Write a 6 page, or less, properly formatted script on the following:
Theme: The Enchanted Holiday Ornament*
Genre: Open (tho extra points** for Rom-Com, Sci Fi)

I've used 'Holiday Ornament' to allow for other December holidays to be used. Doesn't have to be Christmas.

Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least five other scripts submitted.

Timeline:

Scripts Due to SimplyScripts.com/OWC: Friday, December 18th at midnight edt
Scripts Posted: Saturday, December 19th at (or before) midnight edt.
Writers' Choice Due: Sunday 27th at midnight edt.

Budget: Low

The fine print:

This isn't a contest - it's a free writing challenge. There are no official prizes.

You may submit more than one script but it's better to write one GREAT script than two or three mediocre ones. You may also have a writing partner.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until the deadline.

Do not put your real name on your script; this is an anonymous challenge. However, please use your real name when submitting your script.

After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit your script with your name on it.

Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least five other scripts submitted.

Please put ©2020 on your title page.

Submit your script, anonymously to simplyscripts.com/owc.

Any questions about the challenge, post them below.

There will be a review page emailed to you for you to score the scripts you read. Please only give scores to scripts that you have read. Please do not rate scripts in your review.

**the extra points are a lie.  There are no extra points and they aren't worth anything.  Any genre is good.

Woooot woooot! Do you get extra, extra points for a scifi  romcom? Like...aliens in love?

I have a week and two days left, so maybe after the nightmare is over I'll read a few entries. Good luck to all. I really miss participating((

And sounds like a super fun challenge. Holiday enchantments... festive

Quoted from mmmarnie Woooot woooot! Do you get extra, extra points for a scifi  romcom? Like...aliens in love?

Yes! Yes, you get extra points!*






*No, you don't get extra points. The extra points are a lie.  There are no extra points and they aren't worth anything.

Quoted from Don Yes! Yes, you get extra points!* *No, you don't get extra points. The extra points are a lie.  There are no extra points and they aren't worth anything.

LOLOL...How about brownie points?

And the countdown has begun...

Quoted from mmmarnie ... Like...aliens in love?

I look forward to reading this one, Marnie.
Btw, how's your daughter?

I also look forward to reading Steven Clark's entry.
No pressure.  

Quoted from LC And the countdown has begun... I look forward to reading this one, Marnie. Btw, how's your daughter? I also look forward to reading Steven Clark's entry. No pressure.

Hope you're in this, LC.

My daughter is better. Still has some lingering symptoms like exhaustion and muted sense of taste and smell. So.....I'm in quarantine right now, actually. UGH. LOL. Getting tested tomorrow. 2 people I work with have it so they shut us down for a while. I worked closely with both these people on Sunday...so we'll see.

So glad to hear she's on the improve, Marnie.

And now you! I hope you get the all clear, or if worst case scenario, asymptomatic.

The only good thing about quarantine I suppose is time to write.

I... really don't know about this one. This may be the first OWC that I sit out on. But I can try if enough people want me to.

Maybe..... I’ll be back?

Mark, you get better and better the more OWCs you do, imho. Nothing to lose, except a bit of reading and reviewing time, and that's always fun.

Always nice to see you, Gary! I hope you'll be back, just like Arnie.

Does a Christmas tree or wreath count as an ornament? Or does this strictly refer to those little trinkets you hang on the tree?

Not sure, Michael.

Will have to wait on Don to adjudicate on that one.

The scope is way more open than I am normally comfortable with (I seem to shine with tight, focused criteria) but I'll have a think.

You do realise all the scripts will be automatically adapted by Hallmark?

Quoted from MarkRenshaw ...You do realise all the scripts will be automatically adapted by Hallmark?

I suppose enchanted implies lovely, but...

enchanted
adjective
1.
placed under a spell; bewitched.
"an enchanted garden"
2.
filled with delight; charmed.

But, you could go the other way seeing as the genre is wide open.
Just saying...

