Short Story Challenge - Plots Up, due 30/6.

[Groundhog]

A few times me and some friends have messed around and written short stories based on the hxxp://www.seventhsanctum.com Quick Story Idea Generator. It's a lot of fun because it often comes up with very strange ideas, such as:

The theme of this story: weird thriller. The main character: hysterical comic. The major event of the story: party.

Would anyone be interested in a short story challenge, where I'll generate each participant a story idea from the generator, and then it's up to you to try and piece together a short story out of it.

Not sure what should constitute a "short story" in regards to word limit? Under 5k words?

Anyhow, if you're interested, post in this thread. We'll do voting afterwards and let people decide who's story about the hypocritical pedlar's satirical relationship that ends in war is the best! :)

In:

Groundhog
Chief Rum
Julio Riddols
Larrymcg421
Raven Hawk
Barkeep49?
Axxon
Draft Dodger
Jaygr
MacroGuru
Clintl
Franklinnoble
Greyroofoo
ThunderingHERD
Antmeister
Skrath
Northwood DK
Riggins44
Jackyl
Izulde
Path12
Karlifornia
MalcPow
DeToxRoxDVHStyle
WVUFan
Tanglewood
Neuqua

[Chief Rum]

I'm down. I mean up. Where are my meds?

[Desmond]

So we can write any story about Shorty we want?

[Julio Riddols]

This might be fun.

[larrymcg421]

I'm up for it.

[Raven Hawk]

I'd be in, depending on the turn around time frame. Sounds like fun.

[Barkeep49]

Not sure I would have the time to do this, but it's intriguing.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, undecided on the time frame but I'm open to any suggestions. A month?

[Axxon]

I'm open to it if the time frame is generous enough.

[Groundhog]

I'm open to it if the time frame is generous enough.

Yup, it will definately be a generous time frame.

[Draft Dodger]

I'm up for it.

[QuikSand]

I wish you the best of luck, hope it turns out better than the last time (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=13834). Regrettably, a bit of miscommunication (well, poor assumption by the originator) caused some disconnect, but we also suffered from a lot of dropoff from the "I'm in!" phase to the actual "turn it in (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=14949)" phase.

Best wishes.

[Toddzilla]

I've goofed around with that story generator (link) (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=storygen)and I cannot wait to read these.

[jaygr]

Count me in.

[Groundhog]

I wish you the best of luck, hope it turns out better than the last time (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=13834). Regrettably, a bit of miscommunication (well, poor assumption by the originator) caused some disconnect, but we also suffered from a lot of dropoff from the "I'm in!" phase to the actual "turn it in (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=14949)" phase.

Best wishes.

Cheers.

I'm sure some people won't get the time to get around to it, but hopefully we get enough entries to make it interesting.

[MacroGuru]

Im in!

[clintl]

I'll give it a try.

[MacroGuru]

So what is the decision on this, what is the deadline? Is it still on?

[Groundhog]

Indeed, weekend is over, so let's get this rolling. About to post the randomly generated plots.

Lets put a tentative time of a month to get them in, but this is subject to change depending on what everyone else thinks.

Also, it'll be a soft cap of 5,000 words for the story, meaning you can go over, but not New York Knicks style ;)

[Groundhog]

Groundhog - The theme of this story: tragic horror. The main character: ignorant boatman. The major event of the story: resignation.

Chief Rum - The theme of this story: allegorical romance. The main characters: altruistic beggar and wealthy mercenary. The start of the story: discovery. The end of the story: theft.

Julio Riddols - The theme of this story: dark action. The main characters: antisocial murderer and fearful chemist. The major event of the story: hunting.

Larrymcg421 - The theme of this story: dark conflict. The main characters: predictable marine and ignorant weapons master. The start of the story: miscommunication. The end of the story: betrayal.

Raven Hawk - The theme of this story: epic revenge. The main characters: well-traveled assasin and patronizing manager. The major event of the story: deception.

Barkeep49 - The theme of this story: light-hearted thriller. The main characters: nurturing gambler and negative mercenary. The start of the story: betrayal. The end of the story: adoration.

Axxon - The theme of this story: parody adventure. The main characters: crazy pharmacist and poor mobster. The major event of the story: misunderstanding.

