Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[onebigpotato]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Thanks guys, I already feel very welcome, votes, mentions, moderations, I've already had the full chron experience!

I'd been on the chron before, looking at what people said about my fav books but then HJ was telling Digs about the comp and I decided that I had to join, never looked back.

As for increasing the number of votes, what's our budget, $1 million, $200 million? Let's just find a tv station that takes monopoly money and BAM! Instant votes.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Yeah, we might also consider raffling off a Porsche or something like that, say one entry in the drawing for entering a story in the contest, and another for voting? Of course, that would tend to encourage the multiple voting discussion again....

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Thank you, Leisha, for reviving that thread. Which, as somebody suggested, I have renamed:

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/527633-some-works-of-staggering-genius-free.html

 

[The Procrastinator]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

To a Good Home

I must say I found it harder to write this challenge. Why? For one, I'm very busy at work and am fighting off a cold as cannot afford to get sick, so am knackered in t'evenings; and for two, I found it very tricky to think of ideas that weren't cliches!

So had to resort to the good old subconscious - "let it brew for a while and don't think about it" - which did the trick in the end. I love the subconscious.

Good grief I am tired, I'm not even sure if I'm spelling subconscious right, and normally my brain is a right Spellnazi. Did I say that out loud or am I dreaming this entire thing?

I also have to say, my goodness gracious what a cracking lot of stories we have so far, they really are publishable! I have NO IDEA who to vote for.

 

[Culhwch]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

After falling behind last month and having to do a big reread at the end (as I believe Seph did as well) I wanted to make sure I read the entries as they came in this month. Alas, I'm falling behind again. And I still don't know what I'm going to write. I've got nothing for my continuing story, and nothing that could standalone. Nothing and nothing equals nothing!

Of course, it is only the sixth, plenty of time yet...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Nobody should feel obligated to write a story this month (or any month), if they are sick, or stressed, or over-worked, or not inspired ... or any other reason.* It's supposed to be fun, after all. And it's not like the Challenge is on its last legs, and if more people don't write stories in July it won't be here in August.

Of course the more the merrier -- it's fascinating seeing so many different interpretations of the same idea, and inspiring to see so much talent on display -- and we do want new blood. Hence the PR drive. But when people start contributing stories because they feel they have to, then pretty soon they won't want to.



*But you are obligated to Vote!!! Well, no, not really.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Re: introductions stickies etc.

Maybe we could have a competition!

Write an introduction in seventy five words or less welcoming a new member to the site that will encourage their full participation in all aspects both social and intellectual.

In your introduction you should stress the addictive nature of social networks, and this one in particular, and must include reference to the fact that the operators and moderators of the site accept no responsibility, either moral or financial, for any 'damage' done to members of the site due to lack of sleep, food, water, resulting from members participation in the site and that any litigation from surviving relatives of a member will be defended vigorously.

It should include a small paragraph emphasizing the responsibilities placed on a new members to inform their next of kin about their networking activities so that adequate and regular social care can be arranged.

It would also be an advantage if the entries provided useful support numbers that members could contact in an emergency; Pieca Hut, McFlourties, The Comfy Chair Society's local branch number, Osteopaths Are You etc.

The entrants could be given extra credit for including reference to NASA's long term space program

"Space Travel - will lack of movement be a problem in exploring other worlds"

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Sounds like a lot of trouble to go to, to write anything quite so comprehensive, considering the short time we all have left ...

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Seventy-five words or fewer for an intro? I'd be chucked out of the Welcomers' Guild. Only a Nixie could manage – oh, all right. But I can't put the same information in every welcome; they should be personalised. Still, if anyone owns up to being a writer, I can probably ease in a reference (on the other hand, I have no idea if anyone ever reads my welcomes.)
It's almost a pity we can't tell who's voted to know who to bully (yes, I know that's why the anonymity)

Oh, and I apologise for having made my bilingual thing on the present subject; had I have been thinking, I would have used one of the older ones.

But blood runs high when you call out a Penycate to conjunctions at midnight at – quite a number of paces, actually.

I can resist anything but a challenge. Or temptation. Or kittens, small children or an outstanding pun. Or – I'm not very good at resisting things, actually.

 

[The Procrastinator]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Resistance, as we all know, is futile.

