Discussion -- October 2011 Challenge
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AnyaKimlin
Confuddled
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
'I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back in.'
Oscar Wilde
I think I need to be more careful about my writing. Not sure I tweek enough.
'I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back in.'
Oscar Wilde
I think I need to be more careful about my writing. Not sure I tweek enough.
Starbeast
Benevolent Galaxy Being
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Halloween in the U.S. is very commercialized here, so the whole month will be filled with advertising party supplies, costumes and candy. It's ok with me, I like horror, be it spooky stories or monster movies or paranormal nonsense documentaries (I avoid them most of the time).
I posted my entry after checking the other stories to be sure I wasn't thinking of something similar as someone else, like last month.
Halloween in the U.S. is very commercialized here, so the whole month will be filled with advertising party supplies, costumes and candy. It's ok with me, I like horror, be it spooky stories or monster movies or paranormal nonsense documentaries (I avoid them most of the time).
I posted my entry after checking the other stories to be sure I wasn't thinking of something similar as someone else, like last month.
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
People always treat that as though it were a good thing.
But I've been there many times. It's not about meticulous editing; it's a very good description of writer's block.
People always treat that as though it were a good thing.
But I've been there many times. It's not about meticulous editing; it's a very good description of writer's block.
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
newbie to site: that was hard, it's surprising how little you can get into 75 words, really enjoyed reading everyone's
newbie to site: that was hard, it's surprising how little you can get into 75 words, really enjoyed reading everyone's
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Oh, thankyou so much, after twenty odd years of not letting anyone read anything I've written, it's all very nerve wracking.
Oh, thankyou so much, after twenty odd years of not letting anyone read anything I've written, it's all very nerve wracking.
Aun Doorback
Your place is magic
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Mouse, I really like your entry. There's something about it that has held my interest. Mojo or not I'm pleased you posted
Mouse, I really like your entry. There's something about it that has held my interest. Mojo or not I'm pleased you posted
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Aw, cheers, dude.
I've not read any of the other entries yet, I'm gonna wait til the end this time, I reckon.
Funny isn't it. I don't do it with my long stuff, I think I should.
Oh and I did put those two words back in as I figured they made it more sinister and SFF-y. Took out a different one and added an en-dash instead.
Mouse, I really like your entry. There's something about it that has held my interest. Mojo or not I'm pleased you posted
Aw, cheers, dude.
I've not read any of the other entries yet, I'm gonna wait til the end this time, I reckon.
Funny isn't it. I don't do it with my long stuff, I think I should.
Oh and I did put those two words back in as I figured they made it more sinister and SFF-y. Took out a different one and added an en-dash instead.
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
I'm struggling, only nightmare scenario I can come up with is running out of tea bags.
I'm struggling, only nightmare scenario I can come up with is running out of tea bags.
AnyaKimlin
Confuddled
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
LOL I can see it now some old Ebenezer type pegging them out on the line and someone is stealing them.
LOL I can see it now some old Ebenezer type pegging them out on the line and someone is stealing them.
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Well, I should think it good I suppose that Nixie can't come up with any nightmares.
Such a thing suggests to me that she had a good childhood. *Shrugs* Ah, well. I had a Hellraiser mini-marathon last night. Maybe you should check out some horror movies, Nix?
Well, I should think it good I suppose that Nixie can't come up with any nightmares.
Such a thing suggests to me that she had a good childhood. *Shrugs* Ah, well. I had a Hellraiser mini-marathon last night. Maybe you should check out some horror movies, Nix?
HoopyFrood
It's me! Hurrah!
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
My childhood was watching horror films -- it was a childhood very well spent!
My childhood was watching horror films -- it was a childhood very well spent!
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
Hey, so was mine, Hoops. I saw everything from Bram Stoker's Dracula to Hellraiser to Legend of Sleepy Hollow. None of it actually scared me, though, and today I don't get scared from the supernatural.
Slasher films I just find overdone and frustrating to watch. If you want to scare me, try an underwater situation.
Hey, so was mine, Hoops. I saw everything from Bram Stoker's Dracula to Hellraiser to Legend of Sleepy Hollow. None of it actually scared me, though, and today I don't get scared from the supernatural.
Slasher films I just find overdone and frustrating to watch. If you want to scare me, try an underwater situation.
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2006
- Messages
- 6,381
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
So, it is time for me to begin making my comments again this month. As I try to remember to do at the start of each month I'd just like to remind people that I go out of my way to comment on every story, but never lean towards making negative comments. Everything should be positive, because quite simply everything is so good. The opinions given are my own and quite often might differ from what was intended in the first place.
This month I am playing with something a little different, experimenting with voice recognition software. Any mistakes therefore other programs fault and not my normal shoddy typing.
