Sitting at Moe's, suffering from too much queso, I was jumped by an idea. Wanted to see if anyone else was interested.

Once a week the challenge lead posts a very generic bit of a scene. For example "two ladies, both obviously with child, sit talking and eating" or "a figure quietly moves from one dark area (alley, hold, copse) to another". Participants start a story thread in whatever genre they want, and use whatever characters they want. The only guidelines are:

1. Use the writing prompt in part of your story during the week.
1.1. If a prompt doesn't fit where your story is, do what you can.
2. Continue with the same "story" from prompt to prompt.

Consider it pretty open. Write as much as you like, work with others if you want, twist the prompt to your devious hearts content.

Thoughts?

So, everyone would start their own seperate story from the prompt, then everyone would add to their own story using the next prompt each week? (I'm not in 100%, as I'm still having trouble making time for my WIP, but it sounds fun! )

Exactly. The idea is a bit more structure than the "character interview", and a bit more continuity than the weekly writing challenges.

My mind comes up with its usual things when I write, and I've found a lot of fun integrating something totally different. Generally the stories wind up better for it, too.

Of course, you could be the one coming up with the prompts.

That sounds neat! I'm currently trying to work through how exactly James and Benjamin know each other, although I know they are friends... it is making my brain hurt, so maybe I could use this for that? *thinks*

So, I could technically use this for either exploring backstory, my current WIP, or whatever I want? Hmmm...

quote="Domici"]
Of course, you could be the one coming up with the prompts. [/quote]

*needs a one eyebrow raised smilie* *Is not sure what makes coming up with the prompts scary* We could even take turns! Alright, I will consider myself in, then, as it will be a good stretch for me and my characters (and exploring some of those tangled backstory elements...) Would each story be posted piece by piece in its own separate thread, or will there be, say, a series of ten prompts, and then everyone posts their completed story? That element of surprise could be fun...

Even bolder, you could use the same prompt for multiple stories in their own thread. Or, if you like epics, have multiple arcs in the same story, and have each arc deal with the prompt in some arc specific way. It's really up to you, just as long as you write and enjoy it. You can also post as many scenes as you like each week, as long as one of them deals with the prompt.

If you're willing to alternate on the prompts, that would help. My stories are a lot better when someone tosses out a suggestion I hadn't even thought of. Which leads to the "all at once or bit by bit" question. I would share the secret of writing great fiction but I have no clue what it is. I will tell you one of my stories, though.

If you read the "Ought Five and One Two Three" thread (Sci-Fi -> Fireside -> Futuristic and Space Opera), that's me writing and presenting on a mostly daily basis. While it is an incredibly rough draft it let others read and critique real time in the "[TDW Peanut Gallery] Comments and Critique" thread. The comments made it a much better story than I had planned.

How about this? I'll post the first prompt here shortly. It will be in a new thread. If you choose to participate, start your stor(y/ies) and give links to them in the Challenge thread. If you want to do a "wait ten and reveal" then start your thread and put stuff in when you choose.

Next weekend Minstrelgirl451 posts the challenge. Just let us anticipation challenged people know about when to expect it.

That work for you?

It has begun!

Alright, I peeked at Ought Five and One Two Three, and this is making more sense and looking fun! As far as posting the new challenge... I'm thinking I could post Saturday evening. Does that sound good?

I guess I shall remain an author who stumbles blindly into rough stories, and pray they can be polished into gems.

Sounds perfect. And Ought Five is PG, at most. I think, but others can comment.

Thanks! It seems I always forget to ask about that before I read. I think by today's ratings Lensebearers of Huargia would be for extremely intellectual 5-year-olds...