Post by: Proto Triose on March 27, 2016, 12:17:00 PM
So I have a few topics I want to start, but as I said, this is just a preliminary testing of the waters, as it were. We can make it a game - I know we all love games here! So the idea of this exercise is to list three things. It doesn't matter what they are, they can be anything at all. A color, an item, an idea, a location. Anything that comes to mind. The goal is to take the three things of the user above you, and incorporate it into a short story. And it doesn't have to be item for item. If a tea kettle makes you think of a day in Japan with cherry blossoms falling all around, write that into the story! It doesn't matter where you put it, the order, or anything. Just make sure to include the three items listed in some way.
The story you write doesn't have to be pages long. You can write three sentences, one paragraph, five pages. Just go crazy and have fun. I'm reminded of the most famous short story ever written.
"For sale - One pair of baby shoes, used only once."
I'll kick off the items, and I promise I'll get a story posted up right along with you all. But I'm more interested in if -you're- interested. I hope to hear all sorts of fun, creative ideas!
Wheel, Diamond, Waterfall
Post by: Pegu on March 27, 2016, 01:22:18 PM
The creature takes but only a few more moments rest before pushing himself up with his hands, dirtied by the dry ground, his fur stained in many places and the occasional twig poking out of it. Unable to run anymore, but it doesn't matter, the creature sees it's goal, the edge of the forest, the blue haze of the woods coming to an end to be replaced by the golden sunlight of the outside. The sight of it sparkling in the creatures eyes like a diamond, it weakly limps towards the opening and soon finds itself on the threshold. "No going back now..." the creature resolves as it takes it's first step outside the forest that had been it's home for so long.
The creature shields it's eyes as they adjust to the bright light, and upon lowering it's hand it is in awe of the view; a huge verdant green field, shimmering in the sun, dotted with patches of large yellow flowers the creature had never seen before. It's eyes scan all of it, taking all of it in with a smile before he spots a strange flat stone surface, that stretches into the distance for miles. The creature limps towards it a way before it's ears hear a peculiar sound it's never heard in it's life - Not taking any chances it lays low to the ground to watch, as a wooden cart trundles over the horizon, pulled by a mighty taur-like creature, it's wheels rickety and emitting screeching sounds periodically.
The creature lets it pass before watching where it was heading. It realised the stone surface led somewhere; in the distance soft white smoke could be seen rising from grey stone structures. "That's where I'll start..." the creature says to itself before starting to follow the stone slabs towards the town.
Post by: Proto Triose on March 27, 2016, 02:37:12 PM
I really hope you write more, you have a real talent, and I would love to see it keep going. You ever write a book, I'll be first in line to buy it. :D
Post by: Pegu on March 27, 2016, 02:40:21 PM
Yeah, I'll go with those ^_^
Post by: Pegu on March 27, 2016, 04:37:59 PM
Post by: Proto Triose on March 28, 2016, 12:31:45 AM
He couldn't smell much more than sodden wood and the vague stench of decay, but there was definitely something else out there. A tree branch cracked under his foot, alerting whatever it was. He heard the rattle of metal and took a few more cautious steps until a small voice came to his ears. "Help me, please!" Aaron ran to the voice. Pushing aside some foliage, he saw a little creature trapped in a cage, its paws wrapped around the bars. It wasn't like anything he had seen before - it looked to be a cross between a mouse, and a magpie.
Crouching down, he looked over the trap. "Please help me out of here, sir, and this is yours." It held up a little blue bowtie in its paw to him, and he reached for it, but stopped. Magpies were notorious for stealing, but would he be much better if he stole from this little one?
Aaron sighed, reaching for the pin that opened the gate. "What is it?" He asked, as the door swung open and the little Magouse stepped out, stretching its tiny wings. It held the bow tie to him, which Aaron picked up and turned over in his hands.
The Magouse's eyes began to glow a soft white, and the bowtie snapped forward, making Aaron scream and put his paw up to cover his eyes even as the thing wrapped itself around his neck and retied. Slowly, he brought his paw down. The bowtie was around his neck. Tugging at it, he discovered quickly that it wouldn't come off.