Karn - straight off the blog this month, with an excellent interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland story, I think what I like the most about this particular story was the image of the March Hare. If there was going to be an excellent nightmare image it was this. It stayed with me quite a while after finishing reading the piece, and even now looking back over it, it leaves a very vivid image in my mind.
Hex – this was a very interesting story almost a twisted reversal as Lucy's dreams became reality, although the nightmare was represented by another reversal, not only were her dreams true, but the bitter conclusion meant that they might have saved her life but the nightmare now, was she was the only one left alive.
Abernovo - a rather excellent example of the old adage anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As is often the case in this type of scenario, there is an underlying element of humour and it is called well here. I thought the story well presented and most definitely entertaining.
Aun Doorback - a rather unusual piece of writing, it truly catches the chaotic nature of a dream. I felt it was a clever use of words and the imagination, that really deserved the label nightmare. It felt like taking part in an acid inspired mess (not that I would know), but from this perhaps I could start to learn. Something that was really different. An excellent attempt.
AnyaKimlin - another different interpretation of the theme. A nicely constructed and rhyming poem, with an equally good story running through it. Here the nightmare is portrayed as life itself not some twisted dream, and it also reads perhaps, as some kind of fairy tale were alive that is hard and cruel is given an escape into a land that is wonderful. As I write this I suddenly wondered whether there might be a subtle subtext where the land of chocolate could actually be heaven and the escape is in fact death.
Mith – this is a great piece that although fantasy seems to be subject to reality almost as though there is an element of truth running through it. It is almost as though the main protagonist cannot really accept reality that dreams the hell that is going on around him, only to wake up and find it is true wishing that he could wake up once more and find that it isn't. A great little piece.
Cul - I really like the idea of this one, someone who sells dreams or nightmares to other people and it keeps one just for himself, something personal and something he allows himself to suffer through, for though it is a nightmare there is it that element of something missed kept deep within, that is almost too much to resist. Maudlin perhaps, but also a wonderful idea.
Grizzgreen711 - there is something wonderfully undefined about this one, the ceiling of a person slipping into sleep embracing the calming dreams only to be pulled deep into a nightmare. However there is no defined end of the story, which is what really makes it work. Did she start awake as she fell, or did she just keep falling into darkness never to return.
Encinalien - a first timer, who gives a rather good first try. There is something flowing, almost undefined about the story, away the lines and words into flow from one to the next, one might almost say dreamlike. The story itself works because of this lending itself to the nature of dreams and sleep. Very excellent first attempt.
southron sword - this is the first one that I would actually say things itself to being a gory horror story as well as a nightmare, there is nothing wrong with that of course and it worked splendidly. The way in which it is written really made me wince at the idea of this metal teeth chomping away. There seems to be a pattern appearing in some of the stories, of people waking only to find that their reality is as much a nightmare as their dreams. In all cases it is done well, and in this instance there is a genuine shiver as the nightmare figure steps from the shadows.
Phoenixthewriter - I rather liked this one, giving a double meaning to the theme. A small town that is terrorised by a ghostly creature, the description of which is quite nightmarish could be considered an excellent story in itself. However, the fact that the creature is a horse that appears after dark just gives it a cherry on top, quite literally a night mare.
Mouse - it's good to have mouse back again, and the story she returns with his little cracker. There is a sense in my interpretation of someone suffering for a great wrong. At least that is the way it is played in the dream, but we get the impression that it is more than just a dream, the nightmare influenced by reality, someone is some great wrong exiled to the vast cold wastes were uneasy sleep, is replaced by an equally cold reality.
PM - in fitting with his Rimmer avatar we get a story called Back to Reality, but the story is nothing like a comedy science fiction piece. What we actually get is an almost sorrowful tale of loss and holding onto that loss, simple, straightforward but totally a personal nightmare. For myself I found the end slightly predictable, but it was done so well it's still put a little shiver through me, kind of story that is truly great to read.
Starbeast - when I first read this entry I was pretty sure I did not like it, but on second reading, I really appreciated how clever it was. Not only was the situation of the main protagonist in itself a nightmare, that was presented as real not a dream, but the introduction of venom to his system meant that he too was suffering dreams that were nightmarish even as the horrendous reality continued around him. Lovely and clever, it is always a great feeling when something wins you over a second read.
springs1971 - another first timer. It seems to me that these new writers are coming in at a higher level, somehow managing to keep up with everyone else without some kind of learning curve. There is something truly horrible about someone being trapped in a prison or dungeon and suffering beatings in a cyclical fashion that never really ends. Not only is that a nightmare, but one can fully understand how it may well give nightmares to the prisoner.
