topicalist - you don’t take the predictable, obvious angles; you want to strive for something that will dawn on the reader, something they weren’t immediately thinking of.

I have the unfortunate task of watching Mexican soap operas with my girlfriend. Of course, I don’t speak spanish, so to me it’s just one emotionally heavy conversation followed by another in different rooms. In any case, she translates the gist of what’s happening, and inevitably I start guessing who is responsible for the scandalous rumor (“Mari-Cruz had to have sabotaged the wedding!”). This is how I imagine people read topicals. If they can guess where I’m going right off the bat, then I didn’t do a good job, in either my concept itself or my execution of it. On the other hand, if I’m too subtle, then they’ll miss my message altogether. So it’s a balancing act, and one that requires the assumption that people will read my verse more than once before rendering a verdict.


VULGAR: Professor oats, deep in the caverns of Cerebro, I find a young man with a bowl cut hair-do wearing an Abercrombie and Fitch outfit with his hands on the controls. His teal eyes are reflected in the dual screen computer in front of him. A half eaten plate of lasagna flakes him to his left. He drums his hands on a glass table but it's silent to the touch. He doesn't make a ripple of sound. He doesn't scratch the surface. Sometimes it's hard getting into the groove of writing a topical. The sun didn't set right that day. The opening line is too stiff. The ending is contrived. These are symptoms of normalcy. There are good days and bad days, just like a boxer. Having fun during the creation of a piece is probably the most effective remedy for me.


OATS: The worst! Writer's block, lack of inspiration, laziness, apathy, whatever you call it, it consumes most everyone's writing effort at some point or another. I find that it happens to me when I belabor the craft of writing too much instead of focusing on the reason why I'm writing in the first place. Compliments your sentiment well - simplifying can lighten the burden of writing and make it more fun.

I've said it before, and apologies for ignoring your follow-up in the thread, but creativity is about production more than inspiration in my opinion. It's misleading, because my basic point is that you will experience more inspiration when you...wait for it...actually write. Plus, even when you're trudging through the thickets of shit, you might drop a description, turn of phrase, or capture something that's worth salvaging.


VULGAR: I can see rationality in the science of persistence, as you dub it. I also don't think writing should be thought of as such a delicate property because there's some blunt maintenance that goes into it too. I recently read a book called "More Than Human" by Theodore Sturgeon, which was the recipient of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for notable science fiction. It was high level writing for the sheer fact that the writer had the stamina to write hundreds of pages and keep his "content on point for the whole duration" as textees sometimes paraphrase for our own art form. Persisting... not giving in to "a mind full of blankness" is, frankly, the most crystalline path we can take. I'm sure you know more techniques than I do for remedying the dreaded "Writer's Block."

I try to keep those two words out of my vocabulary, personally. When I write something bad: (i.e. the weather man verse I wrote against Split Eight when I was in Afghanistan) and recently the verse I submitted against Diode that was particularly horrible. If it's poorly done, it's poorly done. Move on and perfect your next venture.


OATS: That's a good point to clarify - by no means am I suggesting to keep working and re-working the same piece over and over. If anything, once something becomes a chore to write, it'll most likely be a chore to read as well. Just gotta keep it moving.

I also don't like the idea of a "writer's block," though the term is so entrenched in the community it's inescapable. But to me it signifies the idea of a stubborn, immovable resistance that simply can't be overcome until it magically dissolves. I see it more as a writer's speed bump. It'll slow you down, and depending on the condition of your vehicle you may have to go through it gingerly, but ultimately it's as transient as you make it. I've found three things that work for me (other than good ol' fashioned gumption): exercise, reading, and interesting conversation. Though it sounds trite, the most important aim of art in my mind is to engage interest on behalf of the audience; nobody reads boring books, watches boring movies, studies boring paintings, etc. So if you're stuck, (re)ignite your own interests! Trouble is, in these types of leagues, deadlines can compound the stress of these mental speed bumps, in which case I usually read old verses of mine to remind myself that I am in fact good enough to write something well, as well as verse from others that stand out to me. A little less time consuming!

In any case, it's been a pleasure conversing with you, Vulgar. Best of luck in the league, that is until you and I square off again, whereupon I hope that you repeatedly stub your fingers while typing. To anyone reading this, hope you enjoyed the discussion! Please weigh in on with your thoughts as well to keep it going.


VULGAR: As I was once told by a fellow writer on Rapflava, "machete the foliage, writer." There's much to do, much to write about. A life is begging to be lived, and blank sheets are asking, pleading for the warmth of digitized ink. It's been a pleasure. See you on the battlefield, friend.



Sizing Up the Field
MEET THE WRITERS by Certain
I profile everyone to sign up for Week 1, complete with strengths, weaknesses and a projected finish, based on a 16-person playoff.





Adonis | Last season: 3-6
Strengths: This wily Project RHYME veteran is a poet at heart. He writes with his emotions on full display and a soft touch. When he finds the right combination of lucidity and poetry, he can beat very good competition. And he probably is good for at least 12 weeks or so.
Weaknesses: Sometimes, he loses his readers. Also, he sometimes allows emotion to get in the way of his clear-headedness. And he'll probably complain a lot, in a charming sort of way (sometimes).
Projected finish: 8-7, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Adonis

Her blank white expression yearns for a shield,
A canvas urging for confection, consuming the surreal,
He jots thoughts upon the nape of her neck,
Filling the blanks mindfully as to garner respect.

This cerebral virtuoso caught betwixt hunger and fame,
A simple note exchanged for notoriety and change,
This monetary malarkey – originality's being slayed,
The irony's his method, it portrays personalities betrayed,

Aesthetic | Last season: 1-1
Strengths: The writer sometimes known as Boredom and Shank Sinatra seems somewhat interested in improving. He's around a lot and is aware that he's not among the best. And he has come up with some interesting content in the past. He has real potential if he takes advice to heart.
Weaknesses: His diction and mechanics are clumsy, and he is rather inconsistent even within a single verse. Nothing particularly stands out about him as being on a high level.
Projected finish: 2-9.

Originally Posted by Aesthetic

Her name was Natália she had truth in her eyes.
A young woman from the favella who had strength in her size.
She found that demise is a symbol of purity.
When enlightenment is caused from gods scrutiny.
A talent she always had was painting pictures.
From writing poetry to drawing picturesque scriptures.
And every step she took she pictured the brightest sky.
Waiting for a man everyday praying life wouldn't lie.

Alphabet | Last season: None
Strengths: He's a good rhymer whose verses often are based on a sturdy flow. His knowledge of the fundamentals is grounded in battling, and he's not bad at that form, which can translate to this one. He has the know-how to beat good writers if he really applies himself.
Weaknesses: His content and diction sometimes get lost in those rhymes. He has a tendency to no-show and sometimes seems to prefer to beat up on lesser writers than rise to the challenges of the elite. He battles a lot, which may cut into his effort here.
Projected finish: 2-5.

Originally Posted by Boredom

now this is just non sense, they speak about equality and equal rights?
but in all reality there just headens, dykes who fiend to spite
if they had a good dick in them..the cunt’s could prolly sleep at night
shiiit, they could even pay me a decent price to feed them pipe
but let’s not let go of the picture, and take grasp of their feeble sight
let's release their rights, let em breed with the type who need to type
the kind who spend sleepless nights scouring forums
devouring torrents, scourges with no life who have cowered before them

Black Glacier | Last season: None
Strengths: This late sign-in claims to be a she, which either means she will have people voting for her to try to hit on her or that she is an alias.
Weaknesses: No-show potential seems awfully high.
Projected finish: 0-2.


Cereal_Killa | Last season: None
Strengths: He's one of several throwback topical writers signed in at the start of this season. I first ran into him about 10 years ago, when he was new to this game, and he quickly made major strides as one of the more interesting storytellers around. He has a mind for fantasy and lets that imagination run wild quite often. He never was in the very top tier to my memory but has been capable of knocking off a top-tier writer in any given week.
Weaknesses: I don't know how long he'll be around. He tends to ride poetic devices more than hard rhymes, which some people don't like as far as cadence goes. And he can be a bit too vague sometimes.
Projected finish: 6-3.

