Discussion -- 75 Word Challenge -- June

[Perpetual Man]

I've been through my shortlist a couple of times and....

Paranoid Marvin, Karn, TSP, Grimbear, Parson and Cul all made it into the shorter list.

Aun and HJ get the runners up position,

and because it ran a spike through my heart every time I reached the end, the vote goes to:

Brev.

 

[MemoryTale]

Well I just voted for TheJudge, so let's see if a random meteorite comes crashing through my front room or some-

 

[HareBrain]

My top three are:

Teresa -- for most satisfying plot
Reiver33 -- for most powerful imagery (and the line "defined by the stars it obscured")
Starbeast -- for best laugh, and a very weird mental cartoon

Reiver33 gets my vote.

Special mentions to The Judge for a very clever entry, and Stormcrow for managing to get the theme into his entry four times (and none).

 

[ratsy]

Well now I am a little afraid. Had I known voting for The Judge would put me into a Book of Job like test then I may have chosen a different story. I guess God has a lacking sense of humor?

 

[Highlander]

Back from Holiday now and still very jet-lagged. However, thanks to the short listings of springs, r j dando, Starbeast and ratsy.

Hope I haven't missed anybody.

Now all I have to do is read the tales and cast my own vote - read about a third and have shortlisted all of them so far - not an easy task this month!

 

[Lilmizflashythang]

I'd say anytime, but I never know which story will win for me.

 

[Moonbat]

well I have voted, another stonking month from the Chrons.

My shortlist, shorter list and vote.

Bowler - every child matters
memory tale – voluntary torture
luigin – what's the world coming to?
springs – mummy's boys
hex – sarah's trial
mith – fangs for the invite
stevietee – the soprano
hopewrites – your going where?
brev – the sacking of shanmeni
harebrain – the sin eater
phyrebat – Fred
tactical loco – whose innocence?
starbeast – absence of innocence
the spurring platty – the taste ofthe unnatural
mosaix – like a lamb
kaal – childish game
grimbear – recycled
culhwch – already lost

another big month, 63 entries at my count. Only 40 votes so far.

 

[nixie]

Hopes hasn't put anyone of voting for TJ...

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Hopes hasn't put anyone of voting for TJ...

What?

Maybe I'm still just too under sleep, but this didn't quite make sense to me....

 

[nixie]

Apologies Karn my laziness again, should have said I hope the forth coming operations of two the voters for TJ doesn't put anyone else of voting for TJ.

 

[Bowler1]

Cheers, Moonbat.

 

[Grimbear]

Voted days ago but haven't had a minute spare to comment - sorry for that.

Am astounded and grateful for all the mentions and shortlistings - and the fact that I got some votes. That's amazing - Thanks! - am blown away.

Found it very hard to choose. Was split between luigin, culhwch, mosaix and The Judge.

Went for luiglin for my vote.

@luiglin - you made me laugh and I still can't get that image out of my head. Thanks!

 

[Hex]

Thank you very much for the mentions Stormcrow, johnnyjet and Moonbat.

And thank you for the vote, Brev! (and the lovely comments)

bouncebouncebouncebounceybouncebounce!

 

[stevietee]

Thanks for the mentions, moonbat, stormcrow johnnyjet & ratsy

My longlist, shortlist and winner below:

luiglin
Gary Compton
crystal haven
hex
stillearning
ratsy
Brev
boneman
Aun Doorback
mosaix
Perpetual Man
Hilarious Joke
Grimbear

It was actually a close call between HJ and Brev, both of them stuck in my mind the first time I read them, but Brev just edged it in the end. Heartbreaking.

 

[Parson]

Parson - A classically inspired piece which comes across as almost mournful. Charon seems to be aware of his hunger but like many addictions is powerless before the hunger that consumes him. The fate of the little girl is handled perfectly, low key but there is a real sense of loss. An excellent entry.

Parson I cannot believe I missed an entry especially yours, I feel awful. Am so sorry - just a symptom of this absentminded/forgetfulness I'm having at the moment. It's already caused me a problem here this month and now here's another.

Not only did I not do the review (I shudder to admit it) I did not even read it!

I'm glad I had not voted 'cause it's made my short list.

ANYONE/EVERYONE else if I ever skip your review just yell at me.

I had no intention of adding to your anxiety. Forgive me for that. Every new parent deserves a more than a little grace. You do a great service Perp, and as you should know its more than a little appreciated around here.

JohnnyJet & Perpetual Man Thanks for including me on your list. I'm back for a short moment, hope I can vote yet. Family obligations, you know.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Mosaix wins hands down for me.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Oh, and can I also say thankyou for the kind words , shortlistings and to Starbeast for my vote. They really do mean an awful lot.

 

[mosaix]

Many thanks to Moonbat, Grimbear and Stevietee for the short listings. And many, many thanks to Paranoid Marvin for the vote.

I'm not sure that we've had such an even spread of votes before. Looks like another tie-breaker is a possibility.

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks very much for the mentions, r j dando, TacticalLoco, StarBeast, DEO and Bowler1.

You're welcome TacticalLoco. You've created another fine story.

You folks are keeping me well entertained!

Special mentions to the following – my favourite entries this month:

Starbeast (among others)

You're quite welcome Stromcrow. Keep up the excellent work.

Again lots of quality stories. I'm amazed how much story can be compacted in 75 words! Thanks for the short-listings Starbeast & Bowler1!

And now . . .

My Favorites:
15. Absence of Essence – Starbeast

You're welcome Johnnyjet, great story. And thank you for including me in your "Favorites List".

I agree that there are many talented people writing wonderful short stories using only 75 words, it is amazing.

My taste buds took out 10% of the stories - they would have liked gnasking further into those, but according to rules they’re just allowed to sniff and saying thank you to Culhwch (hope I spelled it right), kiffinyjean (wish the chrons didn’t have such hard-spelling pseudos), Perpetual Man, and unforetunately Aun Doorback and Starbeast too.

Your welcome Anivid. PM me if you really want to "gnash", I don't mind, but I'm curious.

Okay...After much deliberation. (which wasn't really a chore as I quite liked reading them all again.)

Honourable mentions to...

Starbeast - Great humour and pace.

Paranoid Marvin - Really admire the effort, the pace and metering are excellent. You've caught the mother's voice perfectly, capturing her distress and despair.

Thank you Brev for including me in your "Honourable Mentios".

I agree with you about Paranoid Marvin's story, it really grabbed my attention and I could visualize the drama. I felt great pity for the character. The impact his story made upon me decided my vote amongst the many in my "Short List".

Howdy,
Thanks to Starbeast for short listing and to Perp for kind words.

Spent 2 days with doctors last week, had heart catherization yesterday, all in prep for bladder surgery Wed, if that don't get me a sympathy vote or two then I just don't know what else I can do! - Bob

You're welcome Bob, you created another memorable tale.

Get well soon my friend. And let us know how you're doing.

My top three are:

Starbeast -- for best laugh, and a very weird mental cartoon

Wow, I made your top three! Thank you HareBrain. Your description describes my tale spot on, heh heh.

Back from Holiday now and still very jet-lagged. However, thanks to the short listings of springs, r j dando, Starbeast and ratsy.

Welcome back, and you're welcome Highlander. You've submitted another outstanding story.

well I have voted, another stonking month from the Chrons.

My shortlist. (among others) starbeast – absence of innocence

Thanks for the listing Moonbat. I very much enjoyed your tale as well, nice work.

Stonking?

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the shortlisting Stevietee!