#WordPlayful

[writingquestionsanswered]

I was here just a minute ago but I also wanted to ask if you know how to get involved in writing communities? I'd love some writer friends but I just don't know how to find people

Getting Involved with Writing Communities

First you have to find some writing communities to get involved with. One option is to see if there's a local writing group you can join. These groups often meet in person at libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, where they discuss writing-related topics, do group writing sprints, etc. This not only gives you a chance to meet and hang out with other writers, it also provides the opportunity to meet potential critique partners, beta readers, and make new writer friends. Try visiting your local library, independent bookstore, or coffee shops to ask if they know of any local writing groups that meet there.

If you want an online community, there are plenty to choose from. Facebook has a lot of great writing groups, usually organized around a particular genre, writing advice expert, writing method, etc. For example, author and advice expert K.M. Weiland has a Facebook community called "Wordplayers" for readers of her Helping Writers Become Authors books. The Self-Publishing School web site has The Write Life Community. You might even find online writing groups for people in your city/state/country.

There are also other internet options, off Facebook, such as various writing forums, Discord servers, group chats, etc. You can also get involved in broader writing communities by following writing-related hashtags, following high profile posters, and following/interacting with people whose names you see over and over again.

Once you find some communities to join, it's a great idea to just observe for a little while. Get to know the rhythm of the community, who's who, what's what, and how things generally function. Then start with small interactions, working your way up to replies and eventually posts, making sure you're adhering to community guidelines.

I hope that helps! ♥

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

♦ Questions that violate my ask policies will be deleted! ♦ Please see my master list of top posts before asking ♦ Learn more about WQA here

[lolpuns]

