sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres October 23, 2012 - 4:11pm

I was thinking about joining the branch of the military that would best help me become a better writer...any suggestions?

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. October 23, 2012 - 4:13pm

@ Utah - We could have that duel yet. I just gotta kill these two cool cats in my way, and you probably gotta beat Gordon along the way. That's not too much to ask, right?

@ Jonathan Riley - You can read some JSJ here at Solarcide, or here at Bizarro central.
 

@ Moon man - nice doll. I bet it looks good amongst all your Barbies

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner October 23, 2012 - 4:14pm

I was going to say I haven't read much fiction from sailors or marines...so this is a bit pointless. Neither of us have any stories in the workshop right now, so that makes intimidation tough. I'm confident enough that I don't mind helping out with your research. HERE is a set of links to my published stories."

I'd rather go into it blind, besides I've read your stuff before. It's going to be tough. I ain't gonna lie. I've only had two things actually picked up by publishers. I'll have to find the links later or I can email you some stuff. Spent too much time posting today and headed out. You're on my FB if you're THAT interested. 

 

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner October 23, 2012 - 4:14pm

@ Moon man - nice doll. I bet it looks good amongst all your Barbies"'

 

BOOM! That just happened!

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human October 23, 2012 - 4:16pm

Pound Town

Population= 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 October 23, 2012 - 4:25pm

Wicked, meet Valeria, the 'Real Life Barbie.' And yes, she looks real good when she's inserting those pins into your right... and now, left hand. I told her not to stick your fingers so you could still type, but she refuses. Silly chicks and their propensity towards passive violence.

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 October 23, 2012 - 4:28pm

You Boom...

I detonate

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 23, 2012 - 4:30pm

That dick measuring contest didn't go how I planned. Looks like we're just about even on fiction. Ah well. being female, dick size isn't as important to me as it is for men.

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 October 23, 2012 - 4:33pm

 Ah well. being female, dick size isn't as important to me as it is for men.

- Liar

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 23, 2012 - 4:34pm

Well, I suppose it depends on the context, doesn't it?

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like October 23, 2012 - 4:37pm

I'm going to lurk the hell out of this.

I don't even care if you write stories; I'll watch shit-talk for three months.

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. October 23, 2012 - 4:41pm

@ Moon - sorry, I missed your last post, I was too busy eating the corpse of this scrawny blonde thing that appeared out of nowhere but ended up going down well with a glass of bourbon & coke. What were you saying?

Heh, I suppose we'll have to give it a rest until after we have duelled in round one. I am not familiar with your opponent, and I think I have only read one story by mine. Unchartered waters can be perilous.

I'll kill you all in the end though. No doubt about it.

 

Laramore Black's picture
Laramore Black from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8 October 23, 2012 - 4:45pm

Never read anything from Otis, should be an interesting first round.

ALSO, I'm going to recycle these:

Good times.

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. October 23, 2012 - 4:46pm

Damn - round two could see

 

Richard vs Rebecca Jones-Howe

Clint Rhodes vs Bill Johnson

Korpon vs Carter

Gordon vs Utah

Amanda Gowin vs Fritz Wolfe

 

These are all battles I am hoping pan out - for the fireworks factor.

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 October 23, 2012 - 4:48pm

What were you saying?

- You'll read it in the second round. I hope you have a big glass of Coke and Bourbon to cry and drown your sorrows in.

 I think I have only read one story by mine. 

- It would be wise to become familiar with your own work...

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 October 23, 2012 - 4:50pm

Who is Clint and Carter?

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 October 23, 2012 - 4:52pm

That picture of Richard has enough shit talking in it to last the whole war.

Meredith_103's picture
Meredith_103 October 23, 2012 - 4:57pm

@wickedvoodoo -- Ah, yes. I am looking forward to shooting a few bullets in your direction. It looks like we're in the second group so we have an extra week to sharpen our blades.