Originally Posted by Cereal_Killa

I measure my dreams within a spinal column of sounds
Parting through the olive green grass evoked by its bounds
My tears are tamed through kisses of hope
Now blanketed by the wishes I sow as it falls through the growth
So subtle, gentle I sit - where mere angels sigh
My eyes alight by the droplets made for minds like mine
Fading to Calm; through the stalling springs
Sprawled in a calling hymn that’s curled within
An artist of garden’s suited for the world’s emporium

Clockwerk | Last season: None
Strengths: He signed in.
Weaknesses: He has three posts on this site, two back in May asking about when Season 2 would start, and one to sign in to Season 3.
Projected finish: 0-1.


dead man | Last season: 1-1
Strengths: He's the best topical writer in Netcees.co history. He's in the championship match of The Winter Topical but will have plenty of time to recover for Week 1 here. To get to that final, he had to beat a flurry of elite writers and remind us of what he can do. His flow is ridiculously natural, and he thrives with more abstract approaches and darker imagery. He also writes about breakfast a lot. Even El Pancake and oats would have a tough time beating him in a breakfast-themed battle.
Weaknesses: He's not an elite storyteller, in the sense of moving a plot and creating a world and unique characters. That's not to say he can't do it well. But if you're going to beat him, it'll be through storytelling.
Projected finish: 9-1, playoff semifinalist.

Originally Posted by dead man

goretex and maker's mark. the seasonal grind
the TV says it's freezing. let the people decide
balancing romantic with a need to survive
thought you wanted a bond. you had a needle in mind
puzzled like broken china, force the pieces to fit
bat an eyelash and i'll lease you a whip.
jesus, it's sick
adulthood's a trip. i remember being seven and six
envisioning shit, suicide before i'd ever been kissed
reoccurrence persisted. viva la venereal cysts
your lips burn like kerosene, we melt. candlesticks
in the fireplace, ashes, bloody ashes we fade
another Encyclopedia Dramatica page

Dill Pickle | Last season: None
Strengths: He signed in. He had an interesting vote on dead man vs. Nigma in The Winter Topical.
Weaknesses: He has two posts. But he probably is an alias, and my hunch is that he is a good writer.
Projected finish: 3-1.


Diode | Last season: 5-0, playoff semifinalist
Strengths: He was the only person with more than two wins and no losses last season and enters this one as a dark horse to win it all. He is a solid story teller with a grasp of what the audience will latch on to. He knows how to use topics to his advantage, particularly Earth-grounded ones. His narration is always clear and clean, and his 15-or-so years of experience are evident.
Weaknesses: He uses mostly single-syllable rhymes (although he balances them with internal rhymes). He struggles to put together consistent long verses, in no small part because he seems to write under the gun every week. He has a serious issue with writing on holiday weekends.
Projected finish: 10-4, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Diode

mind racing profusely, each repetition echoes its own diction
for she's stunned, loosely, facing this conviction
a roaming partner can pick apart the darkest heart even at its darkest hour
but a leveled home can shatter bones, their very souls, stealing all their power
and here i sit upon this pit, this ruin of my very own
she glares at me with baited breath for the next move in my tome
a shattered glass, a hidden past, her secret's in the open
and yet the silence shall remain between us..

the truth forever broken

dull boy | Last season: None
Strengths: He is in the discussion for best writer on this site. His rhyme schemes fluctuate from great to absolutely absurd, and he rarely seems to be forcing the issue. He writes with much more real emotion than most others with his technical prowess, sort of an angrier version of dead man. If he really commits himself, he might be the favorite to win it all.
Weaknesses: I've never seen him in a topical battle. That doesn't mean I am worried about his ability to tackle a topic as much as his commitment to a form of writing that requires voting. My guess is he gives it a few weeks, then leaves.
Projected finish: 3-0.

Originally Posted by dull boy

I’m not strong, I’m not tough, I’m not calm, I’m not what
She’d call love, I’m washed up, I’m all but
Forgotten by the ones who knew me then
The things she saw in me I think I lost on Lucy’s lips
We can’t love, marriage fails, it’s prophecy
It slams shut, we’re hand cuffed by fairytale philosophies
The air gets stale, it’s hard to breathe
With cramped lungs, dispair’s the trail we walk with grief

dyedinthewool | Last season: None
Strengths: He signed in. Innovator identified him as "baz" in one post, but I have no idea what that means. Hopefully it means he'll show.
Weaknesses: He has a man-crush on Leonardo DiCaprio, which seems outdated. DiCaprio moved on from dreamboat years ago, probably around the time of The Departed and Blood Diamond.
Projected finish: 4-3.


El Pancake | Last season: 6-2, champion, playoff champion
Strengths: He rose to the challenge last postseason, allowing only one (interesting) vote in his title run. He uses very complex rhymes and schemes, balanced by his emotion-generated writer's voice. His style isn't so much unique as it is an amalgam of many other greater writers' styles. He has improved tremendously, particularly in attacking a wide variety of topics.
Weaknesses: He had a lot to prove in Season 2, but now he is the champion and could get lazy pretty easily. There's no reason for him to lose the chip on his shoulder yet, though, because he still rarely is grouped among the very top writers on this site. He occasionally gets trapped by his own preferences in content and writing style. And he'll probably quit writing at least twice during the season.
Projected finish: 10-2, playoff quarterfinalist.

Originally Posted by El Pancake

“Take what you want from us and leave” At any sign of trouble
As our supplies were ruffled through, without fight or any type of struggle
the Walthier in my pocket’s weight felt doubled within my whitened knuckles.
Our cart now barren. As they slinked away I sighed a silent cry of “Fuck you.”
After they disappeared on the horizon we walked in empty silence,
like our reserves. “I know you’re mad. But if we fought, it’d end in violence.
We can find new food. We can’t replace us.” As he coughed up thick decay.
He was weak and I looked at him as if were, in a different way.

Exoduzt | Last season: None
Strengths: He showed a good knack for relatable lyricism in his few verses posted in Open Mic. He has a grasp of rhyming and couples it with a street-wise sense of purpose. His style is a bit of a throwback to a previous era of textceeing, but he pulls it off with some swagger.
Weaknesses: I've never seen him in a topical battle. His verses in Open Mic were very loosely written, jumping around topics and even mixing in braggadocio. He also needs to hammer out his diction to something more relevant in storytelling and topical writing.
Projected finish: 3-5.

Originally Posted by Exoduzt

I'm why you lack the knowledge to actually hold a real relationship...
You cry when your alone but in public act harder than a mason's wrist...
Fading quick you forgot what patience is...
instead you chill with me and do some crazy shit...
Maybe it's, time you pour another c'mon act just like ya dad did...
beat you repeatedly and then leave ya mom to raise a bad kid...
Sadness? fuck that they weren't real, only ya foster parents...
your real family didnt even want you so how come you lost ya bearings?...

Frank | Last season: 6-4, champion, playoff runner-up
Strengths: He's a force of nature, a whirlwind storyteller whose style is a favorite among voters. His creativity and fluid writing style have carried him into the elite tier in our topical community. He can write long about as well as anyone here, and he imbues that writing with emotion. He often carries a single rhyme throughout a verse, which allows him to be looser with mechanics than other writers. He also is likely to compete in every week or close to it.
Weaknesses: He tends to rise and fall to the level of opponents, which means he can be surprised and defeated. His writing does not have the traditional type of polish we usually expect from elite writers. And he often can be his own worst enemy, by either trying something too bold or testing the limits of the moderators and his opponents by trying to find rules loopholes.
Projected finish: 12-4, playoff semifinalist.

Originally Posted by Frank

See. we was poor so we'd aim for more – Took free cable from a neighbor had to rearrange the cord.
As it dangled from the roof, mama placed it in her palm - Connected it, fixed the receptor, flipped the station and it's on.
She'd tell me the whole buildings living off the neighbor on the ninth. "Don’t pay it any mind, unless they're banging on the door."
And since mama never got caught, I thought maybe it be fine. After all - all that slangin’ never gave her any time
..
Till one Saturday, when the evening was dead. I must’ve fallen asleep after eating,
cause the steps didn’t awaken me, nor did the screaming or the threats. What got me was the contact of the extinguisher and cement.

Genocide | Last season: 1-2
Strengths: Don't let that record fool you, as Genocide is one of the best on this site. His strength is drawn more from his freewriting, and the less restricted by a topic he feels the better. But his rhyming is ridiculous, as good as anyone on this site. And when he finds a topic that gets him emotional, he can land a blow.
Weaknesses: He focuses more on his recording, understandably, which means he probably won't compete in that many weeks. And he doesn't always commit to a topic.
Projected finish: 4-2.

