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SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI

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A cynical idealist; To Read Me Is to Know Me (Mostly)
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Member Since: 2/2007  Last Seen: 5/16/2012

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Your Next Writing Exercise: Write From The Point of View of a Mall Santa

Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:56 AM EST
odd-news, sbutki-fiction
By Scott (Scoop) Butki
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I have been trying to do one writing perspective experiment/exercise a month and most have been successful. I hope you like this one as much as you did the last, i.e. the pumpkin

The idea here is simple: Write a fiction piece as if you are a Santa Claus working at a mall. What's it like? What happens to you? How do you deal with other Santas (do they all get together after work and threaten or blackmail families that if they don't pay up you will show up en masse at a home?

Try to make it at least 300 words long.

I ask just one thing and it's the same promise I ask of Writing Down the Bones participants namely - if you write one then be sure to read and comment on other participants. It's the honorable thing to do.

  • Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

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Published to:

  • Scott (Scoop) Butki's Column, All of Newsvine
  • Groups: Open Mic, Pumpkin Americans, Scott's Writing Assignments, Writers
  • Regions: none
  • Public Discussion (49)
Scott (Scoop) Butki

Any questions?

Meanwhile I am now taking suggestions for the next Writing Down the Bones exercises

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:04 AM EST
AutumnStJohn

Do we post it as a comment here or publish it to the group as a seperate article? Sorry, I'm new. :S

  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:14 AM EST
Scott (Scoop) Butki

Good question - I forgot to explain that. If it's really short you can post it below but what's worked better (and helps new members get a following not to mention votes) is to write it as a separate article. You then post a link to here from your article and vice versa.

And/or publish it to the Scott's Writing Assignment and the fiction writers group..

and if you have trouble with any of this just drop me an email but keep in mind my online time is still a bit spotty.

  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:31 AM EST
AutumnStJohn

Ok, that's great thanks. I'll post it as a separate article and link it up with here as well as publishing it to the group.

  • 1 vote
#2.2 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:54 AM EST
Scott (Scoop) Butki

Sounds good. You do that and I'll share my favorite latest real life santa anecdote.. not to mention posting a new santa satire shortly (saw that ten times fast)

  • 1 vote
#2.3 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:21 PM EST
Reply
Uncle Nick

can I cheat and tweak this just a bit as a military community center Santa? (OK, I actually had the experience of doing this for 2 years running, which is why it would be cheating)

  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:57 AM EST
Scott (Scoop) Butki

Yes but only if you also post photos of yourself as santa

  • 2 votes
#3.1 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:58 PM EST
Uncle Nick

I'll have to dig out in the garage... think I have one or two with the cub scouts... give me a couple days to scrounge around and put things together...

  • 1 vote
#3.2 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:38 PM EST
Scott (Scoop) Butki

You got it. Can I call you St. Pappa Nick?

  • 3 votes
#3.3 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:51 PM EST
Uncle Nick

LOL... My baptismal name may be Nicholas-Christopher, but trust me, by either name, I "ain't no saint"... just ask either of the ex-wives.

;-)

  • 3 votes
#3.4 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:05 PM EST
Scott (Scoop) Butki

How's your piece coming, Pappa?

  • 2 votes
#3.5 - Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:00 PM EST
Uncle Nick

haven't had a chance to work on it yet... a few "family and health issues" have reared their ugly head, so O haven't had a chance to rummage out in the garage yet (heck, I still haven't gotten the Christmas stuff up yet, LOL)

  • 3 votes
#3.6 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:41 AM EST
Tumbleweed58

a few "family and health issues" have reared their ugly head

Gee Pappa Nick....hope everything's ok for you now ?   :-}

  • 3 votes
#3.7 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:50 AM EST
D DeMilo

Nick - if therre's anything I can do..............

Doug

  • 3 votes
#3.8 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:45 AM EST
Uncle Nick

LOL... most of the "fires" have been put out now... Now it's just a matter of getting stuff done, but thanks guys!

  • 3 votes
#3.9 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:32 PM EST
Mrs Brady

((hugs Pappa)) sure hope everythingys ok cause I wanna hear your military community center Santa story :)

  • 1 vote
#3.10 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:40 PM EST
Reply
AutumnStJohn

Ok, here's my offering-She Santa. As well as this link, I've posted it to this and several other groups. There's a link, at the start, to this writing exercise.

http://autumnstjohn.newsvine.com/_news/2008/11/25/2144726-fiction-she-santa

    Reply#4 - Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:51 AM EST
    Dottie-515685

    I have been waiting for the next assignment. Thanks Scott.

