May: Monthly Writing Project

[Peter Thomas]

Okay, so here it is again. The Monthly Writing Project!

This is basically a STORY version of the MAGS competition, except instead of making a game in AGS, you'll be writing a short story. If you're new to the project, or still unsure about some rules, check the previous project; everything's explained clearly there.

DEADLINES WILL ALWAYS BE THE 25th OF THE MONTH!

Please email completed entries to: writing_project@fbc-bettendorf.com

PDF or RTF formats are perferred. TXT is acceptable only if you don't have any specific formatting.

Please be sensible with your formatting. Times New Roman \ Arial (size 12) are the most common fonts, and don't double space just to make your story look longer  

Also, please be sure to include your full name and forum alias in the document aswell.

__________________________________________________

Okay - that's more than enough formalities! ON WITH THE SHOW!

This month's theme:

"Hidden Truths..."

- The main character attacks (not necessarily kills) someone, but it is not done for the reason people would expect.

- During the story, someone discovers a book or article has been written about them.

- A character pretends to be someone else to get what they want.

- An important character will turn out to be traitor.

Most importantly: HAVE FUN!

Any Q's, just ask, and I shall answer as promptly as I can. If you decide to enter, however, be prepared! I may choose you to host the NEXT project (or LGM might, depending). It's not based on quality of the story, since there is no 'winner' - so everyone's eligible!

Now go and write  

[Ryam BaCo]

yeah...hmmm...i wrote a story in german some time ago and translated it into english some other time ago coincidentally including almost all of these points here. because of the fact that i'm still annoying, because i'm new here, which means that i'm dumb, because i still don't know anything about the ags-community and their connections and i don't have the time to rewrite my little essay to let it fit to all the points i'll just send it to you. straight away. full of language-error...ahm...whatever...

however...have fun!

phew...what a first post!

[LGM]

Might I add, even though the "Deadline" is the 25th, the 5/6 days to the end of the month is always a grace period. (Which means you can still turn your story in.)

I think I'll enter this month.. I need to get my brain goin!.

Good topic, Peter!

[Peter Thomas]

yes.... obviously it was a great topic.

I am hoping people ARE writing, and they've just forgotten to post...

[Lazy Z]

It is an interesting topic, but people might be preoccupied with other things, finals are coming up and everything. I'll try to write something if I have the time, I already have an idea of what I'm gonna write.

[LGM]

I need to get writing.

[Blane]

Does your story have to include all of the items listed for Hidden Truths?

[Blane]

Does the story have to be a complete runthrough of everything in the game, or basically just a breif description?

Or is it just a plot?

[Lazy Z]

This is about writing a stand-alone story, nothing to do with games, it's explained in the second and third lines of the original post.

[Blane]

Sorry I meant OF the game

It must have something to do...??

[Peter Thomas]

o...k. I'm slightly confused. Do you mean is it just a plot of the game?

Well... in a sense, I suppose yes, but don't go ahead and write stuff like "pick up book and use on fridge".

You're writing a story with descriptions and dialogue and stuff. In the same way that Sherlock Holmes was a book, you are to write a story.

I guess it's not vital that you include EVERYTHING I stipulated in the first post, but the closer the better. Also, remember, everything is open to interpretation, so if you can make something else out of what I said, as opposed to the obvious, then go for it.

[Blane]

  8) I meant like:

When you step into this room, the caretaker will explain about the locked door and leave. He will through off a hint of where the key to the door is. Under the rug is a knife and under the bookshelf is the key.

Like that, like a walkthrough...

[PhoneBooth]

No, it's meant to be a STORY, nothing to do with a game. Of course, it could be the story OF a game, but it should be in narrative form, not just a walk-thru, or anything. Story. Not game, story.

[LGM]

You're supposed to write a short story. Something that you would read in a literary magazine, or in a BOOK..

[Peter Thomas]

yes. Your caretaker could still give a hint to where to where the key is, but you'd tell it in story form:

ie:

The wiry old man looked at me with a wry smile. "Beneath Dracula" he rasped, and walked off, hobbling with his cracked walking-stick. I didn't need to be told twice. The key was beneath the bookshelf, filled with classics of old. And the knife, I knew, would be under he mat.

- You keep your ideas, just turn it into a narrative.

[goldenmonkey]

8) I meant like:

When you step into this room, the caretaker will explain about the locked door and leave. He will through off a hint of where the key to the door is. Under the rug is a knife and under the bookshelf is the key.

Like that, like a walkthrough...

WTF?
How many times do you have to be told?

[Peter Thomas]

6 times, it would seem. And even more if you count just the general questions/statements.

But as long as you understand, then it's all good. A good story is worth twice the explanation

[Minimi]

here is my story.... for what it's worth   :

Parallel Liquidation
http://minimi.spijbelaars.com/pl.txt

[LGM]

Where are all the submissions.. I've not one email recieved!

[Peter Thomas]

wow - my idea was obviously a hit.


LGM, I pass the concept-mantle back to you....