Discussion -- 300 Word Challenge #7

[Lilmizflashythang]

I'm glad that's over, it haunted me for three weeks. Needless to say, it's up, and it's over.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

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.

Think of it this way, Scott-you didn't glue your finger INSIDE your nose. Or is that what actually happened?

 

[David Evil Overlord]

I'm going to have to have words with my Muse. Dreamed up an awesome 300 worder. But I've already posted one...

 

[matle]

Just read through some of the 300 word stories, there is some really good entries. I particularly enjoyed the submission my Hex! Really nice little concept tucked neatly into 300 words!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Billhafan – A wonderful story filled with all you could want. Some strong ideas, good characterization, a little emotion, a little humour and a solid ending that touches on humanity. There is a genuine warmth that comes across, a genuine feeling of warmth from all characters. And the stove. Really enjoyed it.

Grinnel – Before I read it I have to say this looks like the longest (space/presentation wise) 300 worder I’ve seen. It’s amazing how much space 300 words can spread to! There was no way I was not going to enjoy this, a comic-book script – right up my alley. Of course it is more than just a standard script, the character interacting (or trying to) with the creator is brilliant, still life given voice. A resounding ending too. I can almost hear the ‘I hate him!’ Good fun!

 

[Hex]

Thank you, matle. That's very lovely of you to say so.

Bouncebouncebouncebounce.

 

[billhafan]

Billhafan – A wonderful story filled with all you could want. Some strong ideas, good characterization, a little emotion, a little humour and a solid ending that touches on humanity. There is a genuine warmth that comes across, a genuine feeling of warmth from all characters. And the stove. Really enjoyed it.

PM - thanks so much for the praise and time taken to read it and comment - glad you enjoyed it, I enjoyed writing it!

 

[Grinnel]

ARTWORK: Mega-Man, in full costume, hands on hips, looking earnestly at the reader.

MEGA-MAN SPEECH BUBBLE: THANK YOU, PERPETUAL MAN! THANKS TO LOYAL READERS LIKE YOU, MEGA-MAN CAN CONTINUE TO KEEP THE WORLD SAFE FROM THE FORCES OF EVIL!

--------------------​

Please, please read Galaxy Girl instead! She's very entertaining and has great cleavage! Leave me alone!​

 

[stormcrow]

Posted!

Breathing out now...

Reading this thread has really whetted my appetite for a proper read of all the entries so far. I've skimmed and dipped until now...

"SC Ready for immersion, sir!"

 

[Robjwhite]

Err, I just posted. I hope it fits the requirements and things, I'm fairly new at this.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Karn – An excellent story that gives a totally different take on the picture. I liked the idea of a man taking on and beating a dragon – especially one so immense, but the real high point of the story is him not leaving the scene of the slaughter, unable to claim the treasure. It is completed perfectly with the challenge issued to the newcomer, or is this former hero now a dragon himself?

SciFrac – An attempt to do something a little different, and it works quite well. The language gives the story an archaic feel that sets it apart from the others. The protagonist is either humble or a deluded soul, but it does not matter, because the story is strong, and the final sentence completes it perfectly.

 

[SciFrac]

Thanks for your review Perp, I always enjoy your insights. We've got some fantastic entries this month.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Kylara – I’m not sure what more I can say about this particular one other than I loved it from the moment I started reading. The dragons were well realised and the concept was not just a good one, but an entertaining one. The ending was a clever little line and a dire warning that we should not deplete our favoured resources just because we like them. When they are gone, they are gone.(And obviously those Martians don’t taste as good)

Perp – Meh!

Kapelvig – For me, above all else, this was a brilliant descriptive piece. You could almost see the man making his tortuous journey, struggling against the weight of so many things to reach safety. It seems the news he carries is not good, but in many ways it is irrelevant, as a reader you just get to feel him struggling to reach safety, and the tiredness he feels is perfectly conveyed and felt.

DEO – When I first saw the title, I do not know why, I just thought of Tolkien. But the story had a feel of an old legend, a myth uncovered, and it tell a cautionary tale that would fit quite nicely in some forgotten history. How many things have been torn apart by the mistakes made with love at the heart of it? Quite a few, but not many quite as terrible as this where one step too far literally comes back to haunt the poor old wizard.

Starbeast – As always an explosion of fun. I remember the party well, what with all the carousing and the unseemly noise from downstairs. It was a great laugh, except for the shortage of ice. My G&T was just not the same lukewarm, and now we learn that the one person who went to get it has some excuse about half burned books, ancient beings and single-handedly saving the lot of us. Really! And still no ice!

Hex – Another apt warning about the dangers of magic and the consequences of accepting it at face value. Even the most beneficial of spells/items might have an unseen/unwanted side effect, and that is the case here. Of course the fact that he is stuck inside the boot and that none can hear him is rather terrifyingly amusing....

 

[Kylara]

Thanks Perp! That has really made my day. Fixed it right up and made it all better Thank you

 

[Boneman]

I finally posted - and I apologise in advance if my story is seredipitously like any one else's, as I deliberately haven't read any of them. I get intimidated, somewhat, by all the fabulous ideas if I do.

This is a great Challenge, isn't it?

 

[stormcrow]

Boneman - Agreed! This is a great challenge!

Better now that I've read them all! Including yours -

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Thanks for the review, Perp! And being compared to Tolkien, even if it was just for the title...

 

[The Holy Drunk]

I'll be posting mine tomorrow night. I've finished my second draft, so all I'll be doing tomorrow is tweaking. Like you Boneman I resist the urge to read others work before I'm done in these kind of competitions however now (basically) done I've just read through most of the entries. Some good, a few really good.

I really like these kind of limited word challenges. Reminds me of Stephen Fry's line about how its difficult to cultivate in an endless expanse but given a small plot you can plan and grow a respectable garden. It forces a bit of discipline into your writing.

However I did notice one or two, ones I liked and disliked, didn't seem to involve any speculative elements. That's fine by me (a good read is a good read) but is it allowed? I wouldn't want a nice 300 word story barred because it doesn't fit the niche.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

We can vote for it regardless ( ie the entries dont get disallowed based on the genre adherence) but it is encouraged that we keep and vote to the brief. But speculative gives a very wide remit.

 

[The Holy Drunk]

We can vote for it regardless ( ie the entries dont get disallowed based on the genre adherence) but it is encouraged that we keep and vote to the brief. But speculative gives a very wide remit.

Well I'm glad, one of the stories totally lacking speculative elements (wide remit yes, but 100% set in a totally real, current setting?) was one of my favourites.