[identity profile] sc-fossil.livejournal.com
Hello, fellow Pros lovers! It's almost that time. What time you might ask? Time to get those final drafts into shape for submission! I'm so excited! New Pros fic and art! *dances*

So keep tuned to this LJ. In the upcoming days there will be plenty of information to help you out. We'll be explaining how to submit rough drafts, asking for your choice of posting dates, and bouncing with you because you've finished your story and/or art!

Now if you're not finished, don't panic. We're here for hand holding and propping up-ing. :) And on that note, does anybody have something they'd like me to look over? I'm happy to help.

I'd appreciate if the writers and artists would check in with me just to let me know that they've not been abducted by aliens and are hard at work on their projects.

Here is a bit of Pros-y goodness to inspire you:

Photobucket

Oh, wait! Wrong picture. *beg* Try this one instead:

Photobucket
[identity profile] sineala.livejournal.com
Hi all! I just remembered today that it was my turn to do the weekly check-in; apologies for the hasty post. We're coming up on the deadline soon (the 23rd! mark your calendars!) and you can expect an upswing in posts here at Box of Tricks as we head for the draft deadline, and, of course, after it. But this is, once again, the check-in. How's it going? Finishing up the draft? Plowing through the comments from your beta? Adding the finishing touches on your artwork?

Since editing is the thing I am currently stuck on, I thought you might appreciate a few links I found while I was procrastinating diligently editing my story. Yes.

UK vs. US spelling: Come on, I know I am not the only American here.
EditMinion: I have not actually tried this, but it supposedly finds common mistakes.
[livejournal.com profile] synecdochic's Writing Meta has a lot of advice on various subjects, including editing.

And, finally, I have the feeling I've linked to them before, but if you're writing in Word or OpenOffice (or you at least have OpenOffice), and you plan to post your story as HTML rather than Rich Text (more information on posting is forthcoming), [livejournal.com profile] astolat's formatting macros will convert your bold/italics and so on to HTML. It is a wondrous time-saver.

So what's up, everyone?
[identity profile] przed.livejournal.com
Another week gone by, another weekly check in post.

I know there's a number of you done at least the first draft, if not more. (Congrats! I shall try not to hate you.) And there are a few of us still flailing about. Time to let us know where you are. And if you're done, you can let us know how you're spending the copious amounts of free time you have.

And just for fun, have a couple of links:

911 Writer's Block, possibly the dorkiest web tool in existence for breaking your writer's block.

P.J. O'Rourke on avoiding writing. The man has some world class writing avoidance techniques.
[identity profile] draycevixen.livejournal.com
...As the deadline begins to loom on the horizon. Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuun! Yep, that’s about as close to menacing music as I can manage. :D

Are you already finished and lounging about drafting out *next* year’s Big Bang story while cabana boys massage your feet?

Pondering bribing Big Albert who lives down the street into coshing you in to a state of Amnesia?

No matter how it’s going, perhaps you’d like to share some of your work with us. How about a little something to whet our appetites, like a sample paragraph or two?

I don't mean to exclude our artists but I know it's harder to share part of your work without giving the game away. Still, if you'd like to, I'm sure we'd love to see it.

Oh, and if you’d just like to say a few words about anything Big Bang related, please do.

Check-in!

.
[identity profile] saintvic.livejournal.com
Hello and welcome to the check in post *waves at everyone*.

Just a quick check in from me this week and I thought I’d share a few random links I’ve found with you, because I do like my links :D:

Finding tips on self-editing at The Blood-Red Pencil

Purdue online writing lab: general writing resources

Grammar comics at The Oatmeal

Hack your way out of writer‘s block

Writing in the age of distraction

12 rules of PIXAR story telling in Lego form

Hope you find some of them interesting!

And of course this is the chance for all writers and artists to let us know how you are getting on with your drawing, vidding, photoshopping, planning, writing, editing, plotting, and more, ask us any questions you have, and just generally chat away.

