Writing in drips and drabbles...

[quaggy]

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Quaggy. Quaggy used to write fic. I don’t know what happened to that girl, but I miss her.

Lately, I’ve been having trouble concentrating enough to write… anything, not just fic. But I’ve really been having problems with the fic and that depresses me. I'm not lacking ideas, but I can't seem to finish any of them. Clearly something needs to be done.

I need something to help get the words flowing. I was thinking of back when I was writing 100 word drabbles for West Wing. The weekly challenge of trying to write short piece of a pre-determined length on a topic I could not predict was better for my writing than anything else I tried. I experienced it again when I wrote 100 word drabbles for Avatar. Unfortunately, being on the other side of the world was not a good time to take advantage of the situation.

The problem is that tww100 has basically died and I know of no other drabble community that works in the same way. I was thinking of starting my own multi-fandom drabble community, but I don't think that would satisfy my needs.

So here is where you come in. If anyone gives me a prompt and a fandom, I’ll write you a 100 word drabble. It can honestly be any fandom, not just the usual suspects, provided I'm familiar with the show and the characters. (If you're not sure, give me a few options.) I relish the challenge. I do however reserve the right to refuse to write for a particular ship. I'll write a drabble with any characters as long as I don't HAVE to make it romantic.

So go ahead... Hit me with your best shot. I think we'll all benefit! :-)

ETA: If you're having trouble remembering which fandoms I'm into, my quote bar (kudos to unoriginal_liz  for the idea) and my icons should offer some suggestions.

Comments

[farmerliz.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, writer's block is no fun. I'll throw out three ideas, in three different fandoms, and say up front that the relationships between the characters, from love to loathing, are entirely up to you.

1) West Wing: Toby & Leo, "It's up for discussion."
2) House: House & Wilson, Wilson gets a cat
3) Harry Potter: Luna & Draco, charms practice

Good luck getting the juices flowing.

[flippet.livejournal.com]

2) House: House & Wilson, Wilson gets a cat

This was actually done recently, and quite well (http://community.livejournal.com/housefic/2160112.html) - it's become one of my favorites. (Edited to say, it's not a drabble, however.)

Which is not to say it couldn't be done again, and differently, and very well! But I thought you might like the rec if you haven't seen it.

(Quagglebelle, don't read it if you're considering the prompt, which I actually hope you will!)

[farmerliz.livejournal.com]

So dismaying to discover that what you think is an original thought really isn't. :-) Thanks, Flippet, for the link!

[flippet.livejournal.com]

Well, there's nothing new under the sun, as they say. I only thought of it because I'd just read it, and it stuck in my head. :-) I hope you enjoy it!

And besides - it's the talent that makes the drabble. :-) And what's the phrase...there's more than one way to get skin a cat? ;-)

[quaggy]

I actually hope you will!

I don't really watch House, so unless you know of a YouTube clip or two that will give me a feel for how the characters interact, I'm not sure I can pull that one off, 100 words or not!

[flippet.livejournal.com]

Heh. *If* I can give you a clip.....!

I didn't think you really watched House, but with the request, I was kind of hopeful! It may be difficult to get a good grasp unless you actually watch a handful of episodes. ( Psst....I can hook you up! ;-) )

That said, as I think about it, there's a vibe that's not entirely unlike Sports Night or West Wing. House and Wilson have a pretty strong friendship, and though there's subtext, which they happily play with, it ain't text.


Here's a vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBp0cbE29I), about 10 minutes, seems to have a decent selection of clips. Wait, this one is better. Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OBECewo9BQ).

It's hard to get good House clip vids on youtube, because the studios tend to yank them.

Strictly for kicks, here's a fun Crack!Vid - Gay Boyfriend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nAond4ZQHQ).

[quaggy]

Heh. I knew you'd come through for me! :-D

[quaggy]

Hey Liz! Long time no see! Excellent prompts and characters, by the way.

1) No problem absolutely. There's so many places I can take this, it's ridiculous.

2) Great prompt... the problem is I don't really watch House. I'll give it my best shot, but I make no promises.

