A brief word:
NANOWRIMO! Yes, indeed, the magical journey begins. Oh my.
It is Day 2, in fact, and it's off to a promising start. One of the challenges I'll enjoy tackling is not getting caught up in editing my work as I write. On the one hand, not having to revise what you've written every few hundred words can be wildly liberating. You just keep pushing forward, not worrying if you didn't write a sentence or scene quite right. On the other hand, though--that's a lot to sift through in the revision process once you've hit 50,000 words. I mean whoa.
Optimism, though. Optimism! Meeting a daily word count is inspiring rare confidence in me. Yeah, it will be a crap first draft, but once the words are down, the agonizing process of making everything actually work will happen in a more holistic fashion. Having the full 200-page manuscript will be an accomplishment by itself. So I keep reminding myself. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . .
In other news: Halloween was fun, though not very eventful. I wore a costume based on a character from Once Upon A Time In Wonderland (hint: it's the Jabberwocky). My friend liked it but didn't love it because she's an Alice purist, Carroll or bust. She don't mess around with the classic. Since I had no plans for any parties or trick-or-treating (a 13-year-old at a Nanowrimo write-in said her neighbor yelled at her in fear when she came dressed up to get candy; I don't think 25-year-old me could do better), I was prepared to stay in and hand out candy to kids. Bad news: not as many kids in my neighborhood as I thought (the frequent playful screams outside during the day tell me otherwise), and almost no one else on the block had Halloween decorations up. Thankfully one group of kids came by, and one other kid with their parent. I let them take as much as they wanted. Still have plenty of treats left over that I will gradually devour over the coming week.
In other other news: heading home soon for my impending trip to London. In fact I have to pack for both London AND Thanksgiving. But honestly, I still have clothes at my parents' house, so I'm trying not to have a conniption about it. Better to focus on seeing my sister again after three months. We're going to embark on a new endeavor: podcasts! We tried a tumblr blog but found ourselves too busy to make it launch. A podcast seems to require less maintenance. Might as well try it. Our discussion will focus on nerdy fandom things with a strong emphasis on television and movies. This might require me to actually watch some of the things she does, although we share a few common-ground shows.
All right, off to grocery shopping. I have almost no food. Which would be ideal for someone about to leave the apartment for almost a month. But I want to be able to eat before I leave. Silly, I know,
"Let's just not come in tomorrow. Let's just take a day. Have you ever tried shawarma? There's a shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don't know what it is, but I wanna try it." - The Avengers
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
This is why I don't do things . . .
A brief word:
This actually will be on the briefer side of brief. For realz.
A couple weeks ago, I signed up for Nanowrimo. Yay, huzzah! First-timer. I'm excited to do it because I need to pen, or type, more stories that have lived in my brain for far too long. That way I can actually work toward publishing and making money, or something. Yeah, money would be good.
But suddenly, DILEMMA.
My biggest problem when committing to a project is that, out of nowhere, a new idea, or a really old one that resurfaces like a dead body, comes to me and I get excited about it. So much I no longer feel the same drive to work on my current project. Such is the situation. I signed up on the site with an idea of what novel I was going to work on throughout November. I've had the idea since June, so it's still in its fledgling state. Which is okay--it'd be interesting to see how I handle feeling my way through a novel rather than having everything plotted out.
Unfortunately, some recent developments have sparked inspiration to revisit a book series I conceived over four years ago. A series I figured I'd never write because it was too juvenile. Looking back on it, however, I realize there's a lot of promise. It just grew too big, too weedy. Having stepped away from the universe of that story for a while, I find the most important ideas, characters and plots continue to stick, whereas the less important stuff has fallen off. Getting a new computer helped with that. I haven't transferred all my old files to the new laptop, so I don't have immediate access to everything I wrote on the series. (I could transfer the files, but I'm lazy.) That leaves me dependent on memory and new ideas, granting me a fresh look at the overall concept.
Now I'm excited by it. To the point I'm tempted to do it for Nanowrimo instead of the stand-alone novel. Obviously I'd write just the first book (originally a six-book series, I think? Got it down to five) and work on the rest later. But I like the idea of having one novel free from the restraints of sequels that I can work on refining and publishing on its own. Then again, maybe it's better to start with a series to lure in an audience that will continue to follow my work. One-off novels can achieve this, too, but it's different. A series brings readers back to sate their curiosity over where the story is headed.
Did I just talk myself into doing the series? Thoughts, advice? I'm still not sure. And Nanowrimo starts in a week. UGH.
"You must lash out with every limb, like the octopus who plays the drums." - Mystery Men
This actually will be on the briefer side of brief. For realz.
A couple weeks ago, I signed up for Nanowrimo. Yay, huzzah! First-timer. I'm excited to do it because I need to pen, or type, more stories that have lived in my brain for far too long. That way I can actually work toward publishing and making money, or something. Yeah, money would be good.
But suddenly, DILEMMA.
My biggest problem when committing to a project is that, out of nowhere, a new idea, or a really old one that resurfaces like a dead body, comes to me and I get excited about it. So much I no longer feel the same drive to work on my current project. Such is the situation. I signed up on the site with an idea of what novel I was going to work on throughout November. I've had the idea since June, so it's still in its fledgling state. Which is okay--it'd be interesting to see how I handle feeling my way through a novel rather than having everything plotted out.
