FAWC You, Two!

[NaokoSmith]

I think I'm a throwaway writer. They don't realize I write more than GM, so they have no idea how I write.

I have a very characteristic style for fantasy romance, so I wasn't at all surprised when dampy PMed me with her spot-on guess as to my story, LOL. I remain highly flattered although this seemed like a much less likely candidate for you to write than my FAWC1. But then you did write that romantic FAWC1 story which people thought was mine. I guess you could say 'versatile' rather than 'throwaway' - you can write a lot of genres so people are not quite sure what you will bring to the table.

 

[PennLady]

I honestly thought when "sport" came into it, people would at least include me on the short list of authors of whatever story. As I said before, I specifically didn't write about hockey b/c I figured people would really pin it on me then -- and they did with patientlee's story.

I find that when I have parameters like this, I'm often pretty literal with them, at least at first. I will try to find unconventional or non-traditional ways to do things, but it doesn't always work. Plus as many noted with this challenge, time was a big factor in getting things done. If I'd had a bit more time I might have been able to do more, or different.

 

[sr71plt]

I have a very characteristic style for fantasy romance, so I wasn't at all surprised when dampy PMed me with her spot-on guess as to my story, LOL. I remain highly flattered although this seemed like a much less likely candidate for you to write than my FAWC1. But then you did write that romantic FAWC1 story which people thought was mine. I guess you could say 'versatile' rather than 'throwaway' - you can write a lot of genres so people are not quite sure what you will bring to the table.

Thanks, but naw. More than one malicious poster has said I only write GM. And most of the board has seemed to have accepted that as gospel. Even though I almost always have a non-GM one in the theme contests.

 

[sr71plt]

I honestly thought when "sport" came into it, people would at least include me on the short list of authors of whatever story. As I said before, I specifically didn't write about hockey b/c I figured people would really pin it on me then -- and they did with patientlee's story.

I find that when I have parameters like this, I'm often pretty literal with them, at least at first. I will try to find unconventional or non-traditional ways to do things, but it doesn't always work. Plus as many noted with this challenge, time was a big factor in getting things done. If I'd had a bit more time I might have been able to do more, or different.

The board only talks about you writing hockey, so I assumed you didn't write other sports.

 

[sheablue]

Yes, indeed.

I was going to comment on this as well. Who said that part of a story was implausible because women don't really get off giving head if they get nothing in return? Um, I beg to differ. I know lots of women who do. Not naming any names. La di dah dah!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I was going to comment on this as well. Who said that part of a story was implausible because women don't really get off giving head if they get nothing in return? Um, I beg to differ. I know lots of women who do. Not naming any names. La di dah dah!

People define the world in terms of the map they make of the world, but the map isn't the world. A clock isn't time.

 

[PennLady]

The board only talks about you writing hockey, so I assumed you didn't write other sports.

Rats. My cover is blown.

 

[patientlee]

Rats. My cover is blown.

There are other sports?

Brody plays for the Caps, yes?

 

[PennLady]

There are other sports?

Brody plays for the Caps, yes?

Yes. Actually, MugsyB created this character in one of her stories. We "traded" at one point -- I wrote a story with Brody Lang, she wrote one with Drew Stamenski, a character I created.

 

[patientlee]

Yes. Actually, MugsyB created this character in one of her stories. We "traded" at one point -- I wrote a story with Brody Lang, she wrote one with Drew Stamenski, a character I created.

Now THAT sounds like a FAWCking challenge.

 

[damppanties]

So, damppanties, you caused a storyline to drop into my mind this morning for a summer contest story--and you'll probably never know what or why (heh, heh).

Well then tell me what and why.

 

[sr71plt]

Well then tell me what and why.

I don't think so. And it doesn't look like I'm going to get to that for awhile. I'm missing the Redskins' kickoff.

 

[PennLady]

Now THAT sounds like a FAWCking challenge.

That would be fun, wouldn't it?

 

[NaokoSmith]

I'm going to put these two stories together because they both had 'sport' and 'intellect' in their baskets and dealt with them by having an academic - but one working in the commercial world, and a fan rather than a sports player. Both used the story to good effect to explore feelings of insecurity being around a person of high intellect.

I found that personally intriguing since I have a PhD myself and I often wonder why people are mumbling shyly around me and looking anxious like they're worried they might not be able to keep up. But I think I am a ball of fluff, LOL, so I am like: 'Hey, what's your problem?' and actually I live in Wales now where it doesn't matter as long as you can give good head ... er, I mean talk about rugby. (Talking intelligently about rugby is actually more important here than giving head, ROFL! And I can definitely talk about rugby .)