Draft Dodger - The theme of this story: satirical revenge. The main character: crazy soldier. The start of the story: confession. The end of the story: joke.

Jaygr - The theme of this story: serious conflict. The main characters: awkward lawman and bigoted comic. The start of the story: quest. The end of the story: intimidation.

MacroGuru - The theme of this story: weird crime. The main character: humble actor. The major event of the story: flashback.

Clintl - The theme of this story: weird thriller. The main characters: ignorant musician and nurturing monk. The start of the story: growth. The end of the story: longing.

Franklinnoble - The theme of this story: serious quest. The main characters: vicious librarian and insane student. The start of the story: quest. The end of the story: inheritance.

Greyroofoo - The theme of this story: weird adventure. The main characters: romantic weapons master and disillusioned wizard. The start of the story: crime. The end of the story: alienation.

ThunderingHERD - The theme of this story: humorous conflict. The main characters: tired soldier and driven smuggler. The major event of the story: crime.

Antmeister - The theme of this story: romantic thriller. The main characters: industrious bounty hunter and nurturing hermit. The major event of the story: training.

Skrath - The theme of this story: light-hearted mystery. The main characters: brutal hacker and unpredictable bodyguard. The start of the story: research. The end of the story: promition.

Northwood DK - The theme of this story: surreal horror. The main character: alienated dancer. The major event of the story: revelation.

Riggins44 - The theme of this story: tragic crime. The main character: complacent outlaw. The major event of the story: addiction.

Jackyl - The theme of this story: weird relationship. The main character: negative technician. The major event of the story: argument.

Izulde - The theme of this story: weird tragety. The main character: mysterious prince. The major event of the story: hunting.

Path12 - The theme of this story: wacky crime. The main character: clumsy mentor. The start of the story: dream. The end of the story: getting lost.

Karlifornia - The theme of this story: dark crime. The main characters: vicious merchant and stingy jailer. The start of the story: surgery. The end of the story: accident.

MalcPow - The theme of this story: dark horror. The main character: doomed philosopher. The start of the story: keepsake. The end of the story: funeral.

DeToxRoxDVHStyle - The theme of this story: romantic conflict. The main characters: stingy garbageman and frustrated farmer. The major event of the story: conversion.

WVUFan - The theme of this story: serious revenge. The main character: persistant businessman. The major event of the story: flashback.

Tanglewood - The theme of this story: light-hearted transformation. The main characters: unathletic soldier and inhibited grave robber. The major event of the story: revelation.

Neuqua - The theme of this story: satirical relationship. The main characters: graceful priestess and conformist mercenary. The major event of the story: engagement.

[Groundhog]

I was hoping to do something sci-fi, but looks like I'm stuck with horror... I do read a lot of horror though, so mine shouldn't be too hard for me.

Chief Rum's generated plot is pretty interesting. I wouldn't have minded drawing something like that. Clintl's, on the other hand... wow, not sure what I would do with that. :)

[AlexB]

Axxon - you are set with the best draw. My odds on favourite given the scenarios.

[Raven Hawk]

Raven Hawk - The theme of this story: epic revenge. The main characters: well-traveled assasin and patronizing manager. The major event of the story: deception.

I've got a cask of amontillado in the cellar . . .

:D

Should be fun!

[Barkeep49]

Are we allowed to trade :)?

[Franklinnoble]

Still to late to get in on this?

[Groundhog]

Still to late to get in on this?

Certainly not, your plot is up.

[Greyroofoo]

I want in too

[MacroGuru]

5,000 words? It can be done...

I am also working on the Writers site I was talking about earlier too, I almost have the look and feel for the site complete.

We can then also post some of the submissions over there as well...

When complete, where do submissions go?

[Groundhog]

I want in too

Done.

[Groundhog]

5,000 words? It can be done...

I am also working on the Writers site I was talking about earlier too, I almost have the look and feel for the site complete.

We can then also post some of the submissions over there as well...

When complete, where do submissions go?

Sure sounds good to me.

When done, e-mail them to me at angus AT goose juice dot com and I'll put them up my website.

[Franklinnoble]

Franklinnoble - The theme of this story: serious quest. The main characters: vicious librarian and insane student. The start of the story: quest. The end of the story: inheritance.


