the most overused line challenge | 18 december 2020

[hotel california]

i'm only using this gif because this line isn't on my list

challenge name: the most overused line challenge
challenge deadline: december 18, 2020 (exactly three months from now!)
accepted fandoms: harry potter
accepted ratings: yeet all of it at me 

challenge details: there are a lot of overused lines in our movies, books, and tv shows - you know the ones. something i really like to do is cackle (or suffer) at the level of excruciating cliché some incorporate with them, though one of my favorite things is to see them used in insightful or surprising ways. i also like seeing them used in fics that knowingly mock those lines, or make them highlight the dorkiness of a character. because it’s fun.

your challenge is to write a story based off of an overused line (or exchange) that i give you, and to use it in a way that makes it feel less cliché, makes fun of it, and/or highlights a character’s personality. what’s important is that whoever delivers it does so intentionally. they can be aware of the cliché or not. they can be poking fun at themselves or not. but they have to mean it when they say it. while you don’t have to take the line(s) seriously, they do. it has to be impactful somehow.

i’ve compiled a list of 40, so all you have to do is pick a number between 1-40, and i’ll tell you what you chose! if your choice isn’t giving you any inspiration, let me know and i’ll let you pick another number. you can add or remove contractions, as well as other minor things to fit with the character (maybe the character doesn’t use ‘proper’ grammar, maybe there’s a brother mentioned in the line and the character would be talking about a sister, etc). if there’s another common variant of the line, you can even use that. but the line(s) cannot be unrecognizable as a cliché when you remove the rest of the story. if you need extra inspiration, i can randomize a character for you to use, but there’s zero obligation to use them

(shout out to @maraudertimes, @page thirteen., and @Aphoride, since this challenge was inspired by talking to them!)

rules:

• all entries must be posted to the fft archives
• everyone will be considered a maybe until they submit an entry
• entries can be combined with other challenges
• multiple entries allowed (3 maximum)
• both standalone one-shots and multi-chapter fics are permitted; however, the line/exchange you receive must be included by the deadline. no prewritten stories!
• must include ‘for hotel california’s most overused line challenge’ in the story summary
• for the sake of my sanity, please don’t enter any dramione  it makes me extremely uncomfortable, and i want to be able to judge the entries fairly!

rewards:

• all entries will be reviewed; any multi-chapters will receive one on the chapter that includes the line
• third place = award graphic, 2 reviews on another fic(s), a picspam based on your entry
• second place = award graphic, 3 reviews on another fic(s), a picspam based on your entry
• first place = award graphic, 4 reviews on another fic(s), a picspam based on your entry
• if i receive enough entries, an honorable mention will receive 1 review on another one of their fics
• note: if you win any of the placements, but don’t have another fic for me to review, you’ll receive 1+ graphic(s) of your choice, depending on your win!

if you have any questions, pls don’t hesitate to ask! happy writing 

[Raspberry_cordelia]

Do I have time to do this? Probably not.

Will I be able to finish this?  Eh.

Will I still enter because I am irresponsible like that?  Absolutely.

May you please hit me with number 24? ...I cannot answer this question, lol.

[Felpata_Lupin]

I'm very bad at completing challenges but I'd like to give this a try... can I see number 7, please?

[hotel california]

@kuusi palaa 21 -

Character 1: “Is that all you’ve got?”
Character 2: “I’m just getting started.”

@Raspberry_cordelia 24 -

Character 1: “Leave me behind!”
Character 2: “I’m not leaving you [behind]!”

@Felpata_Lupin 7 -

“What’s the worst that could happen?” [then the worst happens]

 

Spoiler

Felpata_Lupin - 7
kuusi palaa - 21
Raspberry_cordelia - 24

[lostinthelightss]

Can i get a #4? Alternatively, give me whatever line you wanna give me  

[hotel california]

@maraudertimes the offer was tempting until i saw what i wrote for 4 and now i know fate is real jshfjksf 

4 -

Character 1: “It’s beautiful.”
Character 2 [not looking at the stars, but rather their love interest]: “Yeah… she is.”

 

Spoiler

Felpata_Lupin - 7
kuusi palaa - 21
maraudertimes - 4
Raspberry_cordelia - 24

 

[VaguelyCreativeName]

oooh, this looks fun! could i see #27, please?

[page thirteen.]

i'll see if i can manage something - may i have #23?

[tinyporcelainehorses]

33 please!

[Hawksquill]

Oooh can I see 9, please?  

