tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post8527252759593499626..comments2023-03-24T03:31:39.269-05:00Comments on The Friday Challenge: The Friday Challenge - 4/24/09~brbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10845253722980029012noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-86091298470075084932009-04-30T22:56:00.001-05:002009-04-30T22:56:00.001-05:00http://stupidblogtitle.blogspot.com
The best part...<A HREF="http://stupidblogtitle.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">http://stupidblogtitle.blogspot.com</A> <br />The best part about this challenge was going back and reading the original "Farewell to the Master" story. It was absolutely terrific and I'd never taken the time to hunt it down before.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-81331705083039882282009-04-30T19:21:00.001-05:002009-04-30T19:21:00.001-05:00Don't ask me to write about music. Three or four ...Don't ask me to write about music. Three or four music challenges so far this year, and the best I can say about them is that *someone* got the Cowbell joke.<br /> <br />But Revenge...now *there's* a story I can write...*grin*<br /> <br />Here is my entry:<br /> <br /><A HREF="http://shardsandphractures.blogspot.com/2009/04/emissary.html" REL="nofollow">http://shardsandphractures.blogspot.com/2009/04/emissary.html</A> <br />-=ad=-Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-38954723617312151442009-04-25T22:52:00.001-05:002009-04-25T22:52:00.001-05:00Ben-El - While you veered comfortably to the right...Ben-El - While you veered comfortably to the right, I agree with other posters. I think you stopped short. I enjoyed it and laughed from the "It Takes a Village" through the end of the story.<br /> <br />The Bandit - Hey, what's this serious story doing in here? I kept reading 'Arne' as 'Arnie' at first, thinking it was another humorous story like most of the other entries. I am a fan of things Norse, so I liked many of the references and details put into the story. I liked the idea of turning the Seer into a villian as well. I felt the tone, phrasing, and vocabulary threw me off a few times as I was reading. A couple times it just came across as too formal and I had to translate it in my head as I read. I didn't laugh as much with this story, though I liked the two pigs later.<br /> <br />WaterBoy - Who the what the when did he/she/it with who?. I liked the choose my own ending option. I think I also liked the dyslexic Seer idea, as it matches the ridiculous feel of Bruce's intro prompt. The Monkey's Paw amulet made me think of the H. H. Munro (or somebody like that) story where the monkey's paw has three fingers extended and grants you three wishes. I think the Simpsons did a spoof on it as well. I wanted it to work that way in my head, but I like the way you used it, as your way actually makes sense. I am impressed at the first ending though. It was a very clever bit of combonintorics to work it out like that.<br /> <br />If I had to vote for someone who is not me, it would be Torainfor's with the Homeowners Association. I just couldn't get the idea of Icehawk the barbarian thinking about water features out of my head.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-16321743582078676542009-04-25T22:02:00.001-05:002009-04-25T22:02:00.001-05:00It was really weird to try to read other people's ...It was really weird to try to read other people's entries for this week. I had such a set idea in my head of what Icehawk and the Seer were like, that it was always disconcerting to jump into another person's interpretation of them.<br /> <br />Torainfor - I loved the handyman barbarian idea and each little addition and change to the temple that they introduced just seemed ridiculous yet reasonable at the same time.<br /> <br />Henry - While the actual events of your story were horribly distasteful to me when I thought back on them, the pacing was so well done that I laughed through most of the story and didn't realize I should have been offended. Good job, and shame on me for enjoying it.<br /> <br />Al - This was another story that I spent most of my time laughing through. I didn't see where it was going at all until the reveal of the snittering. As a high school teacher, I found the description of the princess and her behavior extremely realistic and well done. Humorous, yet painful.<br /> <br />More in a second...<br /> <br /> Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-36136691435385241062009-04-25T21:01:00.001-05:002009-04-25T21:01:00.001-05:00I could pick up the smirk without any problem!I could pick up the smirk without any problem!Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-84919178617562712592009-04-25T21:00:00.001-05:002009-04-25T21:00:00.001-05:00Time for my thoughts on this week's entries.
