Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[TheDustyZebra]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Ursa your reputation (probably not the right word) preceeds you.
I logged on to the Chrons, checked the Banks thread I started, then opened up the Workshop section and saw there was a new story in the 75 word comp thread. I literally groaned (although bearly audible) when I saw that the new story was Ursa's. Not because thought the story would be of low quality (far from it) It was a pre-pun groan. I hadn't even read it, my mind associates you so thoroughly with puns that I just have to read your name on a message and I start groaning. You should come with a warning!

I'm not even going to comment on the story which was typically punderful btw.

I did exactly the same thing when I saw whose the new story was, Moonbat! One must prepare oneself with anticipatory groaning, lest the system be taken unawares.

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Ursa, Ursa, Ursa, that one had me laughing out loud. The Future certainly is biological!

 

[HareBrain]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I did exactly the same thing when I saw whose the new story was, Moonbat! One must prepare oneself with anticipatory groaning, lest the system be taken unawares.

Following Ursa's "Seven Deadly Sins" entry, as soon as I saw he'd entered a story I was on the emergency frequency to the Townswomen's Guild League of Crossword Solvers -- only to find, when they got to my house, that his story was unexpectedly straightforward. (I still had to give them tea, though -- they insist on a particular, exclusive brand of Garibaldi biscuit baked by a team consisting both of descendants of the Italian insurrectionist and ancestors of the Babylon 5 character).

Anyway, after all that, which I can't be bothered to delete -- Ursa, I don't remember you ever posting a full explanation of your "Masque of the Red Death" story. Any chance of you doing so? (And the story itself, to save me finding it again.)

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

To save taking up valuable screen space, here's a link to the story (which was posted in July):

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/1406781-post35.html
​

And here's what I said about it:

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/1413850-post1004.html

​

I hope that helps, HB.

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I must admit that I misinterpreted the writing challenge for this month. The first thing that came to mind when I read Trick or Treat, was Hallowe'en. So I based my post on that, rather than Trick or Treat. And I must also admit that I feel just a little stupid now... Doh!

Oh well... there's always next month!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

A story about Halloween is fine. It's just that the theme isn't limited to Halloween ... so Mouse was concerned that people might not vote for her story because it wasn't about Halloween.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I didn't necessarily think "Halloween" when I thought T&T, but I do have to say I was at first rather dismayed at Hoopy's theme. Still, I think I covered it fairly well, if fairly generically.

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

My concern was that people might not get the whole "one night a year, when the dead can rise" metaphor, if they were thinking along the lines of Trick or Treat, as opposed to Hallowe'en. But I guess that people will pick up on it anyway... if I've managed to get my point across well enough, with my writing.

Cheers guys.

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

... so Mouse was concerned that people might not vote for her story because it wasn't about Halloween.

That's my excuse rather than 'people just thought it was crap.'

Back to the stories... I think I understand Ursa's this month! It's good!

 

[digs]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Back to the stories... I think I understand Ursa's this month!

Me too! Now it doesn't matter if I don't get any votes this month, I'll still feel like a winner.

That's my excuse rather than 'people just thought it was crap.'

See above.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Ursa your reputation (probably not the right word) preceeds you.

I've been thinking about this, and I believe the word you want is "notoriety."

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Notoriety? That might be a bit weak, TE. How about....infamy?

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I've been thinking about this, and I believe the word you want is "notoriety."

It's true than I'd usually be against an insurrection, insurgency or uprising, even a small, local one, at least in the UK.



(And it seems one or two here have it in for me.... )

 

[Moonbat]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Yes, I think Notoriety is a better word, Infamy is a bit strong.
I'm currently working on a punishment for Ursa

A couple of good new entires, I liked the cross dressing one. When I went back and re-read it I noticed the use of 'dress' which I initially thought of as military attire, but now it reads as an actual dress, maybe even a flowery one. Very good. And poor Mrs Wickwhistle!

 

[Precise Calibre]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I didn't get the impression that it was Mrs. Wickwhistle, I got the impression that the old man Whickwhistle had kidnapped the boys' mothers and was going to be doing something quite distasteful to them in retaliation for their sons' transgressions.

 

[Moonbat]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Oops, yes sorry. I think you're right. Wickwhistle was the old man. My mistake

 

[NAPIER]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Yes, I think Notoriety is a better word, Infamy is a bit strong.
I'm currently working on a punishment for Ursa

A couple of good new entires, I liked the cross dressing one. When I went back and re-read it I noticed the use of 'dress' which I initially thought of as military attire, but now it reads as an actual dress, maybe even a flowery one. Very good. And poor Mrs Wickwhistle!

Hi Moonbat, I was going for a tight black number (Dress) 75 words is far more difficult than it sounds.

 

[J-WO]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

75 words is the the writing equivelent of a tight black number.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I know we're not supposed to critique the entries but come on Napier some of have seen the far side of 50 and our eyes aren't that good, even though we are strapped in with the screen only inches away.

You paint an excellent picture though especially with the extra detail - Everyone should have a little black dress I'm told

 

[NAPIER]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Apologies, I cut and paste from Word as my spelling is rubbish. On the plus side I have hopefully learnt from my mistake and I successfully fought the urge to use giant letters in my reply.
I have reread your stories both of which I enjoyed the pied piper works particularly well in this context. Not entirely sure what I made of the Carousel, It did however bring a huge smile to my face!
I am new to this site (and all forums) and have been really surprised by the high level of involvement and how much I enjoyed reading all the different stories triggered by this month’s theme.