Discussion - January 2012 - 75 Word Challenge

[StormFeather]

Stormfeather - This was a very different but completely entertaining story, super imposing the land of Oz on to the wild West could only be described as totally weird. In itself that would have been entertaining enough, but adding the more serious issues of a drought and the persecution of witches, especially the wrong which gave us a superb end of this month's stories.

Perp, as always I could give you a great big hug for your kind words. A poor entry is made to sound so much better than it actually is.

Starbeast, you've made my night with putting me on your shortlist.

Doubt i'll be able to narrow anything down tonight, but can't wait to snuggle up with a coffee and go through them tomorrow.

 

[Boneman]

And Anya: thanks for the kind words and shortlisting - just like Abernovo's race, I'm in great company once again!

 

[TheTomG]

Thanks for the mention Hex, and PM thanks for the comments (you were correct in your interpretation, at least in saying "your interpretation matched what I was intending.")

To vote, ack, going to be hard... time to bite the bullet, how appropriate, be back soon...

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the mention Starbeast, I did not expect anything this month so a mention out of the blue was something special... and then Anya went and topped that with a vote which floored me.

Many, many thanks.

I hope to be back up and running very soon - I'm more than aware I have a 300 word story to finish.

Thanks for everyone who sent me good wishes, it's been a rough week. I finished the last bit of medication to day and hopefully as they work their way out of my system I'll start to be my old grouchy self again.

 

[TheTomG]

In no particular order (as I moved this way and that through the thread to find my favorites) here is my short list. A lot of the poetry grabbed me this month, as did the stories from the perspective of the native Americans and their worldview and mythologies:

chrispenycate
reiver33
Grizzgreen711
paranoid marvin
hopewrites
Scott R. Forshaw
Anne Martin
Brev
Teresa Edgerton
TacticalLoco

In the end though my winner is hopewrites - I liked the clean simplicity of the story, most things normal right up until that little twist in the last sentence, which made me grin at the humor of it.

 

[alchemist]

Shortlist-
springs1971
hopewrites
Brev
Teresa Edgerton

I plumped for Teresa. I can't stand those quilts either.

Many thanks to Abernovo and Hex for the mentions, and belated thanks to Perp Man for the review. Hope you're fighting fit soon.

 

[Culhwch]

Difficult, but Cul gets my vote this month. 'Westworld' if I'm not mistaken. Visions of Yule Brynner taking a knife to his eyeball.

Wow, I was not expecting any votes this month, so this is very much appreciated! You nailed it - Westworld was the inspiration, though I've never seen the film itself, only many pop culture references. ('Hey, mouse. Say cheese.')

And many thanks also to Hex for the 'even shorter list' mention!

 

[mosaix]

Wow, I was not expecting any votes this month, so this is very much appreciated! You nailed it - Westworld was the inspiration, though I've never seen the film itself, only many pop culture references. ('Hey, mouse. Say cheese.')

And many thanks also to Hex for the 'even shorter list' mention!

Considering when it was made, Cul (1973) the special effects are really good. If you get the chance, see it.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Wow , 3 shortlists - thanks guys. Amongst such strong entries this month, I'm honoured. Still need a little more time to enjoy the entries before making my decision.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Hey PM,

Thank you for your thoughts and the clarity and objectivity that your words bring (something sadly lacking in my offerings! ).

The perplexity is unintentional but not surprising; I really did struggle with this month's theme and genre because - I must admit - I am no fan of Western (although, the 'weird' hooked me) however I think it is important to practice things outside of ones comfort zone so I was thinking Hey, count me in!

I aim for nebulousness ('nebulosity'??) but when that is at the expense of a clear narrative or concept it is obviously a fail, which I think it is in this case. However, there's the value added element to these challenges in that I learn from them.

Unfortunately my idea was not clear; Cowboy is de-horsed by some small green therapod dinosaurs (the 'chickens') which are nibbling him. Then he feels the impact tremor of an approaching dinosaur - a T-Rex in my mind.

I had been reading about the incredibly preserved Kathy Wankel T-Rex fossil in Montana and that gave me the what lies beneath part. Bit of a crowbar, but...

Lesson learned. And thank you so much again for your write up. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this for us.

pH

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh wow totally losing track with my limited connectivity and only realised its voting time
Ty to abernovo and starbeast for the votes I'm floored and amb and alc for shortlist
If I've missed any others apologies
Now off to read them all I have read most and know its really really hard

So my shortlist included
Anya; gave me such a laugh
Boneman; the last line was brill
Chrispy; very evocative
Ursa; appealed to my practical side!

The two I read several times and chewed between were

Te; so evocative and good fun
Abernovo; just briLliant the mayor out there with his gun

And I went for abernovo

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I feel like I've been nominated in almost every category already! Thanks for the honorable mention, Starbeast, the almost-vote, Grizzgreen711, the joint-second-place, Abernovo, and the nomination, Aun Doorback!