Tor...Time for my thoughts on this week's entries.<br /> <br />Torainfor - It would never have even crossed my mind that a Seer and Priestess of Otogu would have trouble with her home owner's association. That was a great twist, as was Icehawk the Agrarian (and all around handy man). Well written and believable within its own context. Your second entry had me laughing as well. I can sympathize, except for me it's blow by blow accounts from the Boy about his latest exploits in whatever computer game has claimed his attention. And, of course, both entries were well written!<br /> <br />Tom - This was another strong entry from you. Heading off to dream land was an unexpected twist that you handled well. For my tastes, I think the story went on a bit too long. I hate to say that, as each scene was handled well, but it seemed as if there were just too many scenes in this one.<br /> <br />Al - I thought your entry was great fun. I particularly enjoyed the "snittering" (as one who cannot see the interest in twittering). Having Icehawk end up adventuring with the dragon was a nice touch, too.<br /> <br />Ben-El - Hillary as the evil witch was a fun little twist, but your story ended just as it seemed it was about to get started.<br /> <br />The Bandit - Nicely mysterious, with Disira as the character who arrives for reasons known only to the gods of storytelling and whose powers come from the same place. That sort of thing was fairly standard in old folk and fairy tales. Apparently most modern readers require everything to be spelled out for them. I appreciated that you didn't feel the need to do that. Good story.<br /> <br />WaterBoy - A strange and off-beat story, as usual. One nice touch was the "everyone gets one" talisman that was actually useful. And then there were the multiple endings. I lean toward ending #2, as well. The idea of dyslexic Seer sending people off to do the wrong thing is just too good to pass up.<br /> <br />I'm casting my vote this week for Torainfor and her story "Icehawk's Destiny." It was just so darned charming!Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-15939884651242072362009-04-25T20:39:00.001-05:002009-04-25T20:39:00.001-05:00Yes, I see the ending fits the character. I don't...Yes, I see the ending fits the character. I don't think it was offensive. I just couldn't appreciate it as much as .... oh .... Ben-El, for instance. <br /> <br />I wish we had emoticons here. Read that previous paragraph with a smirk at the end.Arisianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-81968399287478076542009-04-25T20:31:00.001-05:002009-04-25T20:31:00.001-05:00I thought about changing the ending of the story b...I thought about changing the ending of the story because it wasn't exactly friendly to both genders. But Icehawk is a fantasy barbarian, which implies a very limited range of interests (as the Seer pointed out to him). I do see you point and just hope no one was actually offended by the ending.Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-32368156990178135622009-04-25T20:07:00.001-05:002009-04-25T20:07:00.001-05:00Torainfor: (1) Where can I find Icehawk? <sig...Torainfor: (1) Where can I find Icehawk? <sigh> That was an interesting combination of how different people interpret and respond to otogu, with a generous topping of whimsy. And it was so real, I had trouble switching to a different story line for the other entries. (2) Thank God I'm past that stage! I enjoyed laughing at it.<br /><br />Tom: I think you used your extra down time well. Your story felt fully fleshed out and smoothly told, with an appropriately happy ending. <br /><br />Henry: Well told, as usual. I guess I, as a female, can't fully appreciate the ending. It just seemed a little less than the part leading up to it deserved.<br /><br />Al: Very enjoyable, but it seemed to take sudden shifts in direction. That's probably a good thing--it's not predictable--but each time I had to stumble around a little to see where we were going.<br /><br />Ben-El: I've missed your flamboyant stories, and in this one the flamboyance has turned darker. Good, sharp digs! However, the ending seemed to peter out.<br /><br />The Bandit: You have a talent for writing fast, it seems. Do the keys smoke? Good story, well written in spite of the typos. The only thing I had a problem with was the use of "they" to refer to the shadow. It would be okay to use "he" until he is revealed to be she. I suspected a she just from your using "they."<br /><br />Waterboy: I can't decide. My first instinct was B, but A is deliciously convoluted. Fun story, well written. Stories. Oh yeah, I liked the place name puns.<br /><br /><br />I'm glad I'm not the one that has to pick the winner.<br /><br />My idea for this week's challenge was to add "...and lose the treasure." But I never got any farther.Arisianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-67795561989807085162009-04-25T07:28:00.001-05:002009-04-25T07:28:00.001-05:00I was thinking of the new version of TDTESS, the o...I was thinking of the new version of TDTESS, the one in which Klaatu is just here to collect specimens of Earth's Diversity before he exterminates the humans and reboots the ecosystem, and in which he actually starts the extermination process, and then for no adequately explained reason decides to stop it after obliterating a good chunk of New Jersey and New York.