Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsMarch 8, 2012 - 8:46pm
The problem with my prompt is I have an idea, but no second idea, which worries me. You don't want to write something where someone sees what's going to happen right from the beginning.
And I don't think the key to winning is necessarily out doing the other author's style. The best success I've had with anything so far is writing as if I'm the only audience and hoping everyone enjoys it as much as me.
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 8, 2012 - 8:47pm
the more questions you ask the more opportunities for someone to tell you no.
.
March 8, 2012 - 8:49pm
I can understand the pillar idea and that is what I will do just to be classy. However, I was never called out for using a prompt as a branch in Thunderdome. Although, the prompt was so vague, it seemed acceptable.
All of that is irrelavent though, but a good thought.
How is everyone's stories coming along?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:50pm
Better to ask forgiveness than permission?
.
March 8, 2012 - 8:51pm
the more questions you ask the more opportunities for someone to tell you no.
I use this etiquette in certain clubs. I may quote you sometime.
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 - 8:52pm
I have a question: Why is Zooey so freakin' adorable?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 8:53pm
OOPS! Just got a new idea!
I love writing, don't you?
manda lynn
from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again)March 8, 2012 - 9:00pm
everyone go write. DAMN. goodnight.
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchMarch 8, 2012 - 9:02pm
"Like" on Chester's picture! "Dislike" on Zooey! (because she's so cute that it seems fake)
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 8, 2012 - 9:04pm
Totally Avery!
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 9:10pm
I may be drunk, but I'm pretty sure i just got the golden idea! Fuck yeah.
Writing process:
Oh no! Scary prompt!!!!!!!!!!
Well, maybe I could.....
That seems dull.....
let's write......
I hate this!!!
Oh! What about....
No.
Wait.
YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 8, 2012 - 9:18pm
That sounds like an orgasm Jessica.
Isn't this war?
Don't watch this.
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 - 9:24pm
! "Dislike" on Zooey! (because she's so cute that it seems fake)
- BOO!!!!
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 - 9:25pm
Writing process:
1. Ehh, not crazy about prompt
2. Idea
3. Research
4. Write
5. Win
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesMarch 8, 2012 - 9:26pm
i heart zooey. so much.
write the best story you can. just don't tack the prompt on at the end. you all know what your'e doing. and i think you also know when a story is "working" or not. the risks you take, well, those are up to you. conventional format or experimental? what genre is it? prompt literal or metaphorical? really, all of these decisions are up to you.
this is an exciting experiement and competition and i know that everyone is going to do great. take a deep breath.
and then go kill it.
Fritz
March 8, 2012 - 9:31pm
Zooey - it's her eyes - and her attitude - and the way she sang on 'elf'.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 8, 2012 - 9:45pm
Zooey is fine. She is natural. Dingy in an intellectual way.
@Richard Ricardo: I think that is great advice. Pasting the prompt isn't very appealing.
I don't know about anyone else, but a high percentile of my vote is going to be on how well the prompt was expounded upon. Pounded and pounded upon. If I don't feel the prompt, then I will suspect pre-writing.
Like J-School. A lead lands in your lap. If you don't pursue it, your story isn't going to make any sense. Sure, it might be good, even great. But this is about a spark.
I have no idea what I am talking about.
Did Avery say she is drunk?
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 - 9:47pm
@Fritz and Richard: I totally agree. She's just plain gorgeous.
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 - 9:48pm
And, great advice Richard. I think my idea will work out just fine.
David Shepherd
from shepherdsville, KY is reading Idoru by William GibbsonMarch 8, 2012 - 9:58pm
Any body else see the zooey sex tape? I don't buy it.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 8, 2012 - 10:09pm
Avery is SUPA drunk!
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 - 10:42pm
Wtf Doll?! Aren't you suppose to work in the morning?
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 8, 2012 - 11:14pm
Yeah, what up with that?
Prompted into a bend-ah.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 9, 2012 - 5:37am
Yeah. I'll still make it to work and all. I can get regretfully drunk and STILL do whatever it is I do all day.
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 9, 2012 - 6:34am
That's good. So long as you do what you need to do.
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 9, 2012 - 6:38am
I have come up with the sickest idea.
It's on dude...
Matt Attack
from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William FaulknerMarch 9, 2012 - 6:44am
Rian, you're right about one thing. Zooey is cute as a button.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 6:44am
@Fritz: I knew that would wind up being your avatar. Thought maybe you'd go with Terminator Arnold, but the Pumping Iron Arnold is also classic.
@Everybody about story prompts: What Richard said. Look, you get a story in on time, follow the rules (and notice I didn't include any rules about your prompt except that you include it in the body of the story) about submitting, and after that it's between you and the adoring fans. You need to convince them to vote for your story, not convince me to keep it. Because I'm convinced already. I think all your stories are heartbreaking works of staggering genius.
