Work Room - Week 20

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

If last time was any indication, there are going to be some of you who are flipping out at the idea of having absolutely no restrictions http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/547602.html, and others who will point out that it's not like you have any in the first place. ;)

Finding that motivation, that spark within yourself, to create something brilliant (no pressure) - that is what is all about.

See that fence over there? Swing for it. Be the best you that you can be. Put all your troubles in an old shoebox and smile, smile, smile. . . don't you know you're gonna shock the monkey?
Be you.

Now get out there and figure out who the hell that is!

Comments

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

My oh my... What angle to I go this week? I have a few funny ideas I still want to write about, but I also have a few happy, but not really funny stuff I could share that will show more about me.

I wonder what people would like to see? More fiction? More humor? Something serious and deep for a change? Emotional or happy?

The possibilities are endless and I'm open to suggestions from what you'd like to read.

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

I would prefer to see something more serious from you. If I could *really* control what you wrote, I would want to see more from the world you started during Narcissism Week. I miss that universe. In the nonfictional realm, I would definitely prefer something more serious for a change, though. :)

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

One word: gatekeepers.

[porn-this-way.livejournal.com]

SHHHHHH. Speak thee not the name of the demons, and perhaps they won't appear.

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

I wanted to try nonfiction, but I don't think this is a good week to do so, what with the rumors and hints about gatekeepers. I doubt Gatekeeper Time is when I should try a medium in which I'm less comfortable. New territory is probably not where my A-game is going to reside.

I have a nebulous fiction idea, but I don't know how to go from "cool concept that might fit into my current serial" to "actual plot."

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Sometimes new stuff can surprise you; if you have the time, you could try both and see which one seems better to you.

One caution -- several people have said that in Gatekeeper weeks, it's important to make sure your entry stands alone, because a lot of them won't have been reading along. (I think you usually do this, though. I've never had to go back and re-read to figure out what was going on.)

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

I always find your personal experience pieces interesting, and for me they're strongest when you also make a larger point. Like the bit about being gay but not being able to leave God, which transcended your personal experience to be universal for anyone grappling with the question of having faith vs being part of an organized religion.

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

Same question as above - anything folks would like to see from me?

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Whatever it is, it needs to stand on its own, in case it really does turn out to be a Gatekeepers week.

I'd suggest writing something personal, because those pieces by you have been some of my favorites.

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

I'm going to jump on the "what do you want to see from me?" bandwagon. So, Idol People, what would you like to see?

[medleymisty.livejournal.com]

Your soul. To jump on the bandwagon bandwagon and take a leaf from Gary - your brilliant soul. :)

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

...man, and to think I chose last week to write about killer robots!

I'm probably going to do fiction this week, mostly because real life is hellish and I'd rather not think about it. So, um, suggestions if you've got 'em! Things you'd like to see me explore, that kind of thing. (I will probably break away from first person this week, mostly because I'm tired of writing in it.)

also I would ideally like to write something that I don't need to include a warning on!

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

I really liked your story last week. Maybe you could do a happier, less horror-esque sci-fi kind of story? That may be a totally random suggestion, but I liked how you handled the robots and would want to see similar stuff.

[medleymisty.livejournal.com]

One of these days I'll do nonfiction. One of these days.

Not today though. I instantly had an idea to take the draft of a current work in progress and finish/edit it. It's the prequel to the Farmer Brown story I posted for my very first home game entry, the week of "sticks and stones".

At the current rate of action versus words though, it's going to be a loooong story. So I'll have to find a way to shorten it. Which will require basically rewriting it from scratch, so I don't feel like it's cheating. ;)

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

I'm totally envious of your idea-having ways! Good luck with the rewriting and editing and polishing. It sounds like it'll be a fun story. :)

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

My instinct is to go nonfiction, because I haven't in a while and I think I'm good at it. My poll results are always better with fiction, oddly enough.

Totally stealing Pixie's idea... Anyone want to see anything specific from me?

[barrelofrain.livejournal.com]

My instinct is usually to go nonfiction, too, though I have gotten some very good poll results and comments from my fiction this season. *shrug*

[barrelofrain.livejournal.com]

I will jump in (WHOA LOOK WHO IS IN THE WORK ROOM!) and ask what y'all think you'd like to see from me. There's been a pretty big mix between me and my alt (autumn_writing), I'd say.

When I don't have an idea for an open topic, I tend to go through my LJ tags and skim through for stories I could tell. I have one tag called "the-really-ridiculous" that has come into play before. :D

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

Whoa. I didn't know that was your alt!

I like your idea. I may have to try that. Although my life is quite probably not as exciting as yours. :)

[copyright1983.livejournal.com]

Fine, I'll jump on the bandwagon. Anyone want to see anything specific from me?