      Reply#5 - Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:56 PM EST
      snb1930

      Scott, this was a great idea. Thanks for the writing exercise. No one's ever asked me to write on the spur of the moment. I usually have time to think about a topic, allthough things often come to me suddenly. I loved doing this. My story is:

      "Christmas Spirit-The Story of Matthew, the Mall Santa"

      • 1 vote
      Reply#6 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:27 AM EST
      Scott (Scoop) Butki

      Glad you liked it. Off to read your piece.

        #6.1 - Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:01 PM EST
        Reply
        Dottie-515685

        http://bamajourneymaker.newsvine.com/_news/2008/11/26/2152953-a-retired-santa?threadId=428960&commentId=4212304#c4212304

        Thanks for the writing exercise. I wouldn't take the time to write except for you. But I do enjoy the challenge. I hope you will like it.

        Happy Thanksgiving!

          Reply#7 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:23 PM EST
          Ladybug331

          Whew! Finally finished mine! I will be reading everyone else's over this weekend - looking forward to it!

          Here's my link:

          Santa Joe and how he discovered Christmas Presence

          • 3 votes
          Reply#8 - Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:02 PM EST
          Tumbleweed58

          This is the first time I've done this with you and I loved it! I've gotton some of the others read and will continue reading. My story is:

          The Santa Train

          Sorry I guess I'm not sure how to link it to here. I'm also aware that you said a "Mall" Santa but I tried to explain in my "authors note". I just hope someone will read what I wrote and that they will enjoy it And PLEASE offer any suggestions, critiques, whatever...I have lots of room for improvement. LOL

          Ya'll enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!

          • 2 votes
          Reply#9 - Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:50 PM EST
          Scott (Scoop) Butki

          Here is your piece and don't worry - i'm a super flexible guy. If I was more flexible I'd give a rubber chicken a run for its money.

          • 1 vote
          #9.1 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 10:40 AM EST
          Tumbleweed58

          Thanks for the assist, and for being so "flexible"....and fyi...someplace I saw that you were using computers at a college? In my part of the country, libraries also offer them. Just a hint if you still have a need. Can't wait for the next "assignment" *grin*. Thanks again.

          • 2 votes
          #9.2 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 11:21 AM EST
          Scott (Scoop) Butki

          The library here limits computer use to one hour. That just won't do:)

          I know the college librarian and since I'm on the 8 year college plan I'm legally ok to use the computers.

          • 1 vote
          #9.3 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 1:30 PM EST
          Tumbleweed58

          I'll bet our libraries have a limit then too. Never thought of that. Was just an idea anyway.

          • 2 votes
          #9.4 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 5:02 PM EST
          Scott (Scoop) Butki

          No, it's good - I always appreciate ideas and help. Believe me I can sure use it. The problem has gotten more serious - see my latest article. Put simply i've declared war.

          • 1 vote
          #9.5 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 8:41 PM EST
          Reply
          Scott (Scoop) Butki

          Sorry I'm slow in responding. I'm still without my own computer - still in the shop - but when i get it back this week (knock on wood) - I'll read and respond to all of these

          • 1 vote
          Reply#10 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 10:38 AM EST
          Scott (Scoop) ButkiDeleted
          Scott (Scoop) Butki

          OK my submission is now up. I was waiting to write mine before reading others so I didn't copy anyone else's good ideas.
          yeah, that's what i was doing.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#12 - Mon Dec 8, 2008 2:11 PM EST
          Scott (Scoop) ButkiRestored

          (FWIW I saw Santa at the food court at the mall on Friday night with a woman who was not Mrs. Clause nor an elf. I watched to see where he ate and he had a potato so at least he's making good meal choices.

          As I walked by Santa I told him I am a big fan of his work.

          Cutest Santa anecdote I've heard in the last week was a 2-year-old who explained to his mom what the deal is with all the other santa at other malls, namely: "The santa at the mall they visited was the real one but all the others are fake."

          Makes complete sense, right?

