by Vivian A.
Member since:
July 18, 2007

Deception, Unveiling the Wombats CCCIXXX

November 02, 2009 07:43 PM EST
views: 90 | rating: 10/10 (1 vote) | comments: 360

Intentional or not?

During the Wombats 3rd Annual Terrifying Tales contest participating guessers were unable to attribute the author to the tale. So is it mimicry? Or does one's voice change that dramatically when switching genres? Is our success hinged on accepting the correct genre for our voice?

Part of Phantasmagoria is where illusion and reality inhabit the same space, so did you accept the contest and write in your voice or did you adopt a "character" or costume for the task? It's fun to play dress up.


17 entries in the contest.

3 people had multiple entries.

The best guesser got 7/17 correct.


We know each other, and I have to admit to being a little surprised how wrong we were. What's up?

 

Random bacchanalia, sort of like the Wombats.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d505/d42/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
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Comments: 360

Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 7:47pm EST
First!
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 7:48pm EST
Congratulations. Looks like people aren't worried, so off with me.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 7:49pm EST
I never do a good job of identifying authors. There are a few who have a very distinctive voice, but I can't pick out the voices of most Wombats.
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 7:54pm EST
Second!
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:54pm EST
I like the random bacchanalia.

Thank you.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:55pm EST
okay, 3rd!
Paul Allen Leoncini Nov 2, 2009, 7:55pm EST
Creepy Sculpture - Hello Viv!!!
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 7:55pm EST
I brought my green-with-envy marker over to this thread, Jamie. Just holler when you need it.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:56pm EST
My clock says 3 minutes.

*toe tapping...
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:57pm EST
Damn. Gather's is a minute behind...
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:57pm EST
ah, there we go.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 7:58pm EST
So, to torture myself, I thought I'd check the amazon #s for WBU.

No torture here. Ranking dropped:

Product Details

* Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
* Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; 1 edition (November 3, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1402224273
* ISBN-13: 978-1402224270
* Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
* Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
* Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
5 Reviews
5 star:
(3)
4 star:
(2)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)

› See all 5 customer reviews...
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,972 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 7:59pm EST
Judi, I didn't find WBU the last time I was at the bookstore, but I haven't been since last week. I need to get in there so I can touch it.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:01pm EST
It's not supposed to release until tomorrow, so that's actually a good thing you didn't find it. You know, for when I could possibly make the lists and all... LOL
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
Next time I'm in civilization (Nov 12th) I hope to find it at a bookstore. Of course if I don't find it, then it's sold out locally which would make Judi happy, but me sad.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 7:58pm EST
So, are we gonna do some guessing before Vivian actually tells us anything?
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 7:59pm EST
And no, I never consciously disguise my voice. I think a lot of people probably guessed which one I wrote. We'll see though.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:01pm EST
I guessed you wrote Scaredy Cat.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:02pm EST
I thought she wrote that one, too.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
You guessed wrong.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
Rats.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
wow. Seriously?

Okay, I officially stink at guessing.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
I had Beaker for Scaredy Cat and Jamie for Dead Ringer.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:06pm EST
I have Wanda for Scaredy Cat.

No comment, Pat.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
W00t! That means Jamie wrote Dead RInger!! Geez, I'd love to get at least one right!
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:01pm EST
I didn't disguise either. I had enough trouble just trying to think of something to write.
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:01pm EST
I'm still dazed by Jill's news. And twirling.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:02pm EST
Hi! How's everyone?

Oops! Forgot my tea.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
good thing there's a CANCEL option on this comment box b/c I had to get rid of that nasty word...
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
Um, Vivian? Do you need to brew the tea? Boil the water? Steep anything? 'Cause we might be waiting.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:02pm EST
Do we need to do a Mickey Mouse Club roll call to see if we're here?
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:02pm EST
Listening to "Closer to home" by Grand Funk. A song about insanity, which I think is perfectly attuned to the evening's fun.
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:06pm EST
At the end of the new movie Law Abiding Citizen, they rolled GFR Paranoid and it sounded great. I suppose that dates me, big time.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
VIVIAN! Where are you?
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:03pm EST
getting her effin tea!!!

