Discussion - January 2012 - 75 Word Challenge
- Thread starter Culhwch
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Boneman, I almost choked on my tea due to laughing. Brilliant
. Marvin, you just wrote the perfect ghost poem.
I've enjoyed everything that's gone up so far and it's not even the end of the third day. We've even had an entry from someone who only joined today and it's a solid tale.
-Hope you're okay, Perp.
. Marvin, you just wrote the perfect ghost poem.I've enjoyed everything that's gone up so far and it's not even the end of the third day. We've even had an entry from someone who only joined today and it's a solid tale.
-Hope you're okay, Perp.
Boneman
Well-Known Member
Thanks Abernovo. Hope you don't get indigestion...
Someone said about the standard going up, and I know it is, because it gets harder every month!
Perp, can I add my good wishes? And if you're not up to doing the synopses, just say the word, and someone else will do them... Won't be anywhere near as good as yours, but you deserve a month or two off, if you need it.
Yeah, Marvin, I blame you - I've got 'Ghostriders in the sky' stuck in my head now!!
Someone said about the standard going up, and I know it is, because it gets harder every month!
Perp, can I add my good wishes? And if you're not up to doing the synopses, just say the word, and someone else will do them...
Won't be anywhere near as good as yours, but you deserve a month or two off, if you need it.Yeah, Marvin, I blame you - I've got 'Ghostriders in the sky' stuck in my head now!!
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Thanks for the kind words guys, judging by the entries so far , this is going to be a great month.
Haha, someone pass the beans!
Haha, someone pass the beans!
Haha. Not that kind of tea, Boneman. Chai, cha, a cuppa - my addiction of choice.
AnyaKimlin
Confuddled
Not exactly feeling up to it at the moment, so maybe it is a blessing in disguise...
Just written my first attempt and thought it was a good starting point till I realised there was nothing weird about it....
sorry to hear your not your usual self.
As this is a board for sci-fi/fantasy maybe the lack of weird is weird
hopewrites
Crochet Streamer
I have an idea, Just no idea how to get it into any words 75 not withstanding. If I can pull it off I'll enter, if not count on me for voting.
ps the idea is not the one I put up in my blog. that one was a just trial run of spewing words at my computer, that was too good not to share.
ps the idea is not the one I put up in my blog. that one was a just trial run of spewing words at my computer, that was too good not to share.
Boneman, that is truly awful!
hopewrites
Crochet Streamer
Anya, somehow I get the impression (maybe from the pink?) that the lice band is playing in a lice saloon. And there are dancing girls and maybe even someone swinging from his cowlick.
HareBrain, I cant get those unblinking eyes out of my head, fantastic
Hex, Perfect last line!! How many times do the superstitious get it wrong? (ps beautiful imagery on the setting)
Aun, Interesting exchange and nice flow of conversation.
Aaron, a forceful narrative, nicely done.
Paranoid Marvin, my heart raced, imagination chased!
such thrilling scenes and gruesome screams…
description of test put to rest
all dire dread that filled my head
in rhymed reply, I can not lie
my heart stood still, reading with thrill. (thank you)
Boneman, you broke my dyslexic brain and I loved it!! I hope I wasn’t the only one reading every sentence twice to be sure I was getting the story straight, only to laugh my head off at the last line. Thank you so very much for a brilliant piece of writing, or should I say peace of writing?
HareBrain, I cant get those unblinking eyes out of my head, fantastic
Hex, Perfect last line!! How many times do the superstitious get it wrong? (ps beautiful imagery on the setting)
Aun, Interesting exchange and nice flow of conversation.
Aaron, a forceful narrative, nicely done.
Paranoid Marvin, my heart raced, imagination chased!
such thrilling scenes and gruesome screams…
description of test put to rest
all dire dread that filled my head
in rhymed reply, I can not lie
my heart stood still, reading with thrill. (thank you)
Boneman, you broke my dyslexic brain and I loved it!! I hope I wasn’t the only one reading every sentence twice to be sure I was getting the story straight, only to laugh my head off at the last line. Thank you so very much for a brilliant piece of writing, or should I say peace of writing?
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
To be honest, I've not really been in the mood for anything lately, the last few weeks....
I don't know why, but this month I'm just truly not feeling any inspiration to go through with it. And not just because of genre or theme, either; I just seem to have no desire. I should probably blame my diet over the holidays, partly; a bunch of potato chips and high fat meats without any of my usual fiber just doesn't do right by me.
