THANKSGIVING OWC—THE UNINVITED REVELATION

• Can take place on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday or even Cyber Monday.

• An uninvited guest shows up — the guest doesn’t need to be human and, hell, doesn’t even need to be alive. However, the guest must reveal something that will impact the lives of the people he/she/it touches for the worst, or the better.

• Oh yeah, and one of your characters must be blind.

• The Gist: 10 pages or less (not including title page). Please put © 2022 in lower left corner of title page.

• The writing can be contained or not. Get creative and show off your chops. Or drumsticks!
Genre is open — horror, drama, comedy sci-fi, etc.

• This is an anonymous challenge. Do not use your real name. Use a pseudonym or leave blank.

• This is not a contest. No official prizes given.

• Scripts are due Friday, Nov. 18 by midnight (EST).
Writers and writer’s choice to be revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 23

For those of you who do not know.  In US and A, Thanksgiving*, this year, is November 24th, which would make Black Friday** November 25th, and Cyber*** Monday, Monday, November 28th.

*If you're not American, then this one is complicated.

**Did you watch, "The Purge"? - Same thing

***No, Renshaw, this isn't some Doctor Who villain.

- Don

I was on page three, hoping it would fit the challenge, when you posted the reveal.  I was almost there, content-wise.  As Ricky Ricardo would say, "I got some tweaking to do!"  But I'll get there.

Wow! That's tough. I didn't see that coming. (That's my pun on the blind element there).  

Steven's AOK.
Wonder how PK's idea fits with this.

Hope not too tough. I think it’d be fun to see what non-US writers would come up with. You know what they say, Google is your friend. Also, feel free to fire away with any questions. I’m listening. For the next hour or two, anyway…

I love the concept ‘ Cyber’, but I’m not American so ‘Thanksgiving Day, and Black Friday doesn’t really resonate with me. guess I could google it to see what you mean…

Google, google, google,…

Okay, got it, appears like an American thing, : Planes , trains, Automobiles, etc.… funny stuff

Quoted from SAC Oh yeah, and one of your characters must be blind.

Ambiguous, please elaborate…

Quoted from Don *If you're not American, then this one is complicated.

Bummer…

Quoted from Don **Did you watch, "The Purge"? - Same thing

Umm...?

Quoted from Don ***No, Renshaw, this isn't some Doctor Who villain.

Okay, Totally lost here now… Renshaw? Googled it and came up empty. Seems like a Niche club Avant-garde. Best of luck to those who get that…

I love OWC’s, and I love the “Don”, but seriously, these parameters are soooooo confusing.

Stevaroni… elaborate, please…!

okay, sorry. re-read... I'm whacked on 'Gingerbread Whiskey' right now, 'tis the season, m yb ad

Quoted from SAC THANKSGIVING OWC—THE UNINVITED REVELATION Can take place on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday or even Cyber Monday. An uninvited guest shows up —

Goin' with: Uninvited guest, on Cyber matrix, err... Monday, yes? See you on the other side!

Rick,

Thanksgiving is more a vibe to me at this point. A time of eating turkey with family and sharing what we’re grateful for. Technically, a feast the first pilgrims to America shared with the natives of the new land. Native Americans or Indians.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving — one of the busiest Christmas shopping days of the year. Sales and sales and sales. People have been known to be trampled at Walmart. It’s insanity.

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Amazon makes a killing. It’s a rather recent event where most Xmas shopping is done online. An event in and of itself.

Renshaw, unlike Renfielld (as I’m watching Bram Stokers Dracula on Prime right now) is a reference to one of our talented SS writers.

Not sure what’s Ambiguous about blind. Thought it’d be a nice twist. One of your characters cannot see. Could be your main character, or a side character. The choice is yours. But literally cannot see.

Hope this helps!

Quoted from Gum okay, sorry. re-read... I'm whacked on 'Gingerbread Whiskey' right now, 'tis the season, m yb ad Goin' with: Uninvited guest, on Cyber matrix, err... Monday, yes? See you on the other side!

Damn. I just gave that long winded explanation for nothing!?!  

Quoted from SAC Damn. I just gave that long winded explanation for nothing!?!

No, Steve. That was the best explanation, ever.

Don

Lol, Steve,  I was being facetious ‘bout it all’ , I’m Canadian and get what you’re saying tooth and nail. We have Thanks Giving too, but celebrate Christmas a little harder… if that makes any sense, lol.

I’ m just busting your balls because I know you’re a devout SS member and thought I’d give you a run for your money. That being said, you had me at ‘Cyber’…  

Out of curiosity, has it ever happened that anyone already HAD a prewritten script that exactly fit the OWC guidelines? Would they be able to submit it in that case?

Quoted from Don ***No, Renshaw, this isn't some Doctor Who villain. - Don

Well, that's my first idea in the trash.

Wait, can it be the Doctor's new companion, if they are blind?