Oh and I loved this cartoon so much I had to share but have my fingers crossed that writer’s block is a stranger to you all.

[identity profile] norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com

Well, big bangers.  Warm, isn't it?  I'd love to say that I've been beavering away at artwork for my lovely author's story (waves at [livejournal.com profile] msmoat) day and night, but the truth is that I've mostly been hugely enjoying reading that story as it unfolds, and laying on the floor whining about how hot it is outside.   Not the most productive use of my time I admit, so this weekend, I'm opening GIMP and I'm going in!  Wish me luck :D

So, writers and artists - how's it going?  All done,  nearly there, or just enjoying the journey?  It's all good!  Let us know in the comments where you're up to and give our gorgeous cheerleaders a chance to shake their pom poms in your direction.  The Olympic opening ceremony tonight won't have anything on our squad!

And because it's Friday evening, and I feel like a little bit of pretty - have some of my favourite pictures of the lads under the cut.  Call it inspiration if you like. *g*


Visual inspiration under here )
[identity profile] przed.livejournal.com
This week's check in comes after our charming and talented artists have been assigned their charming and talented writers. So we can finally hear from the art side of our challenge team.

How are things going, artists? Are you excited about the story you claimed? Do you have lots of ideas?

And for the writers, how's your writing going? Are you eagerly looking forward to the September deadline, or starting to have a bit of a meltdown?

The lads are eager to hear your stories!


(Thanks to Daily Pros on Tumblr from whom I nicked the pic.)
[identity profile] norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com
[Poll #1849954]

And just in case you need a little distraction - here, please accept this link to a tumblr full of baby animals.  There...that's better, no? *g*
[identity profile] saintvic.livejournal.com
A big hello and welcome to our latest check in post.

Thought I would start this post with links to a couple of sites that have some great stuff on them:

Internet Movie Car Database – Professionals section

Internet Movie Firearms Database – Professionals section

Next, as it is a Monday and we all need pretty things on a Monday, a few pics for you:



And lastly, as always, let us know how you are getting on in the comments, whether you are thinking, planning, plotting, writing, beta-ing, editing, cheerleading, or, like me, just waiting eagerly.

EDIT: In the comments [livejournal.com profile] golden_bastet linked to the seven point system which looks really interesting.
[identity profile] przed.livejournal.com
It's time for our weekly check-in post. With a month to go until the rough drafts are due, Bodie is doing a little editing over Doyle's shoulder...


So, how about the rest of you? Are you approaching the final stretch at the leisurely pace? Are you frantically writing to get that rough draft done in time? Have you hit a wall? Now's the time to share the triumphs of the week. Or the tribulations.
[identity profile] sineala.livejournal.com
How is everyone doing this week? Writing coming along well? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

For those of you who like to procrastinate by reading other people's writing tips and who could use a few more words on that Big Bang draft, I recommend How I Went From Writing 2,000 Words a Day to 10,000 Words a Day.

For those of you with a lot of spare time, there's the Absolute Write thread Learn Writing With Uncle Jim. It's geared more towards the professional-novelist side of things, but it's still good advice.

Hope you're having fun!
[identity profile] saintvic.livejournal.com
*waves hello*

I wanted to start this weekly check in with a couple of quick reminders.

The first is that the deadline for the artists sign up on the 30th May is getting ever closer. if you would like to sign up just head over to the Artists sign up post.

The second is for the writers and is just a reminder that we have posted some information about the rough draft requirements, you can seem them at the rough draft requirements post.

And of course the deadline for the rough draft submissions is the 1st July.............tons of time yet.

Now to move on to more distracting things.

Found this link to various writing tips from the masters. Lots of interesting stuff here and my fav pieces of advice was from the truly brilliant Neil Gaiman and was simply: Write.

I also thought that I might try and distract you all completely and utterly with a link to TV Tropes. I can guarantee once you start looking at this site you will lose lots of your time to it but hey they say: this wiki is a catalog of the tricks of the trade for writing fiction. So we can pretend it is research.