I don't know why, but this month I'm just truly not feeling any inspiration to go through with it. And not just because of genre or theme, either; I just seem to have no desire. I should probably blame my diet over the holidays, partly; a bunch of potato chips and high fat meats without any of my usual fiber just doesn't do right by me.
TacticalLoco
Well-Known Member
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Didn't anyone here watch FireFly?
Karn Maeshalanadae
I'm a pineapple
Actually, no, I've never watched it.
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I have watched (and loved) Firefly, and it surprises me that none of my ideas seem to have come from that direction... yet.
Two of the three seem very dark though, so I'm a thinkin' of given' them a little ol' miss.
Two of the three seem very dark though, so I'm a thinkin' of given' them a little ol' miss.
Boneman
Well-Known Member
Boneman, that is truly awful!
That is high praise, thank you! Weirdly awful, or awfully weird?
by Hopewrites
Boneman, you broke my dyslexic brain and I loved it!! I hope I wasn’t the only one reading every sentence twice to be sure I was getting the story straight, only to laugh my head off at the last line. Thank you so very much for a brilliant piece of writing, or should I say peace of writing?
Tahnk you, too, Hopes.
Karn, you should be bound up with ideas...
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Thanks for all the good wishes, don't worry too much it's this time of year is often quite bad for me - just a little down, which has combined with my insomnia returning and knocking the daylight out of me!
I'll live
Some great stories already, in fact all of them are it's frightening how good.
My only complaint is Cul deliberately waiting until I was up to date with my comments and then posting a story while I was writing the last comment....
I thought in honour of the season just past I'd go with a seasonal theme:
Springs – What can be said about this brilliant opener. Even though it is not a story, it is writing on a tombstone, it tells a story that conveys more than standard prose would. The icing on a very rich cake is the formatting of the test. Literally a cross, which just gives it the decoration that obviously came with the wave of inspiration that must have hit the writer like a sugar rush.
AMB – There’s a hard shell on this little candy treat, once you get through it though you can taste the sweetness within, made all the more succulent by the image it conjures. There is a good strong image of a man wandering across the old west, looking for gold, drifting from claim to claim, never having the patience to stay long enough, hoping that the sweet centre will come easily.
Abernovo – There is the genuine feel of the old west in the opening lines here, and strangely, like a bitter Christmas pudding as dessert, the addition of the supernatural elements works so well. I feel it is the use of words, the story is filled with just enough sixpences of diction to keep the feel of the story, giving it the authenticity of a fine brandy butter sauce.
Reiver33 – A traditional shootout in this hard toffee from the Quality Street of stories, there is a certain chewiness to the tale, in that it has some body to it, and the fact that the evil undead is confronted by an angel can be nothing else but the golden wrapper. Really enjoyed this one, even if I guessed the ending, in fact it was one of those times that knowing what was coming made it work.
Grizzgreen711 – There is a bitter taste to this one, almost as though you are tucking into a strawberry cream to find you have coffee instead. A gunslinger waiting to put down his wife, is beautifully put together, and there is some wonderfully caught emotion, you could almost feel the love the cowboy has for his deceased spouse, the doubt he has that he can pull that trigger, and leaving the ending opening leaves you wondering whether he managed to pull that trigger in the end.
Arkose – This little beauty is the crack of the cracker as it explodes; an action packed full blown gunfight in 75 words. There is no real beginning and no end, but it does not need it, it tells you all you need to know, a snapshot of a moment that tells an entire story, culminating in a near Butch and Sundance conclusion.
AlcubierreWarp – The lights twinkle on the tree like the stars in the sky, fitting for this tale. The opening poetical lines indeed sparkle, profound and full of meaning. The story itself is no less profound , speaking of wonders that single man might have seen as he travels amongst the stars, but teaches the old truth that maybe just what you are looking for, the thing that drives the wanderlust might be the very thing you left behind.
Anya – This is the box of decorations that cat got in, totally crazy but wonderful at the same time. An unexpected present it catches you unawares and makes you smile despite yourself with some delicious references to a twenty gallon, pink hat and then tops itself with the band of performing lice. I could enjoy the images of this one for a long time.
