Originally wrote about the son with the accident, but that got scrapped months ago. When was the place a brothel? Anyone know? Probably somewhere between 40s-60s.
As Jack's reading the scrapbook he has a passing thought. Something like "What were you running up there in 1942?" It's pretty clearly the suggestion of a brothel.
Hey, that would be great. Also consider that the story might be re-workable as a scene in something else. My story is something I've mapped out for five years and am just setting at the Overlook.
Ch03 goes into some of the happenings regarding the hotel & Ullman's hush money—though it's not as detailed as Ch18. That's part of what I'm focusing on. (I really considered the guy in the dog suit, though.)
Thanks for the info. I think I bookmarked both of those chapters. I really wanted to write about Watson and his family at first, but reading Dr Sleep changed my mind.
This anthology is such a niche thing that I’ve wondered what I’ll do with my story if (when) it doesn’t get selected. Hadn’t considered the “revise so it isn’t shining fan fiction anymore” angle. My concept is usable elsewhere with some adjustments.
At this stage the story is basically done, with just some minor tweaks needed - but with over 2 months until submissions are due it’s a struggle to just let it simmer. I fear that I’ll tinker obsessively and screw it up in the process.
Nearly got mine nailed to. After getting more feedback tomorrow, and another round of revisions, Im going to put it away for a couple of weeks and restart this big story from scratch. Hard to throw away 3 years of work and rewrite the whole thing.
It’s tough because often it feels like a story is never truly done - you just have to stop making changes at some point. Even today with the handful of comments Chuck made in his post, my mind immediately went to “OHH!!! This would be a killer addition to the story.” Which, maybe…or maybe I’d just be cramming 10 pounds of shit in a 5-pound bag.
Sweet! It rang bells when you mentioned it. Someone could use the Sirens as an archetype for the brothel. I’d use Unforgiven for inspiration and put those batwing doors to good, western use.
My original plan was to have Ullman and Watson rebuild the hotel elsewhere, and have a craftsman repair some important objects to transfer the evil, but that got scrapped.
Found an old note yesterday. Might try a second story and do some a/b testing.
True story. I swiped it from the Book Cart at the hospital where I volunteered. A huge hardcover with the characters and hotel on the cover. 1977. But I've only read it once or twice.
Was reading past comments from the Stack from years ago. And you were talking about having a workshop in some special location that had a track. Maybe it was a gym? And then you talked about making students do laps for every "is" or "has" verb.
And it got me thinking.
Was that your way of killing off bad writers?
Making them run and run until they dropped dead from exhaustion.
Much of the workshop would be about converting abstracts to specifics for a character. For example, I'd give you a random weight, and eyes closed, you'd tell me its weight as a common object: A microwave oven, a loaf of bread, a bag of potatoes, etc..
Parts of the gym workshop would be about creating physical stress and then taking notes for on-the-body description. It's all a work in progress.
Converting abstracts is one of the hardest things for me to do. I can't use terms like "500 pounds" or "16 years old" because they are shortcuts. But I can certainly visualize a 500 pound man. Thank you, My 600 Pound Life. A melted mountain of skin taking up a whole Queen-sized bed.
At least that's one way I'd describe such a man.
And I love that quote in Consider This. "When someone get's a headache, they take Tylenol. But when a writer's gets a headache, they take notes."
Exactly. Notes. Lately I've been obsessed with ice cream headaches. That's a universal agony people all know and sympathize with, so how might it be broadened to serve another purpose in a story?
"Feel backward in time to your worst ice cream headache. It lasts not a beat or two, but so long you can't speak. That pain in the roof of your mouth lasts all night, every night and day. That's what it's like to have a brain tumor."
As always, take what folks know and use that to bridge to what you want them to know.
Congrats Atticus!
Congrats, Atticus! 5 nomies, now.
Congrats to you too, Logan!!
Well I did submit like 100 times. If you keep throwing darts you’ll eventually hit dead center.
Congratulations!
Congrats Atticus! Truly an “iceberg” and reminded me of the radioactive (and rat poison) beauty treatments that used to be.
Originally wrote about the son with the accident, but that got scrapped months ago. When was the place a brothel? Anyone know? Probably somewhere between 40s-60s.
As Jack's reading the scrapbook he has a passing thought. Something like "What were you running up there in 1942?" It's pretty clearly the suggestion of a brothel.
Ah, yes, I recall that. Though its vague, no one said we cant make stuff up. Had to create a character to make mine work.
Nearly finished with Doctor Sleep, and it guided my story some.
Want to talk about it here real bad, but don't want to give anything away.
Maybe all of us who don't make it could post our stories?
Hey, that would be great. Also consider that the story might be re-workable as a scene in something else. My story is something I've mapped out for five years and am just setting at the Overlook.
Just change the names and setting and rework it a little if it doesnt fly.
Right. A strong basic story dynamic should work in different settings/times.
Ch03 goes into some of the happenings regarding the hotel & Ullman's hush money—though it's not as detailed as Ch18. That's part of what I'm focusing on. (I really considered the guy in the dog suit, though.)
