Discussion -- 300 Word Challenge #6

[Perpetual Man]

And straight into my comments, staying as for away from phalluses no matter how big they might be.


DE0- well just what do you do when you sit down to write the comments for the 300 word challenge, and find a master piece like this as the first entry?

Not only do we have a story with a real vow of its own it also is a great tale in its own right. Well told well written capturing an authentic feel for the period in which an alternate WWI took place with zombies no less! What makes it even more outstanding is the way it all comes together at the end, providing a well thought out consistency that gives the whole thin an internal structure That is enviable to say the least.


Springs - l have to saying not really surprised to find a reference to something as grim as a Concentration Camp because one of the first things, thought of when l saw the chimney was of a crematoria.

But it is always what we see, but how we tell the story and for a subject so dark we are treated to something that is close to beauty.

There is at the heart of the tale a love story that transcends suffering and pain, that is a tribute to survival, at the heat of which makes different perceptions of the world the characters see around them.

I, Brian –Another story that has a solid emotional core. It is beautifully written and ingot 30o words it becomes easy to not just like Bananabrain but to really connect with his character and to worry at just what he is going to attempt.

What I enjoyed more than anything was the undefined nature of just where he was and what had happened to those before him, all we trnow is what he believes, and in seeing that belief we can fear for just what he might try to do. The fact we never find whether he actually jumps and that ambiguity is the rang on the care. (Probably needs to be said that some of my perceptions were influenced by the previous story!)

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Perp, thank you for the review, I don't know how you do it. I'd have to go lie in a darkened room somewhere for a week.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Thank you, Perp. Wow, a master piece, no less.

 

[StilLearning]

Yaaargh, I just couldn't get this one quite right. But it's gone eleven, so here's my best shot.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Crikes! The quality this month is through the roof. I'm making my notes as I go through them and I've got more on my shortlist than I thought possible and I have note even reached the bottom of the first page.


Lilmizflashythang – Although the setting in this tale is highly imaginative throwing ideas away with a flagrant ease, it is the actual chase that really makes the story something special. A pulse-pounding run through a confined space that ticks all the boxes for an action chase sequence. There must be some primal fear imprinted deep within us, about being pursued by something larger and nastier than ourselves and this catches that so well. On a morning when I felt half asleep it managed to wake me up and that is no mean feat.

DthenB – Although we seem to enjoy the 300 word challenge because it gives that little bit more freedom than the 75 words, it is easy to forget that 300 words are not really that many and that it can cap what you produce. So with that in mind I was amazed At the depth produced here, a fully formed extension of religion that hit like a thrown brick, and increased as we got to see a glimpse of a dark future history. The fact that that there was a story there as well as all the detail made it all the more spectacular.

Teresa – It’s hard to write anything about this one, other than to say that I found it beautiful. The set up and the story of the ghost were perfect for a start to a story that blossomed like a flower as it continued. The description of the Angel was as beautiful as it was sad (at least to me), and the effect she had on Tom should have been terrifying seemed strangely wonderful as though it were the only possible outcome. The conclusion with the mention of lilies just wrapped it up perfectly.

allmywires – If ever there was a story that was going to be described as maudlin, but in a positive way then this is it. It is dark and sad, and filled with a slow burning tired emotion that is perfect for the thoughts of a soldier as his life slowly bleeds away. I loved the opening reference to Lord off the Rings, it gave a frame of reference for anyone who loves imaginative fiction and opens perfectly a story that you can see as you read.

Reiver33 – I f I really start to think about this one I’m sure my brain will start melting. The idea of ‘men’ looking back in time and grabbing the natural resources before the then population find them is simple just like all great ideas, but it is one that I have not seen before and cannot help but be amazed by it. The whole paradox it sets up is delicious, and the darker feeling of the closure with time starting to catch up with them is disturbing not to mention the mention of starting to go after the ‘lost’ members of past societies. This could quite easily be the basis for a novel, and I’d probably read it.

RcGrant – And then there was the zombie apocalypse. Maybe not, but the feel of this story really made me see a dark world where the worse had happened. In the ingrained and well presented innocence of Charlie really made the darkness come to life, while the protectiveness of the older sister gave the piece some strong emotion. Over all a good story, but one made all the better for the concluding line, I shiver right through the heart, and the encroaching feeling of dread.

