Re: DISCUSSION, 300 Word Challenge, April
At last!!! Due to the size of this post, I'm going to split it into two. Hope no-one minds, although why I should single him out over all others...
Paranoid Marvin – Another good interpretation of the picture, in this case built as a device to bring things to an end. To me this felt like a classic short story, money buying services for a plan that could not work; so building to specifications that would be useless only to find. I liked the imagery here, the feel of a red sun rising... and the subtle lesson that greed can sometimes backfire. What point is all the gold in the world if there is nothing there to spend it on?
TEIN – A strange wonderful one this. I’ve read it a few times, and wonder if I am missing something beyond the level I’m reading it on. As it stands I find it enjoyable, another wonderful interpretation of the picture. An arms race, where at first thought the humans were going to be portrayed as monsters, but no. I loved the point where the protagonists having built their own ‘super weapon’ only to have their counter punch knocked away from them by yet another weapon. The fact that the humans turn out to be us (well the Americans) made it all the more entertaining.
ChaoticHeart – It’s amazing so many of these stories seem to telegraph where they are going and then end it a totally different way. This was no exception, another one that I love. The opening lines were really well done, gripping, which led into the rest of a strong story. I had no doubt that he wanted to be stabbed, but the last words caught me by surprise. Rebirth always a good idea, and well presented.
No One - Perhaps the study in the passage of time through the eyes of an inanimate object or revealing the secret of gargoyles revealed at last. I thought the use of words was exemplary, the story was well constructed and presented, a joy to read.
Arkose - I did not think I was going to like this one, not on the grounds of the writing, but on the inclusion of a vampire, that being said I was more than pleasantly surprised. A vampire hunter determined to prove that they exist, misdirection - it's a time traveller, and then again right at the end. The best kind of story, one that wins you over in spite of yourself.
Cornelius - My first thought was 'Oh no, it's a poem!' I don't even know why, I like poems! Perhaps I just did not feel like one at the time. But as I started to read it I was blown away by this one. Superb construction, top rhyming and marvellous presentation, the clock telling it's own story passing through the years. Loved it!
Chel - I'm not sure this is as close to Paranoid Marvin's as Chel suggests, I don't think I would have put them together anyway. I like the format of a letter. Having the clock cared for, knowledge restricted to make it more secretive. Of course all it takes is one slip of the cogs and it can all fall apart. I particularly liked the idea of Evrett knowing there was something wrong, but not being able to do anything to stop it.
Nixie - Yet another great story. I thought this was another good one from the moment I started reading and I was not disappointed. There was so much to like here that I hardly know where to begin to talk about it. Aliens trapped on this world, exchanging places with others of their kind who are statues? Brilliant. Really loved the line about turning wind into fuel.
Moonbat - Some very serious ideas used in this one, and I had to concentrate hard so as not to lose my way through the tale. It is good to read something with a severe weight behind it. But what makes it even more special is the way it ends with a laugh. Such serious issues, deep thoughts and then the whap! of a broom. Excellent, but why do I think of spiders?
TJ - Very reminiscent to me of an old tale, but one that goes beyond the original telling, extended and ongoing into the modern world. A superlative interpretation of the clock, and an almost heart-wrenchingly sad ending.
