Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 9:56am

This is the thread for Round 1:  I'VE GOT YOUR NAME

This song is dedicated to all of you.

Welcome to Round 1 of WAR2:  PRIDE, 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, November 2, 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 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

My guns are loaded, and one of my bullets has your name on it.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 9:56am

THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:

BRACKET!

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland October 23, 2012 - 10:08am

Brackets! Yay. Recon time!
The brackets look awesome from what I know of these writers there are some really great first round match ups.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:03am

Hope everyone is terrified!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt October 23, 2012 - 10:08am

I'm terrified in the sense that I have never read any of my first opponent's stuff.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:09am

I have - and it's good. 

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX October 23, 2012 - 10:10am

Emma!

Fritz's picture
Fritz October 23, 2012 - 10:11am

Coo. Good show. Feels more real now

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:18am

I'm making some projections...and round two could be really epic.  I'm extremely excited to see this stuff.

 

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines October 23, 2012 - 10:29am

I am puke in my shoe excited about this. I have no idea what to do or how the process works, and I don't have time to educate myself, so I am going to do what I typically do in these scenarios and throw money at something and write like a motherfucking banshee when a prompt drops. Someone nudge me when it gets close to drop time, ok? There's some hella strangeness afoot on planet Dre at the moment. Also, I may have just pre-emptively eliminated myself with all the hyperbole in the previous sentence....death to me, death by hyperbole. 

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland October 23, 2012 - 10:32am

My opponent has no workshop submissions for me to get to know my enemy. Also he calls Richard Thomas Rich. I'm officially shitting my pants.:)

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres October 23, 2012 - 10:32am

Big thanks to Averydoll for posting the brackets!  You did a great job Jessica!  Thanks so much, from all of us!!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt October 23, 2012 - 10:33am

@Avery, thank you for injecting me with doubt and fear. Just have to ask, am I in your round 2 projections?

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt October 23, 2012 - 10:34am

@Utah, great job on the brackets. From the looks of it, no one gets an easy ride.

 

DAMN YOU! You were supposed to randomly give me an easy ride.

Flaminia Ferina's picture
Flaminia Ferina from Umbria is reading stuff October 23, 2012 - 10:40am

Ooo oooo Jeffrey Grant Barr, a serious writer! Uh-oh I must study.

The brackets are randomly well done. Exciting!

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 10:41am

@Drea:  It's pretty easy.  I have faith in you.  Just, you know, don't cheat.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 10:42am

@Omerta:  just don't use adverbs.  JGB has no chance if you avoid adverbs.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:46am

My projections are secret...

but I see a crutch without an owner...

 

Flaminia Ferina's picture
Flaminia Ferina from Umbria is reading stuff October 23, 2012 - 10:47am

I wanted to use adverbs as a secret weapon.. never mind.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 10:48am

but I see a crutch without an owner...

WTF?

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland October 23, 2012 - 10:49am

How pissed would KGB be if he got beat with an adverb stick. Do it!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt October 23, 2012 - 10:49am

but I see a crutch without an owner...

Dammit, is this the prompt? Don't play with my emotions.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:50am

Uh, like...

A Christmas Carol?  And the spirit says that...

never mind

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce October 23, 2012 - 10:50am

@Sound - I'm terrified for the same reasons. Fear of the unknown is strong in me. (let the stalking commence!)

Thanks Utah & Jessica for organising this!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 10:51am

I mean Sound is going to die.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 10:55am

@Jess:  Thank you for participating!

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 10:57am

Could not do the autoplay on that song any longer.  It's important to have mood music, but today is not my day for that.

bryanhowie, would you care to autoplay a song?

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies October 23, 2012 - 10:58am

oh, man. seriously? if i get past mckay i have to face bek in the SECOND ROUND? seriously? well, one of us will be going down, that's for sure. dammit. booooooooooooo.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 11:00am

Not that I'm making projections, but round 2 holds the possibility of Chris Carter vs Nik Korpon, and that idea excites me. Actually I'm pretty pumped about a few of these...

