Writing Challenge Discussion -- January 2011

[My Atomic Tales]

Oh, no; Kitten votes are Mine! http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/1403996-post8.html

And I've already posted

Sharks! I meant sha...oh what's the use...

 

[Mouse]

I didn't get on with the theme this month. Was starting to think my entry was craptastic but this:

Awww Mouse! Simply beautiful...In a heart breaking kind of way of course.

Mouse – Just because it was a moving tale

And especially this:

Mouse — The Girl at the Bus Stop --- This story almost made me cry. That Mouse could get such pathos out of a 75 word story speaks volumes for her abilities.

is worth more than a gazillion votes. Cheers guys!

Saying that, I think this might be the last month for me. Will still read and vote, but unless I get really inspired, I'm out. Like Leisha and Seph, I really should concentrate on my novel! (I bet the temptation to enter next month will probably win out though!)

As for my vote, it went to StormFeather. Others on my shortlist were J Riff, Hilarious Joke and Perp.

 

[StormFeather]

*Hugs Mouse*

Thank you!

But . . . . . but, you can't not enter - it was your fab fairytale that got me hooked on this in the first place (and one that I've shown to anyone who's interested).

You'll be pestered horribly for your 75 word gems, which help make this challenge sparkle. However, I want to read the bigger story, so I may just let you off

I can only hope that temptation gets the better of you . . . .

 

[Mouse]

Probably will. I'm easily distracted.

(and thanks! Glad you liked my fairytale one!!)

 

[paranoid marvin]

I (eventually) opted for digs - a beautiful piece of writing , that.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

P.S. Vote for me, Teresa. You may just save a kitten.

Unfortunately, I don't like cats. They've played the kitten angle on me once too often, and I no longer fall for it.

 

[My Atomic Tales]

Unfortunately, I don't like cats. They've played the kitten angle on me once too often, and I no longer fall for it.

I hate them myself. And dogs. Not too keen on hamsters and other furry creatures either. I don't take kindly to pets in general, in fact. But apparently this makes me an oddball, and I was presuming you weren't one of the clan. My mistake.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

No, no, I'm definitely a dog person -- not a pet hater at all. And I've had cats. As I said, they worked the kitten angle. I'm soft-hearted where animals are concerned, and that's how they insinuated their way into the family. But never again. So to a certain extent I'm a fellow misfit.

But speaking of animals (or those who present themselves here in that guise):

Mouse, I hope you don't stop contributing your stories. Obviously you're an inspiration-of-the-moment type writer with these small pieces. Stop obsessing over the stories and start giving us your off-the-cuff little gems each competition. Then you can spend the rest of the month working on your book.

 

[J-WO]

I just want to say a big smoochy thanks to the people who have voted for me, despite my mispelling of 'cigarette'. I've probably got more votes than all my prior entries put together, which is very heartening and no mistake.

The grade of storytelling this month has been staggering to behold. In fact, both my eyeballs have had to take it easy in the back room of my skull with a brandy each. I voted, of course, but like certain security forces I make it policy to neither confirm nor deny whom I voted for.


(BTW, the photo to the left of this post is not my cat. He merely controls my thoughts.)

 

[My Atomic Tales]

No, no, I'm definitely a dog person.

Aww, too bad. I'm guessing the fact that I kick puppies into ponds won't endear me to you. Oh well. As long as I can continue punching ducks on a rainy afternoon I'll be reasonably happy. At least there's no law against that...

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Photo challenge poll is up.

I have to confess I don't understand why after so many entries there is no corresponding apetite to vote. Personally I can't wait to vote after entering. Maybe it's because I have little expectation of getting votes. Perhaps we have to fine none voting contestants. Or we could publish lists of none voters to shame them into voting.

Come on yoose guys, you know who you are. Get off your... And vote

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Anyone who has failed to check out the Photo Challenge this month should definitely do so ... they are in for a treat, there are so many amazing entries this time. I am in total agreement with you, TEIN, that they deserve our votes.

Me? I'm still contemplating where I shall bestow mine, but I will vote.

 

[mosaix]

After much consideration, Perpetual Man gets my vote this month.

 

[GreenKidx]

Hello, my apologies for the newbie question, but what/where is this "Photo Challenge" ?
I'd love to go take a look....

 

[Talysia]

Down in the technology section here, we have a little contest to showcase our photography skills, based on a certain theme. The challenge thread is here http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/530004-january-2011-photo-challenge-read-first-post.html and the discussion thread is here http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/530005-january-2011-photo-challenge-discussion-thread.html .

Hope that helps!

 

[digs]

Shortlist:

No One - ...is Revolution
Perpetual Man - What Goes Around Comes Around
Bella Donna - Revolutions Per Minute
Wannabewriting - Went Up A Hill...

And my vote went to Perpetual Man. For being so perpetual.

 

[StormFeather]

This month is, as ever, really tough. There are so many that I wanted to mention, and then realised that I was adding practically everyone to the list. So tough to rule anyone out. But choices have to be made so . . . my first short list is as follows:

No One
Perpetual Man
Digs
Teresa
Chrispy
HareBrain
Hilarious Joke
The Judge
Mosaix
J-WO
Culhwch

After being really tough, I've got it down to 5 -

Perpetual Man
Digs
Hilarious Joke
J-WO
Culhwch

Going to have to go away and think really hard on this before I make my final decision

 

[Parson]

Saying that, I think this might be the last month for me. Will still read and vote, but unless I get really inspired, I'm out. Like Leisha and Seph, I really should concentrate on my novel! (I bet the temptation to enter next month will probably win out though!)

Mouse I usually am all for resisting temptation, but here's where I draw the line. I'm with TE just rip something off. Your off the cuff things are better than most of us do with hours to think about it.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Ok, I finally got it pared down to a vote. My shortlist was massive this month, but then so was the list of entries. I ended up with three levels of shortlist this time, the shortlist, the short-shortlist, and the *final list* from which I finally chose digs -- "Back Country" as a story of Steinbeckian proportions.

No One
*Perpetual Man*
*digs*
alchemist
*Hoopy*
*Teresa*
Chel
Flugel Meister
J Riff
Chrispy
Judge
Allanon
*Ursa*
Mag the Mighty
mosaix
fitzchivalry
*StormFeather*
*J-WO*
Dubrech
AphroditeMSC
Brev
*Culhwch*

I have to give special Honorable Mentions this month to Chel for the line "He could have been the first school shooter..." which resonated with me for reasons best not delved into too deeply, and to Flugel Meister for the line "...climbed my way into the dim light of obscurity" which was nothing short of brilliant, and to Judge for the line "Come the revolution you'll..." which is one I grew up with and dearly love, and to Moonbat for the title "Black-box singing in the dead of night" which will be stuck in my head for a long time.

Truly, an incredible collection of stories and not a single one that I didn't like.

Oh, and thanks to alchemist for the mention!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you everyone who mentioned my story, and especially those who voted for it!

For those of us who haven't voted yet, there are less than four hours left. Time for us to stop agonizing, make a decision, and vote!

The quality of the stories is so high this month, it would have been a nice time to have three votes to cast. In that case, I would have already voted.

As it is, I think a few neurons just died from the strain.