by Len Maxwell
Member since:
December 17, 2005

The Len Impersonator Prompt (Saturday Writing Essential)

March 03, 2012 12:03 AM UTC
views: 0 | 12 people recommend this | comments: 48

Whoa, that extra day in February really wore me out. I think I’m going to take a day off and let you do my work for me this week.

Last August,  Lynn P.  gave us a wonderful challenge for this week. In  The Len Impersonator Prompt  she asked us to do something that many of you will like and some might dislike. I’m obviously hoping that those who dislike the idea of writing this type of story will take the time to try it. You might actually have fun with it.

* * *

Okay, so I let my chin hair go until it filled out to a full beard and mustache. I borrowed one of my husband's caps. I'm wearing my wire-rimmed glasses. I'm Len. Can you see the resemblance?

So, what does Len do? Hmmmm, Encourage writers.

Come on! You can do this. Don't over think and just have fun.

What else does he do?

I don't care how long I let my chin hair grow, I just can't do tutorials on punctuation. Sure, I'd make you do it and skip it entirely, but, hey, he wants us to respond to the prompts we give him, so I'd have to get good at grammar too quickly. Not going to happen, (as proved by this paragraph.)

Tease Greg? Nah, too easy. (Maybe if I do another one.)

Ah, I know two other things he does all the time. He tries to force us out of our comfort zone and writes great revised fairy tales. (Fractured Fairy Tales for anyone old enough to remember Rocky and Bullwinkle.)

Me do a humorous take on a fairy tale or cartoon characters? I already know how good Len is. I'd look bad in comparison. Oh, I know. I'll get others to try it out, too. True, it's more likely I'll look bad compared to a whole bunch of people, but, hey, "out of our comfort zone." So, there you have it.

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Take fairy tale or cartoon characters, place them in our world, and tell their story. [Use prose or poetry.]

 

Ideas:

Surely, Hansel and Gretel grew up. Where are they now?

Remember Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar? They've been retired. Now what?

I grew up with cartoons where someone was always chasing someone else. How often did they ever catch them? Do you think they ever stopped? Then what happened?

Ha! I'm serious. This is outside my comfort zone, so I'm not giving away any more ideas. I still have to figure out what I'm doing.

 

Watch Out For:

Women trying to be Len.

Just kidding, but, if I knew what I was doing, I might come up with a "Watch out for."

It's time for me to get rid of this beard. It itches and my hubby won't kiss me now.

Come on! You can do this. Don't over think and just have fun.

 

Recap:

What a radical concept; some of you actually have a story dealing with snow or ice. There are a lot of great stories and poems this week and it would be courteous of you to read each of the following.

(Saturday Writing Essential – Snow or Ice) - The Ice Woman Cameth  by Pam Brittain

Dreams on My Pillow - Saturday Writing Essential  by Irina Dimitric

I'm a Scientist  by Len Maxwell

Roads Daydream Taken : Saturday Writing Essentials  by William Dotani

Saturday Writing Essential: A Tale Told in Winter  A. F. Stewart

Saturday Writing Essential: Freestyle: First Snowfall (SatWE-Write about Snow or Ice  by Stacey (Jesus is coming soon-are you ready? ) U.

SatWE Snow flake  by Korak 257

SatWE....Winter Milk Delivery....Barbara H....02.26.2012....  by Barbara H.

SatWE~~ICE or SNOW.....02.26.2012...Barbara H....  by Barbara H.

Snow in Hawai'i - Saturday Writing Essential  by Sonia M.

Thanksgiving Ice Storm 1999 Saturday Writing Essential  by JOHN Ashley

THE BRITISH ARE COMING BUT THEY CAN'T PLAY HOCKEY.  By karen vaughan

What Snow White Saw  by Kathryn Esplin

WINTER [Freestyle Saturday (Saturday Writing Essential)]  by Joann B.

 

Responses to Previous Challenges:

Some of you have suspected this but I think it will come as a shock to many of you -- I make misteaks occasionally. One of the reasons I have this heading is to let you know about posts I’ve missed.

