Okay, so not so new and improved. It's still the same old thread. If you're looking for genre-specific dares, feel free to check out your genre lounges, since most have a dares thread floating around somewhere. This thread USED to reside in Plot Doctoring, but since Dares are more of a word-count trick than a serious plot device, we felt it was more appropriate for Reaching 50k.
This thread is for when you want to boost your word count, spice things up, or just do something silly to change the pace. Dares are things you take on to make you think in ways you wouldn't normally. Dares are a great way to kick-start your creative juices, or just up the fun level.
There's a traditional format for dares, although you aren't required to use it.
(With thanks to sas_essay, who unwittingly volunteered this dare)
Make your characters play 'The Game.' BP if someone says, "I lost the game" at the climax. DBP if the game is a plot point. TBP if the game isn't ever explained.
No one really keeps track of points. ;) You'll know, though.
LocationTraveling the World from Oct 2011 to Jan 2013!
JoinedOctober 18, 2008
Posts162
I've started compiling the dares found in the thread here: http://writingdares.blogspot.com/
Just started it today, but I'm estimating I'll be adding quite a lot more until October 16th, when I leave. And after that it should be updated at least twice a month (taking an extended trip).
Haha! I think I've already employed a variation of "Do you believe this plot?" I started arguing with my narrator like a week ago and we keep discussing various elements of the story and whether or not they're ridiculous and I keep complaining about his vagueries on certain plot points and ask if he really knows what he's talking about.
1- have your mc be the detective BP if he already knows the awnser before everyone else DBP if he hates mimes and the vics are dressed as such TBP if hes the killer
-Have a character always wearing a letter/number BP if they don't know why DBP if someone asks and they never get an answer TBP if it's the MC Jammy Dodgers if it's a Doctor Who reference
LocationSomewhere over the rainbow, freaking about how far behind I am
JoinedMarch 8, 2011
Posts84
WAIT NO I LIED. My two FMCs have magic pocket watches, so why don't I write the numbers "10" and "11" (both most recent Doctors and the new series Doctors I like... I don't know, Nine just didn't 'feel' right, you know? Not eccentric enough.) on them. Neither of them know why, so when MMC asks, I'll have space pirate robots (read: outcast cybermen) invade the ship. I AM GOING FOR THE JAMMY DODGERS MAN!!!!
on another note: if i have numbers on two MCs, then do I get double TBP?
i'm going to use your pic as a line in my story. dare: have a character say "keep calm and dont blink" BP: if its at the climax DBP: if the antagonist says it to the protagonist TBP: if nothing is happening at all XD
I'm only going for single points with this one but my protagonist is totally racing her child along the street on top of an armchair right now... "Keep calm and don't blink" will do nicely. Thanks!
Taking: -Have a character always wearing a letter/number BP if they don't know why DBP if someone asks and they never get an answer TBP if it's the MC Jammy Dodgers if it's a Doctor Who reference
My MC totally has dogtags that just say "11" on them now.
Leaving: Write a scene entirely devoted to the MC alone in a room looking at a watch BP if it's a pocket watch DPB if the watch is a time-travel device TBP if they start singing "I'm late" from Alice in Wonderland QDP and a TARDIS if the the whole thing becomes a Doctor Who reference
I am taking that pocket watch thing and going for the Doctor Who reference. Somehow I will make this work.
Leaving: Give a character a music box or turntable that can be used to travel through time. BP if you do both and give them to different characters. DBP if you do the BP and have them tag-team with music-related jokes. All of the points if you turn it into a Homestuck reference.
Write a scene entirely devoted to the MC alone in a room looking at a watch-I sort of took this dare. There is part of a scene ,that has Maurice looking at her watch. And she feels as though she should start singing, "I'm Late".
Ok I am doing the numbers thing! I like when there are weird, real life moments in novels. My character's shirt has an 8 on it. Totally random number...
Will take it. Not a Dr. Who fan myself but I have a bunch of friennds who are so they'll probably help me out. And going for DBP and or TBP since the character's a rugby player/fan.
Going for the double points. Unfortunately my MC has no numbers on him at the present time, but a new character will be introduced in the next few paragraphs and I can easily give him a weird, mysterious tattoo...
OMG! YOU KNOW ABOUT THE GAME! (i lost the game) i've been yelling I LOST THE GAME at random times and people just look at me like i'm insane! I didn't think anyone here would know about it! so doing this dare :D
I am afraid to say that not everybody know about the game. I learned about it a year and a half ago, I think. And whenever I say it I get weird looks. Maybe that also has to do with the fact that I do not live in an English speaking country
The game is really easy to lose, and you can never really win. Every time you think about the game, you lose, and you have to say that you lost. Like right now. I just lost the game.
Dare: Use the Urban Dictionary word of the day for every day you write. BP if it only makes sense to one character. DBP if that character can only speak in Urban Dictionary and/or very long words. TBP if everyone somehow understands the character.
Dare: If your mc doesn't know anything about mammals BP: If he starts to research the different kinds of mammals DBP: If he he thinks mammals are strange TBP: If he never realizes he's a mammal QBP: If he can convince another character their a mammal, but their really a reptile.
I just managed to incorporate The Game (damn you, I lost!) and Yellow Car into a brief dialogue scene. :D So I shall make that a challenge for my fellow NaNo'ers as well.
Make your characters play "Yellow Car" BP if it's never explained TBP if it's in a world where there ARE no cars to speak of QBP if one of the characters is colourblind
BP if it has nothing to do with the situation DBP if you make into something important in the plot TBP if you find a way to kill someone with the salt (Preferably as little of it as possible)
I kind of did this dare with my friends in school essay once. Quite funny, when our teacher handed them out again after correcting them and 4 or 5 essays had salt in them and a man called Laurits who died (Another part of that dare) So I edited to match NaNo a little better.
I did this without even knowing it; my villain sliced open someone's hand and poured salt on it, all while having a completely unrelated conversation about how to take care of their enemies.
*rolls up sleeves* Okay! I have some pretty epic ones saved from past years, they aren't all mine.
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer BP if the serial killer drives a red car DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Have a character who always carries a towel with him/her. BP if it's an MC DBP if the character is hitchhiking at some point in the novel TBP if it's vital to the plot QBP if the towel's blue Two Plates of Cookies and three Cakes: The character has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
And now for just some general dares - although, feel free to take them further! ;)
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls. -Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk. -Have a character whose weapon of choice is a crowbar. -Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny. -Have a scene where two characters throw out innuendo using hockey terminology. -Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens. -Have a character who continuously tries to do things like drink a gallon of milk in an hour or lick his elbow. -Have a character who swears only in Russian. -Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes. -Have a random karaoke contest. -Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg (guaranteed word padding).
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
This... is amazing. I really want to use this, but it would so not work for my story. Le sigh. =(
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
This, on the other hand, I think I'll be able to work in. Taking. xD
Okay. Why do I not find it weird that the store idea fits perfectly to my story? I should find it weird. Well, I get double bonus points, maybe triple, depending. This should be fun. . .
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer BP if the serial killer drives a red car DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering.
Stealing these two for my shapeshifting assassin. =)
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls -Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny. -Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens. -Have a random karaoke contest.
Possibly taking (we'll see how it goes)!
Leaving:
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list. BP: If they do it out of order. DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent. TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her. BP: If he/she storms in to complain. DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her. TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance. QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse. BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens. DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else. TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that. QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse. BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens. DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else. TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that. QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Taking this.
Leaving:
-Have a character who insists on sprinkling French words into all of his/her sentences despite the fact that he/she has never taken French and uses all of those words incorrectly.
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list. BP: If they do it out of order. DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent. TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
LocationToad Suck Arkansas. Yes there is such a place
JoinedNovember 2, 2006
Posts196
I'll take Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse. BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens. DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else. TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that. QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
My story has the monsters of human imagination coming to life based upon a spell cast by an Elven Mage. So over hearing a plot for a Zombie apocalypse, preparing for it and having another group of monsters attack instead would work perfectly.
Don't have one to leave right now but I usually think of something before Nano is over.
Wow, taking; -Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse. -BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens. -DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else. TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that. QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
I am so using: Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her. BP: If he/she storms in to complain. DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her. TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance. QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse. BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens. DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else. TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that. QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Ugh that is fantastic! I'm not sure I can use it but I love it...
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrace has been provided to him/her. BP: If he/she storms in to complain. DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her. TDP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrace. QBP: If either of them has entrace music cued up.
Sooooo, taking this one. I typically can't take dares this late in the game as I am an obsesive about finishing my outline, but this is perfect for my villian, and my MC, and will fit in perfectly with a sence I already have!
Leaving:
Have a chracter who is always playing with a rubix cube. BP: If the chracter is playing with it every time he is mentioned. DBP: If the character is the MC. TBP: If it is vital to the plot somehow. QBP: If the character solves the cube at the end of the novel by taking it apart and putting it back together agian.
Have a psychiatrist who has a phobia of talking to strangers. BP: If he became a psychiatrist trying to get over his fear. DBP: If he throws a mug at one of his patients. TBP: If he cures someone of their own phobia by throwing the mug at them.
Have a chracter who is always playing with a rubix cube. BP: If the chracter is playing with it every time he is mentioned. DBP: If the character is the MC. TBP: If it is vital to the plot somehow. QBP: If the character solves the cube at the end of the novel by taking it apart and putting it back together agian.
This is so perfect, you don't even know how much. - Stealing.
BeccaJ wrote: Have a chracter who is always playing with a rubix cube. BP: If the chracter is playing with it every time he is mentioned. DBP: If the character is the MC. TBP: If it is vital to the plot somehow. QBP: If the character solves the cube at the end of the novel by taking it apart and putting it back together agian.
I know it's a little late to be taking dares, but I'm doing this one. I'm mostly flying by the seat of my pants on this story anyway, so it's perfect.
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her. BP: If he/she storms in to complain. DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her. TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance. QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
I'll try to fit this in!
Leaving: Have a character that write a novel for NaNoWriMo BP:If the character writes it at the worst times DBP:If the character is the villain TBP:If it fits into the villains plan
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list. BP: If they do it out of order. DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent. TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
...Taking this now. :D
i shall leave this-
Have a character with glasses BP: if it's a way to see into the future DBP: if it's a way to control their powers TBP: if there just for the character to see
Taking these: Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk. I'm changing the zombie to be the same person as the ghost, though, for extra laughs.
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
"-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls."
Oh I just HAVE to use that!
Dares of my own:
-Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth) BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about. TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
-Shout out to Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog BP: If the character is named Penny DBP: if the shout out involves singing one of the songs TBP: if the character is in a trope subversion and is genre savvy.
-Shout out to Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog BP: If the character is named Penny DBP: if the shout out involves singing one of the songs TBP: if the character is in a trope subversion and is genre savvy.
I am totally going to get these in there. DHSALB ftw!
omg! acceptence of Jareth the goblin king! absolutly! leaving:
-have your mc be psycic BP if he doesnt know hes psycic DBP if he never figures it out TBP if everyone around him knows hes psycic QBP if he has a vision about cookies Actual cookies- if the cookies have m&ms
This... Might actually work for my story! My MC was supposed to be the only nonmagical major character, but it works just as well if he's psychic and never figures it out. He'll just blame it on the fact that he's unusually perceptive from observing everything all the time (he's an artist). Taking it!
Totally using the Labyrinth one. I love that movie, and so does the friend who is going to help me edit the book (after November, of course).
Leaving:
-Have a character obsessed with blowing bubbles with bubble gum. BP: If your MC is constantly annoyed with this habit. DBP: If the character saves the day with a bubble. TBP: If the character never blows the bubbles in his/her mouth.
Stealing the bubble gun for DBP. and the labrynth one as well.
Leaving:
-Have a character be an obsessive twitter follower of somebody. DBP: If its somebody famous for being famous (ala Paris Hilton, Kardashians) TBP: If they tell everyone their twitter updates QBP: If it turns out all they do is send nasty messages in reply to said person's twitter updates
Taking this, going for triple! -Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth) BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about. TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
H. wrote: shout out to Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog BP: If the character is named Penny DBP: if the shout out involves singing one of the songs TBP: if the character is in a trope subversion and is genre savvy.
Ohh Penny works great for one of my characters and that has actually given me the inspiration to a dilemma involving the naming of an entire subset of my characters. Genius
I might be able to shoehorn a few song titles in there as well!
-Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth) BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about. TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
I could totally see my antagonist/love interest/best friend's sister doing this. Taking!
Hey, my grandma's friend had a ghost like that! xD He liked to move their hats around the house, and didn't bother hiding the fact that it was him O.o As in while they would randomly see a hat floating away from their hat rack xD
LocationYou expect me to tell you? Wouldn't you like to know.
JoinedSeptember 28, 2010
Posts5
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls. -Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk. Taking! Thank You! -Have a character who swears only in Russian.
"Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict"
To the Well of Lost Plots! (Do you read Jasper Fforde by any chance?)
I might have to use something similar to the bone one anyway. It won't be exact, and it may not be during WriMo, but getting a knife (or sword...or axe) stuck in bone is something my characters would certainly do. (Yay for ongoing series.)
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer BP if the serial killer drives a red car DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
Both of these are gonna work for me, since one of the MCs -is- a serial killer. Not sure I can use the car, though... but I'll give it a try.
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
I'm totally going to use this one. I can just see my female lead saying this to one of her victims... er, friends.
I could actually use a bunch of these. The bone one is awesome, it literally just fixed part of my plot. I can also have my characters discuss suicide AND write a scene dedicated to cooking an egg. Taking those, thanks!
YES! This is perfect for the sick Eurotrash in my novel!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
AvatarSatsuki wrote: YES! This is perfect for the sick Eurotrash in my novel!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Just have to say, the zombie who died of alcohol poisoning dare is epic. I can't fit it into my story this year but I'll definitely keep it in mind xD Thanks for the laugh!
Also taking Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
It's too perfect and... I live with a ghost like this and have actually said words to that effect when strange things happen...
Quote:Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Since the world my novel's set in is roughly late-medieval / early-renaissance and they're fighting a war, I think I'll be taking this one on board!
OMF coming from Seattle, the city where without coffee people drop like flies, I am soooo finding a way to use that. That is an awesome one!!! Love it!!!!
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
This just triggered an idea. THANK YOU!!! I don't know if it will be an actual store, but this just saved my November.
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Using this one! This is genius and is perfect for mine :D
Fell in love with the one about the ghost, the one with the soul-stealing coffee, the crowbar-wielding dude, and the guy with a drink in all his scenes. And the one with the cooking of an egg. (It fails horribly.) Thanks~
DUDE! I love the blue towel dare. I think I have one of my main characters who could benefit from this. Plus, I read Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy so it's a reminisce moment. :D
LocationStarbug 1, which is TOTALLY different than Starbug 2.
JoinedSeptember 28, 2011
Posts190
Taking: -Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens.
Gave me an idea for my detectives partner. *Laughs* Thx!
Leaving: -Have one of your characters own a red panda BP if they have no idea its a panda DBP if they never figure it out TBP if they are the MC QBP if the panda saves his life because he doesn't know
Using: "Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" • BP if it's human bone • DBP if the human can hear this line spoken • TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
"-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk."
I made and played a vampire in a dark ages Masquerade that required alcohol to be in the blood of his victims. I wanted it as an interesting quirk to play around, but didn't put much thought into it. I found out later that it meant he'd be drunk after feeding.
Man, that changed the game into one hilarious moment after another. The fact that I constantly rolled 1 on anything important (even on re-rolls) like trying to ride a horse and later sword fighting a tree, just made it even funnier. At one point I fumbled tossing away a demonic knife over a fence and it went directly into my foot, nearly killing me. Man, good times.
Hmm... how to work in a coffee-steals-souls superstition whilst having a coffee-powered supercomputer disguised as a human being in my story... Dare taken!
brionyjae wrote: Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
---- Have a character who always carries a towel with him/her. BP if it's an MC DBP if the character is hitchhiking at some point in the novel TBP if it's vital to the plot QBP if the towel's blue Two Plates of Cookies and three Cakes: The character has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Love the store idea. Sadly I can't really make it work for my story. It could have potentially story changing implications for other novels, though.
"I am going to shoot you now, Mr. Bond." "Ha ha! But what you don't know is that I recently purchased a dramatic monologue for a villain to say! If you want to finish me off before the police arrive, I suggest you get talking!"
"-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny. -Have a scene where two characters throw out innuendo using hockey terminology. -Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens."
Probably gonna use these. Gonna tweak the hockey one. Thanks a bunch!
dude, both TBP's already apply to my other project in these!! do I get sextuple points?
include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Both of these fit into my novel so well, I will have to use them!
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
..... Two of my main characters are ghosts.... this ought to work well :D
Having a mad scientist and a parallel universe makes my story wide open to dares this year...
I'm taking the store. And the ghost. And the alcoholic zombie. And the coffee stealing souls. And the funny discussion of suicide. And possibly the egg-cooking scene. :3
(It's a good thing I bought a NaNo notebook just to write down all the various dares and prompts I'm doing this year. It's going to be full soon if I'm not careful. :D)
"Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict"
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
haha. I could so do at least 2 of those dares (the ghost one and the jammed in bone one). I could also do (and love the idea of) some of the random ones! This actually gave a bunch of ideas! thankies
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
Haha, I was actually already planning on doing this! So I guess I'm technically accepting the dare? My MC is a shapeshifter who was raised among humans, but his natural state is a liquid form. So he doesn't actually KNOW how to kill himself. Every method we know... just doesn't work. At all. :P Meh, sounds funnier in my head and when it's not 6AM in the morning after I stayed up all night long. I'll get it though. ;)
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer BP if the serial killer drives a red car DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk.
brionyjae wrote: Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
brionyjae wrote: *rolls up sleeves* Okay! I have some pretty epic ones saved from past years, they aren't all mine.
Taking: Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Have a character who always carries a towel with him/her. BP if it's an MC DBP if the character is hitchhiking at some point in the novel TBP if it's vital to the plot QBP if the towel's blue Two Plates of Cookies and three Cakes: The character has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
-Have a character whose weapon of choice is a crowbar. -Have a character who continuously tries to do things like drink a gallon of milk in an hour or lick his elbow. -Have a character who swears only in Russian. -Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg (guaranteed word padding).
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Dude, this will SO work in my story! SCORE! lol love it! I'm writing about a girl who's freakishly afraid of teh supernatural and magic stuff, but falls in love with a wizard with (lots of) enemies XD
For the bone one, do I get bonus points if I replace knife with "needle" (I have a character who stabs people with needles) and any extra bonus points if he later gets the needle stuck in a knife?
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
I am SO using this. Changing it a smidge, though. :)
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
and
Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg.
brionyjae wrote:Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
This will work great. I can totally see my FMC saying this to her ultra-squeamish assistant about one of her own injuries.
I love them all! I take -Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls. -Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
and maybe
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
So doing this: Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Going for BP. Wouldn't work out if I went for DBP or TBP. But do I get extra for having the stabber say it to the stabbee's son?
Excerpt from my book in which I used that line! (Although I changed it from 'jammed' to 'thrust'.. I don't think the word 'jammed' existed in medieval times.) "I drew my knife from my boot and stabbed his leg with it. I can’t- Keane, he’s your father. I don’t know what I was thinking. Do you know what the worst thing is? I thrust it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone? I felt some release, some of the anger drain out of me, but there was so much, and it’s still there now, simmering… " Like it? Let me know :D
Taking: -Have a character who swears only in Russian. (so perfect I wish I had thought of it first) -Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes (HA perfect character trait for one that hasn't been introduced yet) Also taking: Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
-Have a character whose weapon of choice is a crowbar. -Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny. -Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens.
Is that a Dr. Gordon Freeman reference (crowbar is weapon of choice)?
Anyway, I accept these dares. *insert Challenge Accepted
"Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim"
Does it count if the victim *thought* the line after she was stabbed, replacing "I" and "you" with he? Because that's what I did. *evil grin*
brionyjae wrote: Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house. BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music DBP if he takes occasional showers TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Have a character who always carries a towel with him/her. BP if it's an MC DBP if the character is hitchhiking at some point in the novel TBP if it's vital to the plot QBP if the towel's blue Two Plates of Cookies and three Cakes: The character has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
And now for just some general dares - although, feel free to take them further! ;)
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk. -Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny. -Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes. -Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg (guaranteed word padding).
...enjoy, Wrimos! :D
I shall do all of these. There is a good plot point waiting to be made out of that ghost (especially considering the main character is a psychopomp), I have a character wacky enough to carry around a towel at all times, I'll bet you 10 cookies I can make the scene with the egg meaningful and sad, and the suicide discussion had to come around eventually. The zombie might not be exactly a zombie, but it's a not-quite-dead-person who died of alcohol poisoning. Close enough. And he will be holding a drink in all of his scenes.
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.) BP if none of your characters find this strange DBP if one of your characters buys something TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
-Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg (guaranteed word padding).
have someone destroy a violin -if it belongs to one of the MC --if everyone hates the violin ---including your other MC and the villain ----if your MC and villain join forces to destroy the violin and end up becoming besties
I wrote a scene about the cooking of an egg (well, eggs) earlier without even seeing this post... it sounds dull but they were space-eggs... kind of...
First: you made me watch a video of Nyan cat. I will never be the same.
Second: taking this, but probably not for 10 hours. I can totally imagine my heavy metal band, while people are mysteriously murdered around them, stop for a little staring at this thing, waiting for the cat to get to the end... Don't think they will be sober.
What if the character likes watching Nyancat does it still count? I needed some more horrible personality quirks for my characters roommate, watching nyancat for 10 hours would certainly be annoying.
-Have a character who wears old school coke bottle glasses for the entire story. DBP: If they in fact have 20/20 vision.
Lucky Whistle, I do believe your icon just became a dare I intend to use. I will use both those lines, though I have no idea what/if you're quoting something. I will be referring to minor (fictional) celebrities emotional/mental states when using "star." Thank you!
This is the first one I've seen that could actually really work with my story. I've been looking for a comic relief character. I think the mustache could be it! Thanks!
(Glad I found this thread because I just thought of the perfect one!)
Include a text in your story from TFLN.com
BP if you include numerous texts. DBP if you make up your own funny text messages that your characters keep sending/receiving. TBP if the text messages are never explained and the scenes have nothing to do with the story
Have a character have THAT dream where they're back in school again, but are suddenly naked.
BP - have your antagonist show up in the dream and they're naked too! DBP- Your character has a dream where they are back in school, but EVERYBODY ELSE is naked. TBP- if it turns out to not be a dream.
Found a few in a text file from the other year. None of these are mine. XD
~SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS! Literally. Have them suddenly show up in a scene, do some modifying, and then carry on. ~~BP if you do it more than once. ~~DBP if at some point, the /only/ reason something is done is because the Plot Ninjas force the characters into doing it. It can be something small, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator (with the Plot Ninjas menacing anyone who tries to approach the elevator), but it has to be something. ~~Extra DBP if what the characters end up doing ends up being very important to the success (or failure ^.~) of their Quest. ~The Next Step: Someone, preferably an Omniscient Narrator type (even if you are narrating first person), must holler the line, "SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS!" ~~BP if you are sending them in more than once, and use the line every time. ~~QBP if at some point the Plot Ninjas are called...but don't come. ~~Extra QBP if the Omniscient Narrator complains. ~~Even more if the narrator threatens to quit because of it.
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever. ~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]." ~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Your protagonist is a lazy butt that can't be bothered figuring out what to do next himself, so he consults the internet. BP if he asks yahoo answers and gets an unintelligible response. DBP if he asks our Plot Doctoring forum. TBP if a huge argument ensues about his options, predicament, and characterization. QBP if he begins to get extremely weirded out, or decides to enact a proposed plan (or several) Eternal glory if he says something about this being "way too meta."
Include the following conversation: Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry. -BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins -DBP if character A is your MC -TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable -QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
Name your main character after a beverage. (Earl Grey, Bud Weiser, etc.) DBP if your main characters are ALL named after beverages. (Apple Juice, Rooibos, etc.) TBP if all but one of your characters are named after beverages, and no one ever mentions this or treats him/her as unusual in any way. (I.e., one character is named Jonathan Cook or something, but no one ever comments on it.)
Have one of your characters believe that his life is a musical. BP: If he or she breaks into song every chapter. DBP: If he or she breaks into song every time they speak. TBP: If they sing only songs that are already in musicals, regardless of whether or not the meaning fits the situation. Cookie: If at least one of the songs is from High School Musical and other characters proceed to plot murder. My eternal love and chocolate: If at least one of the songs if from A Very Potter Musical
Insert a character who insists on having a life soundtrack, and always has a musician following him/her around. + S/he is always correcting the musician. "NO! This is a bad guy I'm talking to! Minor key!" ++ The musician never speaks. +++ The person is always acquiring new musicians, and has an entire orchestra following him/her around by the end of the book
Have one of your battles be an RPG battle, and record commands, damage taken, limit breaks, etc. - BP if all your battles are like this - DBP if at least one of your battles is a random encounter, with the monsters spawning literally out of nowhere - TBP if you use Phoenix Down to raise KO'd characters - QBP if, when a character actually dies, a distraught party member tries to use Phoenix Down to raise them, and it doesn't work - All the above and a cookie if it *does* work XD
Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears +s/he asks the MCs what they think of it ++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it +++if this takes 500 words or more ++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt +++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
Snagging: Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears +s/he asks the MCs what they think of it ++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it +++if this takes 500 words or more ++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt +++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
Works because my main characters are the villain's henchmen, so this works wonders! Thanks ^_^
Taking: Include the following conversation: Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry.