(And I'm thinking Gary's just being tricksy again, trying to make us *think* the GK's are coming. Of course, as soon as I get lulled into that false sense of security...)

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Gary must be part hobbit, I think....

Um. Nothing specific... I think I prefer your pretty entries over your practical ones, if that makes any sense. The ones that are a little bit poetic in spots. But I like quite a bit of what you write. :)

[porn-this-way.livejournal.com]

OMG I just tried to log in as "porn_this_week" and couldn't figure out why LJ was throwing an error at me. Pure brilliance, right here folks! Or possibly just some freudian inspiration for a topic. J\K. Maybe. >_>

A'ight, what the hell, also hopping on the "what should I post this week?!" bandwagon, because....*picks up a pencil and draws a blank* This is so much harder when I don't have a topic to use as a springboard for my usual bad jokes and obnoxious puns! [/tragic]

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

Truly terrible idea that is truly terrible: a story about an obnoxious artist who "draws blanks" and gets lots and lots of money for gallery shows of blank canvases? Why did I come up with that, you ask? It was because I read "bad jokes and obnoxious puns" and my brain came up with what is both a bad joke and an obnoxious pun on "drawing a blank."

Perhaps my utterly terrible suggestion will inspire you to come up with something less crappy?

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Hm, possible Gatekeeper, if Gary is to be believed...

I have a few ideas kicking around. Whether I actually want to write one of them without blowing off my own head is a whole other story, though.

[sarcasmoqueen.livejournal.com]

I'm jumping on that bandwagon too! I think I've had a fair mix of fiction and reality so far. I prefer writing fiction, but I'm open to suggestions - any previous entries that you wanted more of? Any subjects that you want to see me take a stab at?

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I would love to see more nonfiction. And if you have any other funny stories like the one where your husband was naked at the party... well I would love that!

But your fiction is great too. I like it a lot.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Usually when we get an "Open Topic," I sit around for a couple days thinking, "I've got nothing." But this time, I have the kernel of an idea already, as well as a general sense of where to take it, which is kind of amazing.

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Congrats! :)

[vaudy.livejournal.com]

I may actually have an idea, but I'm also open to suggestions. I know I mostly do nonfiction, but those vary pretty widely. Is there anything anyone particularly liked and would like to see more of?

[whirlgig.livejournal.com]

I loved your travelling travesty piece, your Inspiration (cheshire23) piece and your piece all about control. I think I would LOVE to see some fiction from you, but your nonfic entries are always fascinating, so don't stress if this suggestion comes too late and you've already written something nonfic :)

[knomers.livejournal.com]

I would love to read a whole bunch of shiny happy entries...I need a little glass half full thoughts vs. half empty.

[sweeny-todd.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm... I have no immediate ideas.

Must think, but not too long...

Hmmmmmmm

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

"No pressure"???


ETA: Bandwagon ahoy! Anything anyone would like to see from me this week? I'm thinking more in general, but specifics are good too. :)

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

I really liked the one about your mom. So I guess I'm interested in deeper personal stuff. I don't know if you can just do that on command though.

[jacq22.livejournal.com]

Oh dear.... don't know! shall I go with true life experience, which is often stranger than fiction?
or some sort of fiction based on experience;
or a total flight of fancy where I live the life of a wild torch dancer or something....oh my! Might wait until I have some wine and decide then. Everything is clearer after the fruit of the vine isn't it?

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

True life all the way!

[jacq22.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh parties, the weird and wonderful.??? hmmmm. still not sure.

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

Am I too late to jump on the "what do you want to see from me?" bandwagon too?

(NB: chances are very high that I will then turn around and write the exact opposite. I tend to annoy my gf a LOT by doing that sort of thing!)

[talon.livejournal.com]

I want to see good things :D

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

My sluggish brain could do with a kick up the backside? Any preferences from anyone? Any particular tone you'd like to read?

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

My favorite posts of yours have been the ones about your family. I think most of those were earlier in the season, but those were the ones that stuck out the most to me.

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

I loved your Current Events post. I think I want to see something personal from you this week. :)

[rattsu.livejournal.com]

Huh. Big round number. Open topic. No byes. Weeks of doom. All the second chancers are in... I'd say it's a gatekeeper.

But this is Gary... so who knows? He is like an evil mastermind that way. At least this time around I know what a gatekeeper round is, first time I I wrote experimental horror poetry (http://rattsu.livejournal.com/76630.html). Lucky as hell getting through that time.

So... what now I wonder? Have people grown tired of horror yet? Should I try something new?

Hell if I know. We'll see where the wind takes me. Especially as I got super inspired to write on my book last night so... yeah.

I need icecream. And beer.

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Oooo, ice cream. :)

Trying something new is usually pretty fun. :)