This is my first time throwing out a thirteen-line challenge, but it sounded like fun so I decided to give it a try. I've copied and pasted the bulk of this from Axeminister's threads because he has a good challenge layout.
The theme of this challenge is Nature v. the Unnatural. There are a number of different ways to interpret both sides of this theme, and I encourage thinking outside of the box; the important thing is that the conflict between the two is evident in the opening.
Please create a title. (Titles can be difficult, thus, a challenge.)
Number your entries (ex: #1) below. One entry per person for simplicity's sake.
Contest starts today, March 2, 2016 and runs for two weeks. (Longer because folks don't stop by as often as they used to.)
Be sure to click the "full reply form" box below before measuring your 13 line entry. That box is 14 lines long. Keep em at 13, folks. If you see a scroll bar pop up in your window, you may have gone too far.
Voting goes from March 15 - March 21st
Scoring:
Vote for your favorite three: 1st place gets 3 points 2nd place gets 2 points 3rd place gets 1 point
Short crits are welcome.
I will open a thread for entries; lets keep all discussions and questions on this thread.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Nature vs. Unnatural.
The first thing I thought was plants vs. zombies. So I wonder, do you mean nature in a literal sense? Or those things that are natural? Like, people are natural... Animals. Etc.
Axe
Posted by Grumpy old guy (Member # 9922) on :
And my question: What about unnatural nature and natural unnatural items?
Confused?
Phil.
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
I haven't really had time to sit down at the computer and clarify; my apologies. Literal and figurative interpretations of the terms are both acceptable. I'll get a chance to explain better this evening. Essentially, the idea is to give lots of potential options for story direction while still keeping to a general theme.
Basically, everything you guys have pitched so far could work, and there are plenty of other options besides. Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
Okay, let's see. To better clarify...
As I said, literal and figurative interpretations of the terms work, so long as the conflict is there and the disparity between the two forces is clear. Also, due to mankind's existence both as a creature of nature and a creator of the unnatural, man has the unique option to appear as both a natural force or an unnatural force. Potential conflict options include, but are certainly not limited to:
man versus machine (or technology in a more general sense)
man versus monster (or alien, or animal, or however else you care to interpret it)
man versus nature and/or the elements
nature versus the supernatural
nature versus technology
science versus magic (which is a really fascinating interpretation that I hadn't thought of, by the way)
Essentially, so long as there's a clear delineation of the two sides and their differences and/or the conflict between them, you're probably good to go. Pick whatever variation on the theme best grabs your attention as a writer (and therefore has the best chance of you grabbing the reader).
Also, as far as unnatural nature and natural unnatural items go, I am confused but intrigued. As long as it makes for an awesome opening, I'm all for it. Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
I'm going to give the challenge another week because I'd like there to be a chance for more entries to get in. I don't know about anyone else, but the last week has been really rough for me.
Posted by Tiergan (Member # 7852) on :
Fine by me.
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
I meant to do my voting for this challenge over the weekend. Unfortunately, things have been super crazy both at work and home this week. It feels like I jumped straight from Friday to Wednesday. I shall endeavor to make time for my critiques this evening.
Posted by Tiergan (Member # 7852) on :
SO, we are open now for voting and line crits?
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
Yes. I'm sorry, I forgot to mention it before. XP
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
No one has voted yet, so I thought I would put up another into the mix. I hope its not too late - I just saw the challenge this afternoon. If it is too late, I'll withdraw it.
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
That's fine. As you said, no one has voted yet. I actually have time to relax this evening, which means I will finally have time to kick things off.
Posted by Jed Anderson (Member # 9863) on :
So, what's the word?
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
The word is that my time to relax last week got stolen from me, and I've been working like a crazy person ever since. However, tonight I finally have time to actually start the voting process properly (and I truly am sorry for the massive delays).
Voting will go from now until Monday, April 18th.
Posted by Disgruntled Peony (Member # 10416) on :
Random note to teflonmail: It's not exactly a haunted house in the traditional sense of the word. If I pursue this story, a jinn has laid claim to the house. There is some overlap, I'll grant you, but there should be enough of a different spin on it to make things interesting.
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