<br /> <br />If you haven't already seen the new version of TDTESS, don't bother. It <A HREF="http://thefridaychallenge.blogspot.com/2009/04/recommended-missing-day-earth-stood.html" REL="nofollow">stinsucks</A>. If there are things you don't know about that movie, make 'em up. You won't be judged on how accurately you copy bits from that mess.<br /> <br />What I'm interested in is, what happens <B>after </B>that movie ends? Yeah, sure, we promised Klaatu we'd clean up our act and become better stewards of the Earth, yadda yadda yadda. You'd promise anything to some crazy muthafugga who's holding a loaded Gort to your head. But now that Klaatu has called off the extermination -- leaving kajillions of his deactivated exterminator nanobots lying heaped like snowdrifts in Central Park -- now that he's gotten back on his spaceship and taken off...<br /> <br />What are we <B>really </B>going to do?~brbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-7567956219546132212009-04-25T00:33:00.001-05:002009-04-25T00:33:00.001-05:00Yes, with less homework and a good prompt, I can /...Yes, with less homework and a good prompt, I can /finally/ enter another challenge since like January. Expeect mine soon...Leterrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-49824960042077121642009-04-24T23:15:00.001-05:002009-04-24T23:15:00.001-05:00Question:
Is this new challenge somehow directly...Question:<br /> <br />Is this new challenge somehow directly related to The Day the Earth Stood Still? The new or old?<br /> <br />I don't mean to be dense but I feel like I missed a conversation somewhere. Or is it intended to be somewhat vague? Maybe I'm just tired.KTownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-63943971353123606302009-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:002009-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:00Yeah, I drew it. First one was free hand, but it b...Yeah, I drew it. First one was free hand, but it bugged me--I'm a drafter. So I did the outline on AutoCADD and colored it in with pencil. A bit like a grade schooler, but there you go.torainfornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-49102639405027550542009-04-24T18:24:00.001-05:002009-04-24T18:24:00.001-05:00I liked the "Tongue Twister" ending of WaterBoy's,...I liked the "Tongue Twister" ending of WaterBoy's, but for me it was between Tom and The Bandit. I liked Tom's story better, but The Bandit, I think, finally got his beautiful writing to serve the story, and not the other way around.<br /> <br />I vote for The Bandit. Tom definitely gets honorable mention; not only for the story, but because of all the names he had to think up!torainfornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-40577054524571033522009-04-24T17:04:00.001-05:002009-04-24T17:04:00.001-05:00Rain: Did you draw the picture yourself? And did ...Rain: Did you draw the picture yourself? And did you draw it after writing the story or on some previous occasion?<br /> <br />Tom: It was a bit long, but I liked it.<br /> <br />Henry: Nice ending. Also, I especially liked, <I>"Strange," said Icehawk, "Daddy isn't dead."</I> <br />Al: "Snitter" is the perfect play on words. Awesome. I think this concept could be expanded on in an adventure fantasy parody with the hero playing the role of narrator. Like an RPG, "Made camp. Had trouble finding dry wood. But am now lounging by fireside. Frying fish for supper. Sun has set and Mordor still weeks away. Ring Wraiths on my tail. The Ring weighs heavy on me..." <br /> <br />The Bandit: I really liked the concept. I think there could have been some more explanation about how this whole fate business works. It is a lot like time travel in that each story uses its own version. But also like time travel the reader often must make their own assumptions about how it works. Maybe that's a good thing, but the logical parodoxes going unexplained always bugged me.<br /> <br />Waterboy: Clever. I prefer the first ending. Although the second is good, it is a one-liner. This does kind of beg the question, would it be worse to marry the king's soul in the princess' body, or the princess' soul in the king's body? And would Icehawk being in the sorceress' body make any difference?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Ben-Elnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172555520574028929.post-15882195855870090312009-04-24T10:58:00.001-05:002009-04-24T10:58:00.001-05:00I liked Al's.
I started one, but ran out of tim...I liked Al's. <br /> <br />I started one, but ran out of time. Here's the first part anyway.<br /> <br />..and -" <br /><br />She peered closer, then raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You must take the Wyrmwald Pass into Gungusdoom. And - "<br /><br />"Get on with it", he shouted, <br /><br />"And you must take me with you." <br /><br />"Take you with me?! But that's a toll road! Not to mention thanks to you I am now quite penniless, and my horse is already weary from the journey!" <br /> <br />Icehawk looked around in frustration. In an inner courtyard he could see a small donkey munching miserably on a patch of brown grass. He thought for a moment and said firmly. "Pass, grass, or ass, but NO FREE RIDES!"Claymorenoreply@blogger.com