Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[HareBrain]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Good entry, Judge. I haven't picked it apart for the hidden things (though I "got" the title), but it works very well without them. Densely textured, and a chill of real darkness at the end. Makes me look at your avatar in another light ...

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Samwise? Um... a Kenyan Welshman?! I think I'm more confused!

You and me both, Mouse. I am withholding judgement as to whether Ursa's guess re the literary puzzle is right until such time as I understand his hint!**

Meantime, don't sweat the hidden things, the story is straightforward-ish (though the other half didn't understand it either, but then I haven't written a story so far which he did understand... )

Thanks for the mentions, No One and HareBrain. I hadn't thought of Faust for the revelling I have to admit, and the literary reference relates to a much more recent work than that.




** which reminds me. I never castigated him for the clues about your "A Face Mogul" -- I was on the right track to decipering the anagram until his "helpful" intervention, and it took me another week to get back to it!! I need training wheels where Ursa's clues are concerned -- though I have finally cottoned onto the Sylvia Holzmann of his story today.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I'm to be castigated? (Wasn't the threat of dunking enough?)

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

And if you, TJ and Mouse, are puzzled by Ursa's hints, only think what it is like for those of us across the water. There are so many jokes flying around in this thread that make no sense, even when thoroughly explained, to those of us who do not have the points of reference that every British schoolchild knows.

I like your story, TJ. Now off to look for the hidden things.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Perhaps we need yet another parallel thread where the jokes in the comments on the challenge entries are dissected.



(A nice private thread where we can admit that some of the jokes never did, and never will, make sense. )

 

[mosaix]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

There are so many jokes flying around in this thread that make no sense, even when thoroughly explained, to those of us who do not have the points of reference that every British schoolchild knows.

I've live in the UK 64 years, TE and most of them are a mystery to me as well.

 

[Allanon]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

For every story that pops up this month my job of voting is getting harder and harder! listen up people, we need some really bad stories adding from now so my brain doesn't go into overload from having too much excellent material to read!!

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I think it may have more to do with Frodo's friend and the shadow of a certain Kenyan** "Welshman".

It's no good. I've googled Jones, Jenkins and Evans until my fingers hurt, looking for shadows and Kenya, and I'm still no nearer. C'mon, Ursa, more clues. (Oh. The humiliation. Needing clues to my own story...)

I like your story, TJ. Now off to look for the hidden things.

Thanks. Found them yet?

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

If you google "shadow welshman kenyan", the answer's in the first ten responses. (A less masculine request gives the answer straight away.... )



If you want to take another approach - one more personal to you - look at your Visitor Messages.

 

[Culhwch]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Good god, it's the nineteenth already! Why do I keep doing this to myself!?!?!

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Ursa, no wonder I was confused. I thought it was the novel you were hinting at!

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

All I can think of is: I, Robot, Will Smith...

I think it may have more to do with Frodo's friend and the shadow of a certain Kenyan** "Welshman".

Sorry, but as "recalled" above, I was responding directly to Mouse's comment about the title ("I, Shaman" reminding her of "I, Robot").


But I can now see why you were baffled by my later posts.

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Actually, Mouse wasn't wrong, either, except it wasn't the film I was thinking of (but that was the "trick" novel, since it was so easy).

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Fair enough (although the book isn't a novel, but a collection of short stories**).








** - All of which are also to be found in The Complete Robot, for those wanting to read them. This includes one story - not found in I, Robot - called Point of View; ironic given that as the stories are from earlier times, they don't confirm to current POV "standards".

 

[Boneman]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

For every story that pops up this month my job of voting is getting harder and harder! listen up people, we need some really bad stories adding from now so my brain doesn't go into overload from having too much excellent material to read!!

I should be able to help you out, soon - still not an idea, not one...

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Actually, Mouse wasn't wrong, either, except it wasn't the film I was thinking of (but that was the "trick" novel, since it was so easy).

I was about to 'yay!' until you finished with the 'so easy.'

 

[Moonbat]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I really want to know what the title of Reiver's film is going to be.
Quite a dark entry from J Riff, but gives an interesting meaning to trick or treat

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

I'm not sure if I'd call J Riff's dark or darkly realistic. What I surely would call it is good.

 

[nixie]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Would like to point out that JRiff's Wally and mouldy old basement are a coincidence and nothing to with Wally the crocodile who is doorman for the chronicles basement...

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- September and October

Two new Challengers, and *sound of trumpets and general acclaim* we have our 100th entrant in itstito!



Tuckets!

For the last 90 minutes I've been trying to remember a word which I was convinced was a cross between sonnets** and plackets and which related to trumpets on ceremonial occasions. So: *let the tuckets ring*



** I'm not sure where the sonnets came from*** but "Let the sonnets ring" sounded good...


*** Shakespeare, probably