DISCUSSION THREAD -- October 75 Word Challenge

[Perpetual Man]

And Perps's excellent review while changing nappies - thanks again.

You just don't want to know what was on my finger while I was writing them...

 

[stormcrow]

A big Thank You for the 'listings to Bowler1, Perp Man & johnnyjet: glad you liked it!

Each entry this month seemed to have a something special about it! From funny to heartbreakingly sad, earth-bound to cosmic: I've enjoyed them all.

Not good at shortening lists: here's a longish one...

ratsy - Powerful stuff! Amongst a number of really poignant entries, this one stood out for me.
Abernovo - I really liked the understated realism in this one. Very subtle.
johnnyjet - Lovely dark twist!
Southron Sword - Gave me a great sense of the emptiness of space...through dialogue alone! Clever!
EricWard - Another with great dialogue; really nice 'light' feeling to this. Great notion, too!
HareBrain - Delightfully wicked conclusion: I didn't see that coming! Dark chuckleworthy!
crystal haven - I loved this one! I have older sisters and can just about remember the era of moon-landings: you gave me images of Bowie and Bolan, on the moon! Ta!
Phyrebrat - Good strong storyline with a delicious twist! Bad planning 44!
James Coote - I really enjoyed your unique angle...and the caterpillar myth!

billhafan - So nearly my winner - until the evening of the final day. Brilliant idea.

My vote goes to:

Tisiphone - So many layers...so few words to keep 'em in: I really love how this works at least two ways! Superb!

 

[ratsy]

Thanks Perp for the shortlist and thank you Stormcrow for the nice comments and listing.

And thank you someone for the vote...I took a quick look at the poll and was surprised to see one for my little story!

I hope to do a reread and vote tomorrow.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

My short list

Kylara, for her wounded dragon.
Springs, for bringing a tear to my eye.
Parson, for his flying turtles.
Johnnyjet, for giving the children motivation to play with.
TacticalLoco, for remembering to recycle.
Nixie, for building a stairway.
HareBrain, for falling stars.
Hex, for expecting the Satanic Inquisition.
FeedMeTV, for loyalty above and beyond the call of doggy.
James Coote, for the caterpillars that ate Heaven.
The Judge, for going thus to the stars.

And the vote goes to...Hopewrites, for sight.

 

[Abernovo]

Thanks and thanks again for the mentions from Bowler, Perp, Starbeast and stormcrow. Chortling around the room.

My long list was huge! Leaving the genre open produced so many different takes and so many excellent entries, it was almost impossible to choose. There wasn't even a bad entry. Particularly brilliant were springs (I got all choked up ), Parson, crystal haven, Hex, Cul, Boneman and The Judge.

But, to my Short List and my vote:
clippedwolf
Highlander
The Dusty Zebra
The Spurring Platty

I really didn't want to choose between these, though. All, too good.

 

[Parson]

I'm about to head to Minneapolis for a Vikings game. But thanks for the kind mentions to Scott R. F.; Dark E. O.; and Abernovo. My vote might be at the last minute.

 

[Robjwhite]

My vote's in, I had four or five stories open in tabs trying to whittle them down, but eventually plumped for The Spurring Platty - Turning your Back on Childhood. Wasn't a massive fan of the title, but very much enjoyed the story. It's got a certain wickedness about it and I'd love to see how a character like Jenny matures into adulthood.

 

[Juliana]

On my short list:

Luiglin
alchemist
nixie
stormcrow
Ursa Major

My top three - so hard to choose between!

Springs
Moonbat
HareBrain

But in the end, I chose Springs' story - it went straight to the heart.

 

[Kylara]

Thanks, for all the listings, much appreciated...and a sneaky vote from Karn! Thank you very very much!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, wow, doing the vote dance. Thankyou Juliana

And thanks for the mentions, Aber, DEO, Scotty, Starbeast and Johnnyjet.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

A vote! A vote, a vote, a vote!

...sorry, getting carried away -- it's been a while! I don't have any pigtails, so you'll just have to imagine them twirling and all that.

Thanks for the lovely vote, Abernovo, and for the mentions, Perpetual Man and alchemist!

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks for nice comments for my story by TheDustyZebra, Perpetual Man & Starbeast. Thanks for the short listings by Perpetual Man, Phyrebrat, alchemist, stormcrow & David Evil Overlord. And a special excited thanks to springs for the vote!

Among so many talented writers from all around the world, I feel especially honored.

 

[Boneman]

So: that hateful time - having to choose one from the many. Shortlist, very shortlist, tied equal 1st, and winner goes like this:
Shortlist:
Bowler 1
Luiglin
johnnyjet
Hex
The Judge

Very Shortlist:
Springs
Alchemist

Tied equal 1st:
Harebrain
The Spurring Platty

Winner:
Harebrain by a coin.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Thanks, for all the listings, much appreciated...and a sneaky vote from Karn! Thank you very very much!

Hey, as I said, I love dragons. And yours held a lot of emotion behind it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Very Shortlist:
Springs
Alchemist

I think you just guaranteed yourself a drink, no matter which Ireland you visit.

Thank you very much.

 

[Bowler1]

I'll take a shortlist, Boneman thank you very much.

HB is going to take some catching now, good show.

 

[HareBrain]

Harebrain by a coin.

Hey, karma works! (If you remember back to the very first challenge )

Thanks so much to Lola, Alc, Hex, Boneman and Phyrebrat for the votes (and others for mentions). I wasn't even convinced I would make many shortlists this month, so it's been a fantastic surprise -- and Phyrebrat, I don't think I've ever received praise like that, so thank you. Goes some way to make up for having a stinking head-cold.

 

[stormcrow]

Juliana - Thanks for the shortlisting: really glad you liked my story!

 

[FeedMeTV]

Thanks Mouse!

I found it incredibly hard to vote this month, there were so many truly wonderful entries. In fact, there wasn't one I didn't like.

Coming very close: HareBrain, The Spurring Platty and Boneman.

But my vote went to stromcrow in the end.

 

[Boneman]

That's august company!! My two equal firsts alongside me! Thanks FMTV!!