Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 6:11am

Yeah, that clip is brutal! I kinda like the challenge, though.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 6:25am

Yea, me too. Once I get an idea it's easy sailing from there. 

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 9:08am

Alright, I think I've narrowed it down to two equally brilliant ideas. Now begins the ardous task of defining the chances of success for each, then selecting the one option with the greatest likelihood of devastating whatever the Moon throws at me.

May the strangest particle win.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 10:24am

I think I'll post it in the correct thread this time:

I'm pretty psyched for my story..It's been rattling around in my head in various forms for at least a year and the prompt was the final piece I needed to put it together. Look out, Renfield. Look out.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 10:31am

What was the prompt, Sound? I guess I could go back and weed through stuff, but I'm a lazy son of a bitch.

Michael.Eric.Snyder's picture
Michael.Eric.Snyder March 28, 2013 - 10:40am

I just want to say that it speaks to the power of cultivating bonsai as a means of creative self-expression, reverance for Asian culture and the beautification of nature in concentrated form, where layers of meaning can be found in each crook, split, twist, each pulpy sinew, needle or deciduous leaf, or indeed each annual, aromatic, spectacular blooming, not unlike the meanings, spriitual, aesthetic, philosophical or otherwise coded within the works of art at your local museum, or library for that matter, that despite such a pathetic, boring, mind-numbing prompt, so arduously tedious that after mere minutes I felt how one must feel coming out of a drug-induced haze back into the shattering headache of reality, I can still really enjoy imagining spritzing them with effeminate flair.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 10:55am

^yup, that's how I feel about bonsai. Don't have the patience to do it, though.

And my prompt was on the last page, the gif of the chick dancing all crazy-like.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 11:03am

LOL, Michael, that was beautiful, man. *wipes a tear off his cheek*

Oh yeah, Sound, I vaguely remember seeing that, and being so disturbed by it that I repressed the memory. I think I just missed whose prompt it was. Good luck with that, I look forward to seeing what you make from it!

Michael.Eric.Snyder's picture
Michael.Eric.Snyder March 28, 2013 - 11:12am

It's a crazy-ass, confounding prompt, and so therefore I loved it and felt it deserved its own tedious response. Now getting a story out of that? Good luck you guys. I'm picturing a wrinkled, diminutive Asian man with a severe mustache, age spots the color of dark mustard and a pet ferret hanging from his shoulder, behind which looms a large sign that reads "MURDER IS GOOD" in all capital, fire-engine-red letters, and that looms in and out of focus depending on the position from which he's decided to angle his fawning bonsai spritzing.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 11:13am

Wow, Michael, you sure you don't want to joing their party? Seems like you have a story already.

And Strange, I hope so too. I think I have something, but who knows if it's worthy.

 

Michael.Eric.Snyder's picture
Michael.Eric.Snyder March 28, 2013 - 11:14am

Nope! I don't work well under pressure. :(

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 11:14am

@Michael: ahh, what?

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 11:15am

I'm sure it's more than worthy.

And no, I don't want another threeway battle like the Utah v. JGB v. Me last year, that was enough of a cluster fuck that I don't want to endure any more of an ass-whooping than I'm already gonna get from Moon, himself.

I love you Michael, like a neighbor I've nodded silently to while getting the paper, but you can't play with Moon's and my bonsai.

Michael.Eric.Snyder's picture
Michael.Eric.Snyder March 28, 2013 - 11:16am

LOL, no worries. You guyz go gettum. :)

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 11:16am

Yea, only women and myself are allowed the trim my bonsai!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 11:29am

Woah, woah, woah. What kind of bonsai are you talking about?

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 11:33am

Easy, people, we're on thin ice with the direction of this horticultural discussion.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 11:39am

Now I"m really curious what your stories will look like.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 11:53am

Sound, when does yours, about the epileptic dancer, get posted?

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 28, 2013 - 11:56am

epileptic dancer,

Flagged as offensive

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 11:59am

Just when I stop laughing, Utah brings me back in!

If I sent you a fruit basket, Utah, would you take it the wrong way?

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 28, 2013 - 12:01pm

would you take it the wrong way?

Is there a wrong way to take a fruit?

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 12:04pm

Hey, you never know. I have recently come to find that one can take just about anything the wrong way.

Now that I think about it, I've offered you cake and fruit in less than a few hours. I hope you don't think I'm trying to fatten you up. I mean, sure, I've thought about what human flesh might taste like, but that isn't what is behind this. I promise.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 12:05pm

In another week. I forget exactly what date.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 12:06pm

Sound, was there some sort of delay for you guys? I thought that prompt was from at least a few days ago.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 12:34pm

We're doing two weeks, no workshop posting.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 12:37pm

See, this is why I like you. Even though I'm in the wrong for being too lazy to go back a page or two and find out for myself, you still are nice enough to fill me in. What a guy... I'll kill you last. And the most painlessly.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 12:37pm

A little late on this one. You guys are too hard to keep up with.