Unfortunately, some recent developments have sparked inspiration to revisit a book series I conceived over four years ago. A series I figured I'd never write because it was too juvenile. Looking back on it, however, I realize there's a lot of promise. It just grew too big, too weedy. Having stepped away from the universe of that story for a while, I find the most important ideas, characters and plots continue to stick, whereas the less important stuff has fallen off. Getting a new computer helped with that. I haven't transferred all my old files to the new laptop, so I don't have immediate access to everything I wrote on the series. (I could transfer the files, but I'm lazy.) That leaves me dependent on memory and new ideas, granting me a fresh look at the overall concept.
Now I'm excited by it. To the point I'm tempted to do it for Nanowrimo instead of the stand-alone novel. Obviously I'd write just the first book (originally a six-book series, I think? Got it down to five) and work on the rest later. But I like the idea of having one novel free from the restraints of sequels that I can work on refining and publishing on its own. Then again, maybe it's better to start with a series to lure in an audience that will continue to follow my work. One-off novels can achieve this, too, but it's different. A series brings readers back to sate their curiosity over where the story is headed.
Did I just talk myself into doing the series? Thoughts, advice? I'm still not sure. And Nanowrimo starts in a week. UGH.
"You must lash out with every limb, like the octopus who plays the drums." - Mystery Men
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
It's like holding on to soap . . .
A brief word:
Well, two weeks is better than three* years, amiright?
*gulp* Hehe.
Okey-dokey. Not much has gone down these last couple weeks. Except New York Comic Con, of course. COMIC CONNNN!! Yes, that wonderful time of year where nerds of all ages spend far more money than they know they should on cosplay, merchandise, photo ops and autographs. Not counting the tickets here 'cuz we paid for those in, like, July. As you can imagine, my bank account took a punch to the spleen because of it, and there's no steady income yet to impede the hemorrhaging. Yup, still no job, but the search continues, and there's a teeny-tiny sparkle of hope with a couple places.
Anyway, comic con. The fact I bled a hundred dollars or so overall was still worth it. Got to see the Once Upon A Time panel, among others since I sat for 6 hours in the same room on Friday. Also got to meet some fellow fans of the show on Saturday who came in cosplay (as did I). I had some trouble finding the meeting spot, so I nearly missed the meet-up, but thank goodness I didn't! In conversation we shared the fact that Sean Maguire, who plays Robin Hood on OUAT, was taking pictures for 40 bucks a pop up on the show floor. I had even passed by him earlier without realizing right away he was there! A few key members of the group, particularly the lovely person who organized this meeting via Facebook, cosplaying as the Evil Queen Regina (Queen Queen!), decided we should ambush Mr. Maguire as a group and kindly ask if he would take a group picture on each of our phones for free! Crazy, you say? I highly doubted it would work. But I tagged along, managing to keep up even with a cardboard snowflake, accented with frosty branches, strapped to my back (part of my masquerade!Elsa costume) through a very crowded show room aaaaaall the way to the back row of booths. Unfortunately, while our intrepid Regina chatted up Sean and his security person, I became distracted by another group of OUAT cosplayers (including a Rumplestiltskin--I wanted to hug him) and took a picture of them. Only afterward did I see my group was about to have their picture taken. I jumped in the back (the default post of a tall person). I should've stood behind someone shorter, as I'm sure in all the pictures you can see only my masked face. But the Emma Swan cosplayer in the group kindly texted me the photo on her phone. Just to have that for posterity--me essentially photobombing a group shot with Sean Maguire & fans--is pretty cool.
The one major disappointment this year was that I made a terrible choice wearing my silvery Snow Queen shoes to the con instead of sneakers. I chose them at the last minute, thinking that since they were flats, I'd be totally comfortable wearing them from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Why had I not remembered that they were narrow for my big wide feet? One of my pinky toes is still recovering from the blister. I had to leave in the early evening to even have functional feet in future. I'm honestly surprised they didn't bleed.
Ah well. Still a fun excursion, and fruitful in the merchandise department. I bought my sister, who's abroad in the UK for school, two presents: one for my upcoming trip to visit her, and one for Christmas. I also managed to get my hands on all six issues of the second volume of Darkman comics!!
Did I mention I've been searching for those for, like, a year or two?
I became enamored with the film a few years back, largely due to my love of Phantom of the Opera and all things it has inspired. While Darkman does not incorporate music, opera houses or dropped chandeliers into its storyline, it has much of the poignancy of Leroux's grim tale. It also owes inspiration to other epic stories we know and love, from Frankenstein to Batman. It's not a masterpiece, but with the ever-rising popularity of superhero stories, especially those starring antiheroes, I can't think why Darkman has been left to relative obscurity. Because it started as a movie rather than a comic book or TV series? Because its sequels flopped so hard (for good reason)? Apparently someone (maybe Sam Raimi, the film's writer & director) tried to get a TV pilot off the ground, but that too fell flat. I do think Darkman is a story that has to be in the right hands for it to shine its brightest. Am I such a person to tell that story? Not sure yet, but I'm working my way toward that goal.
