Writing Challenge Discussion — MARCH 2011

[TheDustyZebra]

It's been very difficult to decide between StormFeather, Mouse, Alchemist, TE, TDZ, Cul and TJ. Fantastic stories, all of them!

I'm going to vote for TheDustyZebra, though, for putting in writing what so many of us more or less secretly wish was the punishment for molesting children.

Thanks, Chel! I'm honored to even be in such company, much less to come out on top this time!

Bob S -- I think limiting yourself to one 75 word story a month will keep you on the right side of psychosis. On the other hand...

Yeah, but he's hanging out with us, now, so I think that line is getting fuzzy.

Robert Heinlein said that there's nothing wrong with writing, but it's something that one should do in private, and wash one's hands afterward.

 

[Parson]

Robert Heinlein said that there's nothing wrong with writing, but it's something that one should do in private, and wash one's hands afterward.

Let's just say, that Heinlein's line is disgusting, while writing is creative.

 

[cornelius]

Self-denigration? What? How about ... glorifying others? It's not that I think I'm bad, the pun-thing was a gamble, but the odds were against me so I'm not throwing high marks. That's not the reason tho.

 

[alchemist]

Congratulations alchemist on the story that touched my heart. It pinched my coronary arteries.

Thank you very much, STING, although I'm a little concerned that I've killed you, now that you haven't been back. Thanks to the other voters too, and mentioners. Apart from having my highest tally in a non-December month (yay!!), I'm gettin a lot of mentions too, which should probably tell me something about the type of story that has wider appeal. Or not. See below...

I think this challenge is also a really good tool to help me learn to appreciate small 'wins' and weather disappointment. Last month was really good for me as far as mentions and I even got a vote! But now it seems I feel/felt that anything less is a failure.

In my time here, I've learned that the competition is very unpredictable. High-scoring stories can be funny/serious, straightforward/complex, or historical/based on a cartoon. All you can do is try and make sure of its quality, whatever the content.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Thanks, Karn! I remember from another month that you said you liked the irony of one of my stories. *contemplates a succession of ironical pieces...*

Irony is one aspect of entertainment which just cliques with me, I don't know why. Maybe it's because it usually leads to poetic justice.

 

[The Judge]

In my time here, I've learned that the competition is very unpredictable. High-scoring stories can be funny/serious, straightforward/complex, or historical/based on a cartoon. All you can do is try and make sure of its quality, whatever the content.

Very true. Mentioning underwear is a sure-fire bet, though.

 

[alchemist]

Note to self: combine underwear with irony, although real men don't iron their underwear.

 

[StormFeather]

I haven't had the time to really sit down and go through the stories, but I promise to vote, by hook or by crook.

I just wanted to say Thank you to TEIN for the vote, and to the others that have given me mentions. Very cheering during stressful times, and much appreciated

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Note to self: combine underwear with irony, although real men don't iron their underwear.

No, no, no: what you'll need is mention of a chastity belt.

 

[onebigpotato]

2 More mentions*! I have a veritable plenthora (I'm in a writing challange, it would be unseemly for me to say 'a lot').

On another plus note, I've managed to tone down my yelp when I see my name in mentions to more of a groan. Needless to say, people in the office are pleased.

*Thanks PC and Procrastinator, don't be disheartend if I write something merrier next month.

 

[Culhwch]

2 More mentions*! I have a veritable plenthora (I'm in a writing challange, it would be unseemly for me to say 'a lot').

But wouldn't it be more seemly to 'plethora'?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

No, no, no: what you'll need is mention of a chastity belt.

I seem to have missed that story. Was it written by Mouse?

A plethora is an excess. I doubt OBP is hoping for fewer mentions in the future. A plenthora sounds like it might mean "a gratifying number."

 

[onebigpotato]

Woops...uh you see English is my first language and thus the one in which I am most familiar in at making mistakes. Let us not dwell on the past, but instead look to a bright new future in which I make TE's shortlist!

 

[Lucky_Lola]

Thank you for the mentions, Teresa and the Procrastinator! I have to admit to a moment of dumb confusion closely followed by an embarrassing schoolgirl-esque giggling upon seeing my name in folks' lists

 

[Heck Tate]

Been away for a while so without combing through the pages of discussion I missed, thanks to whoever mentioned me. My vote almost went to the Judge, but I eventually went with Mosaix. They're both great stories, it was really hard to pick. Also, I love the colored bars in the poll, it makes it look like I got a vote

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

About 18 hours until the poll closes. Remember to vote, everyone, if you haven't done so already.

 

[mad_iguana]

I'm not sure I'll get to vote - had lined up to do it over the weekend, but pregnant wife, ill daughter and the desire to do some writing of my book got in the way (as well as the 21st century writer's procrastination tool which is The Blog...)

I'll try to put all of the stories somewhere I can read them on the train home from work this evening and vote when I get home, time permitting.

And thanks to Teresa for the (honourable?) mention in her longlist. Enough of a spur to do slightly better next month, I hope. I shall challenge myself to try to tell a fuller story in the 75 words than I have done up to now, rather than what - in hindsight - reads more as an extract from a larger work.

But more important is to vote and I'll endeavour to work on that this afternoon.

 

[crys]

Many thanks to TheDustyZebra for the shortlist mention... it means a lot to me as it's another Chrons milestone passed.

 

[digs]

Very true. Mentioning underwear is a sure-fire bet, though.

My next piece is going to be a full-fledged ode to underpants.

'O ancient jocks, with weary elastic yielding,
And greying cotton rife with holes and stains,
Bravely from the world my manly nethers shielding,
Wouldst that thou were clean and whole again...'

You'll have to tune in next month for the thrilling conclusion!

 

[mad_iguana]

My next piece is going to be a full-fledged ode to underpants.

'O ancient jocks, with weary elastic yielding,
And greying cotton rife with holes and stains,
Bravely from the world my manly nethers shielding,
Wouldst that thou were clean and whole again...'

You'll have to tune in next month for the thrilling conclusion!

A sentiment with which I'm sure we can all wholeheartedly agree.