Jump to content

I Don't Like the Anthology Theme. What do I do?

Valkyrie

Entry posted by Valkyrie in Anthologies

1,191 views

 Share

GA features several writing events throughout the year, usually with a theme.  When themes are announced, there are generally two reactions - yay, I love it! or WTF were you thinking? 

Season 2 Wtf GIF by Parks and Recreation

Participating in site events is fun and a great way to get your work out there and gain new readers.  So, what happens when you want to participate in a site event but don't like the theme?  I'm going to outline some tips and tricks to still participating, even if the theme doesn't "speak" to you.  

We've repeatedly said that the link to the anthology theme can be tangential - it doesn't have to hit us over the head.  Let's take this year's anthology theme as an example.  The classic definition of a Creature Feature is an old-school horror movie where the monster is the main feature of the film.  If vampires, werewolves, or swamp creatures aren't your thing, you'd have to give this a hard pass, right? 

Wrong!  Anthology themes are selected with the intent that they are open to multiple interpretations.  What else can a creature be?  Any kind of animal fits the bill.  Add a wolf, blue bear, penguin, otter, or capybara to your story and voila!  You've tangentially fit the theme!  It doesn't have to be the main feature, either, since humans are creatures as well.  So are aliens from another planet, but now I'm going off on a tangent.  Alien capybaras?  

Enough of that.  Another tip is to think about the theme and why you don't like it.   Then think about how you could spin the theme into something you do like. Embrace the challenge of incorporating a creature into your story, even if it isn't the main feature. 

The idea of the anthology is to be inclusive, not exclusive, so if you have an idea you really want to write but you're not sure if it fits the theme, remember that tangential link and add a fluffy kitten or a flame-throwing unicorn and start writing!  

If you have any tips or tricks of your own, feel free to add them in the comments.  

 

  • Like 3
  • Love 18
  • Haha 1
  • Wow 1
 Share

24 Comments

Recommended Comments

  • Popular Comment
Lee Wilson

Lee Wilson 58,608
Dew Addict

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Another idea is to look through the prompts. A one or two line description might be more than enough to still fit “Creature Feature.”

  • Like 5
  • Love 8
  • Popular Comment
Krista

Krista 31,381
Sick

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Or a third reaction of... "Oh damn... no, I couldn't possibly. I am working on a 250k word 'anthology idea' and I can't handle another one."

*whistles* I also forgot about both the Secret Author and the Anthology. I have time to do the Anthology, even have an idea for it... but it will spiral out of control and I know that it will. 

 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 13
  • Popular Comment
lawfulneutralmage

lawfulneutralmage 8,183
Busy

Posted

  • Popular Comment
1 hour ago, Krista said:

Or a third reaction of... "Oh damn... no, I couldn't possibly. I am working on a 250k word 'anthology idea' and I can't handle another one."

*whistles* I also forgot about both the Secret Author and the Anthology. I have time to do the Anthology, even have an idea for it... but it will spiral out of control and I know that it will. 

Yes, I am fighting with my never-ending sci-fi story. I have a very good idea for the anthology, but no time. :unsure2:

  • Like 1
  • Fingers Crossed 12
  • Popular Comment
Aditus

Aditus 30,832
Sunshine

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Puppies! What about puppies? Evil creatures.

Puppies Hounds GIF

  • Like 1
  • Love 1
  • Haha 11
  • Wow 1
  • Popular Comment
drsawzall

drsawzall 84,588
Grumpy

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Oh great, take my good ideas...now I gotta rethink my submission...

remember that tangential link and add a fluffy kitten or a flame-throwing unicorn and start writing!  

I mean...I've got exactly so many words....ooops....nevermind....

  • Like 1
  • Haha 12
  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
Valkyrie

Valkyrie 115,332
Penguin

Posted

  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
1 hour ago, drsawzall said:

Oh great, take my good ideas...now I gotta rethink my submission...

remember that tangential link and add a fluffy kitten or a flame-throwing unicorn and start writing!  

I mean...I've got exactly so many words....ooops....nevermind....

For some reason, I thought of you when I typed in "alien capybara" :unsure:  I'm honestly a bit afraid of what you are going to come up with for this theme :P :rofl:  

  • Like 1
  • Love 2
  • Haha 10
  • Popular Comment
drsawzall

drsawzall 84,588
Grumpy

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Not fer nuthin...I spotted some dust bunnies and penguin assassins lurking around the edges of a dream the other day...

  • Like 1
  • Haha 9
  • Wow 3
  • Popular Comment
Ron

Ron 7,854
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Oh, Val! Val, Val, Val … it’s not the theme, it’s the writing part! 🙄

  • Like 4
  • Love 2
  • Haha 6
  • Popular Comment
CassieQ

CassieQ 25,795
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment
18 minutes ago, Ron said:

Oh, Val! Val, Val, Val … it’s not the theme, it’s the writing part! 🙄

Nah, for some of us, it is the theme.  I will make time to write for a theme I like, but not one I don't feel strongly about. 