While I don't have any immediate or even long-term aspirations to write for television or film, the idea has a lot of appeal for me. My sister, the one in the UK, is a film student, and we've joked about become the next Cohen brothers sisters. Truth is, we have largely similar tastes, and where we may not agree, my sister's cinematic aesthetic is agreeable enough that I would trust her judgment on things I may not be as informed about. But I doubt she'd subscribe to a Darkman project. Nevertheless, if the opportunity to bring this twisted hero (mentally and physically) to the small screen arises, I want to have a pilot script on hand. Hence why I'm trying to track down every creative work written featuring the Darkman character.
That's pretty much it for now. So excited for Halloween, of course! To bring up another underrated character, I'm flirting with the idea of assembling a Jabberwocky costume as seen in Once Upon A Time in Wonderland. While I enjoyed being Elsa at the con, portraying a creature that feeds on fear is so suited to the holiday that I don't want to pass it up. It's just another 50+ bucks, right? I can live on instant noodles and water for the rest of the year, right?
"Have no fear of perfection--you'll never reach it." - Salvador Dali
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*Yeah, apparently it was three, not two years between the two previous posts.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
How the ages pass us by . . .
A brief word (so to speak):
Ahem.
- As of May, I have upgraded to the status of postgraduate, armed with an MFA in Creative Writing.
- Until said upgrade, class and work have kept me thoroughly occupied.
- So has fandom life, including the birth of a few roleplay blogs.
- I nearly forgot this blog existed.
Now that the excuses are out of the way, let's turn to the present and near future. Having now finished school for life, theoretically, I am enjoying that awkward transition into becoming a full-fledged member of the work force, not to mention adulthood in general. By this, I mean I am searching for my first full-time job, ideally in writing of some variety. I've also experienced a change in scenery, trading the homey comforts of New England for the exciting but less familiar terrain of New York, New York. While different in many respects to Boston, where I spent three years of graduate school, I'm accustomed enough to the urban vibe to feel partly acclimated. It will give me a chance to reconnect with a friend who lives in New Jersey but often commutes to Manhattan. Also, if I find a job before December, my sister and I could live together, or near each other, when she gets back from study abroad.
Plus, living in NYC means easy travel to Comic Con this weekend! Yes, my priorities are in order.
Another item to add on my growing to-do list will be giving this blog something of a face-lift. Fandom blogs and roleplay blogs are all fine and fun, but it's time to take this blog a little more seriously. And I mean just a little--I won't rehash it into a review blog or an editorial. It will be an amalgam of many blog types while still possessing my personal oddball touch.
The most amazing part: it's going to be updated more regularly! Not even once every couple months, but weekly! "That's MAD!" I hear you say. Yes, it is. No doubt I will slip before the month is out, but it's important to have goals. I know that more than ever, now that I have this free time while surviving on a shoe-string budget. Limbo isn't terrible, but it can't be the endpoint. Time to haul myself up by the bootstraps and act like a true adult.
By the way, so excited to get my costume together for the con. I wanted to have two, but I'll save the second for Halloween.
"Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them." - Dr. Seuss
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Here we go again . . . crap . . .
A brief word:
Yay, another installment of Useless Entertaining Internet Memes! We are once again reviewing the Terrible Crossover Fanfiction Idea Generator (sorry, got the title wrong last time) and all the goodies it produces. Let's take a look.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Fight Club and X-Files. The story should use losing one's virginity as a plot device!"
Good . . . God no.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Green Acres and the Princess Bride. The story should use brainwashing as a plot device!"
If I knew what Green Acres was, I would be a better judge of how terrific or terrifically terrible this idea is. Knowing only Princess Bride, I'm going with intriguing.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Heroes and America's Funniest Home Videos. The story should use building a website as a plot device!"
Definitely feasible, potentially hilarious. Might be too easy, in fact.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Space Ghost and MacGyver. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
There'd be a ton of exploding zombies . . . in space!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Finding Nemo and Days of our Lives. The story should use love triangles as a plot device!"
A fish soap opera . . . forbidden love between humans and fish . . . ugh, this is turning into The Little Mermaid.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Resident Evil and the Lion King. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
. . . wow. Just . . . wow. Probably an epic mess waiting to happen, but still . . .
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sopranos and John McCain. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
Liberals would have a field day with this idea.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Les Miserables and Hamtaro. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
This could get so bad so very, very fast. And it's Hugo's novel meeting cute anime hamsters. Damn you Internet fetishes for ruining all things wholesome and good!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Avatar: The Last Airbender and Robin Hood. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
Seriously! Enough with the internet fetishes when they don't even apply to one or either of the chosen universes. Sheesh.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Ninja Turtles and the Diary of Anne Frank. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Nazis, involving exploding tanks with the . . . whatever it was they called their van. Yeah, don't ask me why I went directly to explosions instead of Anne's diary. It just feels right.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Daikatana and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. The story should use evil clones as a plot device!"
I don't really know anything about these two fandoms, but the whole thing sounded too awesome to pass up.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Spongebob Squarepants and Aladdin. The story should use becoming the President as a plot device!"
Again, another alternative to the candidates for the 2012 election. Or maybe a parody of Obama vs. McCain? I dunno.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Captain Planet and the Muppet Show. The story should use making a music video as a plot device!"
Again, I could actually see this happening.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Pulp Fiction and Azumanga Daioh. The story should use trying out for a sports team as a plot device!"
Hell, YES! SLJ's character knocks out Osaka during one of her pointless lectures and yells, "I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?" Classic.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Invader Zim and Iron Man. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
It holds promise. I'll give it that.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Survivor and GI Joe. The story should use alternate dimensions as a plot device!"
