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[2022] Wild Discussion
Ellie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Yes, my concern is that people would assume sci-fi and not vote for it if they don't read sci-fi..."I meant the opposite, that if they don't go near sci-fi they might not automatic..."
Oh, I misunderstood! I'm not sure if it's a term that most non-sci-fi readers would be familiar with. If you google search it, one of the first things that comes up is the wikipedia page for the sci-fi trope, so I assumed that people would come to that conclusion fairly quickly. I want the prompt wording to primarily suggest the sci-fi trope, with options for those who want more flexibility, rather than a more general "worlds colliding" prompt (which wouldn't necessarily make me think of sci fi at all), so I think I'll try that and then maybe resubmit the more general option if it doesn't work out.
Robin - I know in the past we've had prompts that have a parenthetical clarification of the scope of the prompt, like "A book about surviving a hardship (war, famine, major disasters, serious illness, etc)."
Ah I see, Google is all "oh you want to watch Star Trek"! And Wikipedia wants to tell me about planets touching.
Ellie wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Yes, my concern is that people would assume sci-fi and not vote for it if they don't read sci-fi..."I meant the opposite, that if they don't go near sc..."
I still think it comes down to whatever else is on the poll at the same time. Prompts that have not won a place the first time they are suggested, often get voted in the next time they turn up.
I'm not a sci-fi reader at all and while that interpretation of first contact is the first thing that comes to mind it definitely isn't the only thing I think of (I also thought along the lines of meeting someone for the first time, physical touch etc.). I like this idea and would probably vote for it.I would interpret worlds colliding a little differently - more like a conflict, maybe? whereas first contact could be either a positive or negative interaction. I don't immediately think of sci-fi with the 'worlds colliding' wording though so that could be a good thing in attracting more votes (assuming people are avoiding sci-fi prompts).
Robin P wrote: "Can one of the mods remind us if there is a word limit for the polls? It seems to me they were generally short, such as "a book about first contact" without any related explanation. The best thing ..."Robin, there is not word limit. Occasionally, the mods will slightly change the wording of a prompt that makes it so that it is more precise but does not change the meaning of the prompt. The extra information will still be in the prompts thread.
Beth wrote: "I'm not a sci-fi reader at all and while that interpretation of first contact is the first thing that comes to mind it definitely isn't the only thing I think of (I also thought along the lines of ..."Some people will avoid sic fi prompts just as some people will avoid romance prompts and I will most certainly vote against anything that makes me choose from a list. But I'm sure other people will love the idea of a sci fi prompt
I like the idea of a “first contact” prompt. I’ve been doing prompt-based challenges for many years and have never encountered that prompt!For 2022, I was thinking about a title prompt using the #2- a 2 syllable title (1 word with 2 syllables or 2 words each with 1 syllable).
Mod
For 2022, I was thinking about a title prompt using the ..."
Yes, the 2-syllable is the idea I had in Message 41 - great minds think alike!
Could first contact be you with an author you had never read before?
Jill wrote: "Could first contact be you with an author you had never read before? While I like the idea I am concerned it could feel like hijacking. I assume those who suggested it were looking for a chance to have sci fi included.
Thomas wrote: "Jill wrote: "Could first contact be you with an author you had never read before? While I like the idea I am concerned it could feel like hijacking. I assume those who suggested it were looking fo..."
I realised that, I just thought that if it is worded like that, then another meaning could be applied.
Thomas wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Yes, my concern is that people would assume sci-fi and not vote for it if they don't read sci-fi..."I meant the opposite, that if they do..."
Thomas, I think you're referring to me, but that's not what I said at all. Please go back and reread my comments. I said that I didn't love the location prompt because I don't like prompts that require me to research the book ahead of time, like finding out where it's set before knowing if I can use it for the prompt. And I added as a side note that it might also be an added difficulty for people who read a lot of fantasy since the settings mentioned aren't real places, but that that wasn't why I personally didn't like it. I never said we shouldn't have prompts like that.
Jill wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Jill wrote: "Could first contact be you with an author you had never read before? While I like the idea I am concerned it could feel like hijacking. I assume those who suggested it ..."
It would indeed. Maybe the best way is to just call it a book related to first contact and leave the interpretation to the individuals
Robin P wrote: "Can one of the mods remind us if there is a word limit for the polls? It seems to me they were generally short, such as "a book about first contact" without any related explanation. The best thing ..."The prompt I suggested last year was pretty long/wordy in the polls, but the mods reworded it to make it a lot shorter and more concise for the final list! (A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name). So I don't know about a strict word limit, but I guess they edit the wording if it's unnecessarily too long!
Irene wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Can one of the mods remind us if there is a word limit for the polls? It seems to me they were generally short, such as "a book about first contact" without any related explanation...."that was a great prompt. I read The Housekeeper
I love the idea of reading an author you’ve never read/heard of for “First Contact”! This is making me hopeful that people may be inclined to be creative with it, which is just what I wanted.
Once a prompt is on the list people can interpret it however they like. I think reading a new to you author would be a great KIS option.Creative interpretation is part of the challenge.
