Discussion -- September 2011 Challenge

[chrispenycate]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Well, there were lots of distractions. I loath and detest High Eight's character (which is not bad for seventy five words) giggled at Ursa and the Spurring Platty, Considered the Judge, Mike1366 and Highlander, but ultimately went for Chel, as striking a chord I recognise so well.

And yes, Mr Doorback, you did get marked down for sloppy grammar and (I suspect) "conversation" for "conversion". But it was still a nice concept.

 

[Hex]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Thank you very much for the mentions Abernovo, TDZ, Boneman, Quokka and Moonbat! You made me bounce around the room.



There were so many great stories that I had to be savage in choosing even a longer list. We were on holiday for a couple of weeks with minimal internet access (gasp) so I didn't see all the stories until after they were all in.

My longer/ shorter/*vote* was like this:

Boneman -I loved this. So hopeful and wonderful in 75 words.

Harebrain - Not hopeful at all, but nastily sinister. I suppose at least she calls the police...

* TDZ * - I can't get that horrible, horny unicorn out of my mind. The last line made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

Chel - Wonderful - so clever and funny.

Varangian - I really liked this. Classically behind the scenes.

TheTomG - I loved this one too, that creepy déjà vue feeling.

Alchemist - This was so well written, and the dialogue was so sharp.

High Eight - I really liked this. It's so absolutely accurate. (in Dundee, as the last Jute mill closed and an industry came to an end, with all that implies, the trendy cafe-bar opening at the new art centre was named 'Jute')

Paranoid Marvin (took me about three goes before I got it)

Reiver33 - I was so tempted to vote for this. Again, the last line was just brilliant.

Mike1366 - This, like Varangian's was so beautifully behind the scenes. And it painted such a powerful picture too.

Ursa Major -You don't want to know how many times I read this before I worked it out.

Devil's Advocate - Oh no! Poor Frodo!

TEIN - ahh it was the line "Peter and the others have been drinking like fish" that made me love this (and the rest of it too).

TJ - Wonderful on the power behind the throne.

Teresa - I liked the way this was the beginning of the story.

Culhwch - I came so close to voting for this. Loved it as well.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Thanks for the mentions, Chris and Hex.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Thanks to Chel and Moonbat for the mentions,

and for the three votes from Quokka, Star Girl and Mith.

I know I haven't voted yet. I had a list but I've lost it. And things are a bit... off at the moment so I'll try and get it sorted before voting closes.

 

[Aun Doorback]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

And yes, Mr Doorback, you did get marked down for sloppy grammar and (I suspect) "conversation" for "conversion". But it was still a nice concept.[/QUOTE]

Conversation for conversion? Could you elaborate please?

 

[Aun Doorback]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Mr Chrispenycate, I think you may be referring to another writer's story

 

[chrispenycate]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

And yes, Mr Doorback, you did get marked down for sloppy grammar and (I suspect) "conversation" for "conversion". But it was still a nice concept.

Conversation for conversion? Could you elaborate please?[/QUOTE]

Oops, sorry, I should have gone back and checked; that was the post before yours (I don't put individual faults on my spreadsheet, just the fact they exist).

You might well say that grammar is not critical in such challenges, but insofae as it reduces my enjoyment of reading in feeling a desire for a red pen rising in me, it gets marked.

 

[Aun Doorback]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Conversation for conversion? Could you elaborate please?

Oops, sorry, I should have gone back and checked; that was the post before yours (I don't put individual faults on my spreadsheet, just the fact they exist).

You might well say that grammar is not critical in such challenges, but insofae as it reduces my enjoyment of reading in feeling a desire for a red pen rising in me, it gets marked.[/QUOTE]

No fair enough and I agree - Silly mistake.

 

[Varangian]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Hey, thanks for the mention Hex!

 

[Bob Senior]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Howdy,
My head hurts from trying to decide where to put my X. (no, I have not been married twice or more) I have a few more days, and a few more asprins, wish me luck.
Doorback, give your grammer my best, hope she (it) gets bettr sune.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

TEiN - I didn't know what to make of this one, I wanted to laugh, I wanted to feel uncomfortable, I worried that TEiN might get struck by lightning... all in all a clever take on the theme and a funny one at that, as long as it is taken with a pinch of salt.

...

Perpetual Man:

I will say that since posting, Mrs Tein, has been a pillar of support in these hardened times. Although, I have detected her getting a little crusty of late and, since you mention it: yes, she tastes a bit saltier too.

