Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[Michael01]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Ah. Okay. Thank you, Teresa!

 

[No One]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I deserved that!

Just completing the tag-team effort is all

And yes- thank you Teresa (or rather, Hi first, then thank you)

 

[Precise Calibre]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I have my choices narrowed down to five entries right now. Gonna be hard to pick from those, and there's still plenty of days to go for more entries...

 

[J Riff]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I like Yuhr story too, PC.

Maybe after a year or so, there could be a vote and the top fifty or hundred stories could be published and begin climbing the bestseller list, to the vast enrichment of all.
Seriously though, I'm just looking at Lord Dunsany here- 51 Tales, and so far many are 100-300 words.
I don't know if there's any of 75 words or less, but I'll bet that lots of the stories in here could benefit by being tweaked up to 80-100 words, if needed- which it sometimes, usually, or often isn't- by their respective authors, to produce even more highly-refined gem-like tales of wonder, worthy of publication after long deliberation and careful editing by their loving creators, based on sage advice from professional and caring individuals who are expert in all matters SF and F,( and some H) as well as linguistically, gramatically and punctuationally adept, the kind of people who can spot a run-on sentence a mile away, which could then be released, and actually sold to, say, people like me, who are suckers for short story anthologies.

 

[crystal haven]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

So many wonderful and different entries all inspired by just one word. How am I supposed to choose, when my shortlist is getting longer?

Thanks for the mention, J Riff. I'm so pleased my little story entertained.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Mouse, your entries are never bad. I suspect you are having a crisis of confidence because you didn't get as many votes as usual last month. I'm sure it wasn't the quality (which was very high).

Aw thanks. I knew as soon as I posted my entry last month though, that it was a mistake to post it. Unfortunately I can't do 'clever,' I can only do silly!

Besides, I should be trying harder anyway. This is supposed to be a challenge, and I haven't been challenging myself. So now my options for this month have gone up to six (wrote an extra one last night!) although one of them is still uber crap. I have three first person VP stories and (gasp) three third person VP stories. I really want to post a third person story, but my first person ones are just better. Dammit!

And now I have to go as the pup is eating my cardi.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

You do clever very well, Mouse. All your stories have been clever.

 

[The Procrastinator]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Very clever in fact. I wish I could do clever like Mouse - or HB, or Hoopy - always good on the clever front! But - I can't!

However I am now glad that I only ever write one story. It seems there is an upside to a lack of ideas after all.

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Aw thanks. I knew as soon as I posted my entry last month though, that it was a mistake to post it. Unfortunately I can't do 'clever,' I can only do silly!

You don't do Clever!! Then there is no hope at all for the rest of us!

Mouse, I thought your stories ranked in there with the most clever I've ever read. I'll never look at the Seven Dwarfs story the same way again. And then a "transformed" angel who likes to leave "something" behind. Both of those images are pretty near unforgettable, and hopelessly clever.

 

[Erin99]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I have three first person VP stories and (gasp) three third person VP stories. I really want to post a third person story, but my first person ones are just better. Dammit!

Mouse, if you really like one of your stories but it's in the wrong POV and/or tense, try changing it. It may still work:

They say that if you find a feather on your doorstep you’ve had a visit from an angel.

Personally, he blamed the birds. Whenever he visited someone he tried to leave more than a feather, otherwise what was the point?

Not that he had feathers to leave. Not any more. He had a tendency to... misbehave. He’d had his wings stripped away. Punishment, you see.

But he won’t stop. He’s a demon in bed.​

--That works, IMHO, and the switch into present at the end seems to work, too. And the quirky narrator works, as well.

Or:

They say that if you find a feather on your doorstep you’ve had a visit from an angel.

Personally, he blames the birds. Whenever he visits someone he tries to leave a little more than a feather, otherwise what’s the point?

Not that he has feathers to leave. Not any more. He has a tendency to... misbehave. He had his wings stripped away. Punishment, you see.

But he won’t stop. He’s a demon in bed.​

 

[HoopyFrood]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Very clever in fact. I wish I could do clever like Mouse - or HB, or Hoopy - always good on the clever front! But - I can't!

Oh, my goodness. It never feels clever. I just get an idea, write it, and hope for the best. Thank you





Although I think you're just saying it because I've written about bears...

 

[Sephiroth]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Which, in itself, was clever. That's two votes sewn up, already.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

You do clever very well, Mouse. All your stories have been clever.

Thanks! Never as clever as you guys.

Very clever in fact. I wish I could do clever like Mouse - or HB, or Hoopy - always good on the clever front! But - I can't!

Again, thank you!!

Mouse, I thought your stories ranked in there with the most clever I've ever read. I'll never look at the Seven Dwarfs story the same way again. And then a "transformed" angel who likes to leave "something" behind. Both of those images are pretty near unforgettable, and hopelessly clever.

Thank you, Parson.

Mouse, if you really like one of your stories but it's in the wrong POV and/or tense, try changing it.

Ah, cool! Cheers. See, why didn't I think of that?! Your versions sounded way better.


You guys are all too nice! There's no way my stories are as good as half the ones people on this site have written. I don't know enough words!

 

[HareBrain]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I don't know enough words!

You only need 75.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Preferably 75 intelligent words like... uh...

 

[HoopyFrood]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I love how there are so many different styles. There are those like Mouse or Hare who seem to have clear, excellent plots that culminate so well. And then I'm always in awe of the beautiful and evocative pieces that people like Teresa, Leisha, Seph and HJ and many others write, where every word seems to have been considered,measured, altered (even though it feels like sometimes there's a real deeper meaning there that's just making a slight whistling noise as it passes over my head). And as said before, it's awesome to see so many different variations from one simple theme.

 

[Erin99]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August



Hoopy, you just made my YER!

YER???

YEAR!!!

MY YEAR, YOU MADE IT!

Thank you!

I'm always in awe of everyone else's work, especially the ones who have seemingly, effortlessly added beautiful descriptions to what is already a good story. I think a beautiful description does it for me. Humour can work, too. Or a shocking, bad ending.

Oops. Better be getting to bed, anyway - up at the crack of dawn... if I can get to sleep!

P.S. Hoopy, you rock!

 

[HoopyFrood]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

P.S. Hoopy, you rock!

Well, I have been known to do a little rocking, a little raving, and even a little moshing in my time.

And YER is just YEAH!! with an accent. Totally acceptable.

 

[Sephiroth]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Thanks for the mention, Hoops. I must say, I've thoroughly enjoyed your last couple of entries. Both have made me chuckle.



I'm still not happy enough with my story to post it, this month. I need to change the ending, I think, It feels a bit flat. I'll have to post it from France, instead. (We're back on the 22nd. I suppose I'd have 36 hours or so to post it when I get home, if the worst came to the worst.)

Last time I rushed into posting a story just before flying to France, it didn't work out so well, so I think I'll give myself a bit more time to let this one stew.


Looking forward to reading the rest of the entries as they come in.

 

[No One]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Agreed with Hoopy. I've been reading through many, if not most, of the entries today and thought they established a brilliant cross-section of different approaches. Really interesting stuff.

Keep up the good work!