Sweet... sounds like a re-write of "The Mummy." :D

[Axxon]

Axxon - you are set with the best draw. My odds on favourite given the scenarios.

Yeah, I really like mine. :)

I haven't looked at everyone elses yet but I can't imagine liking one of them better. I even have the mobster in mind.

I invented him as a character in an old Call of Cthulu game I used to run and have used him in a short story or two.

This should be fun.

[ThunderingHERD]

I want in.

[Groundhog]

I want in.

Done.

[Antmeister]

Ok Groundhog, I would like to be in on this as well. This does sound fun and it will force me to write on a regular basis.

[Groundhog]

Ok Groundhog, I would like to be in on this as well. This does sound fun and it will force me to write on a regular basis.

Done. Yours turned out to be pretty good IMO.

[Axxon]

I don't know. Romance between an industious bounty hunter and a nurturing hermit revolving around training. Sounds tough to me.

I wonder who's training who and in what. ;)

Good luck Antmeister. Looking forward to reading your take on the subject.

[Axxon]

I do like yours btw Groundhog. I see a good story in there waiting to be written.

I read a horror story along these lines in a best of anthology recently with someone other than a boatman as the main character and I'm still haunted by it, no pun intended.

[Antmeister]

Done. Yours turned out to be pretty good IMO.

Wow! This is going to be interesting since horror and fantasy is more my comfort zone, but it definitely sounds fun. Thanks for adding me. I can't wait to see the stories people are going to develop.

[Groundhog]

I do like yours btw Groundhog. I see a good story in there waiting to be written.

I read a horror story along these lines in a best of anthology recently with someone other than a boatman as the main character and I'm still haunted by it, no pun intended.

I know what you mean, and I think mine is a little too standard if anything. I really wish I hadn't read that H.P. Lovecraft anthology a couple of weeks ago, because as soon as I started writing today his story Dagon popped in to my head. I've gone through 500 words (badly in need of multiple edits, to be sure :D ) but it's been a challenge to keep it from sounding like a stock-standard horror storry.

[Axxon]

I know what you mean, and I think mine is a little too standard if anything. I really wish I hadn't read that H.P. Lovecraft anthology a couple of weeks ago, because as soon as I started writing today his story Dagon popped in to my head. I've gone through 500 words (badly in need of multiple edits, to be sure :D ) but it's been a challenge to keep it from sounding like a stock-standard horror storry.

I've read that one too. :)

If you haven't read "Down Here in the Garden" by Tia V Travis and can find it, that's the story I talked about above.

Without giving too much away it is a modern story which references the Donner party. Good stuff.

[skrath]

I'm in, Goose. Definitely need at least a month to finish it though.

[Draft Dodger]

I'm not sure I even know what "satirical revenge" means! :)

[Northwood_DK]

I want in.

[Groundhog]

Northwood DK and Skrath; your plots are up.

[Groundhog]

Also, how about a tentative completition date of 30/06?

[Riggins44]

Is it too late for me? I've got a creative urge.

[jackyl]

I'd like in too, please.

[Groundhog]

You guys are up.

[Draft Dodger]

no, really, what does satirical revenge mean?

[Axxon]

no, really, what does satirical revenge mean?

Using satire as the vehicle for the revenge?

[Izulde]

I'll jump in if it's not too late. :D

[Groundhog]

You're in.

And that gives us 20 people... Wow, way more than I expected!

[path12]

Add one more if you don't mind -- I'm about 70% sure I can get it done.

[Franklinnoble]

You're in.

And that gives us 20 people... Wow, way more than I expected!

It remains to be seen if you'll get 20 stories... but even half that should give us some good reading.

[Groundhog]

It remains to be seen if you'll get 20 stories... but even half that should give us some good reading.

Oh, I'm positive there will be less than 20, but it increases the odds of getting a decent amount.

[Groundhog]

You're in Path12.

[path12]

You're in Path12.

Cool! Love the premise. Just got my opening paragraphs done.

[EagleFan]

What is the 30th month of the year? ;)

[Groundhog]

What is the 30th month of the year? ;)

lol... damn you Yanks! ;)

[Raven Hawk]

Got my plotline, now all I gotta do is flesh out the story (i.e. write it). This is fun.

[MacroGuru]

I have fleshed out most of my outline, I am just trying to figure out which/what weird crime to attempt to use.