My MC is a sleepwalker who dreams a lot. This can go anywhere. Thanks!
Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears +s/he asks the MCs what they think of it ++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it +++if this takes 500 words or more ++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt +++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
I have to take this one, all the way to the cookies. I could so totally see Sven stopping mid-act to get a critique on his laugh, and given he is, in fact, new at the villain thing, he already has trouble with his minions. It's perfect~
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever. ~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]." ~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Include the following conversation: Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry. -BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins -DBP if character A is your MC -TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable -QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry. -BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins -DBP if character A is your MC -TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable -QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
"Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears +s/he asks the MCs what they think of it ++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it +++if this takes 500 words or more ++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt +++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots"
This just spawned a quite hilarious plot bunny that just might be big enough to work up into a whole 'nother year's NaNo.
Stealing the Plot Ninjas and potentially the villian's evil laugh. The plot ninjas fit FAR too perfectly into the little world I'm creating. The villian would just be fun :)
Include the following conversation: Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry. -BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins -DBP if character A is your MC -TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable -QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
~SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS! Literally. Have them suddenly show up in a scene, do some modifying, and then carry on. ~~BP if you do it more than once. ~~DBP if at some point, the /only/ reason something is done is because the Plot Ninjas force the characters into doing it. It can be something small, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator (with the Plot Ninjas menacing anyone who tries to approach the elevator), but it has to be something. ~~Extra DBP if what the characters end up doing ends up being very important to the success (or failure ^.~) of their Quest. ~The Next Step: Someone, preferably an Omniscient Narrator type (even if you are narrating first person), must holler the line, "SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS!" ~~BP if you are sending them in more than once, and use the line every time. ~~QBP if at some point the Plot Ninjas are called...but don't come. ~~Extra QBP if the Omniscient Narrator complains. ~~Even more if the narrator threatens to quit because of it.
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever. ~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]." ~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Name your main character after a beverage. (Earl Grey, Bud Weiser, etc.)
Have one of your characters believe that his life is a musical. BP: If he or she breaks into song every chapter.
Tweaking a couple, but totally working them in.
Leaving:
Have a character constantly tweeting what is happening BP: If when asked they dictate the exact number of twitter followers they have (cookies if it changes throughout the story) DBP: If they read out loud what they are tweeting TBP: If they are tweeting at the wrong moments QBP: If they are tweeting their own death
Include the following conversation: Character A: Why would you think I don't like you? Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice. Character A: I said I was sorry. -BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins -DBP if character A is your MC -TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable -QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
This is too awesome and I think I can fit it up to at least the BP, but it would be my MC running from the ninjas, not siccing them on someone else, haha. I don't think I can go further than that, but we'll see.
And this:Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears +s/he asks the MCs what they think of it ++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it +++if this takes 500 words or more ++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt +++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
is awesome! I'm not sure if I can incorporate it or not, but I can see my MC critiquing the bad guy's bad guy skills, and he might even get long-winded about it. We shall see. ;)
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever. ~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]." ~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
CJ91 wrote: ~SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS! Literally. Have them suddenly show up in a scene, do some modifying, and then carry on. ~~BP if you do it more than once. ~~DBP if at some point, the /only/ reason something is done is because the Plot Ninjas force the characters into doing it. It can be something small, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator (with the Plot Ninjas menacing anyone who tries to approach the elevator), but it has to be something. ~~Extra DBP if what the characters end up doing ends up being very important to the success (or failure ^.~) of their Quest. ~The Next Step: Someone, preferably an Omniscient Narrator type (even if you are narrating first person), must holler the line, "SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS!" ~~BP if you are sending them in more than once, and use the line every time. ~~QBP if at some point the Plot Ninjas are called...but don't come. ~~Extra QBP if the Omniscient Narrator complains. ~~Even more if the narrator threatens to quit because of it.
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever. ~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]." ~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Have one of your characters believe that his life is a musical. BP: If he or she breaks into song every chapter. DBP: If he or she breaks into song every time they speak. TBP: If they sing only songs that are already in musicals, regardless of whether or not the meaning fits the situation. Cookie: If at least one of the songs is from High School Musical and other characters proceed to plot murder. My eternal love and chocolate: If at least one of the songs if from A Very Potter Musical
Insert a character who insists on having a life soundtrack, and always has a musician following him/her around. + S/he is always correcting the musician. "NO! This is a bad guy I'm talking to! Minor key!" ++ The musician never speaks. +++ The person is always acquiring new musicians, and has an entire orchestra following him/her around by the end of the book
I love all of these sooooo much. I don't know if I'll actually be able to use them, but I hope so :D
Dedicate an entire scene to your MC dropping stuff off at the dump. + BP: Before your MC even has a chance to park the car, s/he is mobbed by dumpster divers eager to claim his/her junk. ++ DBP: If your MC is driving a truck, have several people leap into the bed and/or ride on the fender, clinging to the items they've claimed. +++ QBP: A fight breaks out when two or more characters claim the same item. ++++ Cookies: The item is not only cheap and easily found at any department store, but broken.
Your MC steals their clothes from a dumpster at the local landfill. + BP: There is a sign plastered to the dumpster in question that expressly forbids this. ++ DBP: The MC does this regularly. +++ QBP: S/He is the best-dressed person in their family and/or circle of acquaintances
Wow, so taking the Dump scene! This works very well since my novel is a steampunk story. Have you ever seen steampunk enthusiasts talk about they junk they find? I am going to beg for cake and ice cream for this dare by making the cheap item extremely important to the plot... :P
Yay! Dares thread. I've already taken half a dozen. It's such a relief to be doing a comedy novel this year, most of the dares won't even be out of place ^_^.
Leaving:
Have a character who makes T-shirts for the other characters with puntastic designs based on their roles in the story. BP if these t-shirts predict roles characters are going to play in the story. DBP if at one point a scene seems to be going wrong and the character who makes the t-shirts hurries on, gets two characters to switch t-shirts and suddenly everything makes sense (and there is a collective 'oh' from the ensemble).
Have a character who can only think upside down.
Have a character who makes everything a competition.
In one scene have a gun belonging to someone called Chekov. It has nothing to do with the plot, it has nothing to do with the scene, it's just mentioned. Then, in the final scene of the novel, have the gun suddenly return as a huge plot point. BP if it's not used to shoot someone, but in some other, random way. DBP if you can do this in some way that the reader doesn't notice the significance until after they've finished reading the novel (a Fridge Chekov's Gun, if you will)
You know what, I actually think I can make "a character who can only think upside down" "a character who makes everything a competition" and the mysterious gun belonging to Chekov, all work out! This is going to be awesome... you are so on!
If I change "Have a character who can only think upside down" to "Have a character who can only read upside down" I don't know if it qualifies as taking, but I thought I'd mention it anyway XD thanks!
"Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?" BP if it's human bone DBP if the human can hear this line spoken TBP if the line is said TO the victim"
QBP if the victim agrees that it's really hard to do. :)
Thinking about it, could probably pull off a couple (karaoke contest, evil laughs, stealing clothes, and the chekov's gun) Actually, if I do it right, I might be able to make a Fridge Chekov's Gun out of the actual Chekov's gun... (So happy for time travel plots)
Adding a bonus point to another:
Write a scene dedicated to the cooking of an egg. BP: That doesn't involve a stove DBP: Or any other surface (like a sidewalk)
A passing remark gave me this dare, though:
Have a character be mailed a list of things to do today to live happily BP: This happens each day (or the night before the day it's talking about) DBP: It's through snail mail TBP: The character does their list and is happy QBP: One day, there's only one thing on the list: "Die" QBP: It actually works (i.e. they die, then proceed to live happily)
Some of my favourite ones from last year (and nope, none of them is mine) ...
Have your MC call a relative to borrow something BP If it's someone they haven't spoken to in years TBP If they aren't borrowing money QBP If it's a shovel QBP and a cookie if they actuall call it the Traveling Shovel of Death QBP, and chocolate, chocloate chip cookie dough ice cream if the relative is Mr. Ian Woon
Have a boring character make up a bad joke. BP: have that character crack him/herself up whenever he hears it DBP: have the character tell it multiple times, to whoever will listen. TBP: have the character tell it in the middle of the climatic scene 4BP: have the character get it wrong and start cursing in the climatic scene
Have your characters throw a massive party in the middle of a tense scene. BP: if everyone is invited, including the villains and superminor characters (e.g., nameless grocer from ch. 3) DBP: if the nameless grocer from ch. 3 doesn't show up, and everyone is upset. TBP: if someone spikes the punch, and everyone ends up drunk. QBP: if, while drunk, the villain reveals his evil plot in great detail, but no one recalls it in the morning. QuintupleBP: if, while drunk, one character confesses love to another, and the confessee remembers it in the morning, but the confesser has no recollection.
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Have your characters throw a massive party in the middle of a tense scene. BP: if everyone is invited, including the villains and superminor characters (e.g., nameless grocer from ch. 3) DBP: if the nameless grocer from ch. 3 doesn't show up, and everyone is upset. TBP: if someone spikes the punch, and everyone ends up drunk. QBP: if, while drunk, the villain reveals his evil plot in great detail, but no one recalls it in the morning. QuintupleBP: if, while drunk, one character confesses love to another, and the confessee remembers it in the morning, but the confesser has no recollection.
Can we add in a lifetime's supply of cookies if it's the villain and the MC confessing love to one another?
Have a boring character make up a bad joke. BP: have that character crack him/herself up whenever he hears it DBP: have the character tell it multiple times, to whoever will listen. TBP: have the character tell it in the middle of the climatic scene 4BP: have the character get it wrong and start cursing in the climatic scene
Taking, thanks! Though, of course, now I have to make up a bad joke, which I haven't the faintest idea of how to do because I've never actually made up my own joke, but I will manage!
So, this guy, he walks into a bar right? Uh,.. He says OW! HAHAHA! Get it? Ow, like, ouch. See, the bar, was not an establishment where alcohol is served but literally a pole that is horizontally placed. Hehe, bar.
I was wondering how in the world I was going to fit the TSoD in this year's Nanovel. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can use all but the BP, since it'll be Vanessa, Ian's daughter, doing the asking. Woot! So by my count, that's 12 points, a cookie, and ice cream for me. :o))
deasoline wrote: Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
I'm so doing this. Granted, I must edit it out later since I have this horrid fear of breaking the fourth wall, but that's awesome! ::teehee: ::yes:
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
deasoline wrote: Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre” BP: If everyone nods understandingly DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
I'm doing it. The bad guy's going to kill a dragon with a laser gun, and everyone else is going to freak out. Even the bad guys.
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Is it bad that my plot ALREADY revolved around an evil coffeehouse that uses people's souls as an ingredient in their hot drinks before even reading this?
Have one of your characters accidentally give a parrot an unfortunate name. BP if the parrot repeats it at the worst possible time. DBP if the MC taught this to the parrot. TBP if the name is Dick.
-Have one of your characters create a new religion. BP: If the religion revolves around worshiping an inanimate object (e.g., a sock, a whisk). DBP: If this religion gains a lot of followers. TBP: If one of those followers is your MC. QBP and a cookie: If it's revealed that this religion is actually the one true religion.
A character receives too much change back from the cashier and proceeds to walk out of the store with it. + BP if the character is guilt-stricken but can't decide if s/he should return the change or not ++ DBP if there are witnesses. +++ QBP if the character knows there are witnesses and the witnesses know that the character was aware of them.
Some that I took from last year. most are general. And no none of these are mine.
-Use the dictionary.com word of the day, every day that you write this november.
-Have your characters explore an abandoned building + if they find something important to the plot there ++ if they didn't know they needed this item that they find. +++ if they had no reason to be in the building in the first place Cookie: if the building disappears from existence and there is no mention of it ever again.
-Include well known song lyrics in your novel (for example, have a character say "Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand") Cookie from me-If it is an internet meme (like Friday by rebecca black)
Taking the lyrics thing- kind of. I was already planning on basing my novel on song lyrics from my favorite artist. But most of his songs aren't necessarily well known.
Ooh! Taking the building one, with +, ++, and cookie.
Leaving: The next time you're in a restaurant or coffee shop, do some people watching. Take notes on the most interesting-looking person you see. Create a character out of them, and insert them in your novel.
Also taking: -Have your characters explore an abandoned building + if they find something important to the plot there ++ if they didn't know they needed this item that they find. +++ if they had no reason to be in the building in the first place Cookie: if the building disappears from existence and there is no mention of it ever again.
books1017 wrote: Some that I took from last year. most are general. And no none of these are mine.
-Use the dictionary.com word of the day, every day that you write this november.
