Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Pity the Toys

This is topic Pity the Toys - The First Line entry in forum Fragments and Feedback for Short Works at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :

I was going to sit this one out, but I was stuck on an airplane (again) and behold. I've got an entry for The First Line It's short, 776 words.

----

Life would be so much easier if I were a cartoon character. I gotta tell you, life sucks as a puppet. I mean, cartoon characters got it easy. They don't have to deal with five-fingered monsters crawling up their ass or kids pulling their eyes out.

I know what sort of package deals cartoons get cut. I was talking with old Scoobster the other day and, once you get past the doggy speak, he's pretty clear. Cartoons get television shows, feature films...that means a lot of audience, and a lot of audience means energy. Now, I ask you, when was the last time you saw a puppet in a feature film? Besides the Muppets™ (registered trademark, my ass) who've got a lockdown on the whole industry.

Posted by yanos (Member # 1831) on :

This could be amusing... me'll read

You and your puppets.

Posted by HSO (Member # 2056) on :

I would very much like to read it as well.

To answer your character's question: There was that new movie by the makers of South Park -- don't know the name, haven't seen it -- and it was all puppets. Yoda, was originally a puppet before he was computerized. Oh, and let's not forget Chucky. (All right, I'll stop messin' w/ ya.)

[This message has been edited by HSO (edited January 19, 2005).]

Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :

I'd like to read as well.

Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :

May I?

Posted by GZ (Member # 1374) on :

I'd be happy to take a look.

Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :

Nice, I'll have a look if you want.

Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :

Thanks, I've sent it on its way.

The title is wrong, but I'm having trouble coming up with a good one. Here are the options I've tried:
Pity the Toys
Registered Trademark, My Ass
Every Block of Wood

Please help me come up with something that's good.

Posted by maverick (Member # 2302) on :

How about Puppet Envy. After all the puppet is envious of the life of a cartoon character.

[This message has been edited by maverick (edited January 19, 2005).]

Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :

I'd like to read it. All you Puppets is probably the wrong title...I'll leave my efforts for later.

Posted by rickfisher (Member # 1214) on :

My dear Mrs. Kowal,

Me, please.

Sincerely,
Mr. Fisher

Posted by TruHero (Member # 1766) on :

Team America. That is the Southpark puppet movie from last summer. It was amusing.

[This message has been edited by TruHero (edited January 20, 2005).]

Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :

I haven't been able to bring myself to see Team America because the manipulation in the trailers is soooooo bad. But that's not related to the story.

Survivor and Mr. Fisher, the story is on its way. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by MaryRobinette (edited January 20, 2005).]

Posted by HSO (Member # 2056) on :

Hmm... title ideas... hmmm...

How about:

"Boy's Dream"

(since the puppet is the "Boy" in the Velveteen Rabbit, if I recall correctly).

Or maybe "A Boy's Dream" would be better. I dunno...

Not sure I like either of those, actually...

Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :

Well that is definately better than my disgruntled cartoon idea.

Kudos!

Title ideas...

No Strings Attached

A Hand in my Colon

Drawing a Blanc

Sorry that's the best I could come up with. Would love something that worked in Frank Oz's name, maybe tying it in with The Wizard of Oz.

Posted by Jefficus (Member # 272) on :

I kind of like Pinoccio's Step-Children or maybe The Third Dimension Is One Too Many

Jefficus

*Edited to fix a typo.

[This message has been edited by Jefficus (edited January 21, 2005).]