Upcoming 2007/2008 DD Writer's Challenge Schedule [Archive]

Adam Isaac

06-26-2007, 11:45 AM

SEPTEMBER 1, 2007-NOVEMBER 2, 2007
HALLOWEEN'S MOTEL MACABRE EXTRAVAGANZA
(Thematic words SUPERNATURAL & FEAR)
PRIZES: $100(winner chosen from the guest panel of 13 JUDGES) + THE 2007 PLATINUM WRITER'S PEN, which is engraved in Courier New small font(valued at $100/pure 100% platinum plated)
$50(second or leading popular vote)
THE HAUNTING(1960) or PSYCHO(1960) DVD(third place)

JANUARY 7, 2008-FEBURARY 1, 2008
THE FILM NOIR CLASSIC
(Choose from 14 selected film noir themes/elements)
PRIZES: FILM NOIR CLASSIC COLLECTION VOLUME 4 DVD BOX SET-10 Films on 5 Discs(winner)
DOUBLE INDEMNITY DVD & FILM NOIR READER #1(runner-up)

OzFade

06-27-2007, 09:35 AM

Man 3 months.

Can we at least think about an idea at the moment?

dpaterso

06-27-2007, 09:39 AM

4th of July coming up a week from now...

I hear whistles and drums...

-Derek

J off course

06-27-2007, 06:26 PM

and airplanes, Derek? Tell me there'll be airplanes!

IndieMe

06-27-2007, 07:08 PM

How about a 24hr contest for 4th of July?

Just a thought...:)

dpaterso

06-29-2007, 02:49 PM

Huh, no takers! Bunch of wimps!

PS - yes J there will be airplanes. And crisp, tight, shiny uniforms.

-Derek

Fortean

06-30-2007, 12:07 PM

Huh, no takers! Bunch of wimps!

PS - yes J there will be airplanes. And crisp, tight, shiny uniforms.

-Derek
And, fireworks (http://www.armyradio.com/images/Hindenberg_Fire_small.jpg), too?

No, I'm not talking about the sideshow at Glascow!

Derek, the Yanks' holiday is mid-week, ("D'oh!"), whereas Canuckistan is celebrating their failure to be successfully invaded by 'em with "Dominion Day," (now, officially "Canada Day"), tomorrow, (July 1st). I'd be glad to take up the challenge of a 24-hour contest with you, and I'd probably be interrupted while writing the third act by the cannon fire from Old Fort Henry. Our military still uses the same muzzle-loaders to keep the invaders from our shores. Gotta test 'em each year, to be certain that they'll work (http://www.rockmagix.de/images/forthenry/oldforthenry009.jpg)!

dpaterso

06-30-2007, 01:30 PM

IndieMe

06-30-2007, 08:06 PM

The first of July?

Okay...

Is there a theme or anything goes?

Fortean

07-01-2007, 03:58 AM

Lovely to hear that the old traditions remain.

Do the cannons point south?!

Yeah I'm up for it! Just let me get mah kilt and tin helmet on. Heavens, just hanging in the wardrobe all these years has caused mah kilt to shrink! Who'd huv thought it?

5 pages by midnight on the 1st? Is that your challenge?

Any other takers???

-Derek

No, the cannon are aimed from the Fort Henry and several martello towers to overlap and to catch any ships on Lake Ontario approaching Kingston, or the southern entrance to the Rideau Canal (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/06/28/rideau-heritage.html), in their crossfire. In the Canadian National Archives, I found some colourful plans, (from just before World War One), to upgrade this city's defenses to include searchlights, howitzers, and machine guns to repel an invading force coming from Lake Ontario. It was not explained how the Kaiser could sneak a fleet of ships up the St. Lawrence River, (past Montreal), but there is an entry from the Erie Canal at Oswego, New York, (if he was in cahoots with the Yanks).

If yer kilt's too tight, (which reminds me of an old Jack Duffy (http://www.slapsticon.org/stills/jack-duffy.jpg) film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195531/combined)), there is a simple solution suggested by Laurel and Hardy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018294/combined).