-Have your characters explore an abandoned building + if they find something important to the plot there ++ if they didn't know they needed this item that they find. +++ if they had no reason to be in the building in the first place Cookie: if the building disappears from existence and there is no mention of it ever again.
Oh, now I have to decide *which* character it is, or if there's some way I can make it both of them...
Dares 2011!
Okay, so not so new and improved. It's still the same old thread. If you're looking for genre-specific dares, feel free to check out your genre lounges, since most have a dares thread floating around somewhere. This thread USED to reside in Plot Doctoring, but since Dares are more of a word-count trick than a serious plot device, we felt it was more appropriate for Reaching 50k.
This thread is for when you want to boost your word count, spice things up, or just do something silly to change the pace. Dares are things you take on to make you think in ways you wouldn't normally. Dares are a great way to kick-start your creative juices, or just up the fun level.
There's a traditional format for dares, although you aren't required to use it.
BP = Bonus Points DBP = Double Bonus Points TBP = Triple Bonus Points
(With thanks to sas_essay, who unwittingly volunteered this dare)
Make your characters play 'The Game.'
BP if someone says, "I lost the game" at the climax.
DBP if the game is a plot point.
TBP if the game isn't ever explained.
No one really keeps track of points. ;) You'll know, though.
Re: Dares 2011!
I've started compiling the dares found in the thread here:
http://writingdares.blogspot.com/
Just started it today, but I'm estimating I'll be adding quite a lot more until October 16th, when I leave. And after that it should be updated at least twice a month (taking an extended trip).
By next year's NaNo, it should be quite large.
Re: Dares 2011!
I love yours! I took "Are we there yet", "He's dead. Or Gay.", "Flower Picking", "Jareth the Goblin King"
For "Flower Picking" my MCs ended up counting dandilions in Spanish xD
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm gonna do "Are we there yet". I'm not sure of anything else, but I'll definitely be back!
Re: Dares 2011!
I just used the site, and did the "Wikipedia dare." The first thing that came up was a place in Poland. Voila, FMC's birthplace. Thank's for that :3
Re: Dares 2011!
Luxuriant mustache. No doubt about it.
Re: Dares 2011!
Haha! I think I've already employed a variation of "Do you believe this plot?" I started arguing with my narrator like a week ago and we keep discussing various elements of the story and whether or not they're ridiculous and I keep complaining about his vagueries on certain plot points and ask if he really knows what he's talking about.
Re: Dares 2011!
:'D I shall take on Only Speaks in Rhyme. This concept amuses, excites, and gives me a place to base my next MC off of. Going for TBP~
Re: Dares 2011!
Done. The Game it is, and no, there shall be no explaination :D
Re: Dares 2011!
i accept your game dare! all of it!
1- have your mc be the detective
BP if he already knows the awnser before everyone else
DBP if he hates mimes and the vics are dressed as such
TBP if hes the killer
Re: Dares 2011!
Dare accepted! The Game will actually work perfectly for what I have in mind.
Re: Dares 2011!
challenge accepted! my protagonist's best friend would completely say this, lol.
Re: Dares 2011!
I was gonna use The Game in some way anyway. I'll go for the whole triple bonus points.
Re: Dares 2011!
Check out your profile pic and my username!!!!
Re: Dares 2011!
@ H and IsHatesMondays totally awesome!!! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
I play The Game wth my family and friends and it is totally addictive! (OH MAN! I LOST THE GAME!) I'll see if I can put it in my novel. :P
Re: Dares 2011!
Reading all of these made me think of a dare!
-Have a character always wearing a letter/number
BP if they don't know why
DBP if someone asks and they never get an answer
TBP if it's the MC
Jammy Dodgers if it's a Doctor Who reference
Re: Dares 2011!
Jammy Dodgers, here I come. My MC's totally wearing an '11' jersey now.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am going after those Jammy Dodgers! Also, my MCs can time travel and hop dimensions. I can make this work!
Re: Dares 2011!
You know, me too.
Re: Dares 2011!
OH MY GOD YOUR ICON LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
Re: Dares 2011!
seconding the icon love....
Re: Dares 2011!
Love, how the Whovians invaded this page XD! Jammy Dodgers all the way!
Re: Dares 2011!
That's it. My second FMC is now wearing "11" earrings (a 1 in each ear)
Re: Dares 2011!
WAIT NO I LIED. My two FMCs have magic pocket watches, so why don't I write the numbers "10" and "11" (both most recent Doctors and the new series Doctors I like... I don't know, Nine just didn't 'feel' right, you know? Not eccentric enough.) on them. Neither of them know why, so when MMC asks, I'll have space pirate robots (read: outcast cybermen) invade the ship. I AM GOING FOR THE JAMMY DODGERS MAN!!!!
on another note: if i have numbers on two MCs, then do I get double TBP?
Re: Dares 2011!
i'm going to use your pic as a line in my story.
dare:
have a character say "keep calm and dont blink"
BP: if its at the climax
DBP: if the antagonist says it to the protagonist
TBP: if nothing is happening at all
XD
Re: Dares 2011!
OMG SO USING THIS DARE! ALL OF IT!
Re: Dares 2011!
how does that make sense? how can nothing be happening at all at the climax? its an awesome dare anway...
Re: Dares 2011!
I think it's Bonus points if it happens at the climax OR Triple bonus points if there's actually nothing gong on.
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm only going for single points with this one but my protagonist is totally racing her child along the street on top of an armchair right now... "Keep calm and don't blink" will do nicely. Thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking:
-Have a character always wearing a letter/number
BP if they don't know why
DBP if someone asks and they never get an answer
TBP if it's the MC
Jammy Dodgers if it's a Doctor Who reference
My MC totally has dogtags that just say "11" on them now.
Leaving:
Write a scene entirely devoted to the MC alone in a room looking at a watch
BP if it's a pocket watch
DPB if the watch is a time-travel device
TBP if they start singing "I'm late" from Alice in Wonderland
QDP and a TARDIS if the the whole thing becomes a Doctor Who reference
Re: Dares 2011!
I am taking that pocket watch thing and going for the Doctor Who reference. Somehow I will make this work.
Leaving:
Give a character a music box or turntable that can be used to travel through time.
BP if you do both and give them to different characters.
DBP if you do the BP and have them tag-team with music-related jokes.
All of the points if you turn it into a Homestuck reference.
Re: Dares 2011!
This. I wasn't going to have time travel, I was going to intentionally leave everything unexplained, but this is too good to pass up. (8
Re: Dares 2011!
HOMESUCK
Re: Dares 2011!
and by homesuck I meant homestuck and i was getting very excited about the reference and missed the t.
Re: Dares 2011!
AHAHAH (:
Re: Dares 2011!
Unfortunately I'd have a hard time incorporating this dare since Time just left my novel, but it totally made my day ;D Good dare. Best friend.
Re: Dares 2011!
i'm goign to use the wearing #s 1 :D now who should it be....hm.....
can i add a bonus pt option 2 it?
QDP: if the character hates/despises math
<3
Re: Dares 2011!
does it count if he stares at the watch, shakes it in frustration, looks where the portal should be and mutters "the doctor must die"?
Re: Dares 2011!
Write a scene entirely devoted to the MC alone in a room looking at a watch-I sort of took this dare. There is part of a scene ,that has Maurice looking at her watch. And she feels as though she should start singing, "I'm Late".
Thanks for the dare!
Re: Dares 2011!
Done and done! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Ok I am doing the numbers thing! I like when there are weird, real life moments in novels. My character's shirt has an 8 on it. Totally random number...
Re: Dares 2011!
Will take it. Not a Dr. Who fan myself but I have a bunch of friennds who are so they'll probably help me out. And going for DBP and or TBP since the character's a rugby player/fan.
Re: Dares 2011!
Jammy Dodgers. I love this dare, I just used it to bring my two MC's close together, almost enough to bring them into a relationship.
Allonsy!
Re: Dares 2011!
Going for the double points. Unfortunately my MC has no numbers on him at the present time, but a new character will be introduced in the next few paragraphs and I can easily give him a weird, mysterious tattoo...
Re: Dares 2011!
Jammy Dodgers?! Cool! :D My MC is probably going to get stuck with a 10 or an 11 on his forehead now, 'cause it sounds fun...
Re: Dares 2011!
Everyone's saying 10 and 11 for this dare... here I was thinking "SIGMA" XD
Re: Dares 2011!
This might actually make sense in my novel. Look out TBP! LOL
Re: Dares 2011!
Challenge accepted. My characters will lose the Game over and over again.
Re: Dares 2011!
I *love* the game (and I just lost, you b**). Will do.
Re: Dares 2011!
I hate that, I haven't lost the game in several months, and now this guy causes me to lose several times in one minute.
At some point somebody really ought to write an entire novel around it. I'd do it myself, but I promised myself one assignment at a time.
Re: Dares 2011!
Sounds like fun, I think I can get TBP on that one. QBP really ought to be getting it past an editor.
Re: Dares 2011!
DARE: Your "monster" is a man-eating bowl of pudding
BONUS POINTS: If it was created by an accident in a high school science lab.
DOUBLE BONUS POINTS: If the science teacher is really a mad scientist in disguise and the accident wasn't really an accident.
TRIPLE BONUS POINTS: If the more the pudding eats, the bigger it gets and is soon bigger than houses.
COOKIES: If you keep the whole thing "kid friendly" and never actually kill anyone.
Re: Dares 2011!
So taking that one as a case for my investigators!
Re: Dares 2011!
OMG! YOU KNOW ABOUT THE GAME! (i lost the game) i've been yelling I LOST THE GAME at random times and people just look at me like i'm insane! I didn't think anyone here would know about it!
so doing this dare :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Lol man, ERRYBODY knows what the game is :P Cos it's be BEST game :P
Re: Dares 2011!
I am afraid to say that not everybody know about the game. I learned about it a year and a half ago, I think. And whenever I say it I get weird looks.
Maybe that also has to do with the fact that I do not live in an English speaking country
Re: Dares 2011!
I don't know what "the game" is.
Now I feel left out. :-(
Re: Dares 2011!
The game is really easy to lose, and you can never really win. Every time you think about the game, you lose, and you have to say that you lost.
Like right now. I just lost the game.
Re: Dares 2011!
The only way to win is by saying "I lost the game" on your deathbed or by getting a signed letter from the pope stating you won the game.
Re: Dares 2011!
I like to post "I lost the game" as my facebook status. The replies are awesome.
Re: Dares 2011!
Thanks for helping me lose!
Re: Dares 2011!
Accepting the game dare.
Re: Dares 2011!
Dare: Use the Urban Dictionary word of the day for every day you write.
BP if it only makes sense to one character.
DBP if that character can only speak in Urban Dictionary and/or very long words.
TBP if everyone somehow understands the character.
Re: Dares 2011!
TRIPLE BONUS POINTS FOR ME!
Re: Dares 2011!
I should have came in here on day 1 to see this. Since I am blank on my story....I will go ahead and take your dare hoping that I can earn DBP orTBP.
Re: Dares 2011!
so having this dare too now.
Re: Dares 2011!
I take that dare
Leaving
Dare: If your mc doesn't know anything about mammals
BP: If he starts to research the different kinds of mammals
DBP: If he he thinks mammals are strange
TBP: If he never realizes he's a mammal
QBP: If he can convince another character their a mammal, but their really a reptile.
Re: Dares 2011!
The Game shall happen... and someone will smack their forehead and say, "I lost the game"... and there will be no explanation. }:^D
Re: Dares 2011!
This...is actually relevant for my story. 0.0
Re: Dares 2011!
...Y'all just made me loose SO. MUCH.
UGH. Now it'll be like a half an hour before I stop thinking about it and stop loosing!
Re: Dares 2011!
I just managed to incorporate The Game (damn you, I lost!) and Yellow Car into a brief dialogue scene. :D So I shall make that a challenge for my fellow NaNo'ers as well.
Make your characters play "Yellow Car"
BP if it's never explained
TBP if it's in a world where there ARE no cars to speak of
QBP if one of the characters is colourblind
Re: Dares 2011!
I might nab this one - it would be a homage to my daughter who was playing yellow car this morning.
Re: Dares 2011!
Write a scene of one character thinking about manatees
BP if they think of themselves as a manatee
DBP if it's your MC
Re: Dares 2011!
ooh, i like this. i will definitely be using it!
Re: Dares 2011!
YES! Thank you. This will really help me, ahem, flesh things out a bit... ;)
Re: Dares 2011!
Somehow bring salt into your story
BP if it has nothing to do with the situation
DBP if you make into something important in the plot
TBP if you find a way to kill someone with the salt (Preferably as little of it as possible)
I kind of did this dare with my friends in school essay once. Quite funny, when our teacher handed them out again after correcting them and 4 or 5 essays had salt in them and a man called Laurits who died (Another part of that dare)
So I edited to match NaNo a little better.
Re: Dares 2011!