Quoted from AlsoBen Out of curiosity, has it ever happened that anyone already HAD a prewritten script that exactly fit the OWC guidelines? Would they be able to submit it in that case?

I’m not sure, but I’ve come close a couple times.

As far as using it, might wanna get some help on this one. Libby?

Nice challenge!

You didn’t play games, I didn’t get myself mentally prepared. I don’t know if that’s a complaint, you decide

So, if it’s a guest, the setting must be a home?

Quoted from khamanna So, if it’s a guest, the setting must be a home?

Not really. I mean, it can be if you want it to, but in a home is not a requirement if you’re choosing the Turkey Day option.

This is a great challenge theme.

Haven't written a script in years, and I literally can't remember the basics of formatting as I sit and try and get something on the page.

Not sure if that's common after a long stint off, or if I'm actually, you know, losing my mind.

Quoted from Andrew Haven't written a script in years, and I literally can't remember the basics of formatting as I sit and try and get something on the page. Not sure if that's common after a long stint off, or if I'm actually, you know, losing my mind.

I would welcome you back to the site but I haven't been here for long myself

Quoted from khamanna I would welcome you back to the site but I haven't been here for long myself

Welcome, Andrew. Good to see you back. This past Halloween OWC was really good to see a lot of new faces, but always cool to see the veterans out and about.

Thanks, guys

Great to be back.

Quoted from AlsoBen Out of curiosity, has it ever happened that anyone already HAD a prewritten script that exactly fit the OWC guidelines? Would they be able to submit it in that case?

How would we know it was prewritten?

Quoted from Andrew Haven't written a script in years, and I literally can't remember the basics of formatting as I sit and try and get something on the page.

One could, I suppose, read a few scripts on the site to get the gist of formatting...

Quoted from Andrew Haven't written a script in years, and I literally can't remember the basics of formatting as I sit and try and get something on the page. Not sure if that's common after a long stint off, or if I'm actually, you know, losing my mind.

I do that. I spend so much time brainstorming and outlining outside the actual screenplay, that I'm often very rusty once I start writing!

Oh, crap, I think I got something. I say crap, because I'm supposed to be working on my alien invasion epic.

Quoted from Robert Timsah Oh, crap, I think I got something. I say crap, because I'm supposed to be working on my alien invasion epic.

A blind alien? That shows up uninvited to some seasonal gathering?


Steve!  

Does the blind character have to be blind from the start?

- Don

Quoted from Don A blind alien? That shows up uninvited to some seasonal gathering? Steve!   Does the blind character have to be blind from the start? - Don

This one won't have anything to do with aliens...



Or, will it?

Quoted from Don One could, I suppose, read a few scripts on the site to get the gist of formatting...

Quoted from Robert Timsah I do that. I spend so much time brainstorming and outlining outside the actual screenplay, that I'm often very rusty once I start writing!

Haha, I find myself exploring absolutely everything about a story to avoid actually writing it!

Quoted from Don A blind alien? That shows up uninvited to some seasonal gathering? Steve!   Does the blind character have to be blind from the start? - Don

I suppose the alien could get a dash of lemon juice to the face mid way through

If one were potentially tempted to submit a script, is there a link where one would do so? Potentially?  

ETA:  Oh nevermind!  Found it.

Quoted from kcranford If one were potentially tempted to submit a script, is there a link where one would do so? Potentially?   ETA:  Oh nevermind!  Found it.

Ok… yea, it’s right…uh huh… oh ok…  

Hmmm, time to check the ideas database for anything that will remotely fit!

Good morning! How are all two of you coming along on your scripts?

Quoted from SAC Good morning! How are all two of you coming along on your scripts?

All in, all done. Submitted  

What!!! Good effort!

Quoted from kcranford All in, all done. Submitted

I’ll second Anthony. Great effort. But don’t forget you can still edit and resubmit if you feel the need to.

Quoted from SAC I’ll second Anthony. Great effort. But don’t forget you can still edit and resubmit if you feel the need to.

Nah, it's perfect just like it is (LOL, kidding of course!).  I tend to way overthink the process - don't enable me!  

Quoted from LC Wonder how PK's idea fits with this.

I could wedge it in. Now I have to decide if I want to. The longer I live with the idea, the more cliche it feels.

I'd really like to do a challenge, though. It's been too long since my last one.

If another idea doesn't strike, maybe I'll just write this one up and apologize afterward.

On page 5.

Read the parameters again. Somehow forgot not one, but two important elements.

Start over or rewrite? Ugh.

Sooo stupid.

Quoted from PKCardinal On page 5. Read the parameters again. Somehow forgot not one, but two important elements. Start over or rewrite? Ugh. Sooo stupid.

Hmm. Dm me if you have a question you can’t post here.

Quoted from SAC Hmm. Dm me if you have a question you can’t post here.

Thanks, but, unfortunately there's no question. I blew it and I need to fix it. (Typed with my forehead, because right now, that's all that's touching the keyboard.)

UGH!!!

