Discussion -- 300 Word Challenge #7

[David Evil Overlord]

Fish and chips, Starbeast?

 

[BigJ]

I think I allowed myself too much time with this one. I've got 4 separate entries, all with fairly different ideas behind them, all in various stages of editing (because nothing's ever that close to 300 words when you first finish it), and I find myself paralyzed by indecision. Bleh. At least I can enjoy reading the entries posted thus far.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Just had to say this...

Hex... Wow!

pH

 

[Hex]

Thank you, Phyre. You are, without question, my absolute favourite brat

 

[Perpetual Man]

As mentioned in the 75 word challenge, my time is being eroded at the moment, so the comments are not as long as normal for the 300 worder, but still with the basic tenant of being positive.


Luiglin - What on earth have I stumbled into? Even with the crazy words there is the sense of something wonderful, eccentric and oh so English in this brilliant opening story. The final sentence is a beautifully written piece that ties it all up so perfectly. A reminder to fetter their imaginations and not run free with their creativity and invention, when that is what they really want/need to do.

Springs – Following a taste of England we get Ireland next, and a second high class entry. Aliens wanting an artefact. A pair of boots. Airline intractability. The end of the world. There are some great parts throughout this entry, but the feeling of the living world shrinking as the plague spreads works well; the line about the sheep is beautiful and the line about even the locals not finding the village is a classic.

Scott – It is a fascinating question – if it was possible would we bring loved ones back from the grave? Quite possibly, but then, what if there were a horrific downside, could we live with the terrible consequences? And even seeing what happened to the others, no matter how monstrous, would we yield to our own desires and temptations. A magnificent idea, that is loaded with questions, and presented perfectly.

Bowler – This almost feels like a snatch of a mundane existence. A simple man leading a simple life. The extraordinary comes from the opening, he is on another world. But the story told is nothing special, a snapshot of a simple life, but it never gets boring and tells a tale that could well be everyday. A man surviving. The damage done to important clothing, and the punishment meted out. Most importantly for me? The very human moment when his resolve nearly fails him and he almost lets the dog in.

 

[Luiglin]

Summed it up a treat. Thanks Perp.

 

[Bowler1]

Thank you, Perp, have a hobnob.

Ah, but does he leave the dog outside?

The 75 has been slow this month but the 300 has been great fun with loads of newbie entries that have me worried. This is my first 300, and I'm feeling the pressure, I need sugar, can I have a hobnob back?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Perp, as ever, thank you so much. You're brill.

 

[Perpetual Man]

My pleasure.

Have the whole packet Bowler, or help yourself to something from the biscuit barrel

Biscuit Barrel

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Thanks, as ever, Perp; you never fail to make my day.

And biscuits, don't mind if I do. What? Wait a minute ... Bowler's gone and nicked all the Hobnobs again! Damn it!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Juliana – A good idea and wonderful reinterpretation of a classic children’s tale. Each time something familiar comes along it feels fresh, shown in a different light, while the ending, the utterance of the famous words take on a sinister overtone, giving the feeling that Jack might not be getting away this time...

Ratsy – There is the feeling of a legend here, made more personal from the perspective it is told from. A woman looking at the life she knew her husband had led, and what he had given her; the larger than life exploits, the retirement and unable to refuse a call when it came. It feels like a form of reality even though the events are somewhat mythic. The ending is perfect. Who is at the door, only our imaginations need answer.

 

[Juliana]

Thanks PM! I have to say, I had a lot of fun with it...

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's entries in both challenges, its interesting to see the many different directions a single theme can go! First time taking part and loving it!!

 

[Starbeast]

Nice entry Star - pretty careless of you but thanks for fixing it before we all became meat ornaments for the last Christmas ever . . .

Thanks for the comment kshRox. I wanted to make a horror tale this time around. I like your Mars story.

Meat ornaments, that's funny.

Fish and chips, Starbeast?

LOL. That remark made me laugh. Thanks David Evil Overlord.

I like your dark fantasy, and the names Tanarath & Melanthae.


Great collection of stories submitted so far. It was a pleasure reading them all.

 

[Perpetual Man]

kshRox – A great story that tells you what you need to, but manages to hit you with enough depth to make you feel it. Of course there is a whole story given here, some facts don’t need to be given, they are just there. And the ending was spot on, a slightly sinister feeling for all the right reasons!

Mouse - There is something slightly creepy in this one too. I started to think that there we might be about to be given a story on age and the loss of mental facilities, but there was certainly something more going on and it revolved around the old boots. Someone swapped them. But it is the who and why that really makes the story tick. Are the old couple dolls subject to the whims of those that dress them, or are the dolls the one making the changes...

Aber – Another cracking entry. A man stranded on a world with no hope of survival, but with a history of his own that is quite heroic. But there is what he left behind and it dwells within him, a poignant regret. But the end really makes the story – is he drifting off into death dreams helping him as he goes, or could there really be a survey ship coming to his rescue? It’s up to you.

 

[Mouse]

Dun dun duuuuuun! Thanks, Perp.

 

[Abernovo]

And the answer is...Thanks, Perp!

Some smashing entries again, this month.

 

[ratsy]

Thanks Perp ! You nailed it

 

[Perpetual Man]

My pleasure, as always folks.

Hope you did not get stuck to the keyboard typing that Mouse

 

[Mouse]

Hope you did not get stuck to the keyboard typing that Mouse

Ha! Oh dear. I've only got a teeny bit left on my thumb now.

(For those of you who are wondering, I had an accident with some ridiculously strong glue today and got covered in it and couldn't get it off).

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Ha! Oh dear. I've only got a teeny bit left on my thumb now.

(For
those of you who are wondering, I had an accident with some ridiculously strong
glue today and got covered in it and couldn't get it off).

I once super-glued my finger to my face. Trust me to get an itchy nose, whilst using, possibly, the most super of all super-glues.

Needless to say, I wasn't at all impressed at the time.