Courtney's picture
Courtney from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooks December 15, 2012 - 10:28pm

I finally got an idea!! About half-way in.

Also, thank god for a new page with no autoplay. DON'T FUCK IT UP.

Bill Tucker's picture
Bill Tucker from Austin, Texas is reading Grimm's Fairy Tales (1st Edition) December 15, 2012 - 10:28pm

@Matt Attack - I love flash because it forces you to write efficiently. Writers tend to fall in with their words but those words can sometimes muddy the point of the story. Flash is direct and makes you get to the core of a moment or situation. My theory is that life is made of intense, bite sided moments and flash allows me to focus in on those moments. Take a situation and put a microscope to it to what the chemical makeup. Plus it's really hard to do. It forces you to "get over yourself" as a writer and just tell the story.

I get why people don't like it as it's confining, but I like the challenge of that aspect. 

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch December 15, 2012 - 10:59pm

Jeffrey, no we're not doing flash! I just made a general comment about me not being good a flash. Or flashing.

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons December 15, 2012 - 11:45pm

Yippee I finally got a rough draft down. Whew. I like finding ways to cut my stories . Always makes them better. I just hate I'm up against Bill cause I want us both to win.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts December 16, 2012 - 1:39am

I'd give a 100 mile radius around Kansas City where you can get real deal burnt ends. I've got a mouth-boner just thinking about it.

Bekanator's picture
Bekanator from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay Hunter December 16, 2012 - 2:49am

Second draft, bitches!

I gotta admit that I am loving this, taking out words and trying to say more by saying less. Two more days and this story should be prime veal.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner December 16, 2012 - 5:00am

Good point Bill. Good on ya. Let me see what I can do. 

 

@Metal and meat

I got a crock pot full of bbq chicken and then of course this

 

 

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz December 16, 2012 - 6:33am

Liana...I know for a fact that you are good at flash. And you inspire me.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz December 16, 2012 - 6:39am

Oh...I just want to add that after all you bitches and basterds are done killing each other in WAR that flash me! will, thanks to Martin and Nathan and all you lovely supporters and contributors, still be there.

No. One. Is. Bad. At. Flash.

it is as easy as tearing off your birthday suit™

closure's picture
closure from Australia is reading The Ghormenghast Trilogy, by Mervyn Peake December 16, 2012 - 6:53am

Holy Shit!™ Chester's Back! Or is it just me somehow not seeing you on LR for a while?

Is this an appropriate place to hug? Is everyone like..watching?

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore December 16, 2012 - 7:23am

Oklahoma Joe's is my BBQ joint of choice. The original one is inside a gas station, and has been featured on tons of Food Network shows, having sprung from a competition team called Slaughterhouse Five. They've since opened two more locations nearer me. I'm down with some Memphis 'cue, but can't abide that Carolina stuff.

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/oklahoma-joes

TomorrowHill's picture
TomorrowHill from Newfoundland, Canada is reading your mind. You like Castlevania, don't you? December 16, 2012 - 8:01am

Chester! What's happening, man? Does this mean we can expect to see you around the WAR threads?

In other news, I think I've finally nailed down my next story. Get ready, Averydoll - you think you're the only one who can cut a badass promo? Well get a load of THIS!

 

Skygrotto's picture
Skygrotto from Southwestern Ontario is reading Europe: A History by Norman Davies December 16, 2012 - 8:03am

@Stacy, please submit a story.

There's no honor beating opponents who aren't there. I fight with myself enough already, "Ten shots of espresso or two pots of coffee? Damnit, man, espresso always. What was I thinking? I know, right?"

Meredith_103's picture
Meredith_103 December 16, 2012 - 8:22am

My opponent wrote a story last round about a psycho bitch named Meredith. He must have seen this battle coming. So @XyZy--where are you?

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner December 16, 2012 - 9:40am

Alright dammit. Draft one complete. 

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch December 16, 2012 - 10:16am

Ok I'll be flashing more so I make you proud Chester. But now I have to write a kick-ass story. 

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines December 16, 2012 - 2:29pm

I AM FUCKING DONE! This means it is either very good or very bad. Go easy on us pit people, voters. 

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On December 16, 2012 - 4:21pm

I can relate. I just finished two versions of the same story written in very different styles, and I can't tell if they're pretty good, or if one version is better than the other, or if they're both utter shit. Will tackle them again later...

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt December 16, 2012 - 4:27pm

I'm really excited to read these stories coming up. 1200 words is a hell of a limit, and should make for stronger stories. Good luck guys!*

 

Except you, Matt Attack. 

 

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. December 16, 2012 - 5:57pm

I got me a draft, but it needs some editing and polishing tomorrow before I dare to believe it's any good.

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. December 16, 2012 - 7:40pm

Sigh. I wrote something. It may or may not have absolutely  nothing to do with my prompt, other than the prompt initially sparked the idea.

Heh.

Hope y'all are having fun writing. I'm going to bed.

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons December 16, 2012 - 8:14pm

Your flash piece will come to you Matt. Keep writing things down. You are a good writer. You will get a flash story before deadline, and the waiting on it will make it all the sweeter. 

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On December 17, 2012 - 6:17am

Last night, chipped away 215 words to get the count to 1,199. This morning, will review the carnage with hopefully clearer eyes...

SConley's picture
SConley from Texas is reading Coin Locker Babies December 17, 2012 - 6:22am

I have my idea, i hope i can fit it under 1200. It's something i've been wanting to write for a while and now i have the chance.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters December 17, 2012 - 7:18am

@TomorrowHill -  Whoever you go up against in The Pit next round is lucky to have such a fun opponent.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like December 17, 2012 - 10:58am

Nanomachines on the fritz again.