15 Hilarious Alpaca Puns That Will Have You Saying "No Prob-llama!" | Fun Wordplay

https://lolpuns.com/?p=2102 15 Hilarious Alpaca Puns That Will Have You Saying "No Prob-llama!" | Fun Wordplay Looking for a way to add some woolly humor to your day? We’ve rounded up the funniest alpaca puns that’ll have you laughing out loud! These fluffy creatures from South America aren’t just adorable—they’re also perfect fodder for clever wordplay and jokes. Whether you’re an alpaca enthusiast or just someone who appreciates good pun-manship, you’ll find our collection absolutely “alpaca-lyptic!” We’ve combed through countless jokes to bring you the cream of the crop. From “no prob-llama” to “alpaca my bags,” these witty expressions make perfect captions for social media posts or conversation starters at your next gathering. Table of Contents Toggle 15 Hilarious Alpaca Puns That Will Have You Spitting With LaughterAlpaca My Bags: Travel-Themed Alpaca JokesVacation Wordplay That’s Alpaca-lypticRoad Trip Puns For The Whole HerdNo Prob-Llama: Classic Alpaca WordplayEveryday Expressions With An Alpaca TwistOffice-Friendly Alpaca One-LinersAlpaca Lip Now: Dating And Relationship PunsRomantic Wordplay That’s Pure Alpaca-tudeBreaking Up Is Herd To DoWool You Be Mine: Fiber And Textile Alpaca JokesKnitting And Crafting Puns For Fiber EnthusiastsFashion-Forward Alpaca WordplayAl-Pack-A-Punch: Food And Drink Related Alpaca HumorDining Out With Alpaca AttitudeCooking Puns That Are Spit-Roaring FunnyHow To Weave Alpaca Puns Into Your Everyday ConversationsTravel and AdventureWork and ProductivitySocial Media and CaptionsEncouragement and PositivityFitness and WellnessThe Ultimate List Of Alpaca Pun Names For Your Fuzzy FriendConclusion: Why Alpaca Puns Will Never Go Out Of StyleFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat are alpaca puns?Why are alpaca puns so popular?How can I use alpaca puns in everyday conversations?What are some travel-themed alpaca puns?Are there alpaca puns for relationships and dating?What alpaca puns work well on social media?Can alpaca puns be used professionally?What are some food and drink related alpaca puns?What are some creative alpaca names using puns?How can alpaca puns improve my crafting discussions? 15 Hilarious Alpaca Puns That Will Have You Spitting With Laughter Alpaca my bags – Ready for vacation? Tell everyone “Alpaca my bags” instead of “I’ll pack my bags” and watch their reactions. No prob-llama – When someone thanks you, respond with this carefree comeback instead of “no problem” to instantly lighten the mood. Alpaca lunch – Perfect for texting a friend before meeting up: “Alpaca lunch and meet you at the park” sounds way more fun than a regular lunch date. You’re alpaca-ing my patience – When someone’s testing your limits, this pun delivers your message with a humorous twist. Alpaca lot of wool – Use this when discussing bulk shopping or preparing for winter: “I’ll need alpaca lot of wool for all these knitting projects.” Llamazing – Describe something truly spectacular with this alpaca-inspired alternative to “amazing” that’s guaranteed to get a chuckle. Alpaca punch – Warn your friends about a strong drink or flavor with “This cocktail really alpaca punch” instead of boring “packs a punch.” Drama llama – Label someone who’s being unnecessarily theatrical: “Don’t be such a drama llama about the small change in plans.” I wool always love you – Express your feelings with this adorable fiber-focused twist on a classic declaration of affection. Llama tell you something – Start an important conversation with “Llama tell you something” rather than the standard “Let me tell you something.” Alpaca picnic – Suggest an outdoor meal with flair: “The weather’s perfect today, alpaca picnic for our lunch break.” Como te llamas – This Spanish phrase meaning “what’s your name” doubles as a perfect alpaca pun for introductions. Whole llama love – Music fans will appreciate this play on Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” with an alpaca twist. Llama face – Describe someone’s surprised expression: “You should have seen their llama face when I told them the news!” Alpacalypse – Refer to any chaotic situation as “the alpacalypse” instead of apocalypse for an instant mood lightener. Alpaca My Bags: Travel-Themed Alpaca Jokes Planning your next adventure? These travel-themed alpaca puns are perfect for jet-setting animal lovers who can’t resist a good play on words involving our fluffy South American friends. Vacation Wordplay That’s Alpaca-lyptic Travel humor reaches new heights with these alpaca-inspired vacation jokes. “Alpaca my bags, I’m moving to Llamas Vegas!” combines the excitement of packing for a trip with a clever twist on the famous Nevada destination. Tourists love sharing “Let’s alpaca lunch and hit the trail” when planning their hiking excursions with friends. Competitive travelers might appreciate “Why did the alpaca win the race? It didn’t stop for a llama break!” when discussing their ambitious itineraries. Worldly adventurers find these puns particularly useful for lightening the mood during long airport layovers or unexpected travel delays. Road Trip Puns For The Whole Herd Family road trips become more entertaining with herd-worthy alpaca humor. “Stay wild, my fluffy alpaca friend!” serves as the perfect caption for those scenic mountain photos featuring distant alpaca farms. Adventure seekers frequently shout “Let’s get this alpaca party started” when beginning their journey. Games like “What’s an alpaca’s favorite game? Hide and wool-seek!” keep passengers entertained during long stretches of highway driving. Families visiting alpaca farms often use these puns to create memorable vacation moments that everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy without resorting to humor that isn’t family-friendly. No Prob-Llama: Classic Alpaca Wordplay Alpaca puns thrive on clever phonetic matches that create instant humor. These wooly wordplays have become favorites for anyone looking to lighten the mood with animal-themed jokes. Everyday Expressions With An Alpaca Twist Familiar phrases get a fuzzy makeover with these alpaca-inspired twists: “Don’t count your alpacas before they hatch” transforms the traditional chicken idiom into a woolier warning about premature expectations. “Time to alpaca my troubles away” offers a cozy alternative to packing troubles, suggesting that alpaca therapy might be the solution to life’s problems. “The grass is always greener on the other alpaca” reimagines the classic proverb about envy with a fluffy perspective. “What’s an alpaca’s favorite exercise? The wooly squat!” combines animal behavior with fitness humor for an unexpectedly funny punchline. “Alpaca my bags!” serves as the perfect expression when you’re ready to travel, playing on the “I’ll pack a” sound that matches our furry friends’ name. Office-Friendly Alpaca One-Liners “It’s not how you start, it’s how you alpaca your bags” motivates teams to focus on execution rather than just planning. “A penny for your alpaca thoughts” works wonderfully as a meeting icebreaker when colleagues seem distracted. “You can lead an alpaca to water, but you can’t make it drink” perfectly describes management challenges when team members resist new initiatives. “When life gives you alpacas, make alpaca-ade” encourages resilience when facing unexpected business obstacles. “No prob-llama!” offers a lighthearted response to thanks, blending “llama” into “problem” for an instantly memorable phrase. “Wool you be my friend?” substitutes “wool” for “will” in a charming way to build workplace relationships while referencing alpaca’s famous fleece. Alpaca Lip Now: Dating And Relationship Puns Looking to impress your crush with some wool-y charming lines? We’ve gathered the most delightful alpaca-themed puns perfect for romance and relationships that will have your special someone laughing and swooning. Romantic Wordplay That’s Pure Alpaca-tude “Wool you ever be mine?” stands out as one of the most adorable ways to express your affection with an alpaca twist. This sweet question creates a playful comparison between love and the soft wool that alpacas are famous for. Another heartwarming pun that captures deep feelings is “You’re the wool to my heart,” which perfectly conveys how someone special can warm your soul just like alpaca wool provides comfort. When you want to encourage your shy partner to express their feelings, try saying “Alpaca Lip Now,” a clever play on words that sounds like “apocalypse now” but actually encourages openness and communication in your relationship. Breaking Up Is Herd To Do Relationships sometimes reach their natural conclusion, and even then, alpaca puns can help ease the pain. “Breaking Up Is Herd To Do” acknowledges the difficulty of ending relationships while incorporating the concept of alpacas living in herds. This pun offers a gentle reminder that sometimes we must separate from the group for our own wellbeing. During tough conversations, “Don’t worry, be alpaca-dabra” can lighten the mood and remind both parties that magical new beginnings await after endings. The healing process might involve saying “Alpaca my feelings away for now,” suggesting it’s okay to temporarily compartmentalize emotions while working through heartbreak. Wool You Be Mine: Fiber And Textile Alpaca Jokes When it comes to fiber arts and textiles, alpaca enthusiasts have developed a whole vocabulary of puns that celebrate these wonderful animals and their luxurious wool. We’ve gathered some of the most delightful fiber-related alpaca wordplay that’s sure to make any knitter or textile lover smile. Knitting And Crafting Puns For Fiber Enthusiasts Fiber artists truly know how to spin a good yarn when it comes to alpaca humor. “Wool You Be Mine?” combines the softness of alpaca fiber with a sweet romantic invitation, making it perfect for crafting Valentine’s Day cards or labeling handmade gifts. “Fleece and Love” offers a clever twist on the classic “peace and love” phrase, highlighting the cozy warmth that alpaca products provide. Crafters often joke that “Knit Happens” when their projects don’t go as planned, a universal truth in the fiber arts community. Taking a break from your knitting project? Try saying “Let’s Alpaca Lunch” to invite a friend to join you for a midday meal and crafting session. For those frustrating moments when your yarn tangles or stitches drop, “Stitch Please” provides the perfect expression to voice your crafting challenges with humor rather than frustration. These puns create a sense of community among alpaca fiber enthusiasts, adding fun to crafting circles and fiber festivals alike. Fashion-Forward Alpaca Wordplay The fashion industry embraces alpaca wool for its exceptional qualities, and the puns follow suit with style. “Alpaca My Bags” serves as a fashionable declaration when heading to a fiber show or planning a shopping spree for new yarns. Fashion designers who work with alpaca fibers might joke that “I’m Not Lion, Alpacas Are the Ultimate Wool Models” when showcasing their latest collections made from this premium material. Alpaca fiber’s natural colors and textures inspire creativity in both fashion and wordplay. Boutiques selling alpaca products often use these clever phrases in their marketing materials, creating memorable shopping experiences for customers. From runway shows to create fairs, these fashion-forward puns highlight the versatility and luxury of alpaca wool while bringing smiles to fashion enthusiasts