Discussion -- June 2011 Challenge

[paranoid marvin]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Thanks, alchemist (though it's only a play on words).

Besides, in my re-read of A Game of Thrones, I reached the scene in the inn on the Kingsroad where Catelyn is having a meal and the serving boy has "laid trenchers of bread before them and filled them with chunks of browned meat off a skewer..." this evening, so the word was already swimming about in my mind (possibly in gravy).

Well , that's a moat point.

 

[alchemist]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Thanks, alchemist (though it's only a play on words).

Tho' I'd never 'eard it before.

Oh, sorry. Still in character.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Well , that's a moat point.

Advert: "For the growing figure, don't throw away your old draws**, but instead bridge the gap with our line of draws bridges...."

And speaking of bridge, can a I suggest a bid in no trumps....


(Sorry for lowering the tone. )


** - Or breeches, for that matter.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Yes, I think you meant 'Once more unto the breach , Best Beloved!'

I highly doubt combining the works of two different authors, centuries apart though they be, is a valid claim to original work.



I think I'll go beat myself in the right knee with a ball pin hammer now....

 

[Chaoticheart]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Posted pewpew. So who can tell me (without the aid of google) the myth I used?

 

[Ursa major]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Really powerful last line there, PM. It took a couple of seconds for its meaning to sink in, and then....


Excellent!

 

[paranoid marvin]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Really powerful last line there, PM. It took a couple of seconds for its meaning to sink in, and then....


Excellent!

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not sure it follows Kipling's sentiments, but hopefully his style. I do like the way that he writes in the vernacular of the common soldier, but doesn't in any way demean him.

 

[Bob Senior]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Howdy,
Being new to this writing thing, I am a bit confused. (did I say a BIT confused?) Is it common to try to copy another person's style? I always thought writing was about being creative and one should avoid sounding or thinking like someone else. If everyone had the same style eventually all books would read the same and book sales might hit 50 per year, maybe 60.
It's just a question from a not too smart man, so a polite explanation would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[High Eight]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not sure it follows Kipling's sentiments, but hopefully his style. I do like the way that he writes in the vernacular of the common soldier, but doesn't in any way demean him.

Admit it, Marvin - you've found a lost Barrack Room Ballad, haven't you? Either that or you're channeling Kipling's ghost. I stand in awe.

And the sentiment is fine. Kipling was under no illusion that officers give (sometimes bad) orders and privates die because of them. He grew even more cynical after his only son was killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915 (His body was never found).

 

[digs]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Howdy,
Being new to this writing thing, I am a bit confused. (did I say a BIT confused?) Is it common to try to copy another person's style? I always thought writing was about being creative and one should avoid sounding or thinking like someone else. If everyone had the same style eventually all books would read the same and book sales might hit 50 per year, maybe 60.
It's just a question from a not too smart man, so a polite explanation would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob

Not only is copying someone else's style common, there wouldn't be an author who doesn't. You can create something new by adapting or combining or subverting something old.

Creating a piece in the style of Kipling doesn't necessarily equal unoriginality. Think of all the different fantasy books that have sprung out of Tolkien's style. The challenge is in applying those conventions and techniques to a story, or in a way, that's all your own.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

GAAHHH!! How the hell is this supposed to happen!?!


I'm currently looking over more of Kipling's stuff and I swear I can not come to anywhere near even resembling it!!!

 

[psychotick]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Ah Finally,

I've been waiting two long days to post my entry, and all the while I was worried that someone was going beat me and come up with the same idea. Honestly I'm stunned that no one has - after all in this crowd how can you suggest anything about nourishment and not expect either cannibalism or zombies to come up? My only regret was that in seventy five words I couldn't quite bring in both.

Cheers.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I've just recounted mine for the third time and make it exactly 75 words (Yay!) but my word counter keeps telling me 77.

So I apologise in advance if it's over length and has to be removed. But my imperfect brain tells me it's 75...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

You're fine. The problem is that your word processor mistakes the dashes in your story for words.

 

[The Judge]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Being new to this writing thing, I am a bit confused. (did I say a BIT confused?) Is it common to try to copy another person's style? I always thought writing was about being creative and one should avoid sounding or thinking like someone else.

You're right in that we should all aim to have an original style, Bob. However, it was (no idea if it is still) common practice for budding artists to try to copy old masters to understand the techniques employed, and then use that to inform their own style as they developed. It's perhaps no bad thing for budding writers to do the same now and again -- we can learn how another author achieved a certain effect by studying his work and aiming to reproduce it.

More importantly, this is a fun challenge which is designed to make us think and stretch us -- after all, we weren't aiming to make everyone here paranormal romance or urban fantasy writers the last two months! So we're not all going to turn into Kipling clones overnight. (Though I shall keep my eye on one or two people...)


Paranoid Marvin, that is an excellent piece! Very well written, indeed. As for HB's peom... *looks at the fruit bowl and decides to have a danish pastry for elevenses instead*

 

[chrispenycate]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I admit I'm impressed. Not surprised; I was expecting to be impressed. And certainly not astonished; I've seen in the past how this group rises to challenges and faces insoluble opportunities.

But to unlock the thread of what I considered to be the most challenging exercise yet at midnight, and find eight submissions, while my own idea is less than half completed; that's quite an impressgang.

 

[scalem X]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I'd like to think Kipling saw something (strange or foreign) and then just took a pen and start describing. After scratching out and adding some stuff he passed on to a new topic or point to consider.
I didn't so much use his writing style as I did his writing style.

 

[GreenKidx]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Wow. There goes my attempt at a perfect 12 months for 2011! Don't even know who that is!

 

[nixie]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

I'd like to think Kipling saw something (strange or foreign) and then just took a pen and start describing. After scratching out and adding some stuff he passed on to a new topic or point to consider.
I didn't so much use his writing style as I did his writing style.

I'm pleased you still know how to obey emperor. Have to say a very good entry.

 

[slack]

Re: DISCUSSION the 75 Word Challenge JUNE 2011

Not surprised at all to see double the amount of poems to prose. I wonder if that trend will continue. Seems like verse is easier to 'kiplingize'.