Carly Berg's picture
Carly Berg from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at Amazon December 17, 2012 - 11:27am

Excuse my dumbness, but I'm new to this board and I just can't figure out what is going on here. I guess this goes in rounds and only the people who were there at the start of this battle can submit a story?

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt December 17, 2012 - 11:35am

Yes, it's a tournament. We started with 64 and are now down to 48.

There is also a Beyond Thunderdome thread where you can challenge members to a battle. It's run similarly to this tournament (one week rough draft, second week finals, then polls).

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore December 17, 2012 - 12:50pm

To submit, yes, but any workshop member can read and vote on WAR matches as they please.

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch December 17, 2012 - 12:57pm

And are we still taking alternates or not anymore?

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters December 17, 2012 - 2:40pm

No more alternates, please.

UPDATE!!!

I probably won't post the polls for the Pit until Wednesday morning (8am CST).  I have internet issues on Tuesday nights.  So don't die waiting for them or anything.

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch December 17, 2012 - 2:52pm

I would like to be an alternate for myself, that's all.

TomMartinArt's picture
TomMartinArt from Amherst, MA December 17, 2012 - 2:54pm

Polished and submitted.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner December 17, 2012 - 3:04pm

Except you, Matt Attack."

Dick. 

 

Your flash piece will come to you Matt. Keep writing things down. You are a good writer."

You're a gem. Flattery will get you everywhere. I'm cheap. 

 

 

I am finished! Yay me! Now I will let it marinate, along with some delicious steak in the fridge. 

dufrescm's picture
dufrescm from Wisconsin is reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep December 17, 2012 - 3:23pm

I am at that point in the story where I've started telling myself it sucks, I suck, I'm a terrible storyteller, I should just give up.  I hate this part of the process...

Liana's picture
Liana from Romania and Texas is reading Naked Lunch December 17, 2012 - 5:11pm

You're all a bunch of over-achievers. I haven't written one word. I did paste the prompt in an empty Word document.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt December 17, 2012 - 5:12pm

^I was working on a story yesterday and by the time I went to sleep I felt that way. This morning I was amped about it again.

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres December 17, 2012 - 5:14pm

I have read & re-read my prompt for the last couple days.  Liana, you're beating me, I haven't even opened Word yet.  Fingers are crossed that something good will happen tonight.  Unfortunately, I can't type with crossed fingers.

TomMartinArt's picture
TomMartinArt from Amherst, MA December 17, 2012 - 5:20pm

I did paste the prompt in an empty Word document.

Now just paste it enough times to get to 1,200 words and you're IN.

TomMartinArt's picture
TomMartinArt from Amherst, MA December 17, 2012 - 5:23pm

A cold feeling creeps up my spine's ass as I realize that that may be a very old joke around here.

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres December 17, 2012 - 5:25pm

I don't think I've ever seen that joke before, you may be safe.

Side note, TomMartinArt, does your band tour often?  Ever play with Municipal Waste from Richmond, VA?  I listened to a bunch of your stuff, sounds like you'd be a good fit.

Gordon Highland's picture
Gordon Highland from Kansas City is reading Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore December 17, 2012 - 5:37pm

Every time I read the title of this thread/round, I think of that Alecia Keys song. There are worse things.

Story writing has begun. A good yarn, I think, but the prose is leaving much to be desired. Which worked out for me okay in the previous round, so fingers (and lines of good taste) crossed.

TomMartinArt's picture
TomMartinArt from Amherst, MA December 17, 2012 - 5:49pm

We don't tour often, but we have toured, and have played with Municipal Waste. They said "you guys kicked ass," but that could very well have been the polite thing you tell your local openers when they crowd you with moist, wide eyes. We did get their crowd very nicely worked up. 

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. December 17, 2012 - 5:58pm

@ TomMartinArt. Good show, sir.

Municipal Waste are fun. I should be catching them next year when they are playing a festival I attend each year. Slayer and Anthrax are on the bill for next year too, but I already saw those guys multiple times. Recent years, we have had Forbidden, Exodus, & Testament. All of those were grand.

Thrash is one of the few styles of metal America does better than Europe does. I'd like to hear something by your band. Throw me a link?

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. December 17, 2012 - 6:00pm

Also, I fired my story over. Jeff, you still out there? Hope you hated the prompt and your fingers fell off and you never actually got a word written ;-p

TomMartinArt's picture
TomMartinArt from Amherst, MA December 17, 2012 - 6:04pm

http://lichkingmetal.bandcamp.com/album/born-of-the-bomb-2, my good man! That's the new album. Less than two months old. Reviews still trickling in. That's my baby boy.

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 December 17, 2012 - 6:13pm

@Tom... Good shit, man! In the infamous word of Joe Dirt:

Stacy Kear's picture
Stacy Kear from Bucyrus, Ohio lives in New Jersey is reading The Art of War December 17, 2012 - 6:21pm

@ Sky ~ I haven't not submitted a story yet. Oh I'm here and I will give you a fight. No honor in winning without a fight. I plan on winning. (That's my big talk, I'm really scared and intimidated) ~ (that's my crazy talk, I'm really confident and you should be worried) :-) 

First try at flash, I loathe my prompt but I am loving the word and time restrictions. I am not a patient person. 

Second draft tonight. 

Wonder Woman's picture
Wonder Woman from RI is reading 20th Century Ghosts December 17, 2012 - 6:42pm

Sean & Liana, I'm right there with you. I keep reading my prompt over and over. I have a general idea, but not really sure where it's going to take me until I sit to write, (which I don't have time for until tomorrow...yey!) 

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres December 17, 2012 - 6:57pm

I have no doubt that we can all do this, WW1k1, and probably do it well.  It's more a matter of how much stress we put upon ourselves to get to the end.