The little creature was floating before him, wings outspread like a miniature take on an angel of fate. "The bowtie will give you powers, noble one. But be aware - with the powers come great consequences. You will be cursed forever to be alone. I am sorry that your act of kindness is met with such cruel fate, but after thousands of years one gets tired of protecting."
Aaron didn't like the sound of this, pulling again at the bowtie. "What do you mean protecting? Protecting what?"
"All around you, kind one. The world itself, and the people in it. Against a destruction most severe. You will save them all, and they will resent you for it. Always." In the span of an eye blink, the little mouse disappeared.
Aaron felt energy in his paws, thrumming through his veins. He realized his mistake only too late. A magouse. The little creature wasn't a magouse, it was a magus; he'd only heard of them in children's tales before. The protectors of the planet. And now he was one of those elite few.
A terrifying roar filled the air around him, and Aaron turned. A ball of fire flew from his paw, which he looked down at with wide eyes. Looks like his new job had already found him.
Slipper, Cake, Backpack
Post by: Pegu on March 28, 2016, 12:38:52 AM
Bravo.
Post by: Rainbowbulldog on March 29, 2016, 04:42:25 AM
Post by: Proto Triose on March 29, 2016, 04:49:36 AM
Post by: Rainbowbulldog on March 29, 2016, 04:53:21 AM
Post by: Proto Triose on March 30, 2016, 10:46:28 PM
Just a reminder for anyone that wants to join in, don't be shy! Create away! The next three were:
Slipper, Cake, Backpack
Post by: HellEye on April 01, 2016, 07:34:54 PM
After countless days of travel he was closing in on his goal.
The pilgrim decided to take a rest for the night just a couple of miles from the sanctuary. He walked for a long time already, he can wait one last night.
He dropped his backpack on the ground and went on to look for a dinner. Hearing the stream he followed the sound. Smile stepped on his face as he jumped into the water. Clean and refreshingly cold current gave him his strength back quickly. He drank like he never did since at least a month. Near the stream grew countless edible forest fruits. Pilgrim’s eyes shined like stars. This was heaven after the eternity of hellish travel.
Filling his mouth with berries he recalled his home. Loving mother baking him a cake out of forest fruits.
He jumped out of the water and shook the water out of his fur. Putting his clothes back on he panicked a little, thinking he lost his slippers somewhere. He slowly came to realize his paws hurt a lot. The custom made footwear broke in the middle of his journey, he walked barepaw since then. Feeling the stones on the road all the time was not a pleasant feeling, he came to realize it helped him reach some level of peace with nature. Dropping the clothes would help with that further, still it was too much for him yet.
He went back to the road, opened the backpack and pulled out two dirty blankets. He laid down on one, covered himself with the second one and fell asleep quickly, dreaming about tomorrow.
About reaching his goal after countless days of travel.
For some reason I didn't think of the traveler too much, i guess it's both good and bad. I kept repeating "he", I know it, no time to fix it though. On the other paw, I feel it makes the adventure more universal sorta say.
Fire, cloth, tower
Post by: Proto Triose on April 02, 2016, 06:38:11 AM
Just noticed this got moved to the next page, so just in case:
Fire, Cloth, Tower
Post by: Pegu on April 02, 2016, 10:25:32 AM
Post by: .. on April 03, 2016, 03:59:27 PM
As I walked down the white slippery path into the thick forest I asked myself "how long has it been?" the answer to that question was simple, 1 year and 5 months. That's 1 year and 5 months I've been stuck on this island with no one to talk to or to converse with, I'm all alone. As I walk down the snowy path I must of misplaced my foot because before I knew it I was tumbling down into the forest. I kept on tumbling and tumbling until it all came to an halt with a uncomfortable object under my back. Quickly getting up to brush the snow off of myself I realize that the object was actually a book. The book looked worn out, the cover was faded green and the spine of it was on its last leg, I picked it up as if I was picking up a glass object that could break anytime. For the first time I felt hope, hope that someone else was on this island but as I opened the book my hope quickly turned into despair. It was empty...the blasted book was empty, not a single word was written in it, I scream in anger as I throw the book into the depths of the forest. It was all so hopeless.
