Can We Elaborate? August week one reading list

[eadard00dlesandcheese]

Good Monday to you, Flames.

This month, RicoChey is asking us to elaborate on some rather vague TV show & movie synopses she found online. It doesn't matter if you've ever seen the show or know anything about it, the point is to take the thought and run with it...while typing.

Week One prompt: "Rick Struggles To Cope."

Four of our writers were up to the challenge. Let's see what they came up with.
This month will be one of our standard contests. One winner for the month, but you can only compete if you write in all four weeks. Only one of these writers can win the month, but if you want to write with us in weeks two through four, you can submit an entry just for fun that will be shared with the community and voted on for likes not wins.

Your reading list awaits! Get in there and share some feedback with your fellow writers. We all appreciate the #commentlove. Use the comments of this post if you have trouble posting comments to the writer's blog or journal.

Title: none
Author: hwango
Word Count: 646
Warnings: I don't think so.

Title: How To Cope: Chop Until The Screaming Stops
Author: Kathy Boles-Turner
Word Count: 495
Warnings: TWD Spoilers AHOY!

Title: Insomnia
Author: Kristina Van Hoose
Word Count: 1226
Warnings: Characters have sex, but it is not described

Title: Rick Copes
Author: Shane Bell
Word Count: 900
Warnings: Sex, violence, language

[polldaddy poll="9019094"]

August 2015, Week Two | Topic Post: "Can you elaborate?", Part II

[eadard00dlesandcheese]

Before we start, let me quote some essential details from my introductory post from Week One, outlining the basics of this month's themed contest. To skip this, scroll directly to the prompt, located midway through this post!

Throughout this contest (and any time, truly), you can reach me fairly instantly by two reliable methods: 1. You can send me a Facebook message, or 2. You can pop an e-mail over to write.brain.dependent@gmail.com – either outreach pings my phone in real time, and I can respond accordingly.

Remember, the open door policy at the Flame isn't just for show -- reach out! The Mod Hydra is here to help, and to ensure that your experience is positive and constructive.

Welcome to Week Two of the theme, "Can you elaborate?" I understand there may have been some confusion about prompt limitations last week, so I've quoted the 'Basic Premise' portion below with a few choice edits in hopes that there will be no further miscommunication. I do not believe in limiting the creative mind unfairly or unnecessarily, so let's nip that in the bud!:

Basic Premise: You are presented with an example of a synopsis for an episode of a television series (there is so necessity to have seen, or to be familiar with, either the episode or the show). Using this synopsis, write your entry. You may also use the title of the episode or something you know about the series or episode quoted to inspire your entry. You do not have to use the name of the character mentioned in the synopsis. These parts of each month’s prompt are interchangeable at the entrant’s discretion; however, you may like to make a clear statement in an Author’s Note about the origin of your inspiration if you deviate unexpectedly from the episode title and/or synopsis provided as each month’s prompt. All forms of writing are welcome!

Again, if anyone has any questions, the Hydra's three silly heads are here to make sure everyone has a good time. Now, without further ado, the prompt for Week Two!

House, M.D. [S6E8]: ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ –“For the ailing patient, intelligence is a miserable burden.”

I've heard people say Hemingway was crushed by the weight of his own genius. Obviously I'm not claiming to understand what that must be like, but I feel as though I have come close to being able to imagine it every so often. In a world where one mustn't look far to find ignorance, for those of us who have worked hard to be enlightened and educated it can feel like suffocation to caught suddenly in the company of those who either have not come as far, or who choose never to try. Ignorance can feel as heavy as humidity in the presence of the wrong kinds of people, even when it isn't their intention to cause you that kind of discomfort.

In the quoted episode of House, the doctor treats a patient whose intelligence is a celebrated gift, but for whom the gift has become a terrible burden. When we meet the patient, he has deliberately chosen a lifestyle much simpler and less demanding than what he knew before, and has abandoned any pursuits that require the use of his brilliant mind. As the episode unfolds, we learn more about how he has willfully suppressed his mind, if only to feel less alone in a crowded room.

This week, how will you explore the maddening choice between brilliance and ignorance? Or the awful suffering of having to hide your thoughts and ideas, if only to continue to fit in with the people around you? Show us your take on the idea of a gift being a burden, or interpret the prompt in a brand new way, and show us something altogether unexpected. Write what you must!

Remember, to advance to main voting for Week Two, you must have survived Week One voting. If not, your entry (or entries) still qualifies for Just For Fun voting and is welcome in the poll! You can access the poll below. Entries are due Sunday, August 16th at 2345 Eastern Time. No sign-ups are necessary for this contest.

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Submit Here

RicoChey had some technical difficulties logging in so I am posting this for her.

The Writing on the Wall: Adventures in Time Lining

[ricochey]

 Let's do the time waaaarp... over here.