Originally Posted by Genocide

Transylvanian apartments are an alternate roost
Lethargic for you, parasite until the carcass consumed
Harvest the moon, rite before a charlatans doom
Exhumed, for bathing in a touch of garlic perfume
I've seen the awfullest news, carvings on tombs
The fall of platoons, amused, that they all were subdued
Flying saucers, confused, cautious of truths
Watched them crash into tunnels that were carpal, and bruise
Seen partially prooned, crop circles startle bafoons
That were targets for groups in the market of fruit
Smoke screens nothing short of arsonist proof

Greed | Last season: None
Strengths: He's a decent-enough battler who has a lot to prove in this league. He showed solid mechanics and has improved as a battler in the past year. His only verse in Open Mic was a flex, but it showed that he might be capable of maintaining a train of thought, at least.
Weaknesses: He simply does not have the track record as a topicalist, and the little writing I've seen of his reads like a battler's. He will have to smooth out his diction, learn to approach topics creatively and care about this league if he wants to stand a chance.
Projected finish: 2-5.

Originally Posted by Greed

Feeling backed in? Light that back end and we get right back in
When pryde rappin its the same feeling you get when a dimes passin
Define action I've passed it, rhyme passionate
I had to spit cause my saliva is quite ac-idic
I been craftin it since bassinets, imagined it immaculate
I practiced it that's why every track you get ain't no half ass shit
I'm blastin it, slashin it crashin it and bashin it
I had to be the best because I couldn't define what average is
And as far as definitions I never found a good comparison for marriages

H4ZE | Last season: None
Strengths: He has a very audio-friendly approach to cadence, which will appeal to some voters' sense of flow. He has a basic grip of rhyming, at least at the end of lines.
Weaknesses: He lacks the complexity to compete in this league, but he has shown the effort level in dropping quite a few verses in Open Mic. And he has the potential if he can take advice well.
Projected finish: 3-8.

Originally Posted by H4ZE

The essence of your beauty, is something I've never seen before
Restless nights spent thinking of you, and its completely wrong
I believed and thought..one day we'd maybe be a couple
Now I realize that we cant...so I lay these words and crumble
I break down and I cry, you wont get out of my mind
At the mention of your name, my face frowns every time
I love you..but you don't love me, its worse than I thought
I turn and I toss, your words are like a curse that I've got

Ink | Last season: None
Strengths: I'm not too familiar with Ink, but it's clear from reading a few of his pieces that he has a general knowledge of what to do. His rhyming mechanics are solid, and he has a good sense of imagery. Apparently, he's been away working on a book, which should only develop him further.
Weaknesses: Who knows how long he'll be around? Also, again in my limited reading, he stumbles into cliché too often and seems to stray from more challenging directions and topics.
Projected finish: 5-2.

Originally Posted by Ink

I can’t tread the slightest distance without suffering a fire
My life’s been a wick dipped in kerosene, unraveling for a lighter
So I press these needles into veins that look like streets on a map
They pinpoint me along a road trip, I’m just following the path
I’m on my way… ETA? End of today – go
Transit is convenient when I’m my own scapegoat
Blood trickles down in beads, forming rivers - thin
Puncture wounds sting from perspiration that coats my skin
I muster up - half a grin - at the irony of the predicament

Innovator | Last season: 3-4
Strengths: He generally is a dedicated writer (though a recycling incident last season undermined that). He has a good poetic touch, similar to Adonis but with a better grasp on rhyming mechanics and a bit less finesse. He's an experienced topical writer, and when he keeps his content more down-to-Earth, he can beat good writers.
Weaknesses: He's rather inconsistent. Some weeks, he writes verses that are simply impossible to decipher. He also doesn't have an elite grip on mechanics, so he will be outrhymed. But mostly, he writes himself into holes by trying to do too much.
Projected finish: 6-7.

Originally Posted by Innovator

The breeze from the east, the clouds west of the sun
The tide crashing at peace. Time with no pendulum
A santum for us, wed swim until our arms went numb.
Your Skin glistened.
And we fornicated as sin wished it.
Two misfits persistent in each other reflection
Perceived love perfect under the waves positon
A current so insistent and a rip tide convincing
What do I do but drown in the moment
Coffe and donuts, pancakes you sold them

Just Write | Last season: 3-2
Strengths: He's one of my favorites for his straight-ahead style, possessing a firm grasp of mechanics and a narrative style that makes his stories easy to read. Voters notice, and he tends to do well, particularly when he goes with fictional stories about new characters. He is understated in the best way and one of the best voters around, usually.
Weaknesses: He doesn't have the range or the bombast of the top shelf of writers. A lot of his writing could use tightening up or a little more oomph. Also, he sometimes goes a little too autobiographical, between his experiences in war and love, and those verses haven't resonated as much as his original storytelling.
Projected finish: 8-5, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Just Write

As tom quickly grabbed his suit jacket, he bolted down the stairs to the basement,
took a golf cart down the concrete corridor following a lighting cable, corroding in places.
As the lights flickered, he could see the ceiling sweat, forming condensation
Coulda been from the a/c that hang's one floor up and adjacent..
or the road above, rain would sometimes seep through the pavement.
On this very rare occasion he was more than twenty five minutes late
Tom was on the phone with the court, and of course time started slipping away

King Ra. | Last season: 2-5
Strengths: The Season 1 moderator has a great grasp of what is required of writers in these competitions. He's an original writer with a solid grasp of mechanics and originality. He has the ability to pull off upsets and last season was the only person to beat eventual champion El Pancake by votes.
Weaknesses: At some point, he will no-show. He probably will no-show more than once. When he does show, he doesn't always focus enough or throw himself into the topic enough to do so. His inconsistency is frustrating in that way. And overall, he does not have the feathery touch of most of the elite writers.
Projected finish: 4-6.

Originally Posted by King Ra.

Her dagger game's the best, severed jugulars open
Defenses are hopeless, lightning quick, sudden motions
leave Shaolins frozen, arms, legs, chest cavities broken
She mastered the art of Wing Chun, her martial skills beyond levels
Hard to kill, packs a punch, iron fists without metal
She stood over her last casualty with his face in the ground
Smirked, knelt down and proceeded to blatantly pound

Kyzo | Last season: None
Strengths: He's better than just about anyone wants to admit. He has a good grasp of fundamentals and mechanics, and he can approach a topic with intelligent when he chooses. He also is around quite a bit, so he could choose to make this league a priority as he works on his record.
Weaknesses: He hasn't shown the level of nuance that elite writers have. He sometimes forces his rhymes. And he has a bad trolling habit that sometimes gets in the way of his other pursuits here.
Projected finish: 5-4.

Originally Posted by Ryan 12

Behold an ancient mountain with peaks of iron
It's rivers crying, clothed in clouds at the feet of Zion
A thousand pines riddle it's silent face
I walk along it's diamond base at a migrant's pace
Till the fire sinks behind it's shoulders
The night is soulless,
I lay my head against a pillow made of grime & boulders
The last words on my mind are those of -
"By noon I'll have seen the face of God like the life of Moses"

maths debate | Last season: None
Strengths: He signed in. He's an alias, but I have no idea who is behind the mask.
Weaknesses: My guess is that he's a battler, based on his Discussion posts. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but he may not stick around for very long.
Projected finish: 1-1.


Mike Wrecka | Last season: 5-5, playoff first-rounder
Strengths: The Season 2 moderator and Writing Challenge League champion is a grizzled veteran in these trenches. He has a gift for coming up with terrific approaches to topics, and he shows it on a regular basis. His mechanics and diction are understated but understood, and he produces very voter-friendly verses as a result. And his ability to reach deep for a big verse is often underrated, even by me.
Weaknesses: He writes with a bit more simplicity than many of us expect from the modern topical writer. He's a throwback to a time past, and his reliance on cadence over rhyme scheme does not always impress voters as much as it should. But mostly, when he lacks a good idea for a verse, he falls flat to lesser writers.
Projected finish: 10-5, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Mike Wrecka

paleolithic hominids rose to prominence,
while trying to survive on these frozen continents,
the consequence of being exposed to this apocalypse,
was the sharing of technology throughout the populace,
necessity breeds innovation and common sense,
cause the commonality in a community composed of allota tents,
creates confidence, conversing around a campfire,
telling stories of conquering creatures and how it transpired,
leading to those whose situation was desperate and dire,
to try it for themselves to get out of their quagmire,
like when hunting mammoth don't aim low, stab higher,

Mr. J | Last season: 6-4, champion, playoff quarterfinalist
Strengths: Although he has tapered off a bit in 2014, he once was hands-down the most prolific writer on this site. That's fine, but what made it so impressive was his consistency. A Mr. J verse always features at least a handful of eye-catching lines or sections and a natural, silky-smooth flow. He beat me to be the first Season 2 champion and has shown an ability to write at an elite level on abstract topics. He was (along with me) one of two writers to show up for every week of Season 2 until his elimination.
Weaknesses: He struggles to dig himself into more concrete topics and let his lyricism give way to developed content. That makes him a slave to the topic, as he often buries himself when he tries to go for something too concrete because it's not in his wheelhouse. Also, he only occasionally breaks out his best work and really polishes his efforts.
Projected finish: 10-6, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Mr. J

I just parallelled the jet. went to Paris kissed farewell to Annette.
my youngest of two. more sense than a bank teller with a check.
a seller to connect with the depth that held the better of Moet.
the veteran of express. the feistyness of life. the elegance of death.
the rememberance. the never forgets. etched into each letter I read
each measurement stepped. conquerer. we are forever in debt.
but never regret the slump. It helps us remember the "was"
the before. the prequel to what happened if love was never enough
Prideful. greatful. glad about what it did and really meant to us

neutral | Last season: None
Strengths: He only has dropped one short flex in the 2013-14 CYPHER thread, but it was a very strong first impression. It's pretty clear he's an alias, and the man behind the curtain has a great sense of mechanics and polished word choice.
Weaknesses: Who knows how long an alias will stick around? Also, having read only one brief flex verse, I cannot assume he will be able to adequately tackle topical writing, even though my inclination says this writer is good.
Projected finish: 4-1.

