Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[R M Tobias]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Parsons, I have a passing knowledge of All Hallows but no experience with the modern day equivalent.

Also, I don't think there is a lack of hope in the world. I think that people disguise 'hope' in the form of other things, such as believing a single genetically enhanced super soldier will defeat a horde of invading aliens and then praising it for it's 'gritty realism'

 

[Precise Calibre]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

The best part was when my ancestors would round up their enemies and shove them into large cages of wicker shaped like giant men.... then set fire to them. Good times. Good times.

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Urgh

My mother forbid Halloween in our household describing is as "american" (usually right before cooking us "American Eggs" for breakfast.

Looking at the other entries I feel as if something has passed me by.

The theme isn't Hallowe'en though.

I'm starting to worry that people are thinking that it is, and then will dismiss mine (and some of the others, including RM's) as not being about Hallowe'en!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Hoopy said we could interpret the theme as broadly as we wanted to. I wish I had the time to go back and copy exactly what she did say, but I fear that would mean reading through pages and pages and pages.

Perhaps she will stop by again and elucidate the theme again. Or perhaps someone with a better memory than I have could paraphrase what she said.

Edit -- OK, I used the search function, and since she hasn't posted in this thread since she said it, I was able to find it easily.

Hey, hey! None of these specifics! As with all themes, completely open to interpretation. Trick. Or Treat. Or trick and treat. Or something hallowe'eny. The theme is your oyster!

I only hope that this doesn't bring on a series of stories about mollusks. (All bivalve stories will be disqualified!)

 

[Allanon]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

i like the fact that the theme is open and i tried to go duel on the subject. I like the dark temper this month so i stuck with it, even though i prefer lighter writing myself. but my duality came in the sense that i wanted to hit slightly on the theme of Halloween, being as this month is host to it, but i also tried not to mention it so that although on first reading it looks like a halloween trick or treating story it could be any girl at any door just apprehensive of what's on the other side. A girl who has argued with her b/f and they are maikn up or not necessarily even of this plane of reality, perhaps a rift.

Or you may decide i'm speaking complete rubbish and then it's just a nice halloweeny type story!!

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I only hope that this doesn't bring on a series of stories about mollusks. (All bivalve stories will be disqualified!)

I'm going to assume that stories inducing a clammy feeling in the reader will be okay. (Or, indeed, tales including animals** owned by the Beverly Hillbillies....)



* Returns to his snail's pace entry writing. *


** - Such as Duke.

.

 

[R M Tobias]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

The theme isn't Hallowe'en though.

I'm starting to worry that people are thinking that it is, and then will dismiss mine (and some of the others, including RM's) as not being about Hallowe'en!

I was more referring to my comprehension of those that were about halloween. I know what it is, I just don't get the 'in' jokes

 

[BaileyD]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Lenny, before I read your post here, I was thinking that we have another month of very dark entries, and I was including yours in that total. The social critic in me wants to make something nefarious out that, which may be a bit too strong, but it strikes me that there might be at root a lack of hope in our world today.

R M, Halloween in its present incarnation is indeed quite "American" but the roots go much further back than the American Experiment. There was genuine meyham in places on "All Hallows Eve" deep into the Middle Ages and quite possibly before.

I find modern Halloween celebrations rather jolly, but then I tend to feast on the sweets the children leave (Making sure to purchase a great many before the door knocking begins

To be fair the middle ages were dark times in general; ignorance engendered a climate of fear in an already difficult and dangerous world back then. Thank goodness we now live in more enlightened times where we can give free rein to our imagination...without fear of being burnt for it, which is nice.

 

[digs]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I'm not much of a Halloweener either*, although I've been inundated with enough American TV shows and movies to feel like I get it. That doesn't mean I don't like the Halloween stories though! Because I do.


*Although I do like lollies, getting on my neighbour's goats, and spraying kids with hoses (translation: candy, annoying neighbors, and spraying kids with hoses (some things are universal)).

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Lenny, before I read your post here, I was thinking that we have another month of very dark entries, and I was including yours in that total. The social critic in me wants to make something nefarious out that, which may be a bit too strong, but it strikes me that there might be at root a lack of hope in our world today.

....

Parson: Are you pulling my leg ?

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Parsons, I have a passing knowledge of All Hallows but no experience with the modern day equivalent.

Also, I don't think there is a lack of hope in the world. I think that people disguise 'hope' in the form of other things, such as believing a single genetically enhanced super soldier will defeat a horde of invading aliens and then praising it for it's 'gritty realism'

I'm not sure that I understand what your meaning is here, but if you are saying that modern SF movies have a hopeful bent because in the end the good guys are able to blast the evil guys, to a degree you have to be right. But I would posit that a truly hopeful view of the future would be one without violence and with mutual respect.

Bailey D said:

I find modern Halloween celebrations rather jolly, but then I tend to feast on the sweets the children leave (Making sure to purchase a great many before the door knocking begins

Modern Halloween celebrations are rather jolly, at least as they are confined to kids.

But when it comes to what passes for adults: Did you know that the only holiday where more alcohol is consumed is New Years? Or that the "holiday" is one of the biggest days for vandalism? I lived in the Detroit area when "Devil's night" -- the night before Halloween resulted in 100's of set fires. (They authorities seem to have a handle on it at present.)

As a Christian who believes in the supernatural including the Devil and demons, I find myself opposed to anything which makes them seem innocuous and/or pure fantasy.

As for the candy. We certainly also buy too much and over indulge ourselves. Having children come to the door happy is a nice thing, but I am worried about it's roots, and the opening it gives for less playful activities.

 

[HareBrain]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

The roots of Hallowe'en have nothing to do with devils and demons, only the spirits of the dead. It was believed to be a time when the border between the worlds of the living and the dead became thin, and spirits could reach through and trouble the world of the living (the "trick") unless they were appeased (the "treat"). Inherent in that belief is the lesson that the harm you do to people might come back to haunt you, which I think is pretty healthy. I think it's a shame that it's got muddled up with all the other horror/monsters stuff.

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I'm not much of a Halloweener either*, although I've been inundated with enough American TV shows and movies to feel like I get it. That doesn't mean I don't like the Halloween stories though! Because I do.


*Although I do like lollies, getting on my neighbour's goats, and spraying kids with hoses (translation: candy, annoying neighbors, and spraying kids with hoses (some things are universal)).

Hoses, eh? Sounds like a plan! I was just gonna stick a sign on the door which read 'Bugger off.' Well, that, or answer the door ranting and foaming at the mouth until the children flee.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Hoses, eh? Sounds like a plan! I was just gonna stick a sign on the door which read 'Bugger off.' Well, that, or answer the door ranting and foaming at the mouth until the children flee.

Nah. When kids start to show up on your lawn, that's when you decide to clean out your refrigerator and use what you find as ammo.

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Interesting, Karn, I'm liking that idea! I have popped moudly cheese into kids' bags before now...

 

[Allanon]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

You're all very cruel!! And obviously dont have kids!!

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I'm not sure handing out mouldy cheese is a very good idea.


What if the little dears eat some of it? (See Moldy cheese: Is it unsafe to eat? - MayoClinic.com.)






Now fresh cheese. That is a treat.

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I can't help thinking we're missing something here** -- mouldy cheese and the mayo clinic...?


** a waldorf salad with a roquefort twist perhaps

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

A healthy treat which is bound to be appreciated by the little goblins.

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

They'd have to be pretty dippy/blind to eat the cheese I gave them! I'm talking furballs here.

Hallowe'en + Mouse = much grumpiness. However, Christmas + Mouse = happy happy joy joy.

Just don't get me started on November 5th...