Friday, 7 June 2013

SFFSat - June 08

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

So, straying away from my current WIP, the ever-dastardly and determined to confuse me, Bengaria's War, I had this inane thought bubble that popped in my head. Things like this have been happening to me quite recently, including having some weird dreams to help spur things along. Anyways, this thought/first two dialogue lines about 'dinosaur' just popped into and the rest just sort of came. I've never been one to write panster-style, so, basically, this is like giving a speech ad-hoc style, or storytelling around a campfire. Bear with me...I'm new to this.

This is an untitled snippet, and something I may just write as I go along, strictly for SFFSat. What do you say? This sounds like a plan. Let the pansting (is that a word?) begin! For now, let's call this a SF-ish, Twilight Zone-ish, X-File-ish something or the other...

This is the very first opening scene...

           
“Dinosaur.”

“You got that right. This tech is pretty ancient.”
A general calculation pegged the control room on the bridge to be circa 1960s, complete with round screens and dials and protruding knobs like toothpaste caps and sharp-edged consoles, even an old-fashioned landline telephone in a horrible peachy color was mounted at one end.
“No, I mean really. Dinosaur.”
I looked over at Mason. Judging from his expression, I knew immediately he didn’t mean the outdated navigational equipment on the derelict vessel. He stared at a point behind me and looked like he’d just pooped his pants, in the worst way possible. He even stood funny.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.



Cheers!

25 comments:

  1. Lesson learned. When someone says "Dinosaur," they mean it! Sounds like a fun story worthy of pantsing-it out.

    BTW, Pansting is the only way to go. It's too much fun. You never know what's going to happen next. That's why my character's always say, "Now What?" If you ever hear someone say that, now you know they're directing the question to me.

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    1. Haha! Well, this is all new to me. It's quite fun, like anything-goes Saturday! :D

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  2. Always fun to take on a new project, even one where you're not sure where it's going to go. I have to disagree with Cary, though, in that sometimes a little bit of structure still keeps the end game in sight. ;-)

    Love the retro look of the bridge...and the crewman with his 'accident.' :-)

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    1. I have to agree with you there. Like the light at the end of the tunnel, I like some sort of 'guidance' as to which direction to go. With this, I have none (so far). Thanks!!

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  3. I love this. I remember a similar exchange in an online RPG years ago. My "crewman" was examining a ship and he said "Blast!" Everyone thought he was making an excited exclamation, but he was really pointing out the big hole in the ship. "No, blast!" (pointing) Those double-takes are priceless. Well done.

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    1. Haha! Funny. Thank you! I'm having fun with this for sure!!

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  4. Brilliant, T.K.! I laughed out loud.

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    1. HA!! Thanks!! Gotta have some laugh out loud moments, right!

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  5. This was really funny. I loved it. You need to keep these coming! I'm not a pantser myself, but you seem to have a flair for it.

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    1. Thanks!! I'll have to conjure up some new words for next week!

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  6. That was awesome! It reminded me of the Doctor Who episode 'Dinosaurs on a Spaceship'! And is there really any good way to look like you just pooped your pants?

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    1. Alas, there is no good way to look... Heehee!! Thank you!!

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  7. Pantsing is a word and it's a way of living.

    Dinosaurs on a Space Ship... Can't go wrong with that. Toothpaste caps *snicker.* This is entirely too much fun. Keep it going. sometimes a little crazy pantsing just for fun is the best way clear the mental palate. I'm all in favor of goofing with characters!

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    1. Thanks, JC. It is a "cleansing" effect, indeed... ;)

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  8. LOL! I loved this from the first word to the last couple of sentences. I imagine there is something very big and very scaly nearby. Great humor here. This is a fun start. Looking forward to more.

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  9. Haha! Thanks!! Yep, there's definitely something out there!

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  10. I love the casual tone of the snippet. Looking forward to more.

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  11. LOL I love scenes like that. Looking forward to more.

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  12. You get double bonus points for using the term "pooped his pants" AND combining a dinosaur on a space ship - who wouldn't want to read more. I also liked the comment about campfire stories and "bearing" with you in the intro - intended or not. Keep it coming.

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  13. Love this! Very descriptive and full of humor. Keep pantsing! (without poop, please!)

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