RE Creative Writing Challenge #018: Lanterns

Conkersbadfurday · Jul 31, 2018

Theme: Lanterns
Word Limit: 2100

Submission Deadline: [Friday], [8/10/2018] by 11:59 PM Pacific.

Voting begins Saturday, 8/11/2018, and goes until Monday, 8/13/2018 at 11:59 PM Pacific.

Optional Secondary Objective: Time

Do something with time--I don't care what. Make the clock your focus, or travel through it even. Maybe someone is late (maybe someone isn't late and that's goddamned amazing because that person is always late. Fucking Janet, always being late. Why doesn't she own a clock? Has a smart phone on her all the time but can't see passed her text messages and recipe websites. Bake me a cake, Janet!)

Or don't do anything since it's optional! That's rad too. You're amazing <3

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Submission Guidelines:

- One entry per poster.
- All submissions must be written during the time of the challenge.
- Using the topic as the title of your piece is discouraged.
- Keep to the word count!
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- Three votes per voter. Please denote in your voting your 1st (3 pts), 2nd (2 pts), and 3rd (1 pt) place votes. You may add an honorable mention (HM).
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I missed this until too late. When's the next challenge?
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zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

hmmmm the theme song this time around is harder

other choices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxiFgNG8YPQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9gO-K7_31M

:P

MilkBeard · Jul 31, 2018

Cool. I took a break last round to do other things, but I will try to brainstorm with this theme and see what I come up with.

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

digging around instead of writing... perhaps

:P

this song is not good lol.

Nezumi · Jul 31, 2018

I really like this theme! Already know in which direction to take this. This time I'll manage to submit before the actual deadline, I'm sure of it!

Conkersbadfurday · Jul 31, 2018

It's funny, zulux21, but that Rise Against song is kinda what inspired the title. Had it stuck in my head today :P

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

Conkersbadfurday said:
It's funny, zulux21, but that Rise Against song is kinda what inspired the title. Had it stuck in my head today :P

I figured it might have given what I know about your music tastes. There is a reason it's on top :P

I could have sworn there was a DDR song about Lanterns as well but I couldn't find it lol.

Dedication Through Light · Jul 31, 2018

Claire Delune · Jul 31, 2018

Conkersbadfurday · Jul 31, 2018

Ew. Get out of here with that, Mike >:[

Pickman · Jul 31, 2018

How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

I thought Avatar the Last Airbender was a great series :P

Yeef · Jul 31, 2018

Eternal Song · Jul 31, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

Hey, if you want to try it, I'd say go for it. It's worth a shot.

Claire Delune · Jul 31, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

As Zulux points out, the Last Airbender/Legend of Korra did an excellent take on it.

Honestly, I feel like this is something that's tackled frequently-ish, I just never really end up looking at it. It seems like there are a lot of tabletop RPG settings that are Asian culture pastiches out there.

Sober · Jul 31, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

Go and do it, I say. Better to try and learn on the way than having it ravage your thoughts at night , keeping you awake because you didn't.

FlowersisBritish · Jul 31, 2018

Come in and see a Bloodborne reference. This is going to be a good challenge!

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

To echo people, go for it. I've always felt like the challenges could stand to be a little less "white" in some ways and certainly our fantasies could be less euro-centric by extensions. And if your things do seem a little iffy, no shame in mentioning you're a bit worried about it in your story post. If it's bad one (or many) of us will tell you. Also it happens here every now and then and when we catch it, we try to mention it.

Dedication Through Light · Jul 31, 2018

There's so many ideas I have for laterns. 30 minute work commute gives me so much time to think about it.

Midramble · Jul 31, 2018

I put my feedback super late on old thread. I'm gonna shoot for a draft tonight... first time for me if I can. Want to actually review my work before I submit hahaha.

Noisy Ninj4 · Jul 31, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

I think you're good as long as you avoid going into anime fanfic tropes territory.

FlowersisBritish · Jul 31, 2018

Oh hey Conkersbadfurday You accidentally put the challenge number at 17 instead of 18 btw

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

Noisy Ninj4 said:
I think you're good as long as you avoid going into anime fanfic tropes territory.

it's all about execution, anime tropes can be fun if you do them right :P

Noisy Ninj4 · Jul 31, 2018

zulux21 said:
it's all about execution, anime tropes can be fun if you do them right :P

There's anime tropes and then there's anime *fanfic* tropes. Those are very much not the same.

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

Noisy Ninj4 said:
There's anime tropes and then there's anime *fanfic* tropes. Those are very much not the same.

I don't really read anime fanfic, so I wouldn't know what tropes there are aside from self inserting yourself into the universe.

I would still argue that with any trope there is a way to use it well, some are far trickier than others though.

Claire Delune · Jul 31, 2018

zulux21 said:
I don't really read anime fanfic, so I wouldn't know what tropes there are aside from self inserting yourself into the universe.

Keep it that way.

Conkersbadfurday · Jul 31, 2018

FlowersisBritish said:
Oh hey Conkersbadfurday You accidentally put the challenge number at 17 instead of 18 btw

I am literal garbage :[

Edit: oh what the fuck I can't fix it.

FlowersisBritish · Jul 31, 2018

Mike said:
Keep it that way.

Mike-Senpai why you gotta be so Tsun-Tsun bro?

FlowersisBritish · Jul 31, 2018

Conkersbadfurday said:
I am literal garbage :[

Edit: oh what the fuck I can't fix it.

I also made the blunder so don't kick yourself in the bum too much. The thing to do is to report your OP and when it asks you why, mention you got the number in the title wrong, what it should be, and ask if the mod can change it.

ColdSun · Jul 31, 2018

Thread title was adjusted.