everywhere. Al-Pack-A-Punch: Food And Drink Related Alpaca Humor We’ve collected some of the funniest food and drink related alpaca puns that’ll leave you hungry for more. From mealtime jokes to beverage wordplay, these puns combine our love for these fluffy creatures with our passion for culinary delights. Dining Out With Alpaca Attitude Ready to dine with some alpaca flair? “Let’s alpaca lunch and hit the trail” works perfectly when inviting friends for a picnic adventure. Ordering drinks becomes more entertaining when you ask for “Llamanade” instead of your usual coffee or tea. Bringing an alpaca’s unique charm to dining experiences transforms ordinary meals into memorable occasions. Restaurant outings get an instant upgrade when you incorporate alpaca-themed jokes at the table. Spit-roasting puns can add unexpected humor to outdoor barbecues or farm-themed cooking events, making everyone at the gathering smile. Cooking Puns That Are Spit-Roaring Funny Adding “fleece and love” to your cooking creates dishes that aren’t just delicious but also conversation starters. “Alpaca-fy your meal” by incorporating alpaca-themed elements to heighten the dining experience for your guests. Kitchen adventures become more amusing when you promise to “whip up something wool-derful” for dinner. Baking enthusiasts can enjoy asking if anyone wants a piece of “alpaca-roons” instead of macaroons. Cooking shows take on new life when you describe techniques as “no prob-llama” to master. Dinner parties reach peak entertainment when you serve drinks and announce “when life gives you alpacas, make alpaca-ade” – a clever spin on the traditional lemonade saying that’s sure to earn laughs from your guests. How To Weave Alpaca Puns Into Your Everyday Conversations Travel and Adventure Ready to hit the road? “Alpaca my bags” works perfectly when expressing excitement about upcoming trips. Spontaneous adventures call for phrases like “Don’t race an alpaca—they’re alpaca-tric fast!” to add a playful twist to your travel plans. Friends suggesting last-minute getaways will appreciate your enthusiastic “Alpaca suitcase and go!” response, showing you’re always ready for adventure while keeping the conversation light and entertaining. Work and Productivity Office environments benefit tremendously from motivational alpaca wordplay. Boost team morale with encouraging phrases like “You’ve got alpaca potential!” when colleagues need motivation. Deadlines become less stressful when you remind everyone that “It’s not how you start, it’s how you alpaca your bags,” emphasizing the importance of finishing strong. Performance reviews turn positive with supportive comments like “Break a leg and alpaca your way to the top!” making professional feedback more approachable and memorable. Social Media and Captions Instagram posts featuring wildlife or outdoor adventures deserve captions like “Stay wild, my fluffy alpaca friend!” to enhance engagement. Valentine’s Day photos gain extra charm with romantic alpaca puns such as “You are the wool to my heart,” perfectly capturing affection with humor. Holiday seasons provide opportunities for seasonal wordplay like “Fleece Navidad!” during winter celebrations, ensuring your social media presence remains consistent yet creative year-round. Encouragement and Positivity Difficult times call for comforting words, and “Don’t worry, be alpaca-cool” offers reassurance with a smile. Friends facing challenges appreciate hearing “Alpaca your troubles away!” as a supportive reminder that better days lie ahead. Romantic gestures become more memorable with sweet lines like “What did the alpaca say to the llama? ‘Wool you ever be mine?'” creating connections through shared laughter during emotional moments. Fitness and Wellness Gym sessions become more enjoyable when you share jokes like “What’s an alpaca’s favorite exercise? The wooly squat!” with workout partners. Stress management discussions benefit from suggestions to “Take an alpaca-tion to unwind!” highlighting the importance of mental breaks. These fitness-focused puns create a lighter atmosphere during challenging workouts while maintaining motivation through humor rather than intensity. The Ultimate List Of Alpaca Pun Names For Your Fuzzy Friend Looking for the perfect name for your alpaca? We’ve gathered some of the most hilarious and clever alpaca puns that make excellent names for these fuzzy creatures. From pop culture references to witty wordplay, these names will have everyone smiling when they meet your woolly companion. Al Pacacino – Give your alpaca a Hollywood edge with this playful take on the legendary actor’s name. Chewpaca – Star Wars fans will appreciate this furry spin on everyone’s favorite Wookiee character. Alpacasso – For an alpaca with artistic flair, this name pays homage to the famous Spanish painter. Alpacapella – A musical name perfect for an alpaca that loves to hum or makes harmonious sounds. Alpacinator – Your alpaca will sound tough and resilient with this action hero inspired moniker. Alpacalypse – A dramatic name for an alpaca with a flair for the theatrical or chaotic energy. Al PacMan – Combine gaming nostalgia with alpaca charm for a name that’s both retro and adorable. Spitz – A short and sweet name that captures the occasional spitting habit these animals are known for. Fleece Witherspoon – Hollywood glamour meets farm life with this celebrity-inspired pun name. Alpacuccino – Coffee lovers will appreciate this frothy, warm name for a brown or cream-colored alpaca. Alpaca Punch – This spirited name works perfectly for an alpaca with a bold personality. Pacafy – A modern, trendy name that sounds like a tech startup but works wonderfully for a fluffy friend. Pack-a-Paca – An energetic name for an alpaca that’s always ready for adventure. Pac-a-Neck – Highlight your alpaca’s distinctive long neck with this playful name choice. Captain Pac – A superhero inspired name that gives your alpaca a leadership role in the herd. Mr. Cotton – A classic, dignified name that references the soft, fluffy coat alpacas are known for. Fuzzy Wuzzy – Though not strictly an alpaca pun, this adorable name perfectly describes their soft texture. Llama Drama – While technically a llama reference, this name works well for an alpaca with a theatrical personality. Alpa-boll – A unique name that puts a playful spin on your alpaca’s round, fluffy appearance. Alpa-boy – A simple yet endearing name for a male alpaca in your herd. These punny names celebrate the unique characteristics and charm of alpacas while giving your fuzzy friend a memorable identity. Choose one that matches your alpaca’s personality or appearance for the perfect naming combination. Conclusion: Why Alpaca Puns Will Never Go Out Of Style From travel adventures to dating life and mealtime fun these woolly wordplays have truly woven their way into our everyday conversations. Alpaca puns offer a universal appeal that transcends situations bringing smiles in both personal and professional settings. We hope this collection has inspired you to incorporate these fluffy phrases into your social media captions workplace banter or family gatherings. Whether you’re naming your fiber-producing friend or simply looking to lighten the mood alpaca humor delivers that perfect blend of cleverness and charm. So next time you need a good laugh remember these delightful puns are always ready to alpaca punch of humor into your day! Frequently Asked Questions What are alpaca puns? Alpaca puns are humorous wordplays that use the words “alpaca” or “llama” to create jokes and clever phrases. They typically replace similar-sounding words in common expressions, like “alpaca my bags” instead of “I’ll pack my bags” or “no prob-llama” instead of “no problem.” These puns celebrate the charm of these South American camelids while creating instant humor. Why are alpaca puns so popular? Alpaca puns are popular because they’re versatile, family-friendly, and instantly recognizable. The words “alpaca” and “llama” lend themselves naturally to wordplay, making them perfect for social media captions, conversation starters, or icebreakers. Their innocent humor appeals to all ages, and the adorable image of alpacas adds to their charm, making these puns memorable and shareable. How can I use alpaca puns in everyday conversations? Incorporate alpaca puns naturally into relevant situations: use “Alpaca my bags” when discussing travel plans, “Let’s alpaca lunch” when inviting someone to eat, or “You’ve got alpaca potential!” as encouragement. For social media, try “Stay wild, my fluffy alpaca friend!” with vacation photos. The key is timing—use them when they fit the context for maximum impact. What are some travel-themed alpaca puns? Popular travel-themed alpaca puns include “Alpaca my bags, I’m moving to Llamas Vegas!” for vacation planning, “Let’s alpaca lunch and hit the trail” for outdoor adventures, and “Stay wild, my fluffy alpaca friend!” for captioning scenic photos. “Why did the alpaca win the race? It didn’t stop for a llama break!” works well when discussing ambitious travel itineraries. Are there alpaca puns for relationships and dating? Yes! Try “Wool you ever be mine?” or “You’re the wool to my heart” to express affection. “Alpaca Lip Now” encourages open communication, while “Breaking Up Is Herd To Do” acknowledges relationship challenges. These puns add humor to romantic situations and can help ease tension during difficult conversations while showing your playful side. What alpaca puns work well on social media? “Stay wild, my fluffy alpaca friend!” works perfectly with travel photos. “Llamazing day!” is great for highlighting special moments. “No prob-llama” makes for a casual, friendly response to comments. “Drama llama” can humorously acknowledge awkward situations. “Alpaca lot of joy into your day” spreads positivity. These short, catchy phrases tend to get more engagement and shares. Can alpaca puns be used professionally? Absolutely! Office-friendly alpaca puns like “It’s not how you start, it’s how you alpaca your bags” or “A penny for your alpaca thoughts” can lighten workplace atmosphere. They make great icebreakers in meetings, team-building activities, or casual work emails. Just ensure they’re appropriate for your workplace culture and use them sparingly for maximum effect. What are some food and drink related alpaca puns? Try “Let’s alpaca lunch” when inviting colleagues to eat, “Llamanade” for refreshing beverages, or “whip up something wool-derful” when cooking. “Alpaca-roons” works for desserts, while “This coffee is alpaca-ing a punch” describes strong drinks. These culinary puns bring humor to mealtime and make dining experiences more memorable and entertaining. What are some creative alpaca names using puns? Popular punny alpaca names include “Al Pacacino” (after Al Pacino), “Chewpaca” (referencing Chewbacca), “Fleece Witherspoon” (playing on Reese Witherspoon), “Barack O-llama” (a nod to Barack Obama), and “Alpacasso” (inspired by Picasso). These clever names combine celebrity references with alpaca characteristics for memorable and humorous pet names. How can alpaca puns improve my crafting discussions? Craft enthusiasts can use “Wool You Be Mine?” when sharing handmade gifts, “Knit Happens” when discussing project challenges, or “I’m Not Lion, Alpacas Are the Ultimate Wool Models” when praising alpaca fiber quality. These puns create instant connection with fellow crafters while celebrating the special properties of alpaca wool in knitting and textile arts. https://lolpuns.com/?p=2102 LOL Puns