Five pages, (anything goes, with bonus points for airplanes, zeppelins, cannon, and snappily tight uniforms, or kilts), by midnight, tonight, (DD time)!

dpaterso

07-01-2007, 04:20 AM

Ignoring for a moment how you've just listed every idea I had for this challenge in your message -- I'm in!

-Derek

ezread

07-01-2007, 09:48 AM

So do we just post in this thread, or do we send a PM to somebody?

Harbinger

07-01-2007, 11:03 AM

I got the idea from reading this thread that the theme was 4th July.....is that not the case?

Fortean

07-01-2007, 11:17 AM

I got the idea from reading this thread that the theme was 4th July.....is that not the case?
Derek and I want to spoil a lovely Sunday afternoon and spin our wheels. Anyone's welcome to join in on our FAST AND FURIOUS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0232500/) fling.

IndieMe

07-01-2007, 11:22 AM

I thought it was anything goes...

I haven't written anything yet, but I had an idea figured. I'm not sure I can work a Blackpox terrorist story into Canada Day celebration. :D

Harbinger

07-01-2007, 11:25 AM

Not sure I can work a Blackpox terrorist story into Canada Day celebration. :D

And you call yourself a writer!........ :)

OzFade

07-24-2007, 10:46 AM

BUMP

(Maybe first offical DD bump?)

Anyway...Motel Macabre...I just had a great idea. Muahahaah Muahahaha

Adam Isaac

07-24-2007, 11:44 AM

I'll be announcing the two thematic words for those in less than one month.

1 is already official, Q's coming up with the other one.

Mister Q

07-24-2007, 12:19 PM

I'll be announcing the two thematic words for those in less than one month.

1 is already official, Q's coming up with the other one.Considering my favourite word is Gobbledygook it's a good job I've got a month to come up with something.

Adam Isaac

07-24-2007, 12:29 PM

I enjoy the circa 1960's English term 'codswaddle.'

dpaterso

07-24-2007, 12:43 PM

I'll be announcing the two thematic words for those in less than one month.

1 is already official, Q's coming up with the other one.
This is akin to being led into a darkened maze by a pair of crazed axe murderers who insist it'll be fun.

-Derek

Mister Q

07-24-2007, 01:17 PM

Oh, it'll be fun alright. It'll be reeeal good fun! :D

Adam Isaac

07-24-2007, 02:50 PM

This is akin to being led into a darkened maze by a pair of crazed axe murderers who insist it'll be fun.

-Derek

Derek, are you still my 'guy for that ting' I spoke to you about. Details will soon flow like gushing waterfalls of crimson carnage into the pool of unsuspecting DD scribblers.

There will be women poisoning men; men strangling women; severed heads; elevating beds; plus, gory freaks and whores that creep behind squeeking doors; and perhaps even a few family laughs. Something for all the frights that write, but not unless you spend the spend the night...at the MOTEL MACABRE!:devil:

MOTEL MACABRE(the event in Horror and Suspense writing that showcases some of the hottest young writers in screen Horror)
Also featuring guest appearances from acclaimed professional film writers and directors from every corner of the business.

IndieMe

07-24-2007, 03:44 PM

"MOTEL MACABRE(the event in Horror and Suspense writing that showcases some of the hottest young writers in screen Horror)
Also featuring guest appearances from acclaimed professional film writers and directors from every corner of the business."

What about those of us who do not fit into any of those categories? :confused:

I look forward to it and will put in a little more effort this time since horror is my favorite.

Adam Isaac

07-24-2007, 06:53 PM

"MOTEL MACABRE(the event in Horror and Suspense writing that showcases some of the hottest talent in screen Horror)
Also featuring guest appearances from acclaimed professional film writers and directors from every corner of the business."

What about those of us who do not fit into any of those categories? :confused:

I look forward to it and will put in a little more effort this time since horror is my favorite.

Fixed?

Adam Isaac

08-02-2007, 10:49 AM

The second word has been found! Let all the Heavens and the Earth, men and women, sane and insane: REJOICE!!!