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

Mike said:
Keep it that way.

but how will I know if I'm using overused tropes when I write my DBZ fanfic about how Vegeta and Goku die and the villain makes a wish that the dead will stay dead period and can't leave the afterlife so the rest of the cast gets to do something :P

choodi · Jul 31, 2018

Ok, I've committed to at least considering an entry.........maybe.

FlowersisBritish · Jul 31, 2018

zulux21 said:
but how will I know if I'm using overused tropes when I write my DBZ fanfic about how Vegeta and Goku die and the villain makes a wish that the dead will stay dead period and can't leave the afterlife so the rest of the cast gets to do something :P

Did you mean the 2004 remake of the movie Dawn of the Dead?

UCBooties · Jul 31, 2018

zulux21 · Jul 31, 2018

FlowersisBritish said:
Did you mean the 2004 remake of the movie Dawn of the Dead?

The only of the Dead movie I watched and would be referencing at any point would be Shaun of the Dead :P

Dongs Macabre · Aug 1, 2018

Missed the last challenge since I've been spending every waking moment at school lately but I've got a long weekend coming up and physically cannot get work done so might be able to get something written this time. Already got an idea, too.

Claire Delune · Aug 1, 2018

I've transitioned "Writing a novel's worth of prewriting" to "Actively writing a novel," so we'll see how this goes.

Conkersbadfurday · Aug 1, 2018

Mike said:
I've transitioned "Writing a novel's worth of prewriting" to "Actively writing a novel," so we'll see how this goes.

Yeah. I start editing a novel today, and that'll be my big project this month. I'm really hoping I find time for my own challenge >_>

Midramble · Aug 1, 2018

zulux21 said:
digging around instead of writing... perhaps

:P

this song is not good lol.

This song is awesome! Also gave me an idea, so thanks.

choodi said:
Ok, I've committed to at least considering an entry.........maybe.

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy
"Do or do not. There is no maybe." ~ Yoda

Mike said:
I've transitioned "Writing a novel's worth of prewriting" to "Actively writing a novel," so we'll see how this goes.

I have this vision of you just inattentively writing things with your off hand as you do normal things like shave or shot-put. Just an endless stream of self-manifest story from a sentient hand.

It obviously couldn't be because of effort....

zulux21 · Aug 1, 2018

Midramble said:
This song is awesome! Also gave me an idea, so thanks.

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy
"Do or do not. There is no maybe." ~ Yoda

I have this vision of you just inattentively writing things with your off hand as you do normal things like shave or shot-put. Just an endless stream of self-manifest story from a sentient hand.

It obviously couldn't be because of effort....

Glad you liked the song :P

FlowersisBritish · Aug 1, 2018

I take back what I said. That Bloodborne pic just makes me want to write more Bloodborne fanfiction....

Eternal Song · Aug 1, 2018

I don't take back my current plan, but your comment gives me ideas on a Lantern horror story.

zulux21 · Aug 1, 2018

Eternal Song said:
I don't take back my current plan, but your comment gives me ideas on a Lantern horror story.

you should use Pyrojack in some way :3

FlowersisBritish · Aug 1, 2018

zulux21 said:
you should use Pyrojack in some way :3

Real talk: I never understood how Jack Frost became the cute mascot but Pyrojack got left to the side despite being clearly superior in every way.

zulux21 · Aug 1, 2018

FlowersisBritish said:
Real talk: I never understood how Jack Frost became the cute mascot but Pyrojack got left to the side despite being clearly superior in every way.

idk.

though given the time frame it wouldn't be surprising if it was because Mario and Sonic were huge and Atlus wanted their own overweight mascot.

Nezumi · Aug 1, 2018

Pickman said:
How do you folks feel about fantasy writing with an ethnic motif based on broad geographic themes? I'm wanting to do something with an Asian feel but in a high fantasy setting, but I'm never sure of how that kind of writing will be received. I don't plan to make a caricature of anyone or anything relating to the cultures.

A bit late to answer but I'll also be in the just go for it camp. I wrote a few stories that were set in "Asia" and no one ever gave me any flak for it. And I'm very much not Asian.

Have a few ideas floating around my head for this one. We'll see how it goes.

Midramble · Aug 1, 2018

Nailed down the idea and sections. Gonna try to get that draft tonight. Ignore me saying the same thing earlier....

choodi · Aug 1, 2018

Nezumi said:
A bit late to answer but I'll also be in the just go for it camp. I wrote a few stories that were set in "Asia" and no one ever gave me any flak for it. And I'm very much not Asian.

Have a few ideas floating around my head for this one. We'll see how it goes.

This is not directed at you personally Nezumi, but I really hate this idea that authors need to limit their settings and characters to their own cultural background.

As authors, is it not part of our craft to explore other people and to get into their minds and tell their stories?

As long as the storytelling is respectful then we should be free to write what we want and not fear being told that we appropriating someone else's culture.

Nezumi · Aug 1, 2018

choodi said:
This is not directed at you personally Nezumi, but I really hate this idea that authors need to limit their settings and characters to their own cultural background.

As authors, is it not part of our craft to explore other people and to get into their minds and tell their stories?

As long as the storytelling is respectful then we should be free to write what we want and not fear being told that we appropriating someone else's culture.

That's pretty much what I meant :D

Eternal Song · Aug 1, 2018

zulux21 said:
you should use Pyrojack in some way

Pyrojack does actually, to an extent, fit the mental imagery I had. But I'm still going with my non-horror thought. I am currently figuring out the details of the manner in which it shall be written, but I should have that sorted soon.

choodi · Aug 2, 2018

Midramble said:
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy
"Do or do not. There is no maybe." ~ Yoda

Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station! ~ Emperor Palpatine

First draft is done and dusted!

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