#sundaylit — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #sundaylit, aggregated by home.social.
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It's always BEER POUR o'clock somewhere in the world. The diplomatic deal between the U.S. and Japan to bring a couple of billion-dollar Japanese beers to the U.S. for bottling and distribution is the catalyst for an advertising juggernaut pitting two of the world's top commercial directors against each other to see who can produce the best beer-pour commercial for global marketing. What ensues, no one could have anticipated. DRAMA. DECEPTION. DIPLOMACY. #sundaylit #mastodon #sunday #book #books #bookstodon #scribesAndMakers #writing #writersCoffeeClub #writer #video #clock #media #advertising #film #politics #satire #politicalhumor #political #novels #novel #suspense #humor #funny #drama #diplomacy
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It's always BEER POUR o'clock somewhere in the world. The diplomatic deal between the U.S. and Japan to bring a couple of billion-dollar Japanese beers to the U.S. for bottling and distribution is the catalyst for an advertising juggernaut pitting two of the world's top commercial directors against each other to see who can produce the best beer-pour commercial for global marketing. What ensues, no one could have anticipated. DRAMA. DECEPTION. DIPLOMACY. #sundaylit #mastodon #sunday #book #books #bookstodon #scribesAndMakers #writing #writersCoffeeClub #writer #video #clock #media #advertising #film #politics #satire #politicalhumor #political #novels #novel #suspense #humor #funny #drama #diplomacy
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This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Time
My trail meandered through forest and fields and forded streams. I followed skeptically. In late afternoon, it led into a treat—strawberries. I gorged myself, sure they were the tastiest ever, then threw more in my pack, staining everything pink. There was no concern about food that time of year. I had more of an issue with the lack of sanitary products.
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This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Time
My trail meandered through forest and fields and forded streams. I followed skeptically. In late afternoon, it led into a treat—strawberries. I gorged myself, sure they were the tastiest ever, then threw more in my pack, staining everything pink. There was no concern about food that time of year. I had more of an issue with the lack of sanitary products.
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#SundayLit Q1. Do you write and/or read short stories?
Q2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of writing short stories?I write lots of short stories, most of them flash length. The advantage is that I can turn them out fast and run with a single item. This disadvantage is primarily you need to stay focused, and the idea can't require a buildup.
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“Winter Night”
On a winter night, dark and dreary.
A computer’s glow on my face, weary.
I labored words to outpour.Said the Raven, "Nara Moore."
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Benefits:
1. It's much more economical to explore an idea (or part of an idea) through a short story than through longer forms.
2. You can churn them out if you need to.
Drawbacks:
1. The idea might be too big to properly explore.
2. A lot of people hate reading short stories - even when they're provided gratis.
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Benefits:
1. It's much more economical to explore an idea (or part of an idea) through a short story than through longer forms.
2. You can churn them out if you need to.
Drawbacks:
1. The idea might be too big to properly explore.
2. A lot of people hate reading short stories - even when they're provided gratis.
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@Emmacox I do both, although they're not my preferred format.
I write short stories to scratch itches or to fill out gaps in my world building or character development. Sometimes I write fanfic, but that's usually to scratch the aforementioned itches.
I read them to see how the market is - what's being published - and to gauge trends. It's rare that I find anything especially engaging (anyone seeing my reviews on my blog or bookwyrm will quickly discover how picky I am) , but it has been known to happen. I almost never read fanfic, mostly because it's nearly always a first (only) draft and fucking awful. I've been banned from fanfic channels for mentioning writing is rewriting.
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@Emmacox I do both, although they're not my preferred format.
I write short stories to scratch itches or to fill out gaps in my world building or character development. Sometimes I write fanfic, but that's usually to scratch the aforementioned itches.
I read them to see how the market is - what's being published - and to gauge trends. It's rare that I find anything especially engaging (anyone seeing my reviews on my blog or bookwyrm will quickly discover how picky I am) , but it has been known to happen. I almost never read fanfic, mostly because it's nearly always a first (only) draft and fucking awful. I've been banned from fanfic channels for mentioning writing is rewriting.
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Winter Night:
They huddled around the fire as they ate.
“What can you tell us about witches?” Eric asked, abruptly.
“Not much,” Fal replied. “They’re outlawed by the High Tower Edicts. Their magic taints them, somehow.”
“What do you mean?”
“Warts, croneism, bad-“
“Croneism?” Leira ejaculated.
“Becoming crones,” Fal answered, shrugging. “Hagism, if you prefer.”
“He has such a delicate way with words,” Alfonsa commented.
“But your magic doesn’t taint you?” Leira asked.
“No,” Fal answered.
“What do witches do that you don’t?”
“I’ve heard they have a lot of sex.”