Originally Posted by neutral

smart too, part two: argue over half truths,
heart spews starch brews: can't puke. shan't move.
-- piss bags, improvise, shit's sad, synchronize; shit's had in that time
i miss dad, a little line (introspect),
you kissed a man at a kissogram, that shit a crime? (think so, yes)
a mishap, the fickle type to kick curbs home.
i don't know any big words though. except 'highfalutin verbiage'
i'm a high & prudent virgin,
never actually tried to prove that verdict,
the apple of my eye's a useless serving.

oats | Last season: None
Strengths: You'll note below that I am pegging him as the preseason favorite. Why? He has it all. His rhyme schemes are as crisp as anyone's, and he molds them around in-depth stories and topical approaches. He also is due for a big win at Netcees, proven to be one of the best writers in the league but never quite landing his payoff. His style is the right combination of versatile and voter-friendly.
Weaknesses: He probably will skip out for a bit at some point and may not even complete enough weeks to make the playoffs. Also, he has struggled with beating top-tier writers when they are in their element on a topic, but who doesn't?
Projected finish: 10-1, playoff champion.

Originally Posted by oats

my regret-impediment begins to slowly surface
pushed toward the shoreline by the salt-corroded currents:
trans-pacific ambitions, the glint of golden merchants
are now scars lodged in my psyche - my soul is holding urchins
a rush of cold controls my urge to walk back from the beach
the wind wakes whispers of opportunities, laughing at me
here I stand - at the scene of my passion receding
beholden to ghosts of trophies of my atrophied dreams

Objective | Last season: 2-1
Strengths: He cares more than you do. He puts a lot into his verses and consistently tries to expand his game, and it's worked rather well. He's made big strides with rhyme schemes since I've been here, and that could benefit his strong storytelling. He's also a very good voter.
Weaknesses: He still has yet to combine those two elements well. His best verses tend to be his plainest and most straightforward, and that inherently limits his potential. Also, he sometimes gets a little too emotionally wound about things.
Projected finish: 8-5, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Objective

It's silence before the storm and civilians gather
in the church to discuss if the kid should dissolve into matter.
He could very well show his true self and obliterate all,
even bible studies and prophecies says existence will fall.
So should they end his life incase Lucifer claims him,
Or should they help him fight evil alltho' the probability's damn slim..?
They decided the best option was to silently take his life,
A.M; quarter to five, they creeped to his crib with a super sharp knife.
His parents had been taken hostage and screamed in vain,
you could see the sorrow in her face as she felt the kids pain.

patrown | Last season: 4-3, playoff first-rounder
Strengths: He's a very fluid writer with a propensity to deliver a lot in a small space. His grasp on writing is underappreciated, and he comes up with interesting diction often while maintaining solid mechanics. His top gear is probably the most underrated around.
Weaknesses: He shoots himself in the foot way too often. He writes 16-line verses even when knowing his opponent just dropped 40. He overthinks his content and occasionally makes it difficult to follow as a result. And he often waits until the last possible moment to write.
Projected finish: 7-7, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by patrown

orded a pumpkin latte at starbucks and waited for the drink
brushed her hair behind her ears, leaning back and pretending to think
"Reina? your drinks ready.." couldn't think steady, took it and headed to her chair
locked herself into the wrong life, with her thinking impaired
but everyone around her seemed unblinking while they stared
searching her soul for an answer that wasn't there
walking down the street looking for a key to her prison

Rawn MD | Last season: 1-1
Strengths: He's criminally underrated. Get it? Criminally. Because he's a criminal. But he's our favorite criminal, and he really is undervalued as a writer. He knows how to work a rhyme scheme after well more than a decade of doing this, and his content often is pretty interesting.
Weaknesses: He will no-show, probably at least twice if he chooses to sign in a second time. When he does post, he tends to write really sloppy verses without proofreading them. That's not normally a problem, but these sometimes can be difficult to read at all.
Projected finish: 3-4.

Originally Posted by Rawn MD

He steams and then blows up...
his own treasonous soldier, stuck in a zenith of novas
eyes to the heavens; mouth open; Eden - ambrosia
The serpents released skin, his beacon is hopeless
just citizen kane's dreaming of rosebud; feigning, but focused
seeing the sequence, but keeps repeatin it over
to see through the fog, his heat in this cold front
keeps feeding the cobra, leaking; squeamishly sober
he teases the vultures, while preening his coat up,
but its easy to coax em; deceive with emotions
his genius is stroking, bereavements been broken

sacrifice | Last season: None
Strengths: He's the most established topical battler signed in and probably one of the five greatest ever. (I say this as someone in that conversation, too.) His rhymes are what make him special, and he piles multiple-syllable rhymes on top of each other with a rarely seen deftness. But he writes that way and still manages to directly tackle topics. He's a proven storyteller and topicalist with a terrific style.
Weaknesses: How long will he stick around? How much effort will he give a text league as he develops his audio?
Projected finish: 3-1.

Originally Posted by sacrifice

A forty floor collapse from the mortar, war
in enormous chords, rhythm, chaos and gore.
And lords rule the quarter with rhetoric, a seance
explored to discover the hordes in exodus.
Penmanship: the trump and the sword.
A vengeance myth, but still my sentence lives.
A sentence of life in the meta. A tamed fox
with the grey hare of the "apoc"; face locked in confusion.
In flames, lots have been ruined...
I'm choosing music,
a fluid dynamic existing with true fire,
dancing in loose fibers. Resisting your soothsayers.

Soulstice | Last season: None
Strengths: He has a tremendous, elite-level touch for writing. His stories come off as lush and real and human. He also has a strong grasp of mechanics. He's regarded as one of the best when he's around, and he definitely can beat anyone in this league. He's somewhat similar to oats, who was my championship pick.
Weaknesses: He sometimes ignores or misinterprets topics, which is a death sentence on this site (as it should be). Also, his commitment apparently ebbs and flows with his schoolwork, which makes sense but means he may not be around much.
Projected finish: 5-2.

Originally Posted by Soulstice

augmenting growing awareness, galloping across
Her mind, she's wallowing, lost in her unpalatable thoughts
- Across galactic axes ghostly apparations grumble and grouse
As she too joins the desolate orbit of the mumbling crowd
Gross and grey, alone, garrisons as godforsaken abodes
Just eternal cosmic hatred as they're left alone and cold -
- Again gravity abates, she's gone afloat in Gotham -
Lipstick, fake purse, tight dress, she's haute
and getting
hauter
Looking to get lost in some populace of daughters
In a faux designer watch from her coffer - the time remains 21
A great tragedy, the great tragedy, the search for anyone

Split Eight | Last season: 2-2
Strengths: He has improved as much as anyone in the past six months. He still is relatively new to this form of writing, and his progression shows that he is an intelligent kid with a great grasp on writing. He has perhaps the softest touch of anyone here, writing true poetry with a lot of beautiful imagery and subtle allusions.
Weaknesses: He's too aloof for his own good often. Those subte allusions can get to the point where they are indecipherable for readers, alienating his voters. Also, he is by far at his best when he can write about something concrete, particularly love-based.
Projected finish: 8-4, playoff quarterfinalist.

