Re: Discussion thread -- Three Hundred Word Writing Challenge #3
I did it for the first three hundred word challenge, but not for the second. However, I felt with the aid of this voice recognition software I would try once more to import the Perp comments to the 300 word form. Any mistakes are hearby consigned to 'the software does not work category, it most certainly is not me' bin
As always the comments are made without malice and are meant to be positive, and I bend over backwards to keep them so throughout:
So here we go: (These are not everyone's so far, just the few I managed to get through today)
springs1971 - what a wonderful, beautiful first entry to this the third 300 word writing challenge. There is an element of the real intermixed with both fantasy and science fiction that just works so well, probably because of just how subtle a fantastic elements are. The idea of a pilgrimage to an idol’s final resting place, is strong in itself, overlaying that is one of his most popular works and meat to the bones. It was very hard to decide whether the influence of rolling back time at the end of the story was a fantasy elements, or time travel in itself being inherently science-fiction, whichever it may be story work tremendously well, and the final line strong enough to put a shiver as I read it. The bar has been set tremendously high with this story. Well done.
Abernovo - once again the 300 word challenge is bringing the best out of the competitors, with only two entries in we already have two superb tales. This one is slightly more horrific than the first, but in an excellent way, there are a number of times and it certainly made me shiver. There was a sense of justice in the final lines. What could be better punishment for those that would hurt and harm children in the most gruesome ways than to be imprisoned and forgotten from the world around them, while their captor almost taunts them by wearing the visage of that desire most. The icing on the cake to this story was the angelic protector, it seemed so apt and fitting.
Talysia - different once again but by no means does that make it bad, in fact I felt there was almost intrinsic beauty to this one, and melancholy sadness that bled through the words and gave the whole story an emotion that bolstered it, and made it a pleasure to read. I think if I were to choose one word to sum it up it would have to be romantic, no matter how odd that choice might seem. An angel finding a soul that it thought worthwhile to find it wants more, no matter how long it took, even if doomed to punishment or failure was just wonderful. I did not anticipate the ending of the story and I found it to be the ideal ending to what had gone before and uplifting, quite literally, conclusion to a beautiful little tale.
Hopewrites - a wonderful reflective piece ably catching a feeling of loss, grasping for a time long gone when things seem to be so much better. There is a sense of wonderment at the passing of time to caught so well. This is a different interpretation of the picture, but it captures the feel of it, the essence of it perfectly. A mother (?) Looking over her family as it plays in front of her, only to have it taken away suddenly, and without pause. The fact that somehow she is left there, constantly replaying her memories of what happened, and what might have happened just adds to the depth and emotion of the piece. A wonderful little bit of writing.
Karn - stories inspired by this picture really do seem to be taking strongly emotional path, I suppose the subject matter lends itself to that very well. There is almost a beauty in this story, symmetrical completion of a circle that has begun by the poem at the start and closed with a final sentence. Kira dreams of looking out over a sea, but it is one that she cannot seem to reach. The sense of sadness that comes with the fact that she sleepwalked to her own death is really well handled, although I did wonder whether there might be a hint of suicide rather than accidental death. Not that it matters for it is the end that ties the story together, as the stone cherub stares out to sea making the dream real. One might even say set in stone.
