Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

More VOAT please?

  • 06-10-2010 11:19pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,016 ✭✭✭


    I'm getting VOAT withdrawals. Can we get VOAT up and running again? It was fun!

    I think we should start again with one of the flash fiction things too - I know it was a small bit of a logistical nightmare, but it was so much fun and threw up some really interesting stories!

    Pweeeeeeze?


Comments

  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Yeah, I reckon when I'm back from holidays on the 18th I might kick one off to start on the first of November or thereabouts. Meanwhile if anyone has any more suggestions...


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Im up for this.

    Suggestions. A warped and abridged version of your favourite book in 1500 words. And we have to identify the book. :) Kind of like the bookwise puzzle in the Sunday Times.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    All right then. It might be a little tight for a Hallowe'en edition of VOAT, but who's up for starting a new season of write-offs and what kind of original ideas have you got that will get people involved?


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Im in. I need the mental stimulation. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    I won't be taking part in a Voat if its in November. I'm desparately scrambling to get my NaNoWriMo outline together as I type!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 537 ✭✭✭angelll


    I'm in too :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Count me in.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 RoodBoi


    what's VOAT?


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    RoodBoi wrote: »
    what's VOAT?
    Variations On A Theme. A short story competition (with no prize except the respect of your peers :)) that runs here from time to time. A theme, story outline, or opening line, is given for everyone to write about in their own style or with their own spin on the story. Usually about 1500 words. Its a bit of craic.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    If we can get 5 we might as well give it a go. Whatcha say, RoodBoi?


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 RoodBoi


    very tempted, but i've never wrote a story before really. i'm lazy so i stick to poetry. :D what would the theme be? :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 RoodBoi


    ok i'll do it for the gas so. but it may be ****. but who cares right. yea i'm in so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,016 ✭✭✭Blush_01


    I'm in!!!!

    Wow, that was a bit over-eager, but YAY more VOAT!


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    I'm back in work on Monday - tell all your friends to post here with ideas.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    OK, I'm pimping about for entrants. One more added so far...


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Well, seeing as noone else is.

    Idea: Central character, Chris, looks at a bundle of money and smiles. Now, all they have to do is get through that locked door....


    A kind of dumped in the middle of the action scenario.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I'm in too... looking forward to it.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    You were already in by post 8 :D

    I'll try and get 10 by the weekend, if not we'll go with what we have. We need consensus on the theme though.


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    You were already in by post 8 :D

    I'll try and get 10 by the weekend, if not we'll go with what we have. We need consensus on the theme though.
    We need more ideas on the theme. :)

    I need this kickstart to write again, havent written a thing in months.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I'll think about it and throw up some intro lines tonight.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,996 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Thanks for the message about this, Pickarooney.

    Count me in. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    OK, here are some suggestions....

    The Box.
    Ann was first in the office that morning. Just as she noticed the strange box on her desk, her phone rang.

    Bob's First Day
    Bob, the bank's newest security guard was about to leave the men's room when he heard gunfire and a voice shout "EVERYBODY GET DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!".


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Liking The Box suggestion. Think the First day one could give us quite a few robbery/hostage situations and weve had those already.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Yeah, I like the box but security guards and robberies and whatnots - no thanks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    The robbery one could be loosened up a bit....

    Bob was about to leave the men's room when he heard gunfire and a voice shout "EVERYBODY GET DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!".

    In that case, he could be a security guard, an inside man, someone who was about to rob the bank himself, a member of the public, a wheelchair user leaving the disabled toilets, a cleaner....

    It's up to the writer to elevate it above the robbery/hostage scenario. The ones that stand out (and do something different) are the ones that will do well.


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Sorry, I just dont want to write about a robbery, full stop. And its kinda hard to turn it into chick lit. Ye men and your guns. Sigh. ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Fair enough. :)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    However, a mystery box could contain a neutron bomb or a ransom note, so everybody wins.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,016 ✭✭✭Blush_01


    However, a mystery box could contain a neutron bomb or a ransom note, so everybody wins.

    Or an anonymous gift from an admirer - nothing like a good stalking! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    ...or it could never be opened at all.

    Feck it, colour me in for the next VOAT.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    NanoWrimo, VOAT, Lame Protagonist needing a crutch... are you growing a beard as well this month?

    I think we have 8 so far and the Box is a nice idea IMO. I'll see if Friday is not too busy to kick this off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    The first and third may be related, and lets just say readers of my NaNo shouldn't be surprised to see a mysterious box appear in my plot ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 537 ✭✭✭angelll


    Liking the box idea :) May not be around tomorrow as i'm getting a wisdom tooth out :eek: but count me in. (i know my name is down already...just saying in case i'm offline crippled with pain all weekend)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    This will be a long one, not a flash-fiction.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    Long as in long or long as in 1k like the others?


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Long as in a week to write 1500 words or so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    That works. Are we going with the box description as above so?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,383 ✭✭✭Aoibheann


    Hmmm.. I may be in! Or, I can do the accepting entries thing again if you'd like to enter, pickarooney? This sort of thing will hopefully give me the kick I need to get writing again - I've been woefully short on time and ideas. >_<


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Grand so, if nobody has any objections, or a last-minute brainwave, I'll start a thread on this around midday.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 RoodBoi


    so, what do i do here, shoul i start writing?


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    The competition is now open. See here for details. I'll lock this thread later so as to keep any further discussion in that thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    RoodBoi wrote: »
    so, what do i do here, shoul i start writing?

    Its traditional to start writing 1-2 hours before the deadline.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,917 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Antilles wrote: »
    Its traditional to start writing 1-2 hours before the deadline.

    If by 'writing' you mean 'stop drinking' and by '1-2 hours' you mean '10-15 minutes', sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    If by 'writing' you mean 'stop drinking' and by '1-2 hours' you mean '10-15 minutes', sure.

    If by 'drinking' you mean 'bothering with a glass'....


Advertisement