Percival: Thanks for the review - I'll let you and Perp sort it out in the car park.

Nixie. I'm honoured to be mentioned in such illustrious company.

As for the voting :-

Thanks to -

alchemist, TDZ and Hex for the mentions (sorry if I missed any)

High Eight: - Truly you are a Saint amongst men. So far for me, there have been no 'atmospherics'.

And now to start my own shortlist, of which more later...

 

[Boneman]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

You might well say that grammar is not critical in such challenges, but insofae as it reduces my enjoyment of reading in feeling a desire for a red pen rising in me, it gets marked.

Insofae?? Is that related to the fae...? Hoisted by one's own petard...?

Hex, many thanks for the shortlisting, which has started my day on a high - only one way to go from here!

 

[Moonbat]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Aun, Sorry I didn't mean to insult you piece, I really liked it but I thought if I mentioned why it didn't make the vote people might understand my process. Again I am sorry for mentioning it, but yours was in my top three.

Looks likie its turned into a two horse race

Or should that be a 1 faceless horse and 1 horny unicorn race

 

[mosaix]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

I think Moonbat's right. Sometimes it's just as worth stating why a piece missed getting a vote as it is why it earned a vote. I'm more than interested in learning from my mistakes.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Yes, but we don't do critiques in this thread, because we don't want to discourage people from entering the Challenge for fear of receiving harsh criticism (that's a long way from what you're doing, but it's a slippery slope).

If anyone wants to find out why they just missed out on a vote, they can always PM anyone who says they almost voted for them.

But it's often been mentioned before that some voters are swayed by sloppy spelling or bad grammar, so it only makes sense to try not to make such errors.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Two more mentions! Oh my. That's a total of four. Four more "It was just about good enough that I give you credit for stringing 75 coherent words together, but that's about it"s than my usual.

Thank you, Moonbat and Hex.

Okay. So after much deliberating, I think I've narrowed it down. Let's hope I feel this same way after I vote.

The Contenders:

telford - And now for something completely different.
Safe to say, this one fit the theme of "Behind the Scenes"...

Ursa major - Ol’ Ethan
I didn't get this one at first. And I wouldn't have gotten it, if Moonbat hadn't cleared it up. Nice.

Devil's Advocate - [This Title is a Placeholder]
Always fun to see someone turn a classic on its head. Genius.

StormFeather - Soul Feeders
Feeding the souls of good people... This is why I hate angels.

Mith - The Hidden Knife
Can't say I've ever read a story from the point-of-view of a knife. Quite different. I wonder if he 'feels' sharp?

Culhwch - An Uncharted Island in the Indian Ocean, c. 1932
I always suspected there was something we didn't know about the special effects of King Kong.

The Semi-Finalists:

telford - And now for something completely different.
Mith - The Hidden Knife
StormFeather - Soul Feeders
Devil's Advocate - [This Title is a Placeholder]

The Finalists:

StormFeather - Soul Feeders
Devil's Advocate - [This Title is a Placeholder]

And in a race that went down to the wire, I finally give my vote to:

StormFeather - Soul Feeders

Sorry, DA. As usual, you just missed out.

 

[Flugel Meister]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

I'll presume my lack of votes is down to the lack of Sci-fi.

Remember, the character does have eighteen eyes, three arms and four legs.

 

[Aun Doorback]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

I think Moonbat's right. Sometimes it's just as worth stating why a piece missed getting a vote as it is why it earned a vote. I'm more than interested in learning from my mistakes.

Moonbat - You didn't insult me!
Mosaix- I understand the sentiment behind it, which was why I attempted to take it in good humour. It was simply an error, not a learning curve, though I might add that it would be a much more cluttered discussions page, if we provided reasons why we hadn't voted for people.

I also might say, harsh though it may sound that Chrispenycate coming onboard to further highlight my sloppy mistake (Before voting has closed)didn't add anything further, apart from mixing my entry up with another's mistake (Not mine though) I prefer Perp's positive feedback on this page (It is only 75 words after all) and prehaps save the critique when I ask, where did I go wrong?

 

[Moonbat]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Yes, sorry my bad.
I should not have said anything. I'm going to get myself into a whole heap of trouble.

Let's leave it at

'I almost voted for Aun Doorback'

 

[Bob Senior]

Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge

Howdy,
Well I voted, The Judge got my vote, the story reminded me of my own. Looks and attitude are near the top of the list when others decide how they will accept us. It didn't hurt that my name came up in the story though, just caught my eye, is all
Good story, worth my vote.