Discussion Thread - SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE March 2013

[Jo Zebedee]

Alas, no. The term "fey" has often been used interchangeably with "faerie" and that's kind of what I did here. I was trying to better base it off of Celtic and Norse mythology.


A Baobhan Sith is supposed to be one of the faerie races of Celtic mythology and is pretty well equated with a female vampire.

We use fey, Karn, to refer to someone a bit ethereal/ touched by the faeries.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, I'm not perfect, but, I interpreted the word as to the immortal races themselves...

Hehe. Greek was always my specialty, where mythology is concerned, anyway...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Ah, but I might not be right -- these sort of terms vary from Celtic area to Celtic area. I would have no problem with it in the context of the faeries themselves.

 

[Bowler1]

We use fey, Karn, to refer to someone a bit ethereal/ touched by the faeries.

I had to look up what a Fey was and a Baobhan Sith, which I'd never heard of before. This seems to be closely tied in with the Banshee stuff in Ireland as well. I never knew that Banshee's sounded different across Ireland, the things you learn on Google!

 

[David Evil Overlord]

DEO – I am uncertain what to write about this one I mean what can be said for a truly insane entry that takes Heisenberg, one of the masters of theoretical physics and turns him to a 'smash you in the face' superhero? Off centre, totally imaginative and a great rollicking tale, turned classic by the way the last line changes the game.

Thanks, Perp.

I won't say more until voting is done. But then, I will say more. Bwahahahaha!!!!

 

[Perpetual Man]

I was going to say something about turning the writer into an evil super villain, then I remembered who I was talking to...

 

[Juliana]

Thank you, Starbeast!

Springs, doesn't fey also have something to do with foretelling death? Or is that Scottish?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thank you, Starbeast!

Springs, doesn't fey also have something to do with foretelling death? Or is that Scottish?

Not specifically that I know of, but the banshee is the biggy for doing that in Ireland. Bowler is right, banshees have unique cries and also differing ways to predict death -- some walk the corridors, some the ground, some are washer women. I researched them for a 300 once and then decided the story was too obscure even for me ( Shane's castle banshee for anyone who hasn't fallen asleep, a very odd one. )

 

[Perpetual Man]

Mosaix – A great updating of a classic tale, with some nice modernisations, from the name of the heroine through to the pay off at the end. It was nice to see how well constructed the story was and the thought that had gone into it in order to make it work, incorporating all the major elements smoothly and in so few words.

PM – What can I say? Once again a masterpiece from our poet laureate. The same things apply that I seem to say every month, from the construction of the piece, the spot on rhyming and the boundless fun that permeates every verse. A great story as well, with a final line that should make anyone smile, me I laughed out right. Loved it.

Dead Seed – A good question would be in a world where the fantastical is real, then what would soldiers be? More than just men with weapons, but weapons in themselves. This idea is the core of the story and a reminder that an old man might be old and frail, a victim waiting to happen, but there is a long history there and who knows just what he has done. A very clever idea, well set up and executed.

Johnny – I enjoyed the idea of this one, in a world where all has gone to hell there are still those out there that are prepared to go home to put right the wrongs. The inference that a malady of demons has shattered the common bond of language works really well – what hope of any coherent defence if the defenders cannot communicate? The last line is just brilliant.

Chris – A nice view on the superhero community, one that is probably more realistic than most comics (if the heroes really existed, of course). It is a very valid point that they only do the epic things and never seem to partake in the mundane; and when they do fight, the job of taking the villain down is something that should be achieved at any cost. No matter who gets hurt in the process.

 

[Bob Senior]

Howdy,
Dusty Zebra, yes I had to change my name to get back on the site, I am also now a foot shorter so the Royal Guard can't spot me in a crowd. A word of warning, never say Anything about the Queen's hats.
Bob

 

[Dead Seed]

Thanks for the nice review Perpetual Man! Much appreciated.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the nice review Perpetual Man! Much appreciated.

The pleasure is all mine, Dead Seed.

 

[Glitch]

Glitch – There is a level of subtext here that is rather clever. On a cursory inspection it could well be a person staring at themselves in the mirror playing a simple game; but it could be deeper. What if it is indeed a fairy battling itself, a simple reflection the darker part of its soul desperate to escape. Just as well for tea then!

Glitch - Whoa, you caught me off guard, with your tale about a man who sees the best and worst of himself as he looks into a mirror. Toying with the idea of both sides of himself doing combat against each other. Good stuff.

Thank you both. I've enjoyed the reviews almost as much as the stories themselves.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for that Glitch. It makes me think about the stories that much more, but does not seem to make it any easier when it comes to voting, thanks to the inordinate talent that fills the challenge each month!

 

[Starbeast]

Alas, no. The term "fey" has often been used interchangeably with "faerie" and that's kind of what I did here. I was trying to better base it off of Celtic and Norse mythology.


A Baobhan Sith is supposed to be one of the faerie races of Celtic mythology and is pretty well equated with a female vampire.

For Baobhan Sith, I did find the info about vampire lore. But Fey, I was uncertain about, but now I know I should check into mythology when I'm at a lost, or just ask you.

Thank you, Starbeast!

You're welcome Juliana.

Thank you both. I've enjoyed the reviews almost as much as the stories themselves.

You're welcome, and thanks.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks Perp, your comments make it all worth while.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks PM. I have to say how much I enjoy your poems, each and every month. It is a true talent.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

I was going to say something about turning the writer into an evil super villain, then I remembered who I was talking to...

Evil super villain? Moi?

 

[Lenny]

Thanks for the comments Alcu, Perp, SB, and Victoria! Apologies if I've put anyone off their cereal - I tend to wake up and skip straight to lunch.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

For Baobhan Sith, I did find the info about vampire lore. But Fey, I was uncertain about, but now I know I should check into mythology when I'm at a lost, or just ask you.

I'm not the best one to ask, hehehe. Like I said, I specialized more in basic Greek mythology and true, actual Norse as opposed to Celtic. It's all a fun hobby, really...reading up on mythology and such.


To be perfectly honest, I had to look up certain specific Celtic faerie races myself and to my ends here, the Baobhan Sith-which Wikipedia said was pronounced "be-vahn she" or something along those lines-sounded perfect to my uses. I didn't want to go with the basic banshee because they are not really "evil" in and of themselves. They're undesired, but do not actually directly interfere with mortals.


I have got to read up on more Celtic folklore mythology, honestly, rather than deity mythology. And most of that of Celtic I had forgotten as well, damn it.