Call for Things! New Serial Story!

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Monday, March 31, 2025

Victorian 1900 Newspaper boy

Hello, everyone.  I’m posting a couple of days early, because I want to give myself some extra time before the end of this week.  I’ve tried and failed, and tried… and failed again.  Almost tried, but failed to even almost…   Read on, and you’ll understand.
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 Writing serial stories driven by random reader things is what established this blog.   I did at least ten long-running blog serials where I invited readers to leave sets of three random things, and then I let the story flow to wherever those items took my imagination.             Eventually, my C-PTSD problems prevented me coping with the serials.  However, I’ve missed working with everyone to create them.  In fact, I’ve missed it so very much, that I’m going to try again.  So… 

Extra! Extra! Call for Things!

Your random reader things, will inspire most of the story and characters.  However,  I’m supplying a few parameters.   Your “things” must be suitable to the following: 
  • Time: around or a little after 1900.  (That’s right after the Victorian Era, which was 1837 – 1901.)
  • Setting: the USA, probably Washington, DC
  • Genre: some kind of spy or espionage story
Think before leaving your things.  They must exist by or before 1901.
Teagan via Night Cafe
Teagan via Night Cafe
Random Is Important
Remember — 3 random things.  By “random” I mean unrelated things.  Don’t leave three things that basically tie together to make a setting or story.   For instance, do not leave: walking, road, horizon.  You’re telling a story.   Also, multi-word items are okay, but please use some restraint.  If it takes a sentence to name a thing, then you’ll annoy me…      Do use.  Here are some examples of types of things.  You might use one from three of the example types — but you don’t have to.  Use your imagination — the things need not be basic.  These are simply very general guidelines.
  • general object (like a string or a plate)
  • personal object  (such as a pocket watch)
  • food  (an orange or a dish)
  • something from nature (like flowers or dirt)
  • inventions (Wonderful, but first make sure they were invented by 1900.  For heaven’s sake, don’t leave something like a microwave.  Yes, that has been done for past serials.  If you won’t make sure a thing is appropriate to the time, then don’t leave it.)
Parlor, Empress of Little Rock, Wikipedia
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One admonition.  Over the years readers have tried to “stump” me.  At least one has openly admitted it.  This is not a “stump the author” game.  I’m very offended by that. This is a chance for us to interact, to collaborate, to enjoy playing with a story together— not for a few people to inflate their own egos.   If you can’t respect me, then at least have a little respect for yourself.
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Leave your “3 random reader things” in a comment.  I plan to post the first episode this weekend. Friendly comments are welcome.  Hugs!

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Of course, here’s the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers: a Cornelis Drebbel Adventure

Universal Purchase Links

E-book:  relinks.me/B0F1KWXJ5P
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Paperback:  relinks.me/B0F1KVQGFR
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Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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92 thoughts on “Call for Things! New Serial Story!”

  2. Pingback: Glitchy Research – Teagan's Books
  5. Pingback: New Serial: Dance of Discord — Episode 1 – Teagan's Books

    1. Come on, Rebecca — give me 3 things. That way I get to feature your blog. 😀

      Think of the streets, the smells, the sounds of 1900 to 1908 or so. Now — what are the first 3 things that pop into your head?

      Thanks for your encouragement. Hugs on the wing.

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      1. How about Vibrant, bustling, and aromatic. I see these words when I imagine the lively streets filled with the sounds of horse-drawn carriages, the chatter of pedestrians, and the enticing smells of street vendors selling fresh bread and roasted chestnuts. Looking forward to the read!!! Hugs and more hugs coming to you on speedy wings!

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  10. If you set it in New York City, you could incorporate the elevated trains – two stories up! – and also the newsboy strike in 1899 against Hearst’s and Pultizer’s newpapers.

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    1. LOL, Denise, I must be in a juvenile mood this week. Tim made me laugh with a horse poop scooper, and now I’m laughing about an outhouse. Haha, I guess his things will need to follow yours. Seriously though, these are good things. Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs.

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  13. I appreciate your willingness to try again with your serial storytelling despite the challenges you’ve faced. Your dedication to creating an interactive experience with us is admirable. I’m excited to see where this new story takes us and I appreciate the parameters you’ve set to help guide our contributions. Thank you for sharing your creative process with us.

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    1. I started doing these three things stories a long time ago, Barbara. It’s fun for everyone to get to participate. I’ve seen the peg dolls, but would never have thought of them. A great set of random things. Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs.

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  17. Yay, I’m glad you’re going to give your serial series another try.

    Thing is, whatever ends up, you tried. A terrific story could come of all this!

    So, I’ve already left 3 things, and I will leave another trio.

