RE: We-Write #7: The Customer
Well, I wouldn’t say that a five minute freewrite has no meaning 😉 In many ways the we-writes are really meant to be a fun exercise. Don’t get me wrong, I love a long story when it’s done well, and definitely appreciate the effort that goes into longer endings. But not everyone might have the time to write one, and not every piece of writing needs a philosophical or deep meaning. Short endings/continuations have their merit, too 😊
As a side note, I don’t think the prompts are “amorphous”. I do have to be open-ended to allow writers more freedom in their endings, so my aim is to create a situation with characters that people want to elaborate on. Still characters I wrote, mind you, but I try to cut the story at a point where it could go in different directions. Launching into a bunch of backstory or personal opinions probably wouldn’t make for a fun prompt 😅
Well, I don't think freewrites are a crime in any shape or form. In fact, a freewrite could become a complete literary piece.
My contention is that if we extend the prompts to a Choo-Choo train, let's say of 5 extensions of a story one after another one, then it cannot be a complete story as it will become a mixture of different writing styles, convictions, and philosophical views. This type of assemblage could, in my view, only be maintained on the plot level. In other words, it will become a mini soap opera. Actually, there is no harm in soaps as well. It's just not my cup of tea.
As for prompts being amorphous, it is in no way a derogatory evaluation. They should be amorphous and ambiguous as far as the theme and idea of the piece is a concern because they should allow multiple possible developments by writers of a different background, cultural values, and philosophical stands.
So you are cool and thank you for those challenges!