So you do whatever you need to do with your prompt that will create a story that everybody will love.
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 9, 2012 - 6:50am
@Utah: does the prompt need to be in the story? Word for word? Or just underneath the title?
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 6:52am
Just underneath the title so readers know what your prompt was.
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 9, 2012 - 7:01am
Cool. Thanks.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 7:02am
Not a problem!
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 9, 2012 - 7:03am
@Moon - thanks for the concern?
voodoo_em
from England is reading All the books by Ira LevinMarch 9, 2012 - 7:12am
Mine was perfect. 800 words in.
Laurance, congratulations you are now number one on my shit-list.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 7:18am
If it makes everybody feel better about themselves, it took me until 4 am to finish my rough draft. So I've gotta polish it this weekend and sit on it for a week before I can post it.
Americantypo
from Philadelphia is reading The Bone ClocksMarch 9, 2012 - 7:58am
Oh WHATEVER you guys. Everyone here is such a suck up, finishing their first drafts right away.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 8:00am
Who am I going to suck up to? Myself?
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8March 9, 2012 - 8:01am
I just want a mug, and you won't stop me.
Moderator
Utah
from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryMarch 9, 2012 - 8:02am
Although I have to admit, if I could properly suck up to myself you guys probably wouldn't see me putting in much time on this competition.
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 9, 2012 - 8:24am
@doll: are you questioning my concern? I'm being genuine. But, good that you got some writing in.
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 9, 2012 - 10:46am
I haven't even started yet. I was up all night with a sick unicorn. Such is life with the demented!
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 9, 2012 - 10:55am
It's been so quiet this morning I feel certain everyone is writing masterpieces!
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 9, 2012 - 11:04am
I haven't even opened my prompt yet.
I like to go slow.
Tease it out of its hole so it lands on my tongue right.
Nick Wilczynski
from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. MartinMarch 9, 2012 - 11:09am
I mean, you want to look at it though, just so you can be thinking about it.
I got about 1k words into a rough draft last night. Then I fed it to my dog. I'm keeping the core idea, but it's going to have to be totally redone.
Matt Attack
from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William FaulknerMarch 9, 2012 - 11:09am
I haven't even opened my prompt yet.
I like to go slow.
Tease it out of its hole so it lands on my tongue right."
Did we get word raped by Chester? Is that what just happened?
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazMarch 9, 2012 - 11:12am
I would but I have to take my favorite unicorn, Randy, to a sky vet. Last night he felt a little warm but I figured he was just tired from not getting much sleep. But this morning he woke up whimpering with limp horn. It was so sad and pathetic watching him attempt to poke the neighbor's wife while she pruned her roses. After he had slapped her thigh with his marshmallow softie for like the third time she pulled a puppy treat out of her pocket and offered to rub his belly. He's been skulking around all day utterly demoralized so fuck , right? I better take him in or break down and buy some more batteries. So I hope you perverts understand and save a spot for me some other time while I get the whole unicorn crisis under control.
Heh heh heh. Randy said you totally give him lipstick Chestie. It's not very big but it's twisted-I shit you not- like one of those unicorn suckers mother used to give you. I've never really known him to be all gay like that. Must be the versed talking. Although the fact that you give him lipstick is not that surprising because humor totally gives the poor guy the hornies. But alas it is only his pizzle walkin the walk as his horn is still rather limpy. But nothing a hot beef injection can't help! Sorry randy got a hold of the phone while I was talking to sky vet. They checked his stool when we got here because he was dragging his butt all over the floor but his sample came back clean although interestingly not his so they're going to have to repeat the test. There's a part of me that thinks he's just acting out but I mean what do you do? Fucking unicorns.
I like where this story is going. Do Unis have paltry lipstick?
Tell Randy he is giving me the horn.
Nikki Guerlain
from Portlandia
March 9, 2012 - 11:18am
Heh heh chestie if randy was giving you the horn he'd be crying blood. But I'll tell him that this morning you were being all metaphorical and shiz and if that doesn't make him bone up I don't know what will!
And yes most unis have paltry lipstick except the black ones of course.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 9, 2012 - 11:27am
I tossed out a few ideas, but I think I have settled on the concept to end all concepts. Yippee.
Matt Attack
from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William FaulknerMarch 9, 2012 - 11:28am
Holy shit , that is freaking great. He is going to flip shit over that.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersMarch 9, 2012 - 11:28am
The problem with my prompt is I have an idea, but no second idea, which worries me. You don't want to write something where someone sees what's going to happen right from the beginning.
And I don't think the key to winning is necessarily out doing the other author's style. The best success I've had with anything so far is writing as if I'm the only audience and hoping everyone enjoys it as much as me.
the more questions you ask the more opportunities for someone to tell you no.
