Well, sitting here atop the fence has given me ample time to come up with something that one or two of you might want to try.

Before I turned traitor and crossed over to the dark side, I used to use song lyrics as a springboard for writing. Don't worry, I'm not advocating the use of SClub7 as inspiration, but songs have a way of sparking things off for a lot of people. So here are some that I've used before:

"Afraid of feeling nothing
No bees or butterflies
My head is full of voices
And my house is full of lies"

"Standing here the old man said to me
'Long before these crowded streets
Here stood my dreaming tree'
Below it he would sit for hours at a time
Now progress takes away
What forever took to find"

"Snow can wait I forgot my mittens
Wipe my nose
Get my new boots on
I get a little warm in my heart
When I think of winter
Put my hand in my father's glove"

"And every culture has its own magazine
And information takes the place of your dreams
Finding ways to fill up the silence
But it's all that you need
Turn on your TV"

So if anyone wants to try a short story inspired by one of the above, feel free; or post further suggestions of lyrics.

Katie

<Added>

Just realised lyrics two and four and kind of the same (which is funny as the songs as a whole have rather different topics). So here's one more:

"In this time of introspection
On the eve of my election
I say to my reflection
God please spare me more rejection"

I know they're kinda random, but it's tricky coming up with ones that aren't all about being heartbroken, you know?! Anywho, enjoy!

Well this is intriguing! Not to carp unduly, but one of the quotes isn't entirely accurate --it wasn't a song lyric but a short piece by the American folk poet William Clinton, viz:

In this time of introspection
On the eve of my election
I say to my reflection
God please give me more erections


I think it was all about the politicians' collective need to see themselves represented in statues and other public monuments.

Richardx

Here stood my dreaming tree

Mmm… can’t stop thinking about that line.

In the middle of the day There’s a young man Rolling around in the earth and rain Hey mister if you’re going to walk on water, You know you’re only going to walk all over me

Fom Omaha, by Counting Crows.

Like it IB, got to be a story in there for someone.

Dee - I know, I love that song, but it's so sad and runs to over 8 mins, so I have to restrict playing time to avoid manic depression.

Oh and Richard, sorry for the mis-quote and thanks for correcting me...

I've always thought Portishead have some wonderful and evocative lyrics:

From 'Strangers'

Can anybody see the light Where the morn meets the dew and the tide rises Did you realise, no one can see inside your view Did you realise, forwhy this sight belongs to you Just set aside your fears of life Through this sole desire

From 'Wandering Star'

Those who have seen the needles eye, now tread Like a husk, from which all that was, now has fled And the masks, that the monsters wear To feed, upon their prey Wandering stars, for whom it is reserved The blackness of darkness forever

Perhaps not so much story ideas, but the possible themes behind them? I would certainly recommend them as a background when you are typing away at the keyboard.

Anyone doing this? Or done it? Can't find any LC responses.

Richard

Yes, I've made a start on one but it got a bit side-lined... on with it again now... will probably be called something along the lines of 'Dreaming Tree'...

Dee


<Added>

It's now done and, after a final grooming, should be uploaded on Wednesday (just uploaded more PFTG - Shameless plug 98 - so off-limits until then)

Dee
;)

Thanks Dee (and Richard). Thought this one had died a death and was going to let it quietly sink with a red face! Look forward to reading the story Dee!

Oh hell. I wuz up until two am today trying to think of something to write.

And now Dee's beaten me to it.

Gonna rush rush rush now. . .

Richard

* Hey. Great minds think alike. Mine's about the dreaming tree, too.

What's to stop you getting yours up today?

I'm blocked until tomorrow because I uploaded PFTG6/7 yesterday (shameless plug 103)

well I'm not at all sure I should answer that question.

OK. My little entry into Katie's Lyrical Challenge exercise -- it's stuffed in Crime & Thrillers, or should be.

Don't know about anyone else here, but my problem with something like this is the source material: it's actually more of a frustration than an inspiration, because you're having to work with someone else's vision, whereas the RLG is merely cryptic.

What a lot of fun though: I really did find it hard to take that original vision and turn the damned thing completely upside down.

Well done Katie for coming up with it. (Next, Chinese Water Torture, presumably??)

Exhaustedly yours: Richard

Good grief Richard; these sort of things are supposed to be interesting, helpful, dare I say, fun!?! You shouldn't feel compelled to stay up into the wee small hours working on some half-baked scheme I posted here! Clearly I'm in a minority as one who wrote lots of stuff (most of which was rubbish) that was inspired by music or lyrics. But thanks for having a go - right I'm off to have a read!

K

Got mine up now... pure coincidence that it's the same line as Richard's... it's not as long though...