☡Secret Shutin Santa Signup 19 ☡ Post Story Requests Here

Peter V said:
A theme of Fugitive, set in Iain M Banks "Culture" universe. Fair or not?
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Not fair if you haven't read them so don't have a clue what the 'culture' universe is. I don't. I avoided a Ballardian theme for that reason. The fantasy set probably haven't read the Drowned World trilogy and I certainly haven't read any Harry Potter for example :)
 
Yeah I obviously agree with this. I used to read a lot of SF and Fantasy, but to be honest, even now ask me to write something set in the Spellsinger universe or Xanth or even, well, not Discworld obviously (idea strikes) but maybe Shannarra and I really wouldn't remember enough to do that. In fairness, I would not be (and I doubt most others would be either) prepared to read a book or series of books just to fulfil a writing condition. Also, I have never and probably never would write something based on someone else's writing - I don't even do fanfic. Originality is your friend.
 
How this usually works is we write the stories and PM them to the host (Mad Alice in this case), as well as a short preview which can be publicly and anonymously posted. Afterward, the whole stories can be posted if desired, but they will have to be uploaded as attachments, as the word count will likely exceed the limits of the forum.

Regarding theme, I don't believe we have limited it prior, but I would encourage not requesting specific universes simply because, as noted above, the recipient may not be familiar with the universe in question. That said, I don't see an issue if someone wants to write in a universe, although it can be risky, as the recipient may not be familiar either...
 
Dan Jones said:
Hey Alice et al, I'm actually going to duck away from this one; I really need to be working on my WIP(s) and, rather boringly, my actual job.
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You realize that this is going to be going on for at least six weeks before you even have to submit a line of prose.

You are a really excellent writer. I was looking forward to your story. You are about the last person I would think of having any trouble with a little extra story making. Your output is so fast as well as being excellent reading without editing.
And the minimum is 500 words.
If you decide you have extra time a bit later wouldn't this be a lovely bit of trouble to get into?
Could I bribe you with some free cover art perhaps? For some odd reason lately I'm getting a lot of requests for slave girls wearing nothing but chains and masks. I suppose it's a covid thing
 
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Land Under Wave said:
Ah, makes sense. So in theory we could vote on which ones we like best. Probably not a good idea, though, since they'll be coming from different writing prompts. It would be nearly as bad as trying to judge a Beautiful Baby competition.... :)
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You can offer a nice comment or two.
 
Astro Pen said:
Not fair if you haven't read them so don't have a clue what the 'culture' universe is. I don't. I avoided a Ballardian theme for that reason. The fantasy set probably haven't read the Drowned World trilogy and I certainly haven't read any Harry Potter for example :)
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No I have to disagree here. Any universe is fair enough game.
There are enough Wikipedia condeneed itemizations of most fictional universes that will give even a newbie enough background to take a short hop through.
No one said this wasn't going to take a tiny bit of research. I haven't yet done any of the seventy five challenges without looking up one bit or another. In fact that is the most interesting part of the challenges for me.
Enough digression. If you wish to modify your request to include a Ballard universe I will simply add it into your blurb.
 
Trollheart said:
Yeah I obviously agree with this. I used to read a lot of SF and Fantasy, but to be honest, even now ask me to write something set in the Spellsinger universe or Xanth or even, well, not Discworld obviously (idea strikes) but maybe Shannarra and I really wouldn't remember enough to do that. In fairness, I would not be (and I doubt most others would be either) prepared to read a book or series of books just to fulfil a writing condition. Also, I have never and probably never would write something based on someone else's writing - I don't even do fanfic. Originality is your friend.
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My history prof offered my class a most excellent piece of writing advice. When you have to use certain landmarks to create a certain effect, make a list of the salient items and sprinkle in these identifiers three to a paragraph.
Otherwise you are free to use whatever other filler you can think up.
 
sinister42 said:
For the record, I'm not going to do a bunch of research on a specific literary universe for this thing. I'm lazy and I'd rather come up with my own stuff. I have spoken.
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Reading a part of a Wikipedia article isnt a bunch of research. Merely a pinch. Maybe a soup con, at the most a demitasse. All such homages are "-in the style of" and not a direct interpretation.
 