[Karlifornia]

Any chance I could get in on this? I'd like to get a plot and prove to myself that I can do this. Also-I don't have much to do this month.

[Lorena]

Great idea Groundhog! I'm not creative enough to come up with a story but I'm looking forward to reading these stories.

Will the votes be amongst yourselves or can the rest of us be in on it?

Gluck everyone!

[Johnny Slick]

My plot:

A sarcastic Victorian housewife feigns hysteria because she quite enjoys the standard "treatment" of the time. But tonight her regular doctor is not in, and a scraggly man has taken his place. Whatever shall our heroine do?

[MalcPow]

I'd like in if possible, thanks.

[WVUFAN]

Great idea, Groundhog. I'm using it for a comic book scriptwriting forum I'm in.

[Groundhog]

Karlifornia & MalcPow are up.

[Groundhog]

Great idea Groundhog! I'm not creative enough to come up with a story but I'm looking forward to reading these stories.

Will the votes be amongst yourselves or can the rest of us be in on it?

Gluck everyone!

Everyone will be able to vote.

[DeToxRox]

Too late to sign up?

[Groundhog]

Most certainly not! Your plot is up.

[WVUFAN]

Might I get in this?

And can I create a script instead of a short story?

[Groundhog]

Might I get in this?

And can I create a script instead of a short story?

Sure, why not? Your up, and you may have drawn the one with the best potential yet.

[WVUFAN]

Sure, why not? Your up, and you may have drawn the one with the best potential yet.

Very nice! Thank you, Groundhog.

[WVUFAN]

Sure sounds good to me.

When done, e-mail them to me at angus AT goose juice dot com and I'll put them up my website.

What's your website? If there's any submissions in, I'd love to read them.

[WVUFAN]

Groundhog: Do we post basic plot points here, or just send you the completed story?

[tanglewood]

Can I still get in on this?

[Neuqua]

If tangle's in, I'd like in too. :)

If not, understood, I'll keep an eye open for next time.

[Groundhog]

What's your website? If there's any submissions in, I'd love to read them.

No submissions as yet.

Groundhog: Do we post basic plot points here, or just send you the completed story?

Send me the completed story, though feel free to put anything you'd like in this thread.

[Groundhog]

Tanglewood/Neuqua, you lads are up.

[Raven Hawk]

Bumpin to see how everybody is doing.

I've got my plotline done and I've filled in the gaps of most of the story. I have a little writing to do yet before I begin the revision process.

[Groundhog]

I've scrapped 2 stories so far, but I'm finally happy with my plotline and have gone through around 2,000 words. It's starting to get a little lengthy, so I'm going to need to trim the beginning a little, because I'm taking too long to get the the action.

[WVUFAN]

I've got my plot, just trying to trim it to fit within guidelines.

[Franklinnoble]

I'm debating whether I want to make mine a totally warped comic book fan fiction type story or not...

[Groundhog]

Bumpity bump bump. How we all doing?

[MacroGuru]

Bumpity bump bump. How we all doing?

Almost done.

[Yossarian]

can I join the party?

[Raven Hawk]

I've got mine written, going through the editing stage now.

Bump for due date coming up.

[Franklinnoble]

Heck, I just finally figured out a way to get a viscious librarian and insane student into the same story... I'm going to be cutting it close.

[path12]

As is often the case, I am well behind.

[tanglewood]

You think you have difficulties, how the hell do you come up with an unathletic soldier and an inhibited graverobbber? They are both complete oxymorons!

[Groundhog]

Guys, I think an extension may be in order as a number of people have let me know that they will not have it done in time. What do you think is a reasonable extension?

[clintl]

Bumpity bump bump. How we all doing?

Not so well. It's possible I'll have something, but the genre the story generator gave me is not my thing, and I'm having trouble coming up with a good idea.

[Raven Hawk]

Why not extend through the 18th? It's easier to get stuff wrapped up on this on the weekend. Plus, I need to get a new Power Supply so that I can actually fire up my computer and finish this thing.

[MacroGuru]

I would like at least 1-2 more weeks, I had work stuff pop up in the middle of this, now that is complete, I can finish....

[Groundhog]

How about the 30th of this month? Should give plenty of time hopefully.