Survivor characters are transported to another dimension where they have to help GI Joes escape Cobra. Or maybe they end up helping *Cobra* survive on some desert island. Ooh, the drama!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sonic the Hedgehog and America's Funniest Home Videos. The story should use alcoholism as a plot device!"
So awful, but oh so tantalizing.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Heroes and Monsters Inc. The story should use unplanned pregnancies as a plot device!"
I . . . I really don't think I want to know where this would lead.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining ER and Trigun. The story should use getting sucked into the "real world" as a plot device!"
Again, don't know much about either fandom, but the plot device makes it work thinking about among fans, I think.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Meerkat Manor and the Muppet Show. The story should use terrorism as a plot device!"
You'd *really* have to be messed up to make terrorism apply to either a kid's show or a nature show.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining X-Files and Silent Hill. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
Silent Hill seems like good fodder for an X-Files episode, but the car accident . . . car runs into Pyramid Head who in retaliation slices driver in half? Eh, I'll work on it. (Not really.)
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining William Henry Harrison and Totally Spies. The story should use time travel as a plot device!"
SO could work.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Evil Dead and Scientology. The story should use floods as a plot device!"
Umm . . . how can you have fanfiction about Scientology? Because it's not a real religion? Let's face it, though, this scenario is probably not that dissimilar to what Scientologists believe is how the world is going to end, or something.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Twilight Zone. The story should use X-rated tentacles as a plot device!"
I'm pretty sure this episode or fanfic already exists.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining The Simpsons and Pokemon. The story should use alcoholism as a plot device!"
Homer gets severely hammered and consequently challenges a kid to a game of Pokemon . . . totally believable.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Lizzie McGuire and The Matrix. The story should use the first day of high school as a plot device!"
I'm sure that's how most people feel when they start high school . . . it's like entering the Matrix. And considering it's Lizzie Maguire, could be done in a smart and entertaining way.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Rugrats and WALL-E. The story should use a vacation as a plot device!"
Awwwwwww.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dead Rising and the National Football League. The story should use a blizzard as a plot device!"
Don't really know much about Dead Rising, but I bet the zombies could play football in a blizzard.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Godzilla and Blue's Clues. The story should use regicide as a plot device!"
My brain cannot even comprehend those three things together, hence why I added it.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Calvin & Hobbes and Zorro. The story should use teen angst as a plot device!"
I could totally see Calvin going through a Zorro phase in his awkward teens, driving teachers crazy and attemmpting to woo Suzie. It'd be great.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Inuyasha and Kirby. The story should use brainwashing as a plot device!"
Can you even imagine a story with these elements together? If so, write it down, cuz I can't but I'm sure it's in there.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Azumanga Daioh and The Jeffersons. The story should use mystical creatures as a plot device!"
With Azumanga Daioh, there's also room for a mystical creatures plot device regardless of the crossover.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining The Real World and Alf. The story should use furries as a plot device!"
That's sort of a given, isn't it?
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sex and the City and Around the World in 80 Days. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
I would just love to see those morons get into all kinds of accidents as they travel around the world and keep ruining their outfits. Hah.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Frankenstein and Chronicles of Narnia. The story should use love triangles as a plot device!"
Milton vs. Lewis (in terms of theology, not literary creation). Would love to see that.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sex and the City and Magnum PI. The story should use aliens as a plot device!"
Its ridiculousness might actually help me find "Sex in the City" entertaining.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Blue's Clues. The story should use X-rated tentacles as a plot device!"
Babies will cry, puppies will die, and I will burn my eyes out. Please don't.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Family Guy and NASCAR. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
Coming in the next season of Family Guy: When Fat-Asses Fly.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Friends and Neil Patrick Harris. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
It WOULD have caused a tornado to have Neil Patrick Harris guest star on that show. He disrupts everyone else's lives enough.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining the Diary of Anne Frank and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The story should use evil characters becoming good as a plot device!"
Holds promise, but would require more intelligent brainstorming.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Twilight and Moulin Rouge. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
Uh . . . Christian becomes a vampire and turns into . . . Aro? I don't know!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Phantom of the Opera and Rock Band. The story should use evil characters becoming good as a plot device!"
I think Erik would never believe that Rock Band could turn make anyone a better person . . . but it might end up helping him bond with other characters by making them perform as a band. Again, over-thinking it too much.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Atlas Shrugged and Dragonball Z. The story should use aliens as a plot device!"
I really want the Saiyans to come down and beat the loving crap out of Ayn Rand's characters. Then we'll see if they think they've 'earned' their right to survive.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Gargoyles and Barack Obama. The story should use somebody misplacing their pants as a plot device!"
Seems Mr. President can't even handle a few measly ancient beasts stealing his pants.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Atlas Shrugged and Rosemary's Baby. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
Anything that wreaks havoc on AR's literary creations is fine by me.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Naruto and Futurama. The story should use a promotion at work as a plot device!"
Fry tries to earn a promotion at work by distracting everyone else with anime. Conflicts over who should be dating who in "Naruto" erupt into chaos. Perfect.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dragonball Z and The Office. The story should use a secret government plot as a plot device!"