Thanks for the info. I think I bookmarked both of those chapters. I really wanted to write about Watson and his family at first, but reading Dr Sleep changed my mind.
This anthology is such a niche thing that I’ve wondered what I’ll do with my story if (when) it doesn’t get selected. Hadn’t considered the “revise so it isn’t shining fan fiction anymore” angle. My concept is usable elsewhere with some adjustments.
At this stage the story is basically done, with just some minor tweaks needed - but with over 2 months until submissions are due it’s a struggle to just let it simmer. I fear that I’ll tinker obsessively and screw it up in the process.
Nearly got mine nailed to. After getting more feedback tomorrow, and another round of revisions, Im going to put it away for a couple of weeks and restart this big story from scratch. Hard to throw away 3 years of work and rewrite the whole thing.
It’s tough because often it feels like a story is never truly done - you just have to stop making changes at some point. Even today with the handful of comments Chuck made in his post, my mind immediately went to “OHH!!! This would be a killer addition to the story.” Which, maybe…or maybe I’d just be cramming 10 pounds of shit in a 5-pound bag.
"We're gonna need a bigger bag."
Page 230, during Jack's phone call the Ullman:
"What was Sylvia Hunter running up there in '67 and '68, Mr. Ullman? It was a whorehouse, wasn't it?"
That's seemed pretty clear.
Sweet! It rang bells when you mentioned it. Someone could use the Sirens as an archetype for the brothel. I’d use Unforgiven for inspiration and put those batwing doors to good, western use.
My original plan was to have Ullman and Watson rebuild the hotel elsewhere, and have a craftsman repair some important objects to transfer the evil, but that got scrapped.
Found an old note yesterday. Might try a second story and do some a/b testing.
Nice work, Atticus!
Made it to the finalists! Thanks, Chuck!
(Also, I've been enjoying the typos)
Congrats, Atticus!
The riding incident was interesting.
I saw the shining opera in slc, and I swear the bathtub lady was actually naked at one point. I still don't know what I really saw.
Congratulations, Atticus!
Nice work, Atticus! Definitely the face of a radium ghost girl. :)
Atticus - Excellent! Congrats!
I liked several of these — Bait! Pre-tastes Halloween candy! All well done!
Just curious — how many times have you read The Shining by now?
True story. I swiped it from the Book Cart at the hospital where I volunteered. A huge hardcover with the characters and hotel on the cover. 1977. But I've only read it once or twice.
Nice!
Got your pretty card. Thank you!
Yay! Thank you for yours as well!
Atticus, if you're still at P.O. Box 199 I'll send the prize there, no sweat.
Oh no new address, sir. I’ll send it to the cult!
The package just went out. It should arrive on the 23rd. cp
Curious Chuck. Did you mean December 23rd? Or January 23rd?
Got it Chuck! Thank you!
Thanks Chuck!
Was reading past comments from the Stack from years ago. And you were talking about having a workshop in some special location that had a track. Maybe it was a gym? And then you talked about making students do laps for every "is" or "has" verb.
And it got me thinking.
Was that your way of killing off bad writers?
Making them run and run until they dropped dead from exhaustion.
Natural Selection but it's Minimalist Selection.
I think I'm onto you, Chuck lol
Yes... but I was going to use poisoned Gatorade.
Much of the workshop would be about converting abstracts to specifics for a character. For example, I'd give you a random weight, and eyes closed, you'd tell me its weight as a common object: A microwave oven, a loaf of bread, a bag of potatoes, etc..
Parts of the gym workshop would be about creating physical stress and then taking notes for on-the-body description. It's all a work in progress.
Converting abstracts is one of the hardest things for me to do. I can't use terms like "500 pounds" or "16 years old" because they are shortcuts. But I can certainly visualize a 500 pound man. Thank you, My 600 Pound Life. A melted mountain of skin taking up a whole Queen-sized bed.
At least that's one way I'd describe such a man.
And I love that quote in Consider This. "When someone get's a headache, they take Tylenol. But when a writer's gets a headache, they take notes."
Exactly. Notes. Lately I've been obsessed with ice cream headaches. That's a universal agony people all know and sympathize with, so how might it be broadened to serve another purpose in a story?
"Feel backward in time to your worst ice cream headache. It lasts not a beat or two, but so long you can't speak. That pain in the roof of your mouth lasts all night, every night and day. That's what it's like to have a brain tumor."
As always, take what folks know and use that to bridge to what you want them to know.
Your freezer must be full of research. Giving yourself headache after headache. And comparing it to a brain tumor at the end hits so hard.
What's your favorite flavor/s of ice cream? Mine is either maple walnut or pistachio.
Pistachio! Being lactose intolerant keeps my freezer empty.
Why lift weights when you can lift fear?poisoned Gatorade is just and accelerant for creativity..
So glad to hear that someone else found Hallorann's roommate interesting.
The first short story I wrote for this was about Mr. Nevers and a bellhop. But I love my depression era story more so it works out 🖤
Congratz to Atticus.
Congrats, Atticus!