Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Creeping Death -- Help Wanted

This is topic Creeping Death -- Help Wanted in forum Fragments and Feedback for Short Works at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Ezuma (Member # 2646) on :

This is just an idea I've come up with and feel like doing, but I have absolutely no idea where to start, so any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!

A Little Background Info
The Creeping Death is the 10th plague which bestowed upon the Egyptians - the Angel of Death. In the movie his presence has been represented by a green cloud, but actual in the Jewish tales you can not see his arrival. He was sent by God to kill every first born child. The Jews knew how to save their first born sons, because Moses told them that they just have to put lambs blood on their doors for keeping the angel of death from stopping at those houses to kill the first born man. However the Egyptians didn't knew of that protective measure.

[This message has been edited by Ezuma (edited June 16, 2005).]

Posted by Ezuma (Member # 2646) on :

^^ That probably came out wrong, Rasta certainly took it the wrong way.

That's not my idea, it's history. I know it is because I'm Jewish. I just thought of it as a good thing to put in writing, because I know many people don't actually know about the truth behind the "Creeping Death."

Rasta's already rejected it, saying I've stolen the idea, but whatever.

Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :

Borrowing from OSC's "A Thousand Ideas in an Hour" . . .

Main character. Man or woman? How old? Where does he live? Jew or Egyptian (or something else)? What happens to him? Etc., etc. I think it sounds promising, although I don't know where you sell historical short fiction.

Posted by pixydust (Member # 2311) on :

I think passover would make an awesome premise for a story. You could even make it futuristic. Or set it in a Nazi consentration camp--Oooo, I like that idea. I might just snatch that one right up.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by pixydust (edited June 16, 2005).]

Posted by Meenie (Member # 2633) on :

I didn't see the objection (from Rasta?), but - although I'm not Jewish - I do know the story.
I didn't it was called "Creeping Death" though!

That's chilling enough, whoo.
Anyway, what's your idea for the story? I assume you intend to write a character from that time, either Jewish or Egyption, or perhaps from the Angel's view?
I think it sounds interesting.
Meenie

Posted by Ezuma (Member # 2646) on :

Rasta argued the case over MSN, that's why it's not there.

I was thinking about doing it from an Egyptian character's point of view, because they were the ones most affected by this. I'm not saying the Jews weren't affected either, but the Egyptians didn't know how to stop Creeping Death so I feel their story would be a lot more... sad, if you will?

Posted by shadowynd (Member # 2077) on :

Basing a story on an event in history-- even just rewriting that historical event-- is not "stealing". It is creative interpretation.

How many stories do you suppose are out there about ------- (fill in the blank with your favourite historical event). It doesn't matter what you put in that blank, you're likely to find dozens, maybe hundreds of stories about it. Did they all "steal" the idea or the setting? Maybe the first one is okay, but the rest were "stolen"?

Of course not! They all merely chose the same event or era to interpret, and each crafted a story about it. And each story is different from the others.

Develop your story, Ezuma. Write it. I think it is a wonderful premise for a story!

Susan

Posted by rustafarianblackpolarbear (Member # 2638) on :

quote:
I was thinking about doing it from an Egyptian character's point of view, because they were the ones most affected by this. I'm not saying the Jews weren't affected either, but the Egyptians didn't know how to stop Creeping Death so I feel their story would be a lot more... sad, if you will?

then surely egyptian would be perfect, no. You should have a shot at writing 13 lines now pleae. If you have more soon after, I'd like to read it.

[This message has been edited by rustafarianblackpolarbear (edited June 17, 2005).]

Posted by rustafarianblackpolarbear (Member # 2638) on :

i once had the idea of doing the same thing on napoleon. I definitely agree with Ezuma and Susan. It's good to change genre's once in a while.

[This message has been edited by rustafarianblackpolarbear (edited June 17, 2005).]

Posted by Ezuma (Member # 2646) on :

I've decided to put a twist on the story of 'Creeping Death,' and have the protagonist, an Egyptian who can contact the mind of the Creeping Death, and can hear him speaking to him, but cannot himself talk to the Angel of Death.

The man first contacts the Creeping Death when the plague is first bestowed upon the Egyptians, and hears his song whenever he kills somone.

How's that?

Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :

Generally, we can be of more help if you show us, don't tell us. That is, instead of telling us what your plot is going to be, go ahead and WRITE a fragment and post it. Then we can be of some constructive assistance to you.

Someone can have the greatest plot in the world, but if they don't express it clearly in their writing it will tank. And, conversely, you can have a less original plot but bring originality to the writing and make it shine.

Show us the work and then we can offer an educated opinion on how it will fly.

-Elan

Posted by shadowynd (Member # 2077) on :

quote:
The man first contacts the Creeping Death when the plague is first bestowed upon the Egyptians, and hears his song whenever he kills somone.

I like it. Now write it! And of course, post the first 13 lines here.

Susan

[This message has been edited by shadowynd (edited June 17, 2005).]