|
Post by kayqt on Dec 10, 2014 9:49:59 GMT
I'm posting this in the fiction forum, but you can, of course, respond in poetry!
I'm setting two challenges, with no time limits as we're hurtling towards the festive season.
The first is a vague idea inspired by Richard's dream story: he refers to the question 'do things still exist when no-one is looking' and hints at a touch of 'Alice'. Further inspiration might be 'The Truman Show', where the central character's entire life is the unwitting subject of an ongoing TV show, or perhaps the more basic question of if a tree falls and no-one is there, does it make a sound? It's quite a broad topic, but take it where you fancy.
The second is a Christmas challenge: 'Alternative Christmas'. Make of it what you will.
|
|
|
Post by richardk on Dec 10, 2014 19:22:45 GMT
Thanks for the challenges Kay.
I had fun with 'Alice' but fear I may have gone just a little over the top.
I am looking forward to 'The alternative Christmas' mmm, I think I have an idea...
Looking forward to reading yours and Johns responses.
I guess it is back to the serious writing in January?
BTW Do you find that the RSS works with a long delay, usually more than 24 hours?
BTW 2. I have never come across the Truman Show but I read a Sci Fi book many years ago where the character lived his life from the same start point every day. He was living in miniature town on a table top and he was there as a stooge for a "Feckle Freezer' company to try out different adverts - I can't remember much more of it.
Richard
|
|
|
Post by kayqt on Dec 11, 2014 9:08:31 GMT
The RSS is a little tardy, yes. I find it a little confusing to be honest, because I've normally spotted the new posts, have replied to them, and created a new one of my own by the time the alert comes in! The Truman Show was a good film. The premiss was that he had been taken by the shows producer as a baby, who had then moved him into a huge set, with a bunch of actors playing the parts of his family, friends, or even just people he passed in the street. The only person who didn't know none of it was real was Truman. It sort of plays to that inner feeling of always being watched, as well as exploring the emotion he goes through as he slowly comes to realise nothing is real. You expect a Jim Carey film to be zany, but this one is really thought-provoking. It obviously could never happen in real life ... or could it? I think I found the story you mentioned. Was it The Tunnel Under the World? I skim read it, it's quite long, but it's an interesting story. The kind that messes with your head if you're not careful. I guess when writing such a story you have to start from the point of the scientist in his lab, map it out, then explore it from the pov of one of the minor characters. That way you keep the reveal until the end. I'd already begun a story on similar lines for my Alice response. Blast. I may have to rethink! BTW, do you find the auto-correct on here a little over zealous?
|
|
|
Post by richardk on Dec 11, 2014 9:52:23 GMT
Yes! That is the story I meant, should have known it was Fred Pohl. Yes, it must be difficult to get the set up, plot and reveal just right. I think it one of those that you have to write from the end backwards. I'm looking forward to reading your Alice response. I must find a way to catch up with the Truman Show - it sounds really interesting. Perhaps a search through Netflix. I haven't found the spell checker a problem on here but the Mac keeps writing Waitrose as 'Waitress', gets a little confusing for someone who likes using words that don't exist. Yes, I find the RSS is almost a waste of time, as you say it alerts you after you have read the item the day before.
|
|