Discussion - December 2011 - 75 Word Challenge

[Abernovo]

Well, no offence taken here, Bob. I've always considered those quite innocuous phrases.

 

[Parson]

Bob I think you're confused about what cockles are:

The cockles of your heart are more metaphorical than physical, although the phrase can be traced back to 15th century medical beliefs. Unfortunately, the etymological path gets a tad murky after that.Under one popular theory, the phrase "cockles of your heart" is derived from the Latin description for the heart's chambers, cochleae cordis. It is believed that the word 'cockles' is a corrupted version of cochleae, most likely entering the popular vernacular as a form of slang. The prevailing medical opinion of that day and time was that the ventricles of the human heart resembled the concentric shells of small mollusks or snails, also known as cochleae or cockles. This theory concerning the origin of "cockles of your heart" does address the connection between the physical and emotional role of the heart, but the shell analogy appears to be more accurate with the structure of the human ear. The Latin cochlea is still used to describe the ear, not the cardium, or heart. (www.wisegeek.com)


Sooo.... "Cockles" have nothing to do with reproduction, outside of that warm fuzzy feeling that might be present.

 

[hopewrites]

As easy as it is to paint a sunset for the human soul it is difficult to paint a sunrise, But that is just what Perpetual Man has done with his delightful story. Pinocchio's twist, is that he was a real boy once.
The background to the story is so eloquently summed up to give you all the hard times and long years of toil under the imaginative blanket of inference. How long he must have labored on his "toy" and how many wonderful and joy giving toys must he have created in experimenting to get the plans right for just this night. How long and patiently the angel must have watched, knowing his heart break and seeing his diligence enough to want to reward his efforts. That the toy maker's efforts are reworded I assume was the best surprise to him of all, and the essence that brought Christmas back to life for him.
For me the story brings home that it is the people we love that make our lives feel Alive.

Thank you for writing it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

We're running out of time here; altogether now, please please please can we have two extra votes as a special Chrons christmas pressie. I promise to add that the judge in my WIP is both clever and sexy, I promise to drop no possessive apostrophes, I promise to work hard at my synopsis and I promise not to try to oust any bears from the last post thread.

Please.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Moonbat, Tom and Highlander, my absolute pleasure. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I really enjoy writing the reviews, even when things get a little busy - and if it makes everyone smile a little more then it is even more worthwhile.

(Tom I think I've just added your book to my virtual 'to read pile')

And Hope, well I'm at a loss for words. Thank you.

 

[hopewrites]

And Hope, well I'm at a loss for words. Thank you.

well turnabouts fair play, your story made me loose my words for a good minuet and a half, luckily for both of us I recovered them (I think my "your welcome"s are getting more and more siblingacul.)

 

[Bob Senior]

Perp Man,
Thank you very much for the kind words, as for the ending----well if you have to explain em then they ain't workin, I leave it to others to scratch their head and wonder.
Parson, Parson, Parson, are you messing with me? I thought you knew me well enough to know that I am not to be taken seriously. As for whats in my heart I think that I know that more then the average man. (numerous stents, leg viens, stove pipe wire, duct tape etc)

To play it safe I will never again tickle a fancy, or

 

[Phoenixthewriter]

Man... reading some of these later entries is intimidating. Chrispen's is extremely thought provoking, and I really enjoyed Perpetual Man's soul transfer tale. There are some wonderful brains at work for this challenge.

 

[Culhwch]

We're running out of time here; altogether now, please please please can we have two extra votes as a special Chrons christmas pressie. I promise to add that the judge in my WIP is both clever and sexy, I promise to drop no possessive apostrophes, I promise to work hard at my synopsis and I promise not to try to oust any bears from the last post thread.

Please.

I can tell you that it has been discussed, but the consensus is that since we've introduced the regular three hundred word challenge and its complement of three votes, allowing three votes for Christmas this year doesn't seem as special. There's something to be said for consistency, as well. So we'll be staying at one vote. Not long to wait for the next three hundred word challenge, so hold tight!

 

[Hex]

Argh! I was worried that might be the outcome (it makes sense, I have to admit, however much I really, really want -- no, need -- multiple votes this month).

I'll have to toss a coin.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, well at least I gave it a try And I'm not sure I could have managed to keep the possessive apostrophes promise anyway.

 

[Abernovo]

I'll have to toss a coin.

I think the decision is the right one, especially considering the 300 word challenge. Voting is going to be difficult this month, but then it's never that easy.

Pin in a piece of paper time again.

 

[High Eight]

Someone else already warmed cockles in this thread, so I think you're ok.

That was me - and my cockles are pretty innocuous.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

My brain has been in stasis all month. Came out just long enough to write and post my story. Going back now.

 

[MstrTal]

UG!

What a horrible time to have been gone from the Chrons! I Love Steampunk!

I should of popped in to see what the challenge was before this.

 

[Abernovo]

My brain has been in stasis all month. Came out just long enough to write and post my story. Going back now.

I liked it Teresa. The mice gave me fond memories of Bagpuss (British children's TV show from the 70s(?)). Love the final sentence.

 

[Ursa major]

Well I've managed to squeeze (most of) the story into seventy-five words, although I did have to drop one of the named characters**.

I did have to resort to using both the present tense and the first person, though.





** - The least important one in terms of the "action", although far the most important for the (unseen) setting up of the scenario.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thanks, Abernova!

 

[Hex]

Teresa -- I liked Revenge of the Mice. About time they got their own back.

Ursa -- your story reminds me of... what? What's that story with the ballerina and the Moor?

Edit: Petrushka. So, I never claimed to know about culture and that. I couldn't work out why the mention of the ballerina and the Moor filled me with misery and dread. Alas.

 

[StormFeather]

I am going to have to bow out of my first challenge since I started taking part.

I simply haven't been organised enough to have the time I need to get all my jobs done, and I'm trying desperately to stay awake as I type this, but am failing.

haven't read many (only one in fact, which was reiver's and was very similar to the only idea I've had - typical!) but I know they'll be of the highest calibre.

Anywho, keep waking up to find that I'm still typing this message - body is sending a strong message to go to sleep methinks.

night all 1