Summer's here.
I'm for that.
I'm for that.
Got my leather sandals
Got my straw hat.
Got my cold beer.
I'm just glad that it's here.
-- JTaylor
By Steve Weddle
If you're north of the equator, welcome to summer. If you're south of the equator, then have a nice day.
So with summer comes vacations of beaches, family get-togethers, weeks in foreign lands, etc.
Lee Smith -- and/or other folks -- said that there are two kinds of stories.
1. A stranger comes to town.
2. Somebody takes a trip.
With that in mind, how about we do us up a little writing challenge here. Anywhere from 500 words to 5,000. Post links here. Deadline two weeks from today.
Your spin on:
Summer vacation given the crime fiction treatment.
Noir at the beach house.
Beatings at the beach.
And let's have a prize.
One lucky entrant -- probably chosen at random -- will receive a copy of FUN AND GAMES from Duane Swierczynski.
Along with fellow writers Charlie Huston and Victor Gischler, Duane Swierczynski leads an insurgency of new crime writers specializing in fast-paced crime rife with sharp dialogue, caustic humor and over-the-top violence. Together, they ensure that the grittiest and most compulsively-readable crime fiction in the world is still produced right here in the USA. SPINETINGLER REVIEW
So post here if you feel like joining in on the fun. I'd suggest keeping the stories to around flash length of 1,000 words or fewer, but I ain't in the mood to set limits on your awesomenesses.
Once you write up your story and post it on your site, drop back by and leave the link in the comments. I'll collect them all for two weeks from today -- June 20 -- and post them in that day's blog post. And then I'll draw/pick a winner of Duane's super-cool new book.
AND ALSO THIS AS WELL IN ADDITION:
If you don't want to flash your fiction, then let us know about your favorite vacation story in the crime fiction tradition. I can't think of any Christa Faust, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane stories that have to do with summer vacation.
Honestly, the most stressful times ever in anyone's life ever in the world is when that person is trying to relax. Get away from the stress. Ain't nothing better for conflict than that. So if you'd rather share someone else's story than write your own, then hellfire, post up whatever title you want. I just can't think of any summer vacation crime fiction. Maybe DELIVERANCE. Maybe ICE HARVEST. Any ideas?
Either way I'll pull a FUN AND GAMES winner from the comments.
Thanks
40 comments:
Steve- This is a great idea and an awesome theme. I'm in. Thanks for doing this, it will be a lot of fun!
I'm on it.
I'm down for this one.
As for "vacation" reads I'd go with Scott Smith's The Ruins. By all accounts that book should not work. It's a goofy 50s B-movie at heart. But I was riveted. Worst. Vacation. Ever.
I'm in. Should be fun. Been a while since I flashed anyone.
...er...
Let's do this. Should be plenty o' fun! I love the fact you're giving us up to 5K words, too.
I'll give it a shot.
I've learned my lesson after bowing out of the WGI. But this is a terrific idea I will be following.
I'll do it.
So far we seem to have ->
Sean Patrick Reardon
Stephen D. Rogers
Eric Beetner
Keith
Seb Duper
Patti Abbott
David Cranmer
Chris LaTray
Peter Rozovsky
Benoit Lelievre
What a crew. Looking forward to these. If you need a place to house the writing, let me know and we'll host here at DSD or I'll carve out a page on my own site if needed.
Thanks to all for joining in.
Mine is up at http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-enter-do-some-damage-noir-at-beach.html. Thanks!
==========================
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
i'll do one, but i don't really have a blog to post at..
Can't help myself. Gotta do it.
Hi Steve,
Great! I'm in.
Sure, why not...
Sounds great to me! Count me in. Thanks for hosting the challenge and for offering the chance to win FUN AND GAMES. Cool!
I'm there. It's all fun and games until somebody's beach ball blows up.
All great. I'll update the list probably this weekend.
Check out http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-enter-do-some-damage-noir-at-beach.html already up.
The formal listing and linking and drawing will be on whatever Monday is two weeks from the Monday that was this week. I dunno. I'm on vacation and don't have a calendar.
http://www.deadendfollies.com/2011/06/night-i-almost-got-married.html
Vulnerability and angst are flowing in my veins right now. Scared as hell, like every time I publish a story.
I've done one, but it's only come out at 407 words.
http://spiesliesandpies.blogspot.com/2011/06/are-we-nearly-there-yet.html
Charlie, here's a real shock: Blogger won't let me post a reply on your site. So I'll say it here. Good stuff: tight, in control, just the way a short ought to be.
======================
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Here's mine:
http://www.malafide.com/blog/?p=1374
I found a place to squat! i'll post mine on our Flywheel blog and link back here. we were looking for a new blog entry. it should be posted tonight. today tho i wanna take a beach-type picture to go with it. or the closest thing to a beach i can find in Kentucky. awesome summer idea, man..
I'm going to try....
I'll have mine in this week.
hi, Steve. here's my contribution to your Bloody Beach Challenge. thanks for setting this up. very fun way to start the summer:
http://www.flywheelmag.com/627/yes-thats-my-sandwich/
Diana hits the beach:
http://alberttucher.writersresidence.com/samples/sharks
Here's mine. I swear I wasn't trying to make it so long but things happen.
http://ericbeetner.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-is-here-challenge-time.html
I also do not know how to post a link properly...
Here's my entry, "White People Problems"
White People Problems, by Thomas Pluck
It's just not happening at Casa Abbott. Head bowed meekly.
My entry is "Playa Los Muertos".
Here's my tale:
"Debt Takes a Holiday" http://keithkarabin.com/2011/06/16/in-which-i-do-some-damage/
I'd love some insight into when/if I should remove the story from my site if I'm looking to submit it to folk, which I might be...
Thanks, and I'm glad to be a part of such a smart crew.
Keith
Here's my story: http://kattomic-energy.blogspot.com/2011/06/fourth-of-july.html
Thanks for the challenge. I loved it and am enjoying everyone's stories.
Hey Steve,
CAPE NOIR is up.
http://stephendrogers.blogspot.com/2011/06/cape-noir.html
Stephen
Here's my story--called Sundown:
http://macfee.net/sundown/
I'd forgotten who was drawn up as the winner.
Looks like it was Thomas Pluck.
Delivery estimate: June 23, 2011 - June 24, 2011
1 "Fun and Games"
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