NiaD Episode VI: Return of the NiaD

I would have wanted a space story. I’ve got no idea what to do with my assignment.

Hey all, I’m back, and caught up on the handful of questions that came through while I grabbed a couple of winks of sleep. On a unrelated note, the lovely Mrs Pigfender bought apples and put them in the fridge for me. I have never been so happy to see an apple in my life.

That is normal. Very. Very normal! See: viewtopic.php?f=51&t=28574&start=30#p181957

Everyone’s process is different (I tend to Scapple map random ideas, jokes, thoughts and possibilities first), but if your normal approach isn’r helping, there are three things I can suggest:

1. Instead of thinking about the details - the what or the how - thing about the why. Focus on what you want the emotional anchor for the chapter to be, and how you can make that payoff the centre of your planning. I talk a little bit about that here: pigfender.com/index.php/2013 … ers-block/
2. If that doesn’t help, simply start with what you do know to include. Your brief contains enough stuff that you know definitely has to be in there… you know some action has to happen in a specific place. You know certain things need to occur. Just start putting some words down on those areas and let the ideas seed from that.
3. Or start with an unconnected ‘riff’ and see where that takes you.
   “What was I saying again?”
   Dave looked up from his desk. “You were telling me what a great memory you have.”

Yeah, Scrivener has this neat function where it can take these individual documents you’ve created and bring them together at output into a single longer file.

On an unrelated note, the first chapter is now in! WOOHOO!

The first chapter is in already?! Wow! I’m only just about to start. Thank you for the brief, Rog. Have fun, everyone.

The first chapter is in?

I thought I was doing well at 400 words.

Argh!

OK. Hear me out. I know I’ve totally missed it this time. I’ve had a lot going on. However, if you have any last minute openings, at all, I’m in.
Just in case I get lucky, I’m going to keep checking my email every five minutes the rest of the day.

Absolutely not. Under no circumstances. What kind of an example would that set for other people, if I let you do that now?!?!

PS - check your email. Deadline is 9pm (UK time) this year because the packs were a bit late coming across.

That would be super lovely if you could! 8)

Is this where we ask questions? If it is, I have one: when the Marleys are visible to their clients for the one-day period, are they visible to everyone else as well or just to their client only?

To everyone I think! Perhaps they can turn it on and off though, during that window of opportunity…

Hey Maerahn - you can ask questions here, or if you want anything specific to your chapter then by all means send me an email and I’ll respond there.

They can be seen by everyone when here: For the duration of the time that they are allotted to help a ‘Scrooge’ they’re able to be visible and interact, although not with loved ones (as per the info in the pack - if appropriate to your chapter).

If they’re doing that ‘deep hypnosis’ thing where they basically take someone on a very real imaginary journey, then the limit is just the imagination of the Marley! He can have that person think they are interacting, or have them think they’re just standing there watching.

I’ve no problem with that!

In the spirit of NiaD story specifics (like the existence on Marleys) should be addressed by Mr Piggy privately. We are collaborating on the plot. Part of the fun is the possibility that you have visible Marleys and I have invisible Marleys.

Some people right now will be going… Marleys? Is that a type of quaint English jam?

Dang it piggy! Stop being so helpful!

So Marleys can interact with anyone not specifically forbidden. That unhinged my entire chapter.

No… it’s Vic-k’s brain sucking genetically engineered, world domination focused breed of pigeons.

Half the day gone, and I’m just starting to look at mine. Though to be fair, I kinda expected this. I was out Friday night, and then I was sleeping – on a 5 hour differential – so although it’s past noon in London, it’s 7:30 here. Knowing I ought to finish this in 8 hours feels like tightening the screws a little. I don’t know why, but as a pantser, I thought I’d just be able to rattle something off in an hour, and then start tinkering with it. I feel like I need time now to absorb what I’m working with. And to do research on the finance world, which is totally not my thing. =x

Can… but that doesn’t mean they should.

For those panicking about the areas out of their experience (like the SC redneck who may be typing his) I will quote an uncle who quoted someone else quoting an unknown source

Seriously though… we all know this is a fun way to test our own ability to adapt and adjust. Poor Piggy has been dealing with the dumba$$ redneck asking about venacular all morning. And now he blows my whole plot out of the water. I havneed no idea where I’m going but I’ve got time to figure it out.

Are suggesting the ability to alter visible state?

I think I said to someone else “They can be seen by everyone when here… by default— but they can whisk themselves away pretty quickly”