Who likes game night? We received Blank Slate and Scattergories as Christmas gifts and had friends over for a fun-filled game night on Saturday. These are friends we’ve known for over a decade, so playing with people you know so well is a definite advantage in Blank Slate (LINK). We’re all pretty competitive, so that also makes it even more interesting. In playing Scattergories (LINK), I encountered epic brain fail. If you haven’t played, I’ll give a quick description. You’re given a list of categories (example – name a toy, weapon, movie, fruit, etc.). A die containing letters of the alphabet is rolled, and your answer to each category must start with that letter. Sounds simple, right? Not for me. Put a word in front of me and I can give my partner/team numerous clues to help them guess it. But when it comes to Scattergories, I’m horrible. It’s like the doors slammed shut and my brain hung out a sign that said closed for business. It’s very weird – there must be a short circuit in there somewhere.
I feel like I turned a corner with the WIP last week. I’ve mentioned that I write out of sequence – last week I put every chapter/file in order and created a concise roadmap to the end. It’s still very rough, and I need to write two big chapters and add word count to others, but I’m further along than I’d expected. Going into this sequel to Subject A36, I had a tentative title for it, but then the characters surprised me. I’d expected a certain character to carry the bulk of the story, but instead, another one stepped into that role. And it makes sense. I guess sometimes the characters know what works better for the story than the author. Has that happened to you before?
Has anyone watched Coming 2 America, the sequel to Coming to America? Hubby and I hadn’t seen the first one in years and wanted to do a rewatch before seeing the new one. We were shocked to see the release date was 1988! I’d figured twenty years maybe, but over thirty? Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall have aged well. It was still a fun movie after that many years and we’re looking forward watching the newest one this weekend.
Have a safe and healthy week!
Books and Such 
Scattegories was a favorite on holidays and group vacations. Never heard of Blank Slate.
My daughter wants to see Coming 2 America. The original was one of my ex’s favorite movies. Not sure I care to see the sequel, but if she really wants to watch it, maybe I’ll watch it with her this weekend. I saw an article somewhere that the original movie’s plot was “borrowed” from Dr. MLK’s niece’s novel without her permission. They went to court over it, but it was before the copyright laws were changed. The judge ruled that there were “no new ideas” so she lost. She claims now that she’s just honored that people like the story. (That family all have amazing attitudes.)
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Forgot to tell you I’m so glad to hear the progress you’re making on your sequel. And yes, I’ve had characters hijack my stories. That usually makes them better, so I don’t mind.
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I didn’t plan on it in any way, but I do think it will make a stronger story and a fantastic arc for this character.
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I hadn’t heard that about MLK’s niece – don’t know how I missed it. Her statement confirms the family definitely has amazing attitudes! You should watch it with your daughter – it’s always more fun that way.
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Great job on your progress, Teri. I agree, our characters know their story best!
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This one sure does – told me exactly how things would happen, Jill.
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Congrats on your writing progress, woohoo! Scattergories is a blast. I know what you mean about the blank brain thing. Sometimes in the midst of the game I get TOO excited to think. But it’s all fun. I’ll have to look into Blank Slate.
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Thanks, Priscilla! The next morning I was thinking of all kinds of answers – way too late of course. Blank Slate is a fun one. Some of our friends are buying it for their kids’ families now.
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Sounds like a fun games night. We used to enjoy Balderdash with my family and would be in stitches by the end of the evening. Pleased to hear your book is coming together. Have a great week.
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I’ve heard of that one, but don’t think I’ve played it? We always have a fantastic time, Darlene – so many laughs.
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We haven’t done a game night forever, but I always enjoy them. Sometimes I come up blank too, but I love the challenge of various word games. And I haven’t seen Coming to America 2 yet, but it’s on my list. I finally (just yesterday) caught up with the third season of Cobra Kai. I’m behind on everything–and that includes writing, LOL.
Congrats on your progress with the sequel to Subject A36. I’ve definitely had characters take over a novel and force themselves into the MC role. Madison Hewitt did that to me in Eventide. I had no intention of her taking the lead role in that book, but she had other ideas. 🙂
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Cobra Kai definitely has its cheesy moments, but hubby and I started the third season the day it was released, lol. I really liked Madison – have no idea she highjacked the story. I’ll have multiple POVs with my WIP, but one character in particular is really driving the story. Funny how they decide to take charge.