[temmyoba-blog]

*Yo, I'm King 👑 Temmy (the New King Xerxes et King Midas).*

I'm a computer Scientist, a wordplayer, Rap lover...

I'm an all-round writer

I code a lil n i speak French aussi

*Check out my write-ups...on tumblr,substack and temmyoba.blogspot.com*

Follow me on all social media @king Tech.

#highlights

[ninurtaturtle]

Twin narratives

A stick-in-the-mud responds to two shocking proposals

There are two major twin narratives in the Hebrew Bible. Rather, there is a major one, that of Jacob and Esau, about which much has been written. And there is a minor one, concerning the birth of Peretz and Zerah to Tamar. The unfortunate barrenness of scholarship on Genesis 38 has been recently made more fertile with a pair of brief exegetes, mutually extending plumed hands. (Boy, am I glad that metaphor's over.)

The first is by Dr M. The very next month, in the same journal, a response by Dr C. The month after that, same place, this response by me. You can almost hear the board splitting.

Sanity requires plain speaking: Dr M's proposal is full of absurdities. If you've been lucky enough to avoid the paper, you may wish to retain your ignorance and weed your garden or prepare a meal for your partner.

I see you're still with me.

Dr M wishes to do away with aeons of exegesis and shoehorn a spanner in the scroll. The basic proposal is that the twins, Peretz and Zerah, in their newborn infancy, were characterized by the physical effects of the adult pairing instinct. Yes, you heard right. Specifically, Zerah's membrum is virile, claims Doc -- and its extension would be better termed an erection.

How can that be when the text doesn't contain the word penis? The claim may be facially farcical, but it depends on a reality of the Hebrew language - which is that almost any area below the chest can euphemistically refer to genitalia. Here, יד (yad) is said to mean punningly or solely "penis" rather than the typical interpretation of "hand." I can't deny yad can mean either, but it's not enough to publish on. (To be clear, I'll be retracting my subscription to and support of Journal Name Monthly when the issue containing this rebuttal is in my yad.)

The widest breach in the hypothesis is ignorance of the central word. שני (shni) means "double-dipped crimson thread." (HALOT.) So far everyone has agreed on this simple interpretation. Dr M doesn't suggest another meaning of שני. Rather than finding a wrong yet reasonable option in similar words in similar languages, he has introduced an entirely new method to the academy, which surely none will repeat. Dr M wishes to leave the word a variable, like in high school maths, solve for X! It seems ignorance not willful, but gleeful. Truly I ask you, doctor, Is this a prank?

At least one thinker didn't take it that way. An entirely serious-seeming response followed from Dr C. She accepted the phallic view, and added to it. She solved for שני. Since tying a ribbon on the penis doesn't seem practical for twin discernment, and is without parallel anywhere, she suggests the shni was not a band of fabric but a ribbon of blood!

Yes, she legitimizes the clownshow--sorry, lively dialogue--with something less surprising in the Biblical tradition: circumcision.

Is the rite of the prepuce without etiology? Does it need an origin story? No; Zipporah at the Inn serves this mythical purpose satisfactorily. It is not a "missing piece" that's "curiously underaccounted for" that the author should be "pleased with [her]self… for" solving. At least, I'm not pleased with her.

The puns claimed by Dr M continue with Dr C's egging on. She says that "יצא ראשנה (gen 38 28)" means not "he came (to be born) first", but "his head (glans of the penis) was exposed." This magic trick requires no emendation, even. I admire the incision-free surgery; it's an example of her ingenious creativity.

I suggest a different approach. Rather than the algebraic or wordplayful approach, let's consider the comparative.

KTU 1.23, one of the Ugaritic texts that revolutionized Biblical scholarship in the earlier 20th Century (nobody noticed), has a twin birth narrative of its own. "Dusk and Dawn," or "Shahar and Shalim."