I wonder what he's thinking (SatWe, October 15th, 2011)  by Angela A.

 

Weekly reminder: Don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!). Also, try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece. Tell the author what worked and what needs work.

The Rules:

  • Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do.

Challenge: Take fairy tale or cartoon characters, place them in our world, and tell their story. [Use prose or poetry.]

  • There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.
  • Post to Gather Writing Essential.
  • Tag your submission with SatWE.
  • Include (Saturday Writing Essential) as part of your title.
  • I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Friday afternoon.

Good Writing!

Comments: 48

Kathryn Flynn Mar 3, 2012, 1:39am UTC
Good one~
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:20pm UTC
Should be cool.
Irina Dimitric Mar 3, 2012, 1:57am UTC
That should be fun...
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:21pm UTC
Any time you're dealing with comics or fairy tales, it's a good bet that we'll have fun.
Barbary Chaapel Mar 3, 2012, 7:32am UTC
So, Len, what are you doing this week?

Inventive prompt, Lynn. Sure to produce some funnies.
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:25pm UTC
Me? Nothing, of course. That's why I post these reader challenges. Oh, you might put your mind in gear for that because I only have one left and, next month, I'll be asking for more.
Greg Schiller Mar 3, 2012, 8:38am UTC
The first thing I did after finishing the walls in the man-hut was to tack my writing goals up near the door so they confront me every time I step across the threshold.

The goal that tops my list is: Be more Len-like.

It is what I strive for; to make my writer leaner, cleaner and clearer.
jeanne clarke Mar 3, 2012, 10:45am UTC
impossible for those with the JD i.v. flowing through the veins...
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:27pm UTC
I can put you in contact with three of my exes, Greg, and they'd probably give you several thousand reasons why that goal is not really a wise choice.
JOHN BECK Mar 3, 2012, 8:41am UTC
Len-like. Hmmmm.
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:41pm UTC
Yeah, hmmmm, I read it. Nicely done.
jeanne clarke Mar 3, 2012, 10:44am UTC
if it can be those who felt cartoonish then I'm game. And I have just the idea...
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:42pm UTC
You're the writer, you have to interpret the prompt the way you want to use it. I might mention that I've never been known to follow rules all that closely.
jeanne clarke Mar 3, 2012, 10:46am UTC
Perhaps the next prompt should be on freeloaders?
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:42pm UTC
Already did that one.
Ms Lee P. Mar 3, 2012, 11:09am UTC
I pass on this one.
Pam Brittain Mar 3, 2012, 6:40pm UTC
I gotta try it. A beard and not a woman?
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:48pm UTC
Come on, Ms Lee, think about what happens when Henery Hawk finally figures out tha Foghorn Leghorn is a chicken and captures him.
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:48pm UTC
From the comments I've read, I think this will, indeed, be neat. Thanks.
J. Reid Mar 3, 2012, 1:21pm UTC
Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:49pm UTC
Thanks, Johnice, we'll see what happens.
stephen berwaldt Mar 3, 2012, 5:27pm UTC
This is sure to be a great prompt. Selene has a bunch of wicked fairy tale derivations...
Great fun... Best of luck...

Thank you submitting to Gathers Luminous Writers and Artists. Now featured.
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:53pm UTC
There are so many of our writers who say they can't do something such as this, but we end up getting some fantastic responses.

