Story in a Day Challenge

[Ishmael]

My work last weekend turned out to be negative 3,000 words. I took a seriously overwritten 10,500 from a while back and turned it into quite a nice tight 7,500 that I was able to submit. I find it interesting how my writing used to wander off on all sorts of distractions and I could never edit it properly.

So at least I learned something, even if it wasn't how to finish a story that I've started inside a day.

[Rebecca Birch]

Soooo . . . I've signed up here: http://storyaday.org/ to attempt the story a day challenge in the month of May. I'm now suffering from panic and terror.

Anybody else want to play?

[LDWriter2]

Sounds like fun but I'm a bit busy right now--too many writing things going on, I need to take a couple of days off from work.

[Ishmael]

Well I couldn't write one story in one day. What chance of 31 on consecutive days? Good luck Rebecca.

[Rebecca Birch]

Well I couldn't write one story in one day. What chance of 31 on consecutive days? Good luck Rebecca.

Thanks, Ishmael!

I did succeed on day 1, with a fantasy flash piece just over 1k. Not a lot, but it's a story, and it's a start. Today I'm not at work, so I might aim for something a bit longer. We shall see.

I must say, when I think about this challenge, this is kind of what my brain goes through . . .

[liz]

Soooo . . . I've signed up here: http://storyaday.org/ to attempt the story a day challenge in the month of May. I'm now suffering from panic and terror.

Anybody else want to play?

Just saw this. The website looks awesome, fun way to stay motivated

It's a bit late but I think I'll jump on board.

Is anyone else still doing this?

[Rebecca Birch]

Soooo . . . I've signed up here: http://storyaday.org/ to attempt the story a day challenge in the month of May. I'm now suffering from panic and terror.

Anybody else want to play?

Just saw this. The website looks awesome, fun way to stay motivated

It's a bit late but I think I'll jump on board.

Is anyone else still doing this?

I started off strong, but have slipped recently. I'm working now on a longer piece than a day-long piece. It's good to have that reminder tickling in the back of my head, though.

In my mind, it's never too late to begin something that is primarily there as a method of motivation.

[liz]

I started off strong, but have slipped recently. I'm working now on a longer piece than a day-long piece. It's good to have that reminder tickling in the back of my head, though.

In my mind, it's never too late to begin something that is primarily there as a method of motivation.

I agree. If something can act as a vehicle to help us reach farther and accomplish more than we would have without it, it's generally worth the while regardless of whether we're able to check all of the boxes. I'm excited to get started, even if the month is half over ;)

Good luck with your longer piece! I say as long as one is writing, the motivation is serving it's purpose

[Rebecca Birch]

Who's up for another round of the Story in a Day Challenge?

I'll be writing a story in a day this Friday, August 22. Anybody who would like to join in and write a story in a day any time this weekend is welcome and highly encouraged! Nothing like a nice deadline to get the words flowing!

Post here if you're going to play along. We can share our results among each other if anyone's interested.

[storysinger]

I can write one on Sunday. So I'm in.

[Rebecca Birch]

I can write one on Sunday. So I'm in.

Yay! Welcome!

[s_c_baker]

I'm going to write a flash story tomorrow. And I'm going to do it in 90 minutes or your money back.

Korryaaaaaaa!

[Rebecca Birch]

I'm going to write a flash story tomorrow. And I'm going to do it in 90 minutes or your money back.

Korryaaaaaaa!

Flash! Ahh-ahhh!

[storysinger]

Mission accomplished. Just shy of 1200 words. I guess that would be flash fiction after all is said and done.
I've been reading my Every Day Fiction emails and want to submit something to them.
Maybe this will fit their guidelines.

[Rebecca Birch]

Mission accomplished. Just shy of 1200 words. I guess that would be flash fiction after all is said and done.
I've been reading my Every Day Fiction emails and want to submit something to them.
Maybe this will fit their guidelines.

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations!

I did not succeed so well as you. I managed about 3,000 words on a story that's looking like it wants to end up somewhere between 9k and 12k. I'd rather have actually *finished* something, but it was a decent number of words, and I have a story that is on its way to somewhere so I'm not beating myself up too hard.

[Purellian]

Well, this certainly seems like an interesting exercise. I am generally a pretty slow writer. However, I have completed a project early and find myself with a free day tomorrow and nothing to write. I think I'll try this out! I'm going to aim to get a complete story of about 2000 words done before bedtime tomorrow.

I guess if anyone wants to join me, that would be cool, but I know it's short notice. I only just found this thread today!

[Rebecca Birch]

Well, this certainly seems like an interesting exercise. I am generally a pretty slow writer. However, I have completed a project early and find myself with a free day tomorrow and nothing to write. I think I'll try this out! I'm going to aim to get a complete story of about 2000 words done before bedtime tomorrow.

I guess if anyone wants to join me, that would be cool, but I know it's short notice. I only just found this thread today!

Sorry I wasn't able to join in this time around, Purellian. I hope you had a successful day!