Perp – What planet is this guy on?

Stevietee – What could be more terrible and glorious as someone’s child being selected to die, but in so doing becoming a sacrifice that allows the whole world to live? This story is well written with a strong core idea that hits home as you read it. While you are waiting for the payoff, it’s hard to see where the story is going and just what will become of the launch, but the conclusion is not a let down. Yet another excellent story for the challenge.

 

[Lilmizflashythang]

Lilmizflashythang – Although the setting in this tale is highly imaginative throwing ideas away with a flagrant ease, it is the actual chase that really makes the story something special. A pulse-pounding run through a confined space that ticks all the boxes for an action chase sequence. There must be some primal fear imprinted deep within us, about being pursued by something larger and nastier than ourselves and this catches that so well. On a morning when I felt half asleep it managed to wake me up and that is no mean feat.

Thank you Perp. This was my first chase scene, and I agonized over every single word in order to get it right. Thanks for letting me know that I caught the fear about being chased. It really means a lot to me. Especially, since it relayed so well to such a tough audience as yourself.

 

[allmywires]

Ta Perp as always for your kind words.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you, Perp, for the review. The story was a bit of a departure from the kind of thing I usually write, and I've been afraid that I was being too obscure about what it all meant.

 

[Phoenixthewriter]

I finally managed time to get a 300 worder in. Yep. Done.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I've been off on holiday this week, which might explain the delay in comments coming in only daytrips but enough to keep me away from the old PC. Will endevour to catch up in the next few days.

Apologies to anyone who is waiting for them to come in.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I do hope we are going to see a lot more stories come in in the next few days, because otherwise it's looking like a slow month. (Although there are some awesome stories!)

 

[Luiglin]

I've been off on holiday this week, which might explain the delay in comments coming in only daytrips but enough to keep me away from the old PC. Will endevour to catch up in the next few days.

Apologies to anyone who is waiting for them to come in.

How dare you have the temerity to take a holiday ;p

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I do hope we are going to see a lot more stories come in in the next few days, because otherwise it's looking like a slow month. (Although there are some awesome stories!)

I think a lot of us struggled with the image this month. I'm not sure why, it was wide enough, but I know I stared blankly at a sheet of paper with the word chimney on it for about six days.

 

[Hex]

It's weird how subjective these things are. This month's image (almost) instantly gave me an idea.

 

[crystal haven]

I'm still hoping to write a story, although I am struggling for ideas. I've had a very busy month, and I've been on holiday too, so trying to catch up.

 

[Allanon]

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!! I just realised I still have time to get an entry into this turn of the 300!!! Right, that's my weekend sorted!

 

[Phyrebrat]

Hello,

I have entered. Quite a lot of people have said this month’s stimulus was challenging for them which is at odds with the great stories that have been posted! For me it was not the picture or idea that I had a problem with, but the crafting of it.

I was really beating myself up with second-guesses when it came to editing. The first draft was around 370 words but after the feedback I got in the critiques section about another piece I was working on, I managed to cut loads of waffle off. I had a couple of lines I really wanted to keep but they just did not push the story anywhere so I committed creative infanticide.

The critiques which I used to inform my edits and so on have really wrong-footed me (in a good way) and I feel like I am starting at the beginning all over again - so much so that I was going to pass this challenge. However I realised I wouldn’t learn anything that way so I fiddled and cut and cajoled and whined and, well, sucked it up.

Again, great stories all around. I have a 2 hour coach trip to Bournemouth tomorrow so I will enjoy re-reading the ones that have been posted so far.

Good luck everyone!

pH

 

[Starbeast]

I do hope we are going to see a lot more stories come in in the next few days, because otherwise it's looking like a slow month. (Although there are some awesome stories!)

I agree, I thought by now there'd be at least fifty tales. I took me time to decide which idea I wanted to expand on. I went with plan D, weird science.

I can't wait to read what follows after me. Great work to everyone who submitted already. This will be interesting casting three votes on less then forty stories.

But, there's still time.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

We only went as high as fifty in April. Before that the record was (I think) forty-two, and I did hope we would reach that.

 

[Mouse]

I wasn't gonna enter but there's nothing on the box so I'll stare at the picture and see if anything comes to me now. Doesn't close yet, does it? *goes to check date*