Discussion -- August 2011 Challenge

[Parson]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

I've posted. My first attempt at horror ever. I'm not sure anyone should like it, but people who are into this kind of thing might.

 

[Starbeast]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Thanks for you comments PM; generous as ever. Yeah, I guess the relationship to the movie Play Misty For Me was a little too vague. Oh well, back to the keyboard.

Smile Telford, I knew what Clint Eastwood flick you were hinting at.

Personally, I didn't know that contestants can use parts from a movie, video game, characters from novels or even actors real names as part of our entry in the 75 & 300 Word Challenges.

Since we are allowed too, in the future, I'm going to incorporate characters from movies and perhaps actor's names. This would broaded my range of ideas.



Parson, I think you did great for a first timer. I believe almost anyone can tell a good spooky campfire story.

 

[Hex]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Brrrrr. A whole set of stories that made me shiver. I'm not sure "like" is the right word, though.

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Personally, I didn't know that contestants can use parts from a movie, video game, characters from novels or even actors real names as part of our entry in the 75 & 300 Word Challenges.

Since we are allowed too, in the future, I'm going to incorporate characters from movies and perhaps actor's names. This would broaded my range of ideas.

We can use whatever references we want, Starbeast -- TEiN had a very good piece one month using the John Hurt chest-exploding scene from Alien. But always remember the point of the Challenge is to tell a story which is original -- and although the Challenges are fun, first and foremost they are here to help the writers amongst us to improve our writing skills.

Using a real person or a film occasionally as TEiN and telford have done (and yes, I got Misty, too) is fine, but continuing it in relentless fashion, like forever clipping pieces from real films and YouTube will very quickly become stale and, I daresay, not a little annoying. We welcome stories from everyone, aspiring writers and otherwise. However, we don't want the Challenges to become some kind of offshoot of a quiz game where the point is to identify a film or actor. The object must always be to write a good story.

 

[mosaix]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

I've posted. My first attempt at horror ever. I'm not sure anyone should like it, but people who are into this kind of thing might.

Parson, there is always the quality of the writing itself to consider, no matter what we think of the subject.

 

[Boneman]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Boneman – I don’t know whether this one was meant to scare me, but it certainly amused me. The images it called to mind of a team of people playing vampires at baseball, at night. I’ve been thinking about it every now and then and chuckling at the images it brings to mind. Loved it.

Yeah, but to lose by that score...? That's horrifying...

Thanks Perp, for your continued precis (what is the plural or precis? Precises? Precis's?) of all our work. You make everyone a winner by doing this, seriously.

 

[Boneman]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

And wow! Mouse, Karn and Parson have done an excellent job. I kinda expected it from Mouse and Karn, because they do seem to dabble in... well, darker subjects, more easily that the rest of us, but Parson? Good job, and if that's your first attempt, I'd say you could have a future in this genre if you persevered...!!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Right.

I've got 12 stories, admittedly some are re-workings of others. But I've twelve.

And I've got to choose one of them.

There are a couple that Mrs. Perp really likes, but I had an idea last night and have just refined it. It needs a bit of polish but... well I think it might be the one I eventually post (I'm late by my standards this month) but it is to me, at least bleak.

 

[LittleMissy]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

LittleMissy – A first entry, and for someone who was concerned about taking part it’s a really strong one. There is a simplicity to the story that suits the subject tremendously, really adding to the impact of the last few lines. A great first entry.

Thank you Perp, that's really nice of you to say

I've posted. My first attempt at horror ever. I'm not sure anyone should like it, but people who are into this kind of thing might.

Oooo, that one gave me a shiver Parson. I know it's a horror genre this month but somehow I was still expecting a slightly less creepy ending. Very good though!

 

[HareBrain]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Parson's reminded me of my own childhood.

'Oh, not bloody liver again!'

 

[Star Girl]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Star Girl – There was the feel of an old classic to this one, a murder hidden within the confines of a play, where only one person is aware of what is going on (well two I suppose if you count the victim), it leaves questions which enrich what has been written. Loved it.

Thank you very much Perpetual Man! I think that after the play ends and the crowd realize that they've been watching a real murder would be the true horror.


I Like 'The Soul Man' by Mouse. It was a interesting story I like how the character just seems to enjoy himself in his work. Nice and creepy!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Right.

I've got 12 stories, admittedly some are re-workings of others. But I've twelve.

And I've got to choose one of them.

There are a couple that Mrs. Perp really likes, but I had an idea last night and have just refined it. It needs a bit of polish but... well I think it might be the one I eventually post (I'm late by my standards this month) but it is to me, at least bleak.

Okay I take that back.

13 now...

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

And wow! Mouse, Karn and Parson have done an excellent job. I kinda expected it from Mouse and Karn, because they do seem to dabble in... well, darker subjects, more easily that the rest of us, but Parson? Good job, and if that's your first attempt, I'd say you could have a future in this genre if you persevered...!!