Must get to the stories tonight and make some lists myself.

 

[High Eight]

Perp, as always I could give you a great big hug for your kind words. A poor entry is made to sound so much better than it actually is.

The above applies to me and my entry as well. Thanks a million, Perp.

 

[High Eight]

OK here goes. Shortlist:

Springs1971 - And I don't even like dogs much.
Abernovo - Subtle and folkloric. Lovely!
Arkose - I want to see the film that this is a scene from.
Alchemist - "Swatted away a bat" - Great stuff
The Spurring Platty - [headdesk][headdesk][headdesk]
Joe the Timelord - Are you sure you aren't Harlan Ellison?
Scott R Forshaw - Spooky!

And my vote goes to - Scott R Foreshaw. His story has the resonance of genuine Western myth.

 

[Starbeast]

Starbeast, you've made my night with putting me on your shortlist.

The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite musicals, so I enjoyed you using that movie for your tale. Plus, I liked your use of color in your story.

I chuckled (fiendishly) when I discovered Munchkin land has the Death Penalty. Freaky and funny at the same time.

Thanks for the mention Starbeast, I did not expect anything this month so a mention out of the blue was something special...

I'm happy I surprised you. I thought it was cool how you relayed your tale by a storyteller. I really liked how it opened and closes. A great tale, from a great story reviewer.

I hope you're feeling better.

Wow , 3 shortlists - thanks guys. Amongst such strong entries this month, I'm honoured.

Your tale was executed into a fantastic rhyme. I had to include you in my short list.

Oh wow totally losing track with my limited connectivity and only realised its voting time
Ty to abernovo and starbeast for the votes I'm floored

It was beautiful, I couldn't stop thinking about how great it is. And you were among six other tales that I chose for 1st place that were just as brilliant.

I feel like I've been nominated in almost every category already! Thanks for the honorable mention, Starbeast

Your story took me by surprise. What a great ending to a sci-fi/fantasy movie this would make. Very cool man.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I started with a shortlist of 21 this time, and that just had to be pruned a bit so it wouldn't be silly. Well, some of it's still silly, but that's not my fault. So here is the (smaller) shortlist, the shorter list, and the *vote*.

springs1971 -- Sadly Missed
HareBrain -- El Brujo
Boneman -- Hands Up!
*mosaix -- There's Always Something Left Over*
hopewrites -- Mr. Daniels comes to town.
Moonbat -- A Texas Farewell
alchemist -- Sleeping With The Enemy
Anne Martin -- Unfinished Business
The Spurring Platty -- One Full Moon On The Plains...
RSliwinski -- Pioneer Ingenuity
TeresaEdgerton -- Lessons My Granny Taught Me
johnnyjet -- The Hanging Platform
High Eight -- Dead Man's Hand
Highlander -- Draw!
HoopyFrood -- Fair Fight, Now
The Judge -- The Yellow Rows of Texas


I can't believe how close I came to voting for HareBrain again, after swearing and then swearing that I wouldn't, upon seeing this theme/genre!

Special mention to Abernovo for writing a Tony Hillerman book in 75 words -- something Tony probably hasn't tried! And TJ, your title says you've been hanging around with me too long.

 

[hopewrites]

ACK!! voting time and I didnt finish my reviews like I wanted. well it's been a surreal month for me so i'll let that be my excuse.

Shortlist:
Abernovo
Reiver
Paranoid Marvin
Boneman
Moonbat
Alchemist
Brev
Teresa Edgerton
The Judge

thanks to Abernovo, TheTomG, Alchmeist, and TheDustyZebra for mentions and votes. I had a fun time with the reading and writing this month and really look forward to what we will all have fun with next month, when maybe I can find where I packed my equilibrium and get my life to settle down.

 

[Parson]

This challenge put forth a plethora of weird and wonderful stories.

Short list

Reiver 33--- Angels
Boneman --- Groan!
Mouse --- Grin!
Mosaix --- Concept+++
Chrispenycate --- Indian Spirit
T. E. --- Intriguing
Ursa --- Double Groan!!

Teresa gets my vote. Always listen to your granny, except when she's wrong.

---------------------

Thanks Anya for the short list. Made my day.

 

[Boneman]

Many thanks to TDZ, Hopeswrites and Parson for the shortlistings! I've read the entries three times and I'm no nearer choosing - sigh...

 

[Abernovo]

Wow, thanks for the mentions, Hex, TDZ, HighEight, Starbeast and hopewrites.

TDZ - I have to admit, I felt a little cheeky using the name Chee, but I couldn't deny one of my inspirations. Brilliant author.

And thank you very much, Springs, for the vote.