>>> Item number 27376 from WRITERS LOG9403D --- (40 records) ----- <<< Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 18:35:01 JST Reply-To: WRITERS Sender: WRITERS From: Mike Barker Subject: EXERCISE: Don't Look! Don't... You looked! And now the demons in the message are going to run wild... Another well-aged situation, but still timely. I usually remember it as the Pandora gimmick (bet you heard of it, eh?) Start by picking your character. Go ahead, anyone you like. Now, the action starts with someone saying "Don't do this." Up to you as to what "this" is - going downstairs, going out after dark, staying home alone, hitchhiking, opening a box, looking in the attic, wearing curlers in your sleep, voting republican, taking the sales sticker off the mattress... that's half the fun. The other half is coming up with the reason for your character breaking the rule. Is it simple curiosity, accidental, or just time for youngens to break loose? Then you get another half - what happens? Do they get their just rewards? unjustly overwhelmed? or perhaps nothing? In case you think this is too old and tired - Gremlins is one recent story based on this situation. Don't... and they did... and look what happened! Oh - since I believe in having double fun, you need another half. Tell you what - you write the piece and submit it here, and your last half will be the big smiles from your readers! [bonus - flip it over - start with a DO (brush your teeth, love your neighbor, feed the dog), let your character forget, and then...!!!!] Don't... tink (but you did, didn't you!)