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Topics for the 2002 7-in-7 Challenge (May 2002)

You don't have to take these topics literally -- let them bounce around for a moment, and see what they generate. Have at it!

Tuesday 7th May
   Never confuse instinct with intelligence.

   and/or

   A traitor representing the opposite of what he or she is pretending to be.

Monday 6th May
   A deep space probe goes much deeper than anyone ever expected.

   and/or

   What is your worst fear, your most terrifying phobia?

Sunday 5th May
   What would make you turn terrorist?

   and/or

   Footprints in the sand.

Saturday 4th May
   People can't simply vanish, but sometimes they do.

   and/or


   This is in the nature of an experiment, so don't shout if it all goes horribly wrong. ;-) Study the lists of characters, locations and objects below. You'll notice that each item has a number. You can pick as many items from the lists as you want, but choose at least ONE from each list... and when you add up the numbers, they must total exactly 7, no more and no less. And of course, you must use all of the selected items in your story! If any other item(s) in the list(s) appear in your story then you also have to take this into account, and recalculate your total. The goal of this exercise is to use the chosen characters, locations & objects to generate a story idea -- which may be the exact opposite of how you usually come up with a story idea. Deal with it. ;-)
Characters Locations Objects
1 clerk/computer operator/sysop
1 innocent & naive man/woman
1 child (any age)
1 non-talking ghost
1 civilian pilot/navigator
2 thief/criminal
2 talking ghost
2 musician/artist
2 drunk/drug addict
2 military pilot/navigator
2 doctor/nurse/medic
2 cynical man/woman
3 police officer
3 ancient warrior
3 modern soldier
3 sorceror/magician
3 werewolf/vampire/etc.
3 archeologist/cleric
3 scientist/inventor
3 murderer/psychopath
3 seer/medium/telepath
3 any royal/noble rank except princess
4 princess
4 starship captain
1 subway/train
1 city office
2 laboratory
2 aircraft
2 boat/yacht/ship (marine)
2 mine tunnel
2 deep desert
2 icy wasteland
2 tropical jungle
2 remote island
2 military bunker/HQ
3 another planet/moon/etc.
3 spacecraft (any type)
1 water/food
1 warm/waterproof clothing
1 telephone/cellphone/radio
1 map/compass
1 bicycle/rollerskates/etc.
2 car/motorcycle/truck/etc.
2 ax/knife/sword/etc. (non-magic)
2 pistol/rifle/laser/etc.
2 ammunition/energy for above ;-)
2 sleigh/sled & deer/dogs
2 aircraft/spacecraft (any type)
2 magic object (any type, non-weapon)
3 magic weapon (any type)
(Note, the character numbers were assigned randomly and have no real life significance. They are not intended to demean any persons or professions by awarding low or high grades to said persons or professions.)

Friday 3rd May
   At every turn, the ghosts of my past haunt me.

   and/or

   Pawing the ground, breathing fire, trumpeting like an elephant... and that was the good guy.

Thursday 2nd May
   Can an immortal person die by violence, or starvation?

   and/or

   Treasure capable of seducing a saint.

Wednesday 1st May
   Crawling out from under the rock which has held me prisoner for eons.

   and/or

   The message was not what was expected...

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