Get the Hint

FAQ

What is the Hint?

The “Hint” is a writing revolution.  Willing writers can write an improvisational continuation of a “Hint” fiction serial.  Writers can also start NEW “Hint” fiction serials, and the “Hint” will spring up everywhere!  The writing of “Hint” fiction serials will continue until every writer everywhere is given the opportunity to “Get The Hint”!

What is Hint fiction?

Hint fiction is the literary term coined by Robert Swartwood on his Flash Fiction Chronicles post [here].

Basically it is a very, very, very, VERY short story (25 words or less).  

Why is the very, very, very, VERY short story called a hint?

To quote the hint’s minter:

“Because that’s all the reader is ever given.  Just a hint.  Not a scene, or a setting, or even a character sketch.  They are given a hint, nothing more, and are asked — nay, forced — to fill in the blanks.  And believe me, there are a lot of blanks.”

So “fill in the blanks” we will!

Each of our small “Hints” will be part of a larger more complex story; a story unlike any the world has ever seen!

How do I get started Hinting?

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!  

1. Click any link under the “Get The Hint” blogroll to the right, –> this is a list of the latest  ”Hints”.
2. Visit each “Hinted” blog in that serial until you find the last hint given. Then write a continuation to that story. (25 words or less).
3. Leave your continuation as a comment for the author of that hint, and hope for the best. (This is called dropping a hint.)

Then what happens?

That depends.

• If the author of the last “Hint” likes your continuation, he will reply accordingly to your comment. 
• You will now be the author of the last “Hint”.
• Create a post on your blog with your “Hint” and link back to the previous “Hint” (This is called taking a hint.)

What if I didn’t “Get The Hint”?

It may be that you dropped your “Hint” a little too late or your “Hint” wasn’t chosen.

• Drop another “Hint” to the NEW author of the last “Hint”.
• You may have to change your “Hint” a little, but change is worth it, if you “Get The Hint”!

Now that I have the last “Hint” what do I do?

• Sit back and wait for the “Hints” to come!
• Enjoy the “Hint” traffic!

I was dropped a hint that I like, what now?

• Give a “Hint”!
• Create a hyper-link to the NEW last “Hint”!
• Enjoy the continuing “Hint” traffic as readers and writers continue to visit your blog!

I still have the “Hint” bug. Can I “Hint” again?

• Absolutely!
• Write another “Hint” chapter of the same serial OR start a new “Hint” fiction serial!
• Send the link of your new “Hint” serial to whoyatereenhow@gmail.com , and I will list it on my ”Get The Hint” blogroll. –>
• The “Hint” revolution cannot be stopped or contained. New hint serials will pop up everywhere! It could get crazy keeping up with all the hinting.  So I will only list new “Hint” fiction serials if the author was given the “Hint” previously. (Meaning you would already have to be in the “Hint” of a previous serial.) So send me the link to that post as well.

How can I help the “Hint” revolution?

• Post the “Got The Hint?” banner on your blog.
• Feel free to use any of the banners for your “Hint” linkage!

Happy Hinting!

 

Cut and paste this code in your blog:

<a href="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/get-the-hint/" target="_blank"><img title="got-the-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/got-the-hint.gif" alt="got-the-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>

 

Feel free to use these banners also:

(You will need to edit the html to link appropriately)

<a href="http://ENTER YOUR LINK HERE/" target="_blank"><img title="give-a-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/give-a-hint.gif" alt="give-a-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>

 

<a href="http://ENTER YOUR LINK HERE/" target="_blank"><img title="drop-a-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/drop-a-hint.gif" alt="drop-a-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>

<a href="http://ENTER YOUR LINK HERE/" target="_blank"><img title="take-a-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/take-a-hint.gif" alt="take-a-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>

<a href="http://ENTER YOUR LINK HERE/" target="_blank"><img title="next-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/next-hint.gif" alt="next-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>

<a href="http://ENTER YOUR LINK HERE/" target="_blank"><img title="previous-hint" src="http://moreabsurdthandifficult.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/previous-hint.gif" alt="previous-hint" width="119" height="18"></a>