Arroway

08-02-2007, 11:02 AM

so...the second word is "rejoice"?

what's the first word?

:confused:

Adam Isaac

08-02-2007, 06:18 PM

so...the second word is "rejoice"?

what's the first word?

:confused:

No-no-no. These two words haven't been announced yet.

Think HALLOWEEN....think TERROR....sans the GORE.:cool:

Adam Isaac

08-07-2007, 11:28 AM

Alright, here's the Platinum plated pen that goes to the winner:

http://images.forbes.com/media/lifestyle/2006/06/07/2_0607feat.jpg

This is an amazing pen. 100% plated platinum & will be engraved with a COURIER NEW small face font with the winner's name/initials, and will be numbered with a 1 to designate it as the very first PlatinumPen to be awarded.

This will become a new tradition, and will be full of new and challenging writing events.

Arroway

08-08-2007, 02:36 AM

cool.

"supernatural" and "fear" huh? pretty broad.

Harbinger

08-08-2007, 03:33 AM

Nice idea, Adam.

May I suggest Done Deal get a mention in that engraving somewhere. with their permission of course.

Good stuff though.

I can never find a pen :)

Jcorona

08-08-2007, 08:03 AM

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 08:55 AM

Nice idea, Adam.

May I suggest Done Deal get a mention in that engraving somewhere. with their permission of course.

Good stuff though.

I can never find a pen :)

Will and I discussed this yesterday. It's just safer to remove DD since technically I'm not employeed there. He was crazy cool about it though. He even supported my judgment to handle the whole, and he might even be able to judge.

I spoke to damn near everyone of my mentors yesterday...man, there's no other way to put it: that was one of my best days in my life.

If you asked to pinpoint why, I couldn't tell you...it was just a good day. I got almost every high level judge I tried to get, and they were so cool about it. God, I really love this lifestyle...I'm still a nobody pretty much, but yesterday was my day ever.

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 09:06 AM

Adam, I like you and I wish you the best, so please don't take this wrong.

I personally don't care about prizes and don't even know if I'll enter, but I just gotta say, a pen instead of a Derek?

A pen?

A pen?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Instead of a Derek?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing . . . NOTHING! Is better than a Derek.

Corona :mad:

No, I'm actually extremly collaborative...I love the fact that there's different strokes for different folks...like I said, I was oblivious to what I was doing here with these contests-I'm just doing them because it fells right, and if you could see the bigger scheme, J...we're going to help a lot of writers. To me, that just means something...probably sounds weird. I also made a big decision last night: I'm coming back to screenwriting. I've been writing other things for the past 16 months, and it was my best night ever...can't explain it totally. Some sort of weird step was made, and I didn't even know I was making it...I feel great though.

Writers & pens...that's why I got that in there. I almost got a trophy type of thing...my favorite Mystery Magazine gives out pens to their top writers of the year. If a girl wins, I can switch to the PLATINUM or GOLD necklace...oooh, it's nice. They have Diamond studed stuff too. $100 and a $100 pen isn't good?

We can do a Derek in 2008...in fact, I can even design an event about him.

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 09:25 AM

I personally don't care about prizes and don't even know if I'll enter, but I just gotta say, a pen instead of a Derek

Yeah, I don't care about prizes either. I just want to enter under my pen name. If somebody likes my piece, and some of the newer writers let-go and go inside themselves. Man, the prizes are just there because they take the Done Deal writing contests to a higher level.

This stuff is all coming from my pocket...I don't have any sponsers. That should tell you where I'm coming from-I'm not rich by any means.

I want 40-50-60 entries, not 8-10(that's not helping anyone else out)...that moves me, and I'll gladly pay to see everyone enter and write something really great, or make every to make it great.

Watch and see what happens...all 13 Judges are the best of the best on here. Now, think about what their judging is going to do for the struggling writers who need help, and want to keep on getting better. That's what a Community is all about, and I'm so glad to be apart.

Crazy thing is...all of this is true.

