aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.March 8, 2012 - 4:37pm
My prompt is limiting so its a challenge.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksMarch 8, 2012 - 4:42pm
Ha, I think they all are! I'd guess so at least. Its really pushing me to think. I've got a fucking migraine from it already.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8March 8, 2012 - 5:00pm
Mine was perfect. 800 words in.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 5:47pm
Mine just said I could write whatever I want...
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksMarch 8, 2012 - 5:48pm
You're not supposed to talk about the prompts!
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 5:48pm
< ---- disqualified....
.
March 8, 2012 - 5:50pm
The first rule of WAR: DON'T TALK ABOUT WAR!
My prompt is damn difficult too.
No matter, I've already got pen to paper.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksMarch 8, 2012 - 5:53pm
I think I'm gonna let mine stew for a bit before trying anything.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 5:56pm
Americantypo - agreed. I need to let it settle in.
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 6:00pm
good luck guys!!!
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 6:00pm
i mean, BURN IN FLAMES! YOU SUCK!
yeah, still no good with the threats....
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 6:02pm
I think I'm gonna let mine stew for a bit before trying anything.
- Agreed. I think I'm going to give myself 9 days and 23 hours to think about it. LOL!!!
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesMarch 8, 2012 - 6:11pm
love my prompt, really interested to see how we differ in our approaches. i'm already thinking "okay, here's the obvious story" then turn left, twist, turn right, back up "now, how about we start HERE" turn left, jump ahead "no wait, this way in"...
no idea.
but i'm stoked.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 8, 2012 - 6:14pm
@jacks: Dude, I love your prompt! There are so many possibilities with that.
Richard's too. Lotta directions to go with those.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsMarch 8, 2012 - 6:15pm
I don't know why I thought the prompts would be more in-depth, but maybe some are. :P
I already had a minor idea pop into my head, but I'm going to let it brew a bit.
I'd joke about the prompt and say something completly ridiculous like "Mine wants me to write a story about a unicorn that fires lasers from its horn," but knowing my luck that would be an actual prompt.
....ah crap!
.
March 8, 2012 - 6:53pm
What exactly are the guidlines of the prompts? Should the plot revolve around them?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 7:10pm
I had my first exciting twinkle of idea for my story! I'm pleased.
XyZy
from New York City is reading Seveneves and Animal MoneyMarch 8, 2012 - 7:15pm
Damn... I was hoping that wouldn't happen.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 7:26pm
Hah!! I was worried it wouldn't for a minute there.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.March 8, 2012 - 7:38pm
@jack--I would assume so. I doubt he would say "tranvestite hookers enter a bar' and then expect you to write a story about nuns.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.March 8, 2012 - 7:39pm
The main problem is outthinking yourself. I was trying to imagine what my opponent will write and then write something different but then I realized they will do that too so I'm going to write the obvious thing but then twist it to make my opponent look stupid! Yeah, that's it!!
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchMarch 8, 2012 - 7:45pm
Americantypo, just so you know, the prompt fits perfectly with a story I already have... I've been perfecting it for years now so it's so polished and shiny that it causes solar storms.
Umm... in fact I'm waiting you to come up with an idea so I can steal it.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesMarch 8, 2012 - 7:45pm
only thing i can think of is it can't be an afterthought, it has to feel like a primary part of the story, a pillar holding it up, not some thin little branch. make sense?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 7:52pm
Yeah, that's what I think.
@Alien - I went through those same things. But, what will the OTHER person write? Which I know is crazy. All we can do is write the best story we can and hope for the best.
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 7:52pm
right, like if someone was describing the story the prompt would definitely be a main part of what they were saying...
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterMarch 8, 2012 - 7:53pm
Obviously we can't discuss the nature of the prompts, but I will say that mine isn't something I'm easily able to "plug in" to an existing story idea. I have an idea board with a bunch of things I plan on writing at some point. And this prompt is forcing me to come up with a completely new idea. Pretty cool stuff.
Mine isn't either, so I can't "cheat" my way through this. Luckily for me, I had today off, so I got to do some brainstorming while I was cleaning the house. I've come up with a plot that's exciting, but I'm not yet passionate about it, so it'll be interesting to see where a week of writing is going to take me.
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 7:57pm
only thing i can think of is it can't be an afterthought, it has to feel like a primary part of the story, a pillar holding it up, not some thin little branch. make sense?
- Do we have to use the prompt in a literal sense, or can we go metaphorical with it? Although, I can say that the idea I've come up with has a bit of both.
Dave
from a city near you is reading constantlyMarch 8, 2012 - 8:02pm
What Moon said. Thoughts?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:03pm
Maybe PM Utah with that. He knows your prompt. But he may not be on tonight. Not that I know where he is or anything. I mean, I do follow him. But not all the time.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:28pm
Edit - because I thought of a smarter answer.
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 8:07pm
Yeah, I know what you mean. My prompt can be taken very literal, but the idea that's popped into my mind isn't literal, in sense, but more metaphorical. However, like I said above, there are literal aspects to it.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:09pm
If it were me, I'd say use your discretion. No one is going to be disqualified for how they use the prompt (I don't think) but the voters will know your prompt and probably consider who did the best job with that prompt.
So my (un)official answer would be that it is up to you how you use it, just keep the above in mind.
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 8:14pm
what avery said
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 8:15pm
Okay... Thanks ladies...
Dave
from a city near you is reading constantlyMarch 8, 2012 - 8:21pm
I would say thats part of the process is our interpretation and presentation of the prompt.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:23pm
Dave - very true.
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 8:24pm
as r. moon would say "EXACTAMUNDO, BRAD!"
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 8:26pm
i mean, he'd say dave, but then probably not at all since r. moon was asking the questions but if i'd thought all that out i wouldn't have gotten to make the photo reference....
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksMarch 8, 2012 - 8:30pm
I've got a few ideas but haven't settled on one yet. Will wake up tomorrow and see what comes to mind first and just go with it I think.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:33pm
I won't say how much I've written, or what I've written about, but I will say I've use the word 'fuck' several times. Not necessarily in the writing. But at least concerning the writing.
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 8, 2012 - 8:35pm
Why box yourselves in? I'm voting for the best story not necessarily how brilliant someone used that prompt. Two very different things. Granted if it's a wash on which story to vote for like they are that close I might consider how cleverly the writer used a prompt but the fact is that the prompt is 1) arbitrary and 2) meant to keep people from using old work. That said I'd never give more weight to something based on those two things than say the author's skill at basic storytelling. But others might... Ah just write a good story and be as creative as possible surprise and dazzle me. It's not rocket science ... Or is it?
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 8:37pm
Actually Manda, I probably would've said something like: 'Look at the big brains on Avery!' Of course, I would've also improvised and said: 'Look at the big jumblies of Avery!'
Nighty Nite
from NJ is reading Grimscribe: His Lives and WorksMarch 8, 2012 - 8:38pm
The main problem is outthinking yourself. I was trying to imagine what my opponent will write and then write something different but then I realized they will do that too so I'm going to write the obvious thing but then twist it to make my opponent look stupid! Yeah, that's it!!
All warfare is based on deception. And I shall decieve you into believing I'm not wise to your plans, but I am. Then I'll write the opposite of what I'm planning on writing, and then at the last moment I'll loop around and write the opposite of that. Then erase the entire thing and write something new.
Do you like apples?
How do you like them apples?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:38pm
I THOUGHT WE HAD GOTTEN PAST THAT.
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 DigestMarch 8, 2012 - 8:39pm
Hey, I hadn't taken any jabs at your jumblies. I had to get one in. I'm done now.
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 8, 2012 - 8:40pm
:-)
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.March 8, 2012 - 8:43pm
I'm going to write a story about a writer writing a story about the prompt but have the story the writer writes be the prompt that the writer is writing in the story. Get it?
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 8, 2012 - 8:43pm
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 8, 2012 - 8:44pm
Pretty chestie
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:44pm
Alien...that's sort of brilliant. Of course now you can't use it.
My prompt is limiting so its a challenge.
Ha, I think they all are! I'd guess so at least. Its really pushing me to think. I've got a fucking migraine from it already.
Mine was perfect. 800 words in.
Mine just said I could write whatever I want...
You're not supposed to talk about the prompts!
< ---- disqualified....
The first rule of WAR: DON'T TALK ABOUT WAR!
My prompt is damn difficult too.
No matter, I've already got pen to paper.
I think I'm gonna let mine stew for a bit before trying anything.
