Entry #4: "Weird writing"

When writing a story, one might not follow any given structure, template, or prompt. "Weird writing" is what I like to call these forms of writing that deliberately avoid what is typical or expected. An excellent example is the breed of internet campfire stories known as "creepypastas". These stories are often attached to a stigma of poor, unprofessional writing and awkward attempts at horror, but more particularly, I will be discussing one subset of creepypastas that became known as the "SCP Foundation".

If one were to accidentally stumble across the popular website dedicated to "SCP's", they might be immediately immersed in its form of "weird writing".

http://www.scp-wiki.net/

Originally starting as a single creepypasta posted on 4chan, the first article was far different from the usual post. Instead of being a simple story about a scary creature or terrifying hypothetical situation, it was written with very precise, clinical language, in a structured format. Here is an excerpt:

"Item #: SCP-173

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Item SCP-173 is to be kept in a locked container at all times. When personnel must enter SCP-173's container, no fewer than 3 may enter at any time and the door is to be relocked behind them. At all times, two persons must maintain direct eye contact with SCP-173 until all personnel have vacated and relocked the container.

Description: Moved to Site-19 1993. Origin is as of yet unknown. It is constructed from concrete and rebar with traces of Krylon brand spray paint. SCP-173 is animate and extremely hostile. The object cannot move while within a direct line of sight."

This format was incredible, in that it set up a sort of "horror punch-line". As the Sculpture's holding cell is described with specific details, it leads the reader to being making assumptions about what the description will entail before they even read it. This structure spawns dozens of other articles and SCP's with their own designations, item numbers, special containment procedures, etc. before dozens became hundreds, and hundred became thousands. Despite its very unprofessional and obscure beginnings, the SCP Foundation has made its way into the mainstream and is enjoyed by millions of readers, writers, and even gamers, alike.


Speaking of games, another interesting form of "weird writing" is what is known as an "ARG": Alternate Reality Game. These fascinating, and sometimes disturbing, tales are meta upon meta levels of storytelling. The best part is, they can come in just about any form. They can be a series of YouTube videos with a hidden meaning, such as "Poppy",

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JE00xTMBOqKs7o0grFTfQ

or "Petscop".

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZKQv0ZFHpeIUkOtNjtq4KA

Or they can be cryptic websites with even more cryptic messages waiting to be deciphered, such as "Cicada 3301", a sadly discontinued string of puzzles, or "Forgotten Languages",

https://forgottenlanguages-full.forgottenlanguages.org/

a website written in a fictional, decipherable language that leads to references ranging from alchemy, to ancient religion, to science fiction alien technology.


ARG's are a mind-boggling experience that goes far beyond the interactivity of video games, and into the real world where clues might need to be found in real life hidden locations. "Weird writing" is a medium that I hope continues to grow in popularity as it has for the past few decades, and in this world of social media, I predict that it will.