Here’s a challenge that I’ve heard about. I was going to try it out on my own, but I haven’t had a chance to experiment with it yet.
Write a short scene (about 100 to 300 words) without using any adjectives.
This is the mother of all constraints, I think. It will be interesting to see what approaches we will use in place of traditional modes of description. My only advice is to be open and take many risks.
I do have one question for the group – are we sticking to an October 1st deadline for this challenge?
September 20, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
Good challenge… It’s kind of tough, but I like the idea.
As to the deadline, I think we should try to stick to it, but if it happens that we don’t manage to, maybe we could extend it a few days.
And who should be the November suggester?
September 20, 2008 at 9:03 pm |
Good challenge. Luckily, though — you didn’t restrict adverbs.
September 21, 2008 at 4:04 pm |
I vote we show Gessy the door! LOL… that has to be one of the toughest writing challenges I’ve ever heard of!
I am looking forward to it, though, in a masochistic kind of way.
September 22, 2008 at 12:41 pm |
It will be tough for all of us but well worth it. I’m taking some cues from Hemingway for this one.
September 22, 2008 at 12:58 pm |
It’s definitely tougher than one might initially think – you can’t even lead with: “It was a dark and stormy night…”
September 22, 2008 at 4:52 pm |
“It was night” can still sound pretty dramatic, if used correctly, though. I think Gessy has hit on the secret, though. Think Hemingway, or anything journalistic!
That’s what I’m going to be trying, anyway.
September 22, 2008 at 7:57 pm |
Yep! Just the facts, Ma’am. That’s the way I’m going with it. Of course, facts don’t necessarily preclude the use of adjectives, but… well, you know what I mean. I think. I hope I know what I mean. LOL
Good challenge, Gessy!
October 1, 2008 at 2:13 pm |
[...] Idiosyncratica Challenge October 1, 2008 Okay, so I’ve learned a few things from the challenge this month. First, I’m no grammarian; second, adverbs rock; third, the English language makes [...]
October 1, 2008 at 9:05 pm |
[...] 1, 2008 This month, Gessy challenged the group to write a short scene of about 100 to 300 words without using any adject…. The following is my humble [...]