Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

To tell the judge I'd penetrated hidden note
I made my coded answer scan
And messaged, personal, the plan
To point out secret meaning in the piece she wrote

Troy falls, in title and in truth
Horse taming Trojans are no more
But is a swan responsible for lack of ruth?
Can we lay Helen's charm at Zeus' door?
When Aphrodite, Parisienne, descends
No male resists, and so the age of heroes ends

But then, quoth she:

Don't leave that excellent riposts here -- go post it in the comments thread where it belongs so everyone can see it!!

And I, obedient as is my wont
Shall follow my instructions, post my fudge
Then leave, to drown myself in Hellespont.

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Chris,

Wonderful erudite poetry. It makes this poor Parson realize that his education included both Greek and Hebrew, my classical myths are sorely lacking.

(This was a completely new meaning of ruth for me. I am impressed!)

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

As in 'ruthless', which I couldn't make scan. (Nor 'obedient', unfortunately, and 'Parisienne' has to be pronounced in French)

It is unfortunate I am not the poet in our family (we specialise in each generation. I'm maths, physics and some logic, while hopeless at languages or communication. Anything to do with humans, actually. My sister, the bright one of the family, is the poet, and the one who would have been most use on the site, but was intelligent enough to stay away.) I know the rules, and can versify (does that make me verseatile?) but it needs to be humorous; no serious thoughts need apply.

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

For those unaware of the definitions of ruth of which Parson was aware (), here's what my OED says:

1. the quality of compationate; pitifulness; the feeling of sorrow for another; compassion, pity.
2. Contrition, repetence, remorse.
3. Sorrow, grief, distress; lamentation.
4. Matter or occasion of sorrow or regret.

A ruth is (or, possibly, was) also a native vehicle or carriage in the Subcontinent.

 

[HareBrain]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

A ruth is (or, possibly, was) also a native vehicle or carriage in the Subcontinent.

Having ridden in a tuk-tuk in New Delhi traffic, I can certainly see how it connects with "distress" and "regret".


Edit: just seen Telford's very amusing piece. Is this the first topical entry we've had?

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Re: the octopus.

I knew Weymouth was a bit odd, but I hadn't realised just how odd.

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I think Telford has just opened up a whole new avenue of stories. Good job!

 

[StormFeather]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

As always there are some really excellent entries this month. More excitingly there are some new names!

Haven't even begun to form a shortlist yet.

Methinks it's going to be a very difficult choice again

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Well, we're up to 39 entries with this good one from Sleepless** so it looks like we might break the 42 barrier this month after all. And yes, another difficult choice for everyone!



** Hello, Sleepless. Good to see your post here and elsewhere. See -- the water's fine when you plunge right in!

 

[chopper]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

well, i'm completely stumped this time around. if i can get work-stress off my back i should be able to contribute, but either way i'll certainly be voting.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Well, we're up to 39 entries with this good one from Sleepless** so it looks like we might break the 42 barrier this month after all. And yes, another difficult choice for everyone!



** Hello, Sleepless. Good to see your post here and elsewhere. See -- the water's fine when you plunge right in!

And Seph's promised one when he gets back from France, and Hillarious' isn't even late yet (for him)…

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Hey! we cold start a book




42:1 the field


FORTY TWO !!!!! ?????


Oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I think your worries are baseless.


(Either that or to base 13).



But are you concerned that the end may not be nigh?

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Yeah, I think we'll be seeing at least the old amount of stories if not a couple more.


HJ usually sweeps in on the last moment, Seph will be bringing one in, and I certainly hope chopper does as well, he usually has pretty good ones.



I wonder if we'll break our universe-answer tradition next month or season, though.....?




And Ursa? 42 isn't divisible by 13. You're thinking of 52.

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Sleepless just might leave me sleepless!! What a monstrous fright!

 

[onebigpotato]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I think 42 is only in base 42? I was lead to believe that numbers in a base system have to be a power of the base number? I decree that we should not comment on stories until this issue is resolved!

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

42 isn't divisible by 13. You're thinking of 52.

I'm thinking of this: Base 13 - Wiki.


It seems unlikely we'll get exactly 54 (base 10) entries this month (and we haven't done so in previous months).
.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

HJ and Wybren usually post their stories late in the month. Seph and Cul are presumably working on theirs. chopper will if the work stress lifts. And then there are all the unknown quantities who may surprise us.

Even though the stories have been coming in more slowly this month, 42 is not looking unreasonable.

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

I was thinking about the writing challenge last night and what an unmitigated benefit it has been (in my eyes, at least). Not only has it shown us the wealth of talent we have here, and opened our eyes to the work of some people who haven't posted much -- if anything at all -- on the Critiques forum, it's pushing each of us to improve, it's brought in new people attracted by the challenge, and it's definitely boosted the sense of community in Aspiring Writers. I love the chit-chat here and the discussions about the pieces.

I think we can all be jolly well proud of ourselves -- Teresa most of all for being godmother to the whole enterprise.

 

[Culhwch]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- July & August

Seph and Cul are presumably working on theirs.

I still have a week, don't I? Plenty of time...

I was thinking about the writing challenge last night and what an unmitigated benefit it has been (in my eyes, at least). Not only has it shown us the wealth of talent we have here, and opened our eyes to the work of some people who haven't posted much -- if anything at all -- on the Critiques forum, it's pushing each of us to improve, it's brought in new people attracted by the challenge, and it's definitely boosted the sense of community in Aspiring Writers. I love the chit-chat here and the discussions about the pieces.

I think we can all be jolly well proud of ourselves -- Teresa most of all for being godmother to the whole enterprise.

Indeed, it has been a very successful enterprise and one that has brought a lot to this little corner of the forums. Another huzzah for Teresa from down here!