 

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore October 23, 2012 - 11:02am

A'ight, best get started digging that well, running a hose, and stocking up on lotion.

Also, note that November 2nd is next Friday, not this Friday.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:05am

Round 2 could be pretty tense.  Nice thing, for all of us really, is the whole double-elim idea.  Because there are several heavy matchups that would be a shame to be the true death knell of some of these contestants.

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines October 23, 2012 - 11:08am

I am too simple to cheat. True story. 

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 - 11:09am

Who is this Ben Freeman character?

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines October 23, 2012 - 11:09am

Also, I am now an official Workshop member. Avery gets commission on this sale though, Utah.  

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:14am

That is total bullshit!

Also, was just looking for my promised matchup with WickedVoodoo.  All that requires is that I get through telegraphkiss.  And then Gordon Highland.  And for WV to get through Meredith103 and then Moon or his Round 1 opponent.

Soooooo, let's plan on the meetup in the afterlife, whatcha say Wicked?

Or we could both totally be not-humble and say, I'll meet you in round 3!

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies October 23, 2012 - 11:17am

forgot this was double-elimination. see you all in the loser's bracket.

Wonder Woman's picture
Wonder Woman from RI is reading 20th Century Ghosts October 23, 2012 - 11:18am

I just leapt from my chair...

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:18am

Ricahrd, If you'd like to swap places with me, you can hope for the best in Round 1 and then take on Gordon Round 2.

 

I owe Rebecca.  One way or another I'm head-hunting her.

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore October 23, 2012 - 11:26am

From the looks of the matchups, that loser's bracket could get downright scrappy in a hurry. I bet the stories in that first round down there might be some of the best of the WAR, motivated as they'll be to survive.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:30am

What I read in Gordon's post just there was, "I would love it if Utah and Richard switch places."

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 - 11:31am

Either way, I'm gunning' for you Utah

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:32am

Now, before everybody starts rattling the bars about wanting to trade places with other people, these is just jokes.  Richard and I won't be trading places.

 

Unless, you know, he wants to.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies October 23, 2012 - 11:32am

lol...well, i was hoping for a meeting with rebecca in the finals last year, so, if i can get by mckay we'll have that competition, at least.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:33am

@Moon:  it's unfortunate I won't be able to battle you and Voodoo at the same time.  I wouldn't even care if Voodoo won, as long as I got one more vote than you.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:36am

I LOVE ROUND 2!

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 - 11:37am

Ha! Bring it!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 11:42am

If I make it into round 2, which is not a given at all, I would have to face Emma - who I named as one of my favorites in the other thread. 

Fuck.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:44am

So, you can all see that Rounds 1 & 2 will each have 64 stories.  I don't know about you guys, but that's a lot of stories to read in a week.  So we won't be doing them all in a week.  Here's the Rounds 1&2 format:

Half the prompts drop on Friday, Nov 2.  The writers in those matchups write like hell for a week.  That next Friday, they turn in their stories and we post the polls.  At the same time, we drop prompts for the other half of the writers.  They, in turn, write like hell for a week.  We post their polls as we close the first half polls. 

So, Rounds 1 & 2 will each take 3 weeks.

Intense, but not as intense as if we did them all at once.  That would go from being intense to being crap with a quickness.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:45am

@Avery:  At least you don't have to meet Clint straight off. 

Which reminds me, I meant to have you meet Clint straight off.  Face your fears!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters October 23, 2012 - 11:47am

I would cry if I had to face Clint right off the bat again.

Although in order to win I will have to knock out two women in rounds 1 and 2.  I feel pretty misogynistic right now. 

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry October 23, 2012 - 11:51am

That's why they are your randomly-selected first opponents.  Because I wanted to expose you as a hypocrite.

You need to unleash your inner Republican.