In Memory of Stanman, A Writers' Challenge

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Take one of Stanman's stories and write your version of it.

Do it for Stanman and make sure you credit Stanman with the idea.

shalimar

Comments

Nice idea!

Don't know if I could write anything, even if you held a gun to my head though. I seem to have a surprising amount of tears that have chosen this moment to reveal themselves.


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

I'll donate a prize

Maddy Bell's picture

Well Stan ordered some books from me which I never got to send out so I think, if you all agree of course, that they be donated to the 'winner' - I reckon Stan would've liked that.

The volumes in question are Gaby Book 11 when it comes out shortly, Nena - Special Request and a trip with Gaby on Hadrians Wall. Printed copies, signed and dedicated by moi. Not a lot but some encouragement!


image7.1.jpg    

Madeline Anafrid Bell

Let's not.

Um, let's not. Let's leave his work alone. I wouldn't want people celebrating my life by writing their own version of my work and turning it into a contest—all within a week of my passing.

People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."

Tribute

You know, I really don't take it in the sense you are. I think it is meant as a tribute to Stan, in much the same way as a group of musicians will do versions of songs that somebody well-known performed. Like was done for Karen Carpenter some years back, a whole album tribute was put out with various artists performing her songs. Its a homage to that person, and done out of respect. It's not really a contest, like a race or something. It's an impetus to encourage people. I would be wary if it were something like cash prizes, but what Maddy is offering is a sort of a piece of Stan, a bit of a remembrance. That's my take anyway.

Just to renote: Shalimar proposed a challenge.


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

A tribute...

Would be the performance of ones work, not a rewriting. Maybe a public reading if his stories would be appropriate, but I don't feel a contest to re-write his work is a fair tribute. I would much prefer if we were to write stories about him based on our memories of him. I could be alone, but I don't enjoy the thought of him wanting us to alter his vision, especially since a majority (not nessesarily here)have expressed their dissatisfaction with his writing. It doesn't sit well with me, and perhaps I am over reacting, the once he's gone, we go and change his work. Perhaps most of my unfavorable attitude towards this idea stems from the same proposal on FM, where a good intent would quickly turned into a mockery at the Late Stan's expense. Regardless, I recommend we wait a while, in respect for Stan. After the initial shock, perhaps we can revisit this proposal with a fresh perspective, where we can plan something that will truly honor Stan's life.

People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."

For Stan

erin's picture

As someone who has followed Stan's writing career, I think I can comfortably say that Stan thought that rewriting someone else's ideas was a very high form of compliment. And Stan loved the BC challenges, being part of one this way would have pleased him I think. I believe it is entirely appropriate to do this for Stan, though for some other authors it would perhaps not be.

I also believe that it is appropriate to do so while the community's loss is fresh rather than waiting and perhaps never doing anything quite so right and fitting to Stan's memory. Just my view but I think many others who knew Stan would agree.

Someone else has already paid the one-time donation for a special memorial message for Stan below the In Memoriam box. It reads:

For Stanman: "He was always there to offer a kind word and encouragement."

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Rewritten Works

I did not say there was a contest. I did not say when this rewritten work needed to be finished. I only suggested that we honer him by writing something he inspired.

I have written stories that were based on other writers' works. I gave credit to the original authors for their idea. I also asked permission. My last work based on another's writing is "Aftermath."

shalimar

Better than I do...

Shalimar

Perhaps "Writer's Challenge" sounded much like a writer's contest to me. Forgive me if I misinterpreted your true intent. I do compliment you for wanting inspire the community here at BCTS into honoring Stan. it is clear he was well liked on this site, and many knew him quite better than I. I trust Erin's long standing involvement with each and every member here to know how Stan would like to be remembered. Please excuse me if I came across too strong, but recent attacks on FM against Stan angered me greatly. What sounded like a contest to fix what everyone thought needed fixing in less than a week of his passing seemed disrespectful to our dearly departed who felt his work did not need to be corrected in any way.

I am new to the community here, but I have since witnessed as other writers have passed on. Of them, a call to re-write their stories was never suggested. Only Stan in his unfortunate departure has drawn an inspiration to re-write his works. I am troubled by this as he left our world, his intellectual property the subject of much ridicule—generating much animosity on FM message boards towards him. It bother's me that such negative attacks towards him may have caused him to give up his fight ( I do not know the details, nor do I need to know, but this is how I feel).

Now, I recognize that BCTS is a polar opposite of FM. Much the reason I have discontinued posting my work on FM. I love the community here and know your proposal will be done with the highest respect to a great man, one who I know devoured every story in hope he could escape the life he felt trapped in, transforming into the girl he desired to be. The warm passionate members that make BC the wonderful place it is can honor Stanman who I am confident is smiling down from above, transfigured and happy.

While I will choose to recognize Stan in my own way, I will leave it up to my friends here to do as they deem fit. However, I strongly feel this challenge you speak of is not fitting, nor appropriate on FM and worry such a proposal will do more harm than good. It is my recommendation that the suggestion be rescinded on Fiction Mania.

Very respectfully,
Megan Shephard

People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."

RIP Stan...

Does anyone knows what he died of?? (Not to be Morbid, but if he had CANCER, I might donate my paycheck to the American Cancer Society in his name.) I think he would have like that.

TGSine --958