'Enchanted' is the off-putting thing for me here. I don't think I've ever written a story that contains magic. At least, not since my teens... possibly early twenties.

For me, the genre is not wide open as we must use magic. Magic in a thriller? Magic in a drama? Sci-fi? I think having to use magic limits the genres we can use.  

Here's the Wikipedia list of December Holidays...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multinational_festivals_and_holidays#December

On another list I did spot Dec 5th is International Ninja Day

Theme: The Enchanted Holiday Ornament*

December holiday is specified afterward. I think the theme should be edited to show that one should be writing about a December holiday only. This will save any misunderstandings later.

Does it have to be a holiday ornament or can it be an ornament that just happens to be enchanted during a December holiday?

Quoted from LC And the countdown has begun... I also look forward to reading Steven Clark's entry. No pressure.

Does getting in an entry require me to sit in front of my laptop and actually write?

Marriam - Webster definitions. Pay close attention to the meanings. Lots of choices and good to remember when reviewing so as not to slam a script for the wrong usage of items.  

Also, regarding the Holiday, it's a December holiday. Hannuka, Christmas Kwanzaa or whatever other reason people celebrate this time of year. Even atheists like to get festive. Doesn't have to be religious.

Enchanted:
adjective

1.
placed under a spell; bewitched.
"an enchanted garden"
2.
filled with delight; charmed.
"the orchestra played classical favorites to an enchanted audience"

Verb
1.
fill (someone) with great delight; charm.
"Isabel was enchanted with the idea"

2.
put (someone or something) under a spell; bewitch.
"Marcia had enchanted the rope so that it simply regenerated when any length was cut off"


Ornament:

Noun

a thing used to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine.

a quality or person adding grace, beauty, or honor to something.
"the design would be a great ornament to the metropolis"

decoration added to embellish something, especially a building.
"it served more for ornament than for protection"

the accessories of worship, such as the altar, chalice, and sacred vessels.

verb

make (something) look more attractive by adding decorative items.
"the men and women in the Stone Age ornamented their caves"

Quoted from Grandma Bear Marriam - Webster definitions. Pay close attention to the meanings. Lots of choices and good to remember when reviewing so as not to slam a script for the wrong usage of items.   Also, regarding the Holiday, it's a December holiday. Hannuka, Christmas Kwanzaa or whatever other reason people celebrate this time of year. Even atheists like to get festive. Doesn't have to be religious. Enchanted: adjective 1. placed under a spell; bewitched. "an enchanted garden" 2. filled with delight; charmed. "the orchestra played classical favorites to an enchanted audience" Verb 1. fill (someone) with great delight; charm. "Isabel was enchanted with the idea" 2. put (someone or something) under a spell; bewitch. "Marcia had enchanted the rope so that it simply regenerated when any length was cut off" Ornament: Noun a thing used to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine. a quality or person adding grace, beauty, or honor to something. "the design would be a great ornament to the metropolis" decoration added to embellish something, especially a building. "it served more for ornament than for protection" the accessories of worship, such as the altar, chalice, and sacred vessels. verb make (something) look more attractive by adding decorative items. "the men and women in the Stone Age ornamented their caves"

Worship at the altar. You don’t even wanna know where I just went with that.

Quoted from SAC Worship at the altar. You don’t even wanna know where I just went with that.

I'm sure that whatever it was, mate, it was Hallmark worthy.

I hope this answers the questions raised:

Quoted Text Sweet! Do reefs [wreaths?]  and nutcracker dolls count as ornaments? And can enchanted mean... Haunted?

Yes.

Quoted from spesh2k Does a Christmas tree or wreath count as an ornament? Or does this strictly refer to those little trinkets you hang on the tree?

insofar as a tree and wreath are ornamention,  yes they count as ornaments

Quoted from MarkRenshaw You do realise all the scripts will be automatically adapted by Hallmark?

Open genre - they may be splatter horror ...

