Contrived

"Contrived" is a word that is meant to signal how games are synthetic, created by people.

Against Exceptionalism: A New Approach to Games 2006

"Contrived" can be a dangerous word to apply to a story, because, though all stories are contrived in some way or another, people like their stories to feel like a window on a possible world, even though, if we pause to stop for a moment and think about it, we know we're being sold a bag of air.

Archive 2004-11-01 2004

"Contrived" can be a dangerous word to apply to a story, because, though all stories are contrived in some way or another, people like their stories to feel like a window on a possible world, even though, if we pause to stop for a moment and think about it, we know we're being sold a bag of air.

Short Cuts 2004

"Contrived" shows up in many reviews, even the positive ones.

unknown title 2009

Robert Gibbs Gets Testy with Press; Says They "Contrived"

Latest Articles 2009

Contrived in that it would lack supporting memories, such as having been in San Francisco.

World Wide Mind Michael chorost 2011

Contrived in that it would lack supporting memories, such as having been in San Francisco.

World Wide Mind Michael chorost 2011

Contrived group dancing meant the probability of a handsome guy asking me to dance was nada, but the bigger problem was my feet.

Glimpses: Cuernavaca, Mexico, June 2005 Francine McKenna 2011

Contrived to be self-effacing, the book and its author have received kind reviews and interviews, like the one recently in The New York Times that reveals a gushing bouquet of envy by a writer who appears to fondly wish she, too, had parked her shoes at the foot of Kennedy's bed, any bed.

Warren Adler: Chick Lit is Dead, Lover Lit is In Warren Adler 2012

Contrived to be self-effacing, the book and its author have received kind reviews and interviews, like the one recently in The New York Times that reveals a gushing bouquet of envy by a writer who appears to fondly wish she, too, had parked her shoes at the foot of Kennedy's bed, any bed.

Warren Adler: Chick Lit is Dead, Lover Lit is In Warren Adler 2012