Discussion - February 2011 - 75 Word Challenge

[Vertigo]

I did something like that then glanced down at the bottom of the window and... 150 words and I wasn't even close to the end. How did that happen?

 

[High Eight]

Perp, I guess you decided you'd better get going with your reviews after all Perp! I thought High Eight's was a spider or some such from the reference to chitin.

Oh and Karn; don't knock it, yours is already on my short list! I thought it was great and absolutely fitted the theme.

You got it, Vertigo. (Possibly) shape-shifting arachnoid/humanoid monster (Maybe alien).

One day I may finish the story that "Ill Met by Moonlight" is a vivisected chunk of - then even I'll know for sure!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Springs – She didn't! Really this is just turning the noble and respected 75 word challenge into smut, and I'm having nun of it, nun of it you hear! Why this kind of thing is habit forming, it'll grow and I mean biblical proportions. It's just going to make me cross! Soon it'll be all kinds of fallen clergy, coming at us from all angels. A lot of fun, certainly eyebrow raising, and an excellent story too.

Reiver – This is one of those where I think I know what's going on, but am prepared to be wrong! In this instance the set up is perfect. You get the impression of an old married couple that have been together forever and the moment has come when one of them must pass on, but... the twist comes when we discover that the main character is not a husband, but rather a guardian... wonderful.

Anya – Something a little different but no less wonderful for it. There are so many ways that this one can tie into the theme that it's quite miraculous. Darla's devotion to her diet, or to her weakness for food, to Linzi's becoming a lifetime on the hips. Really quite simple, but the more you look at it the more clever it becomes.

Hex – Once again a really clever story that starts out misleading you. There was no doubt in my mind as I read through it for the first time that this was another story turning into a smutty piece, but of course I should have known better. There are all kinds of devotion and in this instance it is not to another human, but to a drink, a fluid, for want of another word a drug. I nearly missed the connection to Professor T., but got it in the last moment!

Stormcrow – Yet another great story that could well be seen as tale of twisted devotion. Love of course can be both a wonderful and terrible thing, and we get to see it in this clever little tale. The main character falling in love with someone who he just cannot be with, is nothing new, the absolute devotion he has to the fairy is simply twisted into a devotion of hatred that takes on a truly horrific twist.

 

[reiver33]

Just for clarification; Saint Michael, he of the flaming sword, reaches to souls near death and saves them, hence frustrating Satan. His shield bears the phrase Quis ut Deus? ("Who is like God?").

The narrator in this story is either Hannah's guardian angel, or her husband who has earned the right to protect her soul through a lifetime of devotion (I leave it up to the reader).

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I got the reference, Reiver, and thought it very good.

Perp, thankyou for your comments. No defence offered.

 

[Hex]

Surely nun possible, Springs?

Thanks, Perp. Expecting smut from me? As if!

 

[Starbeast]

Just finished reading all the entries thus far and it’s amazing the amount of talent on this site.
Starbeast absolutely wonderful
Alchemist I loved the way your turned something I know well and made it completely alien to me
Spring wow… love the imagery and wow… lol

Thank you Juelz4sure for the compliment.

Your tale cracked me up because I used to work in retail, and I'd run into people who would not read instructions thoroughly (sometimes not at all) on products.

I do concur with you, there are plenty of talented writers here.

 

[Vertigo]

Just for clarification; Saint Michael, he of the flaming sword, reaches to souls near death and saves them, hence frustrating Satan. His shield bears the phrase Quis ut Deus? ("Who is like God?").

The narrator in this story is either Hannah's guardian angel, or her husband who has earned the right to protect her soul through a lifetime of devotion (I leave it up to the reader).

It is also the literal translation of Michael from the Hebrew.

I loved it and it's up there in my short list.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Alas, mine is a load of crap. That'll teach me to quickly bash out the first thing that comes to mind. If the rules permitted a re-write, it would probably look quite different.

Oh, well. There's always next month's challenge.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Your tale cracked me up because I used to work in retail, and I'd run into people who would not read instructions thoroughly (sometimes not at all) on products.

Trust me, Starbeast, it's not just in retail...

 

[Hex]

Ooops. You're not allowed a re-write DEO (not even in the discussion thread until voting's over) but I'm sure a mod will be along soon.

For what it's worth, I thought the version you originally posted was better anyway.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Yep, just like Hex says, but there is a thread after the voting closes where you can post alternatives etc and get feedback on what worked etc.

 

[Pyan]

but I'm sure a mod will be along soon.

And here one comes...

Members are welcome to post additional entries in the relevant Discussion thread, but only when voting for that Challenge has finished.

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/531184-rules-for-the-writing-challenges.html

I've removed, but not deleted the relevant part of the post. If you haven't got another copy, David, PM me after the voting's over, and I'll put it back in another post...

 

[Hex]

Nice one, hope. Kind of disturbing...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, dear Hope, i shouldn't have read that after breakfast, what did my poor egg think. Hee hee.

 

[hopewrites]

It came to me in the kitchen as I was making toast. Had to scribble out a synopsis on a crumb-encrusted napkin. so that by the time my spiced tea and strawberry toast made it down with me to my computer I would have the essence of it ready to concoct a tasty entry.
I wont say it is based on actual events, but it could have been...

 

[Vertigo]

Hehe nice one Hope. And I liked Heoru's one as well. What use is a short list if I put amost every entry into it?

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Okay, I'm a little perplexed, now. Over the past few days, I've allowed some friends to read my 75 word story, and received pretty much the same response from each of them: a blank expression - followed by, "I don't get it."

I thought I'd made it quite clear, but seemingly not. So I thought I'd ask the question here: what did you all get out of my story? - If anything. And what do you think is going on within the scene? I wouldn't usually ask, but it seems that no-one I know seems to get it.

I just hope it's a case of my friends being a little dense, rather than my explanations being poor ... here's hoping!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Maybe one of the Mod's can advise before I respond; I'm not sure how far on this thread we're allowed to discuss stories before voting.

(and fear not, Scott, I've hardly had a single one my family and friends have understood yet.)

 

[MemoryTale]

If you guys think that writing a story in 75 words is hard, there's a challenge from a CBC to write a love story (for valentine's day) in six words!

http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2012/02/03...st/?fb_ref=q-fb_like&fb_source=home_multiline

I'll see your six and raise you (lower you?) four:

"Will you marry me?"

(not a proposal btw)