I did this without even knowing it; my villain sliced open someone's hand and poured salt on it, all while having a completely unrelated conversation about how to take care of their enemies.
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm doing The Game. Guess what... I Lost The Game.
Re: Dares 2011!
Also I'm not going to explain the game so TBP
Re: Dares 2011!
My 2009 NaNo was called "The Game", the climax was a text message saying "i lost the game" and it was very much of a plot point. :D
Re: Dares 2011!
They will play the Game! (and every time I read it, I will lose the Game. I'm not gonna explain it)
Re: Dares 2011!
*rolls up sleeves* Okay! I have some pretty epic ones saved from past years, they aren't all mine.
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer
BP if the serial killer drives a red car
DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter
TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Have a character who always carries a towel with him/her.
BP if it's an MC
DBP if the character is hitchhiking at some point in the novel
TBP if it's vital to the plot
QBP if the towel's blue
Two Plates of Cookies and three Cakes: The character has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
And now for just some general dares - although, feel free to take them further! ;)
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk.
-Have a character whose weapon of choice is a crowbar.
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
-Have a scene where two characters throw out innuendo using hockey terminology.
-Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens.
-Have a character who continuously tries to do things like drink a gallon of milk in an hour or lick his elbow.
-Have a character who swears only in Russian.
-Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes.
-Have a random karaoke contest.
-Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg (guaranteed word padding).
...enjoy, Wrimos! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
This... is amazing. I really want to use this, but it would so not work for my story. Le sigh. =(
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
This, on the other hand, I think I'll be able to work in. Taking. xD
Re: Dares 2011!
Love the store idea!!!
Re: Dares 2011!
Okay. Why do I not find it weird that the store idea fits perfectly to my story? I should find it weird. Well, I get double bonus points, maybe triple, depending. This should be fun. . .
Re: Dares 2011!
I think I may use the coffee steals souls one XD it fits pretty well with the story lol
Re: Dares 2011!
Coffee has suddenly become vital to one of my characters. I shall adopt the superstition!
And I think that I can squeeze in "a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg" - and maybe even make it plot relevant word padding, x3
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer
BP if the serial killer drives a red car
DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter
TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering.
Stealing these two for my shapeshifting assassin. =)
Re: Dares 2011!
I love this one to!
My teleporter bad guy would so say that.
Re: Dares 2011!
Cookies if the knife is still in the victim's bone WHILE this line is being said to them.
Re: Dares 2011!
The bone line is hilarious. Don't have any characters that would fit that line, but I am going to work it in somehow.
Re: Dares 2011!
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
-Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens.
-Have a random karaoke contest.
Possibly taking (we'll see how it goes)!
Leaving:
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list.
BP: If they do it out of order.
DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent.
TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her.
BP: If he/she storms in to complain.
DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her.
TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance.
QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse.
BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens.
DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else.
TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that.
QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Re: Dares 2011!
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse.
BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens.
DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else.
TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that.
QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Taking this.
Leaving:
-Have a character who insists on sprinkling French words into all of his/her sentences despite the fact that he/she has never taken French and uses all of those words incorrectly.
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list.
BP: If they do it out of order.
DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent.
TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
Think I will be stealing this one!
Re: Dares 2011!
I'll take
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse.
BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens.
DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else.
TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that.
QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
My story has the monsters of human imagination coming to life based upon a spell cast by an Elven Mage. So over hearing a plot for a Zombie apocalypse, preparing for it and having another group of monsters attack instead would work perfectly.
Don't have one to leave right now but I usually think of something before Nano is over.
Re: Dares 2011!
Wow, taking;
-Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse.
-BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens.
-DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else.
TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that.
QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
as it could be extremely plot relevant.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am so using:
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her.
BP: If he/she storms in to complain.
DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her.
TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance.
QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
This is combined with the Nyancat dare!
Re: Dares 2011!
Have a character planning for a zombie apocalypse.
BP: If the zombie apocalypse never happens.
DBP: If the plan turns out to be vital to something else.
TBP: If the zombie apocalypse happens after that.
QBP:..but not in the way the character anticipated.
Ugh that is fantastic! I'm not sure I can use it but I love it...
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrace has been provided to him/her.
BP: If he/she storms in to complain.
DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her.
TDP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrace.
QBP: If either of them has entrace music cued up.
Sooooo, taking this one. I typically can't take dares this late in the game as I am an obsesive about finishing my outline, but this is perfect for my villian, and my MC, and will fit in perfectly with a sence I already have!
Leaving:
Have a chracter who is always playing with a rubix cube.
BP: If the chracter is playing with it every time he is mentioned.
DBP: If the character is the MC.
TBP: If it is vital to the plot somehow.
QBP: If the character solves the cube at the end of the novel by taking it apart and putting it back together agian.
Have a psychiatrist who has a phobia of talking to strangers.
BP: If he became a psychiatrist trying to get over his fear.
DBP: If he throws a mug at one of his patients.
TBP: If he cures someone of their own phobia by throwing the mug at them.
Re: Dares 2011!
Oooh, I really want use your psychiatrist one, I will make it fit in my story!
Re: Dares 2011!
This is so perfect, you don't even know how much. - Stealing.
Re: Dares 2011!
The rubix cube one is too perfect. I'm stealing that >:3
Re: Dares 2011!
so using the psychiatrist one.
Re: Dares 2011!
QBP if the phobia was of coffee stealing souls ;)
Re: Dares 2011!
I know it's a little late to be taking dares, but I'm doing this one. I'm mostly flying by the seat of my pants on this story anyway, so it's perfect.
Re: Dares 2011!
Lovin' the Zombie one. Gotta take it!
Re: Dares 2011!
... cheerios and goat milk is actually on my sister's shopping list.
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your villain refuse to enter the scene until some properly dramatic entrance has been provided to him/her.
BP: If he/she storms in to complain.
DBP: If the MC agrees with him/her.
TBP: If the MC also demands a dramatic entrance.
QBP: If either of them has entrance music cued up.
I'll try to fit this in!
Leaving:
Have a character that write a novel for NaNoWriMo
BP:If the character writes it at the worst times
DBP:If the character is the villain
TBP:If it fits into the villains plan
Re: Dares 2011!
Bajillion BP: if the character is writing the exact same story you are and starts recognising it.
Re: Dares 2011!
Stranger than fiction reference?
Re: Dares 2011!
*brain exploded*
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing the zombie apocalypse, I think for all bonus points to boot.
Leaving:
Have a character who speaks in nothing but rhymes
BP: If its your MC
DBP: If only the bad guy notices this
TBP: if he/she rhymes with Yoda syntax
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your characters use your outline (if you used one) as a to-do list.
BP: If they do it out of order.
DBP: If it includes "buy Cheerios and goat milk," or some equivalent.
TBP: If grocery-shopping is vital to the resolution of your conflict.
...Taking this now. :D
i shall leave this-
Have a character with glasses
BP: if it's a way to see into the future
DBP: if it's a way to control their powers
TBP: if there just for the character to see
Re: Dares 2011!
-Have a character who swears only in Russian.
I take it you've heard of maty? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_(Russian_profanity)
Re: Dares 2011!
Ooh taking this!
Re: Dares 2011!
I am taking this one!
Re: Dares 2011!
Oh, wow! I actually had no idea! :O Dear me... xD Perhaps not then?
Re: Dares 2011!
Oh dear, I'm taking this. Too awesome to pass up.
Re: Dares 2011!
This is absolutely perfect for my vampire clairvoyant, Madam Zahlia!
Taking.
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking these:
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk.
I'm changing the zombie to be the same person as the ghost, though, for extra laughs.
Re: Dares 2011!
I think that makes it QBP and a pocket watch
Re: Dares 2011!
Totally going to use the coffee one somewhere. It may just be a random one liner... or maybe more. ;)
Re: Dares 2011!
YOUR ICON. LET ME LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Ianto forever.
Re: Dares 2011!
Oh wow.......I can use so many of these. The plot of my story just thickened!
Thank you so much!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Using this one, and going for Triple points.
Re: Dares 2011!
-Have a scene where two characters throw out innuendo using hockey terminology.
I think I could actually make that one work! :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Thanks. I am so going to use this
Re: Dares 2011!
"-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls."
Oh I just HAVE to use that!
Dares of my own:
-Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth)
BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants
DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about.
TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
-Shout out to Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog
BP: If the character is named Penny
DBP: if the shout out involves singing one of the songs
TBP: if the character is in a trope subversion and is genre savvy.
Re: Dares 2011!
-Shout out to Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog
BP: If the character is named Penny
DBP: if the shout out involves singing one of the songs
TBP: if the character is in a trope subversion and is genre savvy.
I am totally going to get these in there. DHSALB ftw!
Re: Dares 2011!
omg! acceptence of Jareth the goblin king! absolutly! leaving:
-have your mc be psycic
BP if he doesnt know hes psycic
DBP if he never figures it out
TBP if everyone around him knows hes psycic
QBP if he has a vision about cookies
Actual cookies- if the cookies have m&ms
Re: Dares 2011!
This is oddly Dresden Files-esque to me... I love it so much. Can not take it this time.
Re: Dares 2011!
This... Might actually work for my story! My MC was supposed to be the only nonmagical major character, but it works just as well if he's psychic and never figures it out. He'll just blame it on the fact that he's unusually perceptive from observing everything all the time (he's an artist). Taking it!
Re: Dares 2011!
Totally using the Labyrinth one. I love that movie, and so does the friend who is going to help me edit the book (after November, of course).
Leaving:
-Have a character obsessed with blowing bubbles with bubble gum.
BP: If your MC is constantly annoyed with this habit.
DBP: If the character saves the day with a bubble.
TBP: If the character never blows the bubbles in his/her mouth.
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing the bubble gun for DBP. and the labrynth one as well.
Leaving:
-Have a character be an obsessive twitter follower of somebody.
DBP: If its somebody famous for being famous (ala Paris Hilton, Kardashians)
TBP: If they tell everyone their twitter updates
QBP: If it turns out all they do is send nasty messages in reply to said person's twitter updates
Re: Dares 2011!
Perfect!! I have a character that this will help flesh out his obnoxious facade! :)
Thank you!
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking this, going for triple!
-Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth)
BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants
DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about.
TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
None to leave right now.
Re: Dares 2011!
Ohh Penny works great for one of my characters and that has actually given me the inspiration to a dilemma involving the naming of an entire subset of my characters. Genius
I might be able to shoehorn a few song titles in there as well!
Re: Dares 2011!
-Have a vague mention of Jareth the Goblin King (a la Labyrinth)
BP: If the character refers to him as king glitter pants
DBP: if they say this to a character who has no idea what they're talking about.
TBP: if they never explain what they mean.
I could totally see my antagonist/love interest/best friend's sister doing this.
Taking!
Re: Dares 2011!
I am in love with both of your dares, and they may actually fit in with my story...
You're a fantastic person with wonderful taste in movies.
ps- I procrastinated yesterday by watching Dr. Horrible and shouting along XD
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm using the souls stealing coffee :D But if I can ask a silly question, what dose the BP DBP and TBP mean?
Re: Dares 2011!
Bonus Points
Double Bonus Points
Triple Bonus Points
Quadruple Bonus Points.
Re: Dares 2011!
Hey, my grandma's friend had a ghost like that! xD He liked to move their hats around the house, and didn't bother hiding the fact that it was him O.o As in while they would randomly see a hat floating away from their hat rack xD
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm taking your Grandma's friend's ghost. It'll be an interesting investigation for my characters.
Re: Dares 2011!
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk.
Taking! Thank You!
-Have a character who swears only in Russian.
.........Trying?
Re: Dares 2011!
"Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict"
To the Well of Lost Plots! (Do you read Jasper Fforde by any chance?)
I might be able to get the suicide one in...
Re: Dares 2011!
My MC will find himself in a shop like this and that is where he will Purchase(or steal) a very familiar shovel...
Re: Dares 2011!
Cookies if he kills the shopkeeper with the shovel.
Re: Dares 2011!
NaNoLand needs a "like" button!!!
Re: Dares 2011!
You saved my story! Thank you!
Re: Dares 2011!
I might have to use something similar to the bone one anyway. It won't be exact, and it may not be during WriMo, but getting a knife (or sword...or axe) stuck in bone is something my characters would certainly do. (Yay for ongoing series.)
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer
BP if the serial killer drives a red car
DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter
TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
Both of these are gonna work for me, since one of the MCs -is- a serial killer. Not sure I can use the car, though... but I'll give it a try.
Re: Dares 2011!
stealing the shop and the fact that coffee steals souls!
Re: Dares 2011!
Ooh, I can totally use that first one and get DPs on it too! Yay for my MC the assassin! His name is Lief. Everyone wave. :)
And - Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk. - I really might be able to use this one!
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm using your first one, fits very good in my vampire story! Thank you so much!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
I'm totally going to use this one. I can just see my female lead saying this to one of her victims... er, friends.
