manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) March 13, 2012 - 8:10am

(i didn't like my prompt either - ssssshhh :)  )

i found a window, though. i'm kicking it in the balls until it agrees to do what i want. i think it will submit by tonight if i can stay awake long enough to write it.

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. March 13, 2012 - 8:12am

You can do better than that Jason. I'm stood right here. This is war, if you gonna start shooting, at least try and shoot me in the face!

;-)

I am up to 1800 words that I am happy with. I'm about 3/4 done with my ideas so so far, so good. I wanted a first draft done by now, so I'm a little behind, but overall I'm pleased. This is a marmite story though I think. People will either love it or hate it. I'm not sure if I love it or hate it yet. Been fun so far though.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 13, 2012 - 8:22am

This isn't even a story!!!

 

Actually, I just wrote a bit that I love, which I feel certain every one of you will hate and murder me over.  But I like it so well I'm keeping it.  So clearly, this has become art.  Right?  Isn't that what that means?

aliensoul77's picture
aliensoul77 from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall. March 13, 2012 - 8:25am

I'm going to write it and then put "It may have all been a dream" at the end in case people don't like it.  What do you think?

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 13, 2012 - 9:05am

@alien:  I think I will find you and punch you in the penis if you do that.

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch March 13, 2012 - 9:21am

I'm starting the story right now! Like... NOW! Or maybe.... now! NOW!!

maybe I can procrastinate a bit longer. You guys seen any good... umm... moving pictures lately?

NOW!

Ehhh... I know I'm behind everyone else because by now you all have at least half a first draft.

NOW!!! (that's my own cry wolf)

manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) March 13, 2012 - 9:34am

i haven't written one word.

i mean, in the story.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 10:25am

Yeah all I have are notes. Heh heh.

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch March 13, 2012 - 10:37am

I actually made myself start. Mostly because I have to leave town for a few days and if I don't do it now, it will get harder to find the time.

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 13, 2012 - 10:54am

Better get to writing people. I bet the newbie writers got 5k words already and working on edits and revisions.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 10:54am

So I need to finalize the workshop list additions so we can try to activate those accounts (I do this thing to Litbot with my tongue):

  • Closure
  • Manda Lynn
  • Meat Seeker
  • David Shepherd

Who else?

 

As for writing:

Water started pouring out of our crown moulding yesterday and into the living room. The pipes in the ceiling, the ones beneath the clawfoot tub, were leaking. Opened up the floor in the upstairs bathroom. 

Wife: "Well, while we are at it do you think we should remodel the bathroom? The sink would really be better over here. And how hard is it to move the toilet? What this bathroom really needs is a stand-up shower. If we moved the door..."

What this bathroom really needs is a Davery mushroom cloud. Fuck me.

Needless to say I didn't hook up with Mr. Sands man.

I am in Mandalini and Fo-shizz-nikki's boat.

I am going to try to write a paragraph because I should be figuring out the bathroom dilemma. Well, to be honest, I should be at work. Actually, the chiropractor, then work, then the bathroom.

Writing. What a respite.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 11:06am

Chestie- good luck!!!

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 11:11am

Thanks Nikkles.

I am documenting the disaster.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 11:26am

http://youtu.be/D-e5CxdE3fQ

repeatedly puts hand over mouth and howls like an indian.

http://youtu.be/hfUSyoJcbxU

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts March 13, 2012 - 11:31am

I'm just going for the most obvious story as possible. Keep it simple, fucker. Or I'll just rip off Richard's style so everyone will have to like it.

 

Created a file, typed in the title. Good days work. (Actually, kinda stoked on a couple lines in my head.)

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch March 13, 2012 - 11:54am

By documenting you mean that's what the story is going to be about, Chesters? Remember, you'll be disquailfied if we know it's you!