I know I have the option to rewrite and update, but should I be worried I submitted so soon? I love how my story turned out, even though this is the second try. First try went haywire, but the second round was more cohesive using the same story.

Now, should I be worried that I admitted I submitted a script? Because I'm sure people will be able to pinpoint which one is mine now...

Nah, should be a good variety of scripts since any of them can involve three different, significant days. I'm curious to see how things pan out in this challenge...so much variety!

Sean

Quoted from Zombie Sean I know I have the option to rewrite and update, but should I be worried I submitted so soon? I love how my story turned out, even though this is the second try. First try went haywire, but the second round was more cohesive using the same story. Now, should I be worried that I admitted I submitted a script? Because I'm sure people will be able to pinpoint which one is mine now... Nah, should be a good variety of scripts since any of them can involve three different, significant days. I'm curious to see how things pan out in this challenge...so much variety! Sean

Sounds like you’re worrying about a whole lot of nothin, Sean! I used to be halfway decent at guessing, but these days I don’t think I’d be able to pick out mine.

Okay... I think I "saved" my script. it probably sucks, but I won't be disqualified. I don't think.

I'll sleep on it for a day and see if it's worth embarrassing myself over.

My week has consisted of losing everything I eat through one or two orifices, seems to be stomach bug time according to Dr at A&E... so I may not get anything in for this one, but will read all as usual.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood My week has consisted of losing everything I eat through one or two orifices, seems to be stomach bug time according to Dr at A&E... so I may not get anything in for this one, but will read all as usual.

Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well, Anthony. You’ll be missed. Liquid diet!

Busy week for me so I won't be able to partake but I love these OWC's!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood My week has consisted of losing everything I eat through one or two orifices, seems to be stomach bug time according to Dr at A&E... so I may not get anything in for this one, but will read all as usual.

You could always submit a ‘vomit’ draft…



Too soon, lol? Sorry, mate... hope you feel better. I'm still digging for ideas, let alone writing. Cyber Monday Genre is 'Madhouse'... the best I got so far...

Quoted from Gum You could always submit a ‘vomit’ draft… -/

Lol. Haha - sometimes I wish I was quick like that

Quoted from DrFrank Busy week for me so I won't be able to partake but I love these OWC's!

Next time, Dr…

Hmm
I'm googling for words an expressions so long it's been. I don't know if I'll be able to finish the first draft. I suck.

Good luck to all though. This time I'll be able to read!

Quoted from khamanna Hmm I'm googling for words an expressions so long it's been. I don't know if I'll be able to finish the first draft. I suck. Good luck to all though. This time I'll be able to read!

Come Kham. I have faith in you.

Quoted from khamanna Hmm I'm googling for words an expressions so long it's been. I don't know if I'll be able to finish the first draft. I suck. Good luck to all though. This time I'll be able to read!

Sounds like you're just out of practice, Kham.
Just like I am.
Like a lot of things, the more you do it the easier it is.

Quoted from LC Just like I am.

Sure you are. Australian English is totally another language after all! I wish I could speak to you one day. We will laugh so much. I'm sure you have quite an accent too!

Quoted from SAC Come Kham. I have faith in you.

Ugh. That's some pressure on me. Ok. I'll try to write as much as I can and let's see.

Quoted from khamanna Sure you are. Australian English is totally another language after all! I wish I could speak to you one day. We will laugh so much. I'm sure you have quite an accent too!

I'm sure we would.  Drop on by whenever you're in the neighbourhood, Kham.

Quoted from LC I'm sure we would.  Drop on by whenever you're in the neighbourhood, Kham.

Aw thanks. It’s a tiny distance away on the maps!

Back to Stevens challenge:
I wrote one. It’s blah but makes sense in my opinion. I don’t know whether I’ll submit bc I’m a chicken. Quack quack

I've been too tied up this week to come up with anything, so I'm out for this one. Best of luck to those who manage to get a script in.

Good morning, Writers! Hope you’re all bleary-eyed and jacked up on caffeine from writing all night! JK. But thanks, Don, for letting me run this challenge. I wanted to do one last year but I was beaten to the punch, though it did produce the legendary Santa’s Coming, written with Zack so it wasn’t all bad.

Anyway, what, 16 hours left? Deadline at midnight tonight. Keep at it!

Steve

Okay then. That's done. I'm officially in.

Feel free to carve it up.

Quoted from PKCardinal Okay then. That's done. I'm officially in. Feel free to carve it up.

Sharpening my knives.

Quoted from SAC Sharpening my knives.

I asked for it.

And, thanks for a fun challenge!

Home stretch, Peeps! Home stretch!

Morning all. Waiting on word from the Don about when the scripts will be posted, so bear with me.

Overall, there were eight entries. It was a quickie challenge, after all, but I’m pretty happy with that turnout. Keep you posted…

I count ten entries, a couple of late ones must have snuck in...

Sorry I got a vomit draft in on a Friday night  

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I count ten entries, a couple of late ones must have snuck in...

Yes. I stand corrected.