Discussion thread -- November 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[Luiglin]

I'm with the Dark Lord on the genre

 

[Starbeast]

I do hope you enter, SB; your stories are always good value.

This is a different take on absurdism (the subject of absurdist fiction):
http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/absurd.php

Conflict between the protagonist's goals and an uncaring universe -- that sounds like the very foundations of comedy, to me.

Edited to add: This challenge is about story-telling, not philosophy. Entertain me, and I won't be picky about the finer details of genre definition... particularly as I don't really understand the definition.

Thanks TitaniumTi for the help. Sounds like your definition is like the movie, HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY.

Whilst some people may be lenient on theme or genre, I find it's best to make an effort to try and hit them - that's the challenge, right?

For me, Starbeast's definition is the empirical one and it's important to realise the difference between comedy and absurd fiction as many people think because it's absurd it has to be funny. It may be more helpful to think of it in terms of surreality, bleakness, nihilism and dark humour. I only say this because absurdist work is one of my most favourite, and so for all the times I've had to address (cough, 'struggle') with grim dark, steampunk, cyberpunk or SFF, I'm going to be extra hard on those that don't do their research

Could you tell I was a teacher if I hadn't said so?

Thank you (teacher) Phyrebrat, for clarifying ABSURDIST. My understanding was correct that the clearest definition does not mean comedy, just strange and surreal situations that a character is boxed in. Which makes me think of the move, BRAZIL. I was sad and happy how that film ended. The main character was trapped in a bleak world where he found escape in it by day-dreaming. But in the end he was a victim of his government's cruel laws, which released him permanently into his dreams, by brainwashing.

Hmm. I'll try to think of something for this challenge.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I think Brazil is an excellent example. And I know you were thinking of also saying 'Dr Strangelove' so you get straight A's

pH

 

[Juliana]

I tried, honest, but...

Ah well.

Drof, looks like we have something in common this month (although different enough that I felt okay posting).

 

[TitaniumTi]

It's 3.00am, I can't sleep, and I can never resist the excuse to do a bit of research. (Geek? Who, me? Never.)

A primer on absurdism:
https://dramas11.wikispaces.com/History+of+Absurdist+Theatre

"Stylistic Features and Dramatic Elements of Absurdist Plays"
https://dramas11.wikispaces.com/Stylistic+Features+and+Dramatic+Elements+of+Absurdist+Plays

Chapter 12 of The Oxford English Literary History: Volume 12: The Last of England? discusses absurdism.
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=2q2m1alqgywC&pg=PA346&lpg=PA346&dq=history+of+absurdism&source=bl&ots=69ZgSGEN-1&sig=GqmW2RQo60SjFjIGzm5halpmjew&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEYQ6AEwCDgUahUKEwju2dfF0fnIAhVG3GMKHbApD3I#v=onepage&q=history of absurdism&f=false

This is an academic paper on absurdism.
http://www.camus-society.com/camus-pdf/AbsurdismTheSecondTruthOfPhilosopy.pdf

I particularly like this interpretation (from the academic paper, as cited below) of a section from Camus' writing on absurdism:
"The response Camus proposes is one of rebellion – revolt gives life its value. Go down
kicking and screaming; make your life so meaningful it is as if to stick the finger to death
(just as Sisyphus did to the gods as he rolled the boulder daily – a strong sign of, “you
cannot defeat my will”)" Baltzer-Jeray, Kimberley. Absurdism: The Second Truth of Philosophy. Journal of Camus Studies. www.camus-society.com, 2013.

 

[Ensign Shah]

Sounds to me like a person, who feels like they're worthless, and they can't make decisions what to do in life, and, make it funny?

Hmm... just a usual day at work if you want to come shadow me for inspiration.

Come on you clever lot, there is absurdity in all of you. Dig deep and create something lovely for me to read.

​

 

[Mr Orange]

interesting reading @TitaniumTi. not sure how my offering fits into absurdist play requirements but i might have got one or two points right!

 

[TitaniumTi]

Ambiguous and fluid time, place and identity? Yes
Nonsensical dialogue? Yes
Careful and artful use of non-realistic elements? Yes
Meaningless, absurd or nonsensical human condition? Yes
Underlying structure and meaning in the midst of chaos? Yes

I think you got a lot right, Mr Orange.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

chrispenycate -- Shakessurd

Juliana -- ambiphibian

HareBrain -- theillogical

 

[Dan Jones]

I knew this would be riiiiiight up your alley, @Phyrebrat so there will be extra pressure on you to produce excellence

Well done for clarifying the definition, too. In the end though, people gots to vote on what moves them and what hits the right notes for them.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Well, I am finally in! I say 'finally' because usually a viable idea hits me within moments of reading the genre/theme pairing; but I must say, I felt completely flummoxed (though enticed) by this challenge until what I hope was a breakthrough last night. I think/hope I am close to the genre definition.
Digging the stories so far! Good luck to those who'll write and post later...just hang in there, you can do it!! CC

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I. Have. No. Idea. Whatsoever. Just sayin'

 

[Luiglin]

I. Have. No. Idea. Whatsoever. Just sayin'

Jo, leading on from that how about a tale of a woman who likens her life to being a blind deer standing where a path splits in a deep wood... but is it a path or is it a banana skin?


Edit: damn phone correction. Just spotted it said dear rather than deer. Which gave me the impression of a poor blind old granny standing looking confused in the wood.

I must cut down on my coffee drinking.

 

[Mr Orange]

Jo, leading on from that how about a tale of a woman who likens her life to being a blind dear standing where a path splits in a deep wood... but is it a path or is it a banana skin?

Still no idea after that Jo? Remove the legs from the blind deer

 

[Cat's Cradle]

There is an early Soviet absurdist named Daniil Harms, who is brilliant. My wife translated for me a few of his stories into English last night (the breakthrough); his work is evidently very difficult to find in English, but if anyone could locate some of his prose...or even his children's stories...it might be a great help for this challenge. (I know that seems like a lot of work; I mentioned to my dear wife last night that for the first time, I was afraid I'd not be entering a challenge because the genre was defeating my efforts, and she said "Hold on!", and went to grab one of Harms' books.) Anyway, keep trying!

eidt--not complaining AT ALL about the genre choice, btw! I love it, and I've personally really enjoyed the added challenge it lent the challenge! The problem was my own limitations, and I've learned something, which is the added bonus of these contests.

 

[Juliana]

@Cat's Cradle fun entry! I admit to a small snort at 'enchanting dandelion'...

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Thank you, Juliana! I am remarkably pleased with an elicited snort.

 

[Starbeast]

I. Have. No. Idea. Whatsoever. Just sayin'

We should work together on this. We'll throw some ideas on the wall and see what's sticks. The other members who've posted already can clean up the mess afterward.

Still no idea after that Jo? Remove the legs from the blind deer

My uncle did that to his pet rabbit, and then named him, Floppy.

 

[Parson]

My uncle did that to his pet rabbit, and then named him, Floppy.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Cat's Cradle -- barcarollicking