And for my last link here is a collection of resources about Writing Sex Scenes. I especially liked the 102 places to have sex list and it set me wondering how many the lads could take advantage of *g*.

And of course this is your chance to let us know how you are getting on, see if anyone wants to join you when you escape to a tropical island *g*, ask any questions, curse my name for distracting you with links, and just generally chat away about the BB.
[identity profile] sc-fossil.livejournal.com
Another week has flown by and time marches on. I'm so excited as time for the rough draft announcements and artist claiming posts to go up. It will make all of this seem real! LOL! Not that it doesn't already but thinking about new Pros fic and art makes me giddy with joy.

I've been pounding away at my story for months now. It's a never ending thing with me once I get going. I won't be happy until the story is whipped into shape and I feel I can post it without embarrassing myself too badly.

So how's everybody doing? I'd love to have a word or two about how your story is progressing. Let those cheerleaders have something to do backflips over. There is no need to panic (yet). There's tons of time to write before the final deadline in Septmeber, and plenty of weeks until the rough drafts are due in. You have time to write that story! Keep at it and don't wait until the last minute. Slow and steady, and you'll get to the finish line in fine shape.

And remember, Father is in if you need guidance and/or sage advice:

[identity profile] przed.livejournal.com
It's that time of the week again, when we get to find out how everyone is doing.

How are you? Basking in the glow of having nearly finished your story? Breaking out in a cold sweat every time you think of how much more you have left to write? Somewhere in between?

Since I'm tending more to the breaking out in a cold sweat side of things, I thought I'd link to one of my favourite pieces of inspiration: The Little But Really Useful Guide to Creativity.

So, what inspires you? What do you do when you just can't seem to write another word? What keeps you going when things are going really badly? Or really well, for that matter?

And if you have any questions or comments about your BB story, or you just want to have a little whinge, now's the time.
[identity profile] norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com
Hello Big Bangers!

It's that weekly check-in time again, so feel free to step on up and use the comments to tell us how you're doing.   Or, alternatively,  flail/cry/jump-for-joy/pour a large one (delete as applicable).   Got any questions you need answered?  Ask away!   Just want to chat about something that isn't the Pros Big Bang?  Well...we're probably OK with that too ;)

Let us know how things are going and give those cheerleaders a chance to shake their pom poms.  Go on - they really like an audience!

Finally,  here are 10 authors' 10 best tips for writing, as collected by The Guardian.

Happy writing, and happy weekend folks!
[identity profile] saintvic.livejournal.com
Hey everyone and welcome to the weekly check in.

One of the things I love the most about the show is dialogue, mostly the bickering and bantering between the lads :D, and this carries over into the stories I read as well. The dialogue in a story can make me picture the scene vividly, capture the characters, show the relationships between them, move the plot along, and much more.

So for this week’s check in post I have lots of links about writing dialogue for you with the hopes that you'll find at least one or two interesting.

How to write good dialogue

Writing dialogue

Writing believable dialogue

How to write dialogue that works

Dramatic dialogue

Writing natural dialogue

Lastly for a bit of a laugh How to write badly well.

And of course this is your chance to let us know how you are getting on, ask any questions, and just generally chat away about the BB.
[identity profile] callistosh65.livejournal.com
Let's not agonise over word counts this week. Let's agonise over...well, agony. Let us know how you are planning on whumping the lads for your Big Bang. What's it to be, a nice unhealthy dose of pleurisy? Pneumonia? Flu and some stealth-hugging? Or how about that old favourite, hypothermia and enforced sleeping-bag/bed sharing? Always love that one myself.

Or are you going the more traditional route of the Pros era, and just planning on shooting and stabbing the lads, with maybe a broken bone or two thrown in for good measure? Enquiring minds want to know.

And then there's the matter of which one to do it all to, right? I personally have a thing for a gruff Doyle trying not to have worry make him ratty, and a Bodie all loose-limbed and wide-eyed from blood loss and/or fever/ blow to the head, etc.