Re: Dares 2011!
The coffee one I'll definitely use ^_^
Re: Dares 2011!
I could actually use a bunch of these. The bone one is awesome, it literally just fixed part of my plot. I can also have my characters discuss suicide AND write a scene dedicated to cooking an egg. Taking those, thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Most definitely stealing the ghost. He'll fit right in with the household.
Re: Dares 2011!
"I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
I'm definitely going to do this dare. My antagonist is going to be very vicious and kind of sadistic, so this won't be very hard.
Re: Dares 2011!
I think one of my characters shall be obsessed with Sharpies... Dare Accepted
Re: Dares 2011!
YES! This is perfect for the sick Eurotrash in my novel!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Re: Dares 2011!
This is perfect for me, thanks! XD
Re: Dares 2011!
Just have to say, the zombie who died of alcohol poisoning dare is epic. I can't fit it into my story this year but I'll definitely keep it in mind xD Thanks for the laugh!
Re: Dares 2011!
Also taking
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
It's too perfect and... I live with a ghost like this and have actually said words to that effect when strange things happen...
Re: Dares 2011!
Since the world my novel's set in is roughly late-medieval / early-renaissance and they're fighting a war, I think I'll be taking this one on board!
Re: Dares 2011!
OMF coming from Seattle, the city where without coffee people drop like flies, I am soooo finding a way to use that. That is an awesome one!!! Love it!!!!
Re: Dares 2011!
Dude, that could BE an entire novel. :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
This just triggered an idea. THANK YOU!!! I don't know if it will be an actual store, but this just saved my November.
Again, Thanks,
Paula
Re: Dares 2011!
Have a character who swears only in Russian.
I will definitely be using this one. I need to go look up Russian swear words.
Re: Dares 2011!
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Also taking this! It can explain why my MC's obsession with tea and not coffee.
Re: Dares 2011!
The mental image of a drunk zombie is just about the funniest thing I've seen all day. Too bad it won't work in my novel.
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Using this one! This is genius and is perfect for mine :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Coffee Stealing souls can actually add to a scene I'm thinking of.. thanks for the great idea
Re: Dares 2011!
Fell in love with the one about the ghost, the one with the soul-stealing coffee, the crowbar-wielding dude, and the guy with a drink in all his scenes. And the one with the cooking of an egg. (It fails horribly.) Thanks~
(The drink doesn't have to be alcoholic, right?)
Re: Dares 2011!
DUDE! I love the blue towel dare. I think I have one of my main characters who could benefit from this. Plus, I read Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy so it's a reminisce moment. :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking:
-Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens.
Gave me an idea for my detectives partner. *Laughs* Thx!
Leaving:
-Have one of your characters own a red panda
BP if they have no idea its a panda
DBP if they never figure it out
TBP if they are the MC
QBP if the panda saves his life because he doesn't know
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm going to do the Ghost one! And the karaoke contest, hehe.
Re: Dares 2011!
Using:
"Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
• BP if it's human bone
• DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
• TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Have a random karaoke contest."
This is going to be fun!
Re: Dares 2011!
"-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk."
I made and played a vampire in a dark ages Masquerade that required alcohol to be in the blood of his victims. I wanted it as an interesting quirk to play around, but didn't put much thought into it. I found out later that it meant he'd be drunk after feeding.
Man, that changed the game into one hilarious moment after another. The fact that I constantly rolled 1 on anything important (even on re-rolls) like trying to ride a horse and later sword fighting a tree, just made it even funnier. At one point I fumbled tossing away a demonic knife over a fence and it went directly into my foot, nearly killing me. Man, good times.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am going to MAKE the strange shop fit in my story. It's an awesome idea.
Re: Dares 2011!
Hmm... how to work in a coffee-steals-souls superstition whilst having a coffee-powered supercomputer disguised as a human being in my story...
Dare taken!
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking a couple of them.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am claiming these. I just am. They're amazing.
Re: Dares 2011!
Love the store idea.
Sadly I can't really make it work for my story.
It could have potentially story changing implications for other novels, though.
"I am going to shoot you now, Mr. Bond."
"Ha ha! But what you don't know is that I recently purchased a dramatic monologue for a villain to say! If you want to finish me off before the police arrive, I suggest you get talking!"
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
SNAG!
Re: Dares 2011!
Yessssssss HOCKEY. I love hockey. Challenge accepted.
The strange shop is a cool idea too. It doesn't suit the type I'm going for, but I do give it props.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am definitely taking the strange shop idea :)
Re: Dares 2011!
You just made me the happiest person in the world by mentioning Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!!!
Re: Dares 2011!
"-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
-Have a scene where two characters throw out innuendo using hockey terminology.
-Have a character who is obsessed with Sharpie pens."
Probably gonna use these. Gonna tweak the hockey one. Thanks a bunch!
Re: Dares 2011!
dude, both TBP's already apply to my other project in these!! do I get sextuple points?
include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
Ohhhh yes. Taking both!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Both of these fit into my novel so well, I will have to use them!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
..... Two of my main characters are ghosts.... this ought to work well :D
Re: Dares 2011!
I accept your ghost dare! I was wondering how I was going to incorporate my pool in the basement scene and this just did it! Thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Having a mad scientist and a parallel universe makes my story wide open to dares this year...
I'm taking the store. And the ghost. And the alcoholic zombie. And the coffee stealing souls. And the funny discussion of suicide. And possibly the egg-cooking scene. :3
(It's a good thing I bought a NaNo notebook just to write down all the various dares and prompts I'm doing this year. It's going to be full soon if I'm not careful. :D)
Re: Dares 2011!
"Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict"
IT IS SO ON
Re: Dares 2011!
And then my main character decided he loves the crowbar.
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
I'm so using this one.
Re: Dares 2011!
haha. I could so do at least 2 of those dares (the ghost one and the jammed in bone one). I could also do (and love the idea of) some of the random ones! This actually gave a bunch of ideas! thankies
Re: Dares 2011!
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
Haha, I was actually already planning on doing this! So I guess I'm technically accepting the dare? My MC is a shapeshifter who was raised among humans, but his natural state is a liquid form. So he doesn't actually KNOW how to kill himself. Every method we know... just doesn't work. At all. :P Meh, sounds funnier in my head and when it's not 6AM in the morning after I stayed up all night long. I'll get it though. ;)
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking a few, many of those are relevant to my interests, especially since I need plenty of rowdy supernatural creatures for my vampires to police. XD
The ghost and drunk zombie are going to be particularly good fun. ^_____^
Re: Dares 2011!
There are some pretty good ones in there. I might use the knife, the ghost and maybe even the egg! Really good ideas!
Re: Dares 2011!
All of these are awsome. Expecially like the strange shop and ghost ones. Thanks for sharing!
Re: Dares 2011!
Totally taking the hockey terminology innuendo one! :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Have a main character who is a serial killer
BP if the serial killer drives a red car
DBP if the car is a nice red-orange to match potential blood splatter
TBP if the serial killer refuses to hit people with the car on the grounds of "impersonal" murdering
-Have a zombie who died of alcohol poisoning, and is therefore constantly drunk.
Taken.
Re: Dares 2011!
Using the not-exactly-friendly ghost, the towel (if I can), and the cooking of the egg. :D
Re: Dares 2011!
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
-Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes.
Done, and done :)
Re: Dares 2011!
I simply must put this in my novel somewhere.
Re: Dares 2011!
You are a genius!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
Dude, this will SO work in my story! SCORE! lol love it! I'm writing about a girl who's freakishly afraid of teh supernatural and magic stuff, but falls in love with a wizard with (lots of) enemies XD
Re: Dares 2011!
Ahh! So many good ideas! I'll probably use a few of 'em.
Re: Dares 2011!
For the bone one, do I get bonus points if I replace knife with "needle" (I have a character who stabs people with needles) and any extra bonus points if he later gets the needle stuck in a knife?
Re: Dares 2011!
I think I could totally use the ghost one.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am SO using this. Changing it a smidge, though. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
and
Write a scene entirely dedicated to the cooking of an egg.
I'll be trying these two. Thanks!!
Re: Dares 2011!
This will work great. I can totally see my FMC saying this to her ultra-squeamish assistant about one of her own injuries.
Re: Dares 2011!
I did it! My FMC was comparing scars with her soldier lover as part of a word count boosting 1,000 word scene!
Re: Dares 2011!
I'd love to use the ghost dare if I can fit it in somewhere. Also, I'm replying to say that I utterly adore your Ianto/Myfanwy icon! *squee*
Re: Dares 2011!
taking the coffee one and the shop one :D
Re: Dares 2011!
I love them all! I take
-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
-Have your characters discuss suicide. And make it funny.
Include a ghost that isn't unfriendly, isn't particularly friendly either, doesn't communicate much with the living, and just generally tolerates the people living in his house.
BP if he turns on the radio, just because he likes music
DBP if he takes occasional showers
TBP if the people living in his house (or place or whatever) know about him, and just say "Oh yeah, that was the ghost" like it's nothing weird
and maybe
Include a strange shop somewhere in your novel that sells things you could use in a story (e.g. a good quality description of the house next door, a second-hand, slightly dusty suspenseful pause, etc.)
BP if none of your characters find this strange
DBP if one of your characters buys something
TBP if it turns out to be a major plot point/resolves the conflict
but they are really all great xD
Re: Dares 2011!
QBP and a cookie for the store dare if YOU the Author, is the shop keeper.
Oh yeah.
Just scored that. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
So doing this:
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Going for BP. Wouldn't work out if I went for DBP or TBP. But do I get extra for having the stabber say it to the stabbee's son?
Re: Dares 2011!
Excerpt from my book in which I used that line! (Although I changed it from 'jammed' to 'thrust'.. I don't think the word 'jammed' existed in medieval times.)
"I drew my knife from my boot and stabbed his leg with it. I can’t- Keane, he’s your father. I don’t know what I was thinking. Do you know what the worst thing is? I thrust it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone? I felt some release, some of the anger drain out of me, but there was so much, and it’s still there now, simmering… "
Like it? Let me know :D
Re: Dares 2011!
YOU have such great ideas.
Taking:
-Have a character who swears only in Russian. (so perfect I wish I had thought of it first)
-Have a character who's holding a drink in all his scenes (HA perfect character trait for one that hasn't been introduced yet)
Also taking:
Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim
Re: Dares 2011!
Is that a Dr. Gordon Freeman reference (crowbar is weapon of choice)?
Anyway, I accept these dares. *insert Challenge Accepted
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm taking the towel dare, Sharpie dare (one of my friends LOVES Sharpies), and the coffee superstition.
Re: Dares 2011!
Included the coffee one. Thanks a bajizzilon!
P.s. Is that a real word? Should be, anyways have a novel day! Heehee I love saying that :D
Re: Dares 2011!
I'd like to add a DBP to this dare:
DBP if the character only thinks he's swearing in Russian and is, in fact, just saying common Russian words (i.e. "Pivo!", "Privet!")
Re: Dares 2011!
"Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim"
Does it count if the victim *thought* the line after she was stabbed, replacing "I" and "you" with he? Because that's what I did. *evil grin*
Re: Dares 2011!
I shall do all of these. There is a good plot point waiting to be made out of that ghost (especially considering the main character is a psychopomp), I have a character wacky enough to carry around a towel at all times, I'll bet you 10 cookies I can make the scene with the egg meaningful and sad, and the suicide discussion had to come around eventually. The zombie might not be exactly a zombie, but it's a not-quite-dead-person who died of alcohol poisoning. Close enough. And he will be holding a drink in all of his scenes.
Re: Dares 2011!
DONE. And it was beautiful. Thank you!
Re: Dares 2011!
My MC is a torture assistant who is torturing a man with a knife... she may accidentaly get it stuck in one of his bones...
Re: Dares 2011!
have someone destroy a violin
-if it belongs to one of the MC
--if everyone hates the violin
---including your other MC and the villain
----if your MC and villain join forces to destroy the violin and end up becoming besties
taking the crowbar as the weapon of choice
Re: Dares 2011!
I wrote a scene about the cooking of an egg (well, eggs) earlier without even seeing this post... it sounds dull but they were space-eggs... kind of...
Re: Dares 2011!
Make your character(s) watch 10 Hours of Nyancat.
BP if they do so in one sitting.
DBP if they do it without pausing.
TBP if they do it sober.
Re: Dares 2011!
First: you made me watch a video of Nyan cat. I will never be the same.
Second: taking this, but probably not for 10 hours. I can totally imagine my heavy metal band, while people are mysteriously murdered around them, stop for a little staring at this thing, waiting for the cat to get to the end... Don't think they will be sober.
Re: Dares 2011!
I have a novel full of vampires and sadistic Eurotrash... Challenge accepted!
Re: Dares 2011!
OMG YES!!! I am so doing that since I had a scene where they were going to become bored/interested with technology!