I forgot to mention previously that while I was reading the stories I often had to go back to remind myself what the basket ingredients were. This was because they had been woven so seamlessly into the story - there was some great writing going on here.

 

[NaokoSmith]

An Extra Ticket

OMG! What a difficult basket! I can’t believe you even took up the challenge. Sport AND intellect?!!! And sarcasm? Bloody Hell.

LOL, I like the dialogue, I love it when there are sassy female characters. I was a bit *yawn* when Jason picked up the football strategy so quickly; cuz yeah, he is a GUY! he must understand football. But then I suffer a lot from guys who think they know all about rugby and suddenly go Hur hur hur, I bet you looked good in the showers. Uh, sporting woman playing a game that demands peak fitness and rugged muscle, OF COURSE I did *yawn*.

I wasn’t quite convinced by the background – but this is because I am an academic, it was written well. It’s just that I don’t think academic research labs get company boxes for sports games tee hee. If only! I would’ve liked a little more about what it was like at the game too, the crowd atmosphere etc. Maybe Jason would not have been so interested in the game and strategy but find the crowd atmosphere fun? The cheerleaders <snerk>.

I like the bit when Mickey tries to get Kayla to go for him by saying Jaden is too good for her. That is realistic. Classic! LOL. There was quite a lot of stuff about nervousness over Mickey which didn’t go anywhere; hints that he was going to cause trouble.

The ending is a bit sharp. It would be nice if they could resolve Kayla’s insecurity some other way than having to talk about it – which is not what happens in real life. Are all the people there academics? Couldn’t Mark’s wife have a little bitch about how boring it is hearing all these chemists go on about blahdiblah? Maybe Kayla makes a quip and people laugh, she realises that all these PhD people are ‘clever’ but not witty. Cuz a lot of those natural scientists are deadly dull acksherly, LOL. How about if there was a woman chemist there who has a thing for Jaden, and she is pretty but as she talks to Jaden, Kayla realises she is really really boring? She keeps going on about the project even though they are supposed to be relaxing away from it. And that gives Kayla confidence in her own street-smart sassy intelligence. Or the head boss is ... a football fan! and he loves chatting to Kayla about the football.

 

[slyc_willie]

Now THAT sounds like a FAWCking challenge.

I've been toying with a FAWC idea in which contributors are paired up, randomly, with another author, who then sets the terms for the other's story . . . and vice-versa.

Such an idea could be incredibly challenging and fun, but also incredibly frustrating, depending on the pairing.

Still mulling it over.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Sydney Surprise

I like a Lit story to start with sex, then I can sit back, relax and enjoy the story. And I love rugby, LOL, so I am already on a roll here.

Good characterisation. Lots of typos. Good use of basket ingredients. Excellent background setting. I really felt like I was in the office, on the plane, in the stadium, without details intruding on the story.

I think this is the second intellect/sport story to go with a sports fan and someone academic. I like them both because they tap into fears people have about not being quite up to standard. This one explores how an intelligent woman finds a fun guy with a hot body and how people around her say he is not up to her level. But Hell, does she want some cold statistician who spends his time peering at a computer screen of figures –and I’m not talking 36-24-34? You can talk about statistical probabilities all you like with your friends. (Well ... I can’t cuz I get turned on when people say Fish Tailed Pearson’s blahdiblah, LOL.) But you want your lover to use his tongue in other ways than talking.

NB, Redzinger writes rugby (union) stories, just in case you’re interested.

May be the same for league, rugby union is not a statistical game at all. There is a completely unquantifiable emotional factor that can get drawn in. E.g., if the referee appears to be unfairly penalising a team – this can often happen if a Northern hemisphere team plays a Southern hemisphere one; the referee’s style won’t quite be that of one of the teams, depending on which hemisphere he (at international level they are all men, LOL) comes from. As the game progresses, the team can start to get uncertain and hesitant, not to play so well. If a team gets a real good feeling going, they can be unstoppable: Wales in the NZ World Cup. And as I once read of France: “France are like your girlfriend, you never know what mood they will show up in.” They can be predicted to win the Six Nations, be pants all season and just when it’s too late and everyone’s laughing at them, suddenly pull a superb game out of the hat.

P2 - There is some good chatter and setting the feeling of a group of guys off on a trip. However I’m not sure Brent and his mates would be so on about Emily being out of his league. Men may admit that thought to themselves or to each other when drunk, but they tend to act like they are God’s gift. And perhaps they’re right. A fit guy is a find, just like a beautiful woman is a find – however thick he is, and especially if he gives good head.