[hotel california]

@VaguelyCreativeName 27 -

[cue ~sparkly admiration~] “You were really great back there.”

@page thirteen. 23 -

“You just don’t get it, do you?” [very emotional]

@tinyporcelainehorses 33 -

[probably seductively] “Let me slip into something more comfortable.”

@Hawksquill 9 -

“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”

Spoiler

4 - maraudertimes
7 - Felpata_Lupin
9 - Hawksquill
21 - kuusi palaa
23 - page thirteen.
24 - Raspberry_cordelia
27 - VaguelyCreativeName
33 - tinyporcelainehorses

casually reordering ^ so it’s numbers first…

[GotNoJamsss]

Hit me with #3 

[hotel california]

@RogueSlytherin 3 -

“You messed with the wrong guy.”

Spoiler

3 - RogueSlytherin
4 - maraudertimes
7 - Felpata_Lupin
9 - Hawksquill
21 - kuusi palaa
23 - page thirteen.
24 - Raspberry_cordelia
27 - VaguelyCreativeName
33 - tinyporcelainehorses

 

[Raspberry_cordelia]

If I reroll, will I have to pick the new quote, or can I go back to the original?

[hotel california]

@Raspberry_cordelia you can go back to the original!

[Raspberry_cordelia]

Alright then...for the purposes of too much curiosity...is it possible for me to check out number 12 as well please?

[hotel california]

@Raspberry_cordelia "too much curiosity" you ravenclaws,, apparently both of your rolls are really dramatic sorry (? ) about that 

12 -

“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

Spoiler

3 - RogueSlytherin
4 - maraudertimes
7 - Felpata_Lupin
9 - Hawksquill
12 - Raspberry_cordelia*
21 - kuusi palaa
23 - page thirteen.
24 - Raspberry_cordelia*
27 - VaguelyCreativeName
33 - tinyporcelainehorses

 

[abhorsen.]

can i see 17, please?

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

Such a good challenge!

31, please

[northbound24]

Oo... This sounds great can I see number 26?

[ineffable_season]

Sounds like fun! Can I have #30?

[Bat Stitch Crazy]

May I have a random number please?

[Ameripuff]

"Let's do this..."

If nobody has chosen that one, please give me whatever number that is.

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

Oh, also, I have a couple of questions!

On 9/18/2020 at 12:57 PM, hotel california said:

accepted ratings: yeet all of it at me 

My initial assumption was that this means smut content is ok? But I did want to double check because I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, ya dig?

Also, if we ask for a second number, are we permitted to ultimately go back to the first one we were given? And/or are we permitted to just go ahead and use both of them since multiple entries are allowed?

[hotel california]

@abhorsen. 17 -

[music turns tense, camera dramatically zooms in, everything in the room abruptly stops, #drama] “Allow me to introduce myself.”

@RonsGirlFriday 31 -

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t ___.”

6 hours ago, RonsGirlFriday said:

My initial assumption was that this means smut content is ok? But I did want to double check because I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, ya dig?

Also, if we ask for a second number, are we permitted to ultimately go back to the first one we were given? And/or are we permitted to just go ahead and use both of them since multiple entries are allowed?

smut is 100% okay!  if you ask for a second number, you can go back to the first one if it vibes with you more, but you can also use both. and if you plan to do multiple entries, you can use one each for two different entries, ask for a third if you're planning to do three, even use the same one across the board if that's what you want to do. i'm here for the Chaos and those decisions won't affect judging! i just wanted to cap two quotes for everyone unless they're thinking of doing a third so that i don't run out  aka: when i was making my list i pretty much handpicked everything and deliberated whether they were versatile enough without being overly basic,, it took me like two hours oops

@northbound24 26 -

“It’s quiet… Too quiet.”

@prideofprewett 30 -

“You guys are gonna want to see this.”

@MalfoysAngel 19 -

“If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it already.”

@Ameripuff i actually don't have anything that starts with "let's do this" - but i have something similar enough, if you want me to give you that one? 

 

Spoiler

3 - RogueSlytherin
4 - maraudertimes
7 - Felpata_Lupin
9 - Hawksquill
12 - Raspberry_cordelia [2]
17 - abhorsen.
19 - MalfoysAngel
21 - kuusi palaa
23 - page thirteen.
24 - Raspberry_cordelia [1]
26 - northbound24
27 - VaguelyCreativeName
30 - prideofprewett
31 - RonsGirlFriday
33 - tinyporcelainehorses
# - Ameripuff

= 15*