posted
I believe it stands for Hatrack Utility Belt, an imaginary toolkit for writers. If you scroll down the first page of topics you'll find a thread title "The HUB, a litle-know Hatrack benefit" in which the many features of the Hatrack Utility Belt are explained in comedic fashion.
Posts: 27 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
You're in luck! OSC has endorsed the HUB version 2.1 and asked me to compile the complete attachment list with the various inventor's names. I put 'em where I knew 'em.
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Among the benefits of belonging to Hatrack is that paragon of tools, the little known, but infamous Hatrack Utility Belt, now in version 2.1. (Officially endorsed by OSC) Here are just some of the features of the HUB:
Proximity Alarm: for POV shifts, and detecting them
Hatrack Pen/Glowing Blade of Words: Slices through logical conundrums with appalling ease!
Furry Dice: Used to stun the reader with a superfluosity of adjectives. Each set of Furry Dice should come with a warning label. If you received yours without one it should read as follows: “Use with caution. Furry Dice may result in the creation of a Tom Swifty demon. This small boy grows quickly and can easily take over your taglines, cluttering them with adjectives and said-bookisms. Tom Swifty is often dressed entirely in black and he carries a small pouch of dust to litter your lines.” (Available in jet black, Mary-Kay pink, or winter white)
Universal Travel Guide: Instant information for any place a Hatracker might find herself, himself, or itself.
Spell-checker: Works in the background but cannot read your mind.
The Deus Ex Machina attachment: For last resort only! A glass tube about four inches long and an inch in diameter; marked "EMERGENCY USE ONLY. Does anything you want.
Infinitive Splitter: Has a large blast radius, use with caution.
BS Detector: Everyone needs one.
Handwavium pellets: Useful for getting through sticky science scenes.
A boson’s whistle to summon The Penmanship, the Hatrack sloop.
Invisibility booster: most of us don’t need it.
The Ultimate Weapon: The ultimate weapon for a Hatracker caught in a dilemma in any thread—a small black lock. - (Compiled by Mike Munsil)
Rising Action switch: can help elevate you in a situation but be sure you can get to a safe place before you reach the top of the story arc or you'll crash to the ground – (Robyn Hood)
Levity Belt attachment: this should only be used in a comical situation otherwise you'll go over like a lead balloon in a serious situation – (Robyn Hood)
Instant Quotations: for nailing down a point. – (Mike Munsil)
Hatrack Ray-Gun with attachments: Including the Hyphenator: used to break-things-up; Procrastinator: used to slow things down; Punctuator: used to punch-up things that appear flat or life-less! (Works well when used with hyphenator); Excelerator: used to create graphs which act as webs or nets, trapping people and things until the graph is deciphered – (Robyn Hood) The Incredible Coincidence generator: Shoot someone and see what happens. You'll be amazed! – (babylonfreek)
Disbelief Suspenders: These handy, dandy accessories come in a variety of colors and styles, guaranteed to match any wardrobe. Use the suspenders on their own to add enjoyment to any flight of fancy you may encounter. Or wear them with your HUB and use them to help hold-up the disbelief in your own writing. – (Robyn Hood)
The web of intrigue: useful for collecting loose plot fragments, among other things. – (QuantumLogic)
Quantum Tunneling: For working your way to the top of an editor's slush pile.
An armor-plated ego: For taking critiques in hand-(Mike Munsil)
Buttseatium: Super adhesive to keep the seat of the writer attached to the chair so he/she actually writes. – (JohnSWalsh)
Turnoffium: Prevents the writer from turning on the Internet connection when he/she is supposed to be writing.-(JohnSWalsh)
Emergency Shut-Off Switch: Disables all telephones, televisions, and doorbells in your home for a four-hour period. You may not over ride this four-hour period no matter how frustrated you feel with your writing. – (theokaluza)
Literary License: Mandatory for writers.
Mid-Summer Night's Dream Cream: Let’s you know your dream from last night is not the brilliant source material that it seems to be when you first wake up.
Fragment Fragger: Used without caution, it leads to a superfluosity of commas and a shortness of breath. – (Mike Munsil)
The dreaded semicolonoscopy: Determines if a semicolon is called for. - (franc li)
Uncommitted-Newbie Night-Vision Goggles: Those who aren't going to last more than a dozen posts show up glowing green on the forums. The Newbie-goggles work extremely well, but they're a bit slow. Results may take a month or more. -(djvdakota)
The Portable Door:/[b] Allows you to walk through walls. Good for exploring ideas beyond your reach and horribly fun at parties.
[b]The Paperweight Reader: magically reads your hard-drive in the case of computer tragedy.
Ice Cream Dispenser: Good for a cold sweet sensation that makes people happy. Caution: if used too much will cause brain freeze. - (Pyre Dynasty)
Every Ready Wit Sharpener: Absolutely vital for witty repartee. – (Rocklover)
Seam Ripper: Useful for escape long threads on Forums so you can get back to writing. – (jeduthun)
The k d-w*: Pull it out and it throws a stern admonition that instantly sets you back on course. Make sure not to throw a KDW instead, or you will be catapulted willy-nilly into the future!! – (Mike Munsil) *(Kathleen Dalton Woodbury is the moderator of the Hatrack Writer’s Workshop, not to be confused with K D W, K. D. Wentworth, who is the coordinating judge for the Writers of the Future contest.)
Geiger counter: only field-tested on felines, so far.* *(Some private jokes just can’t be explained)
posted
I'm heartbroken, devestated, and utterly gutted that the Insta-Survivor Crit utility was removed in this latest version. I found it quite handy for finding plot holes, unnecessary exposition, and unbelievable characters (among other things).
Oh, well. Must have been a personal, custom modification...
posted
HSO is back! He got away from the outlaws! Must have used some Salvation Cream! Rub it on and it salves wounded egos or turns you into a Baptist! (whichever better fits the situation at hand)
[This message has been edited by mikemunsil (edited July 02, 2005).]
posted
I think it's time to start adding a couple of Liberty Hall accessories like:
Liberty Hall *Flash* Light: The LH *Flash* Light helps you quickly find your way through any plot issues, character problems, or writer's blocks on writing assignments under 1000 words. The LH *Flash* Light comes with a Nifty Little Hook for ease of use with your Hatrack Utility Belt.
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