(Impossible) Writing challenge
 

To all the writers of ToS:

I've been recently told about Neogongorism, a movement that was inspired by the figure of Luis de Gongora. Its peculiarity is that a large amount of twisted and cult vocabulary was used, and that they made large poems and texts to refer to a single thing. Thus makes this movement confusing, and practically unintelligible if you hadn't studied Art History.

EG, we found a double metaphor. "Libya of ripples" referred to a "Desert of waves" and this ended up as a double metaphor referring to the sea.

However, I was also told that to appreciate it, you need to get into the writers' mind. And I was challenged to make a short text of 100 words; with the sole condition of making it say exclusively "This flower is beautiful". Nothing else.

So I began, but I was constantly interrupted: "No you can't say any other characteristics of it apart from its beauty" or "No, you can't say you picked it up and hold it to smell its aroma: just say it's a nice flower"

I want to purpose you the same challenge. I bet most of you would give up at the 30th word.

I couldn't even do 10... :shock:

I really want to try this. I would, first, like to read an example so I know what exactly I'm going for. I used a couple different search engines but couldn't find any examples. Is there a link you could post? I would appreciate it. :)

If not, I'll just go for it. :)

Wow, very difficult indeed.

I would like to have a stab at it, but like josie said, an example or two would be ideal.

An example though it's not the best:

Concerning the deceptive brevity of life

Less swiftly did the arrow seek
its destined mark, which it so sharply pierced;
the racing chariot on voiceless sand
did not a column with more silence round,

than swiftly runs, and surreptitiously
to its end our life. For him who doubts,
even if it's a brute of reason stripped,
every new sun a comet's warning sounds.

Carthage confesses this, yet you don't see?
You are in danger, Lycius, if you persist
in chasing shadows, grasping at a straw.

You will not soon be pardoned by the hours:
hours that erode the fabric of our days,
days that our years inevitably gnaw.

I've found the closest thing in English is Euphuism, perhaps that helps. Anyway, if you want some general guidelines:

- Use few verbs: every verb means an action, and the main topic of the narration is just the sight of a beautiful flower.
- Add as many adjectives as you can; even if it results excessive.
- A synonyms dictionary will help: thus you can refer to the same object with different names.
- Metaphors and similes would be your best friend here, for the same reasons as the stated above: you should be able to refer to the same object several times without sounding repetitive.

And I think that's all.

Hmm... this makes a little more sense now, I may well have a go at writing one.

I decided to give this a try. Hopefully I did it correctly:

The flower's intensity flourished in vibrant radiation that trembled the foundation of the simple conception of floral aesthetics, framed within a pleasure established toward the eye. To be the nature of color and symbolism that creates a pleasing thought through the interpretation of one's mind, the flower is said. Alluring artistry conveyed within the confines of pedal and stem, multiplied by a splash of color over every convexed face. Graced with elegance and delicacy, the flower establishes the presence of natural refinement. The gorgeous bloom deviating from stem and leaf. A presence of heavenly visuals confined in a simple pattern mimicking perfect symmetry.