Avery wrote: "Another lyric prompt:Read a book related to a place mentioned in the song "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Martinique, Montserrat, Port au Prince"
I love the song “Kokomo” ( I’m not allowed to play it in the house when my husband is home because he hates it, but that is another story.....)
Another idea for lyrics that are not location based is the song “ If I had $1000000” by the Barenaked Ladies. I don’t know how well known the band is outside Canada but the song is about a quirky list of things the singer would buy for his love if he had a million dollars:
Here’s the list from wikipedia:
A house
Furniture for the house (such as a chesterfield or an ottoman)
A K car (such as a Plymouth Reliant)
A tree fort
A "little tiny fridge" to put in the tree fort, (containing pre-wrapped sausages)
A fur coat (made of fake fur)
An exotic pet (such as a llama or emu)
The remains of John Merrick (a botched reference to Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man")
A limousine to drive to the store
More Kraft Dinner (and expensive ketchup – dijon ketchup – to go with it)
A green dress (but not a real one, or possibly not a "real[ly] [i.e. very] green" one)
Some art (such as a Picasso or a Garfunkel)
A monkey
Love (mentioned at the end of each verse)
The wikipedia page is here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_...
The song on youtube is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynCg...
Sophie wrote: "Avery wrote: "Another lyric prompt:Read a book related to a place mentioned in the song "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Martinique, Montserrat, P..."
sounds good
Sophie wrote: "Another idea for lyrics that are not location based is the song “ If I had $1000000” by the Barenaked Ladies. I don’t know how well known the band is outside Canada but the song is about a quirky list of things the singer would buy for his love if he had a million dollars:"Now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day.😁😛
I think I like that one best of the songs suggested.
Thomas wrote: "Irene wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Can one of the mods remind us if there is a word limit for the polls? It seems to me they were generally short, such as "a book about first contact" without any relate..."Thanks! I'm really excited for next year's prompts since it sounds like we already have a ton of creative/interesting ones!
I also thought a writer who is aprt of one under represented group but also one that isn't
I have a few ideas. I am not sure how to word them but here a few prompts that I came up with. Thoughts Anyone?1. Book with a character in a career that are most often filled by the opposite sex
Male nurses, female engineers, stay at home dads, female scientists, etc
2. Book related to Titanium, the 22nd element on the periodic table
Has titanium in the title
Book about a character that has similar strengths as titanium (Strong and resilient)
Book about things/ or containing things typically made from titanium (Rockets/airplanes/Dental fillings…)
related to the lyrics of the song "Titanium" by David Guetta/Sia
3. A book that is related to a common fairy-tale, folk-tale, or Myth
Could be a re-telling
A book related to elements of the chosen story.
For example: Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” could lead to reading a book that has a storm in it or “The Ugly Duckling” could lead to reading a book that has a theme of body positivity.
A book that simply has words from the story in the title
4.A book related to the phrase “Birds Eye View”
Book that inspires you to have a bigger view of the world
Book about birds
Book that has birds or eyes on the cover
Book that involves a character who flies
Book that reflects a different viewpoint than one you hold
5.Book related to the year you or someone in your family turned 22
Could be the author’s birth year
Book takes place in that year
Book was published in that year
Book related to major event that occurred during that year
6. A Book title or author with both the letters V(22nd letter of the alphabet) and E (22nd letter going backwards starting from the end)
Sophie wrote: "Avery wrote: "Another lyric prompt:Read a book related to a place mentioned in the song "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Martinique, Montserrat, P..."
I like the idea of both the Beach boys Song and the the Bare Naked Ladies song. There is a lot of scope in the latter for sure.
Deborah wrote: "I have a few ideas. I am not sure how to word them but here a few prompts that I came up with. Thoughts Anyone?1. Book with a character in a career that are most often filled by the opposite sex
..."
I especially like the last two
Mod
1. Book with a character in a career that are most often filled by the opposite sex
..."
I think these are all good! You can propose various ones in different weeks.
Mod
To answer the question I saw when scrolling, no, there is no word limit, but we do like it to be concise and not too descriptive (we can save that for the weekly threads if it requires more information). We can help you narrow down the wording though.
Typically, prompts that are super wordy feel confusing to the group and they don't generally make it to the final list, so we like to edit it down before voting.
Hi so trying to come up with an example for the word chain idea
The Daughter of Time
Love in the Time of Cholera
Girls in Love
OR
The Lying Game
One of Us Is Lying
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Deborah wrote: "4.A book related to the phrase “Birds Eye View”..."I like this one, it could also be a book where the cover is the view from above, eg:
Sophie wrote: "Avery wrote: "Another lyric prompt:Read a book related to a place mentioned in the song "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Martinique, Montserrat, P..."
Another set of lyrics with a lot of references is "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M. Or "La Vie Boheme" from RENT, though some may find it offensive!
@Deborah I really like the first one, my hubby is a nurse, and the Birds eye view.
Love the birds eye view prompt. I’m a geographer and would totally slot some map books in for that!
Steve wrote: "Sophie wrote: "Avery wrote: "Another lyric prompt:Read a book related to a place mentioned in the song "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Martinique..."