Originally Posted by Split Eight

i hear tonight is the type asteroids might like to devour.
instead of counting the sheep, I'll be biding the hours-
it's showering ash. in the ambulance. it's raining dust.
stay with us, wait, just take a handful of this pumice and scrub.
and take nothing from love. stayed awake for the sun
til the chasm between us swallowed us up.

timeless | Last season: 2-1
Strengths: The writer formerly known as Mordycai was very excited for the start of this season and could potentially be one of those to take advantage of the automatic playoff bid given to dedicated competitors. He's very willing to improve and has a nice base to build on as he develops as a topical writer.
Weaknesses: He still hasn't found his own voice or method of approaching topics. His mechanics are OK at best, and his writing shows burst of potential mired in an odd mix of both over- and under-writing. He will have an opportunity to make major gains this season, and he needs to use it. Also, he needs to stop over-formating his text.
Projected finish: 5-9.

Originally Posted by timeless

Ever so swiftly I get up, so slippery I misstep through a whistling head rush
Yet I remained focused as I note this moment down and went fishing for my collective trust
We set up.. awaiting the wind and what it carries, hiding amongst the space within itself
It grew silent.. so we escaped and began racing to a safer basement before we begin to melt

Amazing with steady pacing, no hesitation in order to lead our nation into rehabilitation
Can you see the thrills I'm facing? Graciously praying for a statement that we've made it
How about an exclamation? We'll never have enough time as long as we keep declining our duration..
..that we've been given out of appreciation for our love towards human adaptation

Totoro | Last season: 5-3, playoff quarterfinalist
Strengths: The writer formerly known as NYCSPITZ is one of the finest lyricists around. His grip on combining rhyme schemes and original and interesting diction is hard to come across, and he is a true title contender as a result. He has shown a willingness to write all sorts of stories and has deepened his commitment here in recent months.
Weaknesses: His tag as a lazy underachiever is tough shed. He no-showed in the Season 2 playoff quarterfinals, when he could have been viewed as a favorite to win it all. Also, he sometimes flat-out ignores topics.
Projected finish: 9-4, playoff quarterfinalist.

Originally Posted by Totoro

Che Guevara acolyte - tall and handsome, house spacious as fuck
Vancouver family man...wannabe contumacious canuck
cultured, and honestly he seemed sagacious enough
tough too - a giant's glare when he'd skate with the puck.
A small fortune off small men who sated his trust
Former fourth-round draft pick. Feeling false until his brain would erupt
Indigenous roots - confusion mutes his mind's buzzing demands
Business owning law-abider.
...shit. He felt he wasn't a man.
Homogenous homicide: Take it back to dad's rusted sedan

TYSON | Last season: 2-1
Strengths: He doesn't try to do too much when he writes but has a good grasp of the fundamentals, particularly in more abstract writing. Back in Season 1, he wrote occasional impressive verses, though his Season 2 efforts were more restrained. And he is good with children.
Weaknesses: He probably will not stick around very long and might even be a Week 1 no-show. His upside is relatively limited, though if he brings more clarity, that could increase. And he loves fat, white women.
Projected finish: 2-2.

Originally Posted by TYSON

Sky's are just a cloudy view that would allude me when I cease
Rather stay grounded to asphalt and let the tar harden on my feet
Grassy plains with hills and pastures
Give a vivid feel
Indulge my lust with mill's to appeal the need for explicit thrills
The science of life reveals the answer to the wonders of our existence
These immortal diamond works as a prism to deflect the dark matter of my decisions
Crafted with perfect incision they reveal our mastery of our domain
Let lesser species rot as we trot over their remains

Verb | Last season: None
Strengths: His one verse in Open Mic shows an experienced topicalist with a decent grip on the fundamentals and a willingness to explore more difficult formats. He maintains approachability by keeping his writing clean and rhyming well enough to keep the pace going. For some reason, I could see him being a breakout star of the season, if I'm picking among the relative unknowns.
Weaknesses: He doesn't have the level of lyricism expected among the elite here, at least not in that one verse I've read. He also only has seven posts here, so it's tough to know how long he'll stick around.
Projected finish: 6-4.

Originally Posted by Verb

Adam was a man to some but not to Eve..... so she planned to run
From him when he went to his land to hunt, she couldn't stand to none
of his orders, he wanted to hoard her to himself, she made it to the boarders
but she was caught by what she thought was a voice in her head with disorders
Told her, "Eve, I'm your father don't even bother to fodder any longer"
that she can't leave Adam the first man...It would lead to his dishonor
She was afraid of the voice so she went back and stay with no choice
Eve became the model wife, did all her man's desire, he prayed and rejoiced
The voice came to her again and said, "God, your father decrees
that you to not touch the tree's leaves, don't ask just believe"

Vividlyvague | Last season: 7-3, playoff semifinalist
Strengths: The surprise star of Season 2 got to where he is because of raw dedication and extreme bombast. He writes incredibly ambitious stories, often with really great takes on topics. And he writes them with no flourish spared, showing a particular affinity for dialogue. He has most of the tools in his bench, even if he doesn't always use them at the same time.
Weaknesses: He writes himself in circles way too often. He goes for these enormous stories that require so many details that he simply cannot deliver them as they should be handled. Also, he lets his rhyme mechanics slip way more often than he should. And his diction can get muddled. In short, he's sloppy.
Projected finish: 11-5, playoff first-rounder.

Originally Posted by Vividlyvague

The bass is the martyr.
As sure of death as it is of life and its aura.
The shimmer of light piercing river inlets, reminiscent
Of its hatchling days, turned fights for existence with ardor.
Each meal an attack, being predator and victim, as fate barters...
Cannibalistic if the menu's stretched thin; an odd take on 'order'.
Mid-ponder, the fish wanders in current amidst otters.
A rupture to the surface lets in a furred terror beyond awesome...
Fate realized as the mammal's powerful paws just
Latch over the fish's head and tears it off him.

Vulgar | Last season: 6-2, champion, playoff quarterfinalist
Strengths: He's the monster of abstract writing. He has more references than you possibly could draw from even with 10 years of studying Wikipedia. And he does it all while keeping his content interesting, relevant and understandable and his rhyme mechanics steady and occasionally even rather interesting. He also has a tremendous track record of showing to his battles. There's no doubt that he can beat anyone, even on their best days.
Weaknesses: Sometimes, you won't get it. And no one will. He loses battles because of unapproachability every once in a while, even as good as he has become at dealing with that issue. Also, he struggles with quicker-written verses, which makes sense given his style.
Projected finish: 10-3, playoff finalist.

Originally Posted by Vulgar

Bleeding may occur in the bodies of evidence
suffocation, strangulation, starvation? Probably negligence
Blackflag bloodclots - the discoloration of your twisted biological melanin
Mismanaging our fate, too damaged to escape
giving lip service to the amateur campaign "Planet of the TAKE!"
could've just toe tagged the talkin' animals and mailed em' to the Cape
Dear Judgment Day jury, you seem a bit too panicky
This is the dead poet's society, with the slightest hint of anarchy
Literary devices can be explosive
Let the mighty anthem commemorate
'cause if the world ends, then phytoplankton can celebrate

Witty | Last season: 0-2
Strengths: He is one of the best writers on this site, and he has the confidence to tell you that he is the best. He uses rhymes exceptionally well and balances that with a lot of metaphorical writing. He prefers to dig deep on topics and has the potential to beat elite writers. And he's a funny Irishman.
Weaknesses: He will no-show. He might be the most likely to no-show in the first week. Also, he's very obsessed with Fox the Tibetan Fox.
Projected finish: 2-3.

Originally Posted by Witty

The wind roars, rain creeps down, freezing under the breeze
Trees bustle, my feet hit the streets as the leaves rustle
The season of the deceased, when evil summons disease
Comes upon us to ease drop on your dreams, screams muffled
They live a fiends struggle, so I heed none of their pleas
I breathe trouble, I need my release from this brief tussle
Yet, grief doubles...depression tailor suited for my brain
Fate colluded with hate, polluted and ruined from the strain
Deluded they maintain to shoot me through the flames
So I dilute the oozing pain and push it through my veins
Making me foolish and insane, I'm losing in this game
...Now, you will do the same...

WZA | Last season: None
Strengths: He is apparently a friend of Nigma and ZYG's from their old site, and that's not bad company. He has an interesting style that features a good cadence and solid rhyme mechanics. I have not seen him attempt anything that could be called a topical verse, but the potential is here. He has been active in the Open Mic and Battle Arena since joining the site.
Weaknesses: He does not seem to have much upside against the top tier. It's tough to judge off Open Mic verses, but his style does not seem ideally suited for topical writing.
Projected finish: 3-6.

