It's always BEER POUR o'clock somewhere in the world. The diplomatic deal between the U.S. and Japan to bring a couple of billion-dollar Japanese beers to the U.S. for bottling and distribution is the catalyst for an advertising juggernaut pitting two of the world's top commercial directors against each other to see who can produce the best beer-pour commercial for global marketing. What ensues, no one could have anticipated. DRAMA. DECEPTION. DIPLOMACY. #sundaylit #mastodon #sunday #book #books #bookstodon #scribesAndMakers #writing #writersCoffeeClub #writer #video #clock #media #advertising #film #politics #satire #politicalhumor #political #novels #novel #suspense #humor #funny #drama #diplomacy
#SundayLit
This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Time
Snip "Bijou the Time Traveling Ghost," #WIP #RoughDraft
“Yeah, I can’t see myself building a raft and paddling out to the pyramids. I don’t suppose we could just time-travel over there? We don’t seem limited spacially when doing it. And it doesn’t seem as taxing as dematerialization.”
End Snip
#SundayLit Time
How long they walked for, or how far, Frida couldn’t tell. Neither time nor distance were the same here as in mortal lands. Halfdan led the way, Ulrika followed, and Frida brought up the rear, with Ulf riding in her apron pocket. As they walked, she became aware of a slowly growing movement in the darkness around them, a feeling of a wind that was not a wind, the creaking of trees that were no trees, and a snuffling sound, made by what she didn’t know, and nor did she want to.
This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Time
My trail meandered through forest and fields and forded streams. I followed skeptically. In late afternoon, it led into a treat—strawberries. I gorged myself, sure they were the tastiest ever, then threw more in my pack, staining everything pink. There was no concern about food that time of year. I had more of an issue with the lack of sanitary products.
This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Time
(In which my MCs have difficulty with the concept)
Jimmy Howard was dragged unceremoniously from his unsound sleep by the sound of a hammering at the door of his flat. At first, he tried to ignore it; maybe whoever it was would give up and leave him be. Alas, the mysterious visitor had no such sensibility. With a throaty growl of annoyance, he heaved himself into a sitting position to get a look at his bedside clock. 8:25? In the morning? To Jimmy’s habitually late-to-bed-and-late-to-rise mentality, this was a very rum time for a social call indeed. He hove himself out of bed and grabbed at his dressing gown, hoping very much that this was important. As he wrestled with the garment, the hammering continued with renewed vigour.
“Yes, yes, I’m coming,” Jimmy yawned, shuffling his way across the sitting room. The pounding finally ceased, and he opened the door to a very familiar young woman wearing all black and an intense expression.
“Isabel!” he cried, as his sister cheerfully shouldered past him into the flat.
“Hullo Jimmy, how’s things?”
“What the blazes do you mean, ‘how’s things’? Bel, I haven’t seen you for months! Where on earth have you been?” Jimmy shut the door and leaned on it so that he might more effectively glare his disapproval.
“I’ve just been here in London,” Isabel replied absentmindedly, casting her eyes over the room—specifically, the amount of mess in it. “More to the point, Jimmy, what happened to your valet?”
“Hang the valet! The last time we spoke was at the funeral, in June. We are now in September, and I don’t even know where you live anymore!” This made Isabel pause for thought, just momentarily.
“Oh, did I not give you my address? Let me just…” She rummaged in her handbag and pulled out a small notebook, a crumpled piece of paper, a single earring (“So that’s where that went”), and finally a pen.
#SundayLit Q1. Do you write and/or read short stories?
Q2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of writing short stories?
I write lots of short stories, most of them flash length. The advantage is that I can turn them out fast and run with a single item. This disadvantage is primarily you need to stay focused, and the idea can't require a buildup.
“Winter Night”
On a winter night, dark and dreary.
A computer’s glow on my face, weary.
I labored words to outpour.
Said the Raven, "Nara Moore."
@Emmacox
Short stories make you really thing about what makes a story, because you can't fit anything that isn't necessary.
That's both the benefit and the drawback.
@Emmacox
I write short stories in the 1000-3000 word range from time to time. I have a few pieces that are ~10,000 words which technically falls in the range of 'short story', but has always seemed too long to call short story to me.
I do read short stories, mostly on the longer end. I'm not really a fan of anything under 1000 words, just too short for me to really engage with most of the time.
#SundayLit 100 word Short story: A Winter's Night
The fox ran over the moonlit snow. Hunger drove him, scent led him; down to the eaves of the forest, to a lonely cottage with a hen-house. Once among the chickens madness took him, blood splashed the walls. The door opened, a light shone. "Curse you, Reynard!" cried the angry witch. "You shall become the worst creature I can think of!" The fox swore as his head hit the roof, and swore again as he saw what he had become.
