Comments on: A no-huddle approach to writing

By: Misty-Lynn Sanico

Misty-Lynn Sanico — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:06:26 +0000

Makana,

Yeah I've seen the twitter competitions before... and then there's "drabble" competitions (500 words or less) that we could do too.

By: Lynde Lakes

Lynde Lakes — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:46:54 +0000

Hi, Michael, I love the what if game...
What if an alien somehow joined a dating site and your lady friend met him, thinking he sounded perfect?
What if a werwolf lived in your neighborhood and came to borrow a cup of suger?
What if a vampire saved your life and then demanded just a little blood in return?
What if a fallen angel fell into your lap while riding a open-air bus?
Okay. I know that is enough. Happy blogging everyone.

By: Michael Little

Michael Little — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:58:25 +0000

Makana, you ask about Richie and Noelle. I must confess that nobody I know has been lucky enough to meet them, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Mark Twain said, "Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please."

By: Makana Risser Chai

Makana Risser Chai — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:26:47 +0000

Actually, if we could get this site working the way it's supposed to, we could even do it online. And then there could be the contests on twitter - write a story in 140 characters - what if...

All this time I thought Richie and Noelle were fictional. Fictionalized?

By: Misty-Lynn Sanico

Misty-Lynn Sanico — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:52:51 +0000

Hmm, the idea is definitely growing on me. After all, they have improv for actors, why not for writers too? Like "Whose plot is it anyway?" Story-crafting on the fly, beware of shameless cliches and crazy characters... it sounds fun. I'm in.

What if... there was a genie in your waterbottle?
What if... all the pens in your house were mysteriously out of ink?
What if...

I'll stop now.

By: Michael Little

Michael Little — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:32:46 +0000

Okay, now I know why my ears were burning. Thank you, Makana and Misty-Lynn, for your comments. Makana's reality show for writers would be fun to watch. Maybe team up a famous writer with a not-so-famous writer? Perhaps all the questions would begin with "What if ..."

As for the connection between football and writing, I spent more time watching Peyton Manning and the Colts on Sunday than I did writing the blog, and the blog was actually improvised. The idea of writer as quarterback, improvising at the line of scrimmage and again during the action, appeared suddenly (and surprised me), but it was an idea that seemed worth pursuing. As for Richie and Noelle, I always like to watch the interaction there.

By: Makana Risser Chai

Makana Risser Chai — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:43:24 +0000

Yeah - I've met quite a few literary types who are impressed with Michael's writing.

Well, until we get the TV show together, I could see it being "played" at writer's groups. Maybe different groups could play it then we get all the winners together for an all-island write-off!

By: Misty-Lynn Sanico

Misty-Lynn Sanico — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:17:18 +0000

I think that's a great idea Makana... I dunno if anyone would watch it as a tv show, but I think it would be fun!

And I agree Michael would surely win. I am always in awe of his skills. I mean, here's an entire article about writing... inspired by a football game. You can really tell he enjoys what he does, and we're lucky to have him as a blogger on this site. I always get excited when I see a new entry from him. After stalking this site for a few months, it's easy to become a Michael Little fan-girl. Just saying...

By: Makana Risser Chai

Makana Risser Chai — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:53:14 +0000

Love this! I was just thinking the other day of another "play" on real life - a competition show like "Project Runway" or "Chopped" with writers. Writers would be given a genre, scenario, and an impossibly short time to write. They'd read their writing, the judges critique, and one is "out." I bet you'd win, Michael!