It'd be great to see Goku, Vegeta, Piccallo and everyone else trying to fit into the office setting and interacting with appliances and the crazy characters who work there. Preferably with the British version.
Okay, okay, that's enough for now. Flippin' exhausting. Hope you enjoyed this in some capacity, and have a good night (or day, depending on where you are).
"Aw, geez, I'm like a crackpot-magnet!" - Shrek the Musical
Yay, another installment of Useless Entertaining Internet Memes! We are once again reviewing the Terrible Crossover Fanfiction Idea Generator (sorry, got the title wrong last time) and all the goodies it produces. Let's take a look.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Fight Club and X-Files. The story should use losing one's virginity as a plot device!"
Good . . . God no.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Green Acres and the Princess Bride. The story should use brainwashing as a plot device!"
If I knew what Green Acres was, I would be a better judge of how terrific or terrifically terrible this idea is. Knowing only Princess Bride, I'm going with intriguing.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Heroes and America's Funniest Home Videos. The story should use building a website as a plot device!"
Definitely feasible, potentially hilarious. Might be too easy, in fact.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Space Ghost and MacGyver. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
There'd be a ton of exploding zombies . . . in space!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Finding Nemo and Days of our Lives. The story should use love triangles as a plot device!"
A fish soap opera . . . forbidden love between humans and fish . . . ugh, this is turning into The Little Mermaid.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Resident Evil and the Lion King. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
. . . wow. Just . . . wow. Probably an epic mess waiting to happen, but still . . .
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sopranos and John McCain. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
Liberals would have a field day with this idea.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Les Miserables and Hamtaro. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
This could get so bad so very, very fast. And it's Hugo's novel meeting cute anime hamsters. Damn you Internet fetishes for ruining all things wholesome and good!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Avatar: The Last Airbender and Robin Hood. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
Seriously! Enough with the internet fetishes when they don't even apply to one or either of the chosen universes. Sheesh.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Ninja Turtles and the Diary of Anne Frank. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Nazis, involving exploding tanks with the . . . whatever it was they called their van. Yeah, don't ask me why I went directly to explosions instead of Anne's diary. It just feels right.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Daikatana and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. The story should use evil clones as a plot device!"
I don't really know anything about these two fandoms, but the whole thing sounded too awesome to pass up.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Spongebob Squarepants and Aladdin. The story should use becoming the President as a plot device!"
Again, another alternative to the candidates for the 2012 election. Or maybe a parody of Obama vs. McCain? I dunno.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Captain Planet and the Muppet Show. The story should use making a music video as a plot device!"
Again, I could actually see this happening.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Pulp Fiction and Azumanga Daioh. The story should use trying out for a sports team as a plot device!"
Hell, YES! SLJ's character knocks out Osaka during one of her pointless lectures and yells, "I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?" Classic.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Invader Zim and Iron Man. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
It holds promise. I'll give it that.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Survivor and GI Joe. The story should use alternate dimensions as a plot device!"
Survivor characters are transported to another dimension where they have to help GI Joes escape Cobra. Or maybe they end up helping *Cobra* survive on some desert island. Ooh, the drama!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sonic the Hedgehog and America's Funniest Home Videos. The story should use alcoholism as a plot device!"
So awful, but oh so tantalizing.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Heroes and Monsters Inc. The story should use unplanned pregnancies as a plot device!"
I . . . I really don't think I want to know where this would lead.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining ER and Trigun. The story should use getting sucked into the "real world" as a plot device!"
Again, don't know much about either fandom, but the plot device makes it work thinking about among fans, I think.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Meerkat Manor and the Muppet Show. The story should use terrorism as a plot device!"
You'd *really* have to be messed up to make terrorism apply to either a kid's show or a nature show.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining X-Files and Silent Hill. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
Silent Hill seems like good fodder for an X-Files episode, but the car accident . . . car runs into Pyramid Head who in retaliation slices driver in half? Eh, I'll work on it. (Not really.)
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining William Henry Harrison and Totally Spies. The story should use time travel as a plot device!"
SO could work.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Evil Dead and Scientology. The story should use floods as a plot device!"
Umm . . . how can you have fanfiction about Scientology? Because it's not a real religion? Let's face it, though, this scenario is probably not that dissimilar to what Scientologists believe is how the world is going to end, or something.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Twilight Zone. The story should use X-rated tentacles as a plot device!"
I'm pretty sure this episode or fanfic already exists.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining The Simpsons and Pokemon. The story should use alcoholism as a plot device!"
Homer gets severely hammered and consequently challenges a kid to a game of Pokemon . . . totally believable.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Lizzie McGuire and The Matrix. The story should use the first day of high school as a plot device!"
I'm sure that's how most people feel when they start high school . . . it's like entering the Matrix. And considering it's Lizzie Maguire, could be done in a smart and entertaining way.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Rugrats and WALL-E. The story should use a vacation as a plot device!"
Awwwwwww.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dead Rising and the National Football League. The story should use a blizzard as a plot device!"
Don't really know much about Dead Rising, but I bet the zombies could play football in a blizzard.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Godzilla and Blue's Clues. The story should use regicide as a plot device!"
My brain cannot even comprehend those three things together, hence why I added it.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Calvin & Hobbes and Zorro. The story should use teen angst as a plot device!"