Who are Shahar and Shalim? Minor deities for minor aspects of creation: the dawn and dusk. What happens in "Dawn and Dusk?" El (God) shoots birds out of the air, has a barbecue, seduces two women, and has "twins" by them. Life contains death in miniature in the tale, featuring a persona "Death-and-Master," and El's phallic (Pardee claims, in Context of Scripture) "Staff of widowhood." An old man reproducing, like Abraham, perhaps.

To access full paper via your institution, click here.

[julierysava]

🕵️‍♀️🔤 Wordplay Wednesday: Unraveling the Cryptic Clues 🔎🔤

Welcome back, intrepid word adventurers! It's that time of the week again when we put on our detective hats and embark on a thrilling journey of cryptic crossword-style clues and word puzzles. Are you ready to sharpen your linguistic skills and dive into the enigmatic world of wordplay? Let's crack these cryptic codes and reveal the hidden messages together! 🧩📚

🔍 The Cryptic Clues: Prepare yourself for a brain-bending challenge as we decipher these cleverly crafted cryptic clues. Each clue is a puzzle in itself, designed to tease and intrigue. Unravel the hidden words, embrace the twists and turns of language, and uncover the secrets within!

Musical departure may be labeled enigmatically (6).

Rearrange letters of "nobleman" to find a medicinal plant (7).

Disheartened, angry, and lacking direction (5).

An empty wagon's trail (4).

Acquire a novel, turning pages from the end (8).

🔤 Engage Your Inner Sleuth: Calling all word detectives! It's time to engage your inner sleuth and follow the trail of clues. Combine your wits, vocabulary, and wordplay skills to unlock the mystery behind these cunningly crafted riddles. Keep an eye out for hidden meanings and clever wordplay tricks!

📚 The Beauty of Language: Wordplay is a celebration of the sheer beauty and versatility of language. It allows us to play with words, explore new meanings, and appreciate the artistry of language creation. Embrace the joy of linguistic puzzles and savor the elegance of these enigmatic clues!

💡 Share Your Brilliance: Once you unlock the code or encounter a particularly puzzling challenge, share your findings in the comments below. Your insights and interpretations are a valuable addition to our wordplay community. Engage with fellow word enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and celebrate the brilliance of language in all its forms.

🏆 Wordplay Wednesday Continues: The adventure doesn't end here! Stay tuned for more Wordplay Wednesdays filled with fascinating cryptic clues, anagrams, and linguistic riddles. Challenge yourself, learn something new, and let's continue celebrating the magic of language and wordplay together.

Happy unraveling, Tumblr word maestros! 🧙‍♂️🎩

#WordplayWednesday #CrypticClues #WordPuzzles #BrainTeasers #LinguisticAdventure #PuzzleFun #DecipherTheCode #UnravelTheMystery #MindFlex #LanguageEnthusiasts #WordMaestros #WednesdayWordplay #TumblrWordGames #WordChallenge #LanguageNerds #CuriousMinds #LanguagePlay #PuzzleSolvers #ThinkOutsideTheBox #WednesdayPuzzle #WordplayEnthusiasts #ChallengeAccepted #TumblrMindGames #PuzzleAdventure #ExploreTheWords #WordPlayful #LanguageMystery #WednesdayRiddles #LinguisticMastery #WednesdayWordSearch

[batgovernor]

Potcake Poet’s Choice: Max Gutmann, “Onset” ONSET Remember with my sitting parents I at napkins red with cloth a table high things struggling out to figure how these thin…

[qdlyricist-loved-lines]

Ever feel like you've peaked & plateaued in terms of your writing? Worried that your skills have bottomed out and you'll never top yourself?

Nah, me neither- not with so much terrible wordplay to plumb the depths thereof and send soaring to the obscure dubious heights of Tumblr infamy...

[shiranuieditorial]

Alrighty, a question! Don't exactly even need to know, but I'm curious. Which japanese names are used gender neutral? I have heard of a few, like Tsubaki, Akira, Minato and so on, but a list would be nice. On another note, Erika is a japanese name as well as german, right? Like Yuka is both an Inuit and japanese name x3 I do find it funny that complete different ends of the world could have such small things in common.

gender expressions & impressions of jp given names depend on: (1) the precise characters it comprises of, (2) the reading it uses, (3) societal trends and sentiments, and (4) each individual’s personal perception (and experience) of gender and the name. therefore, sooooo many names out there can be considered unisex and/or gender-neutral! there are hundreds of thousands of possible character combinations you can use to create given names, and what’s more to love is that unisex and gender-neutral names are pretty sought-after, especially in the modern day and the foreseeable future. we love our unisex names and we’re very proud of them!

if there’s any specific theme of names you’d like to see, you can send in an ask with your criterias and i’ll compile you a list. besides my gdoc of rare and unusual jp given names i shared in my previous post, i also have this gdoc of generic/basic/average jp given names you can sort through if you’d like.

indeed, erika and yuka are names that can exist in the jp language. maybe this tip will help with remembering and identification? you can make given names out of almost any set of syllables from the japanese syllabary, as long as it’s within reason (e.g. sounds good as a name, seems logical or plausible, 1–5 syllables in one name, etc.).

(apologies for the deep-fried quality haha—this is the only kana-to-romaji chart i have ever saved, because i prefer linguistic charts to be as plain-colored, plain-fonted, and plain-formatted as possible.)

for clan/family names however, the rules aren’t as lax because most of them follow kanji and the most standard readings for said kanji. a small % of family names have a mix of kanji + kana in them, which still follow the standard readings of the kanji + of course the unchangeable readings of the kana. only very few (native, non-transcribed) family names out there are entirely written in kana (a real-life example of this is つわぶき峻 Tsuwabuki Toshi, the stage actor who played sakusa in the haikyuu stageplay). oh, and, because we can never have too many exceptions, jp culture also has this very unique occurrence where sometimes, some certain family names get to be as lax as given names in terms of the grapheme-to-phoneme relation, and some people have decided use this opportunity to be very punny wordplayers. these are very few in number, however, and they have history behind them! so i wouldn’t recommend the average writer/artist/fictionist to come up with some on their own. examples of this last one:

一 Ninomae | 一 means “one” | “ninomae” sounds like you’re saying 二の前, “before two”

小鳥遊 Takanashi | 小鳥遊 means “small birds play” | “takanashi” sounds like you’re saying 鷹無し, “there are no hawks/eagles” | ergo, small birds play outside because there’s no hawk preying around.

四月朔日/四月一日/四月朔/四月朔月 Watanuki | 四月朔日/四月一日 means “first of april” | “watanuki” refers to this word 綿抜き, “cotton-stripping; to take out the cotton [padding]” | there’s an old tradition of changing winter-wear cotton-lined warming robes and kimono into lighter summer-wear garments in the 1st day of the 4th lunar month, which is said to prevent children from suffering diseases and potentially dying. i’m a bit confused at what the big deal is with this tradition, because it just seems like common sense to me? seasons change and so do your clothes. that’s normal.

