Give idea, get story (now with 20% more Haggis!) - Update: Hardback cover book

[Origami]

OMG I was gonna ask for a locked room murder mystery but somehow someone beat me to it?! I always thought I was a rare case being a fan of the genre.

[Silverwolfpet]

Guys... o.o

Epicness: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/129173

Follow Edward, the ugliest and probably most haphazard king Struglend has ever had, and his herald Fred, as they go on a quest to restore order to the universe. Well, maybe not the universe, but at least the little piece of land they call home – Struglend. In their journey to remove the evil knight who has invaded the kingdom, they meet several hilarious characters that remind them how good it is to have a semi-sane mind in a crazy, crazy world.

In case some of you missed it, Jan Jacob Mekes = Haggis ^^

[GaryCXJk]

I would love to say I would wait until the physical release, but alas, I was weak.

[Alcoremortis]

@Haggis:

Out of curiosity, how long would I have to wait for a physical copy? Also, which purchase would benefit you most? If it came down to it, despite my love for physical books, I'd buy the ebook if you get more money from it.

[Haggis]

Hey ho, sorry for taking so long to reply! I don't have a new story prepared just yet, but as you can see, I've been kind of busy launching my book!

I have, however, compiled 28 of last year's stories into a free e-book, as promised, which you can download here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/132585

Now I'll get to working on the print edition of Struglend Tales, and then I'll return to crafting your prompts into even more bizarre stories!

Originally Posted by tbm1986

Another awesome story that took some thinking out of the box. Have you ever read An Inspector Calls, by JB Priestley? The ending is somewhat...similar...

Haven't read that, no... but there's bound to be similarities, since pretty much everything has already been done at least once. It's just the characters and settings that change, really.

Originally Posted by Silverwolfpet

Hahaha, Haggis writing for a movie?? Animation or not, who would be crazy enough to let Haggis be a scriptwriter? Hahaha! You guys are funny!

Yeah, it would never work.

Originally Posted by tredlow

Well, I only found 1 sentence from Birdhouse in Your Soul, which was "Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch."

I also sneaked in "I'm your only friend" from the intro of the song. I know, maybe it's a bit too sneaky.

Originally Posted by GaryCXJk

I would love to say I would wait until the physical release, but alas, I was weak.

Why, thank you! If only everyone was so weak...

Originally Posted by Alcoremortis

@Haggis:

Out of curiosity, how long would I have to wait for a physical copy? Also, which purchase would benefit you most? If it came down to it, despite my love for physical books, I'd buy the ebook if you get more money from it.

I don't know how long it will take to finish the print edition... it's the first time I'm designing a book, and making a print book is quite a different ball game than an e-book... it could be available this month or the next... but I'd be surprised (and disappointed, with myself and the world at large) if it would take any longer than that.

As for what would benefit me most... right now I have no idea. I get $ 2.21 from every purchase at Smashwords, but I don't know what that margin will be for the paperback yet. That depends on the base price, which I'll only know when I've completed the design process. I'll let you all know more when I know more!

[Noname215]

Speaking of that locked room murder story, I got an idea:

A mailman is delivering a package to a man who lives in a colonial-style mansion out in the countryside. The man lives by himself, no staff, no spouse, no children. When the mailman arrives to the man's house, he notices the front door is slightly opened.

And when the mailman looks inside, he sees the man dead on the ground, a large pool of blood behind his head.

Just my idea for a beginning.

[GaryCXJk]

Yeah, that would surely help him out...

And FYI, that was sarcasm. Just so you know.

[Noname215]

Originally Posted by GaryCXJk

Yeah, that would surely help him out...

And FYI, that was sarcasm. Just so you know.

Don't be an S.O.B.

[WarpSpeed]

That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.

[VeronicanPlay]

Uhh it's my turn soon.

