Amanda mentioned the lack of challenge entrants in recent challenges
so I figured I'd point out something which used to lock me up when I
tried to do challenges in the past.

It's a writing prompt, not a beauty contest. If you're waiting around
for the ULTIMATE plot to come to you that will blow AFO away...well,
you won't be pumping out that many challenge entrees. Just grab the
first thing that comes to mind and run with it. Remember, great
writing comes from practice, so practice! Take the challenge, and just
write!

On Jun 24, 2:55 pm, Wildepad wrote:

The Deli

Something was wrong.

Jeanette stalked around the deli’s kitchen studying everything. The
chrome oven flue drew heat up, much as it always had. The oven’s two-
way conveyor belt rattled noisily. The plaster walls were still
chipped, cracked, and crumbling. The tile floor was as stained as
always (no matter how many times she mopped!). The freshly baked buns
were stacked in old plastic racks as they should be. Shelves were
stocked with industrial-sized cans of tuna, massive jars of pickles
and jalapenos, and a whole array of less familiar ingredients. The
meat and cheese station was fine. The finishing table was OK…mostly
(well, the health board might disagree, but that’s their look out).
The knives hung from the magnetic wall mount haphazardly.

Jeanette stopped pacing. The knives.

With a ‘chink,’ she pulled the largest knife from the wall. She turned
it slowly in her hands. Its silver surface reflected a distorted
version of her. She slowly brought the knife to her face…

X-No-Archive: yes

On Jun 30, 4:10 am, Wildepad wrote:

I've read the conversation twice--unfortunately I read the whole thing
earlier when I didn't have time to respond. But I think I can still
give an opinion as if I hadn't seen the final question. My larger
concern is whether or not my answers are overly analytical compared to
what I might think if just casually reading.

I don't know. My natural skeptic says no, but I'm also inclined to
give her a chance since she's tried to explain herself. I have two
minds on the language story. So much of human communication relies on
non-verbal cues that I have a hard time seeing words alone as a cause
of mistaken impressions--I've known a lot of people quite capable of
humor and friendliness in languages they can hardly speak. Then
again, if she speaks English with no accent, I think that I'd be less
reliant on those cues. So I'd probably give her a chance, even though
my gut would urge some caution. I'd be paying a lot more attention to
her body language going forward to see if it jives with her tale.

It's still June, so to all you folks that have been spitting out three
or four challenge entries a month: hold your horses, this contest
doesn't open for another 7 hours or so (going with Colorado, United
States time for this one)

I love a good setting. But I hate rambling descriptions... I hate
them because I end up skimming them, and then I miss out on a lot of
escapist enjoyment of being immersed in a new place.

So here's the rules:

- Write a story set in an exotic or dramatic place. This place can be
real or made up, past, present or future.
- I'd like to really "feel" the world you create, its mood or soul if
you will. I find that stories wherein the environment has a strong
impact--physical, mental, or both--on the characters brings this out
for me. Which is not to say that the story should be without
description. I think both are important.
- Here is your plot seed: there is something or someone in this place
that definitely does not belong.

Haven't checked on AFO in months and before that, years! But I was
bored at work and hopped on and churned this out. Don't know how
accurately it adhers to the requirements, but we shall see.

P.S.--hey everybody! *waves*

The Execution

The Prime Minister glanced through a half-dozen media files before
stopping at one. It was video of the latest round of executions (and a
very important one at that). He pushed "Play" and reached for his
lunch. It was always amusing to hear the final words of fools.

***
The giant Mech ground to an earth-shaking halt in front of the two
condemned men. It's damaged audio speakers squawked to life with a
burst of static. "SILENCE ORDERED. DESIST COMMUNICATION IMMEDIATELY."

The men fell silent.

With a lurch, the Mech rumbled off.

After several minutes the men leaned towards each other, as close as
their bound hands would allow.

X-No-Archive: Yes

On 2 Nov 2005 05:17:30 -0800, Dr. Dolittle rock.com> wrote:

... So what's the hottest-selling Epsilon Eridani novel?

Dave "or S Doradus?" DeLaney

PS: followups firmly SET

Crop Finder For Travian,
http://crop-finder-for-travian.blogspot.com

X-No-Archive: yes

Okay, well, it's not very "good", but I hope it's entertaining. I ran
out of time for revising, but it's hard to revise away dumbness :)

Here is my attempt to justify the extra 800 words:

Time difference of more than 100 years (+250).
Includes some real history (+500). (pushing it... let's say 350)
Some kind of error (+250). (mostly errors in the author's ideas of
what could have been extrapolated)
Silly hats (+150). (a wig?)

---

The Copernicus