Originally Posted by WZA

This story is about the days of my youth,
From which mordern famous fables grew,
When beast walked land.. In form of a Sabertooth,
Away the space ship flew,
Awaken was histories most famous brute,
Exiled. Enslaved in a waste land was Mason's doom,
My legacy graces faces of caves in ancient ruins,

YDK | Last season: 3-5, playoff first-rounder
Strengths: Every once in a while, he can really bring it. It's not when you least expect it, either, as he has the ability to rise to the level of his competition, or at least close to it. His long verse against Frank was one of the best of the season. He has a solid grasp of fundamentals and mechanics while also being one of the only guys who writes positive stories every once in a while.
Weaknesses: He might take the cake for the most inconsistent writer from last season. He is very emotional and seemed to half-give up after his tough loss to Frank. He writes about personal stuff with mixed to bad results quite often. And he hasn't had an interesting avatar in a while.
Projected finish: 6-6.

Originally Posted by YDK

Crippled by selfishness i'll drive a spade through your heart,
With the promise of diamonds that I gave from the start.
You couldn't count the amount of blood I'm responsible for shedding,
But I never lifted a finger yet i lingered amongst the betting.
I've forced rational men to lie, acted brash, of course they died.
Left alone in their own sorrow, got divorced but more survived.
I created your heros, myths were spawned from my legends,
From Billy the kid to Julius ceasar all wrongs came to amends.
I've devalued kings and queens; knaves were never. brave enough,
They have all fell victim to a bluff of a family more pure in flush.

ZeeDee | Last season: None
Strengths: It appears this is the topical legend known as dicnyaeye. We have a bit of fun history. Anyway, he's a great comedic storyteller, which unfortunately is a lost art. His rhyme schemes have always been very good, as well, and his overall grasp on mechanics are excellent. He's creative and excellent at approaching topics. He also might be the most competitive guy anywhere, even more than Frank.
Weaknesses: That competitive edge sometimes leads him to throwing fits. His diction has never quite matched his level of creativity, and he sometimes alienates readers with his weird plots. But mostly, who knows how long he'll stick around?
Projected finish: 5-1.

Originally Posted by ZeeDee

Everything's changed; birthing children was only for heterosexuals, then gays,
But they've stretched out this range by crossing that with extraterrestrial mates
Unpleasant to face, I've learned some can't be allowed to just procreate
Because the best of their race can be infected with RAGE that turns all sex into rape
RAGE is the term we've created to serve
as the homo sapiens warning
Fantasies made worst with fake Captain Kirks
have turned into rape by the morning
Whether dating or whoring
these promiscuous freaks instantly lead to alien orgies
Where getting beamed up, will get you a reamed butt
with enough space for a 40oz
Within this process, the sin is monstrous, but their fellatio's great
Using wet tentacles to suck from testicles down through the anus and taste.....

ZYG | Last season: 3-1
Strengths: He is a machine. No, he literally is a machine. He writes verses 45 minutes after learning of his topics, and those verses generally are awesome. When he goes all-in, he can knock your socks off. But regardless, expect his cool sense of dystopian humor and social observation to permeate his verses. He is my favorite writer on this site because of his remarkable adaptability and ability to approach topics in the exact right way, original yet almost-obvious.
Weaknesses: He costs himself with his quick verses. A little more polish or a second guess on an approach can do a lot of good. I think that leads voters to scrutinize what he could have done with all that time even more. He also sometimes ditches mechanics despite his firm mastery on them. And some have complained he is too emotionally detached from his writing.
Projected finish: 12-4, playoff quarterfinalist.

Originally Posted by ZYG

You’re better than me? Go fuck yourself.
There’s no sense to debate.
My method is great, I’m the best in this place and keep emphasizing the point like a decimal place.
Beat your effeminate face until you’re a specialist’s case.
Breaking you down into a chemical state.
Supercomputers don’t possess enough processing space to even contemplate the effort it takes for you to begin testing my pace.
Step up to the plate. I’m a murderous verbalist, the verbiage large.
I’ll knock you so far out of the park that you land on the surface of Mars.
I touch opponents and they fold up like convertible cars. You touch opponents and they thank you for the perfect massage.
It’s the return of the Czar. My style is refined like observing some art and describing the thing as ‘post-conservative noir.’
You’re a Saint Bernard and a carp – I’m a Cerberus dog and a circling shark.
I’ve disposed of so many opponents I deserve a reward, a long service award from all the Earth’s morgues and emergency wards.
My purpose is war and I’m purchasing arms. Battle the gote? Better hope there’s a merciful god.

CONTENDER EVALUATION by Adonis
One of our noble scribes and former moderators breaks down who he thinks has the juice by ranking the top competitors.





This section is obviously not made for the nameless who chose to be represented by aliases, but rest assured, these 10 names, if motivated, would out last three-quarters of any league or tournament assembled.

Time Is Quickly Passing

Genocide: He's won and lost, taken multiple strolls around the block.... I know for a fact the fire wont last a full season, but I also can say that for the short 2-3 weeks the fire burns...elite caliber will roam our site.

Split-Eight: Dude has been known; the best have NEVER taken him lightly. Imagery can drive a stake into the hearts of fanged foes, but split can stake claims, legitimately, against those who are elite.


Elite but Lazy

Totoro: Admire your screen for the sole competitor who could drop ONE single verse this entire season and be glorified for it. Not made to last AOWL's entirety, a playoff push is forever entertaining.

oats: This guy can write what the populace enjoys at the same time as making any enthusiast proud. He's been through the wringer and remains quasi-elite. Much like NYC he shouldn't last, however the ride is always enjoyable.


No. 1 Contenders

El Pancake: Hmm.... Recently took out our reigning champion, NAY, Ex-Champion in the tune of 9-0. I don't think much more is said beside how a blatant smack in the face a #1 contender seeding is to the DEFENDING champ. In some cases the top ten can't withstand a grueling season, the force is strong with this one.

Soulstice: Complex, intuitive and overall talent excretes from his pores. Soulstice is our very own AOWL season ONE champion and won with ease to say the least, including 3 playoff no-show/automatic Wins (Red Glares Alter Ego). Still soul has the skill to drop 6 verses out of 12 that are all HOF worthy if he so chooses. Classic Red pill Blue pill scenario.

Frank: He will be the only person I can say is all but a lock to make the final four. I honestly don't think anyone whose anyone would even argue that. Frank tends to point a fully cocked barrel at his own five little piggies now and again, so... lets play sir.


Champions League

Vulgar: Hello friends, let me introduce you to a man who can write about Egyptian rats and the thrones they control while spinning the spool in tune of an easy victory over far above average competition. The man who can write about the garden of Eden and the fruit cut off symbolizing dragons and fairytale ramblings of empires that dethrone a king eluding to himself...That there is that dude who simply can write a novel better then you can write a verse. Vulgar!

sacrifice: Wood works are extending arms in this one. Although I don't think Sac has the style of the common fan, he does have the skill far above average, a bit understated. Sac has participated in the final round 3 of the last 4 times he's been brought out of his cave. Fear not, for SacriFICE is the ultimate Fallacy of a name.

dead man: OK, so Dead can drop the lights out of the Superbowl game and not be criticized. His flow is the Janet Jackson of nipples; always recognized yet still fantasized. His style is the Joann of Arc of battle; 5 generations too soon to be considered on Ann Frank's level. A gentlemen among linguists who simply battles himself with actually trying.





Preseason Power Five

5. ZYG
Expect him to drop early and often. In laymens terms, simply off the effin grid. Top 5 by end of season or Bust.

4. Frank
The individual who epitomizes linguistic exuberance. He might not go undefeated...But a top 4 seed is all but guaranteed.

3. El Pancake
The reigning champion always returns in top form...Just ask the Ravens after signing Flacco @dagod . Pancake will drop gems like curse words from a Tourettes kid...Word.

2. dead man
Dead has been known to leave a league in wake. He's also been known to miss more bouts than NYCSPITZ due to lack of effort. Dead is here due to fair reasoning, however; if said motivation some how at any point in AOWL 3 rises, then a final four isn't just likely, but probable.

1. sacrifice
Hard for me as a B-boy/Projectrhyme member to vote against dude. Sac is a bitch, we all know this ;) … But we also know Sac is to writing to what Vick is to Dogs... Lime light and Graves nig...Lime Light and Graves.



Welcome to Week 1
NEW RULES by Certain
A new season brings a few tweaks to the rule book. You should read the entire thing, but here are the three changes you need to know.





When can and can't I edit my verse?

Editing verses led to a few controversies last year, and there's simply no reason for that. This season, we're implementing a new system that will be more clear and more fair to both opponents.

