Sunday, June 04, 2006

The Shadow of Zehth: Bonsai Style

In trying to find this week's writing prompt/grab bag o'links/something interesting, I stumbled across the Bonsai Story Generator. I dumped in about 3000 or so words from the first four chapters of The Shadow of Zehth and got back a very odd mix of gibberish, strange imagery, and the ocassional deep thought. I don't think I can link to the full text, so here's a sampling.

Gibberish
  • The light from previous cleaning.

  • Those days, at her chronometer, startled Rayn out to the stable.

  • Today you're the local wells.


  • Strange Imagery
  • She pushed away from the horse's blanket, wanting her reaction to his lips and tried to wait.

  • The silence was sick and protection for control of the sunset struck the burnished brass dome of paper.

  • Soft laughter bubbled out of the daunting stack of paper.

  • She walked over her shoulder. Then she fought for control of her mouth.


  • Deep Thoughts
  • Airen had no desire for Velorin.

  • He moved back to the flaws and destruction.

  • Suppressing a powerful race that controlled the world.


  • These story generators and such can be a blast. The one thing I found most interesting about this exercise is that generator managed to harp on two lines that are very important to the story. Variations of those two lines are used over and over. That was interesting to see and reminded me of some thematic elements, as did the surprising Deep Thoughts I found above. A fun way to look at a piece through different eyes and find the craziness and beauty within it. That's probably far too deep a reaction for the original intent of the generator, though.

    3 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Is there nothing of the truly and clearly obscure?

    Say like:

    When in Nome do as Noman does...Which is of course to avoid dining on the yellow snow.

    Anonymous said...

    I just couldn't resist trying it with a poem I wrote and it churned out this:

    Someone frustrated by this eve for the day.
    Tidy the cozy atmosphere Steeped in a corner the broken asphalt parking lot Now anvil to share the busy signal when they call themselves?
    No more…no phone…no permanent address Being white, living black?
    Longing for wilderness?
    Settling for the day.
    Tidy the dumpster behind Pizza Hut Suits the sun’s hammer No more…no phone…no permanent address Being white, living black?
    Longing for the day.
    Tidy the day.
    Tidy the broken asphalt parking lot Now anvil to the sun’s hammer No door, no windows Now anvil to share the aroma of Wet dog…Stale beer Dead cat…And ass It’s home… It’s home… I’m home… Someone frustrated by the busy signal when they call themselves?
    No more…no phone…no permanent address Being white, living black?
    Longing for a meal And to share the other side of Wet dog…Stale beer Dead cat…And ass It’s home… It’s home… I’m home… Someone frustrated by ...

    The original poem, if sung to the tune of "Red Neck, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer" is actually a bit catchy, but this?...

    Kellie said...

    I dunno, Dad. I kinda like the line "Longing for a meal And to share the other side of Wet dog..." It could win awards! :)