Reiver33 – hypnagogic - what a wonderful word it almost makes this one all on its own! However the story itself is just as strong, telling the story of someone willing to sell their soul from literary greatness. I loved the final line, it seemed almost casual as if the protagonist is happy to gain his dream at any cost. As a reader I almost felt there was a double meaning to the story, not just a descent into literal hell in return to some Faustian deal with a demon, but perhaps succumbing to the lure of drugs, it could be that hell in this case is a pharmaceutical device.
Flugel Meister - this one really made me snigger at the end, and I am not sure I had meant to. The situation presented is truly a nightmare, but the back story it hinted at really gave it a bittersweet edge. You can just imagine this poor man going through hell has whatever happened landed him in an escape pod, saving his life from whatever disaster he left behind. What terror he felt followed by relief is totally undermined by the sudden realisation that he is heading helplessly towards his doom. Another excellent story.
So, it is time for me to begin making my comments again this month. As I try to remember to do at the start of each month I'd just like to remind people that I go out of my way to comment on every story, but never lean towards making negative comments. Everything should be positive, because quite simply everything is so good. The opinions given are my own and quite often might differ from what was intended in the first place.
This month I am playing with something a little different, experimenting with voice recognition software. Any mistakes therefore other programs fault and not my normal shoddy typing.
Karn - straight off the blog this month, with an excellent interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland story, I think what I like the most about this particular story was the image of the March Hare. If there was going to be an excellent nightmare image it was this. It stayed with me quite a while after finishing reading the piece, and even now looking back over it, it leaves a very vivid image in my mind.
Hex – this was a very interesting story almost a twisted reversal as Lucy's dreams became reality, although the nightmare was represented by another reversal, not only were her dreams true, but the bitter conclusion meant that they might have saved her life but the nightmare now, was she was the only one left alive.
Abernovo - a rather excellent example of the old adage anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As is often the case in this type of scenario, there is an underlying element of humour and it is called well here. I thought the story well presented and most definitely entertaining.
Aun Doorback - a rather unusual piece of writing, it truly catches the chaotic nature of a dream. I felt it was a clever use of words and the imagination, that really deserved the label nightmare. It felt like taking part in an acid inspired mess (not that I would know), but from this perhaps I could start to learn. Something that was really different. An excellent attempt.
AnyaKimlin - another different interpretation of the theme. A nicely constructed and rhyming poem, with an equally good story running through it. Here the nightmare is portrayed as life itself not some twisted dream, and it also reads perhaps, as some kind of fairy tale were alive that is hard and cruel is given an escape into a land that is wonderful. As I write this I suddenly wondered whether there might be a subtle subtext where the land of chocolate could actually be heaven and the escape is in fact death.
Mith – this is a great piece that although fantasy seems to be subject to reality almost as though there is an element of truth running through it. It is almost as though the main protagonist cannot really accept reality that dreams the hell that is going on around him, only to wake up and find it is true wishing that he could wake up once more and find that it isn't. A great little piece.
Cul - I really like the idea of this one, someone who sells dreams or nightmares to other people and it keeps one just for himself, something personal and something he allows himself to suffer through, for though it is a nightmare there is it that element of something missed kept deep within, that is almost too much to resist. Maudlin perhaps, but also a wonderful idea.
Grizzgreen711 - there is something wonderfully undefined about this one, the ceiling of a person slipping into sleep embracing the calming dreams only to be pulled deep into a nightmare. However there is no defined end of the story, which is what really makes it work. Did she start awake as she fell, or did she just keep falling into darkness never to return.
Encinalien - a first timer, who gives a rather good first try. There is something flowing, almost undefined about the story, away the lines and words into flow from one to the next, one might almost say dreamlike. The story itself works because of this lending itself to the nature of dreams and sleep. Very excellent first attempt.
southron sword - this is the first one that I would actually say things itself to being a gory horror story as well as a nightmare, there is nothing wrong with that of course and it worked splendidly. The way in which it is written really made me wince at the idea of this metal teeth chomping away. There seems to be a pattern appearing in some of the stories, of people waking only to find that their reality is as much a nightmare as their dreams. In all cases it is done well, and in this instance there is a genuine shiver as the nightmare figure steps from the shadows.
Phoenixthewriter - I rather liked this one, giving a double meaning to the theme. A small town that is terrorised by a ghostly creature, the description of which is quite nightmarish could be considered an excellent story in itself. However, the fact that the creature is a horse that appears after dark just gives it a cherry on top, quite literally a night mare.
Mouse - it's good to have mouse back again, and the story she returns with his little cracker. There is a sense in my interpretation of someone suffering for a great wrong. At least that is the way it is played in the dream, but we get the impression that it is more than just a dream, the nightmare influenced by reality, someone is some great wrong exiled to the vast cold wastes were uneasy sleep, is replaced by an equally cold reality.
