Sunday, March 27, 2011

Expansion Joints Challenge: part 5, "Pass"

If you aren't familiar with the Expansion Joints project, it all began over at Porky's Expanse!.

The rules are just as they are described over at Porky's: as much narrative as you can cram into fifteen words, one of which must be the word of the week.

This can take the form of

1. An epyllion,or litle epic, a stand-alone fifteen-word narrative, or

2. An epos, or 'epic'. Instead of an independent 15-word story, you can choose to develop someone else's story from a previous week, or extend your own story from week to week. Just write the next installment. If it has 15 words, uses the word of the week, and continues the story, you've done it.

There are two important things to think about if you choose epos. First, you should have the permission of the person who wrote the story you will develop. If anyone writes a 15-word epyllion or adds to an epos and is happy for others to develop it later, please say so, with something like 'for use in an epos'. Second, by using specific elements of someone else's story, we technically create a derivative work, so it's best to avoid this.

There are a number of generous contributors who have given express permission to use some of their writing as the basis for epos:

Porky, the founder of the project, offers up food, fort, stuff, and elf.

GDMNW has opened up the three stories here.

Dave G_Nplusplus makes any of his Expanders! stories available for use in an epos.

Jim Hale has an epos running on his Expanders! page, and he has graciously extended permission to play with any or all of the contributions there.

And, as always, feel free to use any of the stories on this blog that are tagged as "Expansion Joints" in an epos.

When you've finished writing your entry, either post your 15-word story directly in the comments here, or leave a link in the comments to the blog page where we can find it.

And now, what you've all* been waiting for: the word of the week! This week's word is "pass".

I'll be away from my computer until Monday, but I'll be posting my story then, and I'm looking forward to reading all of your latest efforts. If past quality is any indication, I'll be in for a treat!

*(Okay, not all of you waited - the clever among you probably just read the post title and started writing. Almost all? Some? One or two?)

13 comments:

  1. Ok, I´m in, but I think I´ll have to pass on the story this time ;-D
    Cheers
    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm in... nice place, like what you've done with it Jennie. :-)

    "The thought of a three day pass did little to dispel the nausea overwhelming him".

    The rest is here as always.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good choice of word! Mine will be posted tomorrow ... I hope :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Paul - For some reason, I don't believe you, but I will let it pass for now. ;)

    @Jim Hale - Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. :)

    I really like your story so far. You are doing a great job building up a cohesive narrative thread.

    @ Andy - I can't wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My little epos grew a little: http://creepycorridor.blogspot.com/2011/03/wordplay-goes-on-at-jennies-place.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. @ Andy - I left my comments at your blog. Great job!

    The link is at The Creepy Corridor for those of you who like single-click access.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Okay. I'll give it a shot:

    The grizzled Jarpha mercenary scratched himself as he kept an eye on the pass below.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We lived and loved - she was my world.
    But when asked the question:
    "I'll pass."



    Luckily, not my story :) But part of my attempt to tell a larger story.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cheers Dave... are you intercepting my text messages? lol

    I like that... a failed romance in 15 words, well done!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Netherwerks, you really create a strong sense of character there in a few words. And thanks so much for the link to Riskall!

    Dave, you did a fabulous job giving us a real narrative here: you created a broad sense of the sweep of time and relationship, and then threw the critical moment into sharp relief. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Here's one about my taking so long this week. I'll admit it is a luxury to roll up when the mood strikes.

    I waited, meaning well, end approaching inexorably.

    Now..? No.

    Now?

    Yes!

    It shall not pass!

    ReplyDelete