Well, let's see what we can do about all of this.
For the people who have already expressed interest in the contest, I would like it if the contest remained open for at least a little bit. Arguments about whether fanfiction is considered real writing aside, I'm sure they've put at least some effort into their stories, and to pull the plug on them because the thread's imploded on itself... well it's just not very nice. We can cut the deadline short so the thread doesn't get more attention than it's already gotten, but I'd like to see these guys at least finish what they've started, even if only a few people are sending in entries.
I'd also ask that the entries should be placed under Spoiler tags, with a warning above the tags as to their content. That way, people just browsing the topic can avoid the story if they don't want to read it, and it'll be easier browsing the thread.
Again, as Tripe mentioned beforehand, the rules did not state that Slash, itself, was an absolute requirement in these entries. He specified "Shipper and Slash" stories as a way to illustrate that romance, in general, had to involved in some way. His wording just implied he didn't care what kind of romance it was, I thought. And the contest was all in good fun. I'm sorry to see it devolve to this, and I'm especially sorry that I had a hand in bringing it down to this.
Afterwards, I would like to open another topic/poll and get everybody's opinion on the idea of the contests. I'll throw a few ideas out to you guys, and we'll decide there whether we should continue these contests in the future, whether in this form or in another form altogether, or just pull the plug on them, altogether. I've got a few ideas for contests in the future that might sit a little better with some people in this thread, but I'd like to save this discussion for that topic, specifically, and save this thread for the current contest.
... How does that sound?