Discussion - February 2011 - 75 Word Challenge

[Culhwch]

There's only a few hours left, and there are still far fewer votes in than there are stories. (In fact, I don't think anyone has voted since I went to bed last night.) For those who haven't done it yet: Go forth and vote!

My vote is coming, but I'm still agonising over it...

 

[alchemist]

HB, thanks ever so much. Delighted I am
When the vote is over I'll post about where it's set ( I suspect at least one other person knows where it is) and is very Celtic.

Oh, I hope this isn't meant to be me. I could make a stab at the legend behind it, though (tomorrow).

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, I hope this isn't meant to be me. I could make a stab at the legend behind it, though (tomorrow).

Oh, goody, i don't know the legend; I will look forward to that. (or I suspect I do, but it's buried very deep.)

Actually, to take the pressure off you, I think there's one of the antipoedian entrants who should know where it is as well. And not wanting to get into trouble, I'll leave it at that...

 

[alchemist]

Uh oh. Wrong legend then

Buried deep? It's coming to the surface in your art (just like on Desperate Housewives right now)

 

[crystal haven]

Thank you, The Judge and HareBrain, for shortlisting my story.

 

[Ursa major]

What a lot of stories from which to choose! But the choosing has to be done, and so here are my choices.

As usual, the entries are in date-of-posting order within each category:


Honourable Mentions:

• I second that emotion by Glen
• Chrons by Perpetual Man
• Last Words by mosaix
• Mother Love by The Judge

Runners Up:

• A Prayer for Evolution by Alchemist
• Marduk's Eternal Duty by Vertigo
• The Dead Can Weep by Teresa Edgerton

Winner:

• Probing Questions by paranoid marvin.

 

[Culhwch]

Two stories stood out for me - Teresa's The Dead Can Weep and HareBrain's Woodwitch. Both are so beautifully written, both deep with emotion in their brief seventy-five word span. This may have been the most difficult vote I've had to make yet, and I wish I could give half a vote to each.

Alas, a choice must be made, and my choice is Woodwitch.

 

[High Eight]

HB, thanks ever so much. Delighted I am
When the vote is over I'll post about where it's set ( I suspect at least one other person knows where it is) and is very Celtic.

I think I know, but I'm keeping mum until after the voting finishes. (Hint: If I'm right, a film and a song by Sonny Condell refer to the same place and legend).

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you Chaoticheart (who I didn't get a chance to thank before), and Mouse for your votes!

 

[Culhwch]

For the first time in a while we have a tie at the top of the leaderboard! Congrats to both Teresa and Bob for making it this far. Now for the tiebreaker, available here:

TIEBREAKER POLL

This one is only open for two days, so don't forget to vote!

 

[Bob Senior]

I have noticed the same "problem" here, though it is not one I would ever like solved. Personally I think it is because the participants do it for the love of the challenge and the safety in knowing that everyone here is supportive in the competitiveness.
Artistry in action, is what I have consistently seen here, with genuine concern for fellow artist, and genuine appreciation that everyone will put forth their best efforts. I adore this challenge because I know my unique view will be as appreciated as much as I appreciate the unique views of others; because I know that what ever my best is, it will be seen in that light. I also like that after each challenge is all over I can get specific help with the areas I am personally struggling with as a growing writer from people who know and care about me enough to want to see me succeed.
A rebirth of what "Friend" should mean.

I could not agree more, Amen.

And thank you DEO for the "shortlist"
Bob

 

[mosaix]

I've got a little behind in my thanks.

Parson, Hopewrites, DEO, TJ, HareBrain and UM - thanks for the short lists.

Congratulations to Teresa and Bob.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I have noticed the same "problem" here, though it is not one I would ever like solved. Personally I think it is because the participants do it for the love of the challenge and the safety in knowing that everyone here is supportive in the competitiveness.
Artistry in action, is what I have consistently seen here, with genuine concern for fellow artist, and genuine appreciation that everyone will put forth their best efforts.

I think you have summed up (and done it beautifully) the way that everyone has embraced the spirit of the challenge from the very beginning. It has been a wonderful thing to see, that even though participants come and go, the spirit has always been the same.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Agreed. Beautifully put, and true, too.

P.S. I've cast my vote in the tie-breaker poll. Has everyone else?

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, in the tiebreaker I went for TE because out of the two featured I found hers to reach me better.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Not a big decision for me, I voted for Bob first time around, so stuck with that for the tiebreak. (Makes it easier when the one you voted for is in the tiebreak!

Thanks for the honourable mention Ursa!

It does not seem that long ago (but I've probably gone over a year now) when I first thought, 'Oooh, it'd be nice to see if I can write a positive comment about everyone's entry this month!' and I've been doing it ever since, because every one seem to like it. It's quite an easy task because everyone is superb.

This month seems to have seen a lot more thanks to me for my comments, for which I'm humbled. As most people know the coming months are going to have an impact on my free time, I fully intend to try and keep going, but I might stumble toward the end of this month/April and certainly May... but rest assured I will still read everyone and see just how brilliant they all are!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

i went for Bob; i liked the voice.

So, I said I would explain the setting of my little piece

On the north coast of northern ireland there is a little town called Portstewart and at one end of the harbour it has a convent (now unused) perched high on the cliff. Under it, wrapped the whole way round the cliff and stretching for about a mile and half, to a massive sandy strand, there is a cliff path which is called the Nun's walk. One side of it drops down to the sea, and the sea there is the north atlantic, pretty much unstopped since America, so it's very fresh, as you can imagine. As students we used to do the walk regularly, and esp. at night, it's impressive.

on the other note ; it was supposed to be about a challenge to our devotion, and then in the morning she still returned to the convent, but temptation was there. In the original version I wrote (300 words) it was more subtle, unfortunately in the editing it became rather less ambiguous and, there's a lesson there, somewhere.
But I'm glad it went down well, delighted it got a couple of votes - ty deo and hb -, and also that it gave a bit of a laugh; we all need one.

Well done TE and Bob and good luck.

 

[Abernovo]

I stayed with my original vote for Bob, even though I loved Teresa's story as well. It was the voice in Bob's entry that spoke to me.

I thought it curious that we ended up with two ghost stories in our tie-break, though.


And Springs, for me, the nun's devotion to her vocation, despite her temptation, came through in your entry.

 

[Ursa major]

An easy decision for me, I'm pleased to say: only one of the two stories, Teresa's, had been on my shortest shortlist.

 

[stormcrow]

Well, my tie-breaker vote goes to Teresa, who wsa in my original shortlisting.
I'm nothing if not consistent!

Well done to all tho'; I'm still enjoying - read...re-read...read...re-read!