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Author Topic: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread  (Read 10918 times)

Offline ryanmcgowan

Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #15 on: March 04, 2018, 09:57:52 AM »
Think i’m going to play this one straight and keep the whole this as the contents of a letter, be interesting to see how i struggle to hold back the info dumping
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Offline Nora

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #16 on: March 04, 2018, 11:18:23 AM »
Yeah that's the issue. I'm almost done with my first draft, and it feels like an endless "let me walk you through my world". There is no way of showing instead of telling, since it's inherently someone telling someone else. I'm getting put off by what I've written so far.
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Offline JMack

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2018, 12:04:51 PM »
Have fallen a bit out of love with my first idea, and am gnawing around the edges of a second.
As for info dumping, it might be easier to do this set in our world. But that doesn’t fully address the show vs. tell issue with letters. Have to think about that one.
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Offline Nora

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2018, 01:10:02 PM »
Rules do say that the letters must make clear that it's a fantasy or sci Fi setting. So it kind of makes sure info dump happens somehow. Like everything it can be well done. I'm just dubious I'll manage.
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"She will need coffee soon, or molecular degeneration will set in. Her French phrasing will take over even more strongly, and soon she will dissolve into a puddle of alienation and Kierkegaardian despair."  ~ Jmack

Wishy washy lyricism and maudlin unrequited love are my specialty - so said Lady_Ty

Offline NightWrite

Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2018, 01:27:14 AM »
My current idea is going with number 2, but it feels like a bit of a stretch. It's less "the person isn't coming home because they're going to die" which is how I originally interpreted it and more "the person isn't going home because their home was destroyed." Is that stretching number 2 too far to fit?
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Online ScarletBea

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2018, 08:17:48 AM »
Quote from: NightWrite on March 05, 2018, 01:27:14 AM
My current idea is going with number 2, but it feels like a bit of a stretch. It's less "the person isn't coming home because they're going to die" which is how I originally interpreted it and more "the person isn't going home because their home was destroyed." Is that stretching number 2 too far to fit?
The MC's not going home. That fits the requirement 8)
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Offline NightWrite

Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2018, 06:25:48 PM »
Quote from: ScarletBea on March 05, 2018, 08:17:48 AM
The MC's not going home. That fits the requirement 8)
Just wanted to be sure, thanks ;D.
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Offline J.R. Darewood

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #22 on: March 06, 2018, 08:33:51 AM »
Is the mother and high blood pressure and dungeon literal or thematic? Could it be a grandmother with fatal syphilis and a river boat cruise thru the heart of darkness?  Haha I need to come up with stories that don't have to be relegated to the discussion thread...
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Offline Bender

Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #23 on: March 06, 2018, 11:01:55 AM »
I love the last option. It's brilliant.

This is probably the 8th or 9th attempt that I've started but never finished ( except the one time, I actually did...but my wife laughed so hard, I never posted it)  :-*

I'll definitely try to write a quick one.
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Offline Nora

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #24 on: March 06, 2018, 11:07:08 AM »
Ok. Just don't show it to your wife this time though.
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Offline Lady Ty

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #25 on: March 06, 2018, 11:21:06 AM »
Quote from: Bradley Darewood on March 06, 2018, 08:33:51 AM
Is the mother and high blood pressure and dungeon literal or thematic? Could it be a grandmother with fatal syphilis and a river boat cruise thru the heart of darkness?  Haha I need to come up with stories that don't have to be relegated to the discussion thread...

We want to see you in the Submission thread too.... ;D

Also wondered in 1. if it could only be a literal dungeon or some other circumstance the dying relative shouldn’t know about ?
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Offline Nora

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #26 on: March 06, 2018, 01:48:42 PM »
Ok I've got an idea that makes much more sense and makes the letter a dynamic thing. And for this, my dear @Lady Ty, I will bring Hades back.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2018, 02:10:51 PM by Nora »
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"She will need coffee soon, or molecular degeneration will set in. Her French phrasing will take over even more strongly, and soon she will dissolve into a puddle of alienation and Kierkegaardian despair."  ~ Jmack

Wishy washy lyricism and maudlin unrequited love are my specialty - so said Lady_Ty

Offline NightWrite

Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #27 on: March 06, 2018, 04:45:57 PM »
Quote from: Lady Ty on March 06, 2018, 11:21:06 AM
Also wondered in 1. if it could only be a literal dungeon or some other circumstance the dying relative shouldn’t know about ?
"Dear Mother, today I met with the dreaded in-laws...."
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Offline xiagan

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #28 on: March 06, 2018, 08:39:43 PM »
Quote from: Lady Ty on March 06, 2018, 11:21:06 AM
Quote from: Bradley Darewood on March 06, 2018, 08:33:51 AM
Is the mother and high blood pressure and dungeon literal or thematic? Could it be a grandmother with fatal syphilis and a river boat cruise thru the heart of darkness?  Haha I need to come up with stories that don't have to be relegated to the discussion thread...

We want to see you in the Submission thread too.... ;D

Also wondered in 1. if it could only be a literal dungeon or some other circumstance the dying relative shouldn’t know about ?
I think you misunderstood?
It's about a hero who has lots of dangerous adventures but his mother (or grandmother idc) must not know about them because they would be upset and exercised and that wouldn't be good for their health. But of course they still want their monthly letter from their little darling and the hero can't lie to his mother, can s/he?

It's the very difficult task to write about something without mentioning it and/or downscaling what really happened a lot.
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Offline Lady Ty

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Re: [Mar 2018] - Letters - Discussion Thread
« Reply #29 on: March 06, 2018, 09:17:08 PM »
Thanks  xiagan, we were reading too literally. ;D

And Nora, will be waiting with great anticipation, heart beating fast.  ;D
« Last Edit: March 06, 2018, 09:22:20 PM by Lady Ty »
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“This is the problem with even lesser demons. They come to your doorstep in velvet coats and polished shoes. They tip their hats and smile and demonstrate good table manners. They never show you their tails.” 
Leigh Bardugo, The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
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