“That’s both sad and hilarious at the same time,” Alfonsa remarked. -
Winter Night:
They huddled around the fire as they ate.
“What can you tell us about witches?” Eric asked, abruptly.
“Not much,” Fal replied. “They’re outlawed by the High Tower Edicts. Their magic taints them, somehow.”
“What do you mean?”
“Warts, croneism, bad-“
“Croneism?” Leira ejaculated.
“Becoming crones,” Fal answered, shrugging. “Hagism, if you prefer.”
“He has such a delicate way with words,” Alfonsa commented.
“But your magic doesn’t taint you?” Leira asked.
“No,” Fal answered.
“What do witches do that you don’t?”
“I’ve heard they have a lot of sex.”
“That’s both sad and hilarious at the same time,” Alfonsa remarked. -
@ElisesWritings I found myself providing deliberately funny answers, which might have been fine had anyone actually read them - but I soon realised that nobody was. Some might click favourite, and a few might even boost, but it was just an automatic reaction. There was no real engagement there.
With #SundayLit, I feel people at least read the work, and answer the questions. You know, having a conversation about writing, which I really like.
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@ElisesWritings I found myself providing deliberately funny answers, which might have been fine had anyone actually read them - but I soon realised that nobody was. Some might click favourite, and a few might even boost, but it was just an automatic reaction. There was no real engagement there.
With #SundayLit, I feel people at least read the work, and answer the questions. You know, having a conversation about writing, which I really like.
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#SundayLit prompt is: Games
{Snip Konbini Idol](https://www.pixiv.net/novel/series/11417104)
At night, we wrote and presented poetry. We all took part, but Shishi came alive when performing. On stage, she rived Sarah Bernhardt herself. Once or twice, Kan-chan’s critiques offended her, especially as our internment wore on.
We also played endless rounds of Go. We briefly bet smokes, and Tomo consistently won my daily ration. Shishi played like a wizard when cigarettes were on the line. Otherwise, she couldn’t be bothered. When we smoked on the veranda, she would graciously let me bum one. I happily switched to betting coins after Shizuka gave them to us.
Our Go tournaments became so successful that the servants even spied on them. Then, with enormous delight, they penned satirical poems about my playing and “accidentally” recited them where I’d overhear. Fortunately, they made a greedy move one night.
End Snip
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#SundayLit on the theme of games…
In my book, a character reminisces about the things they love about their home and notes olenball amongst them. This would translate to deer ball, and I’ve sometimes pondered over what such a game might entail.
I imagine quite a bit of running… 🤔 I like creating games, but not really big on sport.
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Games:
She held out her two fists, fingers down. Braia tapped the left one. Sana unfurled her hand to reveal that it was empty.
“Bad start,” Sana said. “I take wood,” replacing the missing pedaille. Rain hadn’t even seen her take it.
Sana moved the pedaille positioned in front of her Minister piece. Braia responded by moving her pedaille immediately before one of her chevaler. Sana responded by moving her Emperor's footman in line with the Minister’s. Braia brought out her dragon.
“Wyvern,” Sana said.
“We call it The Curtain.”
“We?”
“We used to play in the Dragon Tower.”
“But no longer?”
“I like tactical games, but I prefer them to have an element of luck. No battle has ever been won on tactics alone.”
The word spread. The crowd grew. Sana playing an Armen Knight. The Gods themselves couldn’t have wished for a better match. There were applause, cheers and jeers as the game progressed. Most of the audience favouring the local hero, Sana. Lots of money was wagered.
The game was close. Rain didn’t know who was going to win. He tried to guess the possible moves each of the opponents could take, but found that he was wrong on most occasions. In the end it was a mistake that turned the game.
Braia exposed one of her Barons. Sana took it, realising too late that it was a trap. From then on it was a foregone conclusion.
Sana tipped her Emperor on its side, conceding. The crowd erupted into applause.
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Games:
She held out her two fists, fingers down. Braia tapped the left one. Sana unfurled her hand to reveal that it was empty.
“Bad start,” Sana said. “I take wood,” replacing the missing pedaille. Rain hadn’t even seen her take it.
Sana moved the pedaille positioned in front of her Minister piece. Braia responded by moving her pedaille immediately before one of her chevaler. Sana responded by moving her Emperor's footman in line with the Minister’s. Braia brought out her dragon.
“Wyvern,” Sana said.
“We call it The Curtain.”
“We?”
“We used to play in the Dragon Tower.”
“But no longer?”
“I like tactical games, but I prefer them to have an element of luck. No battle has ever been won on tactics alone.”
The word spread. The crowd grew. Sana playing an Armen Knight. The Gods themselves couldn’t have wished for a better match. There were applause, cheers and jeers as the game progressed. Most of the audience favouring the local hero, Sana. Lots of money was wagered.
