The moderator would describe a character in a few words. For instance: A forty-seven year old man, with a bad back, a mysterious past, a weakness for baked goods, who is grouchy, arrogant and currently has a cold.

The challenge is to convey all this to the reader without using any of the words in the description or obvious synonyms. You can place the character in any setting and, of course, the character may interact with others.

An example of the above could be:

quote:

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Jacob stepped on to the scale an sneezed. "Dag blast it!" he swore, wiping his red nose. Could he be allergic to the scale, he wondered? If so, it was an allergy that had developed in the last ten years, about the time he began to make a religious habit of worshipping at the alter of Krispy Kreme. Looking down at the scale's digital read out he let out a stream of expletives. Two pounds up in as many days! This had to stop. If only he could exercise like he used to, but that sciatica burst into flame when he tried. He sneezed again and backed off the scale. Now if only he could get on his pants, he could commence with the day.

He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Still handsome, despite the extra, he thought. Nearing the half century mark,

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Well, okay, that is terrible writing, but serves to illustrate what I'm talking about.

What do you think?

[This message has been edited by Void (edited May 20, 2008).]

Please remember the 13 line rule, though.

Edited to add: sorry about the monkeys and the secret, Void.

A little variety in the 13 line challenge would be welcomed, I would think.

But seriously, what's all this nonsense about the First 13 about anyway? I've always wondered that. I think (vaguely) isn't it something about protecting your rights to publish your work online, or something?

Well suppose you had absolutely no interest (whatsoever) [on any level!] in publishing this bit of writing. You'd just like to toy around with say 19 line (which you fully intend to send to the garbage), getting crits for longer passages would be incredibly useful.

Why can't there be some kind of board, or special forum, where the rule is not in place and part of the user's contract is something like... he/she/it "agrees to give up the publishing rights" or something. I mean, realistically, has anyone ever published something they put into the fragments and feedbacks? Or rather, of those published did they ever resemble what they posted? My guess would be that through various edits it might end up 80% different, or something. Which is a credit to the thorough reviews people give here.

Anyway, I realize it's policy. So I guess, if nothing else, I'd like a complete explanation.

quote:

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I'd like a complete explanation.

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Zero, have you ever bothered to read the topics in the Please Read Here First area?

The explanation is there:

quote:

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Zero, have you ever bothered to read the topics in the Please Read Here First area?

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Honestly? No.

But I have now. Thanks for the link. Your explanation is a good one for why posting only 13 might be a good option, but it fails to explain why it should be the only option, except to say this:

quote:

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Even though most publishers are not likely to make use of the electronic rights to a story, for several years now, they have insisted on controlling an author's electronic rights and have included "deal-breaker" clauses about those rights in every contract.

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But, what if a writer is so novice that the public feedback he would otherwise receive is far more valuable than his "publishability" (of that particular manuscript) ?

I'm being strictly hypothetical here, but suppose someone didn't care (in fact didn't want) to publish a piece of writing, but would like to share it with others, at greater length than 13 lines, why is that never permitted?

That's the part I wanted the complete explanation for.

*Scamper back*

So, I've been watching all the ideas about the 13 line challenge (its funny what happens when it is down for a week), and I like all of them. It got me to thinking...What if the moderator gave a 13 line challenge, as simple as that.

If, for say, he wanted to do something like Void was talking about, he presents THAT 13 line challenge. If he wishes to do a synopsis, he presents THAT 13 line challenge.

This would allow the moderator to have a little more room in making the challenge. It would also increase the difference between each week.

Just thoughts

Justin Armstrong

I just wanted to say that I kind of like the idea of using exposition tags in our posts that convey what we want to be thought of as doing.

If you want to post longer passages for critting you could try critters.org. Write a flash story and put it for critiquing.

That's a good idea, thanks. Also, by leaving a different way than you came, skadder, you are violating tradition. I hope you realize the profound implications.

But they both began with the same letter! I kept that tradition. Anyway I'm a rebel. *shakes a fist at the rules*

*Saunters away*

quote:

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I'm being strictly hypothetical here, but suppose someone didn't care (in fact didn't want) to publish a piece of writing, but would like to share it with others, at greater length than 13 lines, why is that never permitted?

That's the part I wanted the complete explanation for.

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Okay, how about this?

I think the 13 line process allows for as much help as we need.

I don't want to fill up the forum with more than 13 lines of a story.

I don't want to have to hassle with any kind of hierarchy of exceptions to the 13 line rule.

I've been thinking about trying a Challenge, and you guys are making it a little more intimidating! Of course I have to ask, if I think of myself as a writer (or even an apprentice writer), then why am I worried? All I can do is try. The stakes are not high.

Good stuff all around. I hope to see your name in my email inbox this next time, since I'm the next moderator.