Seriously, you have to slow down and not try to do everything. I think you should stop at fixing the water leak. That reminds me of the time when I took the wallpaper down and then hubby had all sorts of ideas on how to improve the walls and I did all the painting and spraying and pattern painting. But admittedly it's better than the wallpaper (which I also took down, and it was OLD and stubborn, in the kitchen and bathrooms). Then he'd go "this room also can be painted, and that room, and the hall..." It was a fun winter, and my toes really hurt for a while because of stretching up.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 12:17pm

@ Nikkles: J'adore Tarmac and The Crystal Method. I want to hear a mash-up of those two.

@Rennie: That is good advice. Simple. Just...keep-it...simple.

@Vraj: That sounds very, very familiar. My toes hurt perpetually. Pain only a good toe-sucking can mollify. I know, I need to focus, remember! One thing at a time. 

Okay, where was I?

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 12:59pm

Chestie I think you were saying something about toe sucking.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 13, 2012 - 1:28pm

I guess it's only fair to tell you guys, but I received the first official submission for Round 1 last night.  Some of you aren't wasting any time.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 1:30pm

oooh utah. that is sooo good to know. thx for sharing.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 1:31pm

This little piggy went to the meet market.

This little piggy strayed home.

This little piggy had pulled pork.

This little piggy had bone.

This little piggy went Oui! Oui! Oui! Oui!

All the way home.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts March 13, 2012 - 1:52pm

French piggy?

Jose F. Diaz's picture
Jose F. Diaz from Boston is reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel March 13, 2012 - 2:01pm

My story was developing so awesome and then I realized I couldn't fit it to the prompt properly without it being a huge stretch. FML. Back to square one. 

Quiet on the set

Take 4, scene 1

Action!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 13, 2012 - 2:24pm

"Also, Utah- I hate you more and more each day for this prompt."

he is a cruel bastard.

 

I finished a rough draft!  Yay.  Now if my opponent will kindly submit nothing I'll be good to go!

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly March 13, 2012 - 2:26pm

I knew I'd found mine when the idea I let run had more details to carry and support the story than holes to fill and inconsistencies to reconcile.  It was magical.  I wanted to cry. Or call Avery. 

 

Alas, I did neither.

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch March 13, 2012 - 2:40pm

This little piggie finished the first draft! 2780 words, so not that much trimming necessary but I hate trimming. I'll let it sit for a couple days. I'm actually happy with it!

Chesters!!! From one achy toe to another, get back to work!

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 13, 2012 - 2:50pm

I've always found that after I trim I itch for days.

@rach:  Your prompt is frickin awesome!  What are you talking about?  You should see my prompt.  I've pulled out all my hair already.  Going to work on the teeth tonight. 

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 2:54pm

What I'm writing kind of scares me.

Jose F. Diaz's picture
Jose F. Diaz from Boston is reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel March 13, 2012 - 2:59pm

Utah, I'm with you. 

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 13, 2012 - 3:01pm

I'd love to know who already submitted.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 13, 2012 - 3:05pm

@Diaz:  I really wish I could be all, yeah, Joe, my shit is running smooth and cornless.  But it's not.

@Moon:  If the submitter wants to tell everybody they can.  I'll just keep my yappy trap shut.  We have, like, 6 days left.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 3:15pm

Alright which one of you motherfuckers turned in your story already?!

Jason Van Horn's picture
Jason Van Horn from North Carolina is reading A Feast For Crows March 13, 2012 - 3:15pm

My problem is that since it got accepted I know at least some people like the kind of writing I did for the Psychosis anthology, But I don't think my prompt lends well to just frank sex talk and lots of gore. :P My story seems tame - just hope it's not boring. Because if you're expecting unicorns stabbing people with their horns type of insanity, well I'm out.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 4:03pm

@Vraj: can you follow me around and say that.

Hey you guys, what happened to the first rule of prompt club?

Nikkles: No way! If you are scared then what about us? Pant-shizzing.

I will put money down that the person who already submitted did so because that person was not going to have time to write thereafter. Either that or they wanted to show off. That would be funny if their story was nothing more than the prompt. Minimalism. Brilliant!

aliensoul77's picture
aliensoul77 from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall. March 13, 2012 - 4:29pm

You have been pigeonholed as the amputee porn guy.