:|
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
Oh there she is at 8:02, WHICH is tardy, btw. Just sayin'....
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
She is tardy for the party - my new ringtone.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
I think that's one flavor I've never tried.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
Please don't shout, Jamie.

Btw. for Ms. Judi, would you rather have me spit?
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
if you spit out the answers, then, yes, I would.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
This comment was a continuation of you're Spew alert on your thread, Sure about that?
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
Putting on her spikey boots to kick back the hordes at the door.
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
I tried to pick out aspects that clearly mark my work...and got rid of them to try to fool people. I'd be very surprised if that worked. Voice! Of all my problems, having a distinct voice ain't one of them, but maybe I'm wrong.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:06pm EST
You do have voice, Ken. I just never seem to hear it with your contest entries and short blurbs.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
I didn't try to fool any body. I had 10 million things going on and just jammed a story out there.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
And I had Paul for 3, not 4
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:04pm EST
I'd like to know who most people got RIGHT? Who has such a distinct voice it can't be disguised? And was there anyone that NO ONE got right? And where's the list of winners?
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
I bet I can answer that one, Pat. I think we all got Paul's - at least one of them, but I had him down for 4. Paul has a very distinct voice and style.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
btw, did you happen to look at the picture on the last thread? I thought for sure you'd be in rapture over where it was taken. Which leads me to believe you didn't look closely enough.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:16pm EST
I did look, and commented on it!
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm EST
My clock is slow. Actually the church bells went off earlier, and then I got confused.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:06pm EST
I'm about to clean your clock, Mistress V.

Just sayin'...
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
Dead Ringer comes to mind!
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:06pm EST
I submitted something completely out of character.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
it was a squash.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
?
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
hardy-har-har!
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
I had you for Deep Purple, which means you probably wrote the poem about Evie. Sigh.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
Was it All Hallow's Evie by any chance, because I guessed you wrote that. Not sure why.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
I had Rand for Evie and Not Quite What it Seems.
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
Heh.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
Heh meaning what?
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:17pm EST
Heh, meaning Heh. Heh.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
I had Jill for Dead Ringer.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
Ha!!! So did I!

We're probably wrong on that one, too. Well, at least I'm in good company.
Jill Lynn A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
Bzzz. Wrong, ladies.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:10pm EST
Judi and I are not very good guessers, obviously. But that we guess alike must mean something cosmic.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
It means I can write a damn good book and you can make it a damn sight better. :)
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:12pm EST
I knew there was something awesome about us!
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:07pm EST
I had Paul for 4 also. He was going to work on changing his voice, though.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
Who had mulitples? I had Paul and Rand for multiples.
Jill Lynn A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
What Pat said. Cut to the chase, Ms. ACA.

I have to pull up the e-mail I sent to Vivian. I can't remember who I picked for which story.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:08pm EST
Well to let you out of a bit of misery... 5 entries were not correctly ID by anyone.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:10pm EST
Thank you, mistress, may I have another?
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:10pm EST
Where's the damn SPEW ALERT, Jamie!!!!
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
I don't think that's helpful!
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:12pm EST
Jamie, you're bad.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:17pm EST
Which 5??
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
We're going to run through 300 comments before 8:15 if she doesn't get back here with her effin tea!
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
ah, there she is.

How's the tea, sweetie pie?
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:09pm EST
Which 5 and who?
Paul Allen Leoncini Nov 2, 2009, 8:10pm EST
I submitted one authentic entry, and two distractors, encase anybody recognized me . .
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
Okay, 10 mins gone by. I'm into "Hey, Joe" - Hendrix. Guy shot his girl. Just sayin'.
Jill Lynn A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
I guessed Judi and Paul for multiple entries.
Paul Allen Leoncini Nov 2, 2009, 8:11pm EST
I wrote 1, 3, and 4 - - -
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
yep, I had you for those.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
me, too
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
Me three.
Paul Allen Leoncini Nov 2, 2009, 8:15pm EST
Great!
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:16pm EST
Me four.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:19pm EST
Me, um, 5?
Wanda H. Nov 2, 2009, 9:12pm EST
I didn't number them by entrance order so this is SOOOOO not helping me.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:12pm EST
5th Place, holding it on their own between two sets of ties is


The Garden of His Delights


a Wombat perennial favorite- Pat S.
Paul Allen Leoncini Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
One of my Favorites
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
Hm... I had Rand for that one.