But then a Doyle with all that feisty-ness whumped out of him is also rather appealing..

So share your thoughts and plans below for all the hurt/comfort we can look forward to.

And check this yahoo group out, if you like. [livejournal.com profile] dawnebeth and [livejournal.com profile] ancastar put me onto this. It's for fanfic writers to ask and get answers to medical shenanigans they want to put their characters through.

fanfic_med

(Best question ever? [livejournal.com profile] dawnebeth saw it just after she joined up:

"How long would my character live with an arrow through his heart?")

EDIT: And this one too (thanks [livejournal.com profile] liriel1810): Absolute Write, which apparently has lots of gory tidbits on gunshot wounds, etc.

Also, [livejournal.com profile] little_details on LJ. Thanks Drayce!

And I suppose I should also warn for spoilers ahead in some of the comments.
[identity profile] sineala.livejournal.com
Hey hey! How's it going with those stories, writers?

This week I'd like to link you all to a few sites that are helpful in, well, getting those words out. I have the feeling we've mentioned them before, but I am sure they are just as good the second time.

750 Words is a site that encourages you to write 750 words per day, and rewards you with points and such for staying on target.

Write or Die, which you have probably heard of, is the, let's say, slightly more evil version of the same concept. (You probably want the left-hand link that says "web app.") Basically, start typing, and if you stop typing, hideous things will happen. On the highest setting, if you stop typing, the program begins to delete your text.

Written? Kitten! (made by, I think, a couple of fannish people) is the kinder, nicer version of Write or Die. Every hundred words (or whatever increment you like), you are rewarded with a cute kitten. Yes. A kitten. This one is my favorite.

I hope some of those are helpful! (Don't forget to copy your text back to your word processor when you're done.) Happy writing!
[identity profile] draycevixen.livejournal.com
.

How's it going?

No, really petal, weeping copiously in to your Bodie or Doyle shaped pillow while drinking heavily is a GOOD sign... well, that's what Zed always told me. *nods*


So, would you like to share a bit of what you're writing with us? Perhaps just 3-5 tantalizing lines? After all, we don't want to give too much of the game away before the artists get to pick a story based on your anonymous summaries.

If not so inclined, PLEASE feel free to just check-in and ramble away to your heart's content anyway.


ETA: [livejournal.com profile] moth2fic suggests checking out April Fool novels, a low key Nanowrimo idea for some encouragement in April.
.
[identity profile] norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com

Howdy Big Bangers!   (That sounded much cleaner in my head....)

How goes it?   Sitting back smug and nearly finished?  Happily chuntering along at the planned pace?  Freaking out and scaring people on the bus by screeching random lines from your story between stops?

It's all good!  Just let us know in the comments.  It'll do you the world of good to get it out - you know it will... *g*

And artists/vidders?  I know we haven't had a chance to get started yet, but have you got any ideas for the art you want to produce?  Are you going to go with your favourite tried and tested techniques, or do you fancy trying something new in honour of this year's stories?   Let us know!

Finally,  here's a few, er...interesting(?) tips for those of you scribbling away at the moment:

How To Write Good

Happy creating!

Profile

ci5_boxoftricks: (Default)
Box of Tricks

2022 schedule

February 1: Writer sign ups begin
March 1: Writer sign ups close
May 1: Artist sign ups begin
May 31: Artist sign ups close
July 1: Writers’ rough drafts (6,600 words minimum)/full outlines due. Story summaries also due
July 9: Artist Claims Day. Artists will claim stories based on anonymous story summaries, first come, first served
September 23: Final stories (10,000 words minimum) and artwork/vids due
October: Posting begins

Many thanks to the one and only [personal profile] norfolkdumpling for creating our banner, icons and comm layout.

October 2022

S M T W T F S
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819 202122
23242526272829
3031     

Style Credit

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 14th, 2025 12:39 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios