Work Room - Week 17

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

It's another "Open Topic" week.


Which means that you can literally write anything you have your heart set on writing.


I think that's the key right there - that your heart is actually in it.


Experimentation is always cool. But also keep in mind that, at this point, a lot of the stuff you are going to come up with - someone has done it before. Which means if you are going to go "out there", make sure that the quality of the work, and presentation, is up to snuff.


If it's not - well, you are probably going to hear about it from the voters. Whoever they might be any given week.


The quality, in general, has tended to be really high this season, and I have the feeling that it is going to continue to increase as the numbers dwindle.


But Open Topic tends to get under people's skin and throws them.

When you step back though, these should be your *very best* entries, because they are the most you. You aren't coming at an abstract idea or phrase and trying to make it yours - every single aspect is yours to explore and create.

Which, yes, that means that there is more pressure. Because it IS yours. It's you that you are putting out there.

The thing is - it always is.

Open Topic just means that the gloves are off, and let's see what you are going to do!

This is your Work Room, and space. I hope to use it, and each other, as the resources that you truly are.

Comments

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

If it's not - well, you are probably going to hear about it from the voters. Whoever they might be any given week.

If that's not a clue to make us think gatekeepers again this week, I don't know what is :P (Make us think and an actual clue, of course, are not the same thing!)

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

So how much trouble do you think I'd get in if I made a video of me telling the Aristocrats? :P

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

Depends who the voters are and what they think of videos + foul humour.

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

Especially when it's beyond foul... I've taken a lot of chances this season but I'm not sure I'm prepared to take that one.

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I know it's a risk I wouldn't take for myself!

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

The trouble is that routine doesn't fit most topics. So it's a now or never sort of thing, ya know?

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

Personally I think you can make anything fit any topic if you try hard enough ;)

I honestly think it's a huge risk for a number of reasons:
a) a lot of people are offended by that kind of humour
b) it might come across as alienating to anyone who isn't aware of the Aristocrats joke
c) in a way, it's a bit like fanfiction, because you're building on something other people have already done
d) You could provide a transcript, of course, but not everyone bothers to watch videos, and not everyone is able to

I'm not saying don't do it, but if you do, don't be surprised if those factors come into play during voting.

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's enough strikes against it. Maybe I'll do it anyway, but not for this.

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

I read that as the Aristocats! XD

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

I enjoy that movie, having kids at all, but this is a case of never the twain shall meet. :)

[barrelofrain.livejournal.com]

I think that would be made of winsauce.

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

I might do it anyway, but probably not for Idol. Seems too risky.

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Good point, so now I'm as worried as ever!

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I was thinking gatekeeper round this week as soon as Gary posted the poll for last week XD

But don't be too worried! Your writing rocks so I expect you to be safe :D

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks :D I have this feeling of impending... upheaval to really put the game into the last 75, you know?

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

But now we are left to wonder if he's going to be Lucy to our Charlie Brown and pull the football out from under us again... making us think it's a Gatekeeper week again only to laugh at how worked up we get!

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

That's why I said he's making us think it rather than suggesting it's an actual clue to what's going to happen!

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

But of course, if we go with the "Little Boy Who Cried Wolf" theory and think he's jerking our chain again... we'll be wrong and he'll drop the Gatekeeper hammer on us! lol...

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I'll just write a screenplay, that'll make gatekeeper more likely. More often than not, my screenplays see special voting rounds rather than polls :P

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I was all "Yay" about missing the Open Topic last week, and now here's *another* one... ah well... I'll think of something... but help is always appreciated! I'm just glad to be here.

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

You're never safe!!

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to decide whether to go for fiction... I feel as if I'm milking dry the sorts of autobiographical topics which might be interesting for others. Trouble is, I'm so rusty...

do you think essay-style is too risky?

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. As long as whatever you're writing about is interesting and you write it in a way that grabs the reader, you're OK. I was thinking that route myself, but I haven't fully decided on it/

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

I've done essay style this week. Well, essay style ramblings anyway.

If it's something you're passionate about, that communicates well and people always like learning new stuff or entries that make them think. They seem to do rather well in the polls in fact.

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

Man...another open topic?!?!? I don't have another idea..

::tearing her hair out::

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

Don't tear your hair out. Then you'll have to write an entry about how you tore your own hair out, and that won't be much fun ^^
Have you tried looking elsewhere for prompts? Like, my entry last week was almost 100% because I watched "Up" and started reading "Oliver Twist" on the same day.

Otherwise I'll give you a prompt, and it will be...

Cats with Thumbs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6CcxJQq1x8

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

I'm working on one about me and my siblings..but I'm not sure it will be very interesting to most people. No matter the topic, I always second guess myself:(

[snarkerdoodle.livejournal.com]

Maybe try to turn the open topic into more of a traditional prompt. Like... "Decisions" or "The path not taken" or "Eeeny meeny miney mo."

Maybe that will help. I don't think you're alone that the broadness of the open topic seems to squelch the idea process, so turning it back to a more basic type of prompt might yield an idea. Just a thought!

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'm thinking about one about me and my siblings but I'm not sure it will be interesting enough...

[applespicy.livejournal.com]

LOL, I think my dumb ass made a comment on the topic post. Lo siento, Gary, lo siento.

[locknkey.livejournal.com]

I did the same thing. :(

[applespicy.livejournal.com]

We cool like that. We cool.

[locknkey.livejournal.com]

Of course - I pointed out Gary is evil!

[nyxocity.livejournal.com]

Although I've put my heart into almost every single entry (save that one where I ran out of time up against a wall and had to hurry), I feel like this week perhaps I should abandon the fiction I've been writing and write something about myself. Or write something that straddles the two at the very least. But I'm just not sure yet.

So... *toes at the ground* Anyone want to see me write about anything specific? Ideas are most welcomed.

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

How about a story from your childhood?

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

Good idea:)

I'm drawing a blank...

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

I'm spent. I'm tired, I'm harried, and I'm not sure which way to go.


But I'd rather "go out fighting" than "bow out meekly".


So... any requests from The Peanut Gallery?

Re: I'm drawing a blank...

[tijuanagringo.livejournal.com]

don't stop now it's only beginning to come close to the end

Re: I'm drawing a blank...

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

Definitely take a breather and then come back to it when you're ready to fight. You've got a few days to collect your thoughts and come out of your corner swingin'. You can do it.

I'm a *VERY* slow thinker...

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

... also a *VERY* slow typist. The muse is very rarely kind enough to grace me with a solid idea quickly. And even once I have the idea, I only really have time on the weekends to develop it and write it up... and when I do sit down at the keyboard, it has *ALWAYS* been a slow, laborious process.

And before you say that I've got two full days this weekend, you should know that my Saturday is completely shot: I got talked into doing something that will eat up the whole day.


So I've only really got Sunday. But for me to make use of it, I'd *DAMNED* well better have a solid idea when the day comes if I'm to bring my A-game...

Re: I'm a *VERY* slow thinker...

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. I still have no clue what to write about, and even though the topics are due by 9pm on Tuesday, I bowl after work on Tuesdays, and that runs from about 6-9pm. Which means either I try to get it written and typed up no later than lunch time on Tuesday, or before I leave the office to go to the alley.

This is my fourth season competing, and I'm glad to be back in, but right now I'm stuck... *sigh*

Re: I'm drawing a blank...

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat as you. Pretty much ready to give up at this point.

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

So as I was brainstorming ideas for last week I realized I had a series of awesome stories from college I could tell, and picked one that happened freshman year. I then had a plan that for the next open topic I could tell another fun college story so my open topics would all link together. But I didn't think it would be the very next week. So now I'm less sure...

Opinions? It's set in college and funny but not a theatre story so it's not the exact same thing as last week. Are people tired of me being funny? Should I go for something 'completely different'?

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

My 2 cents... Personally I like funny. And I like getting to know more about people I like. Combine the two and it's a great entry. I say go for it!

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Yes, this.

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

Got it. Now I have to see if I can transform another of my favorite stories from oral to written.

[team-jessie.livejournal.com]

Yes, agreed!

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

I never think of myself as particularly funny, but I'll try for the joke again. Though I reserve the right to change my mind before the weekend is over.

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

I think I'll write the planned story out, and then see how it reads. If nothing else I'll have it in my back pocket for the future.

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I am not in the least bit tired of you being funny. I LOVE your funny!

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! This one does have the possibility of being slightly offensive but I love it so I think I'm going to try it anyway.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I like funny. And you may have given me an idea... must ponder. Thanks!

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

Yay if my musing helped you find an idea! I went with funny, hopefully it will suffice.

Cole's Story

[douchejuice.livejournal.com]

so i've never done the work room thing before, but being as it's a second open topic, i'd be interested to hear if anyone has anything they'd like cleared up in the story i've been writing so far.

i have a couple ideas for where i could take it next, but i'm also open to hearing other thoughts.

[liret.livejournal.com]

So yesterday I was thinking about something and realized it would have made a really great open topic post, and I should have written about it.

Of course, now I have no idea what it was. Just that it would have been perfect.