And just for reference I for one did not feel obligated. I like these little Challenges because I can actually write a little something and there it is, finished! What a sense of achievement! Only fully fledged Procrastinators can really understand how odd (and good) that feels.

Teresa - thank you - your reply to Tein made me Laugh Out Loud. (And btw I really really like your entry. I'll be shortlisting it. Among others. Good grief the entries are getting too good. What's a bear to do)

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Resistance, as we all know, is futile.

...

Teresa - thank you - your reply to Tein made me Laugh Out Loud. (And btw I really really like your entry.

...

Yes me too, though unfair on the newbies - Mmm, or is it all in the name?

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Only fully fledged Procrastinators can really understand how odd (and good) that feels.

Exactly.

In my case, there's no need to put off some tinkering** with the words. An odd feeling indeed.

What's a bear to do?

I don't know, but we could ask the others to consider the question: What would a bear do?




** - Which can be a good thing: once I start tinkering, I find it difficult to stop.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I wrote mine on the day the challenge was posted. But I figured I'd try something different this time, so instead of one, I wrote five. Which was stupid of me, and why I haven't posted an entry yet. I can't work out which one is the least crap. I can see which one is the most crap. *sigh*

Also, I haven't slept for three days now. The howling! The howling...

 

[J Riff]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Howling? The movie or real howling?
Around here, my Russian roomie goes beserk over a pigeon that roosts outside his window. Apparently he's never been around pigeons, and it goes: "Ahoo, Ahoo" or whatever that pigeon noise is, and he throws things at the window at 5 A.M.

Learning's Mr. Sun story is nice too.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Real howling. Ok, so it's puppy howling, but it's loud!

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Now, what stops the howling? Caresses, contact? You might find a hot water bottle sooths the insecurities of separation (although small, new, very sharp teeth need exercise too, and the bedwarmer is unlikely to survive the experience.

Voice? I remember a young animal (and his young mistress) being soothed by an autoreverse cassette of a Harry Potter audio book; I wonder what dreams that gave.

And my sympathies to the russian (city pigeons say something like Prrroou, prrrrooou. Outside my window. From slightly before first light. Fortunately a bit less now than during the spring, when they're trying to impress potential mates with their stupidity and lack of vocabulary; nature's chavs.) I am trying to breed up some of my spiders (who are silent, and do a great job with mosquitos) but for now the less than melodious cries of the red kites circling over the city are music to my ears.

Even if they do hit more sparrows than flying rats.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Tried the hot water bottle, he didn't give a monkeys! He just wants constant cuddles. Which he can't have when I'm trying to sleep!

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Try a swift kick - preferably when it finally goes to sleep

OK a bit harsh maybe.

Dogs - a pack animal. If they think they are separated from the pack they signal for attention hence the whining and when no answering call is heard they double their efforts to seek a response thinking the pack is further away.

The solution is simple. You will need some blankets or towels preferably both.

Now the tricky part - you need to impregnate these with your scent. There are several ways of doing this some are more sociably acceptable than others. Some are down right illegal. The preferred method is to use them as under blankets for a few days while you toss and turn thinking about the cost of vets fees and shotguns.

When you think you have infused them with enough of your sweat and odour you can move to the next phase. This is a tricky judgement call because if you "under cook" it then you will have to either start again or suffer extra nights sleeping on a what is now a doggy smelling flea infested reeking mess.

Take the items and give them to your dog preferably just before retiring for the quietest night's sleep in weeks.

Alternatively you can tailor yourself a fetching loin cloth and vest and join the frisky fellow outside every night and revel in the wonders of pack life.

This also works for new babies and is especially useful with your womenfolk.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Yeah... that's not evil at all.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Mouse, have you tried wrapping a teddy bear, or even the hot water bottle, in an old item of clothing that you've worn? The puppy will smell you on what it's cuddling up to, and be more reassured that you're nearby. Works with babies too - tucking an old t-shirt across the mattress in the cot - they thing they're snuggling up to mum.

Back on track - I haven't posted anything yet as I just haven't had a chance to think this month. Been running round like the proverbial fly with a blue bottom. I've read a few of the stories so far, but don't want to read any more until I've done mine - otherwise I'm worried that I might be put off by the extreme talent on show!

Chris - nature's chavs- love it!