PM - in fitting with his Rimmer avatar we get a story called Back to Reality, but the story is nothing like a comedy science fiction piece. What we actually get is an almost sorrowful tale of loss and holding onto that loss, simple, straightforward but totally a personal nightmare. For myself I found the end slightly predictable, but it was done so well it's still put a little shiver through me, kind of story that is truly great to read.
Starbeast - when I first read this entry I was pretty sure I did not like it, but on second reading, I really appreciated how clever it was. Not only was the situation of the main protagonist in itself a nightmare, that was presented as real not a dream, but the introduction of venom to his system meant that he too was suffering dreams that were nightmarish even as the horrendous reality continued around him. Lovely and clever, it is always a great feeling when something wins you over a second read.
springs1971 - another first timer. It seems to me that these new writers are coming in at a higher level, somehow managing to keep up with everyone else without some kind of learning curve. There is something truly horrible about someone being trapped in a prison or dungeon and suffering beatings in a cyclical fashion that never really ends. Not only is that a nightmare, but one can fully understand how it may well give nightmares to the prisoner.
Reiver33 – hypnagogic - what a wonderful word it almost makes this one all on its own! However the story itself is just as strong, telling the story of someone willing to sell their soul from literary greatness. I loved the final line, it seemed almost casual as if the protagonist is happy to gain his dream at any cost. As a reader I almost felt there was a double meaning to the story, not just a descent into literal hell in return to some Faustian deal with a demon, but perhaps succumbing to the lure of drugs, it could be that hell in this case is a pharmaceutical device.
Flugel Meister - this one really made me snigger at the end, and I am not sure I had meant to. The situation presented is truly a nightmare, but the back story it hinted at really gave it a bittersweet edge. You can just imagine this poor man going through hell has whatever happened landed him in an escape pod, saving his life from whatever disaster he left behind. What terror he felt followed by relief is totally undermined by the sudden realisation that he is heading helplessly towards his doom. Another excellent story.
High Eight
Boggart
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 457
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
I thought of a song as soon as I saw the challenge, too - though not the Monkees or even Jethro Tull (My choice from them would have been 'No Lullaby' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqnPGDZ_mvo), but a Celtic rock band from many moons ago named Horslips:
Safe in bed at night with the curtains drawn
There's nobody to see you
You're feeling kind of safe in your little room
I wouldn't want to be you
You try to sleep, you stay awake then close your eyes again
It's no good to stare at the ceiling
Everywhere you look the shadows keep closing in
And you can't shut out that screaming
- Turn Your face to the Wall
Now all I have to do is write the ruddy story..........
Congratulations TDZ!
Flying visit for me. Just time to say...
I guess I should've stayed in bed
My pillow wrapped around my head
Instead of waking up to find
A nightmare of a different kind
She went away
This just doesn't seem to be my day
I thought of a song as soon as I saw the challenge, too - though not the Monkees or even Jethro Tull (My choice from them would have been 'No Lullaby' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqnPGDZ_mvo), but a Celtic rock band from many moons ago named Horslips:
Safe in bed at night with the curtains drawn
There's nobody to see you
You're feeling kind of safe in your little room
I wouldn't want to be you
You try to sleep, you stay awake then close your eyes again
It's no good to stare at the ceiling
Everywhere you look the shadows keep closing in
And you can't shut out that screaming
- Turn Your face to the Wall
Now all I have to do is write the ruddy story..........
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
No Lullaby, huh? Yeah, that one is pretty dark as well.
I'm wondering if I should be surprised or not that nobody has really punned this one up very much.
No Lullaby, huh? Yeah, that one is pretty dark as well.
I'm wondering if I should be surprised or not that nobody has really punned this one up very much.
Starbeast
Benevolent Galaxy Being
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
I've done that too, (for example) once-in-a-while when I would watch a movie and not like it, then next time I see it and my interest starts to grow, and eventually I buy the DVD.
Thank you Perpetual Man for another fine set of reveiws.
I can't wait to read more "Nightmare" tales for October.
I've done that too, (for example) once-in-a-while when I would watch a movie and not like it, then next time I see it and my interest starts to grow, and eventually I buy the DVD.
Thank you Perpetual Man for another fine set of reveiws.
I can't wait to read more "Nightmare" tales for October.
Re: Discussion October SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE
brilliant reviews, thanks ever so much, now still thinking what to do with a cherub in a graveyard... this is really good fun, should have done this sort of thing years ago.
brilliant reviews, thanks ever so much, now still thinking what to do with a cherub in a graveyard... this is really good fun, should have done this sort of thing years ago.
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