I can understand the pillar idea and that is what I will do just to be classy. However, I was never called out for using a prompt as a branch in Thunderdome. Although, the prompt was so vague, it seemed acceptable.
All of that is irrelavent though, but a good thought.
How is everyone's stories coming along?
Better to ask forgiveness than permission?
I have a question: Why is Zooey so freakin' adorable?
OOPS! Just got a new idea!
I love writing, don't you?
everyone go write. DAMN. goodnight.
"Like" on Chester's picture! "Dislike" on Zooey! (because she's so cute that it seems fake)
Totally Avery!
I may be drunk, but I'm pretty sure i just got the golden idea! Fuck yeah.
Writing process:
Oh no! Scary prompt!!!!!!!!!!
Well, maybe I could.....
That seems dull.....
let's write......
I hate this!!!
Oh! What about....
No.
Wait.
YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!
That sounds like an orgasm Jessica.
Isn't this war?
Don't watch this.
Writing process:
1. Ehh, not crazy about prompt
2. Idea
3. Research
4. Write
5. Win
i heart zooey. so much.
write the best story you can. just don't tack the prompt on at the end. you all know what your'e doing. and i think you also know when a story is "working" or not. the risks you take, well, those are up to you. conventional format or experimental? what genre is it? prompt literal or metaphorical? really, all of these decisions are up to you.
this is an exciting experiement and competition and i know that everyone is going to do great. take a deep breath.
and then go kill it.
Zooey - it's her eyes - and her attitude - and the way she sang on 'elf'.
Zooey is fine. She is natural. Dingy in an intellectual way.
@Richard Ricardo: I think that is great advice. Pasting the prompt isn't very appealing.
I don't know about anyone else, but a high percentile of my vote is going to be on how well the prompt was expounded upon. Pounded and pounded upon. If I don't feel the prompt, then I will suspect pre-writing.
Like J-School. A lead lands in your lap. If you don't pursue it, your story isn't going to make any sense. Sure, it might be good, even great. But this is about a spark.
I have no idea what I am talking about.
Did Avery say she is drunk?
@Fritz and Richard: I totally agree. She's just plain gorgeous.
And, great advice Richard. I think my idea will work out just fine.
Any body else see the zooey sex tape? I don't buy it.
Avery is SUPA drunk!
Wtf Doll?! Aren't you suppose to work in the morning?
Yeah, what up with that?
Prompted into a bend-ah.
Yeah. I'll still make it to work and all. I can get regretfully drunk and STILL do whatever it is I do all day.
That's good. So long as you do what you need to do.
I have come up with the sickest idea.
It's on dude...
Rian, you're right about one thing. Zooey is cute as a button.
@Fritz: I knew that would wind up being your avatar. Thought maybe you'd go with Terminator Arnold, but the Pumping Iron Arnold is also classic.
@Everybody about story prompts: What Richard said. Look, you get a story in on time, follow the rules (and notice I didn't include any rules about your prompt except that you include it in the body of the story) about submitting, and after that it's between you and the adoring fans. You need to convince them to vote for your story, not convince me to keep it. Because I'm convinced already. I think all your stories are heartbreaking works of staggering genius.
So you do whatever you need to do with your prompt that will create a story that everybody will love.
@Utah: does the prompt need to be in the story? Word for word? Or just underneath the title?
Just underneath the title so readers know what your prompt was.
Cool. Thanks.
Not a problem!
@Moon - thanks for the concern?
If it makes everybody feel better about themselves, it took me until 4 am to finish my rough draft. So I've gotta polish it this weekend and sit on it for a week before I can post it.
Oh WHATEVER you guys. Everyone here is such a suck up, finishing their first drafts right away.
Who am I going to suck up to? Myself?
I just want a mug, and you won't stop me.
Although I have to admit, if I could properly suck up to myself you guys probably wouldn't see me putting in much time on this competition.
@doll: are you questioning my concern? I'm being genuine. But, good that you got some writing in.
I haven't even started yet. I was up all night with a sick unicorn. Such is life with the demented!
It's been so quiet this morning I feel certain everyone is writing masterpieces!
I haven't even opened my prompt yet.
I like to go slow.
Tease it out of its hole so it lands on my tongue right.
I mean, you want to look at it though, just so you can be thinking about it.
I got about 1k words into a rough draft last night. Then I fed it to my dog. I'm keeping the core idea, but it's going to have to be totally redone.
Did we get word raped by Chester? Is that what just happened?
Heh heh chestie if randy was giving you the horn he'd be crying blood. But I'll tell him that this morning you were being all metaphorical and shiz and if that doesn't make him bone up I don't know what will!
And yes most unis have paltry lipstick except the black ones of course.
I tossed out a few ideas, but I think I have settled on the concept to end all concepts. Yippee.
Holy shit , that is freaking great. He is going to flip shit over that.
I don't know what you mean.