Quoted from Mr. Blonde Team effort to solve clue #2. =)

I, for one, am completely flummoxed by #3 and #4.

It does not matter who I am paired with.
One of us will be doomed.  

What if someone accidentally uses an object or genre they are not supposed to? This is relying on email communication, which is poor at best, to co-ordinate 5 weeks of writing effort. It could get messy!

Currently, I'm out of work, so I'm able to commit but if I suddenly get a job I may have to drop out. I'm not backing out, just was wondering if this is acceptable upfront before we start.

Not that messy, Mark. The only lengthy discussion I foresee between the pairings is if two people want the same variable.

If the topic of the week is a stranded at sea story and one of the objects is a fishing spear, both people might want it. Maybe the first to call dibs gets it, or alternate first choice, like a schoolyard line up for a sport, and alternate who picks first each round.

But first you have to come up with a story idea that fits the topic, hopefully being inspired by one or more of the variables available to you. It might not work well to decide right as soon as the weekly topic is announced. And, time zones. Each pairing will have to agree what works for them for timing of that discussion.

The real arguments will begin when it's week 5 and the topic is a pandemic and all that's left for genre is musical and drama and for objects a rocket launcher and a butterfly net.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw What if someone accidentally uses an object or genre they are not supposed to? This is relying on email communication, which is poor at best, to co-ordinate 5 weeks of writing effort. It could get messy! Currently, I'm out of work, so I'm able to commit but if I suddenly get a job I may have to drop out. I'm not backing out, just was wondering if this is acceptable upfront before we start.

You can use any object, character or location you want (so long as the variables that you've chosen for that week remain the primary. For example, if the location is a research lab and you have a brief flashback to a lake, that's acceptable, so long as the major factor in the script is a research lab. Genres should, mainly, be considered the genre selected. Try to avoid fusion, if only for the sake of your score. Some people aren't so forgiving about that.

Dropping out, once locked in, isn't an option, however, you can choose not to write a script. But, you'd still have to claim your variables, so your writing partner knows what's available to them and what isn't.

Quoted from ReneC The real arguments will begin when it's week 5 and the topic is a pandemic and all that's left for genre is musical and drama and for objects a rocket launcher and a butterfly net.

He gets it...

Quoted from FrankM "X" is the traditional label for a variable. (An exogenous variable to be precise.)

that's exactly what I thought  

I tell you what, there's a real interesting set of folk that use this site. Some great knowledge abounds around here.

I think I will stay in this. the week to write the script helps, compared to 48 hrs.

time will tell

Quoted from ReneC Not that messy, Mark. The only lengthy discussion I foresee between the pairings is if two people want the same variable. If the topic of the week is a stranded at sea story and one of the objects is a fishing spear, both people might want it. Maybe the first to call dibs gets it, or alternate first choice, like a schoolyard line up for a sport, and alternate who picks first each round. But first you have to come up with a story idea that fits the topic, hopefully being inspired by one or more of the variables available to you. It might not work well to decide right as soon as the weekly topic is announced. And, time zones. Each pairing will have to agree what works for them for timing of that discussion. The real arguments will begin when it's week 5 and the topic is a pandemic and all that's left for genre is musical and drama and for objects a rocket launcher and a butterfly net.

Pandemic musical? Signe me up

I'm assuming we won't be voting on the script written by our teammate. As we'll know which script is theirs. Correct?

Quoted from PKCardinal I'm assuming we won't be voting on the script written by our teammate. As we'll know which script is theirs. Correct?

I wonder if partners are supposed to remain confidential. Otherwise I can see post-reveal comments like “You fight for the ball of yarn and THIS is what you write with it? I had such a better idea!”

I was so looking forward to this!  And adding to the female contingent too,  >  but...

Quoted from Blondie Dropping out, once locked in, isn't an option, however, you can choose not to write a script. But, you'd still have to claim your variables, so your writing partner knows what's available to them and what isn't

Wouldn't be fair on my part methinks to claim variables from a partner knowing it's fifty-fifty on my part getting a script done by deadline. I think that would really piss off a partner vying for the good stuff.

Sadly commitments at home are consuming my time too regularly.  

Not to whinge but, the dipping in and out option of the last tourny was an attractive drawcard, even though I knew I could never ace the entire thing.

Oh well, next time maybe.

Good luck all!
I'll certainly be around to read as many as possible, and Mod.

C'mon, Libby!  Stay in.

You'll only lose .1 points per entry if you miss a round.

The more the merrier!!!

I appreciate the support, Jeff.  
Will see how things pan out on the homefront next few days but I don't like my chances.

Ugh

Whoever I'm partnered with is going to be happy. I don't care what criteria I get.

My partner can take what they want and I'll write that musical horror story about the laxative tester in the pumpkin spice mines of Zimbabwe.

Quoted from Nomad Whoever I'm partnered with is going to be happy. I don't care what criteria I get. My partner can take what they want and I'll write that musical horror story about the laxative tester in the pumpkin spice mines of Zimbabwe.

That musical horror story was MY idea, you thief!