I could totally see Calvin going through a Zorro phase in his awkward teens, driving teachers crazy and attemmpting to woo Suzie. It'd be great.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Inuyasha and Kirby. The story should use brainwashing as a plot device!"
Can you even imagine a story with these elements together? If so, write it down, cuz I can't but I'm sure it's in there.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Azumanga Daioh and The Jeffersons. The story should use mystical creatures as a plot device!"
With Azumanga Daioh, there's also room for a mystical creatures plot device regardless of the crossover.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining The Real World and Alf. The story should use furries as a plot device!"
That's sort of a given, isn't it?
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sex and the City and Around the World in 80 Days. The story should use car accidents as a plot device!"
I would just love to see those morons get into all kinds of accidents as they travel around the world and keep ruining their outfits. Hah.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Frankenstein and Chronicles of Narnia. The story should use love triangles as a plot device!"
Milton vs. Lewis (in terms of theology, not literary creation). Would love to see that.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Sex and the City and Magnum PI. The story should use aliens as a plot device!"
Its ridiculousness might actually help me find "Sex in the City" entertaining.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Blue's Clues. The story should use X-rated tentacles as a plot device!"
Babies will cry, puppies will die, and I will burn my eyes out. Please don't.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Family Guy and NASCAR. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
Coming in the next season of Family Guy: When Fat-Asses Fly.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Friends and Neil Patrick Harris. The story should use tornadoes as a plot device!"
It WOULD have caused a tornado to have Neil Patrick Harris guest star on that show. He disrupts everyone else's lives enough.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining the Diary of Anne Frank and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The story should use evil characters becoming good as a plot device!"
Holds promise, but would require more intelligent brainstorming.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Twilight and Moulin Rouge. The story should use good characters becoming evil as a plot device!"
Uh . . . Christian becomes a vampire and turns into . . . Aro? I don't know!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Phantom of the Opera and Rock Band. The story should use evil characters becoming good as a plot device!"
I think Erik would never believe that Rock Band could turn make anyone a better person . . . but it might end up helping him bond with other characters by making them perform as a band. Again, over-thinking it too much.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Atlas Shrugged and Dragonball Z. The story should use aliens as a plot device!"
I really want the Saiyans to come down and beat the loving crap out of Ayn Rand's characters. Then we'll see if they think they've 'earned' their right to survive.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Gargoyles and Barack Obama. The story should use somebody misplacing their pants as a plot device!"
Seems Mr. President can't even handle a few measly ancient beasts stealing his pants.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Atlas Shrugged and Rosemary's Baby. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
Anything that wreaks havoc on AR's literary creations is fine by me.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Naruto and Futurama. The story should use a promotion at work as a plot device!"
Fry tries to earn a promotion at work by distracting everyone else with anime. Conflicts over who should be dating who in "Naruto" erupt into chaos. Perfect.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dragonball Z and The Office. The story should use a secret government plot as a plot device!"
It'd be great to see Goku, Vegeta, Piccallo and everyone else trying to fit into the office setting and interacting with appliances and the crazy characters who work there. Preferably with the British version.
Okay, okay, that's enough for now. Flippin' exhausting. Hope you enjoyed this in some capacity, and have a good night (or day, depending on where you are).
"Aw, geez, I'm like a crackpot-magnet!" - Shrek the Musical
Let's see where this goes . . .
A brief word:
*revives everyone reading this from shock* Didn't I tell you I'd return in the near future? Oh, wait, you had no reason to believe me due to my previous inability to update within a reasonable time span.
Well, ha.
This isn't a serious post, though. I'm using it to share some stuff from the Internet that has amused me exceedingly. I've recently discovered the Terrible Crossover Fandom Idea Generator and I'm going to give my thoughts on those I find most interesting/hilarious/disturbing. Here goes!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Final Fantasy 8 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story should use a secret government plot as a plot device!"
I admit I know almost nothing about FF8 and next to nothing about BTVS, but this could be a potentially interesting and doable mix.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining American Idol and Grease. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
Oh hell yes. I'd read that any day.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Mr. Ed and The Magic School Bus. The story should use somebody misplacing their pants as a plot device!"
Oh God. Just imagine the havoc that would ensue.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dukes of Hazzard and King Arthur. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
. . . how would that even work? I mean, unless you went AU or something . . . I'm thinking way too hard about this.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Chowder and Smurfs. The story should use becoming the President as a plot device!"
A political satire, or just a straight-up alternative to the 2012 elections. I'm down for either.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Survivor and Big Brother. The story should use moving to a new place as a plot device!"
I'm pretty sure that show is in the works.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Blue's Clues and My Little Pony. The story should use a malevolent artificial intelligence as a plot device!"
This could be incredibly epic. I mean it. Someone write this!
I'll come up with more later. Right now, I have to get going. Green Hornet time!
"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose." - The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy
*revives everyone reading this from shock* Didn't I tell you I'd return in the near future? Oh, wait, you had no reason to believe me due to my previous inability to update within a reasonable time span.
Well, ha.
This isn't a serious post, though. I'm using it to share some stuff from the Internet that has amused me exceedingly. I've recently discovered the Terrible Crossover Fandom Idea Generator and I'm going to give my thoughts on those I find most interesting/hilarious/disturbing. Here goes!
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Final Fantasy 8 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story should use a secret government plot as a plot device!"