[Purellian]

I managed to spend most of my day flailing over half an idea, then realized it needed more work than a day could fit. I still wanted to write a whole story in a day, though, so I pounded out seven hundred words of silliness and put 'the end' on it. So, I was successful for a certain definition of success.

[Rebecca Birch]

I managed to spend most of my day flailing over half an idea, then realized it needed more work than a day could fit. I still wanted to write a whole story in a day, though, so I pounded out seven hundred words of silliness and put 'the end' on it. So, I was successful for a certain definition of success.

Sounds like a win. Good job!

[Brydar]

I suppose I may be expressing my jealousy for those in the workshop and at the gala (sorry) and wanting to do something so.. Can we do something like this again on here? Perhaps one under 2,500 words (10 pages). I have never seemed to be able to get right into a story and make it gripping enough and culminate it in so short a space. For me this would be a great challenge. How would something like this work if we did it? Everyone involved PM everyone their stories?
I had another idea and it may seem childish but I am a Toys R Us kid and I am never growing up, so please understand. When I was in Boy Scouts we used to tell stories around the campfire. One person would start the tale and be limited to 2 minutes, then the next person would continue, then the next, etc... Sometimes what emerged became silly and outrageous and had the councellors and troop leaders rolling, and occasionally we ended up with a great and gripping story. No one was allowed to berate or tell the next person that was not how they wanted the story to go, it just unfolded with the view and interests of the next creator. I was wondering if something like this might be of interest to anyone? Perhaps limiting each person to 500 words.

[liz]

I suppose I may be expressing my jealousy for those in the workshop and at the gala (sorry) and wanting to do something so.. Can we do something like this again on here? Perhaps one under 2,500 words (10 pages). I have never seemed to be able to get right into a story and make it gripping enough and culminate it in so short a space. For me this would be a great challenge. How would something like this work if we did it? Everyone involved PM everyone their stories?
I had another idea and it may seem childish but I am a Toys R Us kid and I am never growing up, so please understand. When I was in Boy Scouts we used to tell stories around the campfire. One person would start the tale and be limited to 2 minutes, then the next person would continue, then the next, etc... Sometimes what emerged became silly and outrageous and had the councellors and troop leaders rolling, and occasionally we ended up with a great and gripping story. No one was allowed to berate or tell the next person that was not how they wanted the story to go, it just unfolded with the view and interests of the next creator. I was wondering if something like this might be of interest to anyone? Perhaps limiting each person to 500 words.

I'm in :)

[Elen Tel'Ithil]

I suppose I may be expressing my jealousy for those in the workshop and at the gala (sorry) and wanting to do something so.. Can we do something like this again on here? Perhaps one under 2,500 words (10 pages). I have never seemed to be able to get right into a story and make it gripping enough and culminate it in so short a space. For me this would be a great challenge. How would something like this work if we did it? Everyone involved PM everyone their stories?

I'm game!

With time zone differences, it might be too complicated to try to all write during the exact same time period, but maybe we can each set our own 24-hr period during this weekend, and then PM each other our stories around Monday or so? (Assuming the PM system is working again by then.)

I have to admit, I have trouble ever writing a story under 2,500 words, even without a time limit. So this'll be a challenge for me on more than one front. Yay for challenge! Anyone want to assign me a random object? (There ended up being a sports meet yesterday at school, and I forgot to ask my students to think of a random object for me.)

Let's see, I think I'll start my own challenge in about 5 and 1/2 hours... Let's do this!!

[Elen Tel'Ithil]

Oooh! This is fun!

http://www.springhole.net/writing_rolep ... bjects.htm

It gives you five items. Maybe we could each roll five items, and then incorporate three of the five into our story, or something like that?

At any rate, here are the five items that I just got. "A bouquet of flowers, a harmonica, a piece of gum, a toy robot, and an egg."

Oh no, wait, I just clicked it again, just to see what I got on a second try, and it only gave me three items. ("A safety pin, a pencil holder, and a hair ribbon.") So I guess even the number of items is random.

Must. Click. One. More. Time... "A hammer, a handheld game system, a can of peas, a bottle of glue, and a box of chalk."

Okay, let's be honest, I'm procrastinating the housework. Anyway, I'll see how many items from the first list I can incorporate into my story. Time to brainstorm while vacuuming! =)

[liz]

With time zone differences, it might be too complicated to try to all write during the exact same time period, but maybe we can each set our own 24-hr period during this weekend, and then PM each other our stories around Monday or so? (Assuming the PM system is working again by then.)

Sounds good to me.

Oooh! This is fun!

http://www.springhole.net/writing_rolep ... bjects.htm

It gives you five items. Maybe we could each roll five items, and then incorporate three of the five into our story, or something like that?

This is awesome, thanks for sharing! I just rolled a balloon, a pocketknife, a pair of rubber gloves, a carton of ice cream, and a tea pot. I have a bunch of genre cards as well. I think I'll draw one randomly...

Bangsian Fantasy. No idea what that is...

Oh fun

Okay so a balloon, a pocketknife, a pair of rubber gloves, a carton of ice cream, a tea pot, and let us say Benjamin Franklin.