3 things: pillow, door, the Internet
Post by: Proto Triose on April 04, 2016, 04:42:09 AM
Paradox - Don't be shy of your writing skills! You can't fail miserably here, in any way. Everything posted is unqualified success. Your story is a great example. Even just a paragraph let my mind wander. I don't know if anyone else has played the game Myst from way back, but it's one of my favorite games. The description of the island, the book he found, all called back to those days of solving puzzles on an abandoned island with my best friend. The music turned up loud, lights off, so we felt isolated and alone. It makes me shiver still thinking about the unreal feeling it gave. And it was a very wonderful and welcome memory to have. Words are an extremely powerful thing in many ways. I'm glad you came and posted one, and I hope you keep doing so!
Now it's my long-winded turn.
Nothing ever happens that's exciting in my life. Everyone loves all of these "Day in the life of" books, but I just can't understand why. My life is mundane enough without having to read "Today, I took my dog to the park." I mean, woo-hoo, good for you random guy that published his journal. I picked up my dogs duke and cleaned my cat's litter box today. You don't see me trying to sell a thousand copies of me going to work. Here, let's see how you enjoy it.
I checked in to a hotel today. Exciting, I know. You can't imagine how rare it is to travel for business when you're a pilot. The front desk staff was nice, I suppose. This guy Justin made me laugh. He cracked a joke about The Champ. You know him, wrestling guy, in a lot of movies? Not Justin, I mean The Champ. Anyway, I got my keys to my room, was told about breakfast and a bunch of other amenities I'm not going to use. I'm here for about eight hours to sleep. Why would I use the pool that closes in fifteen minutes? The internet password was good to know. I absolutely would use that to play a movie or something.
As I got on the elevator that was conveniently placed in the middle of the establishment, I thought about taking a bath. That's how indelibly fascinating my days are. I spend time contemplating the nice hot bath water. I passed the door to my room while I was lost in thought, and had to back track. The first key didn't work. With a sigh, I tried the second one. The light turned green, and I pushed the handle down, but it didn't open. I tried again, but lifted the handle up. That did it. Funny how you don't have to call the desk immediately if you utilize common sense.
I turned on the bath water after getting situated. You guys wanted to be keyed in on that, right? Because it's all so horribly fascinating, following someone's basic activities from day to day with nothing unique happening. "Hey, this girl was a b**ch," is not something unique. That's life. And it's not creative in any way. The end of my day, I got into bed, propped up a pillow, and logged on to the internet. Here I am now.
See how frighteningly gripping that is? Why do these books sell? I just will never be able to figure it out. It's 11:00pm now. That's right, my story just kind of bled in to what I'm currently doing. Where is the border? There is none. Mind warp, I know. I'm just messing with people so hard right now. But I have to be up to fly a bunch of rich snobs to California, and be looked down on for literally keeping their day on schedule.
You know why? Because I didn't write a bloody book about bringing my dog to the race track. Goodnight, my furs.
Ice, happiness, fireplace
Post by: Proto Triose on April 04, 2016, 08:52:29 AM
Post by: Grovygrunge on April 04, 2016, 07:13:06 PM
Gotta admit I'm a little intimidated and uncertain I'll do well. Even though people say that I do write well. Eh, nerves.
I assume the writing piece doesn't have to center around the three things, they just have to appear. Correct?
Post by: HellEye on April 04, 2016, 07:15:29 PM
(shameless add)You'll do well if I did well for sure.
Post by: Proto Triose on April 05, 2016, 12:36:33 AM
Post by: Firox on April 07, 2016, 07:00:10 PM
Ice, happiness, fireplaceI'll give it a try. ^_^
I start waking up, I take a look outside the window - snowing, a blizzard may be on the way, I look at the empty fire place decided to get a fire going. I put on a comfy sweater and a coat on, thick pair a pants, staying as warm as possible. I grab my backpack that contains water wrapped in gloves to keep from freezing, nylon ropes, and three extra pair of gloves and beanies, and I also carried an axe. The roof of my home has icicles forming, I take them down with a shovel before they become more dangerous.
I make my way down the the snow covered woods in search of some dry woods to add to the fireplace. My cats still waiting inside, cuddling next to each other. I do managed to find some large pieces to use as firewood. I tied them up with a rope from my backpack and start dragging them home, at least with the snow makes them easier to drag at times.
