This is the thread for Round 1: WAR Is The Answer
Dedication to all you motherfuckers.
Welcome to Round 1 of WAR, the (Un)Official LitReactor Battle Tournament. For the official rules of the tournament, read the first post of this thread.
Come here to this thread to check out the bracket, see who's fighting whom, talk shit, place side bets, etc.
Prompts will drop into contestants' in-boxes this coming Friday, March 9, at 7:00 pm US CST.
When it comes time to vote, please bear in mind some wisdom from LitReactor's own Richard Thomas:
1. If you can, read all of the stories. If you can't read both stories in a bracket, don't vote.
2. Don't base your vote on friendships. So, don't vote just for people you like, or avoid voting for people that you don't like. Just vote for the best story.
3. Don't vote based on politics or strategy (e.g., to try a face a "weaker" opponent, or to try and make somebody else face a "stronger" opponent). Vote for the best story.
4. Seeds don't mean anything. As Sugar says, "Write like a motherfucker." As they say in the NFL "Any given Sunday." Which also means, bring your "A" game, and ANYBODY here can be beaten.
5. Don't question any winners, don't berate any losers. Be nice. Egos and feelings can get hurt. That doesn't mean we can't talk smack, but just be aware of the dialogues that are going on.
6. The "best story" is whatever YOU liked the most. Period.
Also, and this is very important: Do not reveal which story in the polls is yours. Do not reveal what your prompt was. We are trying to keep this as anonymous as possible. So don't identify your story. This rule is right up there with turning your submissions in on time: failure to follow will result in your disqualification.
Let's end this on a positive note.
The time has come to get you some, motherfucker. WAR is the answer!
BRACKETS!
wow, there are a lot of great matchups here. i'm actually kind of stoked. really, anybody could do well or win this. very cool.
Richard, Manda and Nikki... I must say, it is an honor to be in your company...
This bracket...is not working in my favor.
excited!!! <3
Hey thx moon man wish I would've had the opportunity to read your work! But it must be something special ;-) wooohoooo! Let the bloodshed begin. I'm a sucker for the underdog so it'll be an exciting trip!
totally fine, @utah. i mean, with blind stories it doesn't matter as much, but the sentiment is still there. i actually think this is going to be really surprising. if you don't really bring your best, you could go at any time. i'm not seeing a huge difference from the "top" to the "bottom" so i'm already nervous.
moon man
- That was my nickname in highschool. I haven't been called that in 15 years. Brings back memories.
Guess its time to size up my opponent. Though, not being a sports person, i have no idea how the pairings work.
Actually, I'd have to agree with Richard- its anyone's game really if they're having a good week of writing and the other person shits the bed. All in all, it'll be a fun experience. And if I make it past the first or second round, I'll have some new stories to work on sending out.
Yeah It's really anyone's game. Especially with everyone upping their games. Big risks don't always work out the way you think they will. But you should take them anyways!!!
Woman have balls too. I mean ... Uh ... We're supposed to right?
^ If you've got a man, you do...
I guess I asked for it. Time to buckle down and get ready.
I actually kinda feel like this right now.
Four days to get reacquainted with the art of the short story. Warmed and Bound, Granta, Poe's Children and Las Vegas Noir here I come. And maybe some Carver, Hempel and Elmore for good measure.
Awesome Joe.
I think Utah did a pretty good job there.
Okay, so they are due a week after we are given them? Are we just doing one draft? Do we give them to you, Utah???
@Joseph - I'm feeing quite the same. It's like elementary school track meet all over again. I just want to hear the cracking gun and do this. All this waiting around is getting me anxious.
I'll probably be listening to this for the rest of the week, because nothing gets me pumped quite like electro piano and European sterotypes:
Some motivation for all.
Great Job launching this Utah. Damn proud son. Even if you are a state.
I can't wait to see the prompt.
There're budderflaws in ma anticipation.
I agree, after looking at the matchups, this thing is unpredictable, if not downright scary. Those seeds might as well be baby paste. Well, mine is way too high anyway. Boone's dope-smoking squirrel just took on a whole new level of intensity for me.
I've read work from everyone in here and all I can say is l'm rootin' for every motherfucking last one of ya.
Good Luck everyone. No matter what happens, it is going to be a pleasure to read all of you.
Good luck to all! Hand shakes all around.
(discreetly pisses on hand)
This is going to be such an enjoyable experience. Good luck to all. It's anybody's game.
There will be no mercy, unless you're a cat. I like cats.
*MEOW*
lol @Dakota, that's exactly what I thought as I read where I stand. Wow. Getting all excited and stuff, I'm discharging tentacles
Heyyyyyy, tentacles are my thing.
=(
yeah, take em back they're freaking me out!
Handy though.
This is so cooll!! Okay, I see some matches I am really excited about.
Mine is not one of them! I'm nervous about mine! Ha! Okay, I need to go get motivated to kick ass.
where/who is Closure? i need to become acquainted with my first opponent. the stealthiness and mysterioso is too romantic....
^ I agree Manda. I have no clue who Matt Thomas is.
Pfft, alternative Nik Korpon?
Throw him in the middle to take people out.
Still don't know who Myhers is...
Well, if I'm still in this after 4 weeks you might have to text me the prompt and I'll find some wi-fi to post it. Are you still doing a redemption for the fallen to step back up?
What we could do is set up a smaller bracket in reverse, where the the closest defeated battle and move on to battle the next group that lost and ending with the winner of the second bracket challenging the champion.
Oh, and:
It would only make WAR like a week longer.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
I'll swallow your soul! I'll swallow your soul! I'll swallow your soul!
DEAD BY DAWN!
Oh fuck I didn't think I was going to have to break out my chainsaw hand.
So it's officially war eh? Good stuff. Not long now before the blood and body parts start flying. Will somebody topple the prolific Richard Thomas? Will Nikki, the new femme fatale in town, show us all how it's done? Who will write the more insane stories, Danny or Dakota? So many answers to unearth. This is going to be fun.
My new reason for living is to kill Jason Van Horn, AKA the comic book guy from the Litreactor magazine. Interesting. Watch your ass Jason! Heh, :-)
Are we mailing each other the scalps of the fallen then? A few of you peoples look like you have pretty little scalps.
Unfurl the banners, people! Beat on drums made from elephant skulls. Sacrifice every lamb and every virgin you can get your hands on. Blood for the blood god! The word war is nigh!!!
Dibs on the ears!!!
I say do single elimination.
You get one shot, so make it count.
It'll be interesting to see how all our styles match up. I do hope we get some surprising wins.