[Brydar]

With time zone differences, it might be too complicated to try to all write during the exact same time period, but maybe we can each set our own 24-hr period during this weekend, and then PM each other our stories around Monday or so? (Assuming the PM system is working again by then.)

Sounds good to me.

Oooh! This is fun!

http://www.springhole.net/writing_rolep ... bjects.htm

It gives you five items. Maybe we could each roll five items, and then incorporate three of the five into our story, or something like that?

This is awesome, thanks for sharing! I just rolled a balloon, a pocketknife, a pair of rubber gloves, a carton of ice cream, and a tea pot. I have a bunch of genre cards as well. I think I'll draw one randomly...

Bangsian Fantasy. No idea what that is...

Oh fun

Okay so a balloon, a pocketknife, a pair of rubber gloves, a carton of ice cream, a tea pot, and let us say Benjamin Franklin.

I will have to write this on Sunday and send it to all on Monday so this works for me also. Assuming I can get my daughter to stop hogging the computer. Hah I used the site as well and I got.... <drum roll please> A spool of thread, a pasta strainer, a coffee mug, a bottle of soda, and a bar of soap. Why do all these random items seem to have a Hitchhikers flavoring to them? No problem fitting the coffee mug and bottle of soda together in my story they can easily be things on the same restaurant table or kitchen table - right? I usually go to work early in the AM on Monday's so expect my story around 6 to 7 AM EST. Looking forward to seeing what you all write about your objects, time for some fun! If the PM is not working we could e-mail them.

[liz]

I will have to write this on Sunday and send it to all on Monday so this works for me also. Assuming I can get my daughter to stop hogging the computer. Hah I used the site as well and I got.... <drum roll please> A spool of thread, a pasta strainer, a coffee mug, a bottle of soda, and a bar of soap. Why do all these random items seem to have a Hitchhikers flavoring to them? No problem fitting the coffee mug and bottle of soda together in my story they can easily be things on the same restaurant table or kitchen table - right? I usually go to work early in the AM on Monday's so expect my story around 6 to 7 AM EST. Looking forward to seeing what you all write about your objects, time for some fun! If the PM is not working we could e-mail them.

Nice! Pasta strainers have particular potential as story artifacts, in my opinion. Mundane, yet full of possibilities. Same reason I'm excited about my teapot

I'll probably write mine tomorrow as well.

Happy writing everyone!

[Ishmael]

Okay, I haven't written a complete story in over a month. So no chance with the random objects, huh? I was awarded "A plush dinosaur, a packet of seeds, a miniature portrait, and a trash bag."

Now is that a challenge or what?

[Brydar]

I will have to write this on Sunday and send it to all on Monday so this works for me also. Assuming I can get my daughter to stop hogging the computer. Hah I used the site as well and I got.... <drum roll please> A spool of thread, a pasta strainer, a coffee mug, a bottle of soda, and a bar of soap. Why do all these random items seem to have a Hitchhikers flavoring to them? No problem fitting the coffee mug and bottle of soda together in my story they can easily be things on the same restaurant table or kitchen table - right? I usually go to work early in the AM on Monday's so expect my story around 6 to 7 AM EST. Looking forward to seeing what you all write about your objects, time for some fun! If the PM is not working we could e-mail them.

Nice! Pasta strainers have particular potential as story artifacts, in my opinion. Mundane, yet full of possibilities. Same reason I'm excited about my teapot

I'll probably write mine tomorrow as well.

Happy writing everyone!

Are we sticking to 2,500 or less or what those folks previously did at 3,000 or less? My daughter offered me some time to write this morning and has been watching her brother. It took me 3 hours and my draft is complete at just a bit over 2,500 words, Ok to be precise it comes up as 2,678 words. I have not edited, spell check or anything as of yet nor have I cut out any of the fat. My daughter said she liked it but definitely does not love it. So maybe after I tweak it a bit I will have it done by tonight and send it out to both of you and whomever else joins in for this writing fun. Edited: Our messages crossed Ishmael does this mean your in? Huzzah!

[Elen Tel'Ithil]

Oh yeah -- four people total!!

Well, I had some unexpected family stuff this afternoon, and now it's just after midnight, so looks like I'll be writing my story on Sunday, too! I've got it fairly well plotted out in my head already, though, and there are scenes and bits of dialogue that have been floating around in my thoughts all day, so I'm getting pretty excited about it! =D =D =D

Wow, Brydar, already finished -- woohoo!!

As far as word limits go, I'm personally fine with a flexible limit. Since I've realized lately that I really struggle with story arc, I'm focusing more this year on trying to write really solid and complete story arcs, then looking to see what my word count ends up being. I think this story idea that I have will be less than 2,500/3,000, but I'm not really sure. (If it turns out longer, I won't be at all offended if you other three don't want to read it!)

[amoskalik]

I got: a carrot, a pocket knife, a sword, and a toothpick.
Writing fast is not my forte, but that's all the more reason to try
Time to take my daughter to the park, and do some brainstorming.