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 09:32 AM

In Spring 2008, I'm going to have at least (15) writing teams. I'm going to make writing collaborations work. We'll all learn more because everyone thinks it's impossible.

Collaborating is what writing movies are all about. I'll do what's necessary to make it work.

Jcorona

08-08-2007, 01:35 PM

J...we're going to help a lot of writers. To me, that just means something...probably sounds weird. I also made a big decision last night: I'm coming back to screenwriting. I've been writing other things for the past 16 months, and it was my best night ever...can't explain it totally. Some sort of weird step was made, and I didn't even know I was making it...I feel great though.

I love that you're gonna help writers, Adam, and I love what you're doing and that last night was your best night ever. Seriously, brother. :)

Please don't ask me what I was doing on my best night ever.

I guess I should've just asked where the Derek was in all of this? I didn't mean to come across like what you're doing isn't cool 'cause it absolutely is. And your prizes are awesome for those who care about prizes.

If I came across wrong . . . I'm sorry. That's right. I ain't scared to say it. But this:

We can do a Derek in 2008...in fact, I can even design an event about him.

Now you're going to far. Have you ever read his posts?

50% funny, 50% informational, and the remaining 50%, I don't even know what to make of 'em.

Just a statue of him would be enough.

On a side note, J off course was the one who came up with the Derek.

But I'm sure your pen is a fine pen and whoever wins it I'm sure will have deserved it and written something special.

Good luck.

My regular 2 sense,

Corona :)

dpaterso

08-08-2007, 02:06 PM

Last time I looked up "Derek" the definition was: loser who's been getting nowhere for 5 years and has pretty much given up. You guys really need to pick another name that says winner.

-Derek

Jcorona

08-08-2007, 02:36 PM

Last time I looked up "Derek" the definition was: loser who's been getting nowhere for 5 years and has pretty much given up. You guys really need to pick another name that says winner.

-Derek

Okay, how 'bout the "Derek?"

There is no other name! :mad:

Corona

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 02:48 PM

JCorona,

I like you and respect you, but don't ever talk like that to me again.

Something to say? Say it....please.

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 02:56 PM

Edited: Wrong dude, J.

Everyone makes mistakes. I forgive you.

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 03:00 PM

Ditto.

Jcorona

08-08-2007, 03:11 PM

JCorona,

I like you and respect you, but don't ever talk like that to me again.

Something to say? Say it....please.

:D :D :D :D

Corona

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 03:14 PM

If you're not entering because of the prizes...man, you're loco.

If you're best night ever featured sex, you should get laid more.

Good thing you were kidding.

Jcorona

08-08-2007, 03:52 PM

If you're not entering because of the prizes...man, you're loco.

If you're best night ever featured sex, you should get laid more.

Good thing you were kidding.

Adam, the few contests I've entered here have been 'cause I just felt like joining some friends in doing something we all love to do and that won't change. As far as your prizes, like I said, they're awesome.

My best night ever did feature sex. I still get goose bumps when I see jail cells.

I'm just sad to see that I still don't convey when I'm messin' around too good.

Although I gotta admit that I'd take a Derek over a pen, a million dollars, 100 gold bricks or another night in that cell.

Again, I beg your forgiveness and stop messin' with me and focus on your contests. They sound great!

Corona

Adam Isaac

08-08-2007, 08:44 PM

Adam, the few contests I've entered here have been 'cause I just felt like joining some friends in doing something we all love to do and that won't change. As far as your prizes, like I said, they're awesome.

My best night ever did feature sex. I still get goose bumps when I see jail cells.

I'm just sad to see that I still don't convey when I'm messin' around too good.

Although I gotta admit that I'd take a Derek over a pen, a million dollars, 100 gold bricks or another night in that cell.

Again, I beg your forgiveness and stop messin' with me and focus on your contests. They sound great!

Corona

I know, man. This one will surprise though...this theme does require a little losening of the mind of the writer, but I've got some Movie Watching assignments(optional)to stew the mind up, and show how simple complexity looks like.

VAL LEWTON particularly.