100 Roadtrips: a Saiyuki Drabble Community

Because it has been quiet around here this challenge's topic is:

Silence


Non-challenge drabbles and previous challenge topics are always welcome. Be sure to include the challenge number and name in your subject line, or begin it with 'Non-Challenge:'

If you want to write a non-challenge drabble and are in need of a topic, please check out our CHALLENGE SUGGESTION POST for inspiration.

Please tell your friends that 100 roadtrips is here on dreamwidth and join in the fun.
Thank you.

To help our fledgling community, this week's topic is:

Writer's Choice

This means you, my dear writers, choose your own topic to writer about. You post whatever the heck you want, provided that it is still Saiyuki-related, of course.

If you have a case of writer's block and are in need of a topic, please check out our CHALLENGE SUGGESTION POST for inspiration.

Non-challenge drabbles are always welcome. Be sure to include the challenge number and name in your subject line, or begin it with 'Non-Challenge:'

Please tell your friends that 100 roadtrips is here on dreamwidth and join in the fun.
Thank you.

I could not explain it better, so here's a great explanation from livejournal’s Halrloprillalar on how to write a drabble:

… What makes a good drabble? Here's what works for me, anyhow.

A drabble needs detail. This may seem counter-intuitive because drabbles are so short. But when you've only got 100 or so words to make an impression, one or two sharp details can make a huge difference.

A drabble needs focus. That's pretty much a no-brainer. You can't fit everything into a drabble that you can into a three volume novel. So don't try.

A drabble needs a plot or at least a point. Something should happen, even if it's a small thing.

For me, anyhow, a drabble needs a punchline. Some sort of surprise or reversal at the end. There are exceptions, but I do find the drabbles I enjoy the most have a twist or unexpected ending.

A drabble should be complete. This doesn't mean you can't leave your audience wondering about what happens next, but even a short piece has a story arc and you've got to get to the end of it by the end of the drabble.

Here endeth the lecture.

I also sometimes feel like I should be writing something "real" instead of drabbles. Like I'm being lazy by working in that format. (Though of course I usually am working on something else at the same time.) Or that I'll become lazy. Certainly the work to feedback ratio is much more favourable for drabbles. *g*

Do you like drabbles? Do they bug you? Do they make writers lazy? Do they suck away all the good ideas that should actually be made into 10 000 word epics? Do they just suck?