|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 1, 2022 11:08:26 GMT -6
I have one more question - would noir fiction be comparable to film noir? I would read a noir novel for research but don't know if I'd have time for that. However, I could definitely find time to watch a movie. And I'm often inspired by films, more than books. I have no clue, LOL! This genre is totally new to me. Though, I may do the same and seek out some Noir films for the same reason. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 1, 2022 11:13:24 GMT -6
Is the prompt image iron clad. That is the story MUST be a decrepit hallway of an abandon/ fire torn building or is it representative and any simlar image is acceptable/ I'll give the same response that I gave another member who asked this via PM: the image is part of the prompt, so yes, for full prompt scores, the image needs to pop in somewhere, even loosely. Is it just a memory/flashback, a testimony, a crime scene visited only briefly? The entire story does NOT need to take place in this setting alone. Or, if you don't mind losing a few points on the prompt criteria, feel free to ignore the image entirely. Most importantly, write a story you yourself like and will be proud of, even if the prompt isn't followed to the letter. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 1, 2022 11:22:37 GMT -6
Heads up, all contestants! Because of the questions concerning different flavors of the Noir genre, I've added a "Subgenre" field to the template. If you end up with a Fantasy Noir or Horror Noir, etc., please let us know in the template so we'll know what to expect.
Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by Alatariel on Feb 1, 2022 13:20:14 GMT -6
That's great! Ruminating on an idea that I may or may not like...seems cliche but you know some great stories start with cliche ideas.
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 1, 2022 15:35:51 GMT -6
That's great! Ruminating on an idea that I may or may not like...seems cliche but you know some great stories start with cliche ideas. Lord, mine will be so cliche, and not in a good way. Will try to avoid it, but not holding my breath.  |
|
|
|
Post by Alatariel on Feb 1, 2022 16:34:03 GMT -6
That's great! Ruminating on an idea that I may or may not like...seems cliche but you know some great stories start with cliche ideas. Lord, mine will be so cliche, and not in a good way. Will try to avoid it, but not holding my breath.  Why does that make me feel better, though? I'm sure yours will be great. You can make anything good just because you have the skills. |
|
|
|
Post by pelwrath on Feb 1, 2022 23:37:12 GMT -6
I'm not worried about cliche'I'm worreid about an idea. I've got a seed and I don't see that becoming 3k+ words. I'll see what developes for a few days, fingers crossed, but going over 3k is very important.
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 2, 2022 8:53:34 GMT -6
I'm not worried about cliche'I'm worreid about an idea. I've got a seed and I don't see that becoming 3k+ words. I'll see what developes for a few days, fingers crossed, but going over 3k is very important. Hmm, not following. If I'm reading this correctly ... the story doesn't have to be 3000+ words. It can be any length under 3500 words. 100 words, 1000 words, that works too. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 2, 2022 9:35:25 GMT -6
Ooo, doing a bit of research into the Noir genre and found a good quote that helps me wrap my head around it: "In noir, the primary focus is interior: psychic imbalance leading to self-hatred, aggression, sociopathy, or a compulsion to control those with whom one shares experiences. By contrast, hard boiled 'paints a backdrop of institutionalized social corruption." ~Jay Gertzman And here's a short, blunt article detailing the difference between hardboiled private eye fiction and Noir fiction: www.huffpost.com/entry/noir-fiction-is-about-los_b_676200And now I'm more nervous than ever to get writing this thing. At least it'll be fun brainstorming the most mess-up character in the universe.  |
|
|
|
Post by pelwrath on Feb 2, 2022 9:52:20 GMT -6
I'm not worried about cliche' I'm worreid about an idea. I've got a seed and I don't see that becoming 3k+ words. I'll see what developes for a few days, fingers crossed, but going over 3k is very important. Hmm, not following. If I'm reading this correctly ... the story doesn't have to be 3000+ words. It can be any length under 3500 words. 100 words, 1000 words, that works too. Raveneye, You're correct but my last entry, at about half of the 3500 was the lowest scored. Now was that becasue it wasn't long enough, which was a common comment. Could be. The ones with the best scores all were over if not on the boarder of the 3500. So, I feel a need to make sure I don't gloss over and leave stuff out. Pack the story like sardines and then remove a few, so it fits. I'll write what I feel the story needs from me to be written. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 2, 2022 10:39:47 GMT -6
Hmm, not following. If I'm reading this correctly ... the story doesn't have to be 3000+ words. It can be any length under 3500 words. 100 words, 1000 words, that works too. Raveneye, You're correct but my last entry, at about half of the 3500 was the lowest scored. Now was that becasue it wasn't long enough, which was a common comment. Could be. The ones with the best scores all were over if not on the boarder of the 3500. So, I feel a need to make sure I don't gloss over and leave stuff out. Pack the story like sardines and then remove a few, so it fits. I'll write what I feel the story needs from me to be written. Ah, I see! Yeah, it's probably good to flesh it out then remove excess if it goes over the word limit. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 2, 2022 10:42:32 GMT -6
Also! I added a couple of helpful links to the Resources section of the announcement. What the heck is Noir? These articles do a good job defining what it is and isn't. (they're short to read, too, which is nice) I think I'm getting a handle on this genre now. It's not what I expected, that's for sure. An idea is stirring though, so I'm hopeful. ---- Secondly, I'm so intrigued by this genre that I ordered these two books: The Best American Noir Of The CenturyIn a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes (b/c I'm interested in a woman's take on this genre) Hoping they'll be here this Saturday, even though we have snow coming in. Crossing fingers. |
|
|
|
Post by Alatariel on Feb 2, 2022 12:10:11 GMT -6
Oh! I'm super intrigued by this genre/style too. It's different from my normal comfort zone which is good. I'm trying to grow as a writer and these contests help so much.
My problem is writing a story that's ONLY 3500 words. How do you write a short story about "institutionalized social corruption" AND a character that's struggling with so much internal conflict and have it resolve in a (at least semi) satisfactory way?
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Feb 2, 2022 12:44:22 GMT -6
Oh! I'm super intrigued by this genre/style too. It's different from my normal comfort zone which is good. I'm trying to grow as a writer and these contests help so much. My problem is writing a story that's ONLY 3500 words. How do you write a short story about "institutionalized social corruption" AND a character that's struggling with so much internal conflict and have it resolve in a (at least semi) satisfactory way? LOL, right? Hmm, maybe not all of the common themes need to be represented in a short work, maybe narrow the focus. From a full experience to a single scene example of the genre. Sheesh, easier said than done. I had my single scene picked out, then remembered the darn picture part of the prompt. Ugh. Now I gotta rethink things. Which means, maybe I'll end up with two stories outta this thing. Heh, nice. |
|
|
|
Post by Alatariel on Feb 2, 2022 15:10:19 GMT -6
Hey, did you know Leviathan Wakes by James Corey is a sci-fi noir novel? Just watched Hank Green recommend it on TikTok and if that's how he defines it then I trust it.
|
|