@renfield -- Thanks for the compliment. I'm a fan of your stories as well.

Laramore Black's picture
Laramore Black from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8 October 23, 2012 - 5:03pm

Yeah, Richard be mean-muggin'.

Found this one too:

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson October 23, 2012 - 5:07pm

@Matt:

speakeasy-themed black tie event."

I'm kind of jealous. That actually sounds like fun. That is, IF people get rowdy to poorly made drinks and loud Jazz music.

It's a law school event, so rowdiness and booze are guaranteed. I assume Jazz is happening, too. It's a Big Deal, apparently. And it's held in the St. Paul Caves, a literal speakeasy that dates back to the prohibition (and is literally a cave in the Mississippi River cliffs).

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson October 23, 2012 - 5:11pm

I haven't read any of Nik's stuff, but Dino is a gifted fucking amazing writer so that contest should be particularly interesting. In my head it's a Kraken vs. Tyrannosaurus matchup.

Now that WAR is real, my neurotic Jewish half and competitive WASP half are at odds, and I just want to curl up in a ball. *whimper*

I think I need a new avatar.

Laramore Black's picture
Laramore Black from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8 October 23, 2012 - 5:15pm

Yeah, unfortunately Nik couldn't get into the last roster. This is the first Korpon in captivity. 

I hear they gave Nik complimentary underoos though...

Jay.SJ's picture
Jay.SJ from London is reading Warmed and Bound October 23, 2012 - 6:11pm

Can't wait for this, well my ego can, but y'know.

Wonder Woman's picture
Wonder Woman from RI is reading 20th Century Ghosts October 23, 2012 - 6:35pm

Mmmm...I'm thirsty...

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human October 23, 2012 - 6:57pm

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons October 23, 2012 - 7:00pm

Wait,I've never seen anything from my opponent. He/ she can see my lame stuff. How can I see what my opponent has done,  his style, etc. 

 

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 October 23, 2012 - 7:16pm

Good luck, Cove, finding anything. I'm in the same boat. Never heard of him and don't know his work. All I know is we write in the same genre, so this may be interesting.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland October 23, 2012 - 7:19pm

@wickedvoodoo. Thanks for the direct portal into my opponent's head. I invaded that shit like Malkovich, only to find myself absorbed and helpless in the end. Thanks also for destroying all my hopes and dreams of War domination.

@Jay S.J. I read some of your stories. Great stuff! Good luck. I'd like to pretend you are going to need it but I'd be better served to seek out the Mr. Miyagi of story crafting.
 

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons October 23, 2012 - 7:29pm

It's all good. I'm so looking forward to it because it makes me want to write.That is what this all about. (I bet my opponent is a published awesome writer. That could be good or bad.) I can't dwell on that. Just do my best story, right?

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 October 23, 2012 - 7:38pm

That's all any of us can do. 

Nick Wilczynski's picture
Nick Wilczynski from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin October 23, 2012 - 7:48pm

Interesting... a rematch for round 1... we'll see how it goes. I'd better start working out.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies October 23, 2012 - 8:46pm

lol...thanks for making me laugh, guys. needed that today. 

ready for round one

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson October 23, 2012 - 9:52pm

@Panda You must be a fan of io9, too? That Disney Voltron is boss!

@Abbatoir How did you know about my Cthulhu stripper fetish? I don't even know you!

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human October 23, 2012 - 11:30pm

My friend sends me the links, but I check it out every so often. Yes! It's amazing. I want it.

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson October 23, 2012 - 11:50pm

There's a great article on inappropriate licensed children's toys, if you've not seen that one yet.

http://io9.com/5949721/why-are-there-so-many-weird-and-inappropriate-sci...

Their "Holy Crap WTF" column is always good. Current article is on Hobbit/LOTR tie-ins at Denny's.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin October 24, 2012 - 2:48am

Uh-oh I'm (un)Officially scared now....