I admit I know almost nothing about FF8 and next to nothing about BTVS, but this could be a potentially interesting and doable mix.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining American Idol and Grease. The story should use a zombie attack as a plot device!"
Oh hell yes. I'd read that any day.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Mr. Ed and The Magic School Bus. The story should use somebody misplacing their pants as a plot device!"
Oh God. Just imagine the havoc that would ensue.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dukes of Hazzard and King Arthur. The story should use creepy interent fetishes as a plot device!"
. . . how would that even work? I mean, unless you went AU or something . . . I'm thinking way too hard about this.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Chowder and Smurfs. The story should use becoming the President as a plot device!"
A political satire, or just a straight-up alternative to the 2012 elections. I'm down for either.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Survivor and Big Brother. The story should use moving to a new place as a plot device!"
I'm pretty sure that show is in the works.
"Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Blue's Clues and My Little Pony. The story should use a malevolent artificial intelligence as a plot device!"
This could be incredibly epic. I mean it. Someone write this!
I'll come up with more later. Right now, I have to get going. Green Hornet time!
"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose." - The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy
Monday, April 4, 2011
What time is it? It's time for . . .
A brief word:
There's honestly no point in addressing the fact that it's been about five months since my last post, because there are much more pressing issues at hand to address.
One is: what the heck happened to Arlene C. Harris' blogs? Honestly, they just up and disappeared one day, and my life has been a black hole ever since. Her website for her PauC series is still up, but hasn't been updated in forever. I'm not really requesting any info about what's become of her (although if you have it I would be much obliged), but I hope all is well. Maybe it's a form of sabbatical. I honestly don't know. I just miss her little updates, even if they had no direct relation to the novels or their releases. It was one more thing to do online to avoid speaking to people on facebook. *sigh*
Two: There's been yet another shift in my fandom updates. HHL hasn't been touched in a while, but I am still entertaining the hope that my continuing attentions to TEC will produce some new chapters once classes are finished. And speaking of classes . . .
Three: LAST SEMESTER OF UNDERGRAD! And I've only about a month left! Terrifying and exhilerating. Oh, and grad school acceptance/rejection letters are coming in, which means if I receive yet another rejection from my last program of application, I'm going to Emerson! I think I will even if the other school does come through, but there's always the question of money to consider. Bleh.
Four: Well, actually, I'm going back to "two" because I wasn't done. So all Trinity Blood fics are officially on hold for now. But I am paying homage to that fandom by doing a presentation on it in my sci-fi lit class. Hooray! I'm planning on presenting it as a key series in the vampire genre of Japanese pop lit/manga and why it's so unique and . . . awesome. So there'll be some references to series like Hellsing, Vampire Hunter D, Blood and Blood+, Vampire Knight (:P), Rosario (double :P) and whatever else I manage to find. I dunno yet if Castlevania would apply, since it was a videogame series first, but remember, Trinity Blood is the main focus. Can't pull in too many other series and overwhelm it.
So what am I into now? I think I mentioned it as of last post, but I've been working on my BBC Sherlock plotbunnies and finally posted a story at the end of December. Chapter 4 is now up: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6611369/4/The_Ghost_In_The_Theatre. By the way, Sherlock fans are REALLY quick with their updates. Sheesh.
If you want an idea of what my fic is about, it's basically a crossover with another fandom I still flirt with from time to time, but not as seriously as I used to. So this is my way of reviving it and giving tribute not only to Doyle, but to a Holmes pastiche that I enjoy despite disapproval from hardcore Sherlockians.
Now, a point of griping . . . yeah, I'm going on a limb and complaining about something. I just want it out of my system without giving names or too many specifics.
Imagine yourself in a situation, on a website where fans post fanwork, where someone seems to be asking for serious critique on something they did, and you see that they need some assistance in a certain area (let's say grammar), and it's not because they're stupid, but because English is not their first language. So you point out some simple mistakes in the politest way you can manage and encourage them - note, ENCOURAGE - to keep up the good work, as it normally goes.
The response you receive clearly shows that they took your constructive criticism as a personal attack and claim 1) they never asked for your opinion, 2) they're now not going to try translating their work into English anymore because of what you said, and 3) now everyone gets to blame you for it.
I don't think I need to explain how many levels of immature this touches. I sent an apologetic reply, saying it was not my intention to belittle them, but the person remained obstinant. I have not attempted another reply since: there'd be no point.
So why then am I griping about it? Maybe I want to send a message out to all artists - writers, painters, photographers, sculptors, whatever - that when you place your work in a public venue, you should expect critical feedback, not just praise. This is usually because people want to see your work *improve*, to get even better than how it is now. I know it's annoying and depressing when your work doesn't meet other people's standards, but you must maintain a critical attitude of your work and respect the advice others offer you if you want to get anywhere. Art is a continuous learning experience. Most people, I assume, have already grasped this, and maybe I'm preaching to the choir, but as long as there is still one person out there who behaves the way this paricular individual did, it still needs to be said.
I can understand the temptation to respond strongly to a remark on your work that seems gratutiously harsh or, more importantly, in no way helpful and written with the intention to tear you down. That is perfectly understandable. It's when a person cannot distinguish between "constructive criticism" and "bashing" that we have a problem.
I actually wouldn't have bothered being nitpicky had the person not indicated that they wanted legit criticism. I really want to point that out to them, but it would probably escalate into a nasty confrontation. And I don't want my account spammed by this person's fan-following or whatever.
