1. Intro. What Was The Shifty McGee’s Torch Relay?
Imagine a race where the focus isn’t on how many miles you run, but on the time you dedicate to something creative. That’s what the Shifty McGee’s Torch Relay was: an event where each “shifter” brought their unique touch, whether through writing, editing, or planning, allowing us to explore our creativity in a collaborative environment. The mix of imagination, teamwork, and, of course, a little chaos, defined the event.
It all began with a simple idea: “What if we organized a writing relay?” What we didn’t know was that, weeks later, we found ourselves surrounded by spreadsheets filled with time zones and late-night messages, struggling to coordinate everyone’s schedules. Let’s look behind the scenes to see how this idea turned into a one-of-a-kind experience that left us eager to do it again.
2. The Chaos of Organizing It
They say creativity thrives in chaos, but organizing the Shifty McGee’s Torch Relay was more like trying to choreograph a flash mob in the middle of a storm. Unlike other events, we decided this one should be flexible, just like RAWR, to reduce the pressure on participants and ensure everyone had fun.
However, flexibility brought a challenge: our community comprises people from all over the world, and time zone differences could be a real headache. At first, coordinating schedules seemed like an impossible puzzle, until Kae, with their talent, achieved what many of us thought was impossible using Airtable. They designed a system that automatically adjusts for time zones, providing an immediate view of available and booked calendar slots during registration. Thanks to this, we ensured everyone could take part, no matter their location. Their contribution was invaluable; we couldn’t have managed the October and November relays so smoothly without them.
Even with a solution in place, the chaos didn’t stop there. As the start time drew near, we repeatedly reviewed the sign-up sheet to confirm coverage for all shifts. Thanks to the support of Kae, Empress Theodora, and others, we quickly filled the gaps and made sure everything was in place, though it wasn’t easy.
Daily announcements to ensure everyone saw the updates were in place. Despite our joking suggestion of using a fire truck siren, many participants readily volunteered extra hours to cover everything. Others signed up as backups to help if anyone couldn’t make it. But this was just the beginning. Coffee became our fuel, though chocolate, tea, and many other things helped shape the team spirit we were building.
3. Team Spirit in Action
Some participants settled comfortably in their chairs, while others opted for pen and paper. Regardless of the medium they chose, everyone shared a unique energy that lit up the torch and sparked the magic of the relay.
Similar events often focus on competition, forming groups, and seeing who can write the most words without losing momentum. On this occasion, at Rogue Writers, we prioritized the flexibility and well-being of our participants. That’s why we aimed to make it accessible to anyone who wanted to be part of it, ensuring every moment was unique and enjoyable.
The key to maintaining the momentum was as simple as “passing the torch” and “accepting it,” keeping the energy constantly moving as participants took their turns. Some even added fun GIFs, making each moment unique.
Generosity was another pleasant surprise of the event. Community members shared their extra time to enable those who hadn’t registered to take part. After all, this was an event where we aimed not just to write, but to bond with those around us.
Weeks have passed since then, and new ideas have been coming up on how we can make the next relay as special as these first experiences.
4. Here come the commentators!
Our commentators’ voices made Shifty McGee’s Torch Relay especially memorable. The commentators didn’t just react live; they also offered moments of humor, witty remarks, and surprises that had us all in stitches.
Each commentator brought a unique personality, and their energy made the event even more endearing. As the shifts went on, the interaction between commentators created such a warm atmosphere that it was impossible not to feel like part of something special. Although participants usually receive awards, the commentators definitely deserve the “Best Narrative Propaganda Squad” one, too. For those who couldn’t enjoy the live commentary, we invite you to read the bios of these narrative geniuses who made everything so unique.
Meet the Commentators
“Once, everyone thought Astoria Laurence was going to be the next big thing. And then she flunked out of university (where she was doing a double major of Journalism and Global Media Communications), disappearing to parts unknown. Resurfacing some years later at the first Shifty McGee Torch Relay, where she attempted to make use of her incomplete university knowledge, it soon became apparent that Astoria was plagued by inexplicable bad luck.”
“It would be easy to dismiss Bozo as nothing more than Astoria’s hapless cameraman, and we’re going to have to. When pressed for details, Bozo was heard to say, ‘I dunno, I just started helping Miss Laurence one day’.”
“The Backup Dragon is currently digesting three cows, a steer and an accidental bicycle and will be interviewed for their biography when next available. In the meantime, we can confirm their age is indeed a little under 700 years and that their interest in the reproducibility of information began with a close involvement in the development of Gutenberg’s first printing press. Legendarily, they sat on the first few print runs to transfer the ink until Gutenberg’s new screw press arrived in Strasbourg.”
“John Smith is one of the nation’s most beloved sports commentators. For years, fans of all ages could rely on his direct but fair narration over sports from junior woggleball to the cattle jousting premier league. He recently spent time under the care of his grandma Felicity after an undisclosed dragon incident led to him having a breakdown that shattered the hearts of many. Though in true phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes fashion Smith, now under the guise of Jimmy Smooth, graced our screens again keen to never leave us wanting for his off-the-cuff humour and unique brand of professionalism.”
“Rapa Brassi is a veteran relay commentator with over two decades of professional experience. After the Nanosian Empire’s collapse, the imperial relay league fired its commentators. Brassi took a job with Rogue Nation’s relay league and has been with them ever since. Any accusations of Brassi being involved in illicit syrup dealing are completely spurious.”
“Ruta Saltiva is a legendary relay sprinter and the subject of the famous relay film, “Ruta.” Ruta’s projected age and identity vary while commentating because of the use of Lingua Fragra, but she is in fact a seventy-nine years young four time individual points championship winner. Saltiva offers no comment as to current personal events in the news other than it’s called a turn lane for a reason and if you wanted to go straight, maybe you should have thought of that beforehand.”
6. Why Was It So Memorable?
In the end, beyond the organization and the writing, what made us the most proud was the team spirit and the connection between participants. We couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible teamwork that brought this event to life. If anyone asked why they should join the next Shifty McGee’s Torch Relay, we’d tell them that creativity knows no boundaries, and mutual support is truly magic.
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