Unofficial Fiction Challenge: The Beatles Rock Band Edition

[BlueBard]

Okay, here's one to try...

Write a story in the superhero genre, minimum 300 words, that incorporates imagery from one Beatles song, or any one song written by Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, or Starr during their careers.  As always, the story must be "PG-13" and conform to forum rules.  The story does not need to quote the lyrics, but it should have recognizable links to the song and reference all visual imagery.  The subtitle of the story should identify the song.

To use "Penny Lane" as an example, a story would contain all of the scenes.  There would be a barbershop, a car, a fire engine, someone selling poppies from a tray, pouring rain, and blue skies.  All of the characters in the song would be present, but need not be specifically named as long as they are described.  The story does not have to follow the song in a linear, one-after-the-other fashion and the scenes could appear in any order.

The point of this challenge is to stretch yourself in communicating visual elements.  The unofficial deadline is Labor Day (September 6th, for those outside the US).

Note:
This is just a friendly writing challenge and currently there is no judging.  If there is sufficient interest (at least six submissions), I will try to assemble a panel of judges and possibly even come up with some sort of prize.  Bear in mind I can't offer a prize or make this an official challenge unless I get three judges, and I'm not going to all that trouble unless there are enough people participating.

[Xenolith]

ha ha

I love these fiction challenges.  This is a good one. 

Looks like Maxwell's Silver Hammer is out.

Also, can I just provide a synopsis of the Say, Say, Say video? 

Isn't there a Paul McCartney song about Magneto and the Titanium Man?

[BlueBard]

ha ha

I love these fiction challenges.  This is a good one.  

Looks like Maxwell's Silver Hammer is out.

Also, can I just provide a synopsis of the Say, Say, Say video?  

Isn't there a Paul McCartney song about Magneto and the Titanium Man?

Just remember, the point of this challenge is to challenge yourself in writing visual elements into your story.  The song you pick doesn't matter so much.  I could have provided a list of visual elements you had to work with, but that wouldn't be as challenging or as much fun.

There are lots of Beatles songs to choose from, even if you don't take into account songs written after the group broke up.  Do your best to draw as many visual elements as you can out of the song lyrics you pick.  If you really, really want a challenge, pick something like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".  That song is all about visuals; the challenge would be putting them all together in a superhero story that actually made sense.

[Xenolith]

I was just pulling your leg.  I'm a huge Beatles fan, so this should be fun.

[Viking]

Whereas I am pretty much unfamiliar with the work of the Beatles.  Are they the folks who did Yellow Submarine and I Want to Hold Your Hand?

And no, I'm not pulling your leg.  I'm that unfamiliar with their work.

[BlueBard]

Whereas I am pretty much unfamiliar with the work of the Beatles.  Are they the folks who did Yellow Submarine and I Want to Hold Your Hand?

And no, I'm not pulling your leg.  I'm that unfamiliar with their work.

You would be correct, Viking.  Those chaps.

And familiarity with the Beatles is not really a prerequisite.  I chose that band for this challenge because: a) they are fairly well known in the US and abroad, b) they have a lot of songs to their credit, collectively and individually when you count Lennon and McCarthy's solo careers, and c) many of their songs have visually rich lyrics, particularly anything by McCartney or Lennon.  A little time with Google search should turn up a wealth of information concerning lyrics.

The aforementioned "Penny Lane" would work quite well as a visual source for one of your Lion & Unicorn stories, in fact.

Here is a starting point for finding some McCartney songs you might well be familiar with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Paul_McCartney_songs

And a fairly exhaustive list of Beatles' songs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Beatles_songs

[ow_tiobe_sb]

Oooh!  Oooh!  I've dibs on "Happiness is a Warm Gun!"

Just kidding.  I never seem to find the time (or the talent) to participate in these fiction challenges properly. *pout*

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

[BlueBard]

Oooh!  Oooh!  I've dibs on "Happiness is a Warm Gun!"

Just kidding.  I never seem to find the time (or the talent) to participate in these fiction challenges properly. *pout*

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

I rather doubt you are lacking in the talent department, sir.  Even if you were, I've watched some especially dreadful authors improve with time and practice.

But I can empathize with lack of time or inspiration, unfortunately.

[Tawodi Osdi]

This does sound like an interesting challenge.  I happen to be a Beatles fan though I had to sell off most of my best CD's and DVD's a few years ago for trivial items like food and gasoline.  The biggest challenge would be finding the time between all of the reading and writing I have to do for college, but I think I will give it a try.

[BlueBard]

This does sound like an interesting challenge.  I happen to be a Beatles fan though I had to sell off most of my best CD's and DVD's a few years ago for trivial items like food and gasoline.  The biggest challenge would be finding the time between all of the reading and writing I have to do for college, but I think I will give it a try.

Time is running out.  I thought I might post something myself, but the well has been dry.  Nobody else appears to have anything in the mix, either.

The bright spot is, if there are only a couple of good entries they get bragging rights for doing what nobody else could.

[Alaric]

Yeah, I've been meaning to write something, just haven't been struck by inspiration... It was a good idea for a challenge, though. Maybe I'll get something done this weekend...

[BlueBard]

Just to point out, this isn't an "Official" challenge, so neither is the deadline an official deadline.  Think of it more as a goal.

[Xenolith]

I've got it on my calendar.

[ow_tiobe_sb]

Just to point out, this isn't an "Official" challenge, so neither is the deadline an official deadline.  Think of it more as a goal.

'Tis a relief to know that!  I've some interesting sketches drawn up for an entry to this unique challenge, but I've had precious little time to flesh out the blasted thing.

Of course, having the leisure of time might make no difference whatsoever: I tend to conceive Borgesian stories and then proceed to write with the speed of a blind and lame Moses seeking Canaan.

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

[Xenolith]

I get a big fat F for FAILURE, but I do have an excuse.  My cat, Pete, died on Saturday.  He was 16 years old and will be missed.  I got him right after college and he was with me through thick and thin.  So, since Pete died I decided to get another cat, in Pete's honor.  I brought one home on Sunday around noon, and by 4 PM she had crawled into the cold air return ductwork.  She thought it was pretty fun, but I was in full panic mode.  I have been watching her like a hawk since then.  So, anyway, I'll get something together, but this weekend was pretty sad/scary/happy.

[BlueBard]

I get a big fat F for FAILURE, but I do have an excuse.  My cat, Pete, died on Saturday.  He was 16 years old and will be missed.  I got him right after college and he was with me through thick and thin.  So, since Pete died I decided to get another cat, in Pete's honor.  I brought one home on Sunday around noon, and by 4 PM she had crawled into the cold air return ductwork.  She thought it was pretty fun, but I was in full panic mode.  I have been watching her like a hawk since then.  So, anyway, I'll get something together, but this weekend was pretty sad/scary/happy.

Sorry to hear about your cat, glad to hear about your new kitten (?).  No worries on the challenge, especially since the deadline was more of a goal than anything.  I don't even have an idea, let alone a story, so you're more successful than I am.