I'm not actually sure if there are any rules in this group about prompts with regards to appropriate-ness (I always assumed it had to be appropriate for all ages, but have never actually thought about it!). If there are members in this group under 18, then La Vie Boheme probably isn't a good idea because of the lyrics related to sex and drugs (dildos, masturbation, sodomy, s&m, ecstasy, etc)
Ellie wrote: "Deborah wrote: "4.A book related to the phrase “Birds Eye View”..."I like this one, it could also be a book where the cover is the view from above, eg:
[bookcover:The Miseducation of Evie Epworth..."
Great suggestion, I actually like this prompt more as a cover prompt!! "A book with a cover related to a birds eye view" could mean a cover featuring a birds eye view of something (from above), or a cover with a bird on it, or anything that flies. I haven't seen many cover suggestions yet and they're some of my favorites!
Irene raises an important point. Most people involved will be adults but I don’t know if under 18s May do it.
Emily wrote: "I am thinking of revamping our pre-poll because I feel like we include prompts that will never make it in, and we have some repeat prompts that probably could be included in the list.(Pre-poll is..."
So just realized Emily you asked for possible editions to the pre poll. Well if you did want to add any new ones may I suggest a past challenge prompt
If none of the location based songs prove popular I might suggest Bohemian Rhapsody for a song prompt as it has a lot of genre options and is pretty well known.eg. fantasy, a book about real life, a book where a man is killed, a monster book, a scary book (shivers down my spine), about poverty/a poor family, silhouette of a man on the cover, read Never Let Me Go, etc.
@Ellie After looking up the meaning of Bohemian Rhapsody it could also be used as an LGBTQ prompt. Some speculate that it was Freddy Mercury's coming out song.
Anastasia wrote: "@Ellie After looking up the meaning of Bohemian Rhapsody it could also be used as an LGBTQ prompt. Some speculate that it was Freddy Mercury's coming out song."Interesting. it would be really great to see an LGBTQ prompt this year
Mod
Thomas, we aren't looking to add any prompts to the pre-poll that weren't on the list in the last couple of years, but feel free to suggest that prompt in our suggestions rounds.
Emily wrote: "Ellie, I am not a fan of prompts based on songs, but that would be a fun one!Thomas, we aren't looking to add any prompts to the pre-poll that weren't on the list in the last couple of years, but..."
that's fine. May do, but tbh I have so many ideas right now i don't know what I will suggest.
Sorry to repeat but would really like feedback from you guys. My ideas so far: A book connected to a book you read in 2021 or for the 2021 ATY.
A book by an author you disagree with
A book set in a country that has hosted the association football World Cup
A book set in a country which has hosted the Winter Olympics
A past challenge prompt
The second book you read by this author
Thomas wrote: "Sorry to repeat but would really like feedback from you guys. My ideas so far: A book connected to a book you read in 2021 or for the 2021 ATY.
A book by an author you disagree with
A book set i..."
Generally not a fan of prompts that refer to other prompts (in response to past challenge prompt). I do like reading a second book by an author or a book connected to a 2021 book. Also I like the tie-ins to the World Cup and Olympics.
My own thoughts on a prompt (and maybe these are stand alone or linked, still mulling it over):
Book recommended by someone to a generation or more younger then you
Book recommended by someone a generation or more older then you
Jillian wrote: "I have liked how the past two years we have had a song related prompt so I’m hoping someone has a good idea again."I know, those were some of my favorite prompts! What about Madonna's "Vogue?" There are a lot of famous names listed in that one.
Ellie wrote: "If none of the location based songs prove popular I might suggest Bohemian Rhapsody for a song prompt as it has a lot of genre options and is pretty well known.eg. fantasy, a book about real life..."
Absolutely love this!!
It looks like the color of the year for 2022 will be "Orchid Flower." It seems like that could offer some possibilities: the color orchid (is it purple?), a book with "orchid" in the title, a book about flowers or with flower in the title, a book with a flower or orchid on the cover....
Thomas wrote: "Sorry to repeat but would really like feedback from you guys. My ideas so far: A book connected to a book you read in 2021 or for the 2021 ATY.
A book by an author you disagree with
A book set i..."
I love the idea of reading books from countries that have hosted the Olympics/World Cup. I also like the suggestion of a book by an author you disagree with, We could all use some exposure to other opinions.
Deborah wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Sorry to repeat but would really like feedback from you guys. My ideas so far: A book connected to a book you read in 2021 or for the 2021 ATY.
A book by an author you disagree wit..."
I'm wondering how to interpret this prompt for people who read mainly fiction, especially by authors who don't post much about their personal opinions. Would it be like reading a book you find problematic? (since you clearly disagree with the content?) Or, for example, reading Christian fiction as a non-Christian?
Irene wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Sorry to repeat but would really like feedback from you guys. My ideas so far: A book connected to a book you read in 2021 or for the 2021 ATY.
A book by an author ..."
You make a fair point. I had not coosndiered soemw riters do not widely cciulate their opinons.
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I meant the opposite, that if they don't go near sc..."
Someone else said that we shouldn't have a prompt based on location because its hard for people who read sci fi and fantasy. Sorry if I implied it was you who said it but it was said by someone