Laramore Black's picture
Laramore Black from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8 March 13, 2012 - 4:58pm

Last night I started swallowing a chain. It went all the way through my digestive system and out my anus. At this point it could run it under my genitals and up to the chain hanging out of my mouth. I hooked it all together to form a complete loop. Everything tastes like ass, but it has really cut calories because it always feels like I'm eating and continually hits my g-spot.

So anyways today I started to play a game with my new body modification where I dress my penis up as Danny and wave the chain like a game of jump rope, or tuck rope, if you will. 

Danny likes to get hit with chains.

Nick Wilczynski's picture
Nick Wilczynski from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin March 13, 2012 - 5:19pm

I'm going nuts over here, I just can't get good traction.

Highly tempted to get a bunch of Morning glory seeds, amphetamines, nutmeg, salvia, and doing a low-budget poorly connected Thompson on it. But I'm not sure if it would actually be all that helpful.

Making it worse: I have a very easy prompt. I feel very stupid.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 5:46pm

@nick watch a movie that you love. It might inspire you.

That said, byatches, mama just got a title.

GAME OVER.
GAME OVER.
GAME OVER.

Bekanator's picture
Bekanator from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay Hunter March 13, 2012 - 6:00pm

@Utah - The prompt that Rach and I are working with is a rather good prompt.  It's forcing me out of the boundaries of what I usually write, but it's getting insanely difficult to coax myself to write this thing.  I keep feeling myself wanting to dull it down, but then I realize that doing so would make the prompt irrelevant.

That said, I'm really enjoying reading about everybody else's hardships.  It's motivating, to say the least.

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly March 13, 2012 - 6:02pm

@nick.  Lies and deceit.  Your propaganda and disinformation campaign will not work on me.  Spread your falsehoods elsewhere, shyster!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 13, 2012 - 6:06pm

@Dave – so glad you thought of me!!

@Utah&Diaz – your prompt is amazing.

@Jason – You’re the one who wrote the amputee porn??  I’m sort of mad at you. 

@Chester – We aren’t telling our prompts, just bitching about them in general.
 

Americantypo's picture
Americantypo from Philadelphia is reading The Bone Clocks March 13, 2012 - 6:20pm

@Utah- this is thinking ahead, but have considered having the last rounds prompt be open ended? And just trust the two writers that compete will write new stories that week?

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz March 13, 2012 - 6:21pm

First rule of prompts is we don't talk about prompts.

I will be able to tell whose prompt belongs to whom just by the level of bitching or non-bitching.

Just kidding. I remember mentioning something to Utah before all of this started...the luck of the prompt. Is there a prompt that might be more conducive to a given author than another?

Utah contended that it wouldn't matter. That a good writer can make a story out of anything. This might be true. But sometimes certain prompts create more sparks than others. 

The luck of the prompt. This way I can blame my ineptitude on the prompt.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 13, 2012 - 6:25pm

Utah said that?  Doesn't sound like him.

"This way I can blame my ineptitude on the prompt."

I actually worried about people doing this, but then I realized these people are all better than that. 

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch March 13, 2012 - 6:28pm

I vote for getting prompts all the way to the end.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters March 13, 2012 - 6:32pm

I agree - prompts to the end! 

How about...progressively HARDER prompts all the way to the end?

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons March 13, 2012 - 6:34pm

I'm feeling a great need to be edited. I wish we could have like, a person who couldn't vote for us who would edit for us.

Nikki Guerlain's picture
Nikki Guerlain from Portlandia March 13, 2012 - 7:29pm

prompts to the end yo.

.'s picture
. March 13, 2012 - 7:36pm

Prompts4LIFE Mr. Utah. 

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry March 13, 2012 - 8:10pm

I like prompts.  I like the prompt I got. 

@Diaz:  I am afraid this round has taken an unfair turn in my favor.  I got all frustrated that I couldn't come up with anything for this prompt.  So tonight I went for a walk.  Game over.

I had forgotten about taking a walk.  So good it might as well be cheating.