HB – I’m pretty sure there are those presents and surprises that do not need to be unwrapped, and I am sure that is how the gamblers must have felt as the sunglasses were removed to reveal the horror beneath. There is a wonderfully grim moment in this, when the method of cheating is revealed, that is nearly matched by the fear that keeps his accuser rooted to the town for the rest of his days.
Hex – Sometimes you just can’t leave something alone, even though you know it is better left undisturbed, li9ke that turkey in the fridge, that has been sitting there for over a week... much the same as the people who see something uncanny in the building on the prairie. I particularly like the end, a waste of a good house indeed. The builder was probably just that a better builder than his neighbours. (But then in never does say what was found in the foundations....
Aun – Over a couple of seasonal drinks it’s not unusual for tongues to start wagging, argument s to spring up from nothing, but nothing quite like this one. It’s a nicely executed story, with some wonderful clever components – a tall storyteller who has been to hell called Dante – delicious, and the almost prophetic conclusion to the tale just make it a delight.
Aaron Stone – The aftermath of a huge seasonal dinner, turkey carcass on the table and empty plates, cups and bowels, a town stripped of all life, you could almost feel the ghostly assault, ripping life into lifelessness. The feeling of a grim, unstoppable end is almost palpable. A great take on the theme, to the point and well executed. Just like many of the townspeople were.
PM – Amidst all the presents and carols, and songs, food and drink, there is often a poem that stands out, not just because it is entertaining, but because it catches the feel of the moment, and this one does just that. It is the first bit of verse we have had this time around and it is superlative. I loved every single line, and the story within – if I’m getting it right, as the ghosts of a past great battle rise once more, replaying their conflict, condemned to repeat their ignominy of their deaths one more time.
Boneman – This is that puzzle from a Christmas cracker that is intriguing and impossible to put together, until by chance you do and you realise how clever and wonderful it is. The misused words, alternate spellings and general story, paint a wonderful picture of a robber of limited means, making the best with what he has, which let’s be honest, is probably not that much. The final line is just spot on perfect and probably more true than the would be bank robber knows.
I'll live
Some great stories already, in fact all of them are it's frightening how good.
My only complaint is Cul deliberately waiting until I was up to date with my comments and then posting a story while I was writing the last comment....
I thought in honour of the season just past I'd go with a seasonal theme:
Springs – What can be said about this brilliant opener. Even though it is not a story, it is writing on a tombstone, it tells a story that conveys more than standard prose would. The icing on a very rich cake is the formatting of the test. Literally a cross, which just gives it the decoration that obviously came with the wave of inspiration that must have hit the writer like a sugar rush.
AMB – There’s a hard shell on this little candy treat, once you get through it though you can taste the sweetness within, made all the more succulent by the image it conjures. There is a good strong image of a man wandering across the old west, looking for gold, drifting from claim to claim, never having the patience to stay long enough, hoping that the sweet centre will come easily.
Abernovo – There is the genuine feel of the old west in the opening lines here, and strangely, like a bitter Christmas pudding as dessert, the addition of the supernatural elements works so well. I feel it is the use of words, the story is filled with just enough sixpences of diction to keep the feel of the story, giving it the authenticity of a fine brandy butter sauce.
Reiver33 – A traditional shootout in this hard toffee from the Quality Street of stories, there is a certain chewiness to the tale, in that it has some body to it, and the fact that the evil undead is confronted by an angel can be nothing else but the golden wrapper. Really enjoyed this one, even if I guessed the ending, in fact it was one of those times that knowing what was coming made it work.
Grizzgreen711 – There is a bitter taste to this one, almost as though you are tucking into a strawberry cream to find you have coffee instead. A gunslinger waiting to put down his wife, is beautifully put together, and there is some wonderfully caught emotion, you could almost feel the love the cowboy has for his deceased spouse, the doubt he has that he can pull that trigger, and leaving the ending opening leaves you wondering whether he managed to pull that trigger in the end.
Arkose – This little beauty is the crack of the cracker as it explodes; an action packed full blown gunfight in 75 words. There is no real beginning and no end, but it does not need it, it tells you all you need to know, a snapshot of a moment that tells an entire story, culminating in a near Butch and Sundance conclusion.
AlcubierreWarp – The lights twinkle on the tree like the stars in the sky, fitting for this tale. The opening poetical lines indeed sparkle, profound and full of meaning. The story itself is no less profound , speaking of wonders that single man might have seen as he travels amongst the stars, but teaches the old truth that maybe just what you are looking for, the thing that drives the wanderlust might be the very thing you left behind.
