Re: Discussion September 2011 Writing Challenge
Rooky - This is quite an interesting one by MrsCTG and an excellent first entry, she seems to have squeezed an awful lot into the story without making it confused, so on a construction level an excellent entry; then to make it better the story isn’t half bad either, just loved the idea to see someone who apparently knows that they have been played with and has escaped only for the savage twist that it is all still ongoing and the character does not know half what they think... Exquisite first entry!
nixie – This is one of those that appeared to me to be a brilliant idea, centred on the fall of Troy or something very much like it. Here though we someone who might be considered a pragmatist, realising that all is lost well before it actually happens, preparing and acting on the worst. It’s one of those stories that works really well, but could equally work as a much longer piece.
Phyrebrat – I was under the impression that this might have been another first entry, but I think Phyrebrat may have posted before, just not recently. Although on a personal level I though there could have been more to the story itself, it was one of those where the idea was something that appealed to me, enough for me to consider it close to genius. The idea of Dustmen working behind the scenes, someone who is always there in front of us but taken for granted. Just what could they be doing in the background...
Decosta1228 – Another newbie – not really been paying attention but it seems to me as though this might be a record month for first timer’s... And in this instance the Aliens are back, this time manipulating the population of the planet through the Catholic Church (or perhaps I’m missing something). Using religion as a controlling point is not a new idea, but having the aliens behind it (and across the galaxy by the look of thing) is a fun idea. Makes me wonder did they co-opt the church or did they found it?
Aun Doorback – Spiders! Keep them away! And it seems as though Aun may well have stumbled onto a (if not THE) truth of the universe. For a arachnophobe like me there was something more than a little disturbing. But putting that aside I thought this was a beautifully written and constructed tale, a masterful use of the 75 word form. (but spiders, really!)
Bob S. Sr – Not really sure what to make of this one, other than it was a great little story – and the aliens are back again. There is an undefined edge to the story I really liked, did the aliens just modify the president as he was, or was he always one of theirs? Also loved the implication that humans and aliens might just not get on, simply because of personalities. A first contact scenario where the two central negotiators just don’t like one another... (Any idea where I can get one of them there chips?)
Highlander – I’m not sure whether this is a great story or not, but I loved it. The whole Star Wars feel was given a fresh perspective and how true it was too. No matter how powerful the commanders and elite might be, they’re in the same do-do as the rest of the inhabitants of an artificial environment when the toilets stop working. Made me smile, always a good thing in a story like this. I hope the narrator managed to get off the station before it went bang.
Reiver33 – A very interesting concept this, observers (from the future, alien?) playing with the reality we know. In a simple move for them, changing a historical figure from one sex to another and controlling/influencing the actions of said, so things turn out to be so different. Allowing for different perspectives between male and female just how would a female Hitler have turned out? A positive political visionary or a negative one, or perhaps more artistically inclined. But I felt the words ‘For Now’ added a sinister depth to the story, a possible darker conclusion.
