Snowflake Challenge Day 9

[turps]

Challenge #9

In your own space, brag about yourself. Tell us what things you've done that you're proud of; the things that make you the wonderful person you are.

This is a story that many people will have heard before. But let's go...

Way back in the mists of time I posted my first official bandom story for the picfor1000 challenge over on Livejournal.

In the challenge, you were given a picture prompt and had to write a story of exactly 1000 words based on that prompt. I wrote something focussed on Gerard and Mikey Way, and a tradition was born. From that year until the challenge ended, I always started my writing year with a thousand-word challenge-response based on the Way bros.

Some were better than others, most were gen, some were weird, but all I'm proud of for telling a story in exactly 1000 words.

Below are those responses, listed from start to finish in terms of years.

Hope and Shatterproof Glass -- in which Mikey worries about Gerard

Hang the Moon -- where Mikey and Gerard are mer people.

Right Here Waiting -- Inspired by an article that stated Mikey Way had five siblings and the resulting discussion in my journal. Implied character death.

Four -- Mikey has changed forms again.

Look Into My Tired Eyes -- 1000 words of Way bros post apoc.

Of My Days in the Sun -- a follow to this ficlet where Mikey is poisoned and loses his memory. This one is slightly slashy.

Suds Crossing -- Gerard works in a magical laundrette.

You're Shying Away -- Gerard gets lost in his art.

What You're Looking For -- Gerard and Mikey are shape-shifting sheep.

Burn Up and Fly -- Gerard is caught by hunters.


For completeness sake, my first ever response to the challenge back in 2007 was popslash. Circles

I do miss the challenge. So, throwing it out there, if anyone wants to link to an image I'll attempt to write a 1000 word Way bros centric story. It has to be a stock kind of image, nothing specially bandom. Got some:)

Comments

[wenchpixie]

I am going to save these up for when I need a lovely savouring of Turps-fic. Yes, lovely.


And here's a pic for your 1000 :)

[turps]

I've just been reading them all myself. Some were hazy due to being written so long ago, so it was like reading new fic.

Ah, thank you! That's perfect.

[paulamcg]

That sounds like a wonderful challenge. I've never tried to write a story in exactly 1000 words. I wish we could bring back great challenges from the golden LJ years!

[turps]

It was a good challenge.

LJ really had some great challenges, I suspect it was because so many people were active then. So, the more people who joined and posted, the more buzz the challenges maintained.

But, we still have good ones here too. Like Snowflake ♥

[seleneheart]

Wow, getting any fic to a specific word count is hard work!! Good for you!

[turps]

Thank you!

What used to frustrate me was I'd write those 1000 words in Gdocs, but somehow A03 never counted them the same way. I so often had to add or subtract when I posted there.

[eglantiere]

wow, that's some staying power! go you!

(https://www.123rf.com/photo_34661068_a-weird-couple-of-strange-business-superheroes.html heh he)

[turps]

If only I had the staying power in other challenges like I did for that one *g*

That is a fabulous prompt, and one that's going to make me think. Thank you!

[pronker]

Thanks for the links, and showing the comm as worthy of devotion, wow. One thousand words is just about right to exploring beyond the drabble limitations. :) I used to construct stories about 1,100 words but never exactly that amount, because that was what my 17 inch laptop's screen held in WordPad in the font chosen. It made editing lots easier, LOL.

[turps]

I love how you used to vaguely count your words. That makes a lot of sense and yeah, I can see how it would make editing easy.

The comm really was worthing of devotion. It was a fun challenge and a thousand words never seemed too excessive. Which is good when you're at the start of a new year.

[kat_lair]

Shiny! Don't remember reading any of these so may have to dip in...

[turps]

Picfor1000 was the first fic I posted every year for a long time.

I hope you enjoy if you do read.

[cold_clarity]

iiiii remememberrrrr that challenge omg!! i don't think i ever really participated in it (i was even more fandom-shy then than i am now), but it looked really cool. i'm so excited to read these! :D

here's an image prompt for you: https://unsplash.com/photos/7Q-zx-kMPv0

<3

[turps]

It was such a great challenge, and I was sad when it stopped a few years back. Understandable as the mod had run it for a long time, but still. It was always a good start to the year.

That is a beautiful prompt! But really brain, why do you instantly go in a post apoc direction.

Thank you!

[shadowhive]

Word count challenges are so hard! I always end up doing too many/too few. But yay for fic about the Ways

[turps]

What used to frustrate me was I'd always get the perfect count in GDocs and it would be different at Ao3. Often I'd end up having to add or subtract words.

But yes, fic about the Ways is always fabulous.

[turlough]

You wrote so many lovely stories for that challenge! I think my favourite will always be Four, but the shape-shifting sheep is a close second.

It really was a wonderful challenge. I remember how much fun it was when you posted your picture and everyone was throwing out ideas and speculations for you in comments. And then waiting to see what you would write and how you always managed to suprise us. Yeah, it's no wonder you miss that challenge. So do I!

[turps]

When I was linking the stories I read them all and was glad that I still enjoyed them. I think my favourite is the shape-shifting sheep. The thought still makes me laugh.

It was a brilliant challenge, and I can still remember how some years I'd be inspired when I saw my prompt, while others all I could think was, the hell?!

You're right though, the chat about the prompt was also very much a positive part of the experience.

[frausorge]

Still so much love for these! And much respect. For all the drabbles I've written, I don't think I've ever tried to hit 1,000 words exactly.

[turps]

Thank you!

You know, I think drabbles are actually harder because you have more words to play with when you're working toward 1000 words. I know over the years I had to add and subtract many to get that magic 1000. Then usually had to go it again at A03 as somehow it counts words differently to GDocs.

[deerna]

exact-word challenges are always fun, i did a 300x20 challenge once back in 2016. congrats on the streak!

[turps]

exact-word challenges are always fun, i did a 300x20 challenge once back in 2016. congrats on the streak!

Thank you!

Your challenge sounds fun. I like exact word challenges, though they can be frustrating at times. But, I guess that's part of the fun.