DISCUSSION THREAD -- December 2012 75-word Writing Challenge

[TacticalLoco]

Tactical -- I love that. The first line especially is genius (and the last).

Thank you. You know I'm quite a fan of your stuff as well.
(But still not Ms. Meyers. )

 

[Starbeast]

Ah good, someone has posted. My turn again (I try not to double post).



Bowler1 - A disgruntled vampire during the holidays is a dangerous thing, well done. Go get Bieber!

Juliana - An office costume party with a bored vampire, that's funny. And someone dressed as Spiderman, nice touch.

TacticalLoco - Excellent vampire kill. That will teach those bloodsuckers to never go to Santa's village. Time to put a "Hiring Elves" sign in the factory window.

Nixie - Fiendishly cool tale of a midnight meal, with a vampire who doesn't really want to kill worshipers.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Ratsy – A rather startling take on a Christmas classic, but the rhythm is caught perfectly and the story it tells is a twisted remembrance of what has gone before. The word choice are spot on evoking images that are disturbing in the best possible way, while the description of the hunters was a little camp, giving it the perfect feel at the end.

Hex – Ahh, just how crafty are those little vampires eh? Here not only do they pretend to be the electricity company come to read the meter, but are prepared to commit an ultimate sacrilege – pretending to be Santa, and praying on the innocent minds before they pray on the blood. A perfectly chilling last line.

Aber – A different tale this time, but one that works perfectly. It almost had the feeling of a classic fairy tale, where punishment comes to the unjust, but a fitting one at that. A vampire that feeds on an elf is ensnared by the blood it so desires, forced to do Santa’s bidding is a good enough idea, but the fact it remembers what it is and still has to do it, that makes the story remarkable.

Luiglin – Although it inspires a great image of Santa staking a fanged miscreant (how about that on a Christmas card), it is the reminder that Father Christmas knows been naughty or nice, and informs us that although we know what happens to good boys and girls it never says how far he is prepared to go for the bad.

stormcrow – drawing upon something from a more modern mythology, we get a somewhat sad interpretation of the football match in no-man’s land. Two opposing armies give each other respite during Christmas, and part ways in the spirit of peace. The tragedy is that when the vampires come to feed it is the fear of the screams, and the simple conclusion of the cause that leads to war starting again. Evokes emotion beautifully.

I can see there being a problem this month. As I zip through my comments I mark those that really stand out, and this leads to my short list at the end of voting. I've just looked back through what I have done so far, and every one has a mark.

If the quality continues like this it's going to be a loooong short list

 

[Abernovo]

Wow! Thanks for that lovely review, Perp. Remarkable isn't a word I'm used to.

 

[Juliana]

Thanks Starbeast!

 

[Luiglin]

Thanks Perp ... Santa always delivers

 

[TacticalLoco]

I can see there being a problem this month. As I zip through my comments I mark those that really stand out, and this leads to my short list at the end of voting. I've just looked back through what I have done so far, and every one has a mark.

If the quality continues like this it's going to be a loooong short list

Haha! Yes! I used to have this problem every single month.
It is no exaggeration to at all to say that every story is a well crafted winner.
Particularly when you take into account the work and courage it takes to create and post.

I'm afraid I've become much more brutal in my attempts to winnow out the honorable mentions.
Sometimes (like last month), I feel quite bad about some of it.

I know my own little stories wouldn't survive the cut most of the time.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Mine's up.

Thanks to Luiglin whose little comment above gave me the idea - not sure how but it clicked when I read it.

I've used a different font than normal. It works fine on my computer, but not sure whether everyone is going to be able to see it the way I posted it. For anyone interested, the font used was kristen ITC. (It does add a little something but nothing serious!)

 

[hopewrites]

Font showed up fine on my phone (I miss posting from my computer and wish I had time to turn it on) cute letter. Made me say "oh no!" While laughing deliciously.