But I will say, after enduring all this, that one person sent me a message assuring me that I had done nothing untoward. I honestly didn't expect anyone else to notice, care or take the time to say something, so I want to keep giving that person my whole-hearted thanks. The world is a better, saner place with people like you. <3
There's not much else left to say on that subject, so I'll peace out. I might post again in the near future for more special topics, so if you're following *crickets chirp* keep an eye out. I haven't even told you about my roommate! 8D
"To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people!" - A Fish Called Wanda
There's honestly no point in addressing the fact that it's been about five months since my last post, because there are much more pressing issues at hand to address.
One is: what the heck happened to Arlene C. Harris' blogs? Honestly, they just up and disappeared one day, and my life has been a black hole ever since. Her website for her PauC series is still up, but hasn't been updated in forever. I'm not really requesting any info about what's become of her (although if you have it I would be much obliged), but I hope all is well. Maybe it's a form of sabbatical. I honestly don't know. I just miss her little updates, even if they had no direct relation to the novels or their releases. It was one more thing to do online to avoid speaking to people on facebook. *sigh*
Two: There's been yet another shift in my fandom updates. HHL hasn't been touched in a while, but I am still entertaining the hope that my continuing attentions to TEC will produce some new chapters once classes are finished. And speaking of classes . . .
Three: LAST SEMESTER OF UNDERGRAD! And I've only about a month left! Terrifying and exhilerating. Oh, and grad school acceptance/rejection letters are coming in, which means if I receive yet another rejection from my last program of application, I'm going to Emerson! I think I will even if the other school does come through, but there's always the question of money to consider. Bleh.
Four: Well, actually, I'm going back to "two" because I wasn't done. So all Trinity Blood fics are officially on hold for now. But I am paying homage to that fandom by doing a presentation on it in my sci-fi lit class. Hooray! I'm planning on presenting it as a key series in the vampire genre of Japanese pop lit/manga and why it's so unique and . . . awesome. So there'll be some references to series like Hellsing, Vampire Hunter D, Blood and Blood+, Vampire Knight (:P), Rosario (double :P) and whatever else I manage to find. I dunno yet if Castlevania would apply, since it was a videogame series first, but remember, Trinity Blood is the main focus. Can't pull in too many other series and overwhelm it.
So what am I into now? I think I mentioned it as of last post, but I've been working on my BBC Sherlock plotbunnies and finally posted a story at the end of December. Chapter 4 is now up: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6611369/4/The_Ghost_In_The_Theatre. By the way, Sherlock fans are REALLY quick with their updates. Sheesh.
If you want an idea of what my fic is about, it's basically a crossover with another fandom I still flirt with from time to time, but not as seriously as I used to. So this is my way of reviving it and giving tribute not only to Doyle, but to a Holmes pastiche that I enjoy despite disapproval from hardcore Sherlockians.
Now, a point of griping . . . yeah, I'm going on a limb and complaining about something. I just want it out of my system without giving names or too many specifics.
Imagine yourself in a situation, on a website where fans post fanwork, where someone seems to be asking for serious critique on something they did, and you see that they need some assistance in a certain area (let's say grammar), and it's not because they're stupid, but because English is not their first language. So you point out some simple mistakes in the politest way you can manage and encourage them - note, ENCOURAGE - to keep up the good work, as it normally goes.
The response you receive clearly shows that they took your constructive criticism as a personal attack and claim 1) they never asked for your opinion, 2) they're now not going to try translating their work into English anymore because of what you said, and 3) now everyone gets to blame you for it.
I don't think I need to explain how many levels of immature this touches. I sent an apologetic reply, saying it was not my intention to belittle them, but the person remained obstinant. I have not attempted another reply since: there'd be no point.
So why then am I griping about it? Maybe I want to send a message out to all artists - writers, painters, photographers, sculptors, whatever - that when you place your work in a public venue, you should expect critical feedback, not just praise. This is usually because people want to see your work *improve*, to get even better than how it is now. I know it's annoying and depressing when your work doesn't meet other people's standards, but you must maintain a critical attitude of your work and respect the advice others offer you if you want to get anywhere. Art is a continuous learning experience. Most people, I assume, have already grasped this, and maybe I'm preaching to the choir, but as long as there is still one person out there who behaves the way this paricular individual did, it still needs to be said.
I can understand the temptation to respond strongly to a remark on your work that seems gratutiously harsh or, more importantly, in no way helpful and written with the intention to tear you down. That is perfectly understandable. It's when a person cannot distinguish between "constructive criticism" and "bashing" that we have a problem.
I actually wouldn't have bothered being nitpicky had the person not indicated that they wanted legit criticism. I really want to point that out to them, but it would probably escalate into a nasty confrontation. And I don't want my account spammed by this person's fan-following or whatever.
But I will say, after enduring all this, that one person sent me a message assuring me that I had done nothing untoward. I honestly didn't expect anyone else to notice, care or take the time to say something, so I want to keep giving that person my whole-hearted thanks. The world is a better, saner place with people like you. <3
There's not much else left to say on that subject, so I'll peace out. I might post again in the near future for more special topics, so if you're following *crickets chirp* keep an eye out. I haven't even told you about my roommate! 8D
"To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people!" - A Fish Called Wanda
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