Re: Dares 2011!
This is nothing. I watched 12 hours 19 minutes of Nyan cat. My characters need to watch at least 16 if I'm going to let them not be killed off.
Re: Dares 2011!
What if the character likes watching Nyancat does it still count? I needed some more horrible personality quirks for my characters roommate, watching nyancat for 10 hours would certainly be annoying.
-Have a character who wears old school coke bottle glasses for the entire story.
DBP: If they in fact have 20/20 vision.
Re: Dares 2011!
They just have to watch it. If they like it, it still counts!
Re: Dares 2011!
Include a character with a long, luxurious mustache
BP if they twirl it every time they speak
DBP if the mustache is central to your story's plot
TBP if the mustache is a character all on its own
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking the dare and the BP, we'll see about the other two later... *swirls my luxurious mustache*
Re: Dares 2011!
Lucky Whistle, I do believe your icon just became a dare I intend to use.
I will use both those lines, though I have no idea what/if you're quoting something.
I will be referring to minor (fictional) celebrities emotional/mental states when using "star."
Thank you!
Re: Dares 2011!
This is the first one I've seen that could actually really work with my story. I've been looking for a comic relief character. I think the mustache could be it! Thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Oh wow, I would sell my soul to be able to write a mustache as a character... God this thread is making me regret deciding /not/ to write crack!
Re: Dares 2011!
You can always change your mind, you know.
Re: Dares 2011!
true dat!
Re: Dares 2011!
Have a character ask "What's the story in balamory"
BP if no-one notices
DBP if someone corrects it to a correct location
TBP if someone actually responds with a story
Re: Dares 2011!
And extra cookies and milk if a really hard-core, goth/punk, heavy metal-type person says it. In all seriousness.
Re: Dares 2011!
(Glad I found this thread because I just thought of the perfect one!)
Include a text in your story from TFLN.com
BP if you include numerous texts.
DBP if you make up your own funny text messages that your characters keep sending/receiving.
TBP if the text messages are never explained and the scenes have nothing to do with the story
Re: Dares 2011!
That site is such a time suck! Can't use this dare in my plot (thus far), but thanks for the laughs. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Hmmm.... might have to have "telegrams from last night"! :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Ha ha, telegrams. This is such a cute idea! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
"He tried eating fireworks, to stop him being hungover in the morning. Where do you keep finding these people?!"
I needed a way for these two characters to get to spend more time together... this would be it. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Make one (or several) of your characters have a physical feature like Chris Baty, or say one of his famed Baty-isms in their dialogue!
BP if they both have a physical characteristic of his AND use a Baty-ism.
DBP if they look exactly like Chris Baty.
TBP if they ARE Chris Baty.
Re: Dares 2011!
Love it!
Re: Dares 2011!
Oh, man, so great to see this thread up so soon!
Have a character have THAT dream where they're back in school again, but are suddenly naked.
BP - have your antagonist show up in the dream and they're naked too!
DBP- Your character has a dream where they are back in school, but EVERYBODY ELSE is naked.
TBP- if it turns out to not be a dream.
Re: Dares 2011!
Found a few in a text file from the other year. None of these are mine. XD
~SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS! Literally. Have them suddenly show up in a scene, do some modifying, and then carry on.
~~BP if you do it more than once.
~~DBP if at some point, the /only/ reason something is done is because the Plot Ninjas force the characters into doing it. It can be something small, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator (with the Plot Ninjas menacing anyone who tries to approach the elevator), but it has to be something.
~~Extra DBP if what the characters end up doing ends up being very important to the success (or failure ^.~) of their Quest.
~The Next Step: Someone, preferably an Omniscient Narrator type (even if you are narrating first person), must holler the line, "SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS!"
~~BP if you are sending them in more than once, and use the line every time.
~~QBP if at some point the Plot Ninjas are called...but don't come.
~~Extra QBP if the Omniscient Narrator complains.
~~Even more if the narrator threatens to quit because of it.
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever.
~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]."
~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Your protagonist is a lazy butt that can't be bothered figuring out what to do next himself, so he consults the internet.
BP if he asks yahoo answers and gets an unintelligible response.
DBP if he asks our Plot Doctoring forum.
TBP if a huge argument ensues about his options, predicament, and characterization.
QBP if he begins to get extremely weirded out, or decides to enact a proposed plan (or several)
Eternal glory if he says something about this being "way too meta."
Include the following conversation:
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
-BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins
-DBP if character A is your MC
-TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable
-QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
Name your main character after a beverage. (Earl Grey, Bud Weiser, etc.)
DBP if your main characters are ALL named after beverages. (Apple Juice, Rooibos, etc.)
TBP if all but one of your characters are named after beverages, and no one ever mentions this or treats him/her as unusual in any way. (I.e., one character is named Jonathan Cook or something, but no one ever comments on it.)
Have one of your characters believe that his life is a musical.
BP: If he or she breaks into song every chapter.
DBP: If he or she breaks into song every time they speak.
TBP: If they sing only songs that are already in musicals, regardless of whether or not the meaning fits the situation.
Cookie: If at least one of the songs is from High School Musical and other characters proceed to plot murder.
My eternal love and chocolate: If at least one of the songs if from A Very Potter Musical
Insert a character who insists on having a life soundtrack, and always has a musician following him/her around.
+ S/he is always correcting the musician. "NO! This is a bad guy I'm talking to! Minor key!"
++ The musician never speaks.
+++ The person is always acquiring new musicians, and has an entire orchestra following him/her around by the end of the book
Have one of your battles be an RPG battle, and record commands, damage taken, limit breaks, etc.
- BP if all your battles are like this
- DBP if at least one of your battles is a random encounter, with the monsters spawning literally out of nowhere
- TBP if you use Phoenix Down to raise KO'd characters
- QBP if, when a character actually dies, a distraught party member tries to use Phoenix Down to raise them, and it doesn't work
- All the above and a cookie if it *does* work XD
Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears
+s/he asks the MCs what they think of it
++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it
+++if this takes 500 words or more
++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt
+++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
Re: Dares 2011!
Snagging: Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears
+s/he asks the MCs what they think of it
++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it
+++if this takes 500 words or more
++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt
+++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
Works because my main characters are the villain's henchmen, so this works wonders! Thanks ^_^
Re: Dares 2011!
I may just take this one...
Re: Dares 2011!
Actually, I considered it: I /am/ taking this one!
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking: Include the following conversation:
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
My MC is a sleepwalker who dreams a lot. This can go anywhere. Thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears
+s/he asks the MCs what they think of it
++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it
+++if this takes 500 words or more
++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt
+++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
I have to take this one, all the way to the cookies. I could so totally see Sven stopping mid-act to get a critique on his laugh, and given he is, in fact, new at the villain thing, he already has trouble with his minions. It's perfect~
Re: Dares 2011!
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever.
~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]."
~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Include the following conversation:
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
-BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins
-DBP if character A is your MC
-TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable
-QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
SOOOOO taking these. And all of the bonus points.
Re: Dares 2011!
If it fit my novel, I would so do this.
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing most of these dares, though not for this Nano. I have another story in mind that just got better =D
Re: Dares 2011!
Im Stealing the ninja Assassins! it fits my plot perfectly, every bit of it. Except character B dies :/ xD
Re: Dares 2011!
I love the plot ninja. Imma try and use the one where the narrator quits when they don't show up.
Re: Dares 2011!
I'm so, so tempted to use the ninja assassins.
...It kinda helps one of my MCs already has ninjas.
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking this one!
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
-BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins
-DBP if character A is your MC
-TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable
-QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
Re: Dares 2011!
I could SOOOOO name a character after a beverage. (Dr. Pepper), but he won't be the MC. My MC is a mere concierge!
Re: Dares 2011!
"Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears
+s/he asks the MCs what they think of it
++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it
+++if this takes 500 words or more
++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt
+++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots"
This just spawned a quite hilarious plot bunny that just might be big enough to work up into a whole 'nother year's NaNo.
Re: Dares 2011!
I LOVE YOUR DARES!!! I wish I could fit them all in my story!
Re: Dares 2011!
me too!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing the Plot Ninjas and potentially the villian's evil laugh. The plot ninjas fit FAR too perfectly into the little world I'm creating. The villian would just be fun :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking:
Include the following conversation:
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
-BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins
-DBP if character A is your MC
-TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable
-QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
This will be hilarious!!
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing:
~SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS! Literally. Have them suddenly show up in a scene, do some modifying, and then carry on.
~~BP if you do it more than once.
~~DBP if at some point, the /only/ reason something is done is because the Plot Ninjas force the characters into doing it. It can be something small, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator (with the Plot Ninjas menacing anyone who tries to approach the elevator), but it has to be something.
~~Extra DBP if what the characters end up doing ends up being very important to the success (or failure ^.~) of their Quest.
~The Next Step: Someone, preferably an Omniscient Narrator type (even if you are narrating first person), must holler the line, "SEND IN THE PLOT NINJAS!"
~~BP if you are sending them in more than once, and use the line every time.
~~QBP if at some point the Plot Ninjas are called...but don't come.
~~Extra QBP if the Omniscient Narrator complains.
~~Even more if the narrator threatens to quit because of it.
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever.
~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]."
~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Name your main character after a beverage. (Earl Grey, Bud Weiser, etc.)
Have one of your characters believe that his life is a musical.
BP: If he or she breaks into song every chapter.
Tweaking a couple, but totally working them in.
Leaving:
Have a character constantly tweeting what is happening
BP: If when asked they dictate the exact number of twitter followers they have (cookies if it changes throughout the story)
DBP: If they read out loud what they are tweeting
TBP: If they are tweeting at the wrong moments
QBP: If they are tweeting their own death
Re: Dares 2011!
Stealing the "Ninja Assassin" conversation.
Re: Dares 2011!
Include the following conversation:
Character A: Why would you think I don't like you?
Character B: You sent ninja assassins to kill me. Twice.
Character A: I said I was sorry.
-BP if character A really did hire ninja assassins
-DBP if character A is your MC
-TBP if the assassination attempts are completely justifiable
-QBP if characters A and B hook up at the end of your novel
This is too awesome and I think I can fit it up to at least the BP, but it would be my MC running from the ninjas, not siccing them on someone else, haha. I don't think I can go further than that, but we'll see.
And this:Have your villain use a different evil laugh every time s/he appears
+s/he asks the MCs what they think of it
++if the MCs actually give honest critique and tips on how to improve it
+++if this takes 500 words or more
++++if this brings the plot to a screeching halt
+++++ (and cookies) if it's because the villain is new to the business of being evil and also has problems managing his/her minions and coming up with evil plots
is awesome! I'm not sure if I can incorporate it or not, but I can see my MC critiquing the bad guy's bad guy skills, and he might even get long-winded about it. We shall see. ;)
Re: Dares 2011!
LOVE <333
Re: Dares 2011!
Character named after a beverage sounds good...........maybe an albino everyone calls Milky. Do nicknames count?
Re: Dares 2011!
~Have a character with a theme song. Every time that character turns up, have the song play. It can be from a nearby car, someone's headphones turned up too loud, the elevator music gone horribly wrong, whatever.
~~bonus points if people are aware of this, and actually use the song to predict that character's arrival. "Oh, so-and-so must be almost here; I can already hear [song]."
~~You are a truly awful person if you use Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A terrible, horrible person. And you get bonus points for how entirely twisted you are.
Doing. Totally doing. You are fantastic!
Re: Dares 2011!
I shall find a way to use these "plot ninjas..." Even if they're just maintenance workers!
Re: Dares 2011!
I love all of these sooooo much. I don't know if I'll actually be able to use them, but I hope so :D
Re: Dares 2011!
what is a plot ninja exactly? o.O
Re: Dares 2011!
I might use a few of these. >>;
Re: Dares 2011!
Theme song idea taken.
I'm going for the Rick Roll.
The character heralded by the song won't notice, but everyone else will make the connection.
Re: Dares 2011!
That would be Totally Awesome. ;-)
Challenge accepted!
Re: Dares 2011!
Dedicate an entire scene to your MC dropping stuff off at the dump.
+ BP: Before your MC even has a chance to park the car, s/he is mobbed by dumpster divers eager to claim his/her junk.
++ DBP: If your MC is driving a truck, have several people leap into the bed and/or ride on the fender, clinging to the items they've claimed.
+++ QBP: A fight breaks out when two or more characters claim the same item.
++++ Cookies: The item is not only cheap and easily found at any department store, but broken.
Your MC steals their clothes from a dumpster at the local landfill.
+ BP: There is a sign plastered to the dumpster in question that expressly forbids this.
++ DBP: The MC does this regularly.
+++ QBP: S/He is the best-dressed person in their family and/or circle of acquaintances
Re: Dares 2011!
