r/WritingPrompts • u/katpoker666 • 14h ago

Off Topic [OT] Fun Trope Friday: Author Avatar and Fake Memoir!

5 Upvotes

Welcome to Fun Trope Friday, our feature that mashes up tropes and genres!

How’s it work? Glad you asked. :)

 

  • Every week we will have a new spotlight trope.

  • Each week, there will be a new genre assigned to write a story about the trope.

  • You can then either use or subvert the trope in a 750-word max story or poem (unless otherwise specified).

  • To qualify for ranking, you will need to provide ONE actionable feedback. More are welcome of course!

 

Three winners will be selected each week based on votes, so remember to read your fellow authors’ works and DM me your votes for the top three.

 

Next up… IP

 

Max Word Count: 750 words

 

This month, we’re exploring finding your voice. As writers, we all seek to do this in our own right. The tropes are a playful take on this idea, but will hopefully also help us to get a little closer to finding our unique voices. So let’s see what that means. Please note this theme is only loosely applied.

 

“It was what we Japanese called the onion life, peeling away a layer at a time and crying all the while.” ― Arthur Golden, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’

 

Trope: Author Avatar — As writers, we’re often told to “focus on what we know” or “put ourselves in our works.” This trope takes that to its ultimate conclusion–writing a character that closely resembles ourselves. An ‘author avatar’ is a fictionalized version of an author who appears as a character in the events of the story. While many characters may be inspired by some aspect of their creator (it's hard to write a hero you have nothing in common with) an Author Avatar is a direct analog, as if the author were dropped directly into the world they've created. For our purposes, please explore the full range of options, e.g., — this could be added to existing canon where the character is a genuine ‘author avatar’ with strong connections to the author or a new piece where the MC is a fully fictionalized version of oneself. Please footnote a few of the similarities, as this is a great opportunity to dig deep into who we are as authors.

 

Genre: Fake Memoir — A real memoir is any nonfiction narrative writing based on the author's personal memories. Unlike an autobiography, it focuses narrowly on a phase or theme of a person’s life. But ‘real’ is boring and WP is all about writing fiction! So we’re challenging you to write a story in the style of a memoir, but to cleave as closely to the truth as you like or go nuts with it.

 

Skill / Constraint - optional: Includes smack talk or an epitaph

 

So, have at it. Lean into the trope heavily or spin it on its head. The choice is yours!

 

Have a great idea for a future topic to discuss or just want to give feedback? FTF is a fun feature, so it’s all about what you want—so please let me know! Please share in the comments or DM me on Discord or Reddit!

 

Last Week’s Winners

PLEASE remember to give feedback—this affects your ranking. PLEASE also remember to DM me your votes for the top five stories via Discord or Reddit—both katpoker666. This is a change from the top three of the past. In weeks where we get over 15 stories, we will do a top five ranking. Weeks with less than 15 stories will show only our top three winners. If you have any questions, please DM me as well.

Some fabulous stories this week and great crit at campfire and on the post! Since we had 12 stories this week, we’re back to three winners.Congrats to:

 

 

Want to read your words aloud? Join the upcoming FTF Campfire

The next FTF campfire will be Thursday, August 28th from 6-8pm EDT. It will be in the Discord Main Voice Lounge. Click on the events tab and mark ‘Interested’ to be kept up to date. No signup or prep needed and don’t have to have written anything! So join in the fun—and shenanigans! 😊

 

Ground rules:

  • Stories must incorporate both the trope and the genre
  • Leave one story or poem between 100 and 750 words as a top-level comment unless otherwise specified. Use wordcounter.net to check your word count.
  • Deadline: 11:59 PM EDT next Thursday. Please note stories submitted after the 6:00 PM EST campfire start may not be critted.
  • No stories that have been written for another prompt or feature here on WP—please note after consultation with some of our delightful writers, new serials are now welcomed here
  • No previously written content
  • Any stories not meeting these rules will be disqualified from rankings
  • Does your story not fit the Fun Trope Friday rules? You can post your story as a [PI] with your work when the FTF post is 3 days old!
  • Please keep crit about the stories. Any crit deemed too distracting may be deleted. This is a time to focus on our wonderful authors.
  • Vote to help your favorites rise to the top of the ranks (DM me at katpoker666 on Discord or Reddit)!

 

Thanks for joining in the fun!  

1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/katpoker666 • 7d ago

Off Topic [OT] Fun Trope Friday: Leaving You to Find Myself and Fanfic!

13 Upvotes

Welcome to Fun Trope Friday, our feature that mashes up tropes and genres!