Upon reaching home, I look at the window my two cats are now sitting there watching me. I brush off any snow on the wood, and start chopping them into medium sized pieces. I make my way to the fireplace, open it up and start adding the various pieces of logs.
I take my gloves off, put them back in the backpack. I struggle a bit to get the fire going, but eventually do. I move the couch closer to the fire place, I lay comfortably, my two join up with me and one lays on my lap, the other between us. All 3 of us take a long and happy nap.
arrow, river, rope
Post by: dvdog on April 08, 2016, 02:20:09 PM
Snap! The small fuzzy creature was dragged into the air in an instant by a cruel unforgiving snare trap that wraps tightly around its left hind leg. The creature gave a high pitched squeal in protest as it grabs the rope by its front paws and tries to get over the initial shock of getting captured. A huntress pulls an arrow from its holster and pulls it past the bow on to the bow string grasping the string and pulling hard, she closes one eye and aims for the white fluff ball of a creature. the captured animal spots the huntress and gives off another screech and attempts to chew its self out of the trap. The hunter spots a larger predator sneaking up on the creature she lets go of the bow it misses the smaller creature and does the same to the predator then the larger animals ears flinch as it runs away in the other direction. She stands up and pulls out her dagger and cuts the rope while untangling the small thing, it then looked at her in a way that was of disbelief and thanks then it scampers away. The huntress lets out a sigh and takes a path that she knows leads to the river that is frequently used by trades men in small boats she then follows the river. After walking about two hours she ends up near a small town and the first thing she sees is the creature rolling an apple towards her with its muzzle she picks up the apple and puts the creature on her shoulder. Her chest fills with pride and she takes a bite from the apple.
Is that okay? If it's bad I'm sorry.
Time, lost and welcome home
Post by: .. on April 08, 2016, 06:32:49 PM
Time is...not what you think it is. It's not a straight line, it's a just a jumbled mess of things that either did happen and things that never did. The troubling thing is as I'm writing this I'm lost. No not lost, trapped. I'm trapped between space and time and I can see everything, it's amazing yet terryfiying. I haven't eaten anything for God knows how long but yet I'm still alive...but that won't last long. My existence is slowly fading and I can feel death finally approching. I have seen everything and everyone I love die a thousand times while I am forced to sit here and watch. I can no longer see my arms as I fade away, but I'm still able to write...I do not know why. If anyone recipes this please know to cherish the time you have and appreciate the person who says welcome home to you everyday. Because it won't last.
Bricks, glass, trees
Post by: Proto Triose on April 08, 2016, 10:15:26 PM
Paradox, that made me very happy to see "Couldn't help myself." I hope more people start to feel that way! There's never anything to be afraid of writing here. Great work with the lost time traveler; I'm a huge fan of time paradox and things like that. Now if we could just make a hoverboard (the REAL hoverboard, not this nonsense wheeled thing pretending to be one).
I'll take a go at the next one when I get to work tonight. Doesn't matter if someone beats me to these three, I'll take the three for the next if I need to! Keep dreaming up worlds everyone!
Post by: dvdog on April 08, 2016, 10:50:18 PM
Post by: Grovygrunge on April 11, 2016, 03:41:42 PM
Bricks, glass, trees(Must... Resist... urge to... Dwarf...)
Ah, that fresh mountain air. It was glorious, almost always a cold tinge to it, gave it a little bite. What better air for a dwarf to breathe? Not like those elves, who live far below, hugging their damned trees.
