Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Actually, my only concern is about ideas I've seen posted on the board. Some are original enough to, ahem, inspire others to write them (I'm thinking of guest viewers, not other members). I hope most contributing members realize how valuable those ideas are.

You do know that ideas are not copyrightable? I understand it's different in screenplays etc, but in novels the elevator pitch with The Great Idea isn't the be-all and end-all, it's the way the book is written which is important. It doesn't matter how good the concept, if the writing is poor, the action lame and the characters flatter than cardboard with dialogue a child would ridicule, the novel ain't going nowhere.


Congratulations on the greatnephew, Chris. I hope mother and baby are both doing well. The story's a good one, too -- and the vampire will gain more than a few seconds, I think!

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Jacob sleeps, eats, cries and fills nappies; about par for the course.

Mother required cesearian, so could be better, but she's a lawyer, thus tough.

Jacob does not appreciate me carrying him, as I am not equipped with nourishment facilities.

This has nothing to do with time short stories featuring time (although a customs official in Dover might recognise herself). I wanted to make it a Chronopire (Vlad the impeder), but feared that, on here, the description would carry ulterior meaning.

And it is less than seventy-five words (and probably Mouse-proof, and SFF).

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Probably Mouse-proof? Tsk! I did understand it. (I think!)

 

[Precise Calibre]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I figured he meant it contained no semblance of anything akin to innuendo.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Mouse proof because there are no traps in it; as straightforward as it can possibly be.

It's not all that easy to avoid abstrusity while maintaining low word counts.

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

We're in need of definitions, I think. I propose:

Passing the Mouse Test -- containing no ambiguity and easy to comprehend in a single reading

Mouse-proof -- containing no sexual innuendo

Mouse-like -- ending with a very funny line

Mouse-modesty -- unjustly denigrating one's own abilities

and:

Ursa-proof -- containing nothing which can be used as a basis for a pun (believed to be impossible to achieve)

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Awesome.

I was about to protest and say that the stories I've written for this month (two this time) contain no sexual innuendo... then I realised that one does. So I'll uh... shut up.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Now that would be a worthwhile challenge; write seventy-five words on any subject without leaving the opportunity for Ursa to make a pun.

You could even insist they made a story, not just "Treacle, treacle, treacle..."

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I think even treacle could be mined for something if one knew one's Pratchett...

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Sounds like it would be a rather sticky challenge....

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

This whole conversation is bit too sweet for me.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Anyone got 'The streets of Anhk Morpork'? Where is Teacle mine road, anyway; near the shades.

But I was with the dormouse at the mad teaparty: also mining molasses.

But I had no difficulty pudding it in simple words.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Pudding throwing?

I'm game.

Game pie too, if you want.

However, If we're not careful those of a moderate nature will be consigning this thread to the lounge and we'd all loose those lovely post counts.

Ursa might even go back to less than 6000.

Maybe we need a flippant discussion thread as well.

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Without wanting to cramp anyone’s pudding-based style, I’m going to attempt to haul this thread back to where it once was . . . . . .

33 stories so far – all amazing! I don’t have a favourite yet, because each new post is making me reconsider.

Anyone who has put something hidden in their story may have lost me though, as my brain just cannot compute them – it was only after Judge’s HUGE clue that I got the secret of Mouse’s story last month, and that was with considerable earlier clues from everybody!

So, enough of my interrupting, now back to the puddings and pies . . . . .

Anyone for a Yorkshire Pudding Boat Race?

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Well done, StormFeather. I'll give a hand with the hauling back to the topic in hand, as I helped drag it away.

So far, I think it's only me and Precise Calibre who have admitted to any kind of puzzle in their stories (which isn't to say the others are puzzle-free, but it's a breach of the Ursine Regulations not to give some kind of clue!). Has anyone got the personification thing with PC's? Or mgir's title quote, come to that? (Those who have cheated and googled the quote might give us some hints at this point...)

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

to be honest, I did try to work something into mine, but then thought it was so clumsy and obvious that I didn't want to mention it.

But, as you've reminded me, I have the Ursine Regulations to comply to so . . . .

but it is ridiculously obvious so not really clever

 

[Precise Calibre]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I've had one person PM me with their theory on it, and they are correct - their identity shall remain obfuscated unless they decide to step forth willingly.

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Well, you might think it's ridiculously obvious, StormFeather, but I can't see anything there. What with yours and PC's, this is definitely a three pipe problem.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I can't see any hidden anything in anyone's! (You see my excellent usage of the English language in that sentence there?)

I thought I got StormFeather's one, but not sure I do now! I can spot a typo though... Does that get me anything?

 

[Precise Calibre]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

If you flip the title words in Chris's story...