Americantypo - agreed. I need to let it settle in.
good luck guys!!!
i mean, BURN IN FLAMES! YOU SUCK!
yeah, still no good with the threats....
love my prompt, really interested to see how we differ in our approaches. i'm already thinking "okay, here's the obvious story" then turn left, twist, turn right, back up "now, how about we start HERE" turn left, jump ahead "no wait, this way in"...
no idea.
but i'm stoked.
@jacks: Dude, I love your prompt! There are so many possibilities with that.
Richard's too. Lotta directions to go with those.
I don't know why I thought the prompts would be more in-depth, but maybe some are. :P
I already had a minor idea pop into my head, but I'm going to let it brew a bit.
I'd joke about the prompt and say something completly ridiculous like "Mine wants me to write a story about a unicorn that fires lasers from its horn," but knowing my luck that would be an actual prompt.
....ah crap!
What exactly are the guidlines of the prompts? Should the plot revolve around them?
I had my first exciting twinkle of idea for my story! I'm pleased.
Damn... I was hoping that wouldn't happen.
Hah!! I was worried it wouldn't for a minute there.
@jack--I would assume so. I doubt he would say "tranvestite hookers enter a bar' and then expect you to write a story about nuns.
The main problem is outthinking yourself. I was trying to imagine what my opponent will write and then write something different but then I realized they will do that too so I'm going to write the obvious thing but then twist it to make my opponent look stupid! Yeah, that's it!!
Americantypo, just so you know, the prompt fits perfectly with a story I already have... I've been perfecting it for years now so it's so polished and shiny that it causes solar storms.
Umm... in fact I'm waiting you to come up with an idea so I can steal it.
only thing i can think of is it can't be an afterthought, it has to feel like a primary part of the story, a pillar holding it up, not some thin little branch. make sense?
Yeah, that's what I think.
@Alien - I went through those same things. But, what will the OTHER person write? Which I know is crazy. All we can do is write the best story we can and hope for the best.
right, like if someone was describing the story the prompt would definitely be a main part of what they were saying...
Mine isn't either, so I can't "cheat" my way through this. Luckily for me, I had today off, so I got to do some brainstorming while I was cleaning the house. I've come up with a plot that's exciting, but I'm not yet passionate about it, so it'll be interesting to see where a week of writing is going to take me.
What Moon said. Thoughts?
Maybe PM Utah with that. He knows your prompt. But he may not be on tonight. Not that I know where he is or anything. I mean, I do follow him. But not all the time.
Edit - because I thought of a smarter answer.
Yeah, I know what you mean. My prompt can be taken very literal, but the idea that's popped into my mind isn't literal, in sense, but more metaphorical. However, like I said above, there are literal aspects to it.
If it were me, I'd say use your discretion. No one is going to be disqualified for how they use the prompt (I don't think) but the voters will know your prompt and probably consider who did the best job with that prompt.
So my (un)official answer would be that it is up to you how you use it, just keep the above in mind.
what avery said
Okay... Thanks ladies...
I would say thats part of the process is our interpretation and presentation of the prompt.
Dave - very true.
as r. moon would say "EXACTAMUNDO, BRAD!"
i mean, he'd say dave, but then probably not at all since r. moon was asking the questions but if i'd thought all that out i wouldn't have gotten to make the photo reference....
I've got a few ideas but haven't settled on one yet. Will wake up tomorrow and see what comes to mind first and just go with it I think.
I won't say how much I've written, or what I've written about, but I will say I've use the word 'fuck' several times. Not necessarily in the writing. But at least concerning the writing.
Why box yourselves in? I'm voting for the best story not necessarily how brilliant someone used that prompt. Two very different things. Granted if it's a wash on which story to vote for like they are that close I might consider how cleverly the writer used a prompt but the fact is that the prompt is 1) arbitrary and 2) meant to keep people from using old work. That said I'd never give more weight to something based on those two things than say the author's skill at basic storytelling. But others might... Ah just write a good story and be as creative as possible surprise and dazzle me. It's not rocket science ... Or is it?
Actually Manda, I probably would've said something like: 'Look at the big brains on Avery!' Of course, I would've also improvised and said: 'Look at the big jumblies of Avery!'
I THOUGHT WE HAD GOTTEN PAST THAT.
Hey, I hadn't taken any jabs at your jumblies. I had to get one in. I'm done now.
:-)
I'm going to write a story about a writer writing a story about the prompt but have the story the writer writes be the prompt that the writer is writing in the story. Get it?
Pretty chestie
Alien...that's sort of brilliant. Of course now you can't use it.