[alephz.livejournal.com]

Oh, man.

Again?

This is gonna be interesting.

[lilycobalt.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to tell another Lady Winter story, since lots of the people who commented wanted me to continue. Right now, it's a matter of deciding exactly how to continue the story. I can either go forward in time from where I began or do a "how we got here" flashback.

Beginnings are so wonderful. The middle part, when I actually have to figure out what the heck I'm doing, is the hardest. I would say that endings are the hardest, but usually I don't finish anything of any particular length, so I couldn't say. :)

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

This really isn't a workroom comment, but there's no Green Room up right now, so just wanted to let you all know that the wife and I are fairly far inland on Oahu and out of the evacuation zone. They're predicting a six foot tsunami, which will do a lot of damage, but won't be nearly the disaster we're seeing in Honshu right now. Will keep you all updated.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I was wondering about you. SO's business partner lives on one of the higher elevations, so she didn't have to evacuate. She was telling us how everyone on the coast was, though.

Right now SO's looking at footage from Japan -- there are boats literally being swept into buildings :shudder:

Please be safe.

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update; I had to do a quick search for another lj friend which confirmed she's much more south and east, so fingers crossed she's fine. I just can't get over the scale of this.

[dreamchaser.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the update!!

Yes - please be safe!

[sharya.livejournal.com]

Noted!

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the update. I'd actually thought about you this morning. Hope everything is okay over yonder and it's not anywhere near as bad as they're predicting.

STAY SAFE over there, man.

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

STAY SAFE!!!!! We need you!!!

[crimsonplum.livejournal.com]

Just asked about you in today's Green Room, sir. Hope all continues to be well. Best good thoughts to you and yours.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I was wondering about you guys! I'm glad you're safe!

[sra33.livejournal.com]

Stay safe!!! Been thinking about you ♥

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

PHEW ♥

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

Huh. There *is* a story I had my heart set on writing, I just didn't expect to write it so soon on top of last week! Also, it's pure fiction, which does worry me. *ponders*

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

"pure fiction" should always have its basis in human truth. The events can be "made up" but there is still truth to a good story <3

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

Very true :) and mostly I do write true stories, just this week was a little more fictional than most... which worried me, but it still ended up having a true message. AND I enjoyed writing it, which counts the most! XD

[imafarmgirl.livejournal.com]

Another open topic! ahhhhhh! Help! What else can I say.

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

If you say "help" one more time, I'll make you watch "Cats with Thumbs" and write your entry on that ;)

[imafarmgirl.livejournal.com]

At least that would be a topic. No worries though the entry is already written and posted earlier today.

[beldar.livejournal.com]

This time around I've taken on a sort of "swan song" approach. The last two polls I barely avoided elimination, so I'm thinking that this next one has to be one I'd feel good about it being the entry I "go out" on. This way the "worst" that can happen is that it resonates with the voters (or gatekeepers) and I stay in another week. Sort of a win-win, pardon the cliche.

Still, this hasn't stopped my brain from going in several different directions on what this potential finale would be.

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

I consider all of my Idol entries "potential finales"

Good luck!

OK... My suggestion for everybody else...

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

I'll admit that I'm still drawing a blank/wracking my brains... but here's what I did last week:

I picked a topic that I felt very, *VERY* strongly about... and I put my heart into the piece I wrote.


Now, I wrote non-fiction... deeply personal non-fiction. And I know that's not to everybody's taste. But you can work a real-world interest/event into a fiction piece if need be.

Everybody has *SOMETHING* they want to tell the world about.

What's yours?

Re: OK... My suggestion for everybody else...

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

That's kind of what I did last week, and if I didn't have an immunity in my pocket I'd have been out of the game. As it turns out, I wish I hadn't used it. Bleh.

Re: OK... My suggestion for everybody else...

[momebie.livejournal.com]

Honestly, working the real world into my fiction is what I've been doing the entire time. I have Issues (capital I and everything) with talking about myself. Which sounds kind of stupid, because I obviously have a Livejournal that is well used and I talk about myself all the time. But I don't really talk about Myself in the Gestalt sense. The fiction that I've posted that falls under the Steampunk or Big Damn Existential Scifi Novel umbrellas have been purely character and story driven, but all of the other little random pieces of fiction have been my way of working out my worries and conflicted feelings.

I'm too tired to think about what that might say about me, but I'm happy that those strange little things have been more or less well received. I just don't think that most of the people reading them realize just how personal they are.

[barrelofrain.livejournal.com]

Good god. My piece this week is so long and I've never submitted something this long and I AM TERRIFIED.