The game was close. Rain didn’t know who was going to win. He tried to guess the possible moves each of the opponents could take, but found that he was wrong on most occasions. In the end it was a mistake that turned the game.
Braia exposed one of her Barons. Sana took it, realising too late that it was a trap. From then on it was a foregone conclusion.
Sana tipped her Emperor on its side, conceding. The crowd erupted into applause.
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#SundayLitQ 6. How does your characters aspirations and fears affect the conflict in the novel?
Character aspirations and fears *create* the conflict. If they desired nothing and feared nothing, all the background conflict in the world means nothing.
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#SundayLitQ 6. How does your characters aspirations and fears affect the conflict in the novel?
Character aspirations and fears *create* the conflict. If they desired nothing and feared nothing, all the background conflict in the world means nothing.
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#SundayLitQ 3 Do all stories need conflict to work?
Well I typed out a long answer and then the page refreshed and lost it all, so I’ll just say:
To me, brought up in the western storytelling perspective, yes. Even in cosy slice-of-life (though conflict in those is often so low as to be utterly boring to me).
A perspective that suggests that while conflict is baked into western storytelling structure, it can be absent from the storytelling structures of other cultures:
https://artofnarrative.com/2020/07/08/kishotenketsu-exploring-the-four-act-story-structure/And a rebuttal:
https://mythcreants.com/blog/the-myth-of-conflict-free-story-structures/ -
#SundayLitQ 3 Do all stories need conflict to work?
Well I typed out a long answer and then the page refreshed and lost it all, so I’ll just say:
To me, brought up in the western storytelling perspective, yes. Even in cosy slice-of-life (though conflict in those is often so low as to be utterly boring to me).
A perspective that suggests that while conflict is baked into western storytelling structure, it can be absent from the storytelling structures of other cultures:
https://artofnarrative.com/2020/07/08/kishotenketsu-exploring-the-four-act-story-structure/And a rebuttal:
https://mythcreants.com/blog/the-myth-of-conflict-free-story-structures/ -
#SundayLitQ 2. How do you strike a balance when writing conflict? How do you ensure the conflict isn’t too easily overcome/too insurmountable/a relentless barrage?
I…don’t know. I think I’ve just read so many books that I’ve internalised the rhythms of stories that appeal to me, so I have a sense of when things are too flat/easy/drawn-out etc.
I’m also a character-first writer, and I feel like they tell me when I’ve made something too much, and need to tone it down.
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#SundayLitQ 2. How do you strike a balance when writing conflict? How do you ensure the conflict isn’t too easily overcome/too insurmountable/a relentless barrage?
I…don’t know. I think I’ve just read so many books that I’ve internalised the rhythms of stories that appeal to me, so I have a sense of when things are too flat/easy/drawn-out etc.
I’m also a character-first writer, and I feel like they tell me when I’ve made something too much, and need to tone it down.
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@Emmacox #SundayLit
#SundayLitQ 1. How does conflict appear in your work?For my work there’s usually interpersonal conflicts and internal conflicts. There is traditional type conflict between protagonist and antagonist too, but I don’t go in for grand battles or good-vs-evil type stuff, or physical conflict.
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@Emmacox #SundayLit
#SundayLitQ 1. How does conflict appear in your work?For my work there’s usually interpersonal conflicts and internal conflicts. There is traditional type conflict between protagonist and antagonist too, but I don’t go in for grand battles or good-vs-evil type stuff, or physical conflict.
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#SundayLit prompt is: Conflict
A nice chance to share the (current/draft) opening of my new WIP.
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#SundayLit prompt is: Conflict
A nice chance to share the (current/draft) opening of my new WIP.
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Conflict:
“Why haven't I heard of you before?”
Banks’ fist whitened, as he grew more frustrated.
“I still don't know who you are,” Wells said, glancing around to the others for support. “Or why I, or anyone else, would wish to share everything we have learned with you. You say the Russians are planning to move, but what proof do you have?”
“Yes,” Chung added. “I would need to confirm with my own sources before I would ever commit to such an coalition.”
“Is that why you prohibited us from bringing any communication devices to the meeting?” Wells asked, his expression triumphant – like he had made some crucial point.
“Mister Wells,” Banks began, his voice deadpan. “Have you ever been in a modern warzone?”
“No, of cour-”
“Then let me tell you that the current generation of drones can track a phone signal and deliver a twelve-and-a-half kilogram warhead - that's about twenty-eight pounds for you - with pinpoint accuracy. Completely autonomously. The operator could launch it from a boat kilometres out to sea, or from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, and the first time you'd be aware of the attack is waking up before the Pearly Gates and trying to explain to Saint Peter why you're such a lecherous cunt.”