    The Gentlewoman (a woman’s magazine that ran from 1890 -1926)

    Horse Action Saddle (an at home simulator of horse riding)

    Eau de Nil ( a pale green colour wildly popular at the end of the 19th century)

    Hugs!

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    1. I appreciate that encouragement Resa. I actually have an old story (that I wasn’t satisfied with) that will probably be a rewrite for this — plus a lot more… still a lot of work, but at least it will give me an outline that helps me work faster. Ideas from various “things” here are twirling around in my head for how to begin the story. Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs again.

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  19. The Phonograph – (Invented by Edison in 1877, but flooded the market in the 1890’s)

    Roses – In particular (if applicable) the Madame Isaac Pereire Rose – A deep shade of pink, this rose has a strong, spicy fragrance that was favoured by the Victorians. It was introduced in 1881. At any rate, the Victorians were mad about roses.

    Lenox China – ( https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/antiques-collectibles/antique-lenox-china )

    I’m coming back!

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    1. All wonderful things, Resa. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you showing the verifications for your things. I was so ridiculously tired last night after looking up most of the ones from other people to confirm them. Huge hugs to you and Misha.

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        1. I verify everything, even when I think I know. That’s from 20 years writing communications and other things that absolutely had to be correct. I learned not to prove myself right because one can almost always do that (the sources might not be right though). If something was going to be correct, I had to set out to prove myself *wrong*. 🙂

          But you not only told me that you had checked (which I would have accepted, especially from you), you also showed me.

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          1. Aww, thank you for the trust and respect, Teagan!
            Now, I’ll try even harder.
            All the years I worked in film, my motto for my department was – You can never ask the same question too many times!

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  21. I am so glad you’re going to make the attempt, Teagan. That might be because I’m reading The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers and this is how that story began. I offer for your consideration: Safety razor, tea bad, fountain pen

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    1. Thanks, Dan. I’m already worn out and 3/4ths blind from confirming the “things.” But I’m delighted with the response from everyone. I have my “things matrix” set up and ready to populate with things and blog addresses. LOL, I’m too geared up for 10:30 PM. A Martini is in order. Cheers and hugs!

      PS: Tea bags weren’t until 1908… (unless you have something that says otherwise, but I can use tea instead.

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    1. It’s good to see you, Chris. Ha! Love the idea of the sewer system. A lot (maybe most) of DC’s original, 200 year old sewer system is still in place. It seemed like there were water main breaks every few days. Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs.

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  25. I tried sending a comment, but WordPress was not very cooperative today. Found, stuffed between the seat rails of a bench in Lafayette Park, April 1st, 1901: a half-smoked cigar, a torn portion of a British 1 pound note, and a feather from a bluejay.

    I hope I have adhered to your instructions.

    Bruce Antion Sent from my iPad

    BA

    …“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

    Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus

    “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss, The Lorax.

    >

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    1. It’s good to see you, Bruce. Thanks for putting up with the dastardly deeds from WordPress. I appreciate how much trouble they can be. (Believe me…)

      Ooooo those are evocative things. I really like the torn pound note. The cigar also reminds me to use the sense of smell in writing. Love the Lorax quote. Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs.

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        1. Absolutely. They’re great things. I’m not sure whose things will be used first — I don’t go in any particular order when I’m lucky enough to have several sets to inspire the first episode. LOL, but my mind won’t let go of that torn pound note… 😀

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      2. No worries, Teagan. I just wanted to make sure I covered all your requirements. I look forward to reading the serial. 😎

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      3. No worries, Teagan. I just wanted to be sure I met all your requirements. I look forward to reading the serial.

        BA

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  27. Great news, Teagan! Soooooo exciting! I am having a cold, so I’m not sure I’m particularly inspired, but I’ll try, anyway. I’m sure you’ll get many suggestions, but I’ll leave you some, even if my brain is a bit slow today: a safe (or a strongbox), a lorgnette, a vacuum cleaner. (This last one is from 1901, so I’m not sure it will fit in, but I wonder what people must have thought of the first ones)!

    Good luck with this new adventure, Teagan. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes. ♥

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    1. Hi, Olga. Thank you, thank you for letting me know you looked up the vacuum cleaner. Confirming the dates of the item/inventions is exhausting. That was a big help. Since I haven’t started, I can be flexible about the date. Besides… with a date that close, it could also be a patent. Maybe there’s some industrial espionage. Big hugs.

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        1. Ugh! I understand and I’m sorry. I have awful sinus allergies too. Thus year my slight asthma has gotten pretty awful on top of it. The unrelenting dust storms are making me miserable. There’s another coming today… Take good care of you. 🤗

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