月見里 Yamanashi | 月見里 means “moon-viewing village” | “yamanashi” sounds like you’re saying 山無し, “there are no mountains” | ergo, you can see the moon and do some stargazing if your view isn’t obstructed by mountains. although, i have to point out the fallacy in this logic, as someone who lives surrounded by 3 whole mountain ranges, i know fully well that mountains only obscure a very small % to none at all of your ground view of the night sky. “starless” nights are all the clouds and pollution’s fault! so really, this name should’ve been called Kumonashi (from 雲無し, “cloudless”) instead.

i could’ve sworn i knew more than 4 of these punny family names...

(edit: i found more!)

飛鳥 Asuka | 飛鳥 means “flying bird” | “asuka” refers to the place name 明日香 (“tomorrow fragrance”) | basically, what happened here is that the word 飛鳥 (hichou), coming from the phrase 飛ぶ鳥の (tobu tori no, “flying bird of...”), became a pillow word for the place known as Asuka. both spellings were historically interchangeable.

春日 Haruma, Kasuga, Kasuka | 春日 means “spring sun; spring day” | the word 春日 (shunjitsu/haruhi) was used as a pillow word to introduce the place name Kasuga (which presumably had no kanji writing prior to this?). existing logical readings for 春日 include Haruhi and Haruka.

漢 Hata | 漢 means “han chinese”, the worldwide major ethnic group originating in china | “hata” sounds like you’re saying はた/端, “nearby; besides”

日向 Higa, Higano, Hina, Hinada, Hinata, Hiuga (Fiuga), Hyuga, Hyuuga | 日向 means “in the sun; [facing] towards the sun” | (1) for the Hinata reading; this name is composed of 日 (hi, “sun”) +‎ な (na, old japanese possessive particle, equivalent to modern の) +‎ た (ta, “direction; side”, archaic equivalent of 方). (2) for the Fiuga, Hiuga, and Hyuuga readings; dialectal differences shifted old japanese reading “Pimuka” into “Fimuka” → “Fiuga” → “Hiuga”. southern dialects and languages tend to have this fi- sound that’s nonexistent up in the north. (3) Hiruga may be explained as 「昼日」 (hiru + ka, “daytime sun”) with a rendaku 日 (turning the “-ka” into “-ga”, which is unnecessary, because rendaku doesn’t commonly happen to 日, but everything is full of exceptions today, so... 🤷). existing logical readings of 日向 include Hikou, Himuka, Himukai, Himuki, and Nikkou.

陽向 Hizashi | 陽向 means “in the sun; [facing] towards the sun” | “hizashi” sounds like you’re saying 日差し (may also be written 陽差し、日射し、陽射し、日ざし、陽ざし、日差、or 陽射), “sunlight; sunshine; sun rays”

五十嵐 Igarashi | 五十嵐 means “fifty storms/tempests” | “igarashi” sounds like you’re saying 伊賀嵐, “iga [city] storm” | i believe this may be a reference to the huge storm in 1612 which destroyed the famous iga-ueno castle.

五月雨 Samidare | 五月雨 means “fifth [lunar] month rain”, referring to the heavy rains that occur around early summer | “samidare” sounds like you’re saying 早水垂れ, “early rain fall” | this is a word (for the seasonal occurrence), a place name, and a destroyer name; not family name. i just thought it was cool enough to mention here!

時雨 Shigure | 時雨 means “timely rain; winter rainfall” (originally referred to rainshowers in late autumn to early winter, occasionally late summer and all of autumn too, but today, shigure only refers to a winter rainshower) | “shigure” sounds like you’re saying the classical/literary verb 時雨れる, “to rain a shower” | the history is a bit blurry on this one. 時雨, as a word, was an orthographic borrowing from chinese. it happened a hefty long time ago, and was incorporated into old japanese as the classical verb 時雨る (shiguru), which was later given the modern rendering 時雨れる (shigureru), which then presumably became the clan name Shigure.

日本 Yamatono | 日本 means “base/foundation/origin of the sun” and is the modern name for japan | “yamatono” sounds like you’re saying 大和の, “of the yamato people’s” | 大和 (yamato) was the ancient name for japan before it was changed to 日本 (nihon/nippon), and also the name of an ancient province, the name of the current dynasty (and consequently, the imperial family as well), the name of an old battleship, and is sometimes still used to refer to japanese people in a historic way. it’s worth noting that the reading of “yamato” itself isn’t grammatically logical for the kanji 大和. my best theories as to how 大和 became yamato are: (1) homophone of 山都 (“mountain metropolis”), (2) homophone of 山門 (“mountain gateway”), and (3) homophone of 山人 (“mountain people”); but i haven’t seen any proper, in-depth linguistic study done on this, so i can’t guarantee anything. the kanji 倭 [yamato, shitaga.u | wa, i] was likely based on 大和 after it got its “yamato” reading, so 倭 isn’t an important factor in this discussion (as of right now, at least).

hope this answers your curiosity!

[castielgeralt]

How to Study Plot and Character in Your Favorite Stories: 5 Easy Steps

What if I told you the best way to learn how to create amazing plots and characters in your own stories was by purposeful osmosis? First, of course, I might have to explain that “purposeful osmosis” means reading lots and lots of books and watching lots and lots of movies–and consciously studying what it is about them that works. With that explanation out of the way, chances are you’re in agreement. But chances are, you’re also not entirely sure how to actually make this happen. Just how do you figure out how to study plot and character in other people’s stories?

Not too long ago, Wordplayer K.M. Updike (she of the rad initials!) emailed me, asking:

[What is] your process for studying the plot, structure, character arcs, etc., of the books you read and the movies you watch? I’ve been wondering for a while how one goes about studying the writer’s work as they read/watch.

This is an excellent question. After all, it’s easy for Stephen King to say:

Don’t get me wrong: this is a tremendous piece of advice. But it’s also pretty vague.

That’s it? We just … read? And the answers will, what? Come to us?

Yes, actually. To some extent anyway. The more we read and watch good (and bad) stories, the better our own storytelling instincts will get–without our having to do even one thing more.

But in the interest of upping our game here, how about we do a few things more? Today, I’m going to give you an actionable plan for how to study plot and character (and lots more) in your favorite stories.

1. Start With an Action Plan

The first step in being purposeful is, of course, to have a purpose. Often, you may simply want to observe the books you read and the movies you watch generally, letting the story’s own strengths and weaknesses guide your study. But it can help you dig down deeper if you have a list of things you want to consciously pay attention to.