Starbeast yours is chillingly dark and left me feeling empty (in the best possible way) excellent job. I've been enjoying your comments as well, concise and insightful.

So thanks to both of you for spending the added time to give us your best opinions of the entries.

 

[Hex]

Looks fine to me, Perp (and I loved the letter!). Thank you for the comments. I loved those too.

Do you need to go and kick the cat sometimes after being so nice and positive all the time on here?

 

[Perpetual Man]

Looks fine to me, Perp (and I loved the letter!). Thank you for the comments. I loved those too.

Do you need to go and kick the cat sometimes after being so nice and positive all the time on here?

I have my moments

It's quite easy to be positive here, because you're all so good.

And if I need to let off some steam I phone BT.

 

[Luiglin]

Thanks to Luiglin whose little comment above gave me the idea - not sure how but it clicked when I read it.

No problem, there's always a plan B and if that fails plan C is not far behind. However if you get to plan Z then you could be in trouble.

Poor kid, let's hope Santa doesn't take it literally.

 

[ratsy]

Perp, once again thank you for the kind words. They are as always, much appreciated. To be honest, these challenges have really been what I have needed to get some creative juices flowing and it is great to get any sort of positive results with the talent level on this site. I am completely new to writing but I have always had it in my head that I would like to do it.

 

[nixie]

Thanks Starbeast, Pep I hope you don't kick the cat

 

[Perpetual Man]

I would never ever think of kicking the cat.

If we had one.

Shooting the cat, if you are familiar with something that might be a local colloquialism is an entirely different matter. (And not something I have done in a long, long time)

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks Starbeast!

You're welcome Juliana.

Thanks Starbeast

You're welcome Nixie.


Southron Sword - A very good dark tale about the Kringles. A Merry Christmas...indeed.

Highlander - Heh heh heh, you slipped a zinger at the end, nicely executed, and so is Santa.

Johnnyjet - These unwise men made a fatal stable mistake, now the vampires will enjoy their first holiday feast, excellent.

Perpetual Man - Nothing sweeter than a fresh young mind. What a great meassage written too...well, we shall wait and see what arrives on the 25th. Heh heh heh.



Jeepers, I'm sounding like the Crypt Keeper from Tales From the Crypt

 

[stormcrow]

Perp Man - Thank You so much for your review and comments.

I'll add my name to growing list this month saying "much appreciated" - and to Starbeast also!

Don't you guys ever sleep?

 

[Perpetual Man]

Sleep? I do just not enough. I probably give up a bit of time when I could be writing or reading to do it, but it's worth the effort.

Thanks for the comment Starbeast, feels odd to be saying that...

As has often been said to me it's funny what other people see in our stories that we don't, the different spin or interpretation that makes them seem so different than we thought they were.

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

Thanks to Hope and Aber for some very kind words, and also to Starbeast and Perp for offering up some delightful reviews. You guys sure know how to put a smile on my face.

There are too many amazing entries this month already. Making a short list is going to be a nightmare ... and that's all I need before Christmas.

 

[Starbeast]

Perp Man - Thank You so much for your review and comments.

I'll add my name to growing list this month saying "much appreciated" - and to Starbeast also!

Don't you guys ever sleep?

I'm a vam...er, night owl. A few hours of sleep is what I usually get daily. I'm wide awake most of the time, that's why I don't need stimulents like coffee. If I need a ten minute nap, I'll take it.

Thanks for the comment Starbeast, feels odd to be saying that...

As has often been said to me it's funny what other people see in our stories that we don't, the different spin or interpretation that makes them seem so different than we thought they were.

Same here. I like the font you used and the way it was written, very nice. And a big welcome I hand to you. I normally don't get a chance to comment right after someone has posted, I've noticed they spring up fast.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep up with all of these quick posters. However, this month, I too have been inspired early and submitted within one day after reading the challenge.

Next month is a double challenge.

You're welcome Scott. And I agree with you, there are a great deal of unique and original Vampire Tales.

Pleasent dreams everyone