Christmas Challenge 2012

[Nike]

Just been announced a few days ago, anyone got any ideas for a story? I just got a name, but no idea what to do. I've got a few basic ideas, ranging from a quiet, emotional talk on Christmas eve on Skybase between colleagues to a full scale Nuclear War on a period of the year that is supposed ''a time of global piece''.

So does anyone have any ideas? Let's brainstorm and exchange ideas here!

[Marion]

The Christmas Challenge is always the hardest - for me. Most of the stories I've written for the challenge have been 'normal' adventures 'with tinsel' - i.e.: they just happened to take place at Christmas. I find writing about 'a Christmas theme' very difficult, so I can appreciate your dilema. I'd say that if you're unsure what to do, just 'add tinsel' to an adventure story

I also try to write something for Captain Scarlet's birthday which falls in the challenge dates (17 December) but I don't know if the NCS character shares that birthday; if there is nothing specifically quoted, you might like to use that as the settting, rather than 'Christmas'?

This year a birthday story might be all I can manage.

[chrisbishop]

In the past, I often inspired myself from classic Christmas movies/stories. "Miracle at 40,000 Feet", "A Spectrum of Miracles" and "A White Christmas Carol" (written in collaboration with Mary J. Rudy and Sue Stanhope), were all inspired by such Christmas tales ("Miracle on 34th Street", "A Pocketful of Miracles" and "A Christmas Carol" - obvious for that last one!). Even the story "Many Happy Returns" borrows a bit from "It's a Wonderful Life".

That said, the Christmas Challenge is also for me an occasion to write about weird and unlikely situations, such as having Scarlet meeting with Santa Claus, or even taking over from him, bringing a baby onboard Cloudbase, or attack from felons disguised as Santa and his crew...

It's also an excellent subject for "feel good" stories, romance (I can hear some of you groan...) and family-oriented stories (where you can explore the characters and the relationship with their respective families). And you can send the characters, alone or in groups (still keeping in mind that Spectrum must still function throughout the festive period, and that Cloudbase/Skybase must not be deserted completely!), and as we all know, vacations don't have have to be about peace and quiet... which they often are not, when it comes to these characters!

Of course, there are also GHOST stories set at Christmas, and vilains can certainly rear their ugly heads - including the Mysterons. And even more... I'm quite sure that they do not understand the principle of "Peace on Earth", and that, to the contrary, they would rather be willing to use the occasion to wreck some havok! As they often do.

[Captain Indigo]

For some reason, the comments about "peace on Earth" have made an image of the Mysterons calling a truce for Christmas and having a quick kick-about with Spectrum pop into my head...

Apologies for being completely off-topic, but I thought I should share anyway.

[Nike]

For some reason, the comments about "peace on Earth" have made an image of the Mysterons calling a truce for Christmas and having a quick kick-about with Spectrum pop into my head...

Apologies for being completely off-topic, but I thought I should share anyway.

The whole subject of the topic was to get a brain storming session up and running, and thinking about it, that quote ''piece on Earth'' almost an invitation to get the Mysterons all excited about their next attack xD

And yeah, something like a family based story would do just fine, maybe something from Black's point of view as he walks alone through the snow, knowing that Skybase with his former colleagues and life is some 60.000 feet above him. Or something based in that direction. Also, a birthday story would be a cool idea, or maybe a combination of ideas. The clock is running though, Christmas is coming!

[Skybase Girl]

Nike, your last post and Chris's previous one on this topic just reminded me of how diverse we all are in the type of Captain Scarlet stories we write.
This is probably most apparent at "Challenge" time when lots of stories are being submitted in rapid succession, so it's easy to compare styles, approaches and subject matter. We all do it differently, but that's what makes it so interesting. It's amazing how one subject and set of characters ( well, maybe two sets of characters, if you treat NCS separately!) can produce excellent stories ranging from complex sophisticated plotting, through hectic action pieces, thoughtful atmospheric stories to kitchen sink drama ( me! ).

There's a place for everything, as long as it's well-thought out, entertaining and intelligently written. I am in awe of people who can also combine those things with a talent for artwork, such as yourself and Carrie, with her marvellous calendars. ( You won't buy better in the shops, folks - they are a great exhibition showcasing the talents of several gifted people.)

I like Christmas stories because I'm not a great plotter - I'm better at more character-centric pieces. After all the blood and gore of Halloween, I see Christmas as an opportunity to redress the balance - spead a little happiness and good cheer. After all, we put the poor little man in red through so much the rest of the year, I reckon we can cut him some slack at Christmas!

Having said that, I don't have much inspiration right now. I do have a germ of an idea for a short piece which would be a family situation involving Captain Black( in a very indirect way), but I don't know if it will work out. I suspect it may be poignant, but pointless, which makes it just another turkey. We'll see what happens!

Good luck to everyone else with works on the go!

[Carrie]

Well, I for one hope you write the 'turkey', Skybase Girl, and let's have all your usual trimmings: a dash of angst, a smidgen of pathos, a sprinkling of humour, and lashings of pithy prose.

Nike, I am usually clueless when it comes to the Christmas challenge, I think I've managed about two stories in the last eight years, not a sterling record. I can't manage Halloween and Christmas. The best of luck to you if you think of something!

Happy Writing!

[Marion]

You have a more than honourable record of producing the wonderful 'Spectrum Calendars', Carrie, so you are excused a fan fiction at Christmas - although, should you manage to produce one I have no doubt it will be of the same high quality!

[Carrie]

Marion..thanks...if my reply is a little late. Real life got in the way somewhat, and it was a miracle I even got the pictures and stuff done for this years calendar...
Many thanks to Chris and you for helping make it a smashing success! (Just saw it tonight to my delight....as I was unable to access a PC for nearly the days over the Christmas/New Year period...talk about your withdrawal symptoms...)