 

@Renfield ~ Why thankyou Sir, I particularly enjoyed the darkness of your "The Creeps" last War, as well as that down right freakiness of that story about the guy who collects foreskins.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin October 24, 2012 - 2:55am

But in the true honor of saving face, Boone...

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner October 24, 2012 - 3:31am

@Emme- sounds like fun. 

@Everyone- lovin the shit talk

 

@Renee- prepare yourself. I'm bringing the hurt. 

 

Flaminia Ferina's picture
Flaminia Ferina from Umbria is reading stuff October 24, 2012 - 5:19am

Hell yeah shit talk and dick wrestling!

nacho time

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. October 24, 2012 - 5:23am

I want nachos!!

 

Woo - I am going up against someone named "Species." Which, of course, leads me here:

 

That bitch is going DOWN!  ;o)

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 24, 2012 - 5:34am

That picture of Richard has enough shit talking in it to last the whole war.

Yeah, but that pic was from when he was like twenty-five.  Nowadays he might be a tad more experienced, but his reflexes have slowed.  Counter-punching's not what it used to be.  Jab is now more habit and less hurt.  But watch the power shots.  Strength is the last thing to go.

*he says as he sits safely in a conference far enough away that he could not even hypothetically face Richard until something like Round 5*

Jeff's picture
Jeff from Florida is reading Another Side of Bob Dylan by Victor Maymudes October 24, 2012 - 5:55am

I love the smell of vitriol in the  morning!

SConley's picture
SConley from Texas is reading Coin Locker Babies October 24, 2012 - 6:30am

Once i workshopped with this crazy Israeli soldier and her stories were excellent.

.'s picture
. October 24, 2012 - 7:21am

I don't need to pay attention in class today. I just need to start sharpening my knives. 

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore October 24, 2012 - 7:26am

I workshopped several weeks with Clint, way back, and he's a Very Good writer.

None of the folks from Write Club (Jay, Amanda, Richard, Ren, Nik, me) can meet until the 4th or 5th rounds, if we even survive (who knows what happens in the Losers, though). In my mind that makes for a stronger bracket, though, "seed"-wise, reandom or otherwise.

I was trying to think of a more derogatory, shit-talking nickname for the Losers Bracket, but then I realized it was unnecessary and just fine as-is. And you remain a Loser all the way until you face one who hasn't lost, so that's fair.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 24, 2012 - 7:34am

So I've been wondering here, with this format.  If someone loses a round, which is very likely (63 people are guaranteed to lose at least one), but then goes on to win out, they get to be the BAMF.  But what if the overall winner never bothers to lose a round, just wins straight through?  Should there be some other, cooler title we bestow up that person?

Bill Tucker's picture
Bill Tucker from Austin, Texas is reading Grimm's Fairy Tales (1st Edition) October 24, 2012 - 7:43am

Awesome matchups!  With no hockey on the horizon, this will be my source of competitive enjoyment.  WAR!!

Flaminia Ferina's picture
Flaminia Ferina from Umbria is reading stuff October 24, 2012 - 8:21am

But what if the overall winner never bothers to lose a round, just wins straight through?  Should there be some other, cooler title we bestow up that person?

yes: What A Lucky Bastard. WALB.

EDIT at the crickets-- the WALB title accomplishes two tasks: while I would totally brag about it if I win, it allows me to mock the winner if I lose.

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On October 24, 2012 - 8:56am

Jesus! I miss one day on the computer on this is already on page three-heading-to-four!

Anyone know if Nik Korpon's work is on the site? I checked all the workshop stories and the Scare Us contest, but can't find anything.

@Emma: Thanks for the build-up--appreciated as always! Btw, did you notice that if we each make it through, we could meet in round 3? Scary-fun:)

SConley's picture
SConley from Texas is reading Coin Locker Babies October 24, 2012 - 9:33am

Korpon has work all over the place if you Googled him i bet.