Discussion 75 Word Challenge -- MARCH

[hopewrites]

Had to attend a strange meeting, but I got my story.

 

[Warren_Paul]

Had to attend a strange meeting, but I got my story.

Are you sure you didn't bring the strange meeting back with you?

 

[hopewrites]

there is no evidence of that *licks fingers* any more.

 

[Warren_Paul]

there is no evidence of that *licks fingers* any more.

Sure, very convincing...

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Vertigo: Who's to say something like this isn't out there? This is almost exactly the sort of premise that Piers Anthony's Proton/Phaze novels have, except that both universes are aware of each other. It's a common idea, but one I find that executes well here. And humorous besides, another Laurel and Hardy situation could easily spike from this.


Hopewrites: You know, I think this explains a lot. I always knew refrigerators were nothing more than magical boxes! How else does that little light flip on when the door opens? But all jokes aside, this was an interesting twist on the theme that, while anticipated, would make into a perfect children's story.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Thank you, Karn. I worked hard to cram those intense visuals into 75 words.

Can't say too much more until after the contest. Shhh.

 

[stormcrow]

DEO - wondefully maddening isn't it? I keepn having the urge to post "It means this, and this; it means that, did you get the reference to....?", and so on.

But then, could that be because we're indulging in cognitive wossisname?

 

[David Evil Overlord]

DEO - wondefully maddening isn't it? I keepn having the urge to post "It means this, and this; it means that, did you get the reference to....?", and so on.

But then, could that be because we're indulging in cognitive wossisname?

Yes, I think I worked so hard on cramming those intense visuals in there, I may have left something else out. But, if I did, I can't say...

Anyway, indulging in cognitive wossisname is perfectly acceptable between consenting adults. As long as they don't do it in the streets and frighten the centaurs.

 

[Vertigo]

Vertigo: Who's to say something like this isn't out there? This is almost exactly the sort of premise that Piers Anthony's Proton/Phaze novels have, except that both universes are aware of each other. It's a common idea, but one I find that executes well here. And humorous besides, another Laurel and Hardy situation could easily spike from this.

Yes I was aware it was not exactly original but this is not really my genre for either reading or writing so I was a bit desperate! And it was fun to write

 

[r_j_dando]

First attempt! There's some great entries up there already so i'm not holding my breath, but it's good to try, eh?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

And a very nice first attempt it was too; Vertigo, Stormcow, HW, all excellent. *Hope you are going to have to do something about the fridge.... *

 

[Abernovo]

It was a good entry, rj. Well-described, so that I could imagine the scene.

 

[r_j_dando]

Thank you, both! I look forward to reading the rest of the entries

 

[Perpetual Man]

Way, way behind on the comments this month - people are posting so fast these days!

Not only that Karn has managed to keep on top of them, makes me look bad

Springs – A cracking start to this month’s challenge which serves to point the differences between two different cultures; the fear the American’s display at the word fairy because of the different common meanings is almost understandable and of course the fear of litigation. Of course the end result is probably a lot worse...

Bowler 1 – The second story continues the standard, with current affairs entwined within as well, but handled in a manner that is funny as well. The desperation of a leprechaun starting to hit on locals because of the credit crunch gives a fun story a lot more depth, and keeps you thinking about it long after reading has been completed.

Anya – There is something almost relaxing about the opening part of the story, with just the overlying touch of unease. I could almost imagine a mermaid swimming through the depths, even though this is not what the story is. The more you read though feelings of loss, and fear creep in culminating in the final line and the chill that comes with it.

Hex – For me this really caught the feel of magic being the mundane, in some strange way the dogs seemed to fit perfectly, not out of place at all. There were some lovely touches (the eyes) and some delicious turns of phrase (red snarling, meat mouths) that made the story really hit home.

Abernovo – Brilliant title! A lovely play on the old sixth sense, portrayed in the voices the main character can apparently hear. The thought of someone being able to do that is quite a shiver up the spine, uncanny indeed.

Warren – Another superb entry, it starts of so well, about the leaving of presents for the good children, then really pulls the rug out from under you with the what happens to the naughty kids, which gets worse by the end with mentions of empty desks, and then escalates again when our tale teller admits to being naughty. Not just uncanny, but bloody terrifying!

Glitch – Another clever entry. A telepath used to catch criminals, by reading their thoughts and seeing whether the suspect is innocent... or not. In so few words we get the feel that this is the norm for the this world, which nails the challenge dead on.

Perp – Not sure whether it works or not as people commented on what I was trying to do as though it had not been done, but Karn’s comments more than made up for it!

Crystal – It felt to me as though Crystal had nailed the story, catching the feel of a child telling the story, the dark wonder of the stone grandma, couple with the final line which gave the tale the perfect, unsettling ending.

Teresa – What I liked most about this one, was the mixture of the casual (the way the wife turning into the gorgon was jus accepted blasé), the mundane (trying to carry on with the dinner as though nothing had changed), and the dark humour at the end. A coat rack indeed. Brilliant.

Scott – there was something very strange in this one, but strange in the right way. To me it came across as a light piece, but carrying the dark undertones beneath the surface. A dictator killed just because our protagonist drank tea... real or just coincidence? It adds to that unsettling feeling.

Karn – (Not just saying this because of his comments on mine. Honest). I thought this one carried the stroke of genius. The idea was simple, but the ending is what really made the story truly uncanny. It left a slight buzz in my chest (and still does), changing the whole complexion of the story and opening it out, so it is both oblique and unsettling. Were the Nereids truly warning the potential victims of true danger, or trying to keep them away from a genuine paradise? I can’t make up my mind!!!

Fishii – Kidnapping, child-snatching never good in real life, but certainly something that should not be attempted in a world where magic and the mystical are common place. Like so many of the stories so far the end of this one gives you that little strange feeling deep inside, which for me at least, is the very definition of uncanny.

Bob – Yet another superlative entry, again one I really enjoyed, simple but clever and fun at the same time/ Nothing is more powerful a than love, and two puppets who perform together all the time; two wooden character with hearts and minds of their own who might just fall in love and given freedom try to act on that love... but forever held back by the strings that hold them... is it all the puppeteer or something more?

 

[MemoryTale]

I'm not 100% sure I've written within the subject rules, but my entrie's up.

I hope I'm around when it comes to voting time, but my firstborn is due to arrive around then, so no offense to anyone if I don't vote.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I'm not 100% sure I've written within the subject rules, but my entrie's up.

I hope I'm around when it comes to voting time, but my firstborn is due to arrive around then, so no offense to anyone if I don't vote.

I can't see anything wrong with as far as the rules go, I can see how it fits the theme, so nothing to worry about there (although I'm not a mod...)

And I'm sure no one minds about the voting thing. If you've got a baby coming, you've got a baby coming and there is nothing much you can do about it. I don't think it's going to pause for you

 

[MemoryTale]

I can't see anything wrong with as far as the rules go, I can see how it fits the theme, so nothing to worry about there (although I'm not a mod...)

And I'm sure no one minds about the voting thing. If you've got a baby coming, you've got a baby coming and there is nothing much you can do about it. I don't think it's going to pause for you

...I'm sure a cork can be arranged

 

[Vertigo]

Come on where's your commitment to the Chrons! Take your laptop to the hospital!

 

[MemoryTale]

You assume I have one

 

[Abernovo]

Thank you for the kind words, as ever, Perp.

Memory Tale, I'm sure you can be forgiven in the event of a baby (and a first-born, at that) arriving. It might be wise to use chocolate as bribery though, just to make sure of forgiveness. Then again, I saw a hospital with a cyber café on TV the other day, so...

I'm kidding. Hope everything runs smoothly for you.