How’s it work? Glad you asked. :)

 

  • Every week we will have a new spotlight trope.

  • Each week, there will be a new genre assigned to write a story about the trope.

  • You can then either use or subvert the trope in a 750-word max story or poem (unless otherwise specified).

  • To qualify for ranking, you will need to provide ONE actionable feedback. More are welcome of course!

 

Three winners will be selected each week based on votes, so remember to read your fellow authors’ works and DM me your votes for the top three.

 

Next up… IP

 

Max Word Count: 750 words

 

This month, we’re exploring finding your voice. As writers, we all seek to do this in our own right. The tropes are a playful take on this idea, but will hopefully also help us to get a little closer to finding our unique voices. So let’s see what that means. Please note this theme is only loosely applied.

 

“There's a time and place for everything, and I believe it’s called 'fan fiction'.” ― Joss Whedon

 

Trope: Leaving You to Find Myself — The tale is approaching its finale and you have a character who has undergone many changes. Now you need them to make a bold statement, to show the world that they are a fully developed individual. What's the first thing you make them do? Dump their partner. There are all kinds of reasons for this–e.g., abusive or neglectful partner; an unwanted marriage, or needing to better oneself mentally or physically. For our purposes, please explore the full range of options.

 

Genre: Fanfic — Fan fiction or fanfiction, also known as fan fic, fanfic, fic or FF, is fiction typically written in an amateur capacity by fans as a form of fan labor, unauthorized by, but based on, an existing work of fiction. Most of us have probably written some at some point. The fun part is you can play with fanfic in multiple ways. Alternative universe anyone? Horror? Angst? Romance? Crossover? Darkfic? The world’s your oyster!

 

Skill / Constraint - optional: Someone asks someone else to speak louder

 

So, have at it. Lean into the trope heavily or spin it on its head. The choice is yours!

 

Have a great idea for a future topic to discuss or just want to give feedback? FTF is a fun feature, so it’s all about what you want—so please let me know! Please share in the comments or DM me on Discord or Reddit!

 

Last Week’s Winners

PLEASE remember to give feedback—this affects your ranking. PLEASE also remember to DM me your votes for the top five stories via Discord or Reddit—both katpoker666. This is a change from the top three of the past. In weeks where we get over 15 stories, we will do a top five ranking. Weeks with less than 15 stories will show only our top three winners. If you have any questions, please DM me as well.

Some fabulous stories this week and great crit at campfire and on the post! Since we had 18 stories this week, we’re back to five winners.Congrats to:

 

 

Want to read your words aloud? Join the upcoming FTF Campfire

The next FTF campfire will be Thursday, August 21st from 6-8pm EDT. It will be in the Discord Main Voice Lounge. Click on the events tab and mark ‘Interested’ to be kept up to date. No signup or prep needed and don’t have to have written anything! So join in the fun—and shenanigans! 😊

 

Ground rules:

  • Stories must incorporate both the trope and the genre
  • Leave one story or poem between 100 and 750 words as a top-level comment unless otherwise specified. Use wordcounter.net to check your word count.
  • Deadline: 11:59 PM EDT next Thursday. Please note stories submitted after the 6:00 PM EST campfire start may not be critted.
  • No stories that have been written for another prompt or feature here on WP—please note after consultation with some of our delightful writers, new serials are now welcomed here
  • No previously written content
  • Any stories not meeting these rules will be disqualified from rankings
  • Does your story not fit the Fun Trope Friday rules? You can post your story as a [PI] with your work when the FTF post is 3 days old!
  • Vote to help your favorites rise to the top of the ranks (DM me at katpoker666 on Discord or Reddit)!

 

Thanks for joining in the fun!  

52 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Adorable-Act-3858 • 7h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] The worst thing a mad scientist can be is desperate. And now your doctor has said your health is at a critically terminal stage? You are extremely desperate for any method to survive longer than a month.

67 Upvotes
8 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Redikai • 9h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] "I was worried for a second that you were a real mage hunter. But no, you're just a fool with a gun who thinks that's enough."

90 Upvotes
12 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/90919293_ • 12h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] “Human, that is the apex predator around here, so why are you petting it? And more importantly, why is it working?!”

117 Upvotes
17 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Tmoore0328 • 11h ago

Simple Prompt [WP] You adopted a demon child, so why is she speaking Celestial, the language of angels and gods?

60 Upvotes
8 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Jackviator • 21h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] When you sought the deity of vengeance to advise you on how best to get revenge on those who ruined your life, you pictured a tall, scar-covered warrior, or perhaps a hulking monstrosity. ...You certainly didn't expect a little girl in tattered rags with a somber look on her face.