[Haggis]

To get back to Alcoremortis' question, the print version of Struglend Tales will be $ 7.99, but I get a bigger return from e-book purchases at Smashwords. If you'd rather wait for the paperback though, that might take a month or two (I'm waiting for the proof copy to arrive).

Originally Posted by WarpSpeed

That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.

Yes, Noname215, I suggest you turn that into a story suggestion of your own. With some interesting additional elements, it could turn into something nice!

Originally Posted by VeronicanPlay

Uhh it's my turn soon.

Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/t...o-your-leader/

[Alcoremortis]

Originally Posted by Haggis

To get back to Alcoremortis' question, the print version of Struglend Tales will be $ 7.99, but I get a bigger return from e-book purchases at Smashwords. If you'd rather wait for the paperback though, that might take a month or two (I'm waiting for the proof copy to arrive).

Well, I'd rather get the version that gives you a bigger return even though my overstuffed bookshelf...well, actually, my bookshelf really doesn't need to have more books crammed into it. To ebooks go I!

[Noname215]

Originally Posted by WarpSpeed

That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.

Knife in the back.
No fingerprints.
Only clue is erased security tape.
Victim had many enemies because of his wealth.

That better?

[RetroVortex]

You know, seeing stuff like this is inspiring.

Keep up the good work Haggis! Im rootin' for ya.

(I really want to get to making stuff, but at the moment I'm being a lazy ass! XD)

[GaryCXJk]

Originally Posted by Haggis

Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/t...o-your-leader/

That was depressing...

Anyway, here's a fun little one.

Thanks to you I started something similar myself with a bunch of friends, and for the first one, one of my friends came up with the following keywords:

• Train
• Timer (like a stopwatch or something similar)
• Fraud

Actually, the keywords were "trein", "timer" and "oplichting", but you get the point.

Now, I already have written the story and posted it to them, but it would be fun to see what you came up with. Afterwards, I will post mine (although someone should need to translate it to English).

[VeronicanPlay]

Originally Posted by Haggis

Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/t...o-your-leader/

Yay getting close!

And that was really funny by the way, I laughed through the whole ting.

[Haggis]

Oh hey, what time is it? It's... story time! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/03/01/bronies/

And also it's time to reply to some of you lovely people.

Originally Posted by Alcoremortis

Well, I'd rather get the version that gives you a bigger return even though my overstuffed bookshelf...well, actually, my bookshelf really doesn't need to have more books crammed into it. To ebooks go I!

Thank you kindly! I appreciate every customer and promise I will love them to death.*

* Void where prohibited

Originally Posted by Noname215

Knife in the back.
No fingerprints.
Only clue is erased security tape.
Victim had many enemies because of his wealth.

That better?

Yes, I'm sure I can do something with that.

Originally Posted by RetroVortex

You know, seeing stuff like this is inspiring.

Keep up the good work Haggis! Im rootin' for ya.

(I really want to get to making stuff, but at the moment I'm being a lazy ass! XD)

Thanks! Good to know that I somehow inspire people. And the trick to stop being lazy is to let your work depend on others, like I'm doing with these stories. If you have someone who's expecting you to make stuff, that's a good motivator.

Originally Posted by GaryCXJk

Now, I already have written the story and posted it to them, but it would be fun to see what you came up with. Afterwards, I will post mine (although someone should need to translate it to English).

Cool idea, it'll be interesting to see what we come up with. And I wouldn't mind translating the story, if it's not too long (unless you'd rather do it yourself or have someone else do it).

And it's funny how you found it depressing, while VeronicanPlay laughed all the way through. Are you sure you two read the same story?

[ted12]

<gasp!> Yay, my story!!

[tbm1986]

A story that had me laughing and disgusted (at how generalisations and misconceptions are all too commonplace in real life too) all the way through. Good work, sir!

[VeronicanPlay]

That was brilliant and even though it was serious it still made me laugh.

And just because I can't keep it in... Yay 1 more story then it's my turn! (claps and jumps in joy).