            Reply#13 - Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:16 PM EST
            D DeMilo

            just for fun

            < a href=http://dougdemilo.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/09/2196665-it-was-evening-in-the-city>"here's mine"</a>

            • 1 vote
            Reply#14 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:36 AM EST
            D DeMilo

            oops...forgot to close statement...sorry :)

            • 1 vote
            Reply#15 - Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:43 AM EST
            Jae-walker

             It is an interesting  idea, but how yto approach it ? Here is my attempt:

            http://jae-walker.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/18/2227167-mall-santa-and-the-letter-that-transcended-time

              Reply#16 - Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:12 PM EST
              Scott (Scoop) Butki

              Sorry I've been slow to respond here but I've been without a computer of my own until last night.

              I will read and respond to these this week.

              Meanwhile I put up one final santa writing exercise

              and I put up some mistletoe here

                Reply#17 - Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:57 AM EST
                Scott (Scoop) Butki

                I am smiling today at the results of what I'm officially calling my Sociological Analysis of Wearing A Santa Hat aka
                SAW

                I started wearing a Santa hat at work as I noticed it tended to make the guys I worked with smile and when I could get
                them wearing one too I knew we were then both in a good mood.

                We called each other Santa helpers.

                Yesterday and today I began wearing the Santa hat even when not at work and I began to notice something. Adults, for the most
                part, tended to ignore me wearing a Santa hat but I noticed kids, especially children, watching me carefully,

                Today I realized what was going on namely while I was calling myself "Santa's helper" they saw me as a direct connection
                to the big man in red. They probably figure I'm in direct contact with him and thus when, as I did at one time to a boy and girl
                gawking at me, I asked if they had been naughty or nice they figured I'd pass this information as well as whatever
                I observe, on to him.

                The children would sit up a bit straighter and behave a bit better once they saw me and the hat.

                I began to realize I've become a deterrent to bad behavior. I'm not just santa's helper anymore - I'm A Deputy Santa
                now, getting respect and attention (and concern) from children and that's a pretty cool thing.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#18 - Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:18 PM EST
                Charlie Courtois

                The last Christmas Story.

                Why Santa Keeps His Doctor Appointment!

                Got it done, Scott, just in time. Merry Christmas

                • 1 vote
                Reply#19 - Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:03 AM EST
                Scott (Scoop) Butki

                Well better late than never - i'm getting to this now

                  Reply#20 - Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:46 AM EST
                  Scott (Scoop) Butki

                  Here is your next <a href="http://sbutki.newsvine.com/_news/2009/01/11/2298782-newsviners-here-is-your-next-writing-assignment-write-from-the-pov-of-a-snowman">writing assignment piece:</a>
                  Write from the point of view of a snowman

                  what do you think? Put yourself in the mind of a real or imaginary snowman? What are their thoughts, their dreams, their fears?

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#21 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:43 AM EST
                  Tumbleweed58

                  Uh, Scott?  I get the assignment, but I can't link to it?  Sorry....

                  you're up awfully early btw.  good mornin.  : )

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#22 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:16 AM EST
                  Scott (Scoop) Butki

                  i couldnt sleep without some, er, help

                  • 2 votes
                  #22.1 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:29 PM EST
                  Tumbleweed58

                  i couldnt sleep without some, er, help

                  "help"?  And this "helps"?  LOL.  I hate when that happens!  (can't sleep I mean)  *wink*

                  • 1 vote
                  #22.2 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:45 PM EST
                  Scott (Scoop) Butki

                  got out of bed, read a few topics, had some tylenol pm (thought it was am so i wasn't sure it'd work - and went back to bed for two hours.

                    #22.3 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:58 PM EST
                    Tumbleweed58

                    Hope it worked and you got a bit more sleep.  I wasn't that lucky...been up since 5am...now at 7:30pm I'm starting to feel a bit sluggish....LOL  Must be my "old age".  Hahaha.

                    • 1 vote
                    #22.4 - Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:22 PM EST
                    Reply
                    Sharn CedarDeleted
                    Sharn CedarDeleted
                    Scott (Scoop) Butki

                    This was an exercise we did last year but feel free to do it again this year if you didnt do it last year

                    I'll post a new perspective exercise next week for December.

                      Reply#25 - Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:19 PM EST
                      Scott (Scoop) Butki

                      I'm reviving some holiday related pieces at newsvine today including this one about thanksgiving, this one about being thankful and this one about santa claus and writing from the perspective of a mall santa

                      I think I talk in one of these about our family tradition of going to the movies and my wondering if families do that to avoid akward conversations.

                        Reply#26 - Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:08 PM EST
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