From now on, editing a verse is allowed until either the first vote is dropped or the extension deadline (Friday, 11:59 p.m. PT), whichever comes first. That means you have no real advantage holding on to your verse until the last possible moment because the person who posts first still is allowed to edit his verse until that first vote is dropped or until the extension deadline.

That also means that if you post at the extension deadline, you're out of luck as far as editing. This rule absolutely will be enforced if anyone tries to skirt it. Don't make me do that.


How can I make the playoffs?

Last season's playoff qualifications were a bit difficult to sort out down the stretch. This season, I've come up with a system that has a few new wrinkles but actually should be less confusing.

First, there's the two methods of automatical qualification: win the regular-season title or participate in at least 14 weeks without no-showing, being disqualified or not voting. Those are both new automatic qualifiers, though in a shorter season, there really was no way anyone would win the regular-season title and not make the playoffs.

If you fail to land an automatic bid, you'll be relying on your won-loss record. Seeding and entry will be determined by number of wins. But if there are ties for the last spot or for seeding, those will be broken by winning percentage. The rules thread goes into further detail on other tiebreakers.

The new qualifiers mean two things: Once you win a regular-season title, you theoretically can sign out for the rest of the season and wait for the playoffs (though you'd be killing your tournament seeding), and even if you're losing quite a bit, you can make the playoffs just by following the rules.


What's up with the topics?

I will be selecting topics every week. The first week is phrase topics, then quote topics, then story leads followed by pictures. Those topic styles will cycle through four times by the end of the season.

The story leads are relatively new here but formed the bedrock of topical writing in the past. I'm not sure Netcees topical leagues have every used them before. In the first week they are applied, the topics will not be assigned to writers but rather posted in a topic thread, so that each writer may choose his topic (or, ideally, agree with his opponent on his topic).

Writing styles will be kept in mind for topic selections, as you'll see in my predictions each week. I hope to never provide a topic that overwhelmingly favors one writer over the other, but I also want battle-specific topics that work to the writers' advantages.



PREDICTIONS by Certain
Week 1's topics are the titles of famous novels, but it might not help to know anything about the source material. Matchups were randomized using a generator 10 times, as evidenced here.





Exoduzt vs. ZYG | "The Stranger"
The main prediction here is that ZYG will have his verse posted within two hours of the thread going up. That might be an underestimation. I don't have enough information about Exoduzt to know how he will approach this topic, but he drew an exceptionally difficult Week 1 matchup. He might be able to use his more abstract style to his advantage on this very open topic. I'm excited to see what ZYG, a master at approaching complex topics, does with something this broad. He has to be the favorite. Prediction: ZYG 75-25.


maths debate vs. El Pancake | "Invisible Man"
The title defense starts with this, an unknown opponent who spends most of his time trolling in the discussion forum. I have no idea what to expect from maths debate. Is he actually Lars, as Just C speculated? That'd be a hell of a twist, but I don't see it. El Pancake should be able to handle this topic deftly. It lends itself to emotional writing, which is what he specializes in. My favorite Beatles song is "Nowhere Man." I hedge only because of my unfamiliarity with maths debate. Prediction: El Pancake 68-32.


Split Eight vs. Mike Wrecka | "Great Expectations"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! You can't make these things up. These two have been cantankerous toward one another for quite a bit now, with each finding the other generally worthless and terrible. So the randomizer decided they finally must do battle. I'm more excited for this one than any other this round because I think both of these guys get a little underrated, and I like them both. Mike Wrecka and I co-ran Season 2, and Split Eight and I have collaborated three times. How does the topic come into play? It's a versatile one that's geared toward storytelling but not necessarily plot-heavy storytelling. I expect Split Eight to tell a vague but pretty story about heartbreak, while Mike Wrecka gives us a grounded verse about a paternal relationship. Prediction: Mike Wrecka 51-49.


Vulgar vs. King Ra. | "The Double Helix"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! I gave these guys one of the week's more abstract topics because I think it will suit both really well. Vulgar obviously is known for his ability with high-falutin thoughts, and I expect him to kick this topic's ass with some philosophy on evolution. But King Ra. should handle this very well, too. He likes to write about history, and I think an evolutionary dissection could be coming from him as well. If he's original enough, he could beat Vulgar. Or Vulgar might write so densely that voters can't connect, another way for King Ra. to pull the upset. But make no mistake, that would be an upset. Prediction: Vulgar 60-40.


Soulstice vs. Adonis | "Sons and Lovers"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! This might end up being the prettiest battle of the week, with two poetic veterans facing off and a topic engineered for them. Soulstice has a better grip on the mechanical aspects of topical writing, but he also has lost his past two battles on this site because of failing to apply his topics well enough. Adonis is an interesting writer, easy to underrate and underestimate because he's been around for a while. That same experience gives him an edge when he's overmatched. Still, Soulstice is the better writer here, assuming he shows. Prediction: Soulstice 57-43.


H4ZE vs. dead man | "Darkness at Noon"
This might be the biggest mismatch of the round. dead man might be the best writer in the league, and H4ZE is a newcomer with some potential but nowhere near the polish or skill dead man possesses. The only way dead man loses is if he ignores the topic, which is doubtful. But H4ZE should take this as a good opportunity to get his feet wet and see what it's like to take on the best. Prediction: dead man 95-5.


Diode vs. neutral | "The Idiot"
My knowledge of neutral is based on a single cypher verse, so don't read too much into this. But in that cypher verse, neutral showed real talent with rhymes, which is a weak spot for Diode. Not many people can tell a clean story from end to end as well as Diode, but neutral looks like a pretty talented writer himself. This topic is one of my favorites of the round. It begs for a well-rounded story but also could be used for an introspective verse. I don't know who neutral is or how he might go about approaching a topic, so this prediction is tough for me. I'm going to be conservative here, only to a degree. Prediction: Diode 59-41.


oats vs. Rawn MD | "Brave New World"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! I don't know whether Rawn MD will no-show this week or some other time, but an eventual no-show does seem inevitable. Until that happens, he's actually a pretty good writer with strong rhyme schemes and good topical versatility. He's sloppy, though, and oats is better than him at pretty much ever aspect of this discipline. I haven't read Aldous Huxley's most famous novel, but it's high on my list. I bet both of these guys have at least read something by Huxley, as oats is an English major and Rawn MD a big fan of dystopian fiction. That makes this battle more interesting and merits the potential battle of the week tag. Prediction: oats 63-37.


YDK vs. Ink | "Dead Souls"
Ink has been away for a bit, while YDK has soldered on. But he also has been beaten down a bit lately, losing his past five battles by my count. That's not as much an indictment against YDK's ability as it is the levels of those opponents (Frank, Innovator, King Ra., El Pancake and Totoro). Ink fits well onto that list if he's not rusty, but YDK is good enough to beat him either way. The key will be a renewed focus and original concept. This topic falls a bit on the cliché side, so how each manages to avoid those trappings will be interesting. I'm leaning toward Ink from what I've seen of him, but I expect a close match. Prediction: Ink 53-47.


Objective vs. Just Write | "Freedom in Chains"
I thought about dropping the "battle of the week contender" tag on this match, but then thought better of it. This instead is a matchup of two underrated writers who can really tell interesting stories. It also is a rematch from last season, when Just Write shut out Objective. I like this topic with this match because I think it will give them both a shot to create something new, an original story about someone finding peace in slavery or some other twist on the topic. This topic in the right hands could be used as a basis for a reflective verse on personal freedoms, but I think these two would be better off going with stories. Just Write is the more polished writer of the two, so I'm giving him the edge. Prediction: Just Write 58-42.


sacrifice vs. Frank | "Things Fall Apart"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! And let's be honest: If both of these gentlemen show to their full capabilities, nothing is getting in the way of that tag belonging here. sacrifice is a certified legend, but to my knowledge, he hasn't been on the topical circuit in quite a while. How he translates his audio pursuits back to text will be pivotal. This topic can work well for non-storytelling writing, which is an advantage, but it also should play well into Frank's hands as a master bard. Both of these guys have been around forever, but Frank only now is putting his name in the topical books as one of the best. He doesn't have sacrifice's polish, but he does have a greater desire. Frank operates best when he has a chip on his shoulder, and he would love to beat one of the greats. Will sacrifice match his fervor? Will he even show? I can't be sure. Prediction: Frank 56-44.


Genocide vs. TYSON | "The Trial"
I'm not sure what to make of this battle because I'm not sure how much effort either will put in. TYSON has a no-show-heavy track record, but Genocide was reluctant to sign in at all. I expect Genocide to bring at least something, as he doesn't seem to no-show very often, and he's the better writer. I could see him writing something about a divorce or child-support hearing or something like that. TYSON hopefully will write the same verse he was going to with my original topic choice for him, "Lolita." Prediction: Genocide 58-42.