 

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 12:40pm

Holy shit, dude, that is the newest entry on the list of movies I NEED to see.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 12:47pm

Holy shit, dude, you've never seen Half Baked? Classic stoner movie, man. Right up there with How High, Friday and Dazed and Confused. Dave Chappelle, man! Need I say more?

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 12:49pm

I've seen Friday, but none of the others. I have a weird hatred of anything related to the pot culture. Which is odd, since I love classic rock.

I'll have to check those other movies you mentioned out.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 12:58pm

Oh, man. Fuck Half Baked. Watch Dazed and Confused ASAP. It has one of the best soundtracks I have heard. Movie takes place in the 70's. It's a 'stoner' movie, but a fucking classic movie. And not just in the stoner sense. Here's the opening scene. One of the best openers of all time.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 1:05pm

Hate the imagery of drug use, but LOVE the song. So, I will have to get past my own hangups and watch this. Thanks for the recommendation.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 1:08pm

Yep... Yeah, just suspend your hate of drug use for an hour and a half and watch a fucking great movie. Also, it's Matthew McCounghey's(?) first and best role in a movie. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 28, 2013 - 1:16pm

"Matthew McCounghey's(?) first and best role in a movie."

AGREED!  I quote him in that movie at LEAST once a month. 

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 1:22pm

AGREED!  I quote him in that movie at LEAST once a month. 

- Ha! I took some weird test on FB awhile back and it told me I was Wooderson. I wasn't entirely sure how to take it, though. I have long since given up hanging out at the high school looking for chicks. But, I do love them redheads.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 1:25pm

Wait, there are redheads in this movie???

And also wait, Matthew McaughneIcan'tspellhislastname has movies where he is considered a good actor in them???

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 1:36pm

I've never watched all of Dazed and Confused.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 1:40pm

Wait, there are redheads in this movie???

- Probably more than one, but the main chick is Marissa Ribisi.

To go off topic and bring it back to Thunderdome, in light of recent events here I've decided that I will write everybody in the first 2k words of my story, then write all of you out in the last 2k words. No one left out and everyone dies. Except me, of course. I'm the author, dammit!

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics March 28, 2013 - 1:42pm

See, equal opportunity slaughter is the way to go, every time.

SConley's picture
SConley from Texas is reading Coin Locker Babies March 28, 2013 - 1:44pm

Dazed and Confused never really struck me as a stoner comedy. They only smoke weed a couple of times and the story isn't about them being high, with the exception of Slater. It really is a classic though.

Frank Chapel's picture
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works March 28, 2013 - 4:37pm

Hi, I was apparently challenged, but did not notice until receiving a PM today. As i'm new to this I await direction.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like March 28, 2013 - 4:49pm

Who challenged you?

Frank Chapel's picture
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works March 28, 2013 - 5:08pm

Jonathan Riley

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like March 28, 2013 - 5:10pm

You either accept (with or without specific terms) or decline. If you accept, then someone prompts the two of you. Then you write and post in accordance with whatever terms there are.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland March 28, 2013 - 5:27pm

I re-challenge thee Frank Chapel.

How bout we post a story in the workshop one week from today. Midnight central time next thursday. The following thursday by midnight send me your final draft. I'll create a poll Thursday evening or Friday morning with both documents for a voting poll so we don't have to spend 15 more points in the workshop unless we decide to workshop them again after the voting. The poll will be open for one week for the public to vote on and I'll remove the stories after the duel.  If you prefer an anononymous duel/ that's cool too. We can just do  a one or two week writing period and I'll post an anonymous poll at the end?

Which would you rather do Frank?
 

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 28, 2013 - 5:29pm

Do you guys already have a prompt?

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest March 28, 2013 - 5:30pm

I was a bit miffed with Sound's prompt, but no I am no longer miffed. I have realized an idea and it is great. 

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt March 28, 2013 - 5:32pm

They have mine, if they still wish to use it.

I'm telling you, bonsai as a prompt are amazing.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland March 28, 2013 - 5:33pm

@Utah, Sound posted one after my initial challenge before I ever spoke with Frank. Since that was last Friday we probably need a fresh one to keep the playing field even. Please wait until Frank accepts the terms in this thread.

@Frank,

I'm also a fan of the 2500 word limit because shorter stories typically garnish more reads and votes. I'm willing to go as high as 3,200 if you think we need the extra words. Let me know what terms you want to agree to.

Thanks

--Jonathan--