Discussion - December 2011 - 75 Word Challenge

[Mith]

I saw the theme, got an instant idea and posted before changing my mind! *fingers crossed*

 

[Moonbat]

So much for a challenge, 6 entries already!!

I knew I should have gone for a Lovecraftian genre.

 

[Ursa major]

So we'd have to think of toys in the context of the Great Oiled Ones...?








(Amazingly enough, the word string, Great Oiled Ones, cannot yet be found using Google. If asked, I'd have said that there must be an... er... adult version of the Mythos using it.)

 

[HareBrain]

I'm impressed by Reiver's and Hex's. Quite how Reiver managed to pack so much setting, plot and backstory into 75 words is beyond me. Maybe I should try doing more writing at 4:30 in the morning.

 

[PolarityMan]

Moonbat, you clearly have one warped mind! Great choice.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

I missed a word out I swear it was there lol

 

[Hex]

I'm impressed by Reiver's and Hex's. Quite how Reiver managed to pack so much setting, plot and backstory into 75 words is beyond me. Maybe I should try doing more writing at 4:30 in the morning.

I have to say I was dubious about posting after reiver's entry and then once I'd written the thing was just as depressed to be posting after yours. I loved your story -- so elegant and civilised (only not) -- and the title was genius.

I agree about reiver's -- how on earth does anyone get that much story into 75 words without it even seeming like he needed more? It's not fair.

Ahh Mith. I like it! The way of the modern world. Who knew santa was so heartless?

Edited to say: Anya -- I hate it when that happens. I always notice once the edit window has passed. At least your missing word doesn't change the meaning!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Reiver33 – It made m laugh too. A great opening entry to this month’s challenge. You can almost feel the contempt at what has been built, see the graceful toy instead of some intimidating guard forgetting that this is what any would be wrong doers would see at the same time. Deceptive appearances and all that can sometimes be so much more effective than muscle.

HareBrain – There is a delightful, manipulative and childish cruelty in this story. Second one out of the barrel and another cracker. I can almost see the old seadog, with his toy boat, armed and ready, using it as leverage to get the mother to do his will. There is something delightfully nasty in it, well constructed and presented.

Hex – Another startlingly good entry. There is some very good imagery in the presentation, the hidden legacy of the toymaker, the huge Ursa being the last will and testament of a toymaker. Just what else he made that seems to have drawn the soldiers to his warehouse is a matter of delightful speculation, part of what appeals so much in this tale.

Southron Sword – A very interesting one this, reminding me in some ways of the original Toy Story, which is no bad thing. Toys used for more than just play things is probably not uncommon, but seeing them from the toys perspective is always a great device, especially when those toys don’t seem to be happy to lie back and take it.

AnyaKimlin – There is a warmth to this one, that works so well. In just a few words I began to feel a sympathy for these children, and there is a sense of wonder in what they see. I’d like to believe that there was a genuine magic in the toys they saw, rather than just a distraction that took away their woes. Lovely little tale.

Mith – I had a vague idea of using Santa and his reindeer, and having read this one I’m glad I didn’t, because how could it compare to this? Near perfect telling, giving all the information needed, but not really paying off until the end. Well written and perfect timing and the revelation that old “Ho Ho Ho” might be a delight to kids the world over, but when it comes to his reindeer, it’s venison time.

Odangutan – Well Ursa guests in a previous story and now we have mouse, although I’m not sure she would like her apparent fate here! As a whole the story works very well, it took me a moment to realise the protagonist is/was a mouse, which works to the benefit of the tale; while the opening line is so deliciously sinister it radiates a chill. Another excellent tale.

For a month that initially had a lot of apprehension, the stories seem to be coming in fast and furious, and they are all excellent. Different from one another, while catching the theme perfectly. I’m mightily impressed. (I also have to say that in that odd way of synchronicities, two of the stories back to back, followed some of the ideas I was thinking along – totally different at the same time.) Very entertaining.

 

[nixie]

Mmm, well I know what steam punk is after asking Teresa a few years back but I think I'll struggle this month.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

I think TE should be able to do fairly well with it, once she gets an entry. She's already experienced in writing steampunk, at least.


I'm trying to come up with an idea myself. I think I could get into the steampunk part, to be honest, but the theme is locking my gears in place....

 

[chrispenycate]

I had an idea straight away, although it may well be impossible to bring it in under seventy-five words – I think I'll write it out longhand, and if it goes over – say*– a thousand words put it to one side and search for another. I've popped my copy of 'The difference engine' into my jacket pocket (Hmm, I wonder where 'The Iron Dragon's Daughter is – haven't seen that for a while) and I'm editing an audiobook of Dickens, so I should be able to absorb the language eas – just a minute! Seventy-five words? Dickens couldn't blow his nose in seventy-five words; he was longer winded than me.

I suspect it will be a while.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Love all the stories so far.

Getting the steampunk bit in was a struggle in 75 words (even with one of them missing).

Thanks PM - I always love your recaps, I end up going back to read what I've written lol This time I'm impressed - as realised I never mentioned they were children. Like Chris though I think I could make it longer.

 

[Parson]

There must be something wrong with me. I understand all of the stories so far, but it gives me real pause that the standard is so high. In a genre I had never heard of before a few months ago.

Mouse: I would say that the gauntlet has been laid down and a response is in order. Mith has it in for you I think.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Well, I guess I can't complain after all -- I'm getting ideas left and right! The only problem is that I keep thinking they might be too obvious and everybody else is going to do them, so I haven't started writing anything yet. It will probably turn out the usual way for that thought, which is that nobody else writes any of the ideas that I thought were obvious!

 

[Mouse]

There must be something wrong with me. I understand all of the stories so far, but it gives me real pause that the standard is so high. In a genre I had never heard of before a few months ago.

Mouse: I would say that the gauntlet has been laid down and a response is in order. Mith has it in for you I think.

Ack. I only understand two of them!

And yes... what is it with all the mouse cruelty on these boards?!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, I got my entry up. It was easier than I expected it to go. And I'm sure everyone here will be able to see through it.


I'll see if I can do a similar thing to Perp and get some form of review out on down the road. No promises though.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

That would be cool, Karn. I've stuck mine up; I did have an alternative, but it didn't go ahead, so I wrote this instead, and do you know what? I think it's better. Might throw my other into the discussion thread at the end.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

As I said, no promises. I don't think I can do any today, anyway.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Hey some great entries already. Wow , this is a great theme/style this month , I plan to take more time than usual over this one...

 

[alchemist]

A shockingly high standard so far. My first idea was too similar to what Mith has done, so it's on to plan B -- combining steampunk, toys, a Christmas reference, another reference to a famous Christmas song, all in verse, and in a coherent story. Or I could develop a plan C.