Thanks for the feature, writers always like to see that.
Pam Brittain Mar 3, 2012, 7:32pm UTC
Len, prose of poetry is not my thing. Hopefully my response will be good enough. If not, oh well, it was fund.
Pam Brittain Mar 3, 2012, 7:32pm UTC
Typo - fun.
Pam Brittain Mar 3, 2012, 7:37pm UTC
Actually, I re-read your challenge for at least the fourth time, and I think I'm way off base. You'll have to pretend that the entity is a cartoon. Feel free to reject it. It sure was fun writing it. Too bad I was writing about the actual you. Only in fiction, not the way I picture you.
Len Maxwell Mar 3, 2012, 9:55pm UTC
I can't remember ever rejecting any submission to a SatWE challenge. Everyone is welcome to interpret it any way they want. I mentioned in another comment that I've been known to bend/break/ignore rules whenever I felt I had something to say.
Ed Da Head Toker Mar 4, 2012, 2:37am UTC
a koool one
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 6:16pm UTC
We'll see, thanks, Ed.
No, I won't do it! I believe in fairy tales.
Lynn P. Mar 9, 2012, 9:25am UTC
Poor excuse, since the woman (with the beard) who wrote this, believes in teddy bears. (Of course fairy tales are real.) ;)
I haven't heard the fat lady sing.
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 6:52pm UTC
With PC ruling, I'm not sure you're allowed to say "fat lady" any longer. Maybe "calorically challenged?"
:)
Kathryn Flynn Mar 4, 2012, 7:31pm UTC
Featured in Impersonation in the Triple Name Club.
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 6:52pm UTC
Thanks, and sorry it took me so long.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Mar 6, 2012, 5:22pm UTC
The Plight of Miss Mary in Present Day Times

Don’t tell me it’ll stop if only I’d take a bath
I’ve tried and yet it keeps right at my heels
It’s there in the window when I’m at school doing math
Don’t tell me it’ll stop if only I’d take a bath
I’ve run out of patience, now verging on wrath
This lamb just won’t quit, your mercy I appeal!
Don’t tell me it’ll stop if only I’d take a bath
I’ve tried and yet it keeps right at my heels
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 7:11pm UTC
If you'd just put that up as a separate post -- it's great.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Mar 9, 2012, 7:49pm UTC
Thanks, Len. I did this triolet just for you. :-)
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 8:13pm UTC
That is so cool, thank you. I've always found toilets to be particularly wonderful for inspiratio... oh, wait, that's not what you said, is it?

I suppose I should thank you and shut up before I make a bigger fool of myself.
Lynn P. Mar 9, 2012, 9:29am UTC
Ack, Len. Sorry. Been gone for quite some time now. I'm truly caught up in revising my novel now, so I make no guarantees. I can't seem to think outside the critiquee/critquer mindset. I'm even dreaming in written paragraph form, forever revising. And here it is, the day this prompt is due. Sorry, I'm just not that quick. lol

Hopefully I get a break this summer, while sweating and praying for agents to accept me as a client.
Len Maxwell Mar 9, 2012, 7:13pm UTC
Not a problem. Many of us know what you're going through. You do what you have to and we'll be here waiting for you to answer your own prompt sometime in the next year... or so.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Mar 9, 2012, 7:49pm UTC
Lynn, do you have some of your novel posted anywhere?
Lynn P. Mar 10, 2012, 4:00am UTC
Only where publishers can't find it. I want to sell first-person rights. (And, yes, I know some people get into a big roe about this, but I'd rather trust How-to books, then personal opinion. I'm taking no chances. lol) I had excerpts on Gather before, but that was okay. That was my first draft. It's looking different from then. I'm thinking "better." Even then, I've removed what I had, so it will completely disappear from the Internet before I start the queries.
William Dotani Mar 10, 2012, 2:34am UTC
My health has caused me to slow down and turn the PC off. Now my CD player won't let me watch Toody and Lucille. Life is not unfair, but filled with unexpected opportunities.
Lynn P. Mar 10, 2012, 4:06am UTC
Yikes! Is there life without the PC?

If you can afford it, try Roku. It's a device that let's us stream old TV shows and movies - some for free. I also spend $9 a month for Netflix to get their streamings on Roku. I've watched 6 entire series of older TV shows in the last three years (all the Stargate series and two vampire shows - Buffy and Angel. I know, not likely your cup of tea, but I think you know I'm odd. lol)

Meanwhile, take care of yourself.
William Dotani Mar 10, 2012, 4:43am UTC
I'm not much into TV or movies. I agree with Frank Zappa who said it is the ooze coming out of your TV screen. The only reason I have a TV is because my wife watches it. Unless she is in the room, I seldom watch TV. I prefer quiet and I enjoy this time to write original tales to entertain my Gather friends.

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