Anya – This is the box of decorations that cat got in, totally crazy but wonderful at the same time. An unexpected present it catches you unawares and makes you smile despite yourself with some delicious references to a twenty gallon, pink hat and then tops itself with the band of performing lice. I could enjoy the images of this one for a long time.
HB – I’m pretty sure there are those presents and surprises that do not need to be unwrapped, and I am sure that is how the gamblers must have felt as the sunglasses were removed to reveal the horror beneath. There is a wonderfully grim moment in this, when the method of cheating is revealed, that is nearly matched by the fear that keeps his accuser rooted to the town for the rest of his days.
Hex – Sometimes you just can’t leave something alone, even though you know it is better left undisturbed, li9ke that turkey in the fridge, that has been sitting there for over a week... much the same as the people who see something uncanny in the building on the prairie. I particularly like the end, a waste of a good house indeed. The builder was probably just that a better builder than his neighbours. (But then in never does say what was found in the foundations....
Aun – Over a couple of seasonal drinks it’s not unusual for tongues to start wagging, argument s to spring up from nothing, but nothing quite like this one. It’s a nicely executed story, with some wonderful clever components – a tall storyteller who has been to hell called Dante – delicious, and the almost prophetic conclusion to the tale just make it a delight.
Aaron Stone – The aftermath of a huge seasonal dinner, turkey carcass on the table and empty plates, cups and bowels, a town stripped of all life, you could almost feel the ghostly assault, ripping life into lifelessness. The feeling of a grim, unstoppable end is almost palpable. A great take on the theme, to the point and well executed. Just like many of the townspeople were.
PM – Amidst all the presents and carols, and songs, food and drink, there is often a poem that stands out, not just because it is entertaining, but because it catches the feel of the moment, and this one does just that. It is the first bit of verse we have had this time around and it is superlative. I loved every single line, and the story within – if I’m getting it right, as the ghosts of a past great battle rise once more, replaying their conflict, condemned to repeat their ignominy of their deaths one more time.
Boneman – This is that puzzle from a Christmas cracker that is intriguing and impossible to put together, until by chance you do and you realise how clever and wonderful it is. The misused words, alternate spellings and general story, paint a wonderful picture of a robber of limited means, making the best with what he has, which let’s be honest, is probably not that much. The final line is just spot on perfect and probably more true than the would be bank robber knows.
Thanks for the reviews Perp -- the month wouldn't be the same without them. They quite often send me back to look at others' stories afresh. Hope your mood picks up soon.
I'm surprised no one (me included) has gone with a Lovecraftian "pre-Columbian horrors awakening beneath the earth" take on the theme, which was my first thought when I set it. Early days yet though.
I'm surprised no one (me included) has gone with a Lovecraftian "pre-Columbian horrors awakening beneath the earth" take on the theme, which was my first thought when I set it. Early days yet though.
Someone might be scribbling away at it even as we speak HB.
Perp, ty for the very kind review, I thought I'd have a bit of fun with the formatting this month!
January blues; horrible. It's at this time of the year I start squirreling away seed catalogues and count the weeks until I can out to the garden.
Perp, ty for the very kind review, I thought I'd have a bit of fun with the formatting this month!
January blues; horrible. It's at this time of the year I start squirreling away seed catalogues and count the weeks until I can out to the garden.
Heh, I have been thinking of a Lovecraftian take on this theme, but I have done the crazy thing of not looking at the stories, which obviously not reading Perp's reviews (and all the other reviewers who have popped up) so I'm more worried about copying someone else's idea. It is a tough challenge to not read them as they come in, but I am looking forward to the end of the month and reading 42 gems as they come.
I must confess I read the first three before I remembered not to read them.
I did have one good idea, but after writing it and whittling it down a bit (still over 100 words) I realised there ain't much weird about it.
I must confess I read the first three before I remembered not to read them.
I did have one good idea, but after writing it and whittling it down a bit (still over 100 words) I realised there ain't much weird about it.
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I've got six ideas playing around in my head and on a piece of paper and am not really happy with any of them.
There was a moment of inspiration this morning, but getting it to work is going to be the tricky bit....
There was a moment of inspiration this morning, but getting it to work is going to be the tricky bit....
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