Mad Alice said:
You realize that this is going to be going on for at least six weeks before you even have to submit a line of prose.

You are a really excellent writer. I was looking forward to your story. You are about the last person I would think of having any trouble with a little extra story making. Your output is so fast as well as being excellent reading without editing.
And the minimum is 500 words.
If you decide you have extra time a bit later wouldn't this be a lovely bit of trouble to get into?
Could I bribe you with some free cover art perhaps? For some odd reason lately I'm getting a lot of requests for slave girls wearing nothing but chains and masks. I suppose it's a covid thing
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Oh bugger, how can I resist after that? Go on then, but it's only cos I have a soft spot for you, Alice ;)

I'd like to receive a story that shows two sisters who are separated for some reason, carry on with their separate lives and come to a point where for one to progress / achieve their ambitions, they must exploit, betray, ruin or kill the other.
 
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Time to stop and smell the roses

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Or to "Spot the wee doggo"
 
Peter V said:
A theme of Fugitive, set in Iain M Banks "Culture" universe. Fair or not?
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Ok as this hasn't been well received, how about a fugitive them in a space opera setting but only in the Culture universe if the recipient has some knowledge of it. I would at this point like to state that I regard Banks Culture as essential SF reading :)
 
Any story written from a wikipedia grab bag is not likely to please the recipient because it will be full of irritating inaccuracies and inconsistencies. People ask for a specific because they are an aficionado of that particular fantasy. My bringing beer to their wine tasting would not be well received.
I'm with @sinister42 No way am I writing in someone else's universe. That is for fanfic teenagers with zero creativity.
 
I am on the same line with @Astro Pen here. Trying to dive into an universe someone else created is likely to misfire, whether you are familiar with that universe or not. And in general I am not, because I usually tire quickly of revisiting the same setting. Discworld being the one, and huge, exception to that.
I have read two Culture books. They did not entice to further readings in that direction.
 
Yep, me too. Not writing fanfic. And people really should not ask for it.
 
Peter V said:
Ok ok. I respectfully withdraw
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TBH, I think you hit the ideal balance with your revised request. Having the option of using a universe is a fantastic way to give your preference but also give some flexibility.

So now, whether you choose to participate or not, and if the former whether I get your request or not, I've made it my mission to write your original request! Fair warning though... I've never written anything in the Culture universe, or someone else's universe, or fan-fic at all, so no promises regarding the outcome...
 
Peter V said:
Ok ok. I respectfully withdraw
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Too late. I've opened a file with Camp Nanowrimo with your request as the theme. 25,000 word/30 page goal by the end of July.
Title: bog standard rip from Shakespeare. "Kill the Envious Moon"
Cover Art to follow shortly.
 
Joshua Jones said:
TBH, I think you hit the ideal balance with your revised request. Having the option of using a universe is a fantastic way to give your preference but also give some flexibility.

So now, whether you choose to participate or not, and if the former whether I get your request or not, I've made it my mission to write your original request! Fair warning though... I've never written anything in the Culture universe, or someone else's universe, or fan-fic at all, so no promises regarding the outcome...
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Thank you Joshua

It was not my intention to request anything controversial. I have missed Iain's work, both fiction and SF since he sadly left us and just thought it would be nice to see something Culture-esq. As I made the request I realised it may be rather difficult, hence the question fair or not. I recognise now it was not really a realistic idea. However, anything created by anyone, anywhere and at anytime in the Culture universe I would view as an homage to one of my favourite authors, rather than fan fiction.
 
@Peter V
I feel the exact same way about David Eddings. I get all soppy when I see small redheads with impossible hair on the tube.
 
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