3) Is the Movie-verse okay? The contrast between the tallness of the actor who plays Draco and the daintiness of Luna just cracks me up!

[farmerliz.livejournal.com]

You're the author. Go where your muse takes you. I agree about the potential for comedy between the super tall Draco, and the dainty (such a good word!) Luna. As for House, mucho points just for trying, and thanks again to Flippet for the great rec!

[flippet.livejournal.com]

Okie dokie.

Sports Night. Dan and Casey. With this quote - "California is a fine place to live--if you happen to be an orange."

[kiss-me-cassie.livejournal.com]

HAHA! ok, I like that prompt all on it's own and can definitely see Danny saying it. ;)

[farmerliz.livejournal.com]

I call myself a Sorkin fan, but have never seen Sports Night. I really need to get my butt in gear.

[quaggy]

YES YOU DO!! You'll love it, I swear!!

[quaggy]

OOooooh! I was hoping someone would give me Sports Night! I should have known I could count on my Flipsy!

[kiss-me-cassie.livejournal.com]

I fall back to the classics...

West Wing. Andy or Donna. High heels.

[quaggy]

I fall back to the classics...

Always a wise choice!

I got a couple good ideas. At least one is pure crack. You might get more than one depending on how the turn out!

[unoriginal-liz.livejournal.com]

Okay - I suck at prompts, so I'll give you a choice of three :)

1) Martha Jones - alien medical technology
2) Edwin and Derek Venturi - prank-planning
and - from scanning your quotes in the sidebar
3) Dead Like Me, any characters - post it confusion

Hope that helps...or at least doesn't hinder too much :)

[quaggy]

These are EXCELLENT prompts. The Edwin & Derek one is practically writing itself in my head. (And now I have no excuse not write LWD fanfic!) And I'm really relishing the idea of writing for Martha!

[ok-with-that.livejournal.com]

Because some days I really, really wish we'd seen more of him:

West Wing.

Will Sawyer's back in town, and finds himself standing next to Toby, watching CJ do... anything, really. (At first, I thought of The Jackal, but... you might imagine something else. :))

Will's POV, please. :)

(For fun, if you want: flip it and give us a second piece, with the same situation from Toby's perspective. :)

[quaggy]

Oh, Suki, I don't think I can do this. At least, not in 100 words. Will Sawyer is such a minor character, I'd have to spend almost half my word allotment reminding people who he was. Not to mention that I would have to watch War Crimes just to remind myself what his deal is. I'm sorry.

Maybe once my muse's off life support I'll try a full drabble with this scenario. In the mean time, you're welcome to choose another prompt. (With 100 word drabbles, simple is generally better.)

[gatsbyfan.livejournal.com]

Josh and Donna, shopping for baby stuff. (For them or a gift, you decide.)

I blame all the pregnant ladies in my office or on Facebook for this being the first thing to pop into my head. (I have to go get a gift this weekend.)

[quaggy]

Interesting. At least, three ideas spring to mind. One of them involves Bram/Annabeth! :-P I like the straight up J/D too! :-)

You do realize that if all this works, I'll have a lot more full length fic that'll need to be proofed. Feel like breaking out your red pen?

[gatsbyfan.livejournal.com]

I absolutely would love to break out my green pen. It would break up all the work reading I've been doing lately.

(Shsh don't tell my boss, I'll probably read it in the office.)

[quaggy]

Your secret is safe with me. Especially since I'm the beneficiary!

[caitrin.livejournal.com]

How about Sports Night, some sort of conversation between Rebecca and Dana?

[quaggy]

Oooh, that has possibilities!

[cantbesilent.livejournal.com]

If your so inclined:

Josh and Donna - "I heard you the first time."

[quaggy]

I believe I can indulge that inclination! That works both during the Sorkin years and Season 7 onward.

[zinke.livejournal.com]

I do not believe I've seen any Doctor Who prompts, which is a travesty. *g*

How about: Tenth Doctor, Silly Putty?

[quaggy]

Actually [Bad username or site: unoriginal Liz @ livejournal.com] gave me a Martha prompt, but it would take a stronger woman than I to turn down a prompt that involves Ten & silly putty.