I recommend a short list. The shorter, the better, in fact.

Why? Because your brain can only keep track of so many tangents at once (says the woman with twenty tabs open in her browser). You’ll get better results if you focus on one or two primary elements or techniques at a time.

For example, lately, I’ve been concentrating on dialogue (both because it’s something I’m working on myself and because I’m planning a series of blog posts on dialogue for sometime next year). I watch the ebb and flow of dialogue, taking note of what works and what doesn’t. What’s the effect–and why did the author intend it?

This isn’t to say, of course, that you can’t also take note of anything interesting, in any category, that reveals itself. But only consciously follow certain rabbits down their holes.

2. Arm Yourself With Highlighters and Pens

Jane Eyre: The Writer’s Digest Annotated Classic (Amazon affiliate link)

This is for serious studiers only. Seriously, I only do this one when I’m in full battle mode (e.g., like when I was dissecting Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, so I could write about its brilliant techniques in Jane Eyre: The Writer’s Digest Annotated Classic).

This is where you’re going to want to divide your studying into a few more categories–one for each color of highlighter. Go through the book, highlighting appropriately, whenever you find an interesting passage. Write notes with abandon in the margins. Then, when you’ve finished, go through again and type up your notes, expanding on them to fully record your reactions and new knowledge.

I say this is only for serious studiers primarily because this is a fast track to interfering with reading-as-pure-pleasure (and also to making a mess of your paperbacks).

This is rigorous studying at its best and will require your full brain power. No reading-to-get-to-sleep when you’re doing this.

3. Break Down the Structure

The surest way to get a grasp on plot and story structure is by consciously breaking down the structure in books and movies–as I do regularly for the Story Structure Database. How do I do this?

Start with an easy shortcut: divide the total page count of a book or the total running time of a movie by eight. Why? Because the major structural moments happen at each eighth of the story:

1. Inciting Event (12%)

2. First Plot Point / End of the First Act (25%)

3. First Pinch Point (37%)

4. Midpoint / Halfway through the Second Act (50%)

5. Second Pinch Point (62%)

6. Third Plot Point / Beginning of Third Act (75%)

7. Climax (88%)

For movies, I use my handy dry-erase board notebook to note the approximate minute of each turning point, so I can easily watch the run time and take note of what’s happening.

For books, I use little Book Darts bookmarks to mark the appropriate page at each turning point.

This way, I’m not totally adrift within the story. I can watch the clock or the page count and know to be on the watch for the respective structural moment roundabout there.

This is a fabulous way to grasp story structure as a whole and, just as importantly, to understand how the various structural elements can manifest in vastly different ways from story to story.

You can study my many examples in the Story Structure Database.

4. Examine Your Reactions

Whenever you finish a story, give yourself a moment before rushing off to the next thing. Just sit there and think about your reactions to what you just experienced. Ask yourself:

How did the story make you feel?

What did you like about it?

What did you dislike?

Do you think it was an objectively good story?

Did you dislike it anyway? Why?

Do you think it was an objectively problematic or even bad story?

Did you like it anyway? Why?

Within the answers to these questions lies your greatest opportunity for growth as a writer. If you can distill your often nebulous feelings about a story down into logical facts about what made you feel that way, you will then be able to add other authors’ effective weapons to your own arsenal.

I use this technique after every story I read or watch. It’s where I get the ideas for fully half the posts on this site.

5. Transcribe the Prose

This trick is especially useful if you’re trying to crack the code of, not just great storytelling, but great writing. What is it about some authors’ prose that makes it sing so effortlessly and powerfully? The whole point of great prose is that it’s flawless: we’re not supposed to think about it, we’re not supposed to see the cracks where the pieces are joined together. If we saw the cracks, that would defeat the whole purpose.

As a result, simply reading great prose isn’t always the most effective way to learn how to write awesome prose of your own. What you need to do is sit down with a notebook and pen and a favorite book–and start transcribing passages. I recommend doing this longhand, with an actual pen, since this will slow you down and force you to think about and absorb each word and punctuation choice.

I used to do this every day, and it never failed to amaze me how it allowed me to suddenly see the building blocks the authors had used in crafting their prose. Their seemingly inimitable mastery of wordcraft was suddenly within my grasp. It was something I could learn–and that you can too!

Afraid Studying Will Ruin Your Reading? Don’t Be

Although you can learn from other authors, such as me, who break down stories and share what they’re learning in blogs and books, you’ll get more out of the experience by also doing it yourself. Start approaching your book reading and movie watching purposefully with an intent to logically identify and utilize the tools handed to you by authors you love.

But what if it ruins your reading and watching?

It’s true, it might. Some authors use these practices and find themselves growing hypecritical. But, frankly, it shouldn’t. The more I learn to identify how other authors are using the craft, the more I appreciate their stories. Give it a try. You’ll transform both your appreciation of stories in general and your own writing.

[knoxvillecomedy]

Where to Laugh: Knoxville’s Comedy Calendar (2/22/19)

Honored Guests:

KevonStage @ City Hills Church - Friday, 3/1 at 7 pm Jason Scholder @ Last Days of Autumn Brewing - Friday, 3/1 at 8 pm Matthew Tate @ Grove Theater (Oak Ridge) - Friday, 3/1 at 8 pm TomorrowQuest Theater @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 10 pm Four First Names @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 10 pm Nashville Improv @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 10 pm Two Sketchy Dames @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 10 pm Shenanigans @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 6 pm The Maybe Pile @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 6 pm My 4 Dads @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 6 pm M-Prov @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 8 pm Underhanded Improv @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 8 pm Ian Covell’s Highwire Improv @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 8 pm Reasonably Priced Babies @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 10 pm Lowkeybush @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 10 pm The Cardigan Party @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 10 pm Blue Plate Special Improv @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 10 pm * All Gatlinburg Improv Festival shows are at Sweet Fanny Adams Theater.

Local Heroes:

Cumberland Striptease @ Hodges Library (UT) - Friday, 2/22 at 8 pm Knox By Night Band @ Salt Lick Saloon - Friday, 2/22 at 8:30 pm John Upton @ Tennessee Brewsky’s (New Tazewell) - Saturday, 2/23 at 9 pm Open Mic Comedy Night @ Bearden Brickyard - Sunday, 2/24 at 6:30 pm Desert Pig Comedy open mic @ Tennessee Brewsky’s (New Tazewell) - Sunday, 2/24 at 8 pm Headliners (sketch comedy) @ Bearden High School - Monday, 2/25 at 7 pm Friendlytown @ Pilot Light - Monday, 2/25 at 7:30 pm Comedy on Tap @ Casual Pint-Downtown - Tuesday, 2/26 at 8 pm Einstein Simplified @ Scruffy City Hall - Tuesday, 2/26 at 8:15 pm Open Door Comedy open mic @ Scruffy City Hall - Wednesday, 2/27 at 8 pm Cumberland Striptease @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 8 pm Wordplayers Playback Theatre @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 8 pm Involuntary Sports Party @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Friday, 3/1 at 8 pm Full Disclosure @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 6 pm Einstein Simplified @ Gatlinburg Improv Festival - Saturday, 3/2 at 8 pm Open Mic Comedy Night @ Bearden Brickyard - Sunday, 3/3 at 6:30 pm

* All Gatlinburg Improv Festival shows are at Sweet Fanny Adams Theater.