Quoted from DustinBowcot Does it have to be a holiday ornament or can it be an ornament that just happens to be enchanted during a December holiday?

Yes, it has to be a holiday ornament

Festivus - my favorite December holiday

I don't understand why some view this as "Hallmarky". Could absolutely be a horror, sci fi, even porn titled "Santa's Enchanted Balls".

Can the ornament be made of tungsten or wolfram?

Quoted from mmmarnie I don't understand why some view this as "Hallmarky". Could absolutely be a horror, sci fi, even porn titled "Santa's Enchanted Balls".

Don draws the line at porn.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I'm sure that whatever it was, mate, it was Hallmark worthy.

Hallmark After Hours

Quoted from Grandma Bear Don draws the line at porn.

Does he? Really?

Quoted from mmmarnie Hope you're in this, LC. My daughter is better. Still has some lingering symptoms like exhaustion and muted sense of taste and smell. So.....I'm in quarantine right now, actually. UGH. LOL. Getting tested tomorrow. 2 people I work with have it so they shut us down for a while. I worked closely with both these people on Sunday...so we'll see.

Glad your daughter is better. She might try b12, water and Vitamin D and well caffeine could help give her some energy but it can dehydrate. The nose thing is probably because the nasal passages are inflamed? Anyway, I'll shut-up. Alieve might reduce inflammation.

When I get sick I go on a warpath

Covid, like all viruses, starts in the nasal passages. I use Zicam extreme nasal congestion every night. And if I start feeling sick, then I'll use their Zicam Pre-Cold, which keeps the virus/cold from growing in the nasal passages and thus you're much less sick.

Since I started using the two, I have never been sick because it never gets to setup in the damn nose. It's like a secret weapon. Of course also drink lots of water, get a good 8+ hours of sleep, vitamin D (sun) and C are always great. Turn off the fear porn panic media, also because it can bring people down. LOL

Interestingly they're developing a covid19 nasal vaccine mist which I'm excited about because unlike the shots it'll target the nasal passages and lungs. It's bound to have less long-term side effects imo.

Okay that's all  

I think this is the most times porn has ever been mentioned before in SS history in an OWC thread, lol! You perverts make me sick!!!

Quoted from Grandma Bear I think this is the most times porn has ever been mentioned before in SS history in an OWC thread, lol! You perverts make me sick!!!

I've forgotten what porn even is...

Quoted from Dreamscale I've forgotten what porn even is...

I'll pm you some links.

Quoted from Zack I'll pm you some links.

You da man!  Funny!!  

I'm still struggling to come up with an idea to fit in 6 pages. How is everyone else going? Are you going to get something in or are you going to fail?

Take your time in answering, that's the great thing about a forum, there's no rush to post. I think I prefer it. I've dropped out of Twitter and Facebook, I'm too old for the others like Snapchat et al.

Worked on it yesterday for a bit. I think I've a pretty decent Act I & III but struggling to condense II. I had a great Festivus story but the "bitchin' stick" wasn't enchanted. Just a stick.

I never did Twitter or Facebook. From what I've seen, it would suck the lifeforce from me. I'm strictly LinkedIn and here on SS. That's all the time I can spend being social.

This is going to be my first OWC entry. It's a welcome distraction from working on a feature.

First draft is done. I spent a lot of time planning it, creating step outlines, using post-it notes and adopting a disciplined approach to writing.

Now all I have to do is cut 90 pages from the first draft and I’m done.  

Quoted from DustinBowcot I'm still struggling to come up with an idea to fit in 6 pages. How is everyone else going? Are you going to get something in or are you going to fail? Take your time in answering, that's the great thing about a forum, there's no rush to post. I think I prefer it. I've dropped out of Twitter and Facebook, I'm too old for the others like Snapchat et al.

Got a first draft done.

Not sure - it is one of those things I like story-wise that really doesn't land well in OWCs - Have an idea for another one and am vacillating on pursuing that or trying to polish the first one.

