Discussion -- October 2011 Challenge

[Pyan]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Thanks for the listings and the vote - and well done, Cul!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

I probably would have voted for that last one, TDZ. It's a rare thing when a nightmare can conjure laughter.

 

[Talysia]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations on the win, Cul!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations Cul!

I could not see a late flourish coming for me, although I though HB might have leapfrogged me at the end there. I could not really lose though as the story I voted for won - what can be better than that eh?

And the second month in a row I've come second... that's not bad at all, is it?

Once again, a great win by Cul, I'm still trying to put my finger on why his story appealed to me so much and in the end I think it is that he managed to capture the atmosphere of the shop in just 75 words.

 

[HareBrain]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congrats Cul, well-deserved. And thanks to RSL and Anya for my last two votes.

It's shame so many good stories went unrewarded in the poll this month, what with two entrants hogging so many votes.

I actually had a spare this month, which I'd planned to post last-minute (you'll see why) if nothing else occurred.

***


Creative Writing 101


The cage on my face has only a mesh shutter to keep the ravenous chinchillas from my flesh. My hands are shackled to the keyboard. The Challenge Attendance Nazi leans over.

‘It is Oktober 23rd, Herr Brayne.’

‘I’ve no ideas! Nightmare’s an impossible theme!’

‘You know ze penalty for missing a month?’

He touches the shutter to release the starved rodents. I wake screaming.

Then scream louder, realising the true nightmare.

It’s already October 24th.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

TDZ - I liked all your alternates, but the Golem really stood out. The last line really finished it well.

And Herr Brayne, your alternate made me snigger from the moment I started reading it, loved the word play.

My other two:


Parasite.

The great pioneer Captain Asquith Jones was not only the first person to make contact with the impossibly beautiful GalaFarag people; but was also the first human male to marry one of their stunning women.

Perhaps even more surprisingly was the conception of a child. A short lived marriage then, for the true horror was that the thousands of GalaFarang eggs grew sickle like teeth and chewed their way out during gestation.

Jones, however was stunned to silence one night, when he was told by his bride, "Did you not know my love, it is the male that carries the offspring."


Welcome to My Nightmare

The preacher spouts hellfire and brimstone, his tongue burns with sulphur, as his mouth splits open, ever wider.

His teeth crack and splinter like eggshells, spewing forth billions of mascara wearing, baby faced spiders, that crash in a writhing sea, washing toward me.

I run before I drown in an arachnid tsunami, no matter how fast I cannot move.

I’m falling.

I do not wake.

I murdered babies.

This is my punishment.

This is Hell.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations Culhwch.

Consolations Perp.

Thanks to all that geve me a mention.

Shouldn't we have a book, on these things. I mean even if we can't win the contest we should be able to profit from the result.

And its 3-2 for Culhwch, evens on The perpetual man.

...

and as they go into the last furlong Perpetual is over using using the whip, Its going to be a photo competition finish and at the post its Culhwch, Culhwch as taken the October challenge cup by a nose.

Congrats Cul, well-deserved. And thanks to RSL and Anya for my last two votes.

It's shame so many good stories went unrewarded in the poll this month, what with two entrants hogging so many votes.

I actually had a spare this month, which I'd planned to post last-minute (you'll see why) if nothing else occurred.

***


Creative Writing 101


The cage on my face has only a mesh shutter to keep the ravenous chinchillas from my flesh. My hands are shackled to the keyboard. The Challenge Attendance Nazi leans over.

‘It is Oktober 23rd, Herr Brayne.’

‘I’ve no ideas! Nightmare’s an impossible theme!’

‘You know ze penalty for missing a month?’

He touches the shutter to release the starved rodents. I wake screaming.

Then scream louder, realising the true nightmare.

It’s already October 24th.

That would have been the third horse IMO.

 

[Ursa major]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations, Cul!

Now for the hard part: choosing a subject.



And a round of applause to Perp for almost forcing a tie-break poll. (Not that I wanted a tie-break: it would have been hard deciding which would get my vote.)

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

To be honest, I think I would have voted Perp if it went to a tie-breaker. It was a humorous entry and made me chuckle a bit; humor is important to me, it helps break my depression, even if for just a minute.


Cul's entry was a good one as well, flowing well and very descriptive.

 

[alchemist]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congrats to Cul! Commiserations to Perp! (again! you must be cursing) And thanks to those who mentioned/shortlisted me.

Onward!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Well done, Cul!

 

[Boneman]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to Cul, and also to Perp, the bridesmaid at the feast. Unfortunately, the hare didn't quite catch the tortoises this month, but well done to all three excellent entries.

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations, Cul! Commiserations Perp. Another close fought race.

 

[nixie]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Congratulations Cul.

Pep, you mentioned you weren't sure if mine was based on something historical.

Tradition has it that King John was approached by Cistercian monks in 1201 asking to be exempt from taxes, after jailing them a vivid dream change his mind. He freed them and gave them land in Beaulieu and permission to building an abbey.

 

[TheTomG]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Dang, didn't get to vote this month, sorry. My Mum finally passed away after a period of some suffering, and coupled with a collection of other crushing weights generously heaped on me by Real Life (tm) this has meant I just haven't been able to escape to the sanctuary of the Chrons in the last couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Cul, and I can now find one more thing to look forward to in the form of next months contest rolling around soon! I've also found that there is no way to catch up on about 2 weeks worth of posts from here so I'll just have to fight my obsessive compulsive nature and NOT try to catch up on it all and just start afresh from today!

 

[Parson]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Oops I nearly forgot to vote - I seem to have got two honourable mentions so ta for those.

I was torn between so many HareBrain won by a hair but Parson was a close second with Karn's Alice third.

Thanks Anya. I loved the "Harebrain won by a hair" line. I hope you're still smiling at mine.

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Cul congratulations indeed! and Perp great story and great fight. Two seconds has to equal at least one first. Doesn't it?

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Much more seriously, TheTomG -- I am really sorry for your loss. I pray your mother did not suffer overly long and that you had time to make a wonderful memory or two. God's blessings on you and her.

 

[nixie]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

The tomg, my deepest condolences for your loss.

 

[The Judge]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Sorry to hear of your loss, TomG. I hope we can provide a bit of a refuge from real life for you for a while.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Deep condolences for you, Tom.

 

[Starbeast]

Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Dang, didn't get to vote this month, sorry. My Mum finally passed away after a period of some suffering, and coupled with a collection of other crushing weights generously heaped on me by Real Life (tm) this has meant I just haven't been able to escape to the sanctuary of the Chrons in the last couple of weeks.

My condolences to you The TomG. Don't worry about what's going on at the SFFC, just take care of what's important. Your friends will wait for you here. God be with your family and you sir.