Clockwerk vs. WZA | "Blindness"
Newcomers! The computer left this as basically the only battle between two people whom I've never seen in a topical battle, so that's exciting. I know nothing about Clockwerk and wouldn't be surprised if he didn't show up. WZA has posted a few interestingly structured Open Mic verses that show some potential, though he is rough around the edges. This topic is interesting in that there's a really straightforward way to approach it along with dozens of metaphorical takes. Prediction: WZA 60-40.


Witty vs. Innovator | "City of Glass"
I like this battle because it pits two interesting writers. Witty is the much more technically proficient of the two, but Innovator is a veteran who can pull some nice poetry out of his hat. The topic is one of the vaguest of the round, leaving a lot of opportunity for both of these guys to do their metaphor magic. I think the winner will be the one who handles those metaphors more cleanly. If both end up writing jumbled messes, though, Witty will win because of his aggressive rhyming. Prediction: Witty 62-38.


patrown vs. Aesthetic | "One Lonely Night"
I don't know what will happen here. patrown is the better writer, but his tendency to write short verses has led him to losses against lesser writers before. Aesthetic is a bit of a weirdo, but he's a weirdo in a somewhat charming way and seems to really want to get good. This topic could fit well for either. I think it lends itself best to a story, but it might work for a reflective verse as well. Aesthetic probably will write the more original story, but patrown will create a vivid scene or two with better wording and rhymes. Prediction: patrown 52-48.


timeless vs. dyedinthewool | "On the Road"
I don't know anything about dyedinthewool, as stated in his competitor capsule. So I have no idea what he might have in store for us on this pretty easy topic. timeless has improved with seemingly every verse I've read from him, so I'm really looking forward to his growth as this season goes on. I expect him to work with a story here, and hopefully he'll come up with an original plot to build on. dyedinthewool has been somewhat active in the Discussion forum, so a no-show may not be coming. That makes the following prediction completely worthless. Prediction: timeless 55-45.


Kyzo vs. ZeeDee | "Native Son"
Here's another book on my reading list and another book title that makes for a very interesting topic. ZeeDee is one of the most creative ever to do this, and I expect a tale of bombast and uniqueness (if he shows). But he can write in all sorts of styles, and his true consistent trait is his fluid rhyming. Kyzo is a bit of a wild card. He has a sense of humor, but I'm not sure it translates to his writing. I don't know how he'll choose to attack this topic, but he's a good writer and could make it interesting. This was a close cut when I was choosing the battle of the week contenders, but I think the chance of a no-show from either is too high. Prediction: ZeeDee 64-36.


Mr. J vs. dull boy | "Goodbye To All That"
BATTLE OF THE WEEK CONTENDER! When I came up with this as a topic, I knew I wanted to give it to a pair of explosive, emotional lyricists. So when I then did the randomization and saw this matchup, the pairing seemed natural. Mr. J can hang with anyone when he finds his groove in a more abstract verse, where he can build and tear down images. But the truth is that no one can flat-out write as well as dull boy on this site. If he shows, he should win. Prediction: dull boy 65-35.


Totoro vs. Alphabet | "Parade's End"
Among the more active writers to sign up, these two are among the most likely to no-show. But the good news is I think Totoro has something to prove (and knows a win will give him a good shot at getting an elite writer next round, which he craves). So I'm expecting him to show. And if he shows and addresses the topic (not a given), it's tough to imagine Alphabet beating him. Alphabet has a very strong grasp of rhyme mechanics but has never particularly impressed me with his content or diction. This topic is a pretty strong one, lending itself to all sorts of writing styles. A great approach could lead Alphabet to the upset. Prediction: Totoro 69-31.


Vividlyvague vs. Verb | "The Sound and the Fury"
This topic could be used as a descriptor for Vividlyvague's writing style. He is almost a lock to show and post something wild and imaginative. Verb's best bet would be to play it tighter and go for the error-free approach. Clean verses stand out well against sloppiness, which Vividlyvague is prone to and I remind him about all the time to the point that he undoubtedly hates me for it. Prediction: Vividlyvague 63-37.


Dill Pickle vs. Greed | "The Good Soldier"
I have no idea who Dill Pickle is. I have never seen Greed write anything beyond battle and swag-and-flow verses. I thought this topic would be one of the easiest to use, so I gave it to two unknown commodities. My recommendation is to think about the duality of the topic. I'm actually going to favor Dill Pickle here because his verse on dead man vs. Nigma intrigued me enough to think he might know what he's doing. Prediction: Dill Pickle 52-48.


Cereal_Killa vs. Black Glacier | "As I Lay Dying"
Black Glacier might be good, for all I know, but I have a hard time seeing her beating an established veteran such as Cereal_Killa (unless he no-shows or gets really lazy). This topic is pretty direct in theory, but I'd love to see a more nuanced take on what it means. It's not as though William Faulkner's novel was simply the stream of consciousness of a dying person. Prediction: Cereal_Killa 75-25.



Until Next Time
CONCLUSION by Certain


I never know what exactly to say in these. I think this will be a terrific season for the Art of Writing League. And I'll be here to hopefully entertain you with these magazines. Thanks to Mike Wrecka, oats, Vulgar and Adonis for assisting with this magazine. Thanks to El Pancake for running The Winter Topical. Thanks to everyone who joined here for being part of the last great topical league's third season. With that, let's fade out to a song from an album that turned 20 years old earlier this month.

[TYSON]

*cough* beat genocide already *cough*

[Lars]

maths debate is categorically not me

theres not a high enough lulz to post ratio

[Ink]

great read guys

[Clockwerk]

An interesting read, nice work.

[Just Write]

Wow. Great job guys. A lot of work went into this and it sgows. Appreciate it fellas :)

[Aesthetic]

Fantastic fucking read. Goodluck to everyone.

I dont know if I was feeling the Audio mag, was very slow rambling. I Kinda wanted to move onto the reading.
Just letting you know.


he called me charming <3

[PancakeBrah]

Read all of it. I wish that conversation between oats and Vulgar was even longer, that was great.

Listening to the audio now. As a big fan of podcasts, including Bill Burr's one person MMP, I don't mind so-called 'slow rambling'

This was obviously excellent and very in-depth. Props to all the contributors and to Certain for doing most of the heavy lifting. I know it's a process to get these mammoth magazines out but they really do help the vitality of the league.

Awesome.

[Certain]

Originally Posted by El Pancake

Read all of it. I wish that conversation between oats and Vulgar was even longer, that was great.

Speaking of which, I'd like to make that sort of thing a weekly feature between different writers, preferably veterans. Anyone with interest, let me know.

[Certain]

Originally Posted by Aesthetic

I dont know if I was feeling the Audio mag, was very slow rambling. I Kinda wanted to move onto the reading.
Just letting you know.

I'm going to try to figure out how to turn audio segments into slideshows with entertaining pictures. Also, they won't be as long in the future, probably 10 minutes.

[dyedinthewool]

Well well well. This was a very very good read and the season has yet to begin. This was awesome

[Eŋg]

putting in that work. props. oats/vulg section was really very good. will read the rest.

Strengths: He signed in.

leaned.

can write about the garden of Eden and the fruit cut off symbolizing dragons

i actually did this in a collab with him. fuck you.

[Inno]

this might be the greatest topical season EVER.
@Certain.

absolutely fantanstic job.

fuck you @Witty

[dyedinthewool]

Originally Posted by Innovator

this might be the greatest topical season EVER.
@Certain.

absolutely fantanstic job.

fuck you @Witty

no no fuck YOU sir :(

[Witty]

Originally Posted by Innovator

this might be the greatest topical season EVER.
@Certain.

absolutely fantanstic job.

fuck you @Witty

<3

[Witty]

Originally Posted by dyedinthewool

no no fuck YOU sir :(

I know you always got my back <3

YEAH FAT FUCK YOU SIR.

[Witty]

btw @Certain I won't no show...but I might tho, but I won't.

I dunno...maybe.

Perhaps.

I'M AN ENIGMA.

[Inno]

hell fucking no show.

prolly due to him brushing fox hair all day.

who the fuck is this wool person?

[Witty]

Originally Posted by Innovator

hell fucking no show.

prolly due to him brushing fox hair all day.

who the fuck is this wool person?

[e11even]

This mag was delicious. The audio mag was more in - depth than I expected as well. Keep up the terrific work!