Have Stress, Need Snugglin'

[Chairubplay]

I've got a prompt in the works (surprise, surprise) featuring Alpha Dave (an even bigger surprise) who may or may not be two flashsteps away from a nervous breakdown from a combination of work-related stress and bouts of sleep deprivation typical to my particular brand of Strider prompts. The only problem is the one thing of which every writer lives in fear:

El Diablo Blanco.

That blank white page.

To clarify, I'm not sure where I should start (at his workplace? His home?) and how I'll introduce a character without autoing them into a role they may not want. It's reasonable to assume that they'd know Dave, but how close should they be? An acquaintance, a significant other, a childhood friend?

And of course, I'll need a kick in the pants to actually start the dang thing, but I'd like to figure out the details first and have a solid plan of attack rather than bumbling into it.

[Peridot]

Chairubplay

Starting off at work (or on break?) would probably be a good idea, depending on where he worked. I'm guessing somewhere with people that would try and interact with him.

Someone could startle the hell out of him, or he walks out of work because he's already this close to breaking down he doesn't need [insert dumb shit the coworker is doing that is gonna piss the boss off more than him leaving] and someone follow him out all "dude you ok", I'm guessing Dave doesn't make a habit of just walking out on work.

That way the other character could be a work friend, a complete stranger (if he goes elsewhere to try and chill out) or someone who's seen him around work but not really talked with him before.

[Ben Stiller]

i second that idea, break's a good time for characters to meet and i think most people are gonna favor joining as a (relative) stranger rather than an acquaintance or closer friend 'cause its way easier not to Assume Shit about dave

good things that qualify as break:
goin out for a smoke
goin out for a Nutrient
goin out to walk the streets like a man possessed
locking yourself in a bathroom stall to Have a Feeling while strangers walk in, do their business, and walk out awkwardly

(sorry if this is useless lmao tbh i just wanna learn how forums work, havent touched this shit since neopets)

[Chairubplay]

From The Big Man himself.........................

I'm honoured. Thanks to both of you for the advice!

[Debbie Does Dallas]

Apr 19, 2016 15:29:03 GMT Chairubplay said:

From The Big Man himself.........................

I LAUGHED SO HARD I STARTED MUTTLEY WHEEZING.

S T O P    T H I S.

[Chairubplay]

[Ben Stiller]

[Debbie Does Dallas]

IT KEEPS HAPPENING