A man.
Benefits:
1. It's much more economical to explore an idea (or part of an idea) through a short story than through longer forms.
2. You can churn them out if you need to.
Drawbacks:
1. The idea might be too big to properly explore.
2. A lot of people hate reading short stories - even when they're provided gratis.
@Emmacox I do both, although they're not my preferred format.
I write short stories to scratch itches or to fill out gaps in my world building or character development. Sometimes I write fanfic, but that's usually to scratch the aforementioned itches.
I read them to see how the market is - what's being published - and to gauge trends. It's rare that I find anything especially engaging (anyone seeing my reviews on my blog or bookwyrm will quickly discover how picky I am) , but it has been known to happen. I almost never read fanfic, mostly because it's nearly always a first (only) draft and fucking awful. I've been banned from fanfic channels for mentioning writing is rewriting.
Winter Night:
They huddled around the fire as they ate.
“What can you tell us about witches?” Eric asked, abruptly.
“Not much,” Fal replied. “They’re outlawed by the High Tower Edicts. Their magic taints them, somehow.”
“What do you mean?”
“Warts, croneism, bad-“
“Croneism?” Leira ejaculated.
“Becoming crones,” Fal answered, shrugging. “Hagism, if you prefer.”
“He has such a delicate way with words,” Alfonsa commented.
“But your magic doesn’t taint you?” Leira asked.
“No,” Fal answered.
“What do witches do that you don’t?”
“I’ve heard they have a lot of sex.”
“That’s both sad and hilarious at the same time,” Alfonsa remarked.
@skribe @gahlearner @Emmacox a bit of both. I'd prefer a bit more engagement around them (which is why I like the #SundayLit ones), but it's nice to see what other people respond with.
They do also make me think about my writing in ways that hadn't previously occurred to me. Some of them have led to additional scenes that I've incorporated, that I think will enrich my writing. It's good to get out of your own head sometimes and get a bit of input from others, even if they're writing completely different genres.
@ElisesWritings I found myself providing deliberately funny answers, which might have been fine had anyone actually read them - but I soon realised that nobody was. Some might click favourite, and a few might even boost, but it was just an automatic reaction. There was no real engagement there.
With #SundayLit, I feel people at least read the work, and answer the questions. You know, having a conversation about writing, which I really like.
#SundayLit prompt is: Games
{Snip Konbini Idol](https://www.pixiv.net/novel/series/11417104)
At night, we wrote and presented poetry. We all took part, but Shishi came alive when performing. On stage, she rived Sarah Bernhardt herself. Once or twice, Kan-chan’s critiques offended her, especially as our internment wore on.
We also played endless rounds of Go. We briefly bet smokes, and Tomo consistently won my daily ration. Shishi played like a wizard when cigarettes were on the line. Otherwise, she couldn’t be bothered. When we smoked on the veranda, she would graciously let me bum one. I happily switched to betting coins after Shizuka gave them to us.
Our Go tournaments became so successful that the servants even spied on them. Then, with enormous delight, they penned satirical poems about my playing and “accidentally” recited them where I’d overhear. Fortunately, they made a greedy move one night.
End Snip
#SundayLit Q2. Does your world building include games? What purpose do they have in the story?
I research and use games with cultural or historical significance. I don't so much world-build as explore the world as it was.
Q1. Which games do your characters play as a pastime?
Several card games are mentioned, an early form of backgammon, poetry contests, sutra knowledge contests, Go. And matching humorous wit.
Q4. Which of your characters is a team player, who is competitive, and who is a sore loser?
Hmm. A lot of the characters I've written are either military, or have worked extensively with military people. Almost by definition that makes them 'team players', used to working with others to achieve their ends.
I do have some secondary characters who definitely fall into the 'competitive' category, wanting to 'win at all costs', and they don't much care who they hurt along the way.
And my antagonist is very much a sore loser. We're coming up on four years since the battle where its side suffered defeat, and it's still trying to figure out a way to win.
Q3. Do certain characters play mind games on others?
Oh, yes indeed. My antagonist is a literal demon, and it is named by some as a 'soulbinder'. Twisting people's minds until they do what it wants is its favoured way of doing things. Sometimes that takes the form of outright compulsion, other times a more subtle manipulation.
This is the way my MC describes it:
"This was a soulbinder. An evil, devious creature from another world. A creature driven by hatred, but one with great cunning. We must remember that this same demon very nearly toppled Queen Magleyn from her throne, just by forging a letter and manipulating a few brigands."
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