I will edit this fucking hot story! At least nobody in it is drinking champagne with beef ravioli, or *gasp of horrified laughter* chewing gum. (Yeah I was the one who left a comment to that effect, LOL. I was so disappointed for you that there were only negative comments, cuz I loved the story.)

 

[NaokoSmith]

I've been toying with a FAWC idea in which contributors are paired up, randomly, with another author, who then sets the terms for the other's story . . . and vice-versa.

Such an idea could be incredibly challenging and fun, but also incredibly frustrating, depending on the pairing.

Still mulling it over.

Oooh,

One of the great things about this contest is getting to know other writers as writers. I am so lazy (get off my lap, kittens - gah, must put more food down for them, better get breakfast going, put my washing out, plan for that horrid meeting later on, do some marking) that I don't get round to reading people's stories even though I'd love to, unless I'm editing. Being in this makes me read the stories and joining in the discussion is also a great way to get chatting.

 

[xelliebabex]

Oooh,

One of the great things about this contest is getting to know other writers as writers. I am so lazy (get off my lap, kittens - gah, must put more food down for them, better get breakfast going, put my washing out, plan for that horrid meeting later on, do some marking) that I don't get round to reading people's stories even though I'd love to, unless I'm editing. Being in this makes me read the stories and joining in the discussion is also a great way to get chatting.

I have to agree with Naoko, I liked being in this contest for just that reason: It allowed me to get to know the other authors a little better especially the ones i would not consider reading the stories they generally write of my own accord (Not into the whole GM scene sorry Pilot). I think the suggestion slyc made as well as the swapping of characters that Pennlady spoke about would be a great challenge. I would wonder what someone who typically writes romance would do with a sadistic Dom.... can anyone think of anything worse and another shade of grey being healed and turning into a soppy romantic lol!

Thank you so much Naoko for such lovely comments. You made me smile big.
As I have said more than once i knew the story's limitations but wanted to join in anyway despite the lack of time to edit properly. You are so sweet

 

[NaokoSmith]

Thank you so much Naoko for such lovely comments. You made me smile big.
As I have said more than once i knew the story's limitations but wanted to join in anyway despite the lack of time to edit properly. You are so sweet

I seriously liked the story very much. I have zero time for doing anything, LOL, so it takes a lot for me to offer to edit. I think you have an editor? but feel free to drop me a PM or email. (My email is all over my numerous blogs.)

You wrote a lovely romantic story loads better than 50 Shades of Pale and Uninteresting!

 

[NaokoSmith]

I would wonder what someone who typically writes romance would do with a sadistic Dom.... can anyone think of anything worse and another shade of grey being healed and turning into a soppy romantic lol!

BTW, I actually think 50 Shades is a classic Mills and Boon/Harlequin romance, just with fluffy handcuffs. It has the lonely tortured millionaire who mysteriously falls for a naive young girl - this is a longstanding M&B/H staple.

Ha ha ha! did you ever hear of a millionaire whose favourite wine is Pinot Grigio! I mean, that's a grape, not a wine! (I didn't read the book! I just read in the gardening column I follow about the wine - the gardening writer was rollling all over his lawn laughing! don't ask why he was reading 50 Shades! thought it was that copycat book 50 Sheds of Grey, perhaps. )

 

[xelliebabex]

.... ooopsies....

 

[xelliebabex]

http://mscritique.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/k2.jpg

I don't mind a bit of "The Killer" Its a white wine grape and the trendy thing around these parts following the books lmao. Every good wine bar has a long list. The Killer is a cheaper Italian brand but not bad for the bucks. Lerida Wines do a nice one though for those that don't mind a White.

 

[NaokoSmith]

I don't mind a bit of "The Killer" Its a white wine grape and the trendy thing around these parts following the books lmao. Every good wine bar has a long list. The Killer is a cheaper Italian brand but not bad for the bucks. Lerida Wines do a nice one though for those that don't mind a White.

LOL, you can buy me one of those! Oh, you actually can, we can afford it. I like the crisp Pinot Grigio wines on a hot day too - however I think a millionaire is more likely to be snorting up Romanée-Contis. I started blogging about these matters here, LOL. I must do some more research!

 

[NaokoSmith]

An Inquiry

Tantalisingly not giving details of the animalistic sex! I agree with the commentators that the basket ingredients weren’t really an integral part of the story. I did wonder if the story had been written ahead of the basket being received, but I see from T999's post that this wasn't the case.

The writing is tight and the format was a fun idea and well done.