Discussing the Writing Challenges -- November and December 2010

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

We certainly have done worse. I'm around, aren't I?



Well, okay, in a little while I won't be for a week, but hey, I have to go.



I may not be able to vote this month.....

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

We've reached the mystic number again, with a fine story by another new participant.

(I believe that TDZ saved you the trouble of exerting your mesmeric powers, Judge, by recruiting this writer in advance.)

It's so nice to see so many different interpretations on a theme again this month.

 

[Boneman]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

WILL YOU ALL PLEASE STOP IT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!

How the hell am I supposed to vote for ONE story? I've just read JWO's and the new guy's, and I can't even begin to make a shortlist when it's impossible to separate every new story from the last 38!!!

Karn, where are you going camping? I think I'll join you, and be relieved of the stress of trying to choose a story this month....

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I'm going to end up with a kind of Crufts short list, eg first prize for waggiest tail alongside first prize for floppiest ears**, all battling it out to be Supreme Champion.


**OK, that might not be how they do it at Crufts, but it works well enough at the local fetes

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

See? Everyone mocks me for my spreadsheet with boxes for tail wag, glossy coat, ear droop, obedience, grammar respect et cetera (et cetera, et cetera) but when comparing oranges with eggs and tennis balls it at least gives a framework to hang one's prejudices on.

And the fact that last month's tied winners were within 2% of each other at the head suggests it's not that inaccurate.

And, unlike some of us, a judge should have experience in being - well, judgmental.

(All right, I mark exam papers. Which is why I've settled on the analytic, rather than waiting for the rush of enthusiasm for just one piece.)

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

When it comes to voting, I first take out all the ones I don't get, which leaves me with about four or five, then I read through those again and pick which one I like best! To quote that stupid meerkat 'simples!'

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Dear Apodemus sylvaticus (aka "European Wood Mouse" --- Cool ascription.)

I think I understand most all the stories this go around. Not too many allusions to classical mythology (I'm about to find our two frequent mods here guilty of showing off their literary education!) So how am I to use your plan? Ursa's is far to mathematical for a mere History and Social Studies Major. Okay, I do have an M Div, but that does not qualify me for anything mathematical. For example how do you put J WO's great story along with Teresa's Lear?

My frustration level is high indeed. I may have to go into some sort of prophetic trance.

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Mathematical?

(Seriously, I'm puzzled.)







* Wonders: would Mouse understand my tale? *

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Yes, mathematical. Spread sheets are full of math, and then trying to value each of various and sundry parts as 2 or 3 or 4 or 44, is more than this poor parson can cogitate.

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Oh, you mean Chrispy's spreadsheet, not my non-mathematical story.

 

[Parson]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Parson sheepishly exits the halls of Chrons, muttering something about old age and shortness of memory. Also has to get to the wedding scheduled this afternoon.

I can hardly bare the weight.

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I can only hope that the local sheriff doesn't look too unkindly on the bride when she finds herself married to her father.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I don't understand J Wo's or Ursa's. Sorry. Can't brain today.

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I can see why my story may not be entirely obvious - while there's nothing hidden or clever**, the reader is encouraged to work out the nature of one of the POVs - but J-WO's is all there in the text, with no need to go searching for quotes or anything.

 

[Mouse]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I still have no idea what it's about though. If it's referring to a story that already exists then I don't know it, unfortunately!

edit: ok, I read glass cup as gold cup! Now it makes more sense.

 

[chrispenycate]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I don't feel I can complain about Mouse's voting technique – after all, it did garner a vote for one of my undeserving little offerings – as long as it is balanced by a diversity of different methods.

Which is almost inevitable, seeing that the same diversity in writing will later be voting.

I do have a mild distaste for the person who tosses a coin (or, even worse, rolls a die) but this is largely aesthetic; while my faith in democracy only slightly outweighs by belief in trial by combat, or the disection of goose entrails (except for paté de foi grasse which precedes it) I have confidence in the final out come, if only because it has so often paralleled my choice .

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

I think there was a Piet Hein grook about coin tossing which had the right idea: throw the coin up and ponder which way you'd prefer it to fall; at that point ignore how it falls.

(If you really haven't a preference, I guess you let the coin fall.)

 

[The Judge]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Surely what everyone does is toss the coin, and if it doesn't come down the way you realise you wanted -- which you only do realise when you see it there in all its heads/tails disappointment -- you then say "best of three" (best of five... best of seven...)

 

[Ursa major]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Some of us have an ancestry (Scottish, Yorkshire and Dutch, in my case) which precludes letting money go its own way.




As an aside, I tried to find the relevant grook, but indolence preventing me getting anywhere. However, I did find something about Hein: his first grook was (according to Wiki) a call for Danes not to collaborate during the Nazi occupation of Danmark, all couched in terms of losing a glove. What a clever person he was, as the grook makes perfect sense without knowing anything about its intended meaning (and all in only 25 words**).


** - EDIT: In the English version, that is.

 

[Dale R]

re: Discussing the Writing Challenges -- August & September

Hi to everyone.

It's good to be back again. I didn't get all of the stories either (far too intellectual some of you)

Anyway, I've had a stab at it. A bit late in the day but I've never tried before so what the heck!