Wells blanched. The others in the room remained silent, looking equally shocked.
Now, Banks was getting somewhere.
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Conflict:
“Why haven't I heard of you before?”
Banks’ fist whitened, as he grew more frustrated.
“I still don't know who you are,” Wells said, glancing around to the others for support. “Or why I, or anyone else, would wish to share everything we have learned with you. You say the Russians are planning to move, but what proof do you have?”
“Yes,” Chung added. “I would need to confirm with my own sources before I would ever commit to such an coalition.”
“Is that why you prohibited us from bringing any communication devices to the meeting?” Wells asked, his expression triumphant – like he had made some crucial point.
“Mister Wells,” Banks began, his voice deadpan. “Have you ever been in a modern warzone?”
“No, of cour-”
“Then let me tell you that the current generation of drones can track a phone signal and deliver a twelve-and-a-half kilogram warhead - that's about twenty-eight pounds for you - with pinpoint accuracy. Completely autonomously. The operator could launch it from a boat kilometres out to sea, or from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, and the first time you'd be aware of the attack is waking up before the Pearly Gates and trying to explain to Saint Peter why you're such a lecherous cunt.”
Wells blanched. The others in the room remained silent, looking equally shocked.
Now, Banks was getting somewhere.
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This week’s #SundayLit prompt is: Unexpected
I fought tears all the fucking way home. How had I become such a mess? Was this a breakdown—long in coming but not unexpected? Too much loss. Overstressed. Maybe Treana had a good idea: take yourself out of the equation. I wouldn’t cause any further harm that way. But there was too much I still wanted to do here. I sniffed, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. The welcome shady lane of my front entrance appeared ahead.
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#SundayLitQ 2. What positives and negatives come from misleading the reader?
I think it makes for a far more compelling, memorable story - in a good way, obviously, if done well!
Negatives...there will always be readers who hate it no matter how well you do it. Just due to dislike of twists/unreliable narrators etc in general, or because they blow past every clue and therefore find the reveal unconvincing/unearned.
There's also readers who delight in sneering about how obvious a twist was, and in spoiling it for others. The bigger the twist, the more sneery they get.
BUT you deserve every bad review you get if you do something like list a book in the Romance genre and kill off one of the leads "to make it original". You have to understand your genre's conventions *to the bone* before you can mislead readers within them.
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#SundayLit prompt: Unexpected
The last excerpt from Grace & Favour, as it releases today and next week I'll hopefully have a new WIP to refer to.
Harry the ill-advised fling once again featuring. I feel like he gets the lions' share of these prompt excerpts, but also...he is the one bringing a dose of the unexpected into Leo's careful life.
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@skribe @Emmacox I agree - a great plot twist is when it’s a complete surprise *and it shouldn’t have been*!
But I also do like it when I have worked it out and am right, but only a page or two in advance. I prefer to not be told there’s a twist coming at all, TBH, otherwise my brain keeps trying to spot it and I’d rather be surprised.
Bad plot twists… well, I’ve gotten to the end of books where the praise raves about the plot twist, and literally thought, but where was the twist? because it was so predictable it just seemed like normal plot.
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Unexpected:
“Ahaaaaaah! I bet that was unexpected.”
“Well, I did call a plumber.”
“And?”
“You’re in my kitchen, at three o’clock in the morning.”
“Aaaaand?”
“You’re completely naked.”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaad?”
“You’ve fixed my tap?”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnd?”
“The bill is much less than I expected.”
“Ta-dah!”
“Please don’t wave that around. You’ll poke an eye out.”
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#SundayLitQ 6. If you removed the physical description from your prose, would the reader still get a sense of who the character was?
I’d say so. I get character across in dialogue, mostly.
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#SundayLitQ 5. Does your character like the body they inhabit?
I only very rarely give my characters any thoughts about their bodies (a female character aware she’s taller and broader than most other women; a hulking male character uncomfortably realising he’s scaring someone with his size; my transmasc character, for obvious reasons)…
…so it’s a bit of a fluke that I have to answer no, Leo does not like the body he inhabits. Or at least, he thinks wistfully of when he was younger and thinner and has brief moments of discomfit when naked with another person.
It’s not really something I want to overly burden my characters with, TBH. I like to write about people who are mostly or almost comfortable in their own skin.
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#SundayLitQ 4. Do your descriptions go beyond sight? e.g. smell, voice, posture, gait.
Yes, but not all at once. The first thing you learn about Cole’s physical self from Leo’s POV is the sound of his voice. Second is that he can manage a severe frown. Third is the Malay mother. You don’t get much than that Leo finds him *excessively handsome* until Chapter 5.
I’m dreadful on smell. That’s usually a third draft thing.