Congrats, Pat!
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
That's a great story. Now, what about the red rose! Did Rand nail it?
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
I had Judi for that one. :-)
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:21pm EST
YAY!!! THank you!! And yes, Rand nailed it on the red rose. It was Mother in the garden. Sadly, I wasn't clear enough that she was the killer, not him. I mentioned he was always fixing things for her, but not enough.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:22pm EST
I didn't pick up on that. But loved the story.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:24pm EST
Ooh, yeah. I didn't get that either, but I like that he offed her.
Wanda H. Nov 2, 2009, 9:13pm EST
Shucks I didn't get that either! But I like it even better now.
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:12pm EST
If I had fingers they'd be a-tappin' about now.
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:13pm EST
Oooh, missed that Pat wrote that. I thought Jamie did.

Pat - did Larry off his mom?
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:21pm EST
Yes, he did. You got it exactly right.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:21pm EST
And it was hilarious that Ken thought a man wrote it!
Ken C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:30pm EST
The guy ends up with the exotic dancer!
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:36pm EST
I have it on good authority that guys like stories that have exotic dancers and happy endings!
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
Yeah, Pat!!! I guessed that one right!!!
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
Judi, I'm laughing to hard and the tea is still brewing. Can I get it or will you all garrote me when me meet if I do?

Paul accounted for 3 of most peoples' guesses. Too unique to be mistaken, in most cases.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
Yaaaaaay, congrats, Pat! I liked that one.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:14pm EST
And it wasn't the story that made me think Pat. It was the title. Sounds like her wording.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:15pm EST
And, Pat? You were my 10.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:22pm EST
Thank you, Beth. You know me too well!
James R. Nov 2, 2009, 8:16pm EST
Hah. I guessed that Pat wrote that. Reminded me of her first entry.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:23pm EST
I'm going to have to come up with a new schtick!
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:16pm EST
97 comments already. This is going to be a two-threader.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:17pm EST
Tied in 4th Place, two stories that start with the same letter.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:17pm EST
I want to know which one people thought I wrote. We already know Jamie's guess. I'm wondering if I hid my voice well enough?
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
Somewhere Special?
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:19pm EST
That's the one I thought Pat wrote.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:23pm EST
I had you for All Hallow's Evie.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:29pm EST
nope. I can't wait to see who wrote that one.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:17pm EST
I can stop talking. That would help.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
but then I would be sad. So that's not a choice.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
Probably not possible. I'm buzzing tonight. And only one Coke today.
Rand Phares Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
Judi - I had you for Dead Ringer.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:19pm EST
Nope. And I thought that was Jill's.
Pat S. Nov 2, 2009, 8:24pm EST
I had Jill for Somewhere Special.
Vivian A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:18pm EST
I should mention that 6th place and 3rd place are separated by 6 points!
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:20pm EST
At this point, we're all such good writers, it's a toss up as to what tickles the voters' fancy.
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:20pm EST
Wow, what a close race! That's why these things are so danged hard to vote for. So many excellent tales.
Beth H. Nov 2, 2009, 8:21pm EST
Verrry close contest.
Jill Lynn A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:20pm EST
I didn't intentionally disquise my voice, but I'm thinking no one guessed mine as it was rather gritty.
Judi F. Nov 2, 2009, 8:21pm EST
Were you Deep Purple?
Jamie C. Nov 2, 2009, 8:22pm EST
I've got Jill for Not Quite What It Seems.
Jill Lynn A. Nov 2, 2009, 8:22pm EST
No. But I picked Beaker for that one.