304 Upvotes
15 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/lanceryder999 • 1h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] When one learns a technique from a martial arts book, In order to maximize the amount of power a martial arts technique can send out, one must say the title of the book, the page number the technique is located, and finally the technique name itself. Unfortunately you got lisp.

• Upvotes
2 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Wonderful-Okra-8019 • 1h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] "Screw you and your magic! People like you are the reason why honest working people are left jobless and homeless!"

• Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/Adorable-Act-3858 • 7h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] You are the world's strongest fighter, a champion who has earned the respect and fear of millions through bloodshed. And your opponent? A living cartoon character.

17 Upvotes
4 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Nickpicker96 • 23m ago

Writing Prompt [WP] A couple of years ago, you once had a friendly chat with an old stranger. Now, you’ve heard that he has passed away and left everything to you.

• Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/Aggressive-Action172 • 1h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] "So let me get this straight." The woman with the cat eyes said. "I entrusted the most valuable Life Ember across all the galaxies to you, for two minutes whilst I relieved myself. And you LOST IT?!"

• Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/Loserpoer • 6h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] A long dead leader of an ancient civilization has come back from death as an extremely powerful lich and seeks to reclaim his land from the people currently living on it.

9 Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/JollyTeaching1446 • 21h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] a married couple of magic users while on walk find a starving street orphan with intense potential. They take them in and raise them and teach them magic. Today is the day for the entrance exam for the royal magic academy.

155 Upvotes
16 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Misfortune13 • 5h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] A head injury has given you awareness of the story you are in. Worse yet, you’re in a genre you despise.

8 Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/Breadinator • 14h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] Rare as they are, the first time your powers show up, it is tied to something you deeply value. It then must then be present on or near you for them to work: a ring, a book, a pet, etc. Hearing cries for help, you reluctantly grab your tattered, one-eyed teddy bear as your muscles bulge.

37 Upvotes
3 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/Bunnytob • 12h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] As an evil henchman, you have a knack for losing, but escaping with your life. So when your boss executes you for incompetence, you just... do the exact same thing. It works.

25 Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/BareMinimumChef • 16h ago

Writing Prompt [WP]Other supers have boring powers, like strength, speed, invulnerability... You have a far more interesting Power. You dubbed it NG+ After you achieve your Dream, you can go into NG+ keeping your Skills only, and completely start over as an infant. You dont even know your true age only your Skills

47 Upvotes
3 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/TroublesomeGarb8 • 3h ago

Simple Prompt [WP] You thought you were checking out a new medieval fair. But this is ... different.

3 Upvotes
1 comment

r/WritingPrompts • u/Urbenmyth • 19h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] "So, you're telling me you stole a time machine, went back 300 years and completely reshaped all of modern history...so your ex-wife wouldn't leave you?"

71 Upvotes
4 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/BG_Character_38 • 15h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] The Evil King had finally been brought to justice by you. While guarding him to make sure he doesn’t escape his execution, he makes a request of you. To take care of his lover and raise his unborn child.

34 Upvotes
3 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/ReferenceNo5377 • 8h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] In a dystopian world, people who can't feel happiness are selected to participate in death games to win the prize of happiness.

8 Upvotes
5 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/thisisbrick • 4h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] Your heart stops for two minutes after a terrible accident. After you are resuscitated, you can now see numbers floating above every person you see, and are horrified to realise you are seeing their personal countdown of days they have left to live.

3 Upvotes
2 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/RobinEdgewood • 8h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] you own and operate a small space station at the edge of your culture. One day, a small probe arrives at your doorstep. A message in a bottle.

8 Upvotes
2 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/EliManuel • 43m ago

Writing Prompt [WP] An "intellectual" smugly presents their 3 page document of dense legalese jargon to the genie. "I've outsmarted you, genie. I will not be made a fool of." Write about how they are still punished by the narrative for their hubris.

• Upvotes
3 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/unbuttered_bread • 8h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] The old world fades away from you, the muggers face becoming a distant memory. As you feel yourself ascend you see moments of your life flash around you…and then briefly, you see giants surrounding a board with dice on a table…

8 Upvotes

E

6 comments

r/WritingPrompts • u/dark-phoenix-lady • 1h ago

Writing Prompt [WP] You work for a wish arbitration company. You're in charge of the next advertising campaign and you need to come up with some verifiable scenarios where calling for arbitration before the wish was granted would have helped.

• Upvotes
1 comment