Wow, so taking the Dump scene! This works very well since my novel is a steampunk story. Have you ever seen steampunk enthusiasts talk about they junk they find? I am going to beg for cake and ice cream for this dare by making the cheap item extremely important to the plot... :P
Re: Dares 2011!
High-five for the steaminess of this?
Re: Dares 2011!
Dude, the people who live in the apartments around me are totally and utterly like this. This is my bloody LIFE!
Re: Dares 2011!
"best dressed" hahaha
Re: Dares 2011!
Yay! Dares thread. I've already taken half a dozen. It's such a relief to be doing a comedy novel this year, most of the dares won't even be out of place ^_^.
Leaving:
Have a character who makes T-shirts for the other characters with puntastic designs based on their roles in the story.
BP if these t-shirts predict roles characters are going to play in the story.
DBP if at one point a scene seems to be going wrong and the character who makes the t-shirts hurries on, gets two characters to switch t-shirts and suddenly everything makes sense (and there is a collective 'oh' from the ensemble).
Have a character who can only think upside down.
Have a character who makes everything a competition.
In one scene have a gun belonging to someone called Chekov. It has nothing to do with the plot, it has nothing to do with the scene, it's just mentioned. Then, in the final scene of the novel, have the gun suddenly return as a huge plot point.
BP if it's not used to shoot someone, but in some other, random way.
DBP if you can do this in some way that the reader doesn't notice the significance until after they've finished reading the novel (a Fridge Chekov's Gun, if you will)
Re: Dares 2011!
Alright. I think I can make this work: "Have a character who can only think upside down."
You're on.
Re: Dares 2011!
You know what, I actually think I can make "a character who can only think upside down" "a character who makes everything a competition" and the mysterious gun belonging to Chekov, all work out! This is going to be awesome... you are so on!
Re: Dares 2011!
YES. I will use Chekov's gun! TV tropes for the win!
Re: Dares 2011!
If I change "Have a character who can only think upside down" to "Have a character who can only read upside down" I don't know if it qualifies as taking, but I thought I'd mention it anyway XD thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
Okay. I may have to take the T-shirts one. And the Chekov's gun one is just honestly too good to pass up. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking the Chekov's Gun.
Re: Dares 2011!
Not directly taking this, but I am soooo tempted to have a character *name* his gun Checkov now...
Re: Dares 2011!
What about having a character who thinks that they can only think upside down,would that work? XD
Have a character who speaks only in movie titles.
DBP: If it actually makes sense.
TBP: If no one realizes what he is doing.
Re: Dares 2011!
I think I'll be using these. Not sure when, but it'll work somehow.
Re: Dares 2011!
"Include the line "I jammed it in so hard, it got stuck in the bone. Do you know how hard it is to pull a knife out of bone?"
BP if it's human bone
DBP if the human can hear this line spoken
TBP if the line is said TO the victim"
QBP if the victim agrees that it's really hard to do. :)
Re: Dares 2011!
Thinking about it, could probably pull off a couple (karaoke contest, evil laughs, stealing clothes, and the chekov's gun)
Actually, if I do it right, I might be able to make a Fridge Chekov's Gun out of the actual Chekov's gun... (So happy for time travel plots)
Adding a bonus point to another:
Write a scene dedicated to the cooking of an egg.
BP: That doesn't involve a stove
DBP: Or any other surface (like a sidewalk)
A passing remark gave me this dare, though:
Have a character be mailed a list of things to do today to live happily
BP: This happens each day (or the night before the day it's talking about)
DBP: It's through snail mail
TBP: The character does their list and is happy
QBP: One day, there's only one thing on the list: "Die"
QBP: It actually works (i.e. they die, then proceed to live happily)
Re: Dares 2011!
Some of my favourite ones from last year (and nope, none of them is mine) ...
Have your MC call a relative to borrow something
BP If it's someone they haven't spoken to in years
TBP If they aren't borrowing money
QBP If it's a shovel
QBP and a cookie if they actuall call it the Traveling Shovel of Death
QBP, and chocolate, chocloate chip cookie dough ice cream if the relative is Mr. Ian Woon
Have a boring character make up a bad joke.
BP: have that character crack him/herself up whenever he hears it
DBP: have the character tell it multiple times, to whoever will listen.
TBP: have the character tell it in the middle of the climatic scene
4BP: have the character get it wrong and start cursing in the climatic scene
Have your characters throw a massive party in the middle of a tense scene.
BP: if everyone is invited, including the villains and superminor characters (e.g., nameless grocer from ch. 3)
DBP: if the nameless grocer from ch. 3 doesn't show up, and everyone is upset.
TBP: if someone spikes the punch, and everyone ends up drunk.
QBP: if, while drunk, the villain reveals his evil plot in great detail, but no one recalls it in the morning.
QuintupleBP: if, while drunk, one character confesses love to another, and the confessee remembers it in the morning, but the confesser has no recollection.
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre”
BP: If everyone nods understandingly
DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Re: Dares 2011!
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre”
BP: If everyone nods understandingly
DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
HAHAHA I am so going to use that!
Re: Dares 2011!
Me too.
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I have done. It's a pretty appropriate time to have said it too.
Re: Dares 2011!
Have your characters throw a massive party in the middle of a tense scene.
BP: if everyone is invited, including the villains and superminor characters (e.g., nameless grocer from ch. 3)
DBP: if the nameless grocer from ch. 3 doesn't show up, and everyone is upset.
TBP: if someone spikes the punch, and everyone ends up drunk.
QBP: if, while drunk, the villain reveals his evil plot in great detail, but no one recalls it in the morning.
QuintupleBP: if, while drunk, one character confesses love to another, and the confessee remembers it in the morning, but the confesser has no recollection.
Can we add in a lifetime's supply of cookies if it's the villain and the MC confessing love to one another?
Re: Dares 2011!
Bad joke one . . . ooh, I have a evil sorcerer (Meryl the Magician- Merlin's half-brother lol) who may do just that!
Re: Dares 2011!
Have a boring character make up a bad joke.
BP: have that character crack him/herself up whenever he hears it
DBP: have the character tell it multiple times, to whoever will listen.
TBP: have the character tell it in the middle of the climatic scene
4BP: have the character get it wrong and start cursing in the climatic scene
Taking, thanks! Though, of course, now I have to make up a bad joke, which I haven't the faintest idea of how to do because I've never actually made up my own joke, but I will manage!
Re: Dares 2011!
So, this guy, he walks into a bar right? Uh,.. He says OW! HAHAHA! Get it? Ow, like, ouch. See, the bar, was not an establishment where alcohol is served but literally a pole that is horizontally placed. Hehe, bar.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am taking the bad joke one. It works too well to pass up.
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I am so tempted to take the one about calling up the relative to borrow the TSoD. That might need to happen... haha, thanks!
Re: Dares 2011!
I was wondering how in the world I was going to fit the TSoD in this year's Nanovel. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can use all but the BP, since it'll be Vanessa, Ian's daughter, doing the asking. Woot! So by my count, that's 12 points, a cookie, and ice cream for me. :o))
Re: Dares 2011!
totally taking the "this is nanowrimo! anything can happen!"
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The bad joke gives a needed character handle...
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Sooooo gonna use the bad joke one. :D
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I'm so doing this. Granted, I must edit it out later since I have this horrid fear of breaking the fourth wall, but that's awesome! ::teehee: ::yes:
Re: Dares 2011!
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre”
BP: If everyone nods understandingly
DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
Re: Dares 2011!
I neeeed to use this one :D hehe
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i love the party one! :D and the
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre”
BP: If everyone nods understandingly
DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
so funny! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Dare: A character yells “You can’t do that, it doesn’t fit with the novels genre”
BP: If everyone nods understandingly
DBP: If someone else says in reply “Dude this is NaNoWriMo anything can happen.”
I'm doing it. The bad guy's going to kill a dragon with a laser gun, and everyone else is going to freak out. Even the bad guys.
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-Include in your novel the superstition that coffee steals souls.
Is it bad that my plot ALREADY revolved around an evil coffeehouse that uses people's souls as an ingredient in their hot drinks before even reading this?
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If I had been drinking anything while reading this, it would have sqirted out my nose. That is so unlikely! *Laughs*
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no, thats so freakin awesome. :DX5thousand
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Have one of your characters accidentally give a parrot an unfortunate name.
BP if the parrot repeats it at the worst possible time.
DBP if the MC taught this to the parrot.
TBP if the name is Dick.
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Taking.
Leaving:
-Have one of your characters create a new religion.
BP: If the religion revolves around worshiping an inanimate object (e.g., a sock, a whisk).
DBP: If this religion gains a lot of followers.
TBP: If one of those followers is your MC.
QBP and a cookie: If it's revealed that this religion is actually the one true religion.
Re: Dares 2011!
AMAZING! I think I'll file this away.
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Ooh, I'm going to use this, and make the religion already be the established main religion ii opn eof the worlds in my novel. Thanks!:)
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Another one.
A character receives too much change back from the cashier and proceeds to walk out of the store with it.
+ BP if the character is guilt-stricken but can't decide if s/he should return the change or not
++ DBP if there are witnesses.
+++ QBP if the character knows there are witnesses and the witnesses know that the character was aware of them.
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This is really cute, I might be able to use this for Penny. Thanks!
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Oh, I think I have the perfect character for this one...
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Some that I took from last year. most are general. And no none of these are mine.
-Use the dictionary.com word of the day, every day that you write this november.
-Have your characters explore an abandoned building
+ if they find something important to the plot there
++ if they didn't know they needed this item that they find.
+++ if they had no reason to be in the building in the first place
Cookie: if the building disappears from existence and there is no mention of it ever again.
-Include well known song lyrics in your novel (for example, have a character say "Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand")
Cookie from me-If it is an internet meme (like Friday by rebecca black)
Re: Dares 2011!
-Use the dictionary .com word of the day, every day you write in November
I will give this a go!
Still tangled up with my plot but ideas here are fab!
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The dictionary.com word of the day dare is awesome. You're so on.
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-Use the dictionary.com word of the day, every day that you write this november.
Ooh. Simple enough. And why not?
I'll just have to thank you anyway for putting this out there :D
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Love the dictionary.com word of the day thing! :D
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking the lyrics thing- kind of. I was already planning on basing my novel on song lyrics from my favorite artist. But most of his songs aren't necessarily well known.
Re: Dares 2011!
I like this one too.
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Ooh! Taking the building one, with +, ++, and cookie.
Leaving: The next time you're in a restaurant or coffee shop, do some people watching. Take notes on the most interesting-looking person you see. Create a character out of them, and insert them in your novel.
Re: Dares 2011!
Taking! I could use some more characters. Plus, I always forget to do this. *Grins*
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I am going to do that.
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Use the dictionary .com word of the day, every day you write in November
Challenge accepted.
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I'll give the dictionary one a shot
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I'm also doing the dictionary one!
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Also taking:
-Have your characters explore an abandoned building
+ if they find something important to the plot there
++ if they didn't know they needed this item that they find.
+++ if they had no reason to be in the building in the first place
Cookie: if the building disappears from existence and there is no mention of it ever again.
That could definitely work in my story.
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I believe by the end of November, you will owe me a cookie!
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Oh, now I have to decide *which* character it is, or if there's some way I can make it both of them...
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I might take the dictionary.com one, sounds fun. I'm probably gonna use the lyrics one too.
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I can use these!
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-Use the dictionary.com wod of the day, everyday you write this November.
I am going to try this.
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I'm taking the dictionary.com and the abandoned building one.
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Snagging the abandoned building!
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Oooh! Taking! Do I get any bonus points if the character explored the abandoned building because they arrived at the wrong abandoned building?
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Actually doing this. I have a character who loves winding people up, so this is pretty perfect.
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I'm totally having a character that makes everything a competition. That will be awesome.
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Dares are my favorite! I'm sure I'll have more, but for now:
Include the following exchange:
A: "This won't hurt a bit."
B: "Ouch!!"
A: "There, see? I lied."
A free bowtie if you get the reference (:
Re: Dares 2011!
Is that Dr.Who?Or something very similar in Doc. Martin last night (UK television)?
Re: Dares 2011!
That is indeed Doctor Who. I believe it's The Impossible Astronaut, but it may be Day of the Moon. Can anyone correct me on that?
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It's "The Time of Angels", River to Amy about a radiation protection shot.
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Is anyone willing to gift me some episodes so I can catch up on season five? I feel horrible for knowing it's Doctor Who but not knowing which.
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Haha, I like it! I will use the translated version since I'm not writing my first NaNo in English. ;D
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A: "This won't hurt a bit."
B: "Ouch!!"
A: "There, see? I lied."
I love this and wants it badly. Will use.
Re: Dares 2011!
I am so using that and I was thinking of having the whole 'self-destruct-button-that's-actually-a-cookie' you are the best!
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Taking!
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YEESS. I WIN A BOWTIE!