I swear, I don't know why we tolerate them. Sure, they buy our metals, but they insist we 'refrain from harming the forests' in order to make the bed we sleep on. When we ask them how we are supposed to make beds without wood, they say that they can use some new age, elven hippy, magic to grow the wood out of the tree without killing it. We ask them to teach us that then. "No." They say. "You are too lowly and fierce to properly control such powers." So now we have to try and keep all woodcutting a secret, lest the tree-huggers get upset. "Eh, bugger 'em! What'll they do? Cry from up in their treetops, where they live like apes! Pathetic! Ridiculous! Bloody pes-"
In my anger, I shattered the rock mug of ale in my hands and a mournful sigh escaped me at the loss of my booze. I got up from the floor and dusted myself off, before heading back into the halls of Mountainhome to get some more of the sweet nectar. It would help my mood none, if I didn't go get a new full mug. The sound of my footsteps echoed as I made my way through the halls. That's what happens when everything is made huge and made of rock. Everything we dwarves make is strong. Our homes are made of the toughest bricks, good enough to toss at a goblin and knock the blighter's lights out, our chairs are made of rock, our doors are made of iron, our swords made of steel. Everything we make is strong! Perhaps the only thing that isn't, is our windows. You can only do so much with glass. We don't even use those all that much anyway. What use is a window when your house is built into a mountain?
I had reached the large iron door to the storage room. I pressed my calloused hands against it and pushed with all my strength, I was feeling more than a little thirsty after the walk, I could practically hear the keg calling out my name. The hinges cried out as the door swung open, and my it's cries were echoed by myself as a terrible sight revealed itself to me. It was horrible. Ghastly. Despicable. A pool of clashing colours was on the floor, with bits of soaked wood scattered amongst it. In red on the walls, there was but a single word. "Treekillers". What had they done? Why would they go this far? The heavy stench of alcohol had filled the room. They left nothing untouched. The rum, gone. The wine, destroyed. The ale, obliterated. I had to make sure this remained a secret, and was fixed ever so quietly. If anyone was to find out...
"MY GOD! THE BOOZE IS GONE!" The horrified howl came from right behind me, I don't know when he walked up, I hadn't heard his steps. Maybe I was in too much shock. Before I could even turn around, I felt something heavy smash over my head, and the world flashed before my eyes, my body fell to the floor, which greeted my with open arms.
I don't know how long it took for me to wake up. It could have been minutes, maybe hours, possibly days. All I know is what greeted me when my eyes opened and I picked myself up off the ground. There was nothing but bodies, countless bodies. They were strewn about all over the place. The floor ran with a deep red which was no longer just spilled wine. There was a cold, deathly chill to the air. I didn't know what to feel at that point. Sadness, I suppose. Confusion too. Not about what had happened, that was obvious. The same thing that always happens when a large amount of dwarves discover their precious ale had been taken from them. They rioted. I was confused as to why the elves would do something like this over trees... Do they really mean more than people to them, or are we just not people to them? It didn't really matter. It was done. I slowly trudged my way outside, hugging the walls as I walked. The world has a habit of refusing to stay still when you take a blow to the head.
Once I was outside, I was greeted by those who had also somehow survived. One of whom was our king. He stood out like a sore thumb. Dressed in the finest clothes, encrusted with precious gems and adorned with the finest jewelry, yet even he, in all his noble regality, looked like a mess. His face was bruised, his cheeks were cut, an arm was missing. Oddly, despite that, he still looked as proud as ever, like it didn't faze him at all. I approached him slowly and asked the one thing I could at such a time.
"How many did we lose?"
His reply had a strange coldness to it, not the dead, unfeeling kind. No, the kind which betrays a man trying to hide how he feels, because he needs to be strong for those around him[size=78%].[/size]
"Far too many... Yet we can recover from this. That's what we do."
I let out a long sigh, then breathed back in and steeled myself for the task ahead of us. Ah, that fresh mountain air.
(Sorry if this isn't particularly good. Those words made me want to write something DF inspired and I kept going with it until I found an ending I liked. Lemme know what ya think)
Dusk, Sun, and Shower
Post by: Proto Triose on April 18, 2016, 06:22:30 AM
Don't be ridiculous, that was remarkably good! I loved the idea of a dwarf and elf war, especially looking at the rocks and trees as resources. Genius. And you told it very well in such a short amount of time. I'm very glad the three words prompted you into creating a short story. This is why it's my favorite exercise; you never realize that just three words can spawn an entire story line and plot, complete with unique characters and economy.
Very well done! Never think your writing isn't good. It's that little bar that you have to jump over to get a result like this. I think that thought is what keeps anyfur from ever writing and posting it up for the world to see, and I'm happy to see it's helping everyfur with it! Thank you for sharing this with us. I had a fun time reading it, and hope to read more from you someday!