  • Like 7
  • Fingers Crossed 4
  • Popular Comment
Ron

Ron 7,854
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment
3 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

I will make time to write for a theme I like, but not one I don't feel strongly about.

I happen to like you, so I won’t twist your arm about it. Umm, as long as you don’t twist mine. 😉

  • Like 2
  • Haha 5
  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
Valkyrie

Valkyrie 115,332
Penguin

Posted

  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
27 minutes ago, Ron said:

Oh, Val! Val, Val, Val … it’s not the theme, it’s the writing part! 🙄

It's definitely the theme for some people 🙄

  • Like 5
  • Love 2
  • Haha 1
  • Popular Comment
CassieQ

CassieQ 25,795
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment
59 minutes ago, Ron said:

I happen to like you, so I won’t twist your arm about it. Umm, as long as you don’t twist mine. 😉

Kinky.  I like it.

  • Like 2
  • Haha 5
  • Wow 1
  • Popular Comment
ReaderPaul

ReaderPaul 20,868
Thinking

Posted

  • Popular Comment

When I read this, I thought of the seemingly-not-common category of comedy-horror.  A well-known sci-fi/fantasy author mentioned, in one of his short stories, a  were-whale.  And I thought -- what if the were-whale couldn't always control WHEN he or she turned into a whale?  That could be horror or comedy, depending on circumstances.  

I offer this idea freely to any author willing to tackle it.  At this point in my life I do not have time to think through and write such a story.  I would ask, however, if anyone here at GA writes such a story, to consider notifying me if it is published here.

  • Like 2
  • Love 6
  • Haha 1
  • Popular Comment
northie

northie 22,054
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment
5 hours ago, CassieQ said:

Nah, for some of us, it is the theme.  I will make time to write for a theme I like, but not one I don't feel strongly about. 

This is me - absolutely. I started something several months ago and then got side-tracked. Will I come back to it in time? 🤷‍♂️ Who knows...

  • Like 2
  • Fingers Crossed 8
  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
Cia

Cia 61,851
Tea Addict

Posted

  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment

Alien capybaras.... Sometimes when you see them swimming and they look so cute! I had a vision of a normal furry capybara head starting to pop out of the water, and then, all of a sudden... Wham! Tentacle alien underneath snags the human in for cuddles instead. 🤪

  • Like 1
  • Haha 8
  • Wow 1
  • Popular Comment
Ron

Ron 7,854
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment
57 minutes ago, Cia said:

… then, all of a sudden... Wham! Tentacle alien underneath snags the human in …

Kind of like that not-cat (Flerkun) in Marvel’s Captain Marvel movie. Some things are just not what they appear to be!

  • Like 6
  • Popular Comment
Ron

Ron 7,854
No Mood Set

Posted

  • Popular Comment

Dang-it and Dang-it some more! I'm trying to listen to Peter Gabriel's US (remastered) and something Mr. Gabriel sang had me drifting (in my mind, no less) pushing me toward writing a goldarn (@Headstall would be proud) something or other for the 'Creature Feature' anthology. I'm doomed!

  • Haha 8
  • Popular Comment
centexhairysub

centexhairysub 45,898
Wishful

Posted

  • Popular Comment

A flame throwing unicorn, now that is something I truly would like to see...

  • Love 3
  • Haha 4
  • Fingers Crossed 1
  • Popular Comment
Lee Wilson

Lee Wilson 58,608
Dew Addict

Posted

  • Popular Comment
43 minutes ago, centexhairysub said:

A flame throwing unicorn, now that is something I truly would like to see...

With dragon wings. Cross-breeding, you know?

  • Haha 8
  • Popular Comment
Aditus

Aditus 30,832
Sunshine

Posted

  • Popular Comment
2 hours ago, Lee Wilson said:

With dragon wings. Cross-breeding, you know?

Perfect!

  • Haha 8
  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
Valkyrie

Valkyrie 115,332
Penguin

Posted

  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment

image.jpeg

  • Love 6
  • Popular Comment
Quilah

Quilah 217
Pepsi Addict

Posted

  • Popular Comment

I struggle with finding something that will fit into the Anthology's word count limit. I want to join in but nothing I've got simmering is less then 20k. I'm sitting here "oh, the next one for sure."  🫠  

  • Love 1
  • Fingers Crossed 8
  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment
wildone

wildone 22,460
Goofy

Posted

  • Site Administrator
  • Popular Comment

Hmmm, I'm thinking of one of those mean, angry looking, trouser snakes that sneaks up and gets me from behind :o 

:( Okay Cia and Val, I shall not proceed with this idea :sheep: Don't say I didn't try 0:). 

 

 

  • Haha 6
  • Wow 5
  • Popular Comment
drsawzall

drsawzall 84,588
Grumpy

Posted

  • Popular Comment
12 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

image.jpeg

Jeeze...thanks...there goes 50K in word pictures.....

  • Haha 8

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...