[cosmogreys]

Ogden nash quip

it's two tired," e.g Pun - Wordplay groaner Pun - A play on words Pun - Verbal groaner Pun - Knock-knock joke, usually Pun - Groaner? Pun - According to oscar levant, it's "the lowest form of humor-when you don't think of it first" Pun - "pick a cod, any cod," e.g Pun - Groan inducer Pun - Word joke Pun - "my bike won't stand up. Pun - Equivoque Pun - 'miró, miró, on the wall,' e.g Pun - Wit's end? Pun - 'let us spray,' e.g Pun - Play on words Pun - "mir—, mir—, on the wall," e.g Pun - Bit of cerf humor Pun - Many a crossword clue Pun - 20-, 39- or 53-across, say Pun - Many an 'airplane!' gag Pun - Bad humor? Pun - Bit of wit Pun - Cause for a groan Pun - Cause of a smile, maybe Pun - Ogden nash bit Pun - Crux of some riddles Pun - It may elicit groans Pun - 'queen of denial,' e.g Pun - 'the santa clause,' for one Pun - 'queen of denial' for queen of the nile Pun - It may involve a homophone Pun - Wordplayer's ploy Pun - Groan and bear it? Pun - "don't be fuelish," for one Pun - Groaner of a joke Pun - Semantic antic Pun - "treat homonyms as synonyms": walter redfern Pun - What 61-across contains Pun - Bit of paronomasia Pun - It may not be intended Pun - Slain rapper big _ Pun - 'queen of denial', e.g Pun - Yuckster's specialty Pun - "i can't ride my bike.

[thestoryreadingape]

What Do You Want Me to Write About? - by K.M. Weiland…

What Do You Want Me to Write About? – by K.M. Weiland…

on Helping Writers become Authors: Hey, everybody! I can’t believe we’re almost into the final quarter of 2022. As I’m starting to think about what I want to share on the blog next year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to ask you—since many of my best post ideas come from questions here in the Wordplayer community. So… What would you like me to write about? Continue reading HERE Give your…

[owlofblue]

You're a wordplayer, luv. Hope those birds aren't too tweedy. Sylvester's been looking hungry again.

Wait when you say you sent emails in John's writing style... who were you sending emails to? 😂 I always tried to copy the way George was in interviews but I wasn't ever as witty as him

Imagine being a respected teacher with literal awards and honours framed on your wall... only to be emailed like this by a student:

[draft-zero]

DZ-79: Interweaving Timelines 2 - The Social Network

How can interweaving two timelines change how we feel about a character?

In this Part 2 of Interweaving Timelines (aka The Stu Monologue Episode), Mel, Chas and Stu tackle Sorkin/Fincher's The Social Network. As you’ll hear, it is clearly Stu’s favourite of the examples we cover and, ah, *not* Mel’s favourite. While all three bring their own biases and opinions on the reality of Facebook as it has become, we do manage to put the destruction of democracy to one side to actually analyse the meticulous craft that this film displays.

We analyse Sorkin’s on-the-page skill with time jumps, managing intercutting and introducing characters - as well as explore how the flash-forward technique manages the absence of stakes (i.e. we know Facebook exists) and creates a different emotional experience to the flashbacks of Destroyer. Finally, and most importantly, we look at how the interweaving timelines change how the audience feel about Mark Zuckerberg (as portrayed in this film).

RUNNING ORDER

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:48 - The Social Network

00:07:36 - The flash forward structure

00:18:46 - Why did we pick this film?

00:29:41 - What are the stakes?

00:42:45 - Time jumps & transitions

00:52:59 - Audience's perception of Mark

01:00:45 - Storyteller cuts

01:09:20 - Sorkin vs Fincher

01:16:07 - Wrap up & key learnings

01:23:15 - Backmatter

LINKS

Watch: The Social Network written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher

Read: Wordplayer - The Storyteller Cut

RELATED EPISODES

DZ-78: Interweaving Timelines 1 - Destroyer

DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity

This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off.

Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Garrett, Bjorn, Joakim, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

Check out this new episode of Draft Zero

[batgovernor]

Launch: Potcake Chapbook 6, "Wordplayful"

Launch: Potcake Chapbook 6, “Wordplayful”

The sixth in the series of Potcake Chapbooks, ‘Wordplayful – poems to amuse and amaze’,is now beginning to wander around on both sides of the Atlantic (and hopefully further afield). This one is a little different from the earlier ones in the series: puns and puzzles, poems that can be read vertically or in reverse, wordplay in a variety of forms… but, yes, all formal poems, stuffed full of…

[orionredstarr]

hey! I just wanted to say I was so excited to find out the sparrabeth shippers are still around, alive and well, I became one myself over twelve years ago and I thought I may be the only one still hung up on them - there's really no point in this message, but it's great to see a decade later, the sparrabeth shippers still care :)

OF COURSE, I must answer another Sparrabeth fan!!! There are quite a few of us around, actually. We have not been that active since the last movie, but trust me, we are here~ :) So, welcome to the fold and glad to have you join us! 

I too have been a long time shipper like you. I started out in Live Journal about 12 years ago. At the time I was not writing so much Sparrabeth FF, but after DMC I became hooked and a “Sparrabeth nut”, as I call myself ever since.

Never had I seen such romantic chemistry between two movie characters in Cinematic history, and let me tell you….the writers Ted and Terry heard from me at their Wordplayer website. One of them even answered me to confess Jack and Elizabeth WERE supposed to wind up together! However, I am not clear who put the kybosh on it by the time they started with AWE, then pulled all the current Sparrabeth bits from AWE and re-routed the entire film.

SOoooo, needless to say there were “bitter herbs” cast with Sparrabeth shippers for certain, because AWE was a disaster (out of the 3 films comparison).

Anyway, looking forward to seeing your posts, and once more - welcome to the fold!!! Other Sparrabeth Shippers, please stop by and give a shout out of “hello” to our newest fan!! :)

WELCOME @iamalwayscalmandobjective

ORS