Quoted from Sam This is going to be my first OWC entry. It's a welcome distraction from working on a feature. First draft is done. I spent a lot of time planning it, creating step outlines, using post-it notes and adopting a disciplined approach to writing. Now all I have to do is cut 90 pages from the first draft and I’m done.

Funny

Just a bunch of ideas so far... struggling with coming up with a concept where the ornament is actually important to the plot ;-(

I'm going to start, I doubt I will finish.

Don't really have a plan, just a starting point, who knows where it will end up (Well I do, the bin)

This is gonna be a game-time decision for me. If I do submit anything, I won't be able to write it until the end of the week, right before deadline.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Just a bunch of ideas so far... struggling with coming up with a concept where the ornament is actually important to the plot ;-(

Me too. I think you had it right with Ninja Day...lots of possibilties with an enchanted ninja star.  

Sadly, I'm out, as no one addressed my question about the ornament, and I don't want to spend the 97 hours it would take me to write the script, and then have it be disqualified.

But, I do look forward to reading and reviewing

Quoted from Dreamscale Sadly, I'm out, as no one addressed my question about the ornament, and I don't want to spend the 97 hours it would take me to write the script, and then have it be disqualified. But, I do look forward to reading and reviewing

I did not see your question, Jeff. What was it and I'll answer right away?  

Quoted from Dreamscale Can the ornament be made of tungsten or wolfram?

This was a serious question?

Quoted from Grandma Bear I did not see your question, Jeff. What was it and I'll answer right away?

Can the ornament be made out of tungston or wolfram?

You guys are mean.

I'm lost... is this a joke Jeff?

It might not be, but it could be one of those complicated ones that harks back to something that's happened on the boards I missed.

I'm not sure because...

Tungston isn't a thing, tungsten is... and wolfram is tungsten.

If it's a genuine question then I can't see why not.

If I missed the joke then please ignore me and carry on with your day

Yes, a joke.

Based on all the silly questions that peeps ask.

Sorry, back to my cave...

Well, that settles it, if nobody is laughing at Jeff's jokes anymore, comedy is definitely dead. If you've picked comedy as a genre for this OWC, scrap it.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Well, that settles it, if nobody is laughing at Jeff's jokes anymore, comedy is definitely dead. If you've picked comedy as a genre for this OWC, scrap it.

Now that is funny.

I'm in for a comedy now for sure.

I've made a start and have a decent first half but I'm unsure how to end it. Gonna let my subconscious work on it while I sleep.

Mark, can it work on mine at same time?

My story is coming along nicely. It's so Christmassy and magical it's going to make you vomit glitter.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Mark, can it work on mine at same time?

My subconscious told me to tell you to focus on the sprout and tuna brine subplot more and add more binary code to the dialogue.  

Thanks Mark, and I agree... can never have too many sprouts!

Okay - just submitted. Look for:

SANTA'S TUNGSTON BALLS

I collaborated with Jeff on it.

Quoted from eldave1 Okay - just submitted. Look for: SANTA'S TUNGSTON BALLS I collaborated with Jeff on it.

Not to be confused with my entry:

KRIS KRINGLE'S WOLFRAM NADS

Quoted from JEStaats Not to be confused with my entry: KRIS KRINGLE'S WOLFRAM NADS

Ha!

I'm in revision hell. It was pretty darn good to start, now I keep messing with it and have my doubts. I need to learn when to stop.

No, wait...rev 6, here I come!

The 6-page limit is quite painful.

Quoted from DustinBowcot The 6-page limit is quite painful.

Painful now, a godsend when it comes to reviewing

The Three Days of Christmas: Tungsten, Mistletoe, and Wolfram

Just about completed.

Quoted from Dreamscale The Three Days of Christmas: Tungsten, Mistletoe, and Wolfram Just about completed.

Perfect

Quoted from Dreamscale The Four Days of Christmas: Tungsten, Mistletoe, Cameltoe and Wolfram Just about completed.

Fixed it bro  

Ha!  Thanks!

Making good progress with mine.  And just so you all know, a chainsaw is a legitimate holiday ornament around where I live, so I don't want anyone complaining about my script!

I got nothing.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw Making good progress with mine.  And just so you all know, a chainsaw is a legitimate holiday ornament around where I live, so I don't want anyone complaining about my script!

Gotta cut the xmas tree down with something, right, Mark?   Might scare the little kiddies though.
Suppose it could be in miniature as an ornament in a horror. Now there's an idea...

A Texas Chainsaw Christmas.

Well you do live on the wrong side of the Pennines Mark, chainsaws are standard issue

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Well you do live on the wrong side of the Pennines Mark, chainsaws are standard issue

It is a lot grimmer up North than people realise!

Well, I let my girlfriend read my script last night, and as has happened in the past, she didn't think it was funny...at all, and got pissed off at me for some of the attempts at humor.

I think this time I'm going to listen to her, and start over, as I do have more than enough time.

So much for the magic tungsten dildo.

Quoted from Dreamscale So much for the magic tungsten dildo.

Would you hang that on your tree or instead of a star?

Quoted from JEStaats Would you hang that on your tree or instead of a star?

The ornament does not have to be a Christmas tree ornament.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear The ornament does not have to be a Christmas tree ornament.

Well, the magic tungsten dildo wouldn't make a great center piece or wreath, so I figured the tree.

Ah! In place of a candle on the menorah?

Quoted from JEStaats Would you hang that on your tree or instead of a star?

I could, but I don't think the girlfriend will appreciate it.

Quoted from Dreamscale I could, but I don't think the girlfriend will appreciate it.

She prefers it elsewhere?

Quoted from DustinBowcot She prefers it elsewhere?

She's not a big fan of the tungsten/wolfram material, to be honest.

I just got an idea. Probably too late...

Nothing to do with heavy metals either.  

Quoted from LC I just got an idea. Probably too late... Nothing to do with heavy metals either.

So it was the dildo that got the *creative* juices flowing?

Good day sir... Please can  I still enter for the challenge...
😩😩

Quoted from Jonah Good day sir... Please can  I still enter for the challenge... 😩😩

The countdown till the submission deadline is at the top of the page, as at the time of posting you have 1 day 12 hours and 42 minutes.

One important rule to remember is, make sure your entry isn't better than mine Good luck

More the merrier Jonah, welcome to SS.

I've submitted. I submitted it purely so after reading it, the rest of you will feel better about your entries. You're welcome.

Good luck to all

Thanks Matthew, your sacrifice is appreciated

Quoted from Matthew Taylor I've submitted. I submitted it purely so after reading it, the rest of you will feel better about your entries. You're welcome. Good luck to all

Very much appreciated!!!  

Alreet peeples!!!

Been a while, hope all's well with everyone and there's some serious Christmas spirit in the air...let us Xmas the bejesus out of this bad boy. Totes excited x

Quoted from Cameron Alreet peeples!!! Been a while, hope all's well with everyone and there's some serious Christmas spirit in the air...let us Xmas the bejesus out of this bad boy. Totes excited x

Yo, Cam! Where have you been? I take it you're in this round?

Quoted from JEStaats Yo, Cam! Where have you been? I take it you're in this round?

Mate!!! Haha, yeah I've been completely side lined with podcasts and other work, which has been good and bad, but I spotted the OWC bat-call and thought I'd jump on board. Missed you lot, been nice to see the discussion has already descended into my territory, that of balls and other bits.

Haha, much like Mossad I should neither confirm or deny I'm in...but like a rubbish Mossad I can officially confirm I have submitted something to Don. Guaranteed to get torn to shreds but hoping there's some xmas cheer about the joint? Maybe? Likely??

Sadly, it looks like I'll sit this one out. I couldn't come up with anything that wasn't either schmaltzy or utterly contrived. Looking forward to reading what others came up with though.