Grant's Three-Word Snog Trick

From Tazlure Gaming System Wiki

See Also Writing Posts

You are feeling uninspired, for whatever reason, but can no longer delay posting without holding everybody up. Here is a trick to hammer out half decent posts regardless.

1) Read the players' posts. READ THEM. This is the hardest part, but reading them carefully can actually save effort. If the player has any quality at all, they'll clue you in to what they're thinking or what direction they're going.

Rosalie allowed the touching of her hand, and even encouraged it by squeezing his from time to time, but she knew her place as a little Dominicus girl. Even if he would try the Baron would find that touching her hand was as far as she would go, and it was innocent enough.

With some chagrin Rosalie saw her prey escape. Like a cat she had toyed with him, and had relished the thought of doing it all through lunch. Her revenge hadn't even started yet. "Why Signor Ranier, I thought you would be escorting me home after lunch. Now we'll have to leave before the goose is served," she said with a small pout on her full lips.

She turned to the baron with a regretful look "You know the saying.. out together, home together... I'm afraid honour demands that I depart with the gentleman that introduced me." Her tone of voice indicated that gentleman was a term used lightly.

2) Write three words or phrases describing the natural response for the thread. Just three quick words or phrases for now...you can add more if you absolutely MUST.

Loving Devotion from Marcada! Sadness...Noooo!

Mike: I'd love to leave before you and prepare...

Marcada: yes yes! Let him go, and you stay...

3) Expand those words into Key Sentences. A key sentence is the cornerstone of a paragraph.

No! My Radiant Dove, leaving me just now?!? he thought, his crestfallen, expressive face turning to her in open dismay.

Were I to intercept them...I could arrest both of them on some pretence and carry the lady to a fine, wet cell

"Yes, yes, listen to Ranier!"

4) Expand those key sentences into paragraphs, and add in bells and whistles!

The Baron nodded at Michael's request to be excused, and he accepted with little more than wave of his hand...until Rosalie spoke. No! My Radiant Dove, leaving me just now?!? he thought, his crestfallen, expressive face turning to her in open dismay. "Oh, but I won't hear of such a thing! No, no, no...perhaps they say such things in high society, madam, but among those of us with more complex interests, do we not say let the goals justify the means? I beg you will allow the Marshal to fly away and tend to his wounds and yet remain with me to savor this delicious goose, for you will break my heart else! Will you not consider being perhaps naughty for just this occasion? Look you there...your guard, the good sergeant, remains to insure your complete safety!"

Now there's an idea, thought Michael at once. Were I to intercept them...I could arrest both of them on some pretense and carry the lady to a fine, wet cell. Oh, how I would love her questioning! We'll so how damned proud she is after an evening in my care! I'll have her begging for a hanging before daybreak... "Yes, madam, it would be...unnecessary, and impractical," agreed the Provost Marshal. "I'm on the wing in something of a rush, a most horrid accident, and I should not carry the burden of your ruined lunch upon my tender hands as well."

"Yes, yes, listen to Ranier! The goose is cooked already, and we will savor it and speak of when you would like to have this great party for your Ambassador, and we might even discuss trade as well, though I fear we might drive the good sergeant to tears with boredom..."

Obviously, building from structure doesn't satisfy the requirements we all hold for ourselves for good writing, and we love to diverge from that very often. Also note that using only three words would result in three paragraphs.