Looking back at mine I had a couple options. I could either set it up as horror, or play, but I had a hard time with both. If the word count was increased a bit I could have had a darker atmosphere for it, but, I did as I could.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Right.

I've got 12 stories, admittedly some are re-workings of others. But I've twelve.

And I've got to choose one of them.

There are a couple that Mrs. Perp really likes, but I had an idea last night and have just refined it. It needs a bit of polish but... well I think it might be the one I eventually post (I'm late by my standards this month) but it is to me, at least bleak.

I really can't see your problem Perp and I'm surprised the solution hasn't already occurred to you.

Take the best bits from the twelve stories and hammer them together.

 

[Starbeast]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

We can use whatever references we want, Starbeast -- The object must always be to write a good story.

I absolutely agree, a good story is the main objective. But having a little more to work with is always a bonus.

​

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Star Beast:

Parson, I think you did great for a first timer. I believe almost anyone can tell a good spooky campfire story.

Thank you. I never ever told a spooky campfire story.

Mosaix:

Parson, there is always the quality of the writing itself to consider, no matter what we think of the subject.

You are right of course. But my philosophy is that the world already has too many dark things in it. I see my job as spreading and applauding the light. But if I read your implication correctly that you thought I write with some quality; I am very pleased!

Boneman:

And wow! Mouse, Karn and Parson have done an excellent job. I kinda expected it from Mouse and Karn, because they do seem to dabble in... well, darker subjects, more easily that the rest of us, but Parson? Good job, and if that's your first attempt, I'd say you could have a future in this genre if you persevered...!!

Thanks for the compliment. But I don't know if I'd have the stomach for it. (pun intended)

LittleMissy:

Oooo, that one gave me a shiver Parson. I know it's a horror genre this month but somehow I was still expecting a slightly less creepy ending. Very good though!

Thanks! In for a dime, in for a dollar; I always say. I just thought about the kind of scene that would send me into the next room to look for a doughnut or something.

HareBrain:

Parson's reminded me of my own childhood.

'Oh, not bloody liver again!'

I did actually grin when I wrote that line thinking of what the Brits might make of it. But "bloody liver" does have an ick factor I wanted. --- In my childhood liver was the first thing eaten whenever we would butcher one of our animals, and when my Mom made it; it was a treat. It wasn't until years later I discovered how poorly liver could be made.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

***Any number of expletives***

There's me over thinking my story and now it's too late to post... what an idio...

Eh? Cul posted early?

Never!

 

[Mouse]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

I Like 'The Soul Man' by Mouse. It was a interesting story I like how the character just seems to enjoy himself in his work. Nice and creepy!

Thankees!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Mouse - When I first read this one I thought it very much an average Mouse entry (which is to say superb), but after finishing it stuck with me. It grew just like the enormity of the kills/soul takings. The casual nature of it all just seemed to make it all the more horrific. This really makes it feel as though it is only a snap shot of something so much larger.

Karn - The idea of a card one having horrific undertones is a classic, and it is handled incredibly well here. Explaining the rules and then hitting you with the conclusion. The fact that there is a vagueness to what the game is about, just adds to the feel of it. The why she is playing, where and what for exactly, don't seem to matter. But it is the fact that we don't see her hand good or bad, just her scream that makes it work so well.

Parson - For someone who was worried that he would struggle with a horror story Parson really does a magnificent job with his tale. There was something simple in the way that the story is told, which just makes it all the more effective. It also served to remind me of some of the best slasher movies, with a killer that could stand there with the best of them.

Brev - Another well constructed and presented tale, that catches the tension and the horror that so many of these stories have done. Someone locking themselves away from an ongoing, perceived threat, the unease and fear that comes from that is almost palpable, but is turned on it's head when it appears her stalker is in the house/room with her, and the import of her being so careful about locking becomes apparent

Cul - There was something just downright sinister with this tale - possibly because I live right next to an old tree where I used to play when I was a kid. I doubt it was ever a hanging tree but you never know... I found this one was downplayed, it still like kids playing but the construction just made it sinister. Brilliant.

Hoopy - Offered here is what seemed to me at least to be a piece of a missing Shakespeare play. That, in itself, is so well done it is almost a horrific reconnection to my school days, but the feeling too of a genuine horror story cannot be mistaken, fleeing something through the night, deprived of sleep... Very, very clever.

Rain - If I'm not mistaken our second newbie of the month. An excellent entry it is as well. Using words to turn something simple into something horrific. You could almost feel the terror as the lines slipped away. A well presented and alternative take on the theme, great entry.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Re: Discussion AUGUST 75 Word Writing Challenge

Hoopy - Offered here is what seemed to me at least to be a piece of a missing Shakespeare play. That, in itself, is so well done it is almost a horrific reconnection to my school days, but the feeling too of a genuine horror story cannot be mistaken, fleeing something through the night, deprived of sleep... Very, very clever.

Shakespeare was indeed the inspiration -- can't get enough of that dude. I was set on using such as the format; it was the plot that took its time forming this month, trying to think of one to fit!

Thanks for the kind words, as always, Pep!