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Congrats on your progress. I’ve had characters highjack my stories and it usually makes them better.
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Thanks, Craig! I have to agree that it’s making this one better. Makes me wonder if that’s why it took me so long to really get started on the sequel – I was looking in the wrong direction.
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I watched Coming 2 America this weekend too! I’ve always loved Eddie Murphy’s humor. I remember that I had an album (album – what’s that) of his stand-up routine as a teen and it was the only thing my parents ever took away because it was inappropriate. LOL. Take away Eddie Murphy but leave all the books that are borderline erotica. Go figure.
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We’re on the same wavelength, Tessa, lol. That’s funny about your parents taking away the album. My youngest son is all about “vinyl” now and even took some of my old albums. Funny how things come full circle.
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This is indeed weird considering that you are a writerand play with words all the time Teri!
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Right? It was so weird, Sophie – hoping it was just a brain glitch that night. No one will ever want to be on my team for that game!
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Sounds like a fun-filled weekend, Teri. I love playing all kinds of board games but the ones I suck the most at are trivia. I haven’t played Scattergories, but sounds like great fun! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
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We’ve done some trivia games that were fun (I’m horrible with history and sports), and even played against our kids one time. We won! Game nights are always fun – and then there’s always a lot of food. Which is also fun unfortunately, lol.
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I always enjoyed Eddie Murphy in his movies. I did like coming to America. Glad you had a fun time on game night. Can’t imagine your challenge with words. Might just be a block. Have a good week.
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I’m hoping it was just a glitch – I’ll never be chosen for a team again! Maybe one glass too many of red wine, lol.
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Hahaha. That can happen. Especially with good wine.🤗
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We haven’t had a game night in a long time. Haven’t had visitors for a long time either, I can’t wait for lockdown to be over.
I enjoyed the original Coming To America, is it really that old? Heard some terrible things about the new one, and to be honest the trailer isn’t inspiring me to watch it.
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We were shocked to realize the movie was over thirty years old – who would have guessed? Although I plan to watch the second one, I still haven’t watched the full trailer. I know it won’t win any awards, but I’m hoping for some laughs. Hope your lockdown is over soon!
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I love game night, Teri, but my husband didn’t grow up with a game-family, so it’s hard to get him involved. Sigh. Great news on your WIP. It sounds like it’s coming together… and I love it when the characters help us along! They often know before we do what needs to happen. Finally, yes, we saw Coming to America 2. Just a silly fun joy ride. 🙂
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I don’t think hubby played much when he was younger, but with our boys we played board games often, so he was playing whether he liked it or not. Guess he liked it since we still play with friends! I think this character knew more about the story than I did – sounds strange, but writers will understand that statement. I think the second Coming to America is on the schedule for this weekend.
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Congratulations on your writing progress, Teri. I know how it goes about writing out of sequence. I surely feels good to get everyone in line. I love game night but we haven’t had one for a long time. The last time was in October last year. I hope to have one sometime next week when we go visit my daughter’s family for my younger granddaughter’s first birthday.
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It seemed like a weight off my shoulders once I got those chapters in line, Miriam – such a relief. Now to make sure they flow and fill in the blanks. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your family – happy birthday to your granddaughter!
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That’s a good feeing, Teri. We’ll have a good visit, thank you!
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I usually start my work knowing only the protagonist(s), and that certain other characters need to be there. So I depend on characters to surprise me. It’s part of my creative process.
But, with that said, I am not totally subject to fickle whims. If a character evolves in ways that distract from the story, then I firmly trim things to make that not happen. Sort of like pruning a rose bush so the branches don’t rub against each other.
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That’s the way I generally start, but it was different this time. I’ve found that with every book I write, the process seems to change. Who knows what will happen with the next book? I’m open to suggestions from my characters, lol.
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We used to play Scattergories when I was at school and I loved it. It was my favourite game. We didn’t have a dice, we just wrote all the letters on a piece of paper and then one person closed their eyes, turned the paper round and round and stabbed a letter until they found an unused one. We crossed them out as we went along so we didn’t have repeats. I have fond memories of this game.
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That’s a great way to do it when you don’t have the die. I’m hoping next time we play my brain gets in the right gear.
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Scattergories is a favourite of mine. Great about both your fun